Flooding is a possibility this week as excessive rainfall may produce flash flooding. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical found that despite increasing obesity rates, severely obese individuals are receiving fewer surgeries. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Nearly the entire state is under a flood watch as tropical moisture from a disturbance in the Gulf interacts with a stalled cold front, which is expected to produce between three to six inches of rain, with the possibility that some areas could see up to ten inches of rain fall over the next few days. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 3 (11) “…same location”

Keim says Louisiana residents should be prepared for heavy rains and the possibility of flooding.

Cut 4 (06) “…big time flooding.”

Keim says the chances for rain are high every day through Saturday. He says once this week ends, it’s likely the state will no longer be concerned with drought conditions…

Cut 5 (09) “…this fast.”

Keim says we could see the biggest rainfall totals on Tuesday going into Wednesday, but again a heavy downpour is possible every day this week, especially during the afternoon hours.

We’ve seen heavy rainfall across the I-20 corridor. In the Shreveport-Bossier area numerous cars had to be abandoned because they got stuck in flood waters.

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An LSU Pennington Biomedical study found that Americans with severe obesity are undergoing fewer surgical procedures. Senior author of the study, Dr. Vance Albaugh says extreme obesity can predispose patients to knee or hip replacements, heart disease and other health issues that require operation. Despite rising national obesity rates, these individuals are undergoing fewer operations.

Cut 6 (07) “…their obesity.”

Albaugh says one cause of this trend could be insurance coverage. He says many insurance plans do not cover bariatric surgeries or GLP-1 medications to help with extreme weight loss.

Cut 7 (09) “…first place.”

In 2024, the Louisiana Legislature and Governor Landry passed a law requiring commercial health insurance plans to include coverage for bariatric surgery. The law was supposed to go into effect in January of 2025, but Albaugh says it has yet to be enacted.

Cut 8 (11) “…liver disease.”

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Registration for the Fortified Roof Program lottery closes Friday at 5 p.m. 3,000 individuals will receive grants of up to ten-thousand-dollars for a new fortified roof. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says residents can create a profile and register at ldi.la.gov.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the grant.”

A new law signed last month allowed 50-million-dollars in Louisiana Citizens Insurance excess Katrina bonds to be allocated to the Fortified Roof Program. Temple says Louisiana is the fastest-growing state in the country for FORTIFIED.

Cut 10 (09) “…twelve months.” 

Temple says fortified roofs protect against extreme weather and extreme homeowners’ insurance prices. Resilient roofs limit claims, prevent damage and lower insurance rates.

Cut 11 (12) “…fortified roof on.”

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The creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board is just Governor Landry’s signature away from becoming a reality. Jason Young, the co-founder of Americans for Lower Drug Prices, says Senate Bill 401, which passed overwhelmingly in the legislature, is designed to address what lawmakers say is a lack of accountability.

Cut 12 (12) “…to respond to.” 

Young cautions that the bill does not impose any price controls or set reimbursement limits.

Cut 13 (06) “…put anything out.”

Young says Americans are paying through the roof for prescription drugs and are fed up.

Cut 14 (11) “…exact same factory?”

Young says prescription drug companies respond to that by saying transparency could hurt innovation or access to prescription drugs.

Louisiana now ranks 19th in the country in WalletHub’s ranking of the best states for military retirees, that’s seven spots higher than last year. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The state’s new litter-reporting hotline has yielded some positive results. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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During a public appearance, U-S Senator John Kennedy says he’s been courted by donors to run President and he has not ruled out the idea. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Louisiana came in 19th in WalletHub’s ranking of the best states for military retirees, climbing seven spots from last year. The state scored well in affordability, quality of life, veteran community support, and access to services. Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley credited the capital investment attracted by the administration.

Cut 4 (12) “…good work.”

The state saw a 7.1% increase in the number of veterans receiving benefits, one percent higher than the national average. Meginley says there are more veterans in the stats receiving benefits than there were last year, despite fewer veterans living in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…percent increase.”

