If you’re interested in a career investigating child abuse cases, the Department of Children and Families wants to hear from you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A study from the Cenla economic dashboard reports steady growth for the Central Louisiana economy. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Still plenty of controversy over Speaker Mike Johnson sending the House home for summer recess instead of holding a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services needs second shift Child Protective Services investigators. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris says they need workers in the second shift because child maltreatment does not happen just between the hours of 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Cut 4 (08) “…to respond timely.”

Harris says they’re looking to hire 53 people to work four, 10-hour shifts per week. And she says you do not need a college degree or any special licenses.

Cut 5 (10) “…first response world.”

Harris while those who work second shift will be required to work weekends, they will get every other weekend off. But working second shift does have its advantages, like additional pay.

Cut 6 (12) “…per hour worked.”

Those hired would start their new jobs as early as September 15th.

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Central Louisiana is showing steady economic growth, according to a study from the Cenla Economic Dashboard. The Alexandria metropolitan area has gained 707 jobs since May, and the dashboard’s author, LSUA Professor Randall Dupont, says Natchitoches is recovering from the April closure of its International Paper plant.

Cut 7 (08) “…of this year.”

Consumer spending has also been on the rise. Dupont says the dashboard measures sales tax revenue to track spending rates. He says a successful job market leads to a fruitful local economy.

Cut 8 (11) “…over year.”

Alexandria and Pineville each recorded quarterly growth of four to five percent, and Natchitoches posted an eight percent quarterly gain.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces honorably discharged military veteran residents can purchase a recreational hunting and fishing combination license for $20, a reduction of $80 for the Sportsman’s Paradise license. Republican Lafayette Senator Brach Myers authored the legislation that resulted in a big discount for military veterans.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outdoors in Louisiana.”

LDWF operates mostly on license fees, but Senator Myers says giving our veterans the ability to hunt and fish in Louisiana at a reduced cost is a small token of our appreciation for their selfless service to our country.

Cut 10 (09) “…the right heroes”

Myers says the law was a result of collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and The Boot, an organization seeking to incentivize military veterans to make Louisiana their home once their service has ended.

Cut 11 (14) “…the outdoors.”

Applications for the combo license can be found on the LDWF’s website.

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Still plenty of controversy – even among Republicans – over Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to send the House home early for its summer recess rather than hold a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Johnson says he’s committed to getting to the bottom of who was responsible for the sexual abuse of the women and teenage girls at the hands of Epstein and his associates.

Cut 12 (11) “…is the President.”

But Johnson says he only wants to do so after all files are completely pored over and all names of victims are redacted. 

Cut 13 (07)  “…be permanently destroyed.”

Among the Republicans criticizing Johnson is Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick, who went as far as issuing a statement condemning his move. McCormick says in his statement, he was defending fellow Republican Thomas Massie, who co-sponsored a resolution with Democrat Ro Khanna to force the release of those files. 

Cut 14 (05) “…them get released”

McCormick says Johnson was wrong for calling out Massie, even though he’s the main Republican sponsoring the resolution.

Cut 15 (07) “…singled him out.”

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Fall camp is underway in Lafayette as the Ragin’ Cajuns prepare to defend their Sun Belt West title. The headline of camp will be the three-way quarterback battle between redshirt junior Walker Howard, redshirt freshman Daniel Beale and redshirt sophomore Lunch Winfield. Head coach Michael Desormeaux says they don’t have much college experience, but…

Cut 16 (18) “…really well.”

Howard committed to Ole Miss as a five-star out of Lafayette in 2022, and Beale appeared in three games for the Cajuns last season including the 31-3 loss to Marshall in the sun Belt championship.

The Cajuns will rely on a dynamic running back duo of sophomore Bill Davis and junior Zylon Perry. The tandem posted nearly 800 and 700 rushing yards last season, respectively, and Desormeaux says he expects improvement this season.

Cut 17 (18)  “…special for us.”

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The LSU Tigers begin the first full week of preseason camp today after taking Sunday off. On Saturday, Ju’Juan Johnson was  at running back. Johnson was a record-breaking quarterback at Lafayette Chrisitan. Johnson started at LSU as a defensive back, but moved to running back during his freshman season. He took snaps at quarterback in the spring but on Saturday he was back at running back. Offensive tackle Tyree Adams believes Johnson can be a playmaker for the offense…

Cut 18 (14) “…make plays.”

The defense has shown it can compete with LSU’s explosive offense during the first few days of fall camp. Linebacker West Weeks says the defensive playbook is bigger this year with Blake Baker in his second year as defensive coordinator…

Cut 19 (19) “…Q-B.”

