Certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year. That’s according to information from the State Department of Education and it’s setting off alarm bells among unions representing those employees. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says if those staffers’ stipends are left on the chopping block, they’ll be looking for alternate sources for the stipends.

Cut 7 (09) “…counselors some stipends.”

Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana as number-one in year-over-year construction job growth by percentage and number-three in the nation in number of new construction jobs. Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the Meta and other data center projects are driving the construction boom.

Cut 4 (11) “…St Francisville area.”

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday and commented on the use of A-I in the football program. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieshnick.”

The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will need to improve as the full-time starter this season if the Saints want to contend for an NFC South title. He says he’s focused on growing as a leader of the team.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to get better.”

There’s one job sector where Louisiana ranks second to none in year-over-year growth. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new study finds a combination of THC and CBD can significantly reduce agitation in people with advanced dementia who are receiving end-of-life care. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday and commented on the use of A-I in the football program. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieshnick.”

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Construction jobs are booming in Louisiana – so much so that the Associated General Contractors of America ranks Louisiana as number-one in the nation in year-over-year construction job growth by percentage and number-three in the nation in number of new construction jobs. Reldon Owens, the CEO of AGC’s Louisiana chapter, says the construction boom is being driven by Meta and other data center projects.

Cut 4 (11) “…St Francisville area.”

Owens says the construction boom is also being fueled by the industrial sector.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Ascension Parish.”

AGC says every major metropolitan area in Louisiana reported growth in construction jobs, leading to about a 22-percent year-over-year increase statewide. Owens expects that momentum to continue.

Cut 6 (11) “…conscious career choice.”

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Certain school support staff, including counselors, therapists and nurses, might not be getting stipends this year. This, according to information from the State Department of Education. That’s setting off alarm bells among unions representing those employees. D’Shay Oaks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, says if those staffers are left on the stipend chopping block, they’ll be looking for alternate sources for the stipends.

Cut 7 (09) “…counselors some stipends.”

Oaks says they have to be careful that providing stipends doesn’t cause any collateral damage – robbing Peter to pay Paul, per se.

Cut 8 (12) “…the key here.”

Oaks says finding the money to provide support staff stipends would be easier in some areas than in others.

Cut 9 (09)  “…pennies as is.”

The scramble to find money for the stipends comes after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have turned the annual stipends into permanent pay raises.

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New research has found that the combination of CBD and THC significantly reduces agitation for people with dementia who are at the end of their lives. Dr. Jeff Keller of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is one of the principal investigators of the clinical trial.

Cut 10 (10) “…to manage agitation.”

In severe dementia and in the late stages of life, agitation is a common neuropsychiatric symptom. Keller says the symptoms include vocal outbursts, verbal hostility, hitting and throwing of property.

Cut 11 (09) “…these folks reside.”

Keller says nine out of every ten study participants showed overall improvement in target symptoms from the THC-CBD combination, which is remarkable. He says these results offer new hope for providing greater comfort and dignity to people with advanced dementia at the end of their lives. However, Keller says more research is needed to see if this type of treatment can help those with mid- and late-stage Alzheimer’s.

Cut 12 (10) “…all the questions.”

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The Saints kicked off training camp yesterday. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will need to improve as the full-time starter this season if the Saints want to contend for an NFC South title. He says he’s focused on growing as a leader of the team.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to get better.”

Shough hosted pass catchers on a trip to San Diego for offseason workouts and passing sessions. Saints legends Drew Brees and Lance Moore stopped by to give tips, and Shough says it was hard not to be star-struck, especially for Louisiana native running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan).

Cut 14 (12) “…he’s cool man.”

Prairieville native and former LSU safety Justin Reid is entering his second season in New Orleans. He says he remembers coming to Saints games as a kid when it felt like a parade inside the Superdome. He says he hopes winning will bring that feeling back this season.

Cut 15 (08) “…pushing it forward.”

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LSU football coach Lane Kiffin worries the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule could cost the league College Football Playoff spots. Kiffin says the selection committee doesn’t appear to be placing enough emphasis on strength of schedule when choosing and seeding the 12-team field. Speaking to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, he jokingly suggested there’s a better way to determine the college football playoff bracket.

Cut 16 (12) “…team is better?”

Kiffin says the transfer portal has created more parity in the SEC and by playing a ninth SEC game, it increases the chances of a team losing an additional game. He fears three loss SEC teams will not make the College Football playoffs this season.

Cut 17 (17) “…and one team.”

ESPN’s Football Power Index ranks LSU with the nation’s 11th-toughest schedule, and every SEC team is among the top 20. Preseason camp opens next week; and Kiffin says with such a demanding schedule, no player will be guaranteed a starting job or playing time.

Cut 18 (14) “…day in practice.”