Louisiana veterans are receiving over 2.5-billion-dollars in compensation and pension benefits. Meginley says attracting and supporting veterans will benefit all Louisianians.

Cut 6 (12) “…the economy.”

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The Louisiana Litter Hotline has led to 50 simple littering citations since it was launched last September. A law that was passed last year created the hotline and it expands the authority of Louisiana State Park Rangers to investigate litter complaints, not just on park lands. Susan Russell, the executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says people are simply fed up with filth.

Cut 7 (10) “…acts of neglect.”

The most common violations involve fast food bags, drink cups, cigarette butts and other trash thrown from vehicles. Russell says people who submit reports must sign an affidavit.

Cut 8 (10) “…the proper investigation.”

Russell says the Louisiana Litter Hotline empowers people, and people should take advantage.

Cut 9 (09)  “…we’ll enforce it.”

The hotline has also resulted in ten citations for illegal dumping.

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U-S Senator John Kennedy is seeking re-election in 2028, but is he eyeing an even higher office? While speaking on Friday at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm’s College, Kennedy said his donors have approached him about running for President and he has not ruled out the idea. Political analyst Ron Faucheux says Kennedy would be an interesting Republican Presidential candidate because of his way with words…

Cut 10 (08) “…a lot of people.”

Kennedy is not as well-known as other potential Republican Presidential candidates like Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but Faucheux says those who follow politics are aware of Kennedy’s political views…

Cut 11 (06) “…what he says.”

LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says a Kennedy presidential campaign has a chance to gain traction, because he agrees with many of President Trump’s priorities. But Hogan says it’s hard to say who Republicans will support post-Trump…

Cut 12 (07) “…looking for.”

Kennedy is 74-years-old. He’s currently serving his second term as U.S. Senator. Before that he was Louisiana’s State Treasurer for 17 years. Kennedy also served as Louisiana’s Revenue Secretary for three-plus years in the late 1990s. In 2007, Kennedy switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP.

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McNeese athletics officially trademarked the nickname Bayou Bandits. The moniker has become synonymous with the Cowboys men’s basketball. McNeese Sports Information Director Matter Bonnette says the name has spread throughout Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for us.”

The Bayou Bandits became the identity of the men’s basketball team during their success under Will Wade. After three straight Southland Championships and trips to the NCAA tournament, Bonnette says it’s brought national attention to McNeese.

Cut 14 (12) “…taking off.”

Bonnette says securing the trademark and protecting the identity they’ve been working to build has been a goal for a while now. He says the Bayou Bandits represent the tradition and people of Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 15 (10) “…that to happen.”

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Will Wade officially signed his first four transfers last week. Abdi Bashir is a lengthy senior shooting guard who averaged over 13 points a game for Kansas State last season. TJ Brown with The Advocate says he is a pure sharpshooter.

Cut 16 (18) “…your roster.”

Michigan State junior guard Divine Ugochukwu averaged just five points in 16 minutes a game with the Spartans last season, but Brown says he has the tools to take a big step forward if Wade gives him the keys to the Tigers’ offense. He says he reminds him of former Tigers guard Eric Gaines.

Cut 17 (16)  “…get up.”

Senior forward Mo Dioubate was a glue guy for Kentucky last season. He averaged just under nine points and five rebounds last season, but Brown says his impact goes beyond the stats sheet.

Cut 18 (17) “…to win.”

Senior guard Austin Nunez was a top-75 recruit coming out of high school but ended up with UTSA after stints with Ole Miss and Arizona State. He averaged almost ten points and three assists a game with the Roadrunners, and Brown says he can be an effective role player.

Cut 19 (18) “…backup player.”

In the May 16th primary, confusion reigned supreme at times regarding which ballots no-party voters could cast. Andrew Greenstein is here to untangle the confusion for the runoff.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A documentary on the great Billy Cannon will air on Louisiana Public Broadcasting on the week of LSU’s football game versus Ole Miss. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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During the U.S. Senate primary election, there was a great deal of confusion in some polling places about the ballots that no-party voters could cast. Some reported being denied the ballot of their choice, when the rules clearly stipulated that they had that option. And that confusion could be compounded in the runoffs, for which early voting is now underway. Trey Williams with the Secretary of State’s Office says for no-party voters who cast a Republican or Democratic ballot last month, there’s no last-minute party-switching allowed.