LSU is less than a month away from its season opener against Clemson. The Tigers are looking for their first win in week one since 2019. Defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory has been at LSU in 2020 and wants to start 1-0….

Cut 20 (16) “…the place.”

If you are driving slower than the speed limit in the left lane of a highway and holding back traffic, you can receive a 150-dollar ticket because of a new law that went into effect on Friday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Superdome will celebrate  50 years as the iconic center of downtown New Orleans Sunday.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says wild-caught crawfishermen are currently not eligible for fishery disaster assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and he says that’s not right.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 5 (06) “…the same light.”

Fields says this legislation was needed following the historic drought of 2023, which significantly resulted in low yields of crawfish in 2024.

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Dozens of new state laws went into effect today including a measure that could result in a motorist receiving a ticket for traveling below the speed limit in the left lane on a highway. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hopes his legislation will reduce road rage and accidents…

Cut 6 (07) “…injury to the people.”

Luneau’s legislation was approved in this year’s legislative session, receiving overwhelming support in the House and Senate. The longtime legislator says the public also strongly supports this measure…

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

The previous law said that drivers travelling in the left lane ten miles per hour or below the speed limit could receive a ticket. Luneau’s legislation changes the law so that a ticket can be issued if a motorist is not going at least the speed limit….

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

The first offense could result in a 150-dollar ticket, second offense a 250-dollar ticket and third offense 350-dollars. Three or more offenses in a year could result in jail time.

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The Superdome is celebrating its 50th anniversary Sunday. From the Rolling Stones to Muhammad Ali, the venue has brought legends and fans from all over the world to the Crescent City. Vice President of ASM Global, the company that manages the stadium, Doug Thornton, says its impact on downtown New Orleans has been immeasurable.

Cut 9 (12)  “…those days.”

Opened August 3, 1975, the Superdome’s convention and meeting rooms, turned club lounges, and enormous unobstructed space were unheard of in its time. Thornton says the founding fathers of the Superdome knew what it could mean to the city.

Cut 10 (11) “…that billing.”

The Superdome houses two million square feet of space, twice the size of the Astrodome when it was built. Thornton says it was an engineering marvel ahead of its time, and its massive footprint has allowed it to be reinvented over the years.

Cut 11 (12) “…couldn’t survive.”

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy launched his re-election campaign during a press event in Metairie in front of a room full of supporters. The 67-year-old Republican is seeking a third term in the Senate…

Cut 12 (16) “…all of us.”

Cassidy has drawn three well-known challengers from his own party, state treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. His challengers claim Cassidy is not a true conservative, but Cassidy says that’s a false allegation

Cut 13 (15)  “…gender ideology.”

Despite having nine million dollars in cash on hand, political analysts say Cassidy faces a tough re-election big, because of his vote to impeach President Trump in 2021. But Cassidy maintains he has a productive working relationship with President Trump…

Cut 14 (09) “…all of us.”

Governor Jeff Landry announces his father, Al Landry, has passed away. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The statewide ban on the herbal supplement kratom goes into effect tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is mourning the death of his father, Al Landry, who passed away Wednesday. In a social media post, Landry said “Go rest my weary servant your task on earth is done. The governor described his father as the silent foundation of their family. Former state senator Fred Mills says many people in St. Martin Parish loved Al Landry and he loved his family…

Cut 3 (10) “…so proud.”

Governor Landry says his father is now re-united with his mother Edna, who passed away in 2019. They were high school sweethearts in St. Martinville and got married after graduating from the University of Southwest Louisiana. They had four children.

Al Landry was an architect and Mills says Al Landry’s fingerprints are on many public buildings in St. Martin Parish….

Cut 4 (08) “…was building.”

Governor Jeff Landry said in his social media post that “the trumpets of heaven sound for Al and Edna Landry are together again. The governor said his father was a ship without a rudder or compass since his wife’s passing. Mills says Al and Edna had great chemistry…

Cut 5 (07) “…back of everything.”

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The LSU Student Food Pantry has reaped the benefits of Tigers fans indulging in Jello shots at Rocco’s during the College World Series. The food pantry received a check from Rocco’s for $52,390 – one dollar for each Jello shot LSU fans scarfed down during Rocco’s Jello Shot Challenge during the College World Series – which, as you know by now, LSU won. Campus Life Manager Jennifer Cristina says it was exciting to see the tote board go into the stratosphere like it did two years ago.

Cut 6 (09) “…things like that.”

Cristina says that money will come in very handy.

Cut 7 (11) “…all of us”

Cristina says you may not realize this, but the need for food pantries at college campuses is tremendous during these times.

Cut 8 (14) “…that many students.”

