UL System president Rick Gallot says higher-ed officials will need to make tough decisions regarding the deficits university athletics departments face. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Tonight the Saints host the Falcons and the game will be used to remember rebirth of New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Despite boasting the best cuisine on the planet, Louisiana is actually slimming down. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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College football fans across the state were sent into a frenzy last week after a Louisiana Regent suggested that the UL System should consider moving ULL, ULM and Louisiana Tech down from the FBS to the FCS. UL System president Rick Gallot says that comment was not a directive, but the system will have to consider all cost-cutting measures as it looks to correct athletics deficits.

Cut 4 (09) “…its expenses.”

Gallot said universities around the country are experiencing the same budget concerns.

Each university’s athletics department is 10s of millions of dollars in the red. Gallot says the system commissioned a report from Deloitte to evaluate its athletics departments and develop a path to sustainability. He says that report is expected by the end of the year and will be used to inform his recommendation.

Cut 5 (13) “…have to make.”

While Gallot wants to remain data-driven, that does not mean the UL System will be ignoring the opinions of its universities. He says the system plans to solicit input from each of their campus communities.

Cut 6 (11) “…tough decisions.”

Gallot was not surprised by public backlash to the idea but says it is important to remember their primary mission is the education of students. He says that does not mean athletics and education cannot coexist.

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Tonight, the Saints host the Falcons, but this game is about more than the regular-season rivalry. It’s also a night to remember one of the most emotional moments in New Orleans sports history — the Saints’ return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. The Saints’ radio voice, Mike Hoss, was a fan in the stands when Steve Gleason famously blocked Michael Koenen’s punt, setting off an eruption of emotion inside the Superdome…

Cut 7 (09) “…once.”

The Saints went on to win 23-to-3, but Hoss says Gleason’s blocked punt became a defining moment in the city’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 8 (13) “…pivotal moment.”

Gleason, who has been living with A-L-S for years, will be at tonight’s game as an honorary captain and will lead the “Who Dat” chant before kickoff. Hoss says part of what made Gleason’s block so powerful was that nobody saw it coming…

Cut 9 (11)  “…release.”

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U-S Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has designated LSU as a Distinguished Military College. U-S Air Force Colonel Joseph Musacchia, who is the commandment of the LSU Corps of Cadet says Hegseth’s order gives LSU Corps of Cadets and ROTC graduates a better chance at starting their military career in the officer ranks…

Cut 10 (11) “…from the pack.”

Musacchia says these military programs teach leadership skills that would help any student regardless of their career path. He says LSU was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, so the school has a long military tradition…

Cut 11 (12) “…Spanish American War”

Musacchia says the cadet crop program currently has about 350 students, which this designation, he expects it will double in size in the next four years…

Cut 12 (14) “…Louisiana State University.”

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It appears that Louisianans are slimming down. According to the State of Obesity 2026 report, Louisiana is only one of two states which showed a significant decline in adult obesity rate, falling from 39.2-percent to 35.6-percent. That helped Louisiana move from number-three down to number-19 in the state rankings for obesity rates. Dr. Oren Rom, the assistant vice chancellor for research at LSU Health Shreveport, says you can thank Ozempic and Mounjaro for that.

Cut 13 (08)  “…receptor agonist drugs.” 

Dr. Rom says the benefits of the GLP-1 drugs, which are becoming more and more popular for weight loss, outweigh the side effects.

Cut 14 (10) “…in body weight.”

Rom says the one side effect of using the GLP-1 drugs, loss of skeletal muscle mass, is easily treatable.

Cut 15 (08) “…don’t do that.”

The only other state to show a significant decline in adult obesity rate is West Virginia.

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The Saints host the Falcons in a 20th anniversary game of the team’s historic return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Quarterback Tyler Shough was just three days away from his seventh birthday in Arizona when Steve Gleason blocked the punt, but he says he was emotional nonetheless when Kellen Moore showed the team a video about the post-Katrina rebirth.

Cut 16 (18) “…coming up.”

If New Orleans wants it to be another positive memory, the Saints will have to stop Falcons running back Bijon Robinson. The All-Pro is the NFL’s second-leading rusher and ran for 194 yards against the Packers last week. Defensive end Cam Jordan says all you can do is hope to slow him down.

Cut 17 (19) “…than positives.”

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It was a win that LSU had in the bag simply by arriving safely at Tiger Stadium. In easily the most predictable game on the schedule, LSU scored on its first possession and went into cruise control from there, annihilating an overmatched McNeese, 63-14. After the game, Head Coach Lane Kiffin said one of his biggest objectives going into the game was getting his backups as much playing time as possible.

