Another holiday weekend is upon us; and thus, law enforcement will be out in full force cracking down on drunk driving. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is in effect through Monday.
Cut 6 (13) “…notice of that.”
In 2022, the last year that statistics are available, 490 people across the country were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend; almost 40-percent of those involved a drunk driver.

Louisiana is set to receive 104-million-dollars in “lagniappe” federal funds for transportation and infrastructure projects. Congressman Garret Graves says while this is a significant step forward, Louisiana still faces substantial infrastructure challenges.
Cut 9 (07) “…for decades.”
Graves says currently, the Capital Region has the fourth worst traffic in America.

Just two days away from the second-ever Vegas Kickoff Classic between LSU and USC. Joseph Bocanegra with Stub Hub says you would think with Los Angeles being so close to Las Vegas, Trojans fans would outnumber Tigers fans, but he says that’s not the case…
Cut 11 (10) “…in California.”
The game is sold out, but Bocanegra says tickets are available on StubHub for less than 200 dollars.

The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is underway in Morgan City. Festival Association President Nelson Cortez says this is the 89th year for the festival.
Cut 14 (14) “…started from that.”
Weather could be a factor, as there is a flood watch in effect. The festival runs through Monday.

Gary Westcott is the new Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. After being appointed by Governor Landry, Westcott said he’s ready to get to work.
Cut 4 (11) “…need to make.”
Westcott had been with the Department of Corrections for 29 years before retiring as regional administrator in 2020.

The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is underway in Morgan City. Festival Association President Nelson Cortez says the food court and craft section kicks off tonight, as well as music performances in Lourdes Park. And later on:
Cut 13 (16) “…the Atchafalaya River.”
Weather could play a factor, as there’s a flood watch in effect for the area. The festival runs through Monday, Labor Day.

Tigers Fans are headed to Las Vegas to cheer on LSU as they take on USC Sunday Night in the second-ever Vegas Kickoff Classic. Colleen Crain has more
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Other Louisiana teams got their seasons underway last night. Tulane blanked Southeastern Louisiana, 52-0, in New Orleans. ULM kicked off the Bryant Vincent era by beating Jackson State, 30-14, snapping a ten-game losing streak. And despite big plays early on, Northwestern State lost to Tulsa, 62-28.

Governor Landry promotes Gary Westcott to Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Westcott says his priorities will include fixing the state’s prison system and enhancing public safety.
Cut 5 (09) “…in the past.”
Westcott was deputy secretary under Jimmy LeBlanc, who stepped down yesterday due to health reasons.

Congressman Garret Graves announces Louisiana will receive 104-million-dollars in “lagniappe” federal funds for transportation and infrastructure projects. Graves says while this funding is a significant step forward, Louisiana still faces substantial infrastructure challenges, and that continued investment will be necessary.
Cut 9 (07) “…for decades.”
Graves says currently, the Capital Region has the fourth worst traffic in America.

Just two days to go before LSU’s big game against USC in Las Vegas. Joseph Bocanegra with Stub Hub says while the game is sold out, you can still get into Allegiant Stadium for less than 200-dollars.
Cut 12 (09) “…they’re able.”
Bocanegra says LSU/USC is Stub Hub’s best selling game of the season, followed by tomorrow night’s Notre Dame-Texas A&M game in College Station.

The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is underway in Morgan City. Mother nature could put a damper on this year’s festivities, as there’s a flood watch in effect for the area. Still, Festival Association President Nelson Cortez says they’re expecting a lot of people this year.
Cut 15 (06) “…the five days.”
The festival is sponsored and financed solely by donations, and Cortez says they usually raise more than 100-thousand dollars each year.

Today marks the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans. Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré led military rescue efforts during the disaster. He remembers the chaos and the difficulties in coordinating relief efforts amid widespread destruction but also seeing the city come together…
Cut 7 (08) “…before we got there.”
Honoré says Katrina was a turning point for New Orleans, as the federal government invested 14 billion dollars in stronger levees.

A new round of grants for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is coming up, and a three-day registration period opens Wednesday, September 18th. Whereas previous grant rounds were first-come first-served, a lottery system will now be used from this point forward. Registration will be limited to those living in the Coastal Zone, and 300 people will be randomly selected.

With the new school year underway, students and teachers have a new tool at their disposal — artificial intelligence. As such, the state Department of Education is issuing guidance on the do’s and don’ts on using AI. BESE President Ronnie Morris says AI can be used effectively without being abused.
Cut 3 (09) “…solve the problem.”
That said, Morris says AI can help students understand the subject matter being taught, regardless of the subject.

The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation — and not just the football stadium. Director of Facility Management Scott Hebert says one project underway is a complete renovation of Madison Hall.
Cut 12 (09) “…renovated this semester.”
Later this month, construction will get underway on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building.

Despite a request from Governor Landry, LSU says its football team is not changing its pregame routine and will remain in the locker room during the national anthem.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Will Campbell is entering his third season as the starter at left tackle for the Tigers and will block for a new quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier.
Cut 17 (11) “…offense.”
LSU takes on USC in Las Vegas Sunday.