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The herbal supplement kratom becomes illegal in Louisiana tomorrow, thanks to Act 41 approved in the last legislative session. Kratom comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia and can cause psychosis at high doses. The bill’s author, Republican West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says Kratom has the addictive qualities of opioids.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in the brain.”

Louisiana is not the only state to ban the substance, but it will be one of the first. Morris does have concerns about its return through states where it is legal, but starting Friday it can no longer be sold in gas stations and convenience stores.

Cut 10 (07) “…does help.”

Some use kratom to treat pain, anxiety or drug dependence and argue it has beneficial qualities. Morris says potential addiction and devastation outweigh any benefits.

Cut 11 (14) “…regulatory scheme.”

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Starting tomorrow, you can show off more of a dark side as you cruise down the highway. That’s because a new law goes into effect allowing for your front windows to be tinted darker – 25-percent light transmission, down from the previous standard of 40-percent. The bill was written by Marksville Republican Representative Daryl Deshotel, who says tinted windows are needed for Louisiana’s climate.

Cut 12 (07) “…us stay cooler.”

Deshotel says before, only certain people were permitted to have dark-tinted front windows, and that caused great confusion among people, especially law enforcement.

Cut 13 (05)  “…get those exemptions.”

Deshotel says of all the bills he got passed in this session, this one was the most popular.

Cut 14 (08) “…to be done.”

A helicopter pilot is killed in a crash in Thibodaux this morning. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Deputies in Ouachita Parish are looking for a man who they say kidnapped a nine-year-old boy who was eventually found safe. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A helicopter pilot is killed in a crash in Thibodaux this morning. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says it happened at around 6:30 this morning.

Cut 3 (04) “…later pronounced dead.”

The pilot has been identified as Stanley Hebert of Abbeville. Captain Matherne says the crash happened in an agricultural field.

Cut 4 (09) “…field and crashed.”

Matherne says no one on the ground was hurt, and no property on the ground was damaged.

Cut 5 (05) “…the closest residence.”

The FAA and the NTSB have been notified and will be investigating.

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The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man who they say kidnapped a nine-year-old boy. Deputy Amanda Lyon says the boy was riding ATVs with 40-year-old Rickey Knotts yesterday, but Knotts kept the boy captive overnight until a family member found him safe this morning. 

Cut 6 (07) “…a nearby field.”

Deputy Lyon says Knotts is charged with simple kidnapping, cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment.

Cut 7 (08) “…throughout the night.”

Lyon says Knotts has several prior arrests.

Cut 8 (04) “…battery and theft.”

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A new poll by JMC Analytics and Polling commissioned by the John Fleming Senate campaign shows not only good news for the Fleming campaign, but also some very bad news for the incumbent he’s looking to unseat. Founder John Couvillon says in a head-to-head matchup, Fleming has a sizable lead over Senator Bill Cassidy.

Cut 9 (15)  “…a Republican primary.”

The polls show Cassidy leading in both a three way race with Senator Blake Miguez added in, as well as a four-way race with Miguez and potential candidate Julia Letlow. However, Couvillon says in all polls, Cassidy is polling very low for an incumbent.

Cut 10 (11) “…of the vote.”

As such, if the election was to be held tomorrow instead of next April, Cassidy would be extended to a runoff – and Couvillon says based on the current polling numbers, that would spell big trouble for Cassidy.

Cut 11 (08) “…a political standpoint.”

Couvillon says the fact that Cassidy has a huge lead in fundraising means nothing. He notes that when Cassidy unseated Mary Landrieu in 2014, Landrieu had boatloads more money than Cassidy had, and it did her no good in her re-election bid.

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Former Union Parish football star Trey Holly has enrolled at Southern University as a walk-on as he’s not allowed to play at LSU, because he faces felony charges from shooting. Holly is Louisiana’s all-time leading high school rusher and committed to the Tigers in 2022, but he has not seen the field since three games his freshman season. Jaguars head coach Terrence Graves says Holly is read to go.

Cut 12 (11) “…our program.”

Holly has been suspended from the LSU football team since a February 2024 shooting in his hometown of Farmerville. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but those charges have been dropped. Holly still faces charges charges of aggravated criminal damage and illegal use of a weapon. Since those are pending felony charges, Holly can not suit up for LSU.

Holly has maintained his innocence. He is still awaiting trial after numerous delays Graves says Southern will give him a fresh start.

Cut 13 (08)  “…that he is.”

Thanks to legislation approved by state lawmakers, regulations are now in place for Earned Wage Access, which allows workers to access a portion of their paycheck before payday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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As back-to-school shopping gets set to ramp up, Andrew Greenstein has some money-saving tips. 