Cut 18 (15)  “…do some things.” 

The biggest question going into Saturday night’s game was how much quarterback Sam Leavitt would play, if at all. While nursing a hamstring injury, Leavitt ended up playing nearly the entire first half – minus a few plays here and there – going 18 for 23 for 176 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. On his decision to play Leavitt, Kiffin said he was going to be cautious with his play-calling.

Cut 19 (18) “…they were running.”

It was a game for the ages for defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. He recorded a full sack and scored an offensive touchdown, becoming the first LSU player ever to accomplish that feat. The freshman from Suwanee, Georgia, says he routinely did it in high school, but not at this level.

Cut 20 (14) “…of my life.”

There are several college football games in the state tomorrow, will the weather cooperate? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow, but the big question is: will starting quarterback Sam Leavitt play? Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With another weekend of football ahead, all eyes are on the weather. That’s because thunderstorms could cause delays throughout the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says any thunderstorms that develop this evening should move out pretty quickly. However, tomorrow could be a different story.

Cut 3 (11) “…bit more prolonged.”

There are several college football games scheduled for Saturday evening, and Grymes says if thunderstorms delay any kickoff times, the delays shouldn’t be too significant…

Cut 4 (11) “…way it looks.”

As far as rainfall totals go, Grymes says those numbers have come down from the original forecast, with the heaviest amounts being in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 5 (14) “…come down markedly.”

Grymes says north Louisiana, where the worst of the drought currently is, will be lucky to get an inch of rain by the time the system pushes out of the state at the end of the weekend.

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The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches is ranked number one in the country for the best public high school teachers, according to the 2027 Niche rankings. LSMSA Executive Director Doctor Jason Anderson says students are challenged to pursue excellence, while learning from faculty who model those same values…

Cut 6 (08) “…every day.”

LSMSA was founded in 1983 as a residential high school for high-achieving students. Niche also ranks it as the nation’s best public high school for STEM. But Anderson says there’s more to the school than academics…

Cut 7 (09) “..young people.”

LSMSA faculty members are required to have at least a master’s degree in the subjects they teach, and 85-percent have a Ph.D., M-F-A or another terminal degree in their field. Anderson says that level of expertise makes the faculty…

Cut 8 (09) “…remarkable.”

LSMSA has 287 students from across Louisiana.

Anderson says students looking to take the next step in their academic journey should consider whether LSMSA is the right fit for them.

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LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played through a hamstring injury against Texas A&M last week, but coach Lane Kiffin said that he would be cautious playing him against McNeese tomorrow. With the Tigers favored by over 50 points, LSU Radio sideline reporter Gordy Rush says he shouldn’t play at all.

Cut 9 (14)  “…next week.”

WAFB Sports Director Jacques Doucet says the situation reminds him of Garrett Nussmeier starting against Southeastern last season while he dealt with nagging injuries. He thinks LSU should keep Leavitt on the sideline but says that adds another risk.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing wrong.” 

Leavitt could get the start but be pulled shortly after. That is what Zach Nagy with 247Sports thinks. He says the Tigers need to be especially careful with their starting quarterback for the long term.

Cut 11 (13) “…ramps up more.”

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Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. It would honor the best high school players, coaches, teams and contributors and would preserve high school football history through exhibits and memorabilia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser nominated Baton Rouge…

Cut 12 (06) “…in Baton Rouge.” 

The other finalists are Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Ohio; and Valdosta, Georgia – none of which, according to Nungesser, could compete with Baton Rouge.

Cut 13 (07) “…put on festivities.”

Nungesser says landing the National High School Football Hall of Fame would be a huge win for Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

Cut 14 (06) “…year after year.”

An official announcement could be made later this month or in November.

Two Louisiana Tech students have been arrested for using a racial slur repeatedly in a social media video that went viral. Joe Gallinaro has the story….

Cut 1 (23) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Following a postgame brawl, one football team’s season is over, and another team will play the rest of the season on the road. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forecasters are predicting rainfall totals from 1.5 to four inches of rain from today through Sunday for central and south Louisiana. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says scattered thunderstorms are expected today and tomorrow and more widespread rain for south Louisiana this weekend…

Cut 3 (10) “…in this incident.”

LSU hosts McNeese on Saturday night. Southern and U-L Lafayette host homecoming games on Saturday night as well. Manning says there’s a good chance it will rain during those games….

