The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles today. The previous center was already set for replacement, but damages from Hurricane Laura in 2020 accelerated the timeline. Col. Scott Slaven says the original facility has been around since the 1950s…

Cut 3 (11) “…them remove debris.”

People are not procrastinating when it comes to voting in the presidential election. People are showing up in droves on this, the first day of early voting. These people cast their ballots at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (08) “…got it done.”

Despite Louisiana being home to some of the best college baseball programs in the country and having the lowest per capita engagement in the sport of hockey, there are more professional hockey teams in Louisiana than professional baseball teams – two to none. The Monroe Moccasins join the Baton Rouge Zydeco (ZYE-de-koh) in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, taking the ice following a 23-year absence. Moccasins Owner Nic Perkin says there’s excitement in the air

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s just incredible.”

A continuing burn ban in Louisiana is a response to ongoing dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds, raising concerns among firefighters about a potential increase in wildfires.  Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain noted that there’s been 29 fires across the state in the past few days.

Cut 12 (06) “…very (x3) careful.”

A Breaux Bridge man faces dozens of counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Major Ginny Higgins, says their deputies have been investigating 32-year-old Javien Demouchet since July….

Cut 3 (08) “…juvenile victim.”

In 2023, a severe drought and heat in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing. Increased rainfall and moderate temperatures have improved field conditions.  While concerns remain, especially with salinity issues in southern ponds, LSU AgCenter Todd Fontenot expects this year to be an improvement over last year’s record low yields.

Cut 6 (13) “…into the ponds.”

New Orleans certainly knows how to throw a party, and that’s exactly what it will be doing the day before the Super Bowl with a Mardi Gras-style parade, and the Grand Marshall is Todd Graves, Founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. The parade will be shown on national television, and Graves says it’s a way for New Orleans to showcase itself not only to the country but to the world.

Cut 9 (10)  “…business convention there.”

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the southern half of the state. Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, which, according to State Climatologist Jay Grymes, further increases the wildfire threat. As temperatures drop and winds rise, the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly grows.

Cut 12 (09) “…most of the state.”

The 2024 flu season is off to a slower-than-usual start, with early data suggesting similar flu activity levels than previous years. Ochsner Medical Family Medicine Physician Dr. Whitney Hardy says this is due to various factors, including widespread vaccination campaigns

Cut 9 (13) “…too late.”

Detectives with St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Major Crime Unit are investigating a shooting that occurred Monday afternoon outside a Slidell-area business.  STPSO Lt. Suzanne Carboni…

Cut 12 (09) “…outside a store.”

Deputies found 67-year0old Dennis Knecht was pronounced dead at the scene.  64-year-old Cynthia Knecht was transported by emergency medical personnel to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The good news: layoffs appear to be subsiding. The bad news: so has hiring. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is the last day to register to vote online using the GeauxVote Online Registration system.  This deadline is for residents who have never registered to vote or voters who would like to make changes to their registration.  Early voting for the Nov. 5 Presidential Election will take place Oct. 18 through Oct 29, from 8:30 am to 6 pm excluding Sundays.

So far, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has produced 13 named storms, including four tropical storms and nine hurricanes. Following a lull from mid-July to mid-August, the season saw a significant resurgence, now above average in named storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes, and total hurricane days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the season is far from over.

Cut 4 (12) “…fro a while.”

If you want to vote in the presidential election and have not registered to vote, you’d better get a move on it. Tomorrow is the deadline to register online. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says once you register to vote, you will have many opportunities to cast your ballot early.

Cut 7 (12) “…vote on Sundays.”

Bradyn Swinson was named SEC Defensive Line Player of the Week. Swinson had a career-high eight tackles and two sacks. Q-B Garrett Nussmeier is the league’s offensive player of the week as he threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns. But Nuss also completed less than 50-percent of his passes and threw two interceptions…

Cut 11 (06) “…got a win.”

LSU is at Arkansas on Saturday.

A new national report card shows that kids in Louisiana and across the nation are achieving nearly a failing grade when it comes to physical activity. Dr. Katie Spring at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center at LSU, says kids are getting way too much screen time and not nearly enough physical activity.

Cut 12 (11) “…time a day.”

So far, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has produced 13 named storms, including four tropical storms and nine hurricanes. Among these, four were major hurricanes: Beryl, Helen, Kirk, and Milton. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there have been 300 deaths due to storms this season…

Cut 3 (08) “…from these storms.”

If you want to vote in the presidential election and have not registered to vote, you’d better get a move on it. Tomorrow is the deadline to register online. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says registering online is easy.

Cut 6 (11) “…vote in Louisiana (2x).”

It was a game that lived up to every syllable of its billing – LSU came away with a hard-fought win over Ole Miss, and they needed overtime to do it. Andrew Greenstein was at Tiger Stadium for all the excitement.

Cut 21 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A small Baton Rouge company that makes athletic equipment designed to keep people cool in hot conditions finds itself embroiled in a trademark dispute with a pair of golf giants. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the ULM football team as the team is 4-and-1 for the first time since 1993 and it’s homecoming weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A small Baton Rouge business is taking on a company co-founded by Tiger Woods in a trademark dispute. Sun Day Red is suing Tigeraire, which makes products designed to keep people cool in hot conditions, saying that its claims of trademark infringement are meritless. Both companies use tigers as their logos – Tigeraire’s is reflective of its ties to LSU and Sun Day Red’s is reflective of its co-founder. Tigeraire CEO Jack Karavich says it’s Sun Day Red’s grounds which are meritless, and that company is trying to bully him by filing its lawsuit in California to make him go there.

Cut 3 (10) “…for a judgment.”

