The St. Landry Parish community is mourning the death of a Leonville Elementary School teacher, killed in a head-on car crash on I-49 Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The state education superintendent has a message for school district leaders – crack down on unruly kids. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Northeast Louisiana is already seeing an economic boost from Meta’s artificial intelligence data center — and the facility isn’t even open yet. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A beloved St. Landry Parish elementary school teacher was killed in a head-on crash on I-49 Sunday. Leonville Elementary School confirmed the death of Katelyn LeBlanc in a Facebook post that read, “She loved her students wholeheartedly and poured herself into helping them learn, grow, and feel valued each day.” One of her former students, Andre Champagne, says she was a pure soul.

Cut 4 (09) “…of the classroom.”

Champagne says LeBlanc was a beloved mentor in the tight-knit Leonville community. He says she made students look forward to coming to class each day and cared about them inside and outside of the classroom.

Cut 5 (09) “…that same resource.”

Champagne says LeBlanc’s guidance as an English teacher helped him become a professional sportswriter. More importantly, though, he says she taught her students life lessons like patience and prepared them for life beyond the classroom.

Cut 6 (06) “…stuck with me.”

LeBlanc’s four daughters attend Leonville Elementary.

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State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley is urging school districts to crack down on unruly student behavior this upcoming school year. Brumley is calling on districts to make a commitment to stand firm on inappropriate behavior.

Cut 7 (11) “…make that happen.”

Brumley says laws are in place to deal with students who habitually disrupt classroom learning.

Cut 8 (11) “…an automatic expulsion.”

In this past legislative session, lawmakers adopted a House resolution which urges school systems to comply with and enforce the state’s anti-bullying laws. Brumley says students have made such tremendous strides in the classroom in recent years, and he doesn’t want to see it undone by a select few students who act up.

Cut 9 (08)  “…inappropriate student behavior.”

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The search for the remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is now in its third week in the North Landfill in Zachary, near Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the hot, humid conditions are making things very hard for the searchers, especially with them being covered in gear from head to toe.

Cut 10 (12) “…go back out.”

Moore says the searchers are sifting through thousands of cubic yards of material, including hazardous items.

Cut 11 (10) “…in-home care.”

Investigators say 51-year-old Maurice Parms killed the teen and put his body in a dumpster, and those contents were subsequently dumped in the landfill. Moore says the searchers are not giving up.

Cut 12 (11) “…were their child.”

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The economic impact of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar A-I data center is already being felt across northeast Louisiana. Grow NELA President and CEO Rob Cleveland says just 18 months into construction, sales tax collections are soaring.

Cut 13 (09)  “…40-million dollars”

The Hyperion data center is under construction in Richland Parish, where Cleveland says first-quarter sales tax collections reached 38-million dollars — six times higher than during the same period last year. He says sales tax revenues are also climbing in neighboring Franklin Parish, while Ouachita Parish is on pace for a record-breaking year.

Cleveland says Meta’s investment is also attracting new businesses to the region.

Cut 14 (10) “…in Ouachita Parish.”

Cleveland says the economic boom is fueling residential development, and local restaurants and other businesses are seeing increased customer traffic.

Cut 15 (09) “…normal business activity.”

The Hyperion data center is expected to become operational in 2030, and final completion is expected by 2032. The massive A-I data center is expected to produce 75-hundred construction jobs and one-thousand permanent jobs once construction is completed.

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The Saints report for their second training camp under head coach Kellen Moore today. New Orleans went 6-and-11 in Moore’s first season but ended the season 5-and-4 when rookie Tyler Shough took over as the starting quarterback. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA-dot-com and says fans should be hopeful heading into year two.

Cut 16 (16) “…of the ball.”

With Shough returning and big free agent additions like running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan), guard David Edwards and linebacker Kaden Ellis, Johnson says there will not be as many preseason battles to earn a starting spot. He’s more intrigued by depth battles like in the running back room.

Cut 17 (15) “…for this team.”

The Saints and wide receiver Chris Olave are negotiating a contract extension after the former first-rounder’s All-Pro season last year. Johnson says it isn’t a question of if an extension gets done but when. He expects Olave to be a top playmaker for the Black and Gold offense.

Cut 18 (13) “…he stays healthy.”

The Louisiana Department of Education named Alisha Butler as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year at the 20th Annual Educator Excellence Gala. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge….