Cut 4 (09) “…not ideal.”

Manning says locally heavy rain and flash flooding is possible for a good portion of the state on Saturday and that threat continues for southeast Louisiana on Sunday. She says some areas could receive a half foot of rain….

Cut 5 (08) “…develop.”

The best chance for rain for north Louisiana is on Sunday.

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If you have lots of outdoor lighting on your property, you’re asked to turn them down or off at night for the time being. That’s because this is fall migration season for birds. Charles Williams, a board member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the founder of Lights Out Louisiana, says bright lights are very bad for birds flying at night.

Cut 6 (09) “…lot of lighting.”

Williams says that disorientation might cause birds to fly directly into tall buildings.

Cut 7 (06) “…in North America.”

Williams says you can go to the Bird Cast website at bird cast-dot-org to follow the birds’ migration.

Cut 8 (08) “…about two weeks.”

Williams says if the lighting on your property is limited to low-intensity accent lighting, such as path lights, that should be okay. But you should keep lights like bright flood lights off late at night.

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The LHSAA comes down hard on a pair of football teams involved in a postgame brawl last Friday night. After Assumption’s 16-6 home victory over Carroll, some Carroll players got into a confrontation with some Assumption fans. It was serious enough that some deputies had to use their Tasers to get the situation under control. Aaron Dietrich, the sports director at KNOE-TV in Monroe, says as a result, Carroll’s season is over, and Assumption will play the remainder of its schedule on the road.

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

While Monroe City Schools said it would comply with the LHSAA’s ruling, Carroll High School and Senator Katrina Jackson Andrews both said they would fight it, filing emergency appeals.

Dietrich says Carroll had at least two similar incidents in the last 15 years; and he says last Friday, the school did not follow standard procedures when the team went down to Assumption for the game.

Cut 10 (13) “…situations like this.” 

Dietrich says the cancellation of the remaining six games of Carroll’s season has cost not just one, but two homecoming games.

Cut 11 (13) “…few weeks also.”

A 19-year-old man is arrested in connection with shooting three children, one fatally, at a Shreveport apartment complex. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is taking a different legal approach in the state’s effort to prevent abortion pills from being shipped into Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Shreveport Police make an arrest in connection with a shooting at an apartment complex. Corporal Christopher Bordelon says following a thorough investigation, police arrested 19-year-old Javieon Abbott for shooting three children at the apartment complex’s basketball court.

Cut 3 (10) “…in this incident.”

Bordelon says Abbott was directing his gunfire at the 17-year-old, and it hit and killed 13-year-old Sha’michael Russell in the process.

Cut 4 (09) “…at that location.”

The other child shot was Russell’s two-year-old sister. Family members told local media in Shreveport that Sha’michael and his little sister were visiting their grandmother at the apartment complex, and he died while saving his sister amid the barrage of gunfire. Bordelon says Abbott is charged with second-degree murder, with other charges forthcoming.

Cut 5 (09) “…after the fact.”

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Louisiana Tech welcomed its third straight record-breaking freshman class and set a new record for its highest undergraduate and main-campus enrollment in school history. It is also its most academically prepared freshman class ever, with the number of students with an A-C-T score of 30 or higher — up 22-percent. University president Jim Henderson says the school has not given up on rigor.

Cut 6 (14) “…practical application.”

Construction engineering technology had a 25-percent year-over-year increase in enrollment, the most of any program. The other fastest-growing programs are nursing, kinesiology, electrical engineering, and accounting. Henderson says the growth reflects a commitment to research that can be practically applied to economic growth.

Cut 7 (10) “…future demands.”

LA Tech also has the highest retention rate of any school in the University of Louisiana System. Nearly 90-percent of the school’s enrollment is made up of Louisiana residents, but Henderson says students are not just choosing Louisiana Tech over other in-state schools.

Cut 8 (12) “…higher-ed experience.”

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Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama are asking the U-S Supreme Court to strike down abortion shield laws that allow providers in states where abortion is legal to prescribe and mail abortion pills to women in states where abortion is banned. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says Louisiana law is clear — abortion drugs are illegal in the state…

Cut 9 (14)  “…Louisiana babies”

Shield laws in states including New York, California and Massachusetts protect doctors from prosecution if they prescribe and mail abortion pills to patients in states with abortion restrictions. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin says some doctors are telling patients the drugs are safe, but he claims some women have ended up hospitalized after taking them…

Cut 10 (12) “…crawfish.” 

