Participants in the Louisiana Women, Infants and Children program may begin using their new EBT cards tomorrow. Leslie Lewis, the nutrition operations manager at the Louisiana Department of Health, says the new cards help modernize the whole system.

Cut 12 (08) “…a federal requirement.”

Participants will need to choose a PIN before using their new cards; they may do so by calling the number on the back of the card or by using the myWIC app.

Chris Olave spoke at training camp today after signing a four-year, 132-million-dollar extension. Olave had the best season of his career last year with 100 catches, over one-thousand yards and nine touchdowns. He says this is the most momentum there has been in New Orleans since he’s been there, and it means a lot to stay long-term.

Cut 15 (11) “…that every day.”

After 85 years, a Cameron Parish seaman will finally get a proper funeral in his home state Saturday. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (42) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visitation is being held today from 5 to 8 p.m. and 9 to 11 tomorrow morning before the service. All veterans are invited to the visitation.

More than 85 years after he was killed in Pearl Harbor, a Cameron Parish Navy seaman is coming home, and his funeral service will be in Lake Charles Saturday. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says using anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis, the Defense Accounting Agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System positively identified the remains of Joseph Conner.

Cut 3 (12) “…from family members.”

The Saints signed wide receiver Chris Olave to a four-year 132-million dollar contract extension. New Orleans traded up to draft Olave 11^th-overall in 2022. He’s had three one-thousand-yard seasons, but his four concussions since entering the league were a major concern. He says this deal is fair for both sides.

Cut 13 (11) “…communicating that.”

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s law subjecting students who assault teachers to expulsion goes into effect tomorrow. It also allows up to a year of paid medical leave for teachers and other school personnel who are injured on the job by an unruly student. Newell says her bill gives them peace of mind.

Cut 7 (12) “…of their administration.”

A grim milestone in Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis outbreak as the state has now confirmed 100 cases of people infected with the parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says that’s considerably more than the state usually sees in the first seven months of the year.

Cut 10 (11) “…we typically see.”

Of those 100 patients, six have been hospitalized.

Starting tomorrow, it will be against state law for retailers and businesses to charge you a fee when you pay with a debit card. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It will also become illegal to intentionally release balloons outdoors in Louisiana. The new law does include some exceptions, like if the release is done by an educational institution, for scientific purposes or with biodegradable balloons. The state is also doubling penalties for abandoning boats in Louisiana waterways.

Whether with voodoo, ghosts or vampires, you can find all types of paranormal experiences at ParaCon in New Orleans this weekend. Event Producer Jennifer Talley says there are free educational workshops and paid classes, and it’s not too late for you to get in on all the fun.

Cut 6 (12) “…16-ish and up.”

Wide receiver Chris Olave and the Saints have agreed to a four-year 132-million-dollar contract extension. There have been injury concerns for Olave, who has suffered four concussions since being drafted 11th overall in 2022. After playing just eight games in 2024, he had a career year and missed only the final game of last season. Locked On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says this is a fair deal for both sides, but the Saints will need to protect themselves.

Cut 15 (08) “…the bigger question.”

There’s one job sector where Louisiana ranks second to none in year-over-year growth. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A U.S. News and World Report study named Louisiana the worst overall state in the country. The study measured 71 metrics across categories like economy, education, infrastructure, healthcare and crime. Louisiana is the only state to rank in the bottom 10 in each of the eight total categories.

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical found a THC-CBD combination significantly reduced agitation for people with dementia, with nine out of every ten study participants showing overall improvement. Principal investigator Dr. Jeff Keller says these results offer new hope for providing greater comfort and dignity to people with advanced dementia at the end of their lives. He says more research is needed to see if this type of treatment can help those with mid- and late-stage Alzheimer’s.

Cut 12 (10) “…all the questions.”

The Saints hold their first open practice of training camp today. Prairieville native and former LSU safety Justin Reid is entering his second season in New Orleans. He says he remembers coming to Saints games as a kid when it felt like a parade inside the Superdome. He hopes winning will bring that feeling back this season.

Cut 15 (08) “…pushing it forward.”

A large clinical trial led in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shown that specialized treatments for kids and teens with obesity can be delivered at their primary care doctor’s office. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has reached 100 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. There have been nearly 12-hundred reported cases nationally.

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devine Harper for nearly one million dollars in contract buyouts after they broke their revenue-sharing agreements with the school by transferring to LSU. If LSU were to pay the buyout for its players, it would count against its 21.3-million-dollar revenue-share cap. Sam Hutchens of the Clarion-Ledger says it’s hard to imagine someone wearing purple and gold does not fork over the money.

Cut 5 (11) “…deal with all this.”

Running back Alvin Kamara took first-team reps alongside free agent addition Travis Etienne. Kamara took a pay cut to stay in New Orleans after an offseason of uncertainty. He says he always planned to be back and is looking forward to sharing the backfield.

Cut 10 (12) “…last year.”

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper for nearly one-million-dollars. Ole Miss says the former Rebels have not paid the buyout clause of the revenue-sharing agreement they signed with the school before leaving for LSU. Sam Hutchens with the Clarion-Ledger broke the news and says Ole Miss AD Keith Carter told him the Rebels have paid similar buyouts for transfers.

Cut 3 (14) “…behalf of the player.”

A clinical trial led by LSU’s Biomedical Research Center found dietary and weight-loss counseling delivered at primary care doctors’ offices can set kids and teens up for healthy lives as they get older.

Cut 8 (09) “…of their lives.”

That’s Dr. Amanda Staiano, an expert on pediatric obesity.

The Saints had their first practice of training camp today. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough’s development will be the focal point of the preseason, and the Saints have surrounded him with new offensive weapons this offseason. He says he stepped up as a leader on the team this offseason and is looking forward to building chemistry with eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson, a receiver from Arizona State.

Cut 11 (12) “…never satisfied.”

Tyson was a full participant in the first day of practice. He had been limited most of the offseason after reaggravating a hamstring issue during pre-draft workouts. Wide receiver Chris Olave did not participate in team drills as he holds in during contract negotiations. Head coach Kellen Moore said his limited reps were not related to any medical issues. Olave has also been fully cleared since recovering from a blood clot found in his lungs before the final game of last season. He is entering the final season of his rookie contract.