One New Orleans non-profit is turning glass into sand to help rebuild parts of the Louisiana Coast. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full 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.”

He says they’re working with many businesses to collect all types of glass and while most glass will work, coated glass like auto glass will not.

The new school year is right around the corner and soon back-to-school shopping will be in full swing. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman says back-to-school shoppers looking for ways to save money should consider stacking discounts.

Cut 7 (09) “…online shopping portal.”

He also suggests if it’s not necessary for the beginning of the school year, wait to buy it because many items go on sale after Labor Day.

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.”

The Saints begin training camp today and the talk of the preseason will be the battle for the starting quarterback spot. GM Mickey Loomis says it 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.”

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”

Most glass items will work for the project except coated glass like auto glass.

Earned Wage Access allows an employee to access wages earned prior to their pay day and Louisiana is the 11^th state to put regulations in place for it. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc authored the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act.

Cut 4 (11) “…ATM.”

He says about 80-thousand workers in Louisiana have access to E-W-A and now that there are guardrails in place, he hopes more employers will offer it and workers will take advantage of it.

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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, and GM Mickey Loomis says there’s always an opportunity to be successful.

Cut 10 (12) “…excited about that.”

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.”

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.”

Sun Belt Football Media Days kicked off in New Orleans today. The U-L-M Warhawks are led by quarterback Aidan Armenta. The redshirt sophomore followed Head Coach Bryant Vincent from New Mexico to Monroe and took over the starting role midway through the season last year. Vincent says it’s a big deal to have a returning starting quarterback.

Cut 15 (14) “…about him.”

Coca-Cola announced it will release a new version of its classic cola which will be sweetened with cane sugar, and that has Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain excited.

Cut 12 (07) “…cane sugar.”

The move could benefit Louisiana’s sugarcane industry. Louisiana ranks second in the country in sugarcane produced, nearly 14-million tons of sugarcane each year.

Beginning late next year, Hood Container will begin a modernization project at its St. Francisville paper mill. The state offered the company an incentive package including an 8-hundred-thousand-dollar tax credit to secure the project. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard hopes this won’t be the last investment that comes to the area.

Cut 8 (13) “…open for business.”

Alexandria native and Centenary College graduate, Josh Johnson makes his television hosting debut tonight on Comedy Central’s satire show alongside Jon Stewart. Johnson has been behind the scenes with Stewart for almost a decade writing for the Daily Show hosted by his fellow comedian. Johnson will be on Tuesday through Thursday with in a rotation of hosting comedians.

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.”

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.”

In a tragic discovery, missing 16-year-old Iris Davis was found deceased on Monday. Iris was first reported missing last Thursday. Her body was found in a field not far from her St. Martin Parish home. St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin says investigators are treating her death as a homicide. The investigation is ongoing.

We’re all feeling the heat and temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 90s for the rest of the week. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says When working outside in these conditions, dress accordingly.

Cut 5 (12) “…head is vital.”

Hood Container is modernizing their St. Francisville paper mill to the tune of close to 120 million dollars increasing production capacity by 80-thousand tons per year. Since taking ownership in 2015, Hood Container has invested more than 160 million dollars in the facility. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says this project will help retain 295 jobs in the parish.

Cut 7 (12) “…community partner.”

Upgrades begin in late 2026, and phase two will be completed during the mill’s annual outage in May of 2027.

The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid out almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds in the 2025 fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming says many people who claimed money owed to them 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.

The Honey Badger is hanging up his cleats. Announcing his retirement from the Saints today after twelve seasons in the NFL, Tyrann Mathieu posted on social media, As I hang up my cleats, I’m filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of life and officially retire from the game that’s shaped me in every way.” The former LSU star was respected off the field too – nominated for the Walter Peyton Man of the Year and worked to create positive change in the lives of youth.

Last week, President Trump spoke with Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States and today Coca-Cola announced the release of a new version of its classic drink sweetened with U.S. sugar. Coke products sold in the U-K and Mexico already use cane sugar. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Coca-Cola’s decision to use cane syrup could have a big impact on Louisiana…

Cut 13 (08)  “…few days.”

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.”

Almost 70-million dollars in unclaimed property funds found its rightful owners in the 2025 fiscal year. The Louisiana Department of Treasury paid both current and former residents and State Treasurer John Fleming says claiming money that’s owed to you isn’t difficult.

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

Unclaimed property could be payroll checks, old bank accounts, utility deposits and interest payments.

Combine high temperatures with high humidity, and you’ve got conditions that are downright unbearable. Thus, if you have to work outside this week, make sure you’re taking all necessary precautions. Evan Canzoneri, a safety service consultant with LWCC, says not only should you hydrate properly, but you should eat properly as well.

Cut 4 (11) “…up digesting that.”

Hood Container announced a nearly 120-million-dollar modernization project at its historic St. Francisville paper mill. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says Hood’s success is the community’s success.

Cut 6 (13) “…come with it.”

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.”

On the day that the Saints open training camp, the team unveils a new alternate jersey. Well, make that reinstates an old alternate jersey. For the first time in 23 years, the Saints will wear a gold version of their primary jerseys. Two differences – the sleeve cuffs are black, and the jerseys will be paired with the black alternate helmet. No word on which game the Saints will wear them.

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.

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.”

A former St. Tammany Parish lawmaker and current BESE board member is in line to become the new head of the U.S. Mint. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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.”

It’s reporting day for the Saints as players report for training camp today as training camp begins tomorrow. New Orleans is in a rebuilding phase with a new head coach and nine players selected in the 2025 draft, including the ninth overall pick, Kelvin Banks….

Cut 9 (12) “…right away”

That’s New Orleans football’s Mike Triplett.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says beginning next Monday, 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery.  That’s up from ten tags last year.

Cut 12 (10) “…by our citizens.”

Applicants will pay a 50-dollar non-refundable fee, and the 25 lucky ones who get hunting tags will be required to attend a LDWF bear hunter training course.

Louisiana has stopped a large-scale coastal restoration project called the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.  The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Gordon Dove, says the state will now move forward with a smaller diversion plan called the Myrtle Grove project in Plaquemines Parish.

Cut 15 (09) “…within three years.”

BESE board member Paul Hollis will soon be leaving his post to become the new director of the U.S. Mint. The former lawmaker from St. Tammany Parish says he’s been an avid coin collector his entire life, ever since his grandmother gave him a coin she had saved from the Great Depression.

Cut 4 (14) “…my entire life.”

Eliminating the penny will be one Hollis’ tasks once he’s confirmed in the Fall.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be holding another black bear hunting season in December. John Hanks, the large carnivore manager for LDWF, says 25 tags will be available in a month-long lottery, starting next Monday.

Cut 10 (10) “…your lottery tag.”

Last year, in the state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987, it was only open in far northeast Louisiana. This year there will be hunting zones n south Louisiana.

After an offseason of questions, it’s time for answers. Saints players report for training camp today. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints released an alternate gold jersey today that would go with black helmets.

It’s Sun Belt Media Day in New Orleans. The Ragin Cajuns are the favorite to win the West. ULM is picked to finish last in the division.

McNeese says it will make a major announcement regarding its athletic department tomorrow afternoon.