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two New Orleans Saints icons announced their retirement. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana is the 11^th state to put regulations in place for earned wage access, which allows a worker to access wages earned prior to their pay day. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc authored the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act.

Cut 4 (11) “…ATM.”

St. Blanc says about 80-thousand workers in Louisiana have access to E-W-A services. It allows a worker to access the money for the hours they work and do not have to wait until pay day. He says it’s a great feature for those who encounter an emergency and need money, and there’s only a small fee.

Cut 5 (06) “…working people.”

E-W-A has been around for the last decade, but St. Blanc’s legislation puts in place guarantees that Louisiana workers have protections in place to access their earned wages. St. Blanc says if your employer doesn’t offer this service, there are third party providers who do.

Cut 6 (09) “…requirements are.”

St. Blanc says now that there are guardrails in place for EWA, he hopes more employers will offer it and workers will take advantage of it. He says some companies use EWA as a retention tool, especially in the health care field, because many workers like getting a portion of their paycheck early.

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The new school year is right around the corner; and as such, back-to-school shopping will soon be in full swing. A survey from Bankrate shows almost half of back-to-school shoppers say they are looking for ways to save money. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman says one way you can do so is to stack discounts.

Cut 7 (09) “…online shopping portal.”

Rossman also suggests that if you already have it, don’t buy it.

Cut 8 (10) “…already have it.”

Rossman says families can also use the occasion of back-to-school shopping to teach their kids about financial literacy – specifically, teaching them how to budget their money.

Cut 9 (11)  “…back in another.”

Rossman also suggests not to buy everything all at once if it’s not necessary. He notes that a lot of items go on sale after Labor Day.

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Saints training camp begins today. With new head coach Kellen Moore and the retirement of quarterback Derek Carr, it will be a fresh start in New Orleans, but GM Mickey Loomis says there’s always an opportunity to be successful.

Cut 10 (12) “…excited about that.”

The talk of the preseason will be the battle for the starting quarterback spot which Loomis emphasized will be a three-way fight between returners Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough (“shuck”). Moore says he’ll try to give each an equal opportunity to compete.

Cut 11 (12) “…the consistency.”

Moore and Loomis were both excited to see revamped offensive and defensive line units put on the pads for the first time. The Saints selected left tackle Kelvin Banks ninth overall and moved former first-round picks Taliese Fuaga to right tackle and Trevor Penning to left guard. Loomis is eager to see how the group shakes out.

Cut 12 (11) “…we’ll see.”

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A New Orleans non-profit is doing its part to help restore Louisiana’s coastline. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full says the organization is collecting glass and recycling it into sand to rebuild parts of the Louisiana coast.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sort of thing”

Ostry says believe it or not, glass can be crushed so fine that it’s softer and more comfortable to walk on than beach sand in Pensacola.

Cut 14 (07) “…than native sediment.”

Ostry says Glass Half Full is working with many businesses to collect all types of glass.

Cut 15 (15) “…amounts of glass.”

They can collect everything from beer and wine bottles to old stemware, glass jars and framing glass. While stained glass is okay, coated glass like auto glass is not.

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Sun Belt Media Days began with the West Division in New Orleans yesterday. UL-Lafayette was picked to win the West in the conference preseason poll. Head Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) is looking to return to the Sun Belt championship after falling short last year.

Cut 16 (15) “…really want.”

The Cajuns went 10-and-4 in Desormeaux’s third season as head coach, his best mark by far. He says this year’s roster has the most depth of any team during his time as head coach.

Cut 17 (18)  “…gonna be.”

The Cajuns open the season August 30 against Rice.

Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill said when Louisiana Tech officially makes the move is still an open question as the Bulldogs negotiate their departure with Conference USA. ULM head coach Bryant Vincent says he heard about the ULM-Louisiana Tech rivalry as soon as he stepped on campus.

Cut 18 (20) “…everybody wants.”

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Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie spoke at Conference USA Media Day yesterday. The Bulldogs are coming off a 5-and-8 season, in which they were able to back their way into a bowl game. Cumbie says it was most of the players’ first bowl experience.

Cut 19 (16) “…to another one.”

The Bulldogs are welcoming new defensive coordinator Luke Olson after Jeremiah Johnson left for Coastal Carolina after one season in Ruston. Louisiana Tech ranked 12th in the nation in total defense last season and has a strong linebacker corps and secondary returning. Cumbie says eight of their 13 defensive lineman, though, are new.

Cut 20 (17) “…that as well.”