Tigeraire’s social media pages clearly establish that the company has been using its logo since its inception in 2020. Sun Day Red wasn’t launched until February of this year – almost four years later. Karavich says given the similarities between the two logos, people are now confusing his company for Tiger’s, as evidenced when some of his company’s representatives were at The Masters tournament this year, wearing Tigeraire-branded apparel.

Cut 4 (10) “…Sun Day Red.”

Karavich says as a result, people are thinking that it’s his company that’s infringing on Sun Day Red, instead of the other way around.

Cut 5 (10) “…Sun Day Red’s.”

Karavich says that was the last straw, and he has filed a lawsuit against Sun Day Red in a Baton Rouge court, asking that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office deny that company’s trademark applications. We reached out to Sun Day Red for a response, but that company told us that it has no comment.

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National Gumbo Day is tomorrow and is a day dedicated to honoring the culinary tradition of gumbo in Louisiana. Gumbo blends diverse influences, including West African, French, Spanish, and Native American cuisines.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s that time of year…

Cut 6 (12) “…world next year.”

On National Gumbo Day, food lovers from all over come together to enjoy and celebrate the dish in various ways. Many communities in Louisiana, and beyond, host festivals, cooking contests, and tastings to commemorate the occasion. Nungesser says gumbo will be a big part of their marketing campaign next year, which is the Year of Food…

Cut 7 (10) “…hungry for Louisiana.”

Nungesser says it’s a time to celebrate not only the flavors of gumbo but also the countless variations.

Cut 8 (09) “…that screams Louisiana”

Its origins date back to the 18th century, and it is often seen as a symbol of the melting pot that is Louisiana’s culture.

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Louisiana crews have been redeployed to Florida after assisting in the Carolinas with Hurricane Helene. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux emphasized the state’s substantial presence in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Cut 9 (12)  “…with the recovery.”

Thibodeaux says Louisiana’s emergency teams are well-equipped for these out-of-state missions, offering services like search and rescue, law enforcement support, emergency operations management, and debris management

Cut 10 (05) “…inFlorida.”

Despite aiding other states, Louisiana’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Francine remains unaffected. With hurricane season continuing until November 30, Thibodeaux urges Gulf Coast residents to stay prepared for future storms and asks those able to volunteer or help people affected by these storms.

Cut 11 (11) “…thoughts and your prayers.”

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The excitement level is high for ULM football, as the 4-and-1 Warhawks are off to their best start since 1993 and it is also homecoming on the Monroe campus. ULM athletics director John Hartwell says interest has really grown since last Saturday’s upset win over James Madison

Cut 12 (08) “…building on that”

ULM will host Southern Miss at 4 PM for homecoming. Hartwell says there is a buzz around Monroe…

Cut 13 (10) “…football season.” 

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LSU’s defense on Saturday night will be tested by a very good Ole Miss offense, led by a three-year starter at quarterback in Jaxson Dart. Coach Brian Kelly says Dart is tough-minded and not afraid of the bright lights…

Cut 14 (10) “…that’s Jaxson Dart.”

Dart is averaging 350 passing yards a game.

This is the fourth home game of the season for the Tigers. But the first SEC game. Kelly is expecting a great atmosphere as the school celebrates 100 years of Tiger Stadium…

Cut 15 (12) “…mixes differently.”

The World Championship Gumbo CookOff is this weekend in downtown New Iberia. Known as the “Super Bowl of Gumbo,” Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gary Colden says it attracts dozens of cooking teams, where chefs compete for top honors in various categories and earn bragging rights.

Cut 4 (05) “…Gumbo CookOff.”

This event features 75 cooking teams.

The number one hospital for kids in Louisiana for a fourth consecutive year is….Ochsner Children’s Hospital in Jefferson. That’s according to a ranking by U-S News and World Report. System chair of pediatrics of Ochsner Children, Billy Lennarz says they have more than 200 physicians, offering a level of pediatric care unmatched in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (10) “….in children”

LSU is officially celebrating the 100th anniversary of Tiger Stadium during tomorrow night’s huge game against Ole Miss. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says the celebration will include a choreographed LED light show throughout the game.

Cut 10 (14) “…their seating areas.”

Bonnette points out that this will be the first time LSU and Ole Miss will meet while both ranked in the top ten since 1962. Ole Miss is eighth and LSU is tenth in the coaches’ poll.

A new Tulane University study explains why politically charged content on social media gets more engagement from those who disagree. Lead author Daniel Mochon (MO-shawn) says researchers found a “confrontation effect,” in which people are more likely to interact with content that goes against their views rather than content that aligns with them. He says constantly arguing hot-button topics online can have negative consequences offline.

Cut 14 (09) “…world as well.”

Investigators with the State Police Special Victims Unit say they have not found any criminal negligence in connection with two disappearances by a ten-year-old Webster Parish girl. Peyton Saintignan (san-tee-AHN) walked out of her Dubberly home twice within a one-month span; and both times, she was found safe in the woods. Trooper Eddie Thomas

Cut 3 (05) “…this time.”

The state is rolling out its first-ever academic content standards for computer science. BESE President Ronnie Morris says these standards will apply to all grade levels from start to finish.

Cut 6 (08) “…grade-level appropriate.”

Louisiana is among more than a dozen states suing TikTok. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An investigation by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of two people, for using a drone to fly in a large amount of contraband into the federal prison.  The drone which was more than 5’ wide was carrying 32-thousand dollars’ worth of tobacco, eight thousand dollars of marijuana, THC vapes, 10 cell phones, and a stolen pistol.  35-year-old Michael Eulin of Atlanta, Georgia was arrested for Possession of a firearm by a Convicted felon, Illegal Possession of a stolen Firearm, Distribution of Marijuana, Entering Contraband into a Prison, and Obstruction of Justice.