Louisiana, Arkansas and Alabama have also filed a federal lawsuit against 30 abortion-pill providers, seeking to stop the drugs from being shipped into their states.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says his state has made abortion illegal, and it should have the authority to enforce that law…

Cut 11 (11) “…in our state.”

The Center for Reproductive Rights says shield laws provide critical protections for patients seeking abortion care. But Murrill argues abortion pills can pose serious risks to women, citing what she says are several examples…

Cut 12 (09) “…very dangerous.” 

Murrill says data from abortion providers indicate roughly 800 abortions are taking place each month in Louisiana as a result of abortion pills.

Like John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy was among the 77 senators who voted in favor of the Protect College Sports Act. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Diesel prices across the globe are still skyrocketing with no clear end in sight. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Not the start to the school day that dozens of Shreveport middle school students were hoping for. Fire Chief Clarence Reese says about 58 students at Northside Lanier Middle School were aboard a school bus en route to school when it became involved in a crash with a car at an intersection in a neighborhood in the northwest side of the city.

Cut 3 (05) “…four-door sedan.”

Chief Reese says several people had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. (20 injured; 18 kids aboard the bus and the bus driver, and the driver of the sedan)

Cut 4 (11) “…the accident with.”

Reese says because of the number of people injured, they had to get several resources to the scene to assist them.

Cut 5 (09) “…in our area.”

Shreveport Police is investigating the cause of the crash. No word on who, if anyone, was cited in the crash.

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Like John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy was among the 77 senators who voted in favor of the Protect College Sports Act last night. One of the provisions that resonates with him the most is the one that limits student-athletes to just one transfer without having to sit out a year. Cassidy said he had a conversation with former LSU and Alabama head football coach Nick Saban about a student-athlete 30 credit hours shy of graduation transferring to another school.

Cut 6 (13) “…get his degree.”

College-hopping has become more and more popular among student-athletes in recent years after the NCAA eliminated its one-time transfer rule. Cassidy says that’s going to be very counter-productive for the student-athlete in the long-term, especially since only one-percent of them play sports professionally.

Cut 7 (05) “…statistically to graduate.”

Kennedy proposed an amendment that would have capped ticket price hikes to four-percent. That amendment was defeated, and Cassidy was among the senators who voted “no” to sink it.

Cut 8 (07) “…people don’t go.”

The Protect College Sports Act now heads to the House, where its future is uncertain. The House is in recess until after the midterm election; so when it takes up the bill, time will be of the essence – it will need to get onto President Trump’s desk by January 3rd, or the process will need to start all over again from square one when the new Congress is sworn in.

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Prices at the pump continue to soar across the country. Gas-Buddy-dot-com has the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana at about three-dollars-and-98-cents, that’s actually down nearly four cents from last week. GasBuddy-dot-com Chief Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says diesel prices are still at record highs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…a gallon.”

DeHaan says that while you may not personally use diesel fuel, the steep prices will affect the cost of everything else you buy.

Cut 10 (11) “…all of it.” 

DeHaan does not expect prices to go down anytime soon thanks to geopolitical conflicts. U.S. attacks on Iran and Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have driven up prices globally.

Cut 11 (10) “…is zero.”

DeHaan says prices will continue to rise until conflicts deescelate.

The coroner of St. Tammany Parish is sounding the alarm over an uptick in suicides. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The injury bug has hit LSU hard. Linebacker Whit Weeks could be out for the season with a broken fibula. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Federal, state and local law enforcement officials held a press conference in Shreveport on Monday to announce a new multi-agency initiative called the Gator Task Force. U.S. Attorney Zachary Keller says this initiative will target violent crime and drug trafficking in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Keller says the task force officially started in July and it’s already working…

Cut 3 (11) “…indictment”

Keller says the Gator Task Force is also responsible for the seizure of over 20 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 guns and four stolen vehicles.

Governor Jeff Landry was also on hand for the press conference. Landry says when he took office in 2024, Louisiana had three cities ranked in the top ten for the most dangerous cities in the country. Landry says today none of those cities are ranked in the top ten for crime..

Cut 4 (11) “…today.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn is optimistic this task force will reduce the selling of illegal drugs and violent crime in north Louisiana…

Cut 5 (09) “…ready to go to work.”

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The coroner of St. Tammany Parish is sounding the alarm on an uptick in suicides. Dr. Christopher Tape says the parish is on pace for 60 suicides this year, which would be a record. He says most of these suicides are not planned in advance.

