Republicans did what they have long sought to do – they have cut off all federal funding to PBS and NPR stations to the tune of more than one-billion dollars. Senator John Kennedy was among those who led the push because of what he says is a liberal slant in PBS and NPR’s news coverage.

Cut 12 (12) “…the taxpayers’ dime.”

Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says all public radio and TV stations play an important role in their respective local communities.

Cut 10 (07) “…every single day.”

Curtis says the loss in federal funding will hurt rural stations more than big city stations. He says KEDM will now have to make up 145-thousand dollars – about 22-percent of his station’s annual budget.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association. Nungesser says there, they started the new State Strategies Committee on Aerospace, which will advance aerospace, aviation and defense policy in the states and territories.

Cut 5 (10) “…advantage of that.”

The SEC preseason poll released today has LSU finishing in fourth, close behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots, and there’s a clear cutoff between the top four teams and the rest of the field. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says the Tigers need to finish better than predicted.

Cut 13 (11) “…finish fourth.”

Republicans had been screaming for it for years; and finally, they got it – they have cut off all federal funding for PBS and NPR. Stripping more than one-billion dollars from public TV and radio is now awaiting President Trump’s signature. Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says this is devastating to all NPR stations, especially his.

Cut 9 (10)  “…145-thousand dollars.”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy was among the Republicans who led the push to cut off federal funding to public broadcasting. In several floor speeches, including Wednesday, Kennedy said the broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded more than 50 years ago.

Cut 11 (11) “…that are left.”

Kennedy says N-P-R’s programming is biased and they have the right to report it, but not with taxpayer money.

The National Lieutenant Governor’s Association is meeting in Nevada and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is there…

Cut 4 (12) “…do with that”

Nungesser says they started the new State Strategies Committee on Aerospace, which will advance aerospace, aviation and defense policy in the states and territories.

Lafayette’s Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier will call it a career tomorrow night with a UFC Championship Fight against Max Holloway. After 39 UFC fights and a 16-year professional career, Poirier says he’s content with where the journey has brought him. He says, “Titles are great, but this experience is worth more than that.”

Cut 8 (10) “…in a good spot.”

The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

The state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project is being replaced with a smaller scale version.

Last November, Governor Landry told the Senate Transportation Committee the project was destroying certain aspects of Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 11 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed especially about the money that has already been invested in the project up to this point.

Cut 12 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Landry says while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement, continuing the project would cost money the state doesn’t have.

Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career tomorrow night versus Max Holloway. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

Poirier has defeated Holloway twice before. The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Cut 3 (06) “…and share ideas.”

Nungesser says he will bring home some new tourism marketing ideas that he picked up from Nevada and he says office will continue the fight against litter.

In a widely-anticipated move, the state has cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 29 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We are only seeing some light showers along Louisiana’s coast, but south Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday night. According to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, expect one to three inches of rainfall with localized heavier amounts over six inches of rain.

U-L Lafayette athletics has set up a “Cajuns Edge” fund through the Ragin Cajun athletic foundation to allow fans and businesses help fund revenue sharing. Following the NCAA House settlement, schools are allowed to pay up to 20.5-million dollars directly to athletes. Deputy athletics director Trey Frazier says the department has allocated some state funds to revenue sharing and increased scholarships included in the settlement, but most of the budget will come from donors.

Cut 28 (11) “…starting point.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than any full year since 2000. But U-S Senator and physician Bill Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided.

Cut 15 (10) “…actually getting vaccinated.”

Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier will close out his UFC career in New Orleans, for the city’s first time hosting a UFC Championship. Poirier takes on Max Holloway at the Smoothie King Center tomorrow night and Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says this is another way for New Orleans to showcase herself to the world.

Cut 5 (10) “…a great destination.”

She says the UFC championship is the latest in a long string of high-profile events.

Following an NCAA settlement, schools are allowed to pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletic revenue directly to athletes and UL Lafayette is launching the Cajuns Edge fund so fans can support revenue sharing. Deputy Athletics Director Trey Frazier says they won’t pay out the full 20.5-million. They are trying to remain competitive with the top of the Sun Belt. He says in the early stages of fundraising, most of the revenue will go toward ticketed sports.

Cut 9 (08)  “…his goals there.”

Most of the money for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project  that was cancelled yesterday would come from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement but Governor Landry has said continuing the three billion dollar project would cost the state money that it doesn’t have.

Cut 13 (14)  “…the whole coast.”

Senator and physician Bill Cassidy urging people to get vaccinated against measles and stresses that measles can be deadly.

Cut 14 (09) “…died from measles.”

He points out that both Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and State Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham recommend the vaccine.

The state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project is being replaced with a smaller scale version.

Last November, Governor Landry told the Senate Transportation Committee the project was destroying certain aspects of Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 11 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed especially about the money that has already been invested in the project up to this point.

Cut 12 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Landry says while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement, continuing the project would cost money the state doesn’t have.

UL-Lafayette launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund this week, allowing supporters to contribute directly to revenue sharing. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A UFC championship event is coming to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans tomorrow night. Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier takes on Max Holloway. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the city is welcoming the UFC.

Cut 6 (11) “…a memorable experience.”

In a widely-anticipated move, the state has cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than any full year since 2000. Senator and physician Bill Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided.

Cut 15 (10) “…actually getting vaccinated.”

For the first time ever, New Orleans is hosting a UFC championship event. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says the main event at the Smoothie King Center tomorrow night features Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier in his swan song bout.

Cut 4 (08) “…in his career.”

Poirier takes on Max Holloway as he looks to close out his career with a win

The Southern Jaguars are the preseason favorites to win the SWAC West in back-to-back years under second-year head coach Terrence Graves. Graves says he wanted to set a foundation of intensity and success in his first year as the Jags’ head coach.

Cut 16 (16) “…for the culture.”

 In a widely expected move the state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The state is replacing the three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project with a smaller scale version. Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed with the decision.

Cut 10 (13) “…no longer the case.”

Governor Landry testified last November that while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, continuing the project would cost the state money it doesn’t have.

Senator and physician Bill Cassidy is again urging people to get vaccinated against measles. He stresses that measles can be deadly – and has proven so.

Cut 14 (09) “…died from measles.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than in any full year since 2000. Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided, and there may be reasons for that.

For the first time ever, New Orleans is hosting a UFC championship event. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

UL-Lafayette launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund through the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation to allow fans to support revenue sharing in Lafayette. Deputy Athletics Director Trey Frazier says proceeds from the fund will go straight to student-athletes.

Cut 7 (10) “…need their help.”

Following the NCAA House settlement, schools are allowed to pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletic revenue directly to athletes.