Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is back from a trip to Japan, where he fed Japanese people gumbo and Tabasco ice cream. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Just over 20 years after Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt, the Saints and Falcons will return to the Superdome on Monday Night Football. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Election Day is one month from tomorrow, and the candidates for U.S. Senate are pulling out all the stops. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is back in Louisiana after a nine-day trip to Japan that he hopes will result in more Japanese people visiting Louisiana. Nungesser says on Monday, a luncheon was held that showcased Louisiana’s music, culture, and food to 100 Japanese journalists, bloggers and social media influencers.

Cut 4 (08) “…stole the show.”

The trip was conducted in partnership with Mississippi River Country, and Louisiana was one of seven states participating. The Louisiana delegation participated in the Tourism EXPO Japan, one of the country’s largest tourism trade and media events. Nungesser says visitors to Louisiana’s booth received a sample of Tabasco ice cream.

Cut 5 (13) “…coming to Louisiana.”

Japan is the second largest overseas visitor market to the United States. Japan is the tenth largest overseas market for travel to Louisiana, with about 10-thousand visitors from that country coming to the state in 2025, generating nearly 18-million dollars in economic impact. Nungesser says the visit to Japan is about getting Louisiana on the minds of people who are already interested in coming to America.

Cut 6 (07) “…next several years.”

Nearly half of Louisiana’s Japanese visitors travel alone, and more than 65-percent visit for business-related reasons. The state would like to see more Japanese families visit Louisiana.

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It’s a hefty donation for the ULM School of Construction Management. In a ceremony last Friday, the school received 229-thousand dollars from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund. School Director Dr. Clint Martin says the money will be put to good use.

Cut 7 (07) “…their classes in.”

Dr. Martin says the school gets similar donations from those two entities every year, and the money will also come in handy for the external events the school participates in every year, including a Mardi Gras parade, for which they have a float.

Cut 8 (07) “…over the years.”

The money used for the donation came from licensing fees paid by contractors to the licensing board, which is distributed to schools of construction, including the one at ULM. Martin says in all, the money will greatly enhance the learning experience for the students at the School of Construction Management.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the licensing board.”

To date, the two entities have donated almost 4.5-million dollars to the ULM School of Construction Management, allowing it to improve facilities, technology and student experiences.

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The Saints host the Falcons on Monday Night Football, and the team has big plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the team’s return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Shirin Braden, the vice president of brand strategy for the Saints, says Saints legends and New Orleans music icons will help remember a historic night in Louisiana sports.

Cut 10 (11) “…as a whole.”

Although kickoff is not until 7:15, the celebration kicks off at 4:00 in Champions Square, where Steve Gleason’s new music album, “Rebirth,” will debut. Braden says Irma Thomas will sing the national anthem as she did in 2006, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will headline a halftime show featuring Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile and Cyril and Ivan Neville.

Cut 11 (08) “…to the dome.”

Several players from the 2006 team, including Gleason, Drew Brees and Curtis Deloatch — who recovered Gleason’s blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown — will be honored at the game. Braden says Team Gleason has been very involved in ensuring Monday night is unforgettable.

Cut 12 (07) “…Who Dat chant.”

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Election Day is one month from tomorrow, and Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis are in the mad dash to the finish line in the U.S. Senate race, trying to secure as many votes as possible. Letlow tells Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that she’s been busy traveling the entire state listening to constituents.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the future are.”

Letlow says speaking directly with voters is more effective than the traditional rally and stump speech.

Cut 14 (08) “…and over again.”

Once the general election matchup was decided, political analysts had predicted a decisive Letlow victory. But in this campaign, only two opinion polls have been publicly released, both of which were commissioned by the Davis campaign, and they show Letlow leading Davis by only four points. Davis points out that the four-point margin in the latter poll was the response before respondents were told of the candidates’ backgrounds, and many did not know who he was.

Cut 15 (07) “…a plus-nine.”

Davis says sensing that the race is actually winnable, he’s been busy criss-crossing the state, trying to meet as many voters as he can.

Cut 16 (10) “…people of Louisiana.”

When Haldane asked Letlow about the latest poll, her entire word-for-word response was, “It’s a bogus poll.”

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LSU is back in action tomorrow night against McNeese. Coach Lane Kiffin said we could see a lot of backups in as the Tigers look to avoid any more injuries. Safety Jhase Thomas earned his first start last week because of those injuries and says senior safety Ty Benefield was a big help in his first start.

Cut 17 (18) “…lot to me.”