Cut 6 (08) “…they shoot themselves.”

Dr. Tape says just some routine gun safety practices can prevent suicides.

Cut 7 (09) “…a second guess.”

Tape says if you’re going through a crisis, there’s the 988 suicide prevention hotline, which you can call for whatever crisis you’re going through, whether you’re contemplating suicide or not. He says there are other things you can do to take your mind off those thoughts.

Cut 8 (11) “…your mental pain.”

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LSU senior linebacker Whit Weeks broke his leg during the Tigers’ 35-6 domination of Texas A&M and could miss the rest of the season. It is a major loss for a team that already lost starting defensive back Dashawn Spears to a season-ending injury. Star tight end Trey’Dez Green is also sidelined for significant time. Coach Lane Kiffin says the injuries are piling up.

Cut 9 (07)  “…step up.”

Linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys will step up as the starter, like he did last season with Weeks out. Kiffin and his staff rebuilt the LSU roster with a massive transfer class, but he still has concerns about its depth with eight games remaining.

Cut 10 (12) “…week 11.” 

Quarterback Sam Leavitt also played through a hamstring injury against the Aggies. Kiffin says the team will be extremely cautious with Leavitt this week but the injury actually helped him stay in the pocket and throw the ball better.

Cut 11 (11) “…this year.”

LSU hosts McNeese on Saturday at 6:45.

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The Louisiana Supreme Court has appointed St. Tammany and Washington Parish District Attorney Collin Sims to examine the decision to seek an indictment against Attorney General Liz Murrill. An Orleans Parish grand jury indicted Murrill in early July on malfeasance and public intimidation charges, but the charges were later dismissed. New Orleans Metro Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says the investigation is unusual…

Cut 12 (11) “…this issue.” 

Sims will determine whether the process used to pursue the indictment was proper and whether any criminal or ethical violations occurred. Goyeneche says State Police is already investigating, and having a prosecutor involved could help determine whether the grand jury was used appropriately…

Cut 13 (11) “…state violations.”

Murrill has accused the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office of using the grand jury as political retaliation for her efforts to address corruption in New Orleans. Goyeneche says one of Sims’ responsibilities will be seeking access to grand jury records…

Cut 14 (09) “..to do that.”

With school back in session and ragweed pollen counts near their peak, September can be a concerning time for people with asthma. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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For only the second time in the general election campaign for U.S. Senate, we have poll numbers. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU bottles up its anger from its crushing loss to Ole Miss and takes it out on Texas A-and-M. Andrew Greenstein is at Tiger Stadium with more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The final weeks of September bring a rise in asthma attacks and asthma-related emergency room visits. Louisiana Department of Health nurse consultant Tanya (TAN-yuh) Cobb says children are especially vulnerable as a return to school brings exposure to…

Cut 4 (11) “…your asthma.”

Environmental factors like pollen, mold, dust, smoke, aerosols and strong odors can also trigger symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Cobb says people have unique triggers and symptoms.

Cut 5 (11) “…avoid that.”

Cobb recommends people with asthma have rescue medication like an inhaler close at hand wherever they go. She says families should work with their healthcare providers to develop an asthma action plan.

Cut 6 (11) “…they occur.”

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Election Day is now just over five weeks away; and last week, we got our second snapshot of the U.S. Senate race between Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis. Like the first poll, the poll this month by Hart Research Associates shows Letlow with a four-point lead over Davis. However, with the split being 48 to 44-percent, there were far fewer undecided voters in this poll of 500 likely voters. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says there is one important thing to note about this poll. 

Cut 7 (09) “…out to be.”

However, Hogan says there is likely credence in these polls, given the fact that other Republican Senate candidates who would otherwise be coasting to victory find themselves in unusually competitive races.

Cut 8 (13) “…where voters stand.”

Hogan says while it’s still likely that Letlow will ultimately win on November 3rd, these polls do create an opening for Davis to make this a competitive race.

Cut 9 (10)  “…we have seen.”

The margin is within the poll’s 4.5-percent margin of error.

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Doctor Jim Henderson will retire as president of Louisiana Tech at the end of the year, ending a long career in Louisiana higher education. Henderson has also served as president of the U-L System and his alma mater, Northwestern State. Louisiana Illuminator higher education reporter Piper Hutchinson says Henderson has earned a lot of respect during his career.

Cut 10 (11) “…entire career.”

Henderson became Louisiana Tech’s 15th president in January 2024. He announced his retirement Friday, citing declining health, but says there is no immediate threat to his life.

