The Saints traded in black and gold for white and gold with a new alternate helmet released today. Kace Kieschnick has more

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________________

Cotton used to be Louisiana’s top agricultural commodity, but this year the state is expected to produce its smallest cotton crop ever. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

President Trump’s budget bill phases out wind and solar power tax credits created during the Biden Administration. These tax credits help energy companies pay for projects that produce solar and wind energy. Director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, Doctor Greg Upton, says without this federal subsidy, ratepayers will pick up more of the cost, but the impact is several years away…

Cut 3 (09) “…the facility.”

New solar and wind energy projects can still receive the tax credit, but construction needs to start in the next year to qualify.

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis has said the bill signed into law by the President last week will raise electricity prices. Upton says it’s possible, but not in the short term…

Cut 4 (11) “…period of time.”

There are 14 utility-scale solar farms in Louisiana, five of these farms were built last year. The Advocate reports there are at least five utility-scale wind projects in development in Louisiana.

Upton says less than one percent of the electricity in Louisiana comes from solar and wind and that percentage will likely not grow as a result

Cut 5 (07) “…that speed.”

________________________________________________

University Lab two-way lineman Lamar Brown is set to make his commitment at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Zach Nagy of SI on LSU says the five-star is the number one-ranked athlete in the class of 2026.

Cut 6 (11) “…offensive lineman.”

Brown is a top ten recruit according to most outlets and ESPN’s top overall prospect. Nagy says the Cub will have his pick of schools, but he’s narrowed down his list.

Cut 7 (13) “…and versatility.”

Brown canceled his official visit to LSU following his trip to College Station. Nagy says he’s been a top priority for the Tigers’ staff, who currently have two D-line commits in the 2026 class.

Cut 8 (14) “…and he knows it.”

On3.com gives LSU an 86% chance to land the blue chip while 247Sports gives the nod to Texas A&M with a 75% chance.

________________________________________________

Louisiana Democrats say they plan on making inroads ahead of the midterm elections by launching what they call the “Fight For Our Lives.” State Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says that involves reaching out to people from outside the party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…that we build.”

Lanus says that also means traveling to parishes that have historically tilted very far towards the Republicans.

Cut 10 (06) “…to rural parishes.”

Lanus points out that so far, the strategy has worked. He notes that Lake Charles has just elected its first Black mayor in history, with independent Marshall Simien unseating Republican incumbent Nic Hunter. He also noted that DeRidder, in Beauregard Parish, elected its first Black mayor in Democrat Michael Harris. Lanus says the Louisiana Democratic Party can become a better party by Louisiana becoming a better state.

Cut 11 (10) “…slash-united-gulf.”

________________________________________________

For decades cotton was king. But this year the Louisiana cotton crop is expected to be the smallest in history. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says input costs to produce cotton has gone up and the price farmers can get for cotton has gone down from two dollars a pound in the mid-1800s

Cut 12 (12) “…what’s going on.”

Soybeans is Louisiana’s largest crop, followed by corn and rice. The number of cotton gins has also declined from 56 in 2001 to 15 today. Strain says farmers will not spend time growing a crop that’s hard to turn a profit

Cut 13 (05)  “…other crops.”

Strain says less than 100-thousand acres of cotton could be planted this year.

Cut 14 (09) “…by soybeans.”

The Louisiana Democratic Party says it will make sure the primary will not be Bill Cassidy’s only political fight next year, should he survive it. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

Candidates seeking to replace term-limited New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell can officially qualify today for the October 11^th primary. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

A delegation representing the Saints is visiting France this week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

ULM has received the final nine million dollars in state funding required to complete the renovation of its Sugar Hall. Sugar Hall was opened in 1971 to house ULM’s College of Pharmacy before moving to the Bienville Campus in 2005. President Dr. Carrie Castille says Sugar Hall is ingrained in Louisiana healthcare.

Cut 4 (12) “…sciences programs.”

The renovation is scheduled to finish in the summer of 2026. Castille says the new-and-improved Sugar Hall will host occupational therapy, medical laboratory science, speech pathology and other College of Health Science programs.

Cut 5 (12) “…workforce development.”

Castille says the facility will also function as community clinics for the school’s occupational therapy, speech-language, and dental hygiene programs.

Cut 6 (10) “…northeast Louisiana.”

________________________________________________________

Bill Cassidy may be in for the fight of his political life next April with two prominent Republicans running against him for the party’s nomination in the state’s newly-closed primary election. But Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says if Cassidy survives, that won’t be his only fight next year.

Cut 7 (08) “…run against him.”

State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez have both announced primary challenges against Cassidy, with each citing his vote to convict then-former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial following the January 6th attack at the Capitol. Lanus says no matter how much Cassidy bows to Trump now that he’s President again, the damage is done, and it’s irreparable.

Cut 8 (09) “…it didn’t work.”

Lanus says with the passage of what Republicans call the Big Beautiful Bill and what Democrats call the Big Ugly Bill, the gloves are off, and Democrats are coming out fighting in the midterms next year.