Cut 3 (09) “…this go-around.”

Williams says the no-party voters who still have the option are those who didn’t make a choice for U.S. Senate last month.

Cut 4 (14) “…to vote in.”

Williams says there is one instance in which those who cast ballots in one party’s primary can cast ballots in the other party’s runoff, but the deadline for them to act passed last Saturday.

Cut 5 (11) “…to vote in.”

Early voting runs through June 20th; there will be no early voting this Sunday or next Friday, with that day being Juneteenth, which is a state and federal holiday. Election day is June 27th.

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A documentary on legendary Heisman trophy-winning LSU running back Billy Cannon is set to release the week of this year’s LSU-Ole Miss game. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon, made the project happen. She says she wants to give fans a glimpse at who he truly was.

Cut 6 (12) “…the football.”

The documentary will be aired by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Bunnie says creating the documentary is the first of three remaining goals she has to honor her father’s memory.

Cut 7 (09) “…went through.”

The other two are a major motion picture she says she’s been working on for eight years and a national award in his name.

The documentary is going to be the only one that has the full support of the Cannon family, but Bunnie says just because it has their approval doesn’t mean it will hold anything back.

Cut 8 (10) “…open mind.”

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After a week of relief from the rain, you can expect summer showers across Louisiana to return next week. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says a front will combine with tropical moisture and linger over the state throughout the week.

Cut 9 (12)  “…next week.”

A low-pressure area has formed off the coast of Mexico and is expected to move up the Gulf towards Louisiana and Texas. While the system is not expected to develop, Keim says the moisture it brings will certainly add to the total rainfall.

Cut 10 (06) “…whole week.” 

Although the rain may dampen your plans for the week, Keim says it’s not all bad news. After a dry pattern last week, he says parts of the state could really use the rain.

Cut 11 (08) “…too fast.”

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LSU shortstop Steven Milam has removed his name from the MLB draft and will return to LSU for his senior season. Milam has been an elite defensive starter all three years in Baton Rouge and was a key piece of the Tigers’ 2025 national championship. Glen West of On3.com says it’s a massive win for the Tigers.

Cut 12 (08) “…open arms.” 

“Monster” Milam hit .296 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI this season.

The move is one West says you wouldn’t have seen before the N-I-L era. The Tigers almost certainly made Milam a lucrative offer to stay in Baton Rouge another season, and West says the Major League money will still be there for him next year.

Cut 13 (14) “…can offer him.”

West says the decision isn’t just a financial one. LSU head coach Jay Johnson recruited Milam out of high school, and he’s blossomed into a collegiate superstar in his three seasons as a Tiger.

Cut 14 (12) “…at LSU.”

Milam will return to an infield that just made two major transfer portal additions in Texas State’s Dawson Park and Florida’s Cade Kurland. Kurland was a Freshman All-American with the Gators in 2023, and West says he just announced he’d be removing his name from the draft as well.

Cut 15 (14) “…next season.”

What city is the fastest growing in Louisiana? For the answer, here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Hammond Police Department has named two persons of interest in connection with the June 4 shooting at a Hammond gas station that left one woman dead. 26-year-old Jarvis Steptoe and 21-year-old Reginald Steptoe are both from the Hammond area. If you have any information about their whereabouts, contact the Hammond Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.

NovaSpark announced additions to its hydrogen generator manufacturing facility in West Monroe and plans to establish a new operation in Houma. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says it will help diversify the Terrebonne Parish economy for years to come.

Cut 9 (12)  “…future as well.”

Will Furniss, the son of ex-LSU baseball star Eddy Furniss, has helped lead Ole Miss back to Omaha. The Rebels’ College World Series run opens tomorrow night against North Carolina, the fourth-ranked national seed. While they were able to dodge a four-team SEC gauntlet on the other side of the bracket, Eddy says the Tar Heels are no slouch.