During his tenure, Tech posted revenue-generating enrollment growth, including record freshman classes and the highest retention rate in the U-L System. He also oversaw the university’s move into the Sun Belt Conference.

Hutchinson says she’s also impressed that Tech secured 38-million dollars in federal appropriations for research in biomedical engineering, micro-manufacturing, cyber engineering and forest products.

Cut 11 (11) “…universities.”

Hutchinson expects Governor Landry to have a significant role in selecting Henderson’s successor. She says State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley has emerged as a potential candidate.

Cut 12 (08) “…take the position.”

Brumley says his focus is on pre-K through 12th-grade education, where he says Louisiana schools have made historic progress.

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After suffering a disappointing loss to Ole Miss a week ago, LSU redeems itself in a big way, crushing Texas A-and-M, 35-6. It was a far cry from the beating the Aggies laid on the Tigers in Death Valley last year that resulted in the firing of Brian Kelly. Head Coach Lane Kiffin was especially pleased with how his team dominated on both sides of the ball, outgaining A-and-M 506 yards to 197.

Cut 13 (08)  “…prepared really well.” 

Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 17 out of 23 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. After the game, Leavitt said some of the adjustments he made from the previous week paid off.

Cut 14 (12) “…to place it.”

One of the big questions going into Saturday night’s game was whether LSU could stop a mobile quarterback like Marcel Reed. Safety Ty Benefield, who tied for the team lead with seven tackles, said he and his teammates answered that question in a huge way by holding him to just 106 yards passing and minus-13 yards rushing. 

Cut 15 (14) “…a lot easier.”

Despite the win, LSU dropped from 10th to 11th in the rankings, while Texas A-and–M went from 23rd to out of the rankings altogether. LSU improves to 3-and-1 on the season, 1-and-1 in the SEC, and hosts McNeese next Saturday.

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The Saints let one get away yesterday: up by 11 in the third quarter, they turned it over four times in the fourth and lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 35 to 27. New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough threw four touchdown passes, but also turned it over three times.

Cut 16 (12) “…with all of us.”

The loss dropped the Saints to 1-2 and Sunday’s defeat spoiled a great atmosphere for the home opener. Coach Kellen Moore wishes they could have won for Who Dat Nation.

Cut 17 (16) “…it done together.”

Shough was intercepted once. It came with the Raiders up by one, and the I-N-T set them up to take an eight-point lead. Shough on what happened on that play.

Cut 18 (16) “..side of the field.”

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Northwestern State lost its 16th in a row on Saturday falling to Southeastern Louisiana 52-21. Even though the losses keep coming, Demons coach Blaine McCorkle believes the program is heading in the right direction.

Cut 19 (12) “…every single day.”

Lions coach Frank Scelfo says it was a sloppy first half, but they cleaned up those mistakes.

Cut 20 (15) “…second half.”

Governor Landry issues an executive order that allows for the use of nontaxable, dyed diesel fuel in highway vehicles that are engaged in ag and timber harvesting operations. Kace Kieshnick has more…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player last October and has asked the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office to investigate. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order to allow Louisiana farmers and timber harvesters to use dyed diesel on vehicles that use public roads and highways. The order suspends the penalty for using off-road fuel in licensed highway vehicles through October 22nd. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Richard Fontenot says this is important, because dyed diesel is nontaxable, which will help producers combat record high diesel prices.

Cut 3 (10) “…fuel prices.”

Diesel prices are at an all-time high, averaging just over six-dollars a gallon in Louisiana. Fontenot says that record cost affects expenses for farmers across the board, especially during peak harvesting time.

Cut 4 (09) “…that they produce.”

As price takers, farmers are having to eat the record energy costs. Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the rise in diesel costs came at a bad time.

Cut 5 (11) “…at harvest.”

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An LSU student says she was raped by an LSU football player last October on campus prompting an investigation by the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says sexual assault cases can be difficult to prosecute

Cut 6 (05) “…beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The accuser reported the incident to LSU’s Title Nine office. She says LSU found the player responsible for rape, suspended the student athlete for two semesters, but when the semester began this year that punishment was reduced to two year’s probation. Ciolino says it sounds like LSU followed Title requirements…

Cut 7 (08) “…not theres.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Tuesday was the first time they’ve heard about the alleged sexual assault and his office has asked LSU and the university police department to turn over the information they have gathered.