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

The Louisiana Principal of the Year is Lauren Rentrop at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish.

If you have a state tax refund due to you, time is running out to claim it from the Department of Revenue. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says it sent nearly 23-thousand unclaimed property letters to individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 10 (12) “…state treasurer’s office.”

At least for the first half of this week, you will want to take extra precautions when spending time outdoors. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LSU and New Orleans Saints football teams will have to brave the heat during preseason camp. Saints players report tomorrow with their first practice Wednesday. The Tigers report next week with a heat index high of 106 when they open practice August 5.

The average homeowners insurance premium runs nearly six-thousand dollars a year in the Bayou State. While that’s almost two and a half times the national average, the rate of premium increases has actually slowed considerably. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Adam Kanpp says the fact that it’s been years since the last major hurricane in Louisiana has something to do with that.

Cut 14 (08) “…better pricing.”

The Department of Revenue sends out almost 23-thousand letters to taxpayers who have refunds owed to them. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says if you receive one of them, you can claim your refund in one of two ways.

Cut 11 (13) “…unclaimed property letter.”

Any refunds not claimed by September 4th will go into unclaimed property.

The Louisiana Department of Education has recognized the state’s teacher and principal of the year. Jeff Palermo tells us who won.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Here we go again with the huge lottery jackpots. Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is up to 633-million dollars. And if you don’t win tonight – and trust me, you won’t – you can try Mega MillionS tomorrow night. That jackpot is up to 800-million dollars. The odds against you winning either jackpot are less than one in 292-million. Good luck, you’re going to need it.

A new headset that uses brain stimulation to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with Cognito Therapeutics to make happen.  Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler…

Cut 15 (05) “…game changing.”

Ochsner expects FDA approval could come by next June. Through its partnership with Cognito Therapeutics, Zweifler says the goal is to make the treatment available to Ochsner patients as soon as possible.

The heat for the first half of this week will be downright brutal. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure is pumping warm, moist air in from the Gulf, preventing clouds from forming. Combine that with above-normal humidity levels, making it that much more unbearable.

Cut 5 (09) “…week moves on.”

The Louisiana Department of Education handed out some big awards this past weekend. The teacher of the year is Alisha Butler. She teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. Butler says she’s proud to be a teacher in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (06) “…humbling.”

By winning the award, Butler gets to drive a new Mercedes Benz for a year.

The Louisiana Principal of the Year is Lauren Rentrop at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish. Rentrop was shocked she won…

Cut 8 (04) “…possible.”

Additional statewide honorees include Sarah Corley of Alexandria, who was named Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year; and Katie Weber, a ninth-grade English teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany Parish, who was selected as New Teacher of the Year.

If you’re owed a state income tax refund, don’t wait too long to claim it. The Louisiana Department of Revenue has mailed nearly 23,000 letters to individual and business taxpayers with unclaimed refunds. Spokesman Byron Henderson says anyone who doesn’t claim the money by September 4th will have it transferred to the state’s Unclaimed Property Division…

Cut 12 (13) “…unclaimed property division.”

Patterson Junior High School Principal Lauren Rentrop has been named Louisiana’s Principal of the Year by the Department of Education. Patterson Junior High was St. Mary Parish’s highest-performing middle school on the 2025 LEAP assessment, and under Rentrop’s leadership, the school has improved its performance by 18 points over the past six years. Rentrop shared her excitement during the award presentation…

Cut 9 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

Take extra precautions if you’re spending time outdoors through at least the first half of this week as dangerous heat and humidity grip Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana homeowners continue to pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. According to Leaders for a Better Louisiana, the average annual premium is nearly $6,000. CEO Adam Knapp says that’s about 2.4 times the national average and among the highest in the South…

Cut 13 (04) “…Oklahoma third.”

For the first half of this week, the heat will be pure torture. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the culprit is an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico that serves as a pump.

Cut 3 (12) “…clouds from forming.”

The lack of cloud cover allows the sun to bake on the landscape, preventing rainfall and anything else that could cool us off. 

The Department of Revenue sends out almost 23-thousand letters to taxpayers who have refunds owed to them. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says if you receive one of them, you can claim your refund in one of two ways.

Cut 11 (13) “…unclaimed property letter.”