Thomas says he was able to get advice from a lot of veterans on the LSU defense as he prepared to face the Aggies.

Cut 18 (16) “…get myself prepared.”

The Tigers and Cowboys are scheduled to kick off at 6:45 in Tiger Stadium.

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Louisiana Tech returns to action against Army tomorrow. The Black Knights have the nation’s most productive rushing attack thanks to their trademark triple-option offense. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says Army hogging the time of possession is a legit concern.

Cut 19 (18) “…the first quarter.”

Cumbie did not confirm whether starting quarterback Blake Baker would be back from a fractured throwing hand he suffered against LSU. Trey Kukuk started against Baylor, and Cumbie says the offense is the same no matter who is under center.

Cut 20 (15) “…of the football.”

Kickoff in Joe Aillet Stadium is at 6:30.

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

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A campaign mailer for a candidate for district attorney in Livingston Parish included the routing number and account number of the parish’s bank account. The Advocate reports Councilmember Erin Sandefur admitted to sharing the checks with Sherman Mack’s campaign. As a result, she’s now the subject of a criminal investigation.

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

Cut 3 (10) “…Saturday and Sunday.”

If your property has a lot of bright outdoor lighting, you’re asked to turn them off at night. That’s because we’re into the fall migrating season, and bright lights can cause birds to become disoriented when they’re flying at night. Charles Williams, a board member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, says that disorientation might cause those birds to fly directly into tall buildings.

Cut 7 (06) “…in North America.”

The LHSAA comes down hard on a pair of football teams involved in a postgame brawl last Friday night. After Assumption’s 16-6 home victory over Carroll, some Carroll players got into a confrontation with some Assumption fans. Aaron Dietrich, the sports director at KNOE-TV in Monroe, says as a result, Carroll’s season is over, and Assumption will play the remainder of its schedule on the road.

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

It’s going to be a wet weekend throughout Louisiana. National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says locally heavy rain and flash flooding is possible for a good portion of the state on Saturday, and that threat continues for southeast Louisiana on Sunday. She says some areas could receive a half foot of rain.

Cut 5 (08) “…develop.”

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

Cut 1 (23) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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

Cut 6 (09) “…lot of lighting.”

And that could cause birds to fly directly into buildings.

Election Day is just over a month away, and Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis are in a mad dash to the finish line in the U.S. Senate race. The congresswoman tells Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that speaking directly with voters is more effective than the traditional rally and stump speech.

Cut 14 (08) “…and over again.”

In this campaign, only two opinion polls have been publicly released, both of which were commissioned by the Davis Campaign, and they show Letlow leading Davis by only four points. Davis points out that the four-point margin in the latter poll was the response before respondents were told of the candidates’ backgrounds, and many did not know who he was.

Cut 15 (07) “…a plus-nine.”

When Haldane asked Letlow about the latest poll, her entire word-for-word response was, “It’s a bogus poll.”

Cut 23 (fade after 5 seconds and use as bed)

And for the next few weeks, you’re asked to dim all your outdoor lights so that migrating birds can go all the way. That’s because bright lights can disorient them, causing them to fly directly into buildings. Lights Out Louisiana Founder Charles Williams says you can go to the Bird Cast website to follow the birds’ migration.

Cut 8 (08) “…about two weeks.”

We’re now into fall – and that’s what the rain will be doing this weekend. In fact, some areas of central and south Louisiana could see as much as four inches of rain through Sunday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning says that could put a damper on several football games Saturday, including LSU’s home game against McNeese.

Cut 4 (09) “…not ideal.”

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

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Ruston Police have arrested two members of the Louisiana Tech Sigma Nu fraternity for producing a social media video where the N-word was used multiple times. Taylor Guerrero and Jackson Gilbert have been charged with Disturbing the Peace. Chief Eric Watson says in the video they used a loudspeaker to repeatedly shout out the racial slur.

The percentage of AP exams taken by Louisiana students that earned a high enough score for college credit had the largest increase of any state since 2019. Deputy State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jenna Chiasson says Louisiana’s AP score rate has improved more than twice the national rate of growth.

Cut 15 (07) “…Advanced Placement scores.”

The College Board recognizes Louisiana’s gains, but it also notes that just under 11-percent of Louisiana students who graduated from a public school last year earned a 3 or above, compared to 25-percent nationally.

