The LSU presidential search committee chooses three finalists – McNeese President Wade Rousse, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive Vice President James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says the three will have a few busy days ahead of them.

Cut 3 (14) “…and upper administrators.”

The Board of Supervisors will choose the next president from those three on Tuesday.

The Legislature approved a resolution that would use 150-million in state funds to pay for the SNAP program next month. The plan is to take money out of the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget; and if the federal government shutdown lingers into December, use dollars from the state’s rainy day fund. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says Louisiana can not afford to do this.

Cut 12 (08) “…for food.”

As for the legislature’s main business this special session, it gave final approval for a plan to push back next year’s closed party primary elections before adjourning sine die. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Could Brian Kelly’s predecessor at LSU also be his successor? Ed Orgeron appeared on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike today and expressed an interest in returning to LSU.

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron appeared on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike on Wednesday to discuss the program’s head coach opening. Orgeron says that LSU’s new coach will have to be someone who is willing to embrace the state of Louisiana and believes Brian Kelly didn’t do that.

Cut 13 (14)  “…of Louisiana.”

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson confirmed that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will still be the starter, but also didn’t rule out more reps from backup Michael Van Buren.

CUT 21 (15): “the game.”

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough (“shuck”) has been named the starter for the Saints moving forward after the recent struggles of Spencer Rattler. Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says head coach Kellen Moore’s decision to bench Rattler in-game was surprising.

Cut 18 (15)  “…with the change.”

The New Orleans Pelicans are in Denver tonight to face the Nuggets at 8 p.m. Zion Williamson is questionable with a left foot bone contusion and could miss his second straight game.

Southern interim head coach Fred McNair announced that junior quarterback Ashton Strother will be the starter for the rest of the season. Strother has thrown for 626 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Jaguars travel to Arkansas on Saturday at 2 p.m. to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The legislature has given final passage to a plan to move the 2026 federal primary election calendar back one month. Democrats argued that this is part of a greater plan to redraw the Congressional map and take away one of the two majority minority districts so that the Republicans can add another seat in the U.S. House. Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle…

Cut 8 (10) “..against it.”

House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu tried to assure Black lawmakers that the only intention is to move the dates back so they will have more time to react to an expected ruling by the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of the current Congressional map…

Cut 9 (12)  “…United States.”

Governor Landry weighed in on LSU’s search for a new head football coach. He told reporters at the Capitol that athletic director Scott Woodward will not be the one who makes that decision. Landry says Woodward is responsible for hiring coaches that led to the biggest contract buyouts in college football history.

Cut 25 (09) “…doing that again.”

Would whoever makes that decision consider bringing Ed Orgeron back? Brian Kelly’s national championship-winning predecessor said on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike today that he’s only a phone call away. Orgeron says that LSU’s new coach will have to be someone who is willing to embrace the state of Louisiana, which is something he believes Kelly didn’t do.

Cut 13 (14)  “…of Louisiana.”

After less than a week, the special session is over. The legislature has voted to delay the 2026 federal primary elections by 30 days, with the April closed primary moving to May. Democrats have fought against this GOP-backed plan, including Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan.

Cut 6 (12) “…political process.”

The legislation also moves qualifying from January to February. House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu pushed back against the idea they’re trying to suppress the Black vote.

Cut 7 (11) “…interference.”

Republicans say this will give them more time in case the Supreme Court rules in the coming weeks that the current Congressional map is unconstitutional.

Louisiana lawmakers also approve a plan to fund the SNAP program while the federal government remains shut down. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It took less than 24 hours for Monroe Police to make an arrest in connection with the murders of three people, including a two-year-old girl. 24-year-old Travis Payton is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and criminal conspiracy. Payton had 11 prior arrests and three prior convictions; police say he was on probation at the time of the murders.

Monroe Police arrest a suspect in connection with the murder of three people, including a two-year-old girl. 24-year-old Travis Payton is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, home invasion and criminal conspiracy.

The special session is over as the state legislature votes to push back next year’s closed party primary elections by one month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Before adjourning sine die, the legislature also approved a resolution that calls on the use of 150-million in state funds to pay for the SNAP program in November. Monroe Senator Jay Morris was the only no vote – he says it sets a bad precedent for the state to do something that the federal government should be doing.