Cut 14 (13) “…Ole Miss.”

What city is the fastest growing city in Louisiana? For the answer, here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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An El Nino has officially formed in the tropical Pacific, so what does that mean for our weather in Louisiana? Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (24) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Which city is the fastest growing city in Louisiana? If you said Carencro, you’d be right. According to census data released last month, between July 1st, 2020, and July 1st, 2025, Carencro’s population grew by almost 42-percent, adding almost four-thousand people to a population that now tops 13-thousand. Mayor Charlotte Clavier (klah-vee-AAE) says many of those people are coming from coastal communities, where homeowners insurance is exponentially more expensive.

Cut 3 (09) “…the benefit of.”

Carencro is just north of Lafayette, bisected by I-49, and Mayor Clavier says that means Carencroians have it easy when it comes to heading into Lafayette.

Cut 4 (09) “…more traffic issues.”

Clavier says the best part about Carencro is the major sense of community.

Cut 5 (13) “…doing so well.”

Clavier notes that homebuilding is very active in Carencro, with about 15-hundred lots in active development at any given time. New construction prices are among the most competitive in the state and in the region.

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El Nino conditions have officially developed in the tropical Pacific, and weather experts say it will intensify, possibly into a Super El Nino. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the most immediate impact to Louisiana’s weather is the higher chances of a quiet hurricane season.

Cut 6 (10) “…even in the Atlantic.”

NOAA says there is a 63-percent chance of a Super El Nino, which would reduce the number of tropical storms even more. Keim says we’ve had Super El Ninos in the past.

Cut 7 (12) “…every year.”

Keim says not only does El Nino produce a quieter Atlantic hurricane season, it can also produce a wetter and cooler winter and spring if it hangs around that long.

Cut 8 (08) “…and winter.”

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Terrebonne Parish is diversifying its economy; and with it will come hundreds of new jobs. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says NovaSpark is expanding by not only adding to its hydrogen generator manufacturing facility in West Monroe, but also by establishing an operation in Houma.

Cut 9 (12)  “…future as well.”

Bourgeois says this is especially a game changer for Houma and Terrebonne Parish, especially in light of a downturn in oil and gas.

Cut 10 (08) “…and gas hub.” 

Bourgeois says this announcement speaks for the quality of Louisiana’s workforce and Louisiana’s future potential.

Cut 11 (14) “…the hydrogen world.”

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The son of LSU baseball legend Eddy Furniss, Will Furniss, is following in his dad’s footsteps at the College World Series. While he won’t be wearing purple and gold, Will has led Ole Miss to Omaha in his senior season. The first baseman hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a Super Regional win over Auburn. Eddy says that’s just who he is.

Cut 12 (13) “…get it done.” 

Ole Miss is undefeated in the NCAA Tournament, but all five of their wins have been decided by three runs or less. After some bad luck early in the season, Eddy says things have started going the Rebels’ way.

Cut 13 (12) “…one play game.”

The Rebels’ College World Series run opens Friday night against North Carolina, the fourth-ranked national seed. While Ole Miss was able to dodge a four-team SEC gauntlet on the other side of the bracket, Eddy says the Tar Heels are no slouch.

Cut 14 (13) “…Ole Miss.”

A Pittsburgh little league practice became a lifelong memory Monday night when ex-LSU star and Pirates ace Paul Skenes decided to drop in on his day off. Kace Kieschnick reports

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana’s youngest students made great strides in reading proficiency. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A little league team in the north suburbs of Pittsburgh got a surprise visit from the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Monday evening. Paul Skenes was driving by Ingomar Franklin Park when he saw the lights on for a little league practice and decided to check it out. Eddie Dubis, a coach in the league and father of two of the kids, says it only took a few minutes for the 6-6 superstar to be noticed.

Cut 3 (10) “…two hours.”

Skenes stayed to take pictures, sign autographs and play catch on his day off. Dubis says what started as a group of 30 or 40 kids quickly tripled and it’s an experience his 11 and 13-year-old sons will never forget.