Northwestern State will play its first football game tonight since October 16th of last year in Tulsa. The Demons have 107 players on this year’s team, 54 newcomers and 53 returners. First-year head coach Blaine McCorkle says they are fired up to play, but they have to play under control.
Cut 10 (10) “…and toughness.”
The Demons ended their season prematurely last year following the fatal shooting of safety Ronnie Caldwell.

ULM football kicks off its season tonight as the Warhawks will host Jackson State. First-year head coach Bryant Vincent is trying to bring a winning football program to northeast Louisiana and he needs Warhawk nation to get behind them…
Cut 11 (13) ” ….as one”
Kickoff has been moved to 8 p.m.

And Tulane gets its season underway against Southeastern Louisiana at Yulman Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:00.

It was 19 years ago today when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré restored order amid a chaotic scene and notes that Katrina was a turning point for New Orleans, significantly improving disaster preparedness and infrastructure.
Cut 7 (09) “…all over Louisiana.”
The storm displaced millions of residents for years.

With the new school year underway, students and teachers have a new tool at their disposal — artificial intelligence. As such, the state Department of Education is issuing guidance on the do’s and don’ts on using AI. BESE President Ronnie Morris says AI can be used effectively without being abused.
Cut 3 (09) “…solve the problem.”
Morris says AI can help students understand the subject matter being taught, regardless of the subject.

LSU says its football team is not changing its pregame routine and will remain in the locker room during the national anthem. Jeff Palermo reports the governor requested that all college teams to be present for the anthem…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The UL-Lafayette campus is undergoing a major transformation — and not just the football stadium. A complete renovation of Madison Hall is already underway; and later this month, construction will begin on the new 55-million-dollar engineering building.

A two-thousand-dollar out-of-pocket cap for Medicare prescription drugs goes into effect January 1st. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says that will save Medicare recipients a lot of money.
Cut 9 (11) “…four-thousand a year.”
The new law stands to benefit nearly 43-thousand Louisiana seniors.

As we reported earlier this week, the State of Louisiana is set to hold its first Black Bear hunt since 1987 — and today, licensed hunters can start applying for one of ten permits that will be awarded. Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries Madison Sheahan says there are three types of permits to be awarded — Wildlife Management Area tags, private landowner tags and general public tags.
Cut 12 (09) “…per person.”
The hunt will take place December 7th through the 22nd in Bear Management Area 4 in northeast Louisiana.

As Louisiana remembers the anniversaries of Hurricane Katrina and Laura this week, residents and officials reflect on the resilience shown in the face of such disasters. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A man wanted for leaving a delayed incendiary device at Jeanerette City Hall in Iberia Parish is under arrest. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says 44-year-old Desmond Eugene tried to get into the mayor’s office early yesterday afternoon; and when he was unsuccessful, he set a fire using that device and rode off on a bicycle. No one was hurt, and damage was minimal.

If you’re due a refund on your state taxes, you have until September 6th — a week from tomorrow — to claim the money before it goes into the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurer’s office. Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says the office has sent notice of unclaimed property letters to more than 18-thousand individual and business taxpayers.
Cut 14 (14) “…million dollars left.”
It’s important to note that money unclaimed by the deadline is NOT forfeited.

Nearly 43-thousand Louisiana seniors on Medicare prescription drug plans stand to save a lot of money starting next year with a two-thousand-dollar out-of-pocket cap going into effect. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says certain life-saving drugs can be very expensive.
Cut 10 (12) “…thousands very quickly.”

LSU star offensive tackle Will Campbell has made his intentions known on what he’ll do when he gets to Las Vegas for Sunday’s game against USC. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU says it is not altering its pregame routine, despite a request from Governor Landry to do so. Landry urged schools to adopt a policy to strip scholarships from athletes who are not on the field or the court during the playing of the national anthem. LSU athletes are usually not present during the playing of the anthem, and the school says there are no plans to change that protocol.

As Louisiana remembers the anniversaries of Hurricane Katrina and Laura this week, residents and officials reflect on the resilience shown in the face of such disasters.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Nearly 43-thousand Louisiana seniors on Medicare prescription drug plans stand to save a lot of money starting next year. We hear more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.” 

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LSU star offensive tackle Will Campbell has made his intentions known on what he’ll do when he gets to Las Vegas for Sunday’s game against USC. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The anniversaries of hurricanes Katrina and Laura mark significant moments of reflection for Louisiana, commemorating two of the most destructive storms in U-S history. Hurricane Katrina, which struck on August 29, 2005, devastated New Orleans leading to 1,833 deaths and widespread destruction due to catastrophic levee failures. Greater New Orleans Inc. president Michael Hecht says Katrina exposed deep flaws in the region’s infrastructure and emergency response, leading to a long and difficult recovery.

Cut 4 (12) “…lives that were lost.”

In the years since Katrina, Hecht says New Orleans has undergone extensive rebuilding efforts, with improvements to the levee system and flood defenses.