Ole Miss filed lawsuits against two LSU football players for nearly one-million-dollars. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you were hoping to cash in on the 800-million-dollar Mega Millions jackpot last night – hate to break the news to you, but one player in Florida won it. But don’t despair, you have a chance – albeit a rather miniscule one – to win tonight’s Powerball jackpot. It’s worth 663-million dollars.

A large clinical trial led by researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center and others has shown that specialized treatments for kids and teens with obesity can be delivered at their primary care doctor’s office. Dr. Amanda Staiano, the director of the pediatric obesity laboratory at Pennington, says the findings are from a study involving more than 700 children across four states.

Cut 6 (08) “…quality of life.”

The Saints hit the field for the first practice of training camp today. Defensive end Cameron Jordan returned to finish his career in New Orleans after testing free agency for the first time this offseason. He says the team feels more optimistic than it has in recent years.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the pads on.”

A large clinical trial led in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shown that specialized treatments for kids and teens with obesity can be delivered at their primary care doctor’s office. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has reached 100 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. There have been nearly 12-hundred reported cases nationally.

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devine Harper for nearly one million dollars in contract buyouts after they broke their revenue-sharing agreements with the school by transferring to LSU. If LSU were to pay the buyout for its players, it would count against its 21.3-million-dollar revenue-share cap. Sam Hutchens of the Clarion-Ledger says it’s hard to imagine someone wearing purple and gold does not fork over the money.

Cut 5 (11) “…deal with all this.”

Running back Alvin Kamara took first-team reps alongside free agent addition Travis Etienne. Kamara took a pay cut to stay in New Orleans after an offseason of uncertainty. He says he always planned to be back and is looking forward to sharing the backfield.

Cut 10 (12) “…last year.”

Ole Miss is suing LSU players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper for nearly one-million-dollars. Ole Miss says the former Rebels have not paid the buyout clause of the revenue-sharing agreement they signed with the school before leaving for LSU. Sam Hutchens with the Clarion-Ledger broke the news and says Ole Miss AD Keith Carter told him the Rebels have paid similar buyouts for transfers.

Cut 3 (14) “…behalf of the player.”

A clinical trial led by LSU’s Biomedical Research Center found dietary and weight-loss counseling delivered at primary care doctors’ offices can set kids and teens up for healthy lives as they get older.

Cut 8 (09) “…of their lives.”

That’s Dr. Amanda Staiano, an expert on pediatric obesity.

The Saints had their first practice of training camp today. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough’s development will be the focal point of the preseason, and the Saints have surrounded him with new offensive weapons this offseason. He says he stepped up as a leader on the team this offseason and is looking forward to building chemistry with eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson, a receiver from Arizona State.

Cut 11 (12) “…never satisfied.”

Tyson was a full participant in the first day of practice. He had been limited most of the offseason after reaggravating a hamstring issue during pre-draft workouts. Wide receiver Chris Olave did not participate in team drills as he holds in during contract negotiations. Head coach Kellen Moore said his limited reps were not related to any medical issues. Olave has also been fully cleared since recovering from a blood clot found in his lungs before the final game of last season. He is entering the final season of his rookie contract.

The University of Mississippi has sued former Rebels Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper, claiming the two players owe nearly $1 million after transferring to LSU. Ole Miss says both signed revenue-sharing agreements requiring them to repay the school if they left before fulfilling their commitment. Days later, they transferred to LSU. Sam Hutchens of the Clarion Ledger says Ole Miss also sought payment from LSU, but the Tigers say they’re not a party to those agreements.

Cut 4 (13) “…whole thing.”

LSU has declined to comment.

Saints training camp is underway, and running back Alvin Kamara is preparing for his tenth NFL season. Despite offseason speculation about his future in New Orleans, Kamara says his approach hasn’t changed.

Cut 10 (12) “…last year.”

A major clinical trial involving LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has found specialized obesity treatment for children and teens can be successfully provided through primary care doctors.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has a new “I Voted” sticker for this fall’s elections. The design by New Orleans artist Terrence Osborne features a trumpet decorated with magnolia blossoms and Mardi Gras beads.

Cut 13 (09) “…of the horn.”

Ole Miss filed lawsuits against two LSU football players for nearly one-million-dollars. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana now has 100 cases of cyclosporiasis. That’s up from the 79 that the Louisiana Department of Health confirmed last week. However, LDH says the number of hospitalizations has not gone up from last week – it remains at six. LDH also says no one has died from the parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. 

A large clinical trial led by researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center and others has shown that kids and teens with obesity can be effectively treated at their primary care doctor’s office. Dr. Amanda Staiano, the director of the pediatric obesity laboratory at Pennington, says the study is based on a short program that has long-lasting impacts.

Cut 7 (12) “…the program’s over.”

The Saints hit the field for the first practice of training camp today. Defensive end Cameron Jordan returned to finish his career in New Orleans after testing free agency for the first time this offseason. He says the team feels more optimistic than it has in recent years.

Cut 9 (12)  “…put the pads on.”