If you’re working outside this week, you’ll want to take extra precautions given the hot conditions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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It was a banner year for the State Treasury in its campaign to reunite unclaimed cash with its rightful owners. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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In case you haven’t already noticed, it’s a scorcher outside, and it’s going to remain that way for the rest of the week. If you have to work outside, make sure you’re taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says you should begin the day by drinking two glasses of water – and make sure it’s water.

Cut 3 (08) “…in your body.”

Canzoneri says there are things you should avoid eating when working outside in brutally hot conditions.

Cut 4 (11) “…up digesting that.”

When working outside in these conditions, Canzoneri says dress accordingly.

Cut 5 (12) “…head is vital.”

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Hood Container announced a nearly 120-million-dollar modernization project at its historic St. Francisville paper mill. The project will center around upgrading the mill’s primary paper machine to increase production capacity by 80-thousand tons per year. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says Hood’s success is the community’s success.

Cut 6 (13) “…come with it.”

The mill was first opened in the late 1950s, and since taking ownership in 2015, Hood Container has invested more than 160-million-dollars in the facility. Havard says the project will help retain 295 jobs in the parish.

Cut 7 (12) “…community partner.”

Upgrades will begin in late 2026, and phase two of the project will be completed during the mill’s annual outage in May of 2027. The state offered the company an incentive package including an 8-hundred-thousand-dollar tax credit to secure the project. Havard hopes this won’t be the last investment that comes to the area.

Cut 8 (13) “…open for business.”

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The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid out almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds to both current and former residents in the 2025 fiscal year. That’s the second highest annual amount in the program’s history, just a tad less than the amount paid four years ago. State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s surprising how many people are owed money.

Cut 9 (08)  “…1.2-billion dollars.”

Fleming says claiming money that’s owed to you is very easy.

Cut 10 (10) “…it right there.” (Website: LaCashClaim.org)

Fleming says many people who claimed money owed to them had no idea that they had that money that rightfully belonged to them. He says they found out about it through the department’s outreach efforts.

Cut 11 (09) “…were owed money.”

The unclaimed property is in the form of payroll checks, old bank accounts, utility deposits and interest payments. Money that continues to go unclaimed does not go into the state’s general fund; it is socked away until it’s claimed by the rightful owner.

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Coca-Cola announced today it will release a new version of its classic soda sweetened with U-S sugar, which could benefit Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. Louisiana ranks second in the country in sugar cane produced, nearly 14-million tons of sugarcane each year. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is excited about the news…

Cut 12 (07) “…cane sugar.”

President Trump said last week he spoke with Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States. Coke products sold in the U-K and Mexico already use cane sugar. U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior says cane sugar is healthier than corn syrup. Strain says Coca-Cola’s decision to use cane syrup could have a big impact on Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…few days.”

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Sun Belt Football Media Days kicked off in New Orleans today. ULM started 5-and-1 under first-year head coach Bryant Vincent last season before dropping their last six straight and failing to reach a bowl game. Vincent says phase one of rebuilding the Warhawks was establishing culture. Phase two was holding on to players despite the growing pains.

Cut 14 (12) “…role in that.”

The Warhawks are led by quarterback Aidan Armenta. The redshirt sophomore followed Vincent from New Mexico to Monroe and took over the starting role midway through the season. Vincent says it’s a big deal to have a returning starting quarterback.

Cut 15 (14) “…about him.”

Armenta passed for nearly 13-hundred yards, 9 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight starts last season. ULM will start the season hosting St. Francis in a Thursday night game August 28.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is one of the most well-liked politicians in the state and she’s facing a big decision according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

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A Morgan City woman is working on a feature film about the first woman ever executed in the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

The LSU presidential search committee is expected to begin its work next month, with the hope of naming a new president by the end of the year. Bridges says Letlow would be an outside-the-box candidate to lead LSU…

Cut 5 (10) “…Monroe.”

Bridges reports Letlow recently moved to Baton Rouge, and her home in Richland Parish is up for sale. Bridges says Letlow would not speak to him for this article, but he spoke with dozens of others, who believe if President Trump endorses Letlow for U-S Senate, she’ll get into the Senate race…

Cut 6 (13) “…Senator Cassidy.”

Senator Cassidy was invited to the White House on Friday to celebrate the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. But the President expressed his displeasure with Cassidy following his 2021 vote to convict Trump for the January sixth attack on the U-S Capitol.

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A Morgan City filmmaker is developing a feature film about the first woman ever executed in Louisiana. Ada Leboeuf was hanged in St. Mary Parish in 1929, along with her family physician, Dr. Tom Dreher, in connection with the murder of her husband. Matison LeBlanc learned of her story while attending film school at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and decided that she wanted to tell her story in her project entitled “Ada and the Doc.” LeBlanc says Leboeuf had maintained her innocence right up until the moment she was executed.