LSU President Wade Rousse says LSU properly followed its Title nine policies and processes to a conclusion. Ciolino says it’s now up to the District Attorney Hillar Moore to determine if a criminal crime possibly took place…

Cut 8 (09) “…in Baton Rouge”

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The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed a case of rabies in a dog earlier this month. The infected dog was in the Acadiana region of the state. It’s the first case of canine rabies in Louisiana since 2014 and the fifth in the state in the last 20 years. Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, says especially since rabies is almost 100-percent fatal, this underscores the importance of vaccinating your pets as required by law.

Cut 9 (12)  “…interact with them.”

Dr. Mitchell says while rabies is mostly associated with household pets, humans can get the disease too.

Cut 10 (14) “…through rabbits.” 

Mitchell says it’s also important to prevent your pets from roaming freely, especially in rural areas in order to keep them away from wildlife.

Cut 11 (10) “…them at risk.”

Louisiana is closing the digital divide at one of the fastest rates in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a reported rape involving an LSU student athlete. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The state announces it has successfully replaced the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles’ 50-year-old computer system. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana is closing the digital divide at among the fastest rates in the country. According to the latest FCC Broadband Data Collection, Louisiana had the fourth highest proportional growth in the country. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gar), the executive director of Connect-L-A, says Louisiana more than tripled the national average in broadband access increase.

Cut 4 (12) “…100 by 20.”

Iyengar says whereas other states could take as long as six years to fully close the digital divide, Louisiana is on pace to do so in just two more years.

Cut 5 (13) “…100-percent.”

Iyengar says the best part is that this local issue is being solved by local providers.

Cut 6 (10) “…to Louisiana contractors.”

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Commodity prices are on the rise. That’s helping farmers absorb the higher costs of things like fuel and fertilizer, but economists aren’t sure how long the commodity rally will last. LSU AgCenter Economist Michael Deliberto notes that while farm commodities like corn, soybeans and rice have risen nearly 20-percent since January, fuel costs have risen a whopping 60-percent since March.

Cut 7 (10) “…four-month period.”

Deliberto says weather patterns around the globe are playing a role in low yields in Louisiana and across the country.

Cut 8 (11) “…in different hemispheres.”

Deliberto says despite the rising commodity prices, many farmers are still struggling to cover the high costs of production.

Cut 9 (10)  “…costs have gone.”

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The Caddo Parish inmate who escaped last week while being transported from a Shreveport hospital has been captured in Texas. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says U-S Marshals Task Force members apprehended Tre’veon Jackson in Marshall, Texas.

Jackson’s capture comes after Whitehorn held a press conference to announce that prisoner transport policies were not followed properly when Jackson fled from deputy custody. During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Whitehorn highlighted some of the mistakes made.

Cut 10 (12) “…during this transport.”

Whitehorn says Jackson was a known escape risk, but yet only one deputy was present when he was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

Cut 11 (10) “…transfer of custody.”

The 24-year-old Jackson fled from custody on September 14th as a deputy was moving to put him into a transport van. He’s accused of fatally shooting another man in 2019. He was convicted late last year on an armed robbery charge.

Whitehorn says new policies are in place to make sure this never happens again.

Cut 12 (11) “…no exceptions.”

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The governor’s office announces that the Office of Motor Vehicles has moved into the 21st century as Louisiana has replaced 50-year-old technology with a modern system designed to support driver licenses, ID cards, credential management and future digital government services. Governor Landry says this new AI-powered platform will reduce wait times and improve reliability.

Cut 13 (06)  “…it right here.” 

Louisiana contracted with CHAMP titles to replace OMV’s outdated, 50-year-old legacy computer systems. Landry says CHAMP gives the public a faster, simpler way to get the services they need. In a video announcement, Landry spoke with a 13-year employee at an OMV office in Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (13) “…is an upgrade.”

The governor says the CHAMP system will save taxpayers 30-million dollars and will make for an easier experience at the OMV.

Cut 15 (10) “…vehicle registration system.”

OMV offices were closed for two days last week to complete the implementation of the CHAMP driver services platform.

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LSU will need to bounce back from its SEC opener loss to Ole Miss against number-23 Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Aggies also dropped their first game of conference play, so both teams will have a lot at stake if they want to achieve their College Football Playoff aspirations. Tigers wide receiver Winnie Watkins says it’s a long season.

Cut 16 (15) “…it ain’t nothing.”

Watkins has racked up 15 catches for 207 yards and two of quarterback Sam Leavitt’s three touchdowns. He is the only offensive starter who played under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis last season, so he says he needs to step up as a leader.