Any refunds not claimed by September 4th will go into unclaimed property.

The Louisiana Department of Education has recognized the state’s teacher and principal of the year. Jeff Palermo tells us who won.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The search for the remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather enters its third week. Searchers are combing through the North Landfill in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, sifting through thousands of cubic yards of material, including glass, needles and other hazardous items. Investigators say 51-year-old Maurice Parms killed the teen and put his body in a dumpster.

The heat for the first half of this week will be downright brutal. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of high pressure is pumping warm, moist air in from the Gulf of Mexico, preventing clouds from forming. Combine that with above-normal humidity levels, that’s going to make it that much more unbearable. 

Cut 5 (09) “…week moves on.”

If you have a state tax refund due to you, time is running out to claim it from the Department of Revenue. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says it sent nearly 23-thousand unclaimed property letters to individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 10 (12) “…state treasurer’s office.” 

Any money not claimed by September 4th will be transferred to the unclaimed property division.

Your 2026 teacher of the year is Alisha Butler. She teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. Butler says she’s proud to be a teacher in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (06) “…humbling.”

By winning the award, Butler gets to drive a new Mercedes Benz for a year.

A new at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available. The Spectris headset uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease. It’s still in clinical trials, but Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says early results show the therapy may help remove the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s.

Cut 14 (11) “…high quality of life.”

Ochsner says FDA approval could come by next June.

McNeese has a new president – and for the time being, he’ll be doing double duty. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We could see triple digit high temperatures this week. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 4 (11) “…of those days’

Rain chances return on Thursday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting good news about the state’s whooping crane recovery effort.   18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks this year, the largest percentage ever. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski…

Cut 8 (11) “…figured out.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011 and the Louisiana whooping crane population is now up to 84.

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Alisha Butler as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge….

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

Lauren Rentrop, the principal at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish was named the Louisiana Principal of the Year. The Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year is Sarah Corley of Alexandria. Katie Weber, a ninth grade English Teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany is the New Teacher of the Year.

“We’re going to have heat on steroids this week.” Those are the words of LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim as he describes the heat and humidity that’s blanketing Louisiana this week. Keim says the culprit is an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico that serves as a pump.

Cut 3 (12) “…clouds from forming.”

The lack of cloud cover allows the sun to bake on the landscape, preventing rainfall and anything else that could cool us off. 

LDWF reported the state’s whooping crane recovery effort saw 10 fledged chicks, bringing the state’s total population to 84. Biologist Sara Zimorski says it was a historic nesting season.

Cut 7 (14) “…had this year.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields says a lot has changed in the 28 years between his two stints on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. The Baton Rouge Democrat says before, Democrats and Republicans were actually civil towards one another. Today, however, not so much – and that lack of cordialness has spread well beyond the halls of Congress.

Cut 12 (08) “…talking at all.”

The new president of McNeese also happens to be a sitting state senator. Mike Reese, a Republican from Leesville, says he will serve in one more legislative session and will not run for re-election. But between now and the end of his term, given the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, Senator Reese – make that President Reese – will be juggling his time between his two jobs.

Cut 6 (11) “…as state senator.”

In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields noted that a lot has changed since the first time he served on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. He said when he served in the House for the first time from 1993 until 1997, representatives from opposite parties were actually cordial towards one another.

Cut 10 (09) “…their families together.”

Ochsner Health is partnering with Cognito Therapeutics to develop the Spectris headset, an at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s which uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease. The device is still in clinical trials and has not been approved by the FDA. But Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says early results show the therapy may help remove the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s…

Cut 14 (11) “…high quality of life.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project fledged 10 chicks this nesting season, the most ever. Whooping cranes a federally endangered species that was once native to the state but had not lived in the Louisiana wilderness since 1950 before the project began in 2011. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the department has a history of restoring endangered native species in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (14)  “…the next ones.”

LSU baseball signee Logan Schmidt will not sign with the Cleveland Guardians after being selected 59^th overall in the MLB Draft. The lefty pitcher wanted more than the one-point-seven-million Cleveland could pay him. Schmidt is LSU’s top signee and ranked as the number-12 prospect in the country, but he still might not make it to campus. He is reportedly also considering Golden West College, a juco that would allow him to re-enter the draft next year. If he came to LSU he would not be draft-eligible until 2029