Cut 4 (09) “…about it.”

Dubis compared the drop-in to Micky Mantle or Willie Mayes playing ball with kids in the 60s and 70s but said it’s something you don’t see from modern athletes. He says Paul Skenes is baseball in Pittsburgh.

Cut 5 (12) “…city of Pittsburgh.”

Skenes followed the visit with a start at PNC Park against the Dodgers last night. He allowed just six hits and two runs in six innings and struck out seven in one of his best outings in nearly a month. The Pirates lost 12-3.

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The Department of Education says literacy screening results show that at the end of the school year, more than 66-percent of students from kindergarten through third grade were reading at or above grade level — an increase of more than 16 percentage points from the start of the school year. John Wyble, the CEO of the Center for Literacy and Learning, says this increase can be attributed to a return to the science of reading.

Cut 6 (11) “…what they read.”

The Center worked with many school districts to improve their students’ literacy; and each one had more than 71-percent of their K-through-3 students reading at or above grade level at the end of the year. Wyble says the progress can also be attributed to schools diligently staying on top of students’ progress in their reading abilities.

Cut 7 (10) “…support and interventions.”

Wyble says the Center for Literacy and Learning has been working with many of the school districts where students have shown great improvement in reading.

Cut 8 (13) “…a great thing.”

Kindergartners showed the greatest progress, with 69-percent of students reading at or above grade level at the end of the school year, compared to just 29-percent at the start of the year.

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An 80-million-dollar Faith Technologies Incorporated manufacturing facility is coming to Monroe. Construction is already underway and expected to be completed spring 2027. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facility will produce electrical assemblies and energy solutions to ship to project sites along the I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (09)  “…power-first economy.”

The 500,000-square-foot facility will be the first Louisiana location for FTI. The company has navigated the engineering, construction, manufacturing and clean energy sectors since 1972. Bourgeois says welcoming them to the area is a big win for Monroe.

Cut 10 (07) “…all day long.” 

Louisiana has already seen massive investments into data centers in Richland Parish, Rapides Parish and the Shreveport Bossier area. Bourgeois says these investments are the meeting point between the history and future of the Louisiana economy.

Cut 11 (07) “…center opportunities.”

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For the second time in three days, a shooting rocks an East Baton Rouge Parish school. A student was shot while leaving Baker High School this morning. Preston Castille, the president and CEO of Helix Community Schools, the charter school network that Baker High School belongs to, says it happened while summer school was in session.

Cut 12 (08) “…still on campus.” 

That student is hospitalized in stable condition, and a suspect is in custody. Castille says while he cannot say for certain, the fact that this is the second shooting at the school in three days leads him to believe that the incidents are related, and that’s very troubling.

Cut 13 (14) “…staff remain safe.”

Castille says as such, all activities and in-person instruction have been cancelled.

Cut 14 (09) “…had been resolved.”

No word as to when the Baker High School campus will reopen.

A Meta AI infrastructure training facility is coming to Baton Rouge. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Problems at the OMV today due to network outages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Meta announced the launch of America’s Workforce Academy, a nationwide A-I infrastructure jobs training program with a pilot academy in Baton Rouge. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says the program will pay participants to train in a variety of jobs..

Cut 3 (09) “…next decade.”

The academy requires no prior experience and provides tuition, airfare and lodging. Applicants will receive their job training placement and location upon acceptance. Doukas says they will also receive a guaranteed job placement upon graduation from the four to five-week program.

Cut 4 (09) “…to do so.”

Louisiana joins Texas, Indiana and Ohio as the four states to host pilot locations. Meta has already begun construction on a 27-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish. Doukas says Meta’s partnership with the Associated Builders and Contractors Baton Rouge training facility and its investment in Louisiana make it a perfect location.

Cut 5 (11) “…down the road.”

For more information go to meta.com/AmericasWorkforceAcademy.

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Gabe Firment has been in the Louisiana House of Representatives for more than six years now. Could he have his sights set on something bigger, like the U.S. House of Representatives? The Republican from Pollock says several people have reached out to him over the past couple weeks asking him if he’d be interested in running for the open seat in the fifth district.

