Coca-Cola announced today it will release a new version of its classic soda sweetened with U-S sugar, which could benefit Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. Louisiana ranks second in the country in sugar cane produced, nearly 14-million tons of sugarcane each year. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is excited about the news…

Cut 12 (07) “…cane sugar”

President Trump said last week he spoke with Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States.

The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid out almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds to both current and former residents in the 2025 fiscal year. That’s the second highest annual amount in the program’s history, just a tad less than the amount paid four years ago. State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s surprising how many people are owed money.

Cut 9 (08)  “…1.2-billion dollars.”

A former St. Tammany Parish lawmaker and current BESE board member is in line to become the new head of the U.S. Mint. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In case you haven’t already noticed, it’s a scorcher outside, and it’s going to remain that way for the rest of the week. If you have to work outside, make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says you should begin the day by drinking two glasses of water – and make sure it’s water.

Cut 3 (08) “…in your body.”

It’s reporting day for the Saints as players report for training camp today as training camp begins tomorrow. New Orleans is in a rebuilding phase with a new head coach and nine players selected in the 2025 draft, including the ninth overall pick, Kelvin Banks….

Cut 9 (12) “…right away”

That’s New Orleans football’s Mike Triplett.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says beginning next Monday, 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery.  That’s up from ten tags last year.

Cut 12 (10) “…by our citizens.”

Applicants will pay a 50-dollar non-refundable fee, and the 25 lucky ones who get hunting tags will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

Louisiana has stopped a large-scale coastal restoration project called the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the state will now move forward with a smaller diversion plan called the Myrtle Grove project in Plaquemines Parish.

Cut 15 (09) “…within three years.”

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish says he’s been an avid coin collector his entire life, ever since his grandmother gave him a coin she had saved from the Great Depression.

Cut 4 (14) “…my entire life.”

Eliminating the penny will be one Hollis’ tasks once he’s confirmed in the Fall.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery, starting next Monday.

Cut 10 (10) “…your lottery tag.”

Last year, in the state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987, it was only open in far northeast Louisiana. This year there will be hunting zones n south Louisiana.

After an offseason of questions, it’s time for answers. Saints players report for training camp today. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints released an alternate gold jersey today that would go with black helmets.

It’s Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans. The Ragin Cajuns are the favorite to win the West. ULM is picked to finish last in the division.

McNeese says it will make a major announcement regarding its athletic department tomorrow afternoon.

The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges reports there’s a lot of speculation on what Congresswoman Julia Letlow does next. Will she run for re-election next year, will she seek to become the next president of LSU, or will she run for U-S Senate and challenge incumbent Bill Cassidy in next April’s Republican Party Primary? Bridges says Letlow would not speak to him for this article, but he spoke with dozens of others…

Cut 6 (13) “…Senator Cassidy.”

Last week, Governor Landry cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, a three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project. The project is being replaced with the Myrtle Grove project, which Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says will achieve the goal in a much more cost-effective way.

Cut 15 (11) “…growth is good.”

A Morgan City woman is working on a feature film about the first woman ever executed in the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former high school football star from New Orleans was fatally shot over the weekend in Tennessee. Last December, Corey Adams helped Edna Karr win a state title and he was preparing for his freshman season at Ole Miss, but Tennessee authorities say Adams was one of five people shot just outside of Memphis. He was the only one to succumb to his wounds, the others are listed in non-critical condition. No arrests have been made.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is one of the most well-liked politicians in the state and she’s facing a big decision according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

The debate continues over the decision to end the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, a $3 billion coastal restoration project. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wishes the state spent its time and money on other projects…

Cut 14 (11) “…protecting our coast”

Former Congressman Garret Graves says it’s a huge mistake not to go through with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.

Did you know that Ada Leboeuf was the first woman executed in Louisiana and there are plans to do a feature film on her story? Leboeuf was hanged in St. Mary Parish in 1929 along with her family physician, Doctor Tom Dreher, in connection with the murder or her husband. Morgan City filmmaker Matison LeBlanc and her team produced a 15-minute short and it was a huge hit…

Cut 8 (09) “…can happen”

LeBlanc is moving forward with the full-length feature film but is seeking five to seven million dollars in financing. She says the state’s 40-percent film tax incentive will help.

The voice of Ragin Cajuns athletics on ESPN-plus, Dan McDonald, is excited that Louisiana Tech is joining the Sun Belt…

Cut 12 (08) “…great deal”

Tech will join the Sun Belt in either 2026 or 2027, and their natural rivals will be ULM, the Cajuns and Southern Miss.

The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

A drive-by shooting Sunday afternoon in Ponchatoula claimed the life of 17-year-old Marvin Wells and resulted in two others who were wounded. Police are searching for 19-year-old Julius Glass Junior and 18-year-old Kera Wolbers on murder charges.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser fully supports Governor Landry’s decision to halt the three billion dollar Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Nungesser says it was way too costly…

Cut 13 (13) “…we building it”

Former Congressman Garret Graves says stopping the Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion is a major setback for the coast.

ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”