Cut 7 (07) “…for 15 minutes.”

For her senior year project, LeBlanc and her team produced a 15-minute short, and to say that it was a huge hit is putting it very mildly.

Cut 8 (09) “…thing can happen.”

And that got LeBlanc to move forward with the full-length feature film. The only thing is, it requires money, and it does not grow on trees.

Cut 9 (08)  “…to seven-million.”

LeBlanc is looking to produce “Ada and the Doc” in Louisiana to take advantage of the state’s 40-percent film tax incentive. Her goal is to begin shooting in the summer of 2026 and begin the festival run, including the Cannes Film Festival, in 2027.

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The fallout from Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt is yet to be seen, but ESPN+ voice of the Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says so far, it’s all positive. While some fans may hold old grudges, McDonald says it’s time university officials let bygones be bygones.

Cut 10 (14) “…people engaged.”

McDonald encouraged fans to keep their passion, however. He says historic, personal rivalries are what have made college football into what it is today, and there’s no better example than the in-state battles LA Tech’s addition will revive.

Cut 11 (12) “…to watch that.”

McDonald says Louisiana Tech makes even more sense geographically than Texas State did. In an era of national conference realignment and expansion, he says the Sun Belt is built to stay together.

Cut 12 (08) “…great deal.”

LA Tech will make the official move in 2026 or 2027

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is hailing the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The lieutenant governor, who was the president of Plaquemines Parish before being elected to his current office, says the project was ineffective as the budget soared into the stratosphere.

Cut 13 (13)  “…we building it?”

Nungesser says not only was the project a waste of money, but it was also a waste of time.

Cut 14 (12) “…protecting our coast.”

The project is being replaced with a smaller scale project called the Myrtle Grove project, which Nungesser says will achieve the goal in a much more cost-effective way.

Cut 15 (11) “…growth is good.”

Former Congressman Garret Graves once led the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. In a statement, he says the cancellation will result in one of the largest setbacks for the coast and the protection of coastal communities in decades.

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A named storm in the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday is a possibility. Jeff Palermo reports regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected in Louisiana.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has a stern message for all you kamikaze drivers out there. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The National Hurricane Center says there is a medium chance for a tropical depression to form near Louisiana’s southeast coast later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says regardless of development, significant rainfall totals are expected…

Cut 3 (09) “…south Louisiana.”

The rainfall will reach coastal parishes of southeast Louisiana on Wednesday. Keim says Thursday and Friday are the days we could see several inches of rain fall for a good portion of south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (07) “…watch on it.”

Southeast Louisiana is under a flood watch from tomorrow afternoon through late Friday night.

The disorganized system will cross the Florida peninsula today and enter the northeastern Gulf of Mexico by tomorrow. Keim says its ability to organize into a named storm will depend on how long the center of the storm stays over water before making landfall along the northern Gulf coast. He says they are not expecting this system to develop into a hurricane…

Cut 5 (05) “…wind or surge”

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The EPA has approved two State Implementation Plans that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The first addresses emissions at Cabot Corporation’s Ville Platte carbon black plant. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says the plant is redesigning and reconstructing a large portion of the plant to bring Evangeline Parish into compliance with EPA standards.

Cut 6 (08) “…90-plus percent.”

Meyers says the submitted plan proves the area will reach attainment with EPA standards, leaving just one non-attainment area in Louisiana- St. Bernard Parish. Meyers says work has been underway there as well, and a plan should be ready soon.

Cut 7 (09) “…submit it to EPA.”

The second plan is one Meyers called an “infrastructure SIP.” He says it’s a necessary first step when an EPA standard changes.

Cut 8 (14) “…outside the state.”

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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has a stern message for all you kamikaze drivers out there – chill out and slow down! It’s part of a month-long national campaign aimed at reminding drivers that speeding has deadly consequences. Greg Fischer with the LHSC says in 2023, speeding was a factor in almost 29-percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.

Cut 9 (11)  “…speeding is involved.”

Most people think that the majority of speeding-related fatal crashes occur on the Interstates, but Fischer says that’s not correct – in 2023, 83-percent of them in Louisiana happened on non-Interstate roadways. Fischer says chilling out and slowing down doesn’t mean driving at a snail’s pace, either.

Cut 10 (07) “…the speed limits.”

Fischer says the biggest point that they want to drive home through this campaign is that a car is not a toy – it is to be operated safely and responsibly.

Cut 11 (08) “…can’t prepare for.”