Cut 6 (12) “…an intriguing opportunity.”

Firment says he believes he would be a very effective U.S. representative.

Cut 7 (12) “…philosophy to Congress.”

Firment says as vast as the newly-drawn fifth district is, voters need a representative who can serve the interests of the entire district, regardless of which part of the district he or she is from.

Cut 8 (10) “…sense to me.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is planning on continuing his campaign for the fifth district. Firment says he hopes to make a decision in the next couple weeks. Qualifying runs from August 5th through the 7th.

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The Louisiana America 250 commission is hosting a free Fourth of July concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be live music in Repentance Park starting at 2 p.m. and culminating with a big fireworks show over the Mississippi River…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to America.”

The concert will feature performances from local stars Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., John Schneider and Wayne Toups. Nungesser says the celebration will highlight the great talent that comes out of the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (11) “…has to offer.” 

Nungesser says if you can’t make it to the Capitol City, there will likely be a celebration near you.

Cut 11 (09) “…over Louisiana.”

A full list of celebrations across the state can be found at america250la.org

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If you’re trying to get things done at the OMV, either in person or online, you may have a little difficulty right now. That’s because the office is experiencing network outages. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the Office of Technology Services says they started replacing a legacy piece of hardware Sunday.

Cut 12 (08) “…started going out.” 

Mule’ says it’s part of switching the network from what he says is the equivalent of a 1992 Honda Civic to a 2026 McLaren 750. He says during the migration, some are experiencing connectivity issues.

Cut 13 (09) “…the new system.”

The network outages have forced some OMV offices around the state to close, and some online services are affected as well. Mule’ says it’s unclear when everything will be back up and running.

Cut 14 (08) “…tomorrow at eight.”

Mule’ says they’re almost 100-percent certain that this is not the result of a cyberattack.

It’s been 30 years to the day since Warren Morris delivered his legendary swing in the 1996 College World Series championship against Miami. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The Secretary of State puts out the help wanted sign for poll commissioners. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Starting August 1st, prisons, jails and other correctional facilities will be required to immediately notify the public whenever a violent inmate is inadvertently let out. That’s due to a new law Governor Landry signed last month that was authored by New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry, who said there had been several instances when it took hours for these facilities to issue bulletins about escaped inmates.

Cut 3 (04) “…we needed this.”

While it was not an inadvertent release, Landry was prompted to author the bill by last year’s jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Jail, in which the public wasn’t notified until about ten hours after ten inmates broke free. Landry wanted to be sure whatever was in her bill was something that would be able to be adhered to.

Cut 4 (11) “…address the situation.”

For instance, Landry offered an amendment to narrow the scope of her bill, limiting the notification requirement to the inadvertent release of an inmate charged with or convicted of a violent crime.

Cut 5 (11) “…knows right away.”

Landry’s bill sailed through the legislature without a dissenting vote at any stage.

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Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in LSU baseball and College World Series history. In the 1996 College World Series championship against Miami, the Tigers were down 8-7, with two outs and a runner on third, when second baseman Warren Morris stepped up to the plate. Morris roped a two-run walk-off homer over the right field wall to win the Tigers’ third national championship.

Cut 6 (12) “…seen him.”

The walk-off home run is still the only one in the College World Series Championship game. Morris was batting ninth in the lineup after returning from a wrist surgery just over two weeks before the NCAA tournament. Morris hadn’t hit a home run all season, but he says he told coach Skip Bertman something was different that day.

Cut 7 (12) “…all year.”

LSU trailed 7-3 in the game before tying it in the eighth. The Hurricanes took back the lead in the top of the ninth and were three outs away from a national title. Down again, with wind blowing in and Miami All-American closer Robbie Morrison on the mound, things were looking bleak for the Tigers, but Morris says he never wavered.

Cut 8 (12) “…of destiny.”

The walk-off capped off an 8-and-0 postseason run to a College World Series title.