Cut 5 (08) “…risk of flooding.”

Fifteen years later, on August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana as a Category 4 storm, bringing 150 mph winds and massive destruction, particularly in Lake Charles and surrounding areas. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the affected communities have worked tirelessly to rebuild, though the recovery has been slow…

Cut 6 (11) “…community.”

Laura caused billions of dollars in damage and claimed at least 30 lives and though the recovery is slow he is hopeful.  Hunter says there is still work to be done…

Cut 7 (06) “…miraculous.”

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Nearly 43-thousand Louisiana seniors on Medicare prescription drug plans stand to save a lot of money starting next year. Andrew Muhl, the director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana, says that’s because a new out-of-pocket prescription drug cap contained in the Inflation Reduction Act goes into effect January 1st.

Cut 8 (09) “…across the country.”

Muhl says that annual two-thousand-dollar out-of-pocket cap will save Medicare recipients a lot of money.

Cut 9 (11)  “…four-thousand a year.”

Muhl says this new cap will be very beneficial, since certain life-saving drugs can be very expensive.

Cut 10 (12) “…thousands very quickly.”

Even for those patients whose prescription drug costs are less than two-thousand dollars annually, they can still benefit since the law allows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to negotiate lower drug prices in general.

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As we reported earlier this week, the State of Louisiana is set to hold its first Black Bear hunt since 1987 — and today, licensed hunters can start applying for one of ten permits that will be awarded. Secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries Madison Sheahan says there is a fee to apply.

Cut 11 (17) “…black bear accounts.”

There are three types of permits to be awarded — Wildlife Management Area tags, private landowner tags and general public tags.

Cut 12 (09) “…per person.”

The lucky ten selected will need to go through a training course either on November 2nd or November 14th. The hunt will take place December 7th through the 22nd in Bear Management Area 4 in northeast Louisiana, which includes Tensas, Madison, East Carroll and West Carroll parishes.

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If you’re due a refund on your state taxes, you have until September 6th to claim the money before it goes into the Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasurer’s office. Byron Henderson with the Department of Revenue says there’s a lot of outstanding refunds to be claimed.

Cut 13 (09) “…by September 6th.” 

Henderson says the office has sent notice of unclaimed property letters to more than 18-thousand individual and business taxpayers.

Cut  14 (14) “…million dollars left.”

Henderson says it’s important to note that money unclaimed by the deadline is NOT forfeited.

Cut 15 (13) “…State Treasurer’s Office.”

If you received a notice of unclaimed property, there’s a link on the state Department of Revenue’s website that you can go to to provide the requested information, or you can complete the attached voucher and mail it in.

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College football has a new 12-team playoff this season, but there are many analysts who do not see the LSU Tigers among the 12 teams who will play in the expanded postseason tournament. Offensive tackle Will Campbell says they will be begin to prove the doubters wrong on Sunday when they take on USC…

Cut  16 (18)   “…we expected.”

Campbell is entering his third season as the starter at left tackle and will block for a new quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier. The Monroe native has all the confidence in the world in Nuss…

Cut 17 (15) “…come his way.”

LSU has lost its last four season openers. Campbell says it’s time to end that streak…

Cut 18 (16)  “…knows that.”

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A new era of ULM football begins tonight as the Warhawks host Jackson State to begin Bryant Vincent era. Vincent will look to rebuild a program that has not reached a bowl game since 2012. He says it’s time to start winning football games in Monroe…

Cut 19 (19) “….as a team”

Vincent wants to see a packed Malone Stadium tonight. Oklahoma transfer General Booty will start at quarterback. The redshirt junior was a three-star recruit out of high school and attended Tyler Junior College before joining the Sooners. Vincent has been impressed with his consistency and football IQ…

Cut 20 (15) “…those times.”

The run of dry weather will allow for Louisiana corn producers to complete their harvest this week and yields are way up over last year when the state suffered through a historic drought. LSU AgCenter Corn and Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says production is higher this year…
Cut 3 (10) “…I’ve heard.”
But according to Trading Economics, corn prices have decreased 23-percent since the start of this year.

For the fourth year in a row Louisiana will once again have a float in January’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser made the announcement at the Louisiana Travel Summit in Shreveport. Nungesser says the parade’s theme this year will be…
Cut 6 (06) “…Louisiana Saturday Night.”
The 2025 Louisiana Rose Parade float features a Louisiana alligator adorned with beads, and will have a Cajun dance hall on its back.

Louisiana’s Fortified Roof Grant Program, aimed at helping homeowners strengthen their roofs against hurricanes, is facing scrutiny as it carries over millions in unspent funds due to homeowners withdrawing due to out-of-pocket costs.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU says it is not altering its pregame routine, despite a request from Governor Landry to do so. Landry posted on X that universities out to strip scholarships from athletes who are not on the field or the court during the playing of the national anthem. Collegiate athletes are usually not present during the playing of the anthem, and LSU says there are no plans to change that protocol.