The fall migration season has arrived for birds so the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging property owners to turn their outside lights down or off. Charles Williams, the founder of Lights Out Louisiana, says lights can disorient birds, causing them to fly into buildings…

Cut 7 (06) “…in North America”

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

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

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A former New Roads police officer and volunteer firefighter will spend the rist of his life in prison after he was convicted of raping multiple boys. The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Kedreyon Williams in July of 2024 and it only took a jury 40 minutes to find him guilty of three counts of first-degree rape and other felony charges.

The LHSAA has ended one school’s football season. After Assumption beat Carroll on its home field last Friday night, some Carroll players got into a brawl with some Assumption fans. As a result, the LHSAA has cancelled the remainder of Carroll’s season. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says the school did not follow standard travel procedures.

Cut 10 (13) “…situations like this.”

The LHSAA has also ruled Assumption will have to play the remainder of its games on the road.

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

Cut 6 (09) “…lot of lighting.”

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

The LHSAA has cancelled the remainder of the Carroll High football season after players from the Bulldogs got into a fight with fans  at Assumption High following the Mustangs win over Caroll last Friday. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says Carroll was scheduled to play Wossman tomorrow. It is Wossman’s homecoming game…

Cut 11 (13) “…also”

The LHSAA has ruled Assumption will not play anymore home games this year. So tonight they will play at Ascension Catholic at 8 PM in Donaldsonville.

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

Cut 3 (11) “…Sunday”

Manning says some isolated areas could see six inches of rain.

During a Board of Regents meeting looking at the University of Louisiana System budget, a regent member, Wilbert Pryor, suggested U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and ULM should move down to the FCS level because of the large deficits their athletic departments are facing…

Cut 6 (12) “…enrollment”

Fan bases for these schools are pushing back against these comments on social media.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs is establishing the state’s first Veterans Business Outreach Center thanks to a 875-thousand grant from the U-S Small Business Administration. VA Secretary Charlton Meginley says the V-BOC will be operated by The Boot, an organization dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing military talent across the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…house the V-BOC.”

The V-BOC will fund entrepreneurship training, counseling and technical assistance at no cost to veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

The LHSAA has ended one school’s football season. After Assumption beat Carroll on its home field last Friday night, some Carroll players got into a brawl with some Assumption fans. As a result, the LHSAA has cancelled the remainder of Carroll’s season. KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says the school did not follow standard travel procedures.

Cut 10 (13) “…situations like this.” 

The percentage of AP exams taken by Louisiana students that earned a high enough score for college credit had the largest increase of any state since 2019. Deputy State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jenna Chiasson says Louisiana’s AP score rate has improved at more than twice the national rate of growth.

Cut 15 (07) “…Advanced Placement scores.”

Could UL Lafayette, ULM and Louisiana Tech drop to the FCS? That’s what one member of the Louisiana Board of Regents is suggesting. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The arrival of Buc-ee’s in Lafayette has long been anticipated, and we now have a date for the groundbreaking – November 9th. The ceremony will take place that morning at 11 o’clock at the site on Louisiana Avenue at I-10. It will have 120 gas pumps and arguably the cleanest restrooms you’ll ever find.

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

Cut 9 (14)  “…games this year.”

To more positive news involving Louisiana public schools. The College Board has released data that shows Louisiana high school students are performing much better on AP exams. In fact, Louisiana ranks first among states in AP growth since 2019. Deputy Superintendent of Education Doctor Jenna Chiasson…

Cut 14 (07) “…whatever comes next”

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs secures a major grant to establish a Veterans Business Outreach Center. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that LSU will be made a Distinguished Military College. This federal designation means that graduates of LSU’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program have a better chance at becoming a commissioned military officer.

Louisiana ranks first among all states for the largest percentage increase in students who score well enough on AP exams to earn college credit. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Carroll High’s football season has been suspended, and the Bulldogs will be forced to forfeit the rest of their games after a fight that broke out between players and fans after their game at Assumption High School. Assumption was given a 500-dollar fine and will not host another home game for the remainder of the season. Carroll High said it would appeal the LHSAA  ruling in a Facebook post.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs is establishing the state’s first Veterans Business Outreach Center. VA Secretary Charlton Meginley says the V-BOC will be operated by The Boot, an organization dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing military talent across the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…house the V-BOC.”

The V-BOC will fund entrepreneurship training, counseling and technical assistance at no cost to veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

At a recent UL System budget hearing. Louisiana Board of Regents member Wilbert Pryor proposed ULL, ULM, and Louisiana Tech should all drop down from the FBS to the FCS in football to save money. UL System President Rick Gallot agrees that cost-reduction steps must be taken but is waiting for a sustainability evaluation from Deloitte.

Cut 5 (09) “…like for athletics.”