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If you need some extra cash this summer or this fall, why not volunteer to be a poll commissioner? The Secretary of State’s Office needs poll commissioners for the June 27th runoff election and the November 3rd general election. Secretary Nancy Landry says poll workers are essential in keeping elections running smoothly in the state.

Cut 9 (09)  “…here in Louisiana.”

Landry says poll commissioners can earn up to 200 dollars a day, and commissioners in charge can earn up to 350 dollars a day.

Cut 10 (12) “…in your community.” 

Landry says there are some requirements in order to be a poll commissioner.

Cut 11 (14) “…to vote yet.”

More information is on the Secretary of State’s website.

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Louisiana ranks 48^th for child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book. Chief Data and Impact Officer at the Agenda For Children, Teresa Falgoust, says one out of five children in Louisiana live in high-poverty neighborhood, which is one reason why the state ranks so low, but it’s not all bad news…

Cut 12 (10) “…stunning progress.” 

Louisiana also ranks 49^th for the health of its children. Falgoust says it’s concerning to see an increase in the percentage of low-birthweight children…

Cut 13 (10) “…11.6 percent.”

Falgoust says Louisiana progressed in education, where its score improved by 83 points, more than other state…

Cut 14 (09) “…on time.”

While the Republicans are dominating the airwaves in the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana, there’s also a runoff on the Democratic side. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has lots of room for improvement in child well-being. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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U-N-O is just one month away from becoming LSU New Orleans, and the transition is a game-changer, Kace Kieschnick Reports

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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While the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are dominating the airwaves in the run-up to the runoff, both in terms of advertising and in headlines, there’s also a runoff for the Democratic nomination as well. Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will square off on June 27th for the right to take on Julia Letlow or John Fleming in the November general election. Davis was the runaway top vote-getter in the primary, garnering 47-percent of the vote. He’s urging his supporters to get out the vote once again.

Cut 4 (12) “…once more again.”

Gary Crockett, on the other hand, barely eked out second place, besting Nick Albares by just 284 votes to advance to the runoff. Crockett says his strategy is to get Albares’ supporters on his side.

Cut 5 (07) “…voters as well.”

Davis is a former police juror in Tensas Parish and says his experience on that body, along with his experience in his chosen profession, make him well prepared for the rigors in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 6 (10) “…is all about.”

Crockett says that, while he comes from a different background and this is his first political campaign, he has what it takes to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 7 (12) “…what is important.”

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The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement in the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust (FAAL-goo), the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.

Cut 8 (06) “…full-time year-round.”

Louisiana also ranked low in health and in family and community. Louisiana’s best individual ranking was in education, where it ranked 35th. Falgoust says it’s a testament to the investments the state is making in early childhood education.

Cut 9 (07)  “…and first grade.”

Falgoust says there is a positive to come out of this report – when compared to last year, Louisiana made one of the biggest improvements in the country.

Cut 10 (07) “…for South Carolina.”

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The University of New Orleans is switching gears as it prepares to transition to the LSU system on July 1st. Interim Chancellor Jeanette Weiland says the university wouldn’t have survived without the 20-million-dollar cash infusion from the state of Louisiana, but now they’re back in the black and looking ahead.

Cut 11 (11) “…is enrollment growth.”

Weiland is setting the institution’s fall enrollment goal at six thousand students. She says as part of the LSU system, UNO can aggressively target the thousands of applicants denied by LSU’s main campus who meet its admissions requirements.

Cut 12 (12) “…give them tours.”

Weiland, who’s a UNO graduate herself, says keeping the university flourishing is not just business, it’s personal. She says the soon-to-be LSU New Orleans offers opportunity at an affordable price nationwide, and the best is yet to come.

Cut 13 (11)  “…economic development impact.” 

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The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has approved new chronic wasting disease management zones as a result of legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. LDWF’s deer program manager Jonathan Bordelon says the size of the four zones has been reduced…

Cut 14 (09) “…were used prior.”

Three of the zones are located in northeast Louisiana, and a fourth zone covers most of Concordia and Avoyelles parishes.