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LSU is expecting the return of some key contributors on both sides of the ball from injury. Linebacker Whit Weeks suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve bowl game versus Baylor. At SEC Media Days yesterday, he said he’d be good to go for camp.

Cut 12 (13) “…really good.”

Weeks’ linebacking partner, Harold Perkins, suffered a season-ending ACL injury against UCLA in week four. After a true freshman All-American season in 2022, Perkins has struggled with position changes and now injury. Head coach Brian Kelly says Perkins could have gone to the NFL Draft.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to do so.”

Kelly confirmed Perkins would be ready for the start of camp back at his old position of outside linebacker.

Wide Receiver Chris Hilton has been plagued by injuries at LSU. He missed the first seven games of last season and totaled only nine receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Hilton has always been a big play threat, but quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says he’s improved as he’s gotten healthier.

Cut 14 (11) “…season last year.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly kicked off SEC Media Days in Atlanta this morning. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Sun Belt CEOs reportedly voted to invite Louisiana Tech to the conference. Jeff Palermo broke down the move with Locked on Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly took the podium at SEC Football Media Days this morning. Expectations have been high for Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in his second year starting. Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels posted historic Heisman-winning seasons in year two. Kelly says while that’s a steep comparison, he expects Nussmeier’s experience to help him improve.

Cut 3 (10) “…with that (x2).”

LSU brought in 18 veterans in the top-ranked transfer class this offseason. Kelly expects the class to bolster a defensive unit he acknowledged was improved last season, but not championship level. He says defensive coordinator Blake Baker is elite, and his players should be as well.

Cut 4 (14) “…level defense.”

LSU’s offensive weapons are as loaded as ever, but after four offensive linemen departed in the NFL Draft, there are some question marks in the trenches. Kelly says losing his offensive anchors would be an issue if unprepared, but his staff has been grooming the next generation since Will Campbell and Emery Jones started as freshmen.

Cut 5 (14) “…championship team.”

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A police chase in Lincoln Parish ends with deputies shooting and killing the driver they were chasing. Deputy Amanda Lyon with the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit says deputies attempted a traffic stop Saturday night, but the driver instead took off.

Cut 6 (06) “…driver’s side window.”

Lyon says the pursuit lasted for about 16 miles, coming to an end on U.S. 167 near Paradise Point Lane.

Cut 7 (06) “…drop the weapon.”

But instead, the man pointed his gun at deputies, who shot him.

Cut 8 (06) “…at the scene.”

But those life-saving measures proved to be futile, as the man was pronounced dead at the scene. No deputies were injured. Investigators from surrounding agencies have taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing.

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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the gulf for the possibility of some tropical activity later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as of right now, the odds of a tropical system forming are fairly low.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a watch on.”

Keim says whatever does eventually happen with any potential disturbance in the gulf likely will not have much of a major impact on the Louisiana coast.

Cut 10 (09) “…across this area.”

Keim says if anything, this will be a rainmaker, with the biggest likelihood being late in the week and into the weekend.

Cut 11 (10) “…from this event.”

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Louisiana Tech is officially Sun Belt-bound after league officials voted to invite the Bulldogs this morning. Tech was named the obvious candidate to replace Texas State as the Bobcats head to the PAC-12, but Sun Belt East schools preferred expansion into a new market over a third Louisiana program. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says most of the conference’s recent additions have been in the east.

Cut 12 (13) “…ULM dramatically.”

Louisiana Tech’s addition was backed by Western schools like ULM and UL-Lafayette despite historic conflicts between the programs. Schultz says Louisiana schools will save money on bus ride commutes and reignite heated in-state rivalries, especially in Lafayette.

Cut 13 (12)  “…on the field stuff.”

The move will also benefit the Bulldogs, who become the tenth team to leave Conference USA since 2022. Schultz says LA Tech needs to reinvest the money it will save from regional rivalries to compete in one of the top mid-major conferences.

Cut 14 (12) “…the Sun Belt is.”

Louisiana Tech will owe at least a $5 million fee to leave Conference USA. The soonest they can make the move is 2026, the same year Texas State departs for the PAC-12.

For the first time ever, the number of Republican active registered voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of Democratic active registered voters. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly will take the podium at the first of four SEC Football Media Days in Atlanta today. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A highly contagious and deadly disease that was believed to have been eliminated in the U.S. a quarter century ago is back with a vengeance. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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For the first time, the number of active registered Republican voters in Louisiana exceeds the number of active registered Democratic voters. John Couvillon (KOO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling, says when examining the total number of registered voters, Democrats still outnumber Republicans in the state. However, when you remove those who haven’t voted in the last two federal elections, that changes things.