Cut 11 (14) “…support this”

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says the presidential search committee will narrow that list during its meeting today, and those who make the cut will have some busy days ahead.

Cut 3 (14) “…and upper administrators.”

The legislature has given final passage to a plan to move the 2026 federal primary election calendar back one month. Democrats argued that this is part of a greater plan to redraw the Congressional map and take away one of the two majority minority districts so that the Republicans can add another seat in the U.S. House. Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle…

Cut 8 (10) “..against it.”

House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu tried to assure Black lawmakers that the only intention is to move the dates back so they will have more time to react to an expected ruling by the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of the current Congressional map…

Cut 9 (12)  “…United States.”

Before adjourning sine die today, the legislature also approved a resolution that calls on the use of 150-million in state funds to pay for the SNAP program in November. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says it’s ridiculous the feds are not doing its job in providing food assistance benefits.

Cut 10 (06) “…at stake.”

The search for LSU’s next president is currently down to five –  Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte (ZHEE-uh-von-ee pee-duh-MON-tuh), former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says even though Lee is currently serving as the interim president, Rousse is actually seen as the front-runner to land the job.

Cut 5 (11) “…Landry mega-donor.”

After less than a week, the special session is over. The legislature has voted to delay the 2026 federal primary elections by 30 days, with the April closed primary moving to May. Democrats have fought against this GOP-backed plan, including Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan.

Cut 6 (12) “…political process.”

The legislation also moves qualifying from January to February. House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Beau Beaullieu pushed back against the idea they’re trying to suppress the Black vote.

Cut 7 (11) “…interference.”

Republicans say this will give them more time in case the Supreme Court rules in the coming weeks that the current Congressional map is unconstitutional.

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte (ZHEE-uh-von-ee pee-duh-MON-tuh), Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says while the decision will ultimately be made by the Board of Supervisors, Governor Landry will have outsized influence in the process – especially since he’s the one who appoints board members.

Cut 4 (14) “…looks that way.”

LSU’s search for its next president is down to five – Interim President Matt Lee, McNeese President Wade Rousse, Tulane Research VP Giovanni Piedimonte, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and Alabama Provost and Executive VP James Dalton. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says the five will have some busy days ahead.

Cut 3 (14) “…and upper administrators.”

Senator Bill Cassidy now has to fend off a challenge from five prominent Republicans in next year’s primary election in order to hold onto his Senate seat, with the newest addition being State Representative Julie Emerson. Cassidy says he welcomes the additional competition and the political attacks that will come with it.

Cut 6 (05) “…plan on winning.”

Frank Wilson is hard at work as LSU’s interim football coach, preparing his team to take on Alabama in Tuscaloosa a week from Saturday. Wilson says he’s not thinking into the future, whether he would be considered for the full-time vacancy. He says when he was asked to serve as head coach for the remainder of the season, he jumped at the opportunity.

Cut 15 (09) “…university extremely well.”

One name that’s been mentioned as Brian Kelly’s permanent replacement is Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall. During his media availability yesterday, Sumrall said he’s not fazed or distracted by the mentions of his name in the coaching searches and said he’s locked in on playing UTSA tomorrow night.

Cut 17 (11) “…my focus, fully.”

The special session could end today as the House is poised to approve Republican backed legislation that would move next year’s federal primary election from April to May. Democrats do not have the votes to stop the change to the election cycle, but they’ve been vocal in their opposition. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle believes there’s a push to move the dates back so Republicans can re-draw a new Congressional map with only one Black majority district instead of two, after the Supreme Court rules the current map is unconstitutional.

Cut 8 (11) “…and draw maps.”

A breezy and cool morning across Louisiana today and we’ll see morning lows in the 40s the rest of the work week and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we are looking at a cool Halloween on Friday…

Cut 12 (09) “…keep them warm”

New Orleans native, St Aug grad, and longtime assistant coach Frank Wilson addressed the media yesterday for the first time as interim head coach of the LSU Tigers…

Cut 14 (10) “…so love”

Tulane football coach Jon Sumrall addressed the LSU coaching vacancy. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”