Cut 9 (08)  “…House Speaker Johnson.”

While Louisiana currently has two Republicans in the Senate, it wasn’t too long ago that Louisiana had a Democrat in the Senate. Mary Landrieu served in the Senate until the start of 2015, when she was unseated by Cassidy. Louisiana, in fact, was represented by two Democrats as recently as the start of 2005,when David Vitter became the state’s first Republican senator since 1883.

(Note: 1883 is not a typo.)

________________________________________________________

Qualifying begins today for the October 11^th election and the biggest race in the state is the mayor’s race in New Orleans. Current mayor LaToya Cantrell is term limited and cannot seek a third term. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak expects several candidates will sign up to qualify over the next three days and as it stands now, four of them have a shot.

Cut 10 (07) “…from running.”

Former Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Arthur Hunter, New Orleans City Council president Helena Moreno, city councilor Oliver Thomas and state senator Royce Duplessis have the highest name recognition. Chervenak says two polls have been conducted on the race and Moreno is the favorite.

Cut 11 (13) “..through the campaign.”

Duplessis announced his entrance into the race less than two weeks ago. He has been an outspoken state lawmaker since 2019 and Chervenak says Duplessis can use his experience as a legislator to his advantage.

Cut 12 (12) “…right now.”

________________________________________________________

A delegation from the Saints, including owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis, is on a relationship-building mission in France this week. Also among the delegation is Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel; he says they will be launching flag football this Sunday with their European League of Football counterparts, the Paris Musketeers.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in the NFL.”

With the heavy French influence on both New Orleans and Louisiana, it’s only fitting that the NFL granted the Saints international marketing rights to France. Bensel says team executives have taken several relationship-building trips to France over the years.

Cut 14 (14) “…business in Louisiana.”

Bensel says of course, the Saints are using this trip to grow the game of American football in France.

Cut 15 (10) “…it more popular.”

The Paris Musketeers, by the way, have a direct lineage to the Saints. Their head coach is Jack Del Rio, who started his NFL career with the Saints, playing for them for two seasons.

________________________________________________________

Haynesville safety and quarterback Isaiah Washington announced his commitment to LSU July 4th. The three-star prospect chose the Tigers over Arkansas, Tulane and Louisiana Tech. Haynesville football coach David Franklin says Washington will be an elite athlete in the LSU secondary.

Cut 16 (13) “…room to grow.”

Washington is the number 23 prospect in Louisiana and the third-ranked safety in the state. Franklin says the Golden Hurricane had an opening at quarterback Washington’s freshman year.

Cut 17 (19)  “…leader now.”

Washington joins the 2026 LSU recruiting class currently ranked eighth in the nation and featuring two five-star and nine four-star commits. Franklin says he’s had a lot of great athletes come through his program, but not all are built the same.

Cut 18 (16)  “…all the tools.”

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says slain St. Gabriel Officer Devin Boutte was under investigation and had a relationship with his suspected killer. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________________

The United Cajun Navy is in the Texas Hill Country helping with search and rescue efforts following the catastrophic flash flooding that has so far killed 108 people. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

St. Gabriel police captain Devin Boutte was found stabbed to death in his home Sunday morning. Authorities report the officer had an on-and-off domestic relationship with the suspect and was under investigation for corruption. 25-year-old Warren Mitchell III admitted to stabbing Boutte multiple times. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says the suspect sold drugs for Boutte.

Cut 3 (11) “…doing together.”

Crystal meth and other drugs were found inside the home. Stassi brought allegations of corruption to the Attorney General’s Office, which began their investigation just ten days before the murder.  Stassi says the investigation was slowed.

Cut 4 (12) “…end result.”

Mitchell is facing charges of second-degree murder as the homicide investigation is still ongoing. Stassi says the vicious attack occurred while Boutte was sleeping, and the entire situation is tragic.

Cut 5 (14) “…that person.”

________________________________________________

The United Cajun Navy is helping with the search and rescue operation in the Texas Hill Country, where more than 100 people have been killed in flash floods. So far, United Cajun Navy searchers have found 11 bodies. Vice President Brian Trascher says they have sent people with very specific backgrounds to the scene.

Cut 6 (14) “…kind of experience.”

Trascher says rain in the area has subsided; and thus, the rivers are fairly calm. 

Cut 7 (12) “…to be there.”

Trascher says the United Cajun Navy will remain in Texas until officials there say they have everything under control.

Cut 8 (15) “…easier on us.”

Overall, the death toll has reached 108. Five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for.

________________________________________________

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana is responding to the disaster through its UnitedGulf disaster relief campaign. Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Norman says the very best thing you can donate right now is money.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of logistical work.”

Norman says furthermore, by donating cash, you’re not creating additional logistical headaches.

Cut 10 (06) “…of the area.”

Norman says if you’d like to help out in this effort, it’s very easy.

Cut 11 (10) “…slash-united-gulf.”

(Text UNITEDGULF to 40403 or visit unitedwayswla.org/unitedgulf)