Cut 4 (10) “…of registered Republicans.”

Couvillon says it will take a while for Republicans to overtake Democrats in the number of registered voters in Louisiana, since there are many more inactive Democrats on the voter rolls.

Cut 5 (10) “…early next year.”

Couvillon says month after month, Democrats keep losing registered voters.

Cut 6 (09) “…new young Democrats.”

958-thousand Republican active voters to 920-thousand active voters.

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SEC Football Media Days kick off in Atlanta with LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. Tigers coach Brian Kelly will be joined by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Whit Weeks and wide receiver Chris Hilton. Locked On SEC Podcast host Chris Gordy says Nussmeier could be the next great year two LSU quarterback.

Cut 7 (12) “…the floor.”

11 of the 16 SEC schools will be bringing their quarterbacks to Atlanta. Florida sophomore DJ Lagway is sure to be a headliner, but no name will be bigger than Texas’s Arch Manning. Gordy says Arch Mania is in full effect.

Cut 8 (12) “…the right way.”

One of the stories of the offseason sure to be discussed is future formatting for the College Football Playoffs. Expansion from 12 to 16 teams is almost certain, but the Big Ten and SEC have debated whether their conferences should receive multiple auto-bids. Gordy says four SEC teams would likely make the playoffs each year anyway.

Cut 9 (12)  “…gonna happen.”

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U-S Senator John Kennedy says the only way to put a stop to the Russian-Ukraine war is to keep Russia from selling oil to countries like China. Kennedy says he believes Ukraine is willing to negotiate a reasonable deal, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a settlement until he decides its in his best interest to stop the war…

Cut 10 (10) “…he can’t continue.”

Kennedy says Russia’s economy is not diversified, it’s mostly oil and the selling of oil to other countries is helping them pay for their conflict against Ukraine…

Cut 11 (12) “…cash flow.”

Kennedy says if America does not cut off Russia’s sale of oil, the war, could go forever. He says current sanctions on Russia are not enough. The Republican Senator is calling on Congress to pass a bill that says countries who buy oil from Russia, can no longer do business with America and you can no longer use the American dollar to do business in America…

Cut 12 (10) “…bargaining table.”

Kennedy says President Trump is trying to negotiate the peace, but he’s hoping he’ll throw his support behind a bill that will cut off Putin’s cash flow.

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It was thought to have been eradicated a quarter century ago; but apparently, measles is back with a vengeance. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medical education at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, says the number of measles cases across the country is staggering.

Cut 13 (12)  “…was declared eliminated.” (1,288 as of mid-week last week)

In fact, the previous high since then was 1,282 cases – and we still have almost half the year to go. Louisiana is among the 38 states with confirmed cases. Dr. Lopez says your very best defense against the highly contagious and deadly disease is to get vaccinated.

Cut 14 (11) “…for two doses.”

Lopez says if the vaccines don’t prevent you from getting measles, they will at least keep symptoms down to a minimum.

Cut 15 (10) “…immune to it.”

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Leaders from Sun Belt schools are expected to vote today to invite Louisiana Tech into the league as the 14th member of the conference. Tech would replace Texas State, who just left for the PAC-12. Locked on Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz says momentum began building last week for the Bulldogs to join the Sun Belt…

Cut 16 (15) “…the votes.”

School’s in Sun Belt’s western division have supported the move from the beginning, but schools in the East Division were not thrilled with having three schools from Louisiana in the Sun Belt. But Schultz says Tech is the obvious choice to replace Texas State because of geography…

Cut 17 (11)  “…to dry.”

Louisiana Tech would leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt next July.

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It didn’t go as excaclty as planned, but LSU left-hander Kade Anderson is still excited about the team that drafted him. The Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Angles both passed on the D-1 baseball National College Pitcher of the Year, which allowed the Mariners to grab Anderson with the third overall pick. Seattle’s V-P of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter. says they are thrilled Anderson dropped to them…

Cut 18 (18)  “…impressive.”

Anderson was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2025 College World Series. He was 12-1 during his sophomore season with a 3.18 ERA and he led the nation in strikeouts with 180 in 119 innings. The lefty celebrated the moment with his family in Madisonville…

Cut 19 (10) “…grateful for.”

After an up and down freshman season, Anderson flourised his sophomore campaign under the tutelage of pitching coach Nate Yeskie.

Most of the mock drafts had the Nationals selecting Anderson with the number one overall pick. Instead, Washington took 17-year-old Eli Willits from Oklahoma. Anderson says the only team to visit him in Louisiana was Seattle and he had a great visit with Seattle’s Assistant General Manager Andy McKay…

Cut 20 (22) “…like a dream.”