Cut 17 (14) “…being a leader.”

After a sluggish first half for the offense and missed opportunities late against the Rebels, Watkins says leaders have to step up on that side of the ball. He says Leavitt already has.

Cut 18 (15) “…believe in Sam.”

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ULM will host FAU for homecoming on Saturday. Head Coach Bryant Vincent says some things will have to change after the Warhawks lost to Southeastern Louisiana. He says quarterback Aiden Armenta will have the opportunity to compete with Austin Carlisle to win the starting job back.

Cut 19 (16) “…conference schedule.”

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Southern kicks off SWAC play this weekend at Jackson State. The Jags put up 50 points against Louisiana Christian after senior advisor Fred McNair took over playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Ken Merchant. Head coach Marshall Faulk says it is still the same offense, just simplified.

Cut 20 (12) “…more of it.”

Kickoff in Jackson is set for 6 p-m. The Tigers have won the last seven meetings, including two conference championship games.

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says Governor Landry’s plan to rein in diesel prices is counterproductive. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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An LSU student alleges she was raped by a football player and the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office is investigating her allegation. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Not everyone believes Governor Landry’s idea of halting diesel exports for 90 days is the answer to get prices under control. In fact, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says that will only have the opposite effect. President Tommy Faucheux says diesel pipelines are already operating at capacity.

Cut 3 (08) “…to export them.”

Faucheux says if refineries have nowhere to put their surplus diesel, it will cause a chain reaction series of events which will ultimately raise not only diesel prices, but also gasoline prices which are also sky-high.

Cut 4 (10) “…that they produce.”

Faucheux says the ultimate solution to lowering diesel prices is an end to the military conflicts in Iran and between Russia and Ukraine

Cut 5 (08) “…here at home.”

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State Police say they arrested 32 people over the weekend in response to increase criminal activity in Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. State Trooper Ryan Davis says this two-day enforcement detail resulted in 188 traffic stops that led to the arrests…

Cut 6 (12) “…32 individuals.”

Davis says most of the people they arrested were fugitives…

Cut 7 (06) “…court system.”

Davis says this initiative is designed to enhance community safety through proactive policing strategies targeting violent  crime and drug trafficking…

Cut 8 (08) “…street level sellers”

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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore is investigating an alleged rape involving an LSU football player. LSU student, Kendall Danielle, has detailed her allegations on TikTok. She says the alleged rape happened last October and claims the player admitted to the assault during an LSU Title Nine investigation. The player was suspended by LSU for one year following that investigation, but has since been allowed to return to campus

Cut 9 (08)  “…similar to this.”

Moore’s office is now investigating the allegations. In a statement, he said his office became aware of the allegation today.

Moore says he’s requested all reports, interviews, evidence and other relevant records from LSU, LSU Police Department, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office and any other agency possessing information related to this matter.

The player’s name has not been made public. Danielle believes the university went out of its way to protect him…

Cut 10 (06) “…more than anything.” 

Danielle says she first reported the assault to the Baton Rouge Police Department, but what was told the LSU Police Department has jurisdiction because the alleged incident happened on campus. The woman says the LSU Police investigators were not interested in conducting an extensive investigation…

Cut 11 (14) “…what I did today.”

LSU president Wade Rousse says this incident has been handled professionally and that LSU has strictly followed their policies, procedures and best practices. Rousse says LSU is cooperating with its law enforcement partners as they work through investigatory process.

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A Kenner business owner is accused of recording people inside the bathroom of his business. According to his LinkedIn profile, 57-year-old Henry Rios owns a sign and banner shop called ETC NOLA. Kenner Deputy Police Chief Mark McCormick says a woman used the bathroom at his business earlier this month and discovered a camera mounted underneath the sink.

Cut 12 (09) “…using the bathroom.” 

McCormick says detectives executed a search warrant at Rios’ business and home last week and recovered three additional concealed surveillance cameras, and a search of those cameras uncovered some startling findings.

Cut 13 (07) “…videos or images.”

And McCormick says that’s likely just the tip of the iceberg, as detectives have also recovered 13 thumb drives, five memory cards and a hidden camera disguised as an LED alarm clock. Right now, Rios is charged with three counts of video voyeurism, which is a felony under Louisiana law, but he says many more charges are likely to follow. So far, detectives have identified three victims, but there could be many more.

McCormick is urging businesses which have done work with Rios to thoroughly inspect their workplaces.

Cut 14 (07) “…in our community.”