A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet was sentenced to 27 months in a minimum-security federal facility. In March, he pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme. He will also have to pay a 40-thousand-dollar fine.

A new law signed by Governor Landry means motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded, the same consequences faced by Louisiana vehicles without insurance. Author of the Act, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says it will help lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13) “…for Louisiana drivers.”

Louisiana Tech becomes an official member of the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow. The LA Tech football team traveled nearly 8,000 miles last season, but Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says, with the Sun Belt’s regionality, those days are over.

Cut 10 (09) “…or wherever.”

The Bulldogs will join the Sun Belt West division with in-state rivals UL Lafayette and ULM, as well as nearby neighbors Arkansas State and Southern Miss.

Out-of-state vehicles without insurance now face the same consequences as Louisiana uninsured vehicles, thanks to a new law that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861 and says uninsured vehicles is a problem in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…their states require.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as part of the Weekday CUSA TV deal. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3^rd, but ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 26 (11) “…on past performance.”

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model could decrease the number of available scholarships for high schoolers thanks to its guaranteed five years of eligibility. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

After reports that the runoff between her and State Treasurer John Fleming could be a nailbiter, Julia Letlow won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate Saturday night by 14 percentage points. Fleming’s campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF, the Letlow campaign spent a lot on advertising in the days leading up to the run-off election…

Cut 13 (09) “…never heard of.”

Letlow is now the favorite to be elected to the U.S. Senate in the November 3 general election versus Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. During the closed party primaries, Letlow geared her messaging towards fellow Republicans. Now that the race has shifted to the general election phase, Letlow says her strategy will remain consistent with the approach she’s had since entering the race in January.

Cut 7 (10) “…earn their vote.”

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North Landfill to find the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the search will be conducted entirely by hand and compares the process to combing through the wreckage of 9/11.

Cut 11 (11) “…no more.”

Director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Joey Frank says more than 15-hundred households in the parish have reported flood damage in the historic rainfall two weeks ago. As recovery efforts begin, he says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVs at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab.

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad.”

The closed party primaries are over; and thus, the race for the U.S. Senate moves to the general election phase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

So, what’s next for John Fleming following the loss? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year…

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

Recovery efforts are underway in Avoyelles Parish following the historic flooding two weeks ago.  Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they’re winding down the emergency supply distribution centers.

Cut 5 (10) “…and in Dupont.”

Over 15-hundred households in the Parish have reported flood damage. The state urges any homeowners who have not already done so to report damages to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

The Manning Passing Academy brought some of the top college quarterbacks in the nation to Thibodaux this weekend, including Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Manning will return to his home state November 14 as the Tigers host the Longhorns. The New Orleans native says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 18 (08) “…we’re excited.”

It is the first meeting between the schools since 2019.

Researchers at LSU Health Shreveport are finding new ways to prevent heat-related illness in high school athletes. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Landry has used his line-item veto power to slash 12-million dollars from three budget bills. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Republican and Democratic voters have nominated their candidates for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein is at Julia Letlow’s watch party with details.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU Health Shreveport Associate Professor Dr. Cory Coehoorn (KOO-horn) received a grant of over 200-thousand dollars to research heat-related illness in high school athletes. The study will work with around 100 football players around the state. Coehoorn says the goal is to use A-I and machine learning to predict internal temperatures.

Cut 4 (13) “…it even starts.”

Coehoorn says heat-related illness is a major problem for high school athletes, especially in the south, and heat-related deaths are steadily rising. He says football players in particular are susceptible due to their pads and equipment.

Cut 5 (11) “…gear prevents that.”

While early morning and late evening practices that avoid the highest temperatures can certainly help, Coehoorn says it’s a blanket solution. He says every athlete reacts to heat differently.

Cut 6 (09) “…a detrimental state.”

While the technology is being developed, Coehoorn recommends coaches let athletes acclimate themselves to the heat, ensure they stay hydrated and provide ample rest.

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Governor Landry vetoed 78 projects from three budget bills, slashing more than 12-million dollars from the state’s budget in the process. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says her organization’s concerns about these projects are not about the projects themselves, but rather how they were added to the budget.

Cut 7 (14) “…statewide holistic basis.”

Deslatte points out that unlike last year, when Landry’s vetoes were aimed at his fellow Republicans, namely those who voted against his signature insurance reform measure, this year’s vetoes were aimed at Democratic districts.

Cut 8 (10) “…area as well.”

Unlike other vetoes that Landry issued, which were accompanied by letters explaining his reasons for those vetoes, Landry’s letter only listed the line items he was vetoing and offered no explanation. Deslatte says that leaves people to speculate that Landry only did this for political retaliation; and if that’s indeed the case, Landry would by no means be the first governor to take this approach.

Cut 9 (13)  “…political party affiliation.”

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U-S Representative Julia Letlow took a major step on Saturday night to becoming the next U-S Senator for Louisiana as she won the Republican Party primary runoff in the senate race. Letlow received 57-percent of the vote to defeat State Treasurer John Fleming…

Cut 10 (12) “..win this thing.”   (cheering) 

Letlow, who hails from the Monroe area has served in the U-S House since 2021. She won a special election after her husband, Luke Letlow, died from COVID complications days before he was set to be sworn in as the Representative for the 5^th Congressional District. Letlow is on the verge of replacing outgoing Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 11 (15) “…all of you.”    (cheering)

There was some thought that Fleming had the momentum heading into Saturday’s election, but LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Fleming could not overcome President Trump’s endorsement of the Congresswoman…

Cut 12 (10) “…begin with.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Letlow will likely win easily on November third…

Cut 13 (08)  “…United States Senate.”

Letlow’s main competition on November third will be Tensas Parish crop farmer Jamie Davis, who easily won the Democratic Party nomination, receiving 80-percent of the vote to defeat Gary Crockett. Davis says his grassroots campaign is just getting started…

Cut 14 (13) “…ground up.”  (woo-hoo) 

Davis says Letlow has voted for policies that have made it harder on Louisiana families…

Cut 15 (15) “…as for a promotion.”

Letlow’s supporters are excited about her big win on Saturday night…

Cut 16 (15) “…for her.”

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LSU women’s basketball great Sylvia Fowles was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this weekend. Fowles helped the Lady Tigers to four straight Final Fours, averaging a double-double and being named SEC and National Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-American along the way. The Florida native says it was head coach Sue Gunter who brought her to Baton Rouge.

Cut 17 (18) “…you want.”

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The Manning Passing Academy brought some of the top college quarterbacks in the nation to Thibodaux this weekend. Texas quarterback Arch Manning will return to his home state November 14 as the Tigers host the Longhorns. The New Orleans native says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 18 (08) “…we’re excited.”

Like Manning, Texas received another commitment from a top-rated Crescent City prospect in five-star Brother Martin receiver Easton Royal. Royal committed to the Longhorns in November, but Florida and LSU are still fighting to flip the playmaker. Manning says that he’s been involved in Royal’s recruitment.

Cut 19 (17) “…he does next.”

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was also at the camp. There may be no game on the 2026 college football schedule more highly anticipated than Lane Kiffin and LSU’s trip to Ole Miss. Chambliss says he can’t wait for that gameday atmosphere.

Cut 20 (13) “…win that day.”