There have been at least 55 confirmed cases of CWD since first detected in Louisiana in 2022. It’s a 100-percent fatal, neurodegenerative disease. Bordelon says that’s why the export of deer carcasses outside of the CWD Management Zone is prohibited…

Cut 15 (13) “…in new areas.”

One of the issues that lawmakers had with the CWD zones was that baiting restrictions penalized hunters and local businesses that rely on deer feed. Bordelon says the new CWC regulations allow from September 1^st to March 31^st, 2027, in the four CWD management zones…

Cut 16 (09) “…their surveillance goals.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed easing the baiting restrictions over concerns that bait piles lead to deer congregating, which increases the transmission of the fatal disease.

A new law signed by Governor Landry looks to create a more family-friendly gameday atmosphere on college campuses in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Even though the new law doesn’t take effect until January 1st, your days of schlepping to a vehicle inspection station are, for all intents and purposes, over. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry signed a bill increasing the penalties for marijuana use on college campuses and near schools. While the new law affects all school zones across the state Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says it specifically targets creating a more family-friendly environment at on-campus tailgates on gamedays.

Cut 3 (09) “…good time.”

Those caught smoking marijuana in school zones now face up to a year in jail and a one-thousand-dollar fine. Firment says smoking marijuana within two-thousand feet of campuses and schools was already illegal in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…the penalties.”

Opponents of the bill argue the bill does nothing to address alcohol use on campus, especially that done by underage students. Firment’s answer is simple — consuming alcohol in a school zone is not illegal.

Cut 5 (09) “…to enforce.”

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The elimination of state inspection stickers doesn’t officially happen until January 1st; but for all intents and purposes, your days of schlepping to get your vehicle inspected are over. Governor Landry has told State Police not to issue citations for expired inspection stickers. And Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says even if your inspection is due for renewal this month, just let it go.

Cut 6 (08) “…on all that.”

Bagley says if you recently paid for your two-year renewal already, however, you’re out of luck.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a refund.”

Bagley says among the practical reasons to eliminate the inspection sticker is to put certain counterfeiters out of business.

Cut 8 (11) “…the parking lot.”

The inspection sticker will be replaced by a QR code that will cost six dollars a year, which will be rolled into your annual registration renewal – it’s not paid separately. The QR code will arrive in the mail; it measures about two inches long by one inch tall and will be affixed to the bottom of the passenger side of the windshield.

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The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a new Drone as First Responder program. The drones are operated by a real-time crime center that monitors drone video and live body camera feeds to quickly respond to emergencies. Sheriff Marc Mashaw says drones can cover a wide area and arrive on scene in as little as 70 seconds.

Cut 9 (08)  “…speed matters.”

When a 911 call comes in, OPSO can launch drones directly to the scene. The fleet features two drones that can break glass to enter a building and allow deputies to negotiate with suspects remotely. Mashaw says the program transforms emergency response and community protection.

Cut 10 (13) “…different description.” 

The drones can even help first responders speak directly to the public during emergencies or take life-saving action. Mashaw says drones can drop off life jackets, tourniquets and other emergency equipment while deputies are on the way.

Cut 11 (13) “…we’re responding.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists believe they are making progress in restoring critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend. LDWF Biologist Manager Villis Dowden says over the past two weeks crews have stocked 110 containers of native eelgrass which can provide critical habitat for juvenile fish….

Cut 12 (07) “…wildlife species.” 

Dowden says some early attempts to plant eelgrass in past years did not succeed, because of several challenges, including strong wave action, so they are using more sheltered planting areas…

Cut 13 (08) “…planting.”

Toledo Bend along the Texas-Louisiana border in Sabine Parish is known as one of the best fishing spots in the country. From 2015 to 2017, Bassmaster Magazine ranked Toledo Bend as the best bass lake in the nation.

But high, muddy water in 2016 and 2017 led to a significant, sustained decline in native aquatic vegetation. Dowden says the habitat restoration methods they are doing now, have worked in reservoirs in other southern states

Cut 14 (11) “…goes on.”