A report by WWNO public radio says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Julia Letlow may have benefited financially by purchasing Meta stock after learning about the company’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. Here’s Kace Kieschnick.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Speaking of which, The Louisiana Public Serice Commission voted three to one yesterday to allow Meta to keep records regarding its $50 billion Richland Parish data center confidential. The vote overturns an administrative law judge’s previous order.
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Those in the medical community are speaking out about President Trump’s executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. LSU Health professor Dr. Corey Hebert says the MMR vaccine has been administered as a combined dose since 19-71 and separating them means going from getting two shots to six.  And he  says there’s no guarantee that separating them will provide any benefit.

Cut 5 (09) “…have that either.”

A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. Results of the poll by LSU’s public Policy Research Lab and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana found that people in Louisiana appear to feel just as negatively about the opposing political party as people across the country do, but Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says we are more comfortable in talking with people they disagree with politically.

Cut 11 (06) “…their political belief.”

Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow is facing questions over her purchase of Meta stock after reportedly signing a confidential agreement related to Meta’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. A report by WWNO says Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan.

Cut 7 (09) “…of their work.”

A new poll by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana finds that people in our state like to talk about politics much more than the average American. Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says they surveyed more than one-thousand residents.

Cut 10 (11) “…it has not.”

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The medical community is sounding off on President Trump’s executive order that splits the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into separate visits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A representative for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has told LSU it can no longer use the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner’s  name, image and likeness. CNN is reporting that the University was issued a cease-and-desist after the number 5 was issued to cornerback D.J. Pickett.   A spokesman for Daniels said even though the number hadn’t been retired, Daniels made it clear he didn’t want it used, saying it feels like a failure to honor all he accomplished at LSU.

What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order splitting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A report by WWNO public radio says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Julia Letlow may have benefited financially by purchasing Meta stock after learning about the company’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A new poll finds Louisianians like talking politics. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? LSU Health professor Dr. Corey Hebert notes that the MMR vaccine, which has been administered as a combined dose since 1971, isn’t even available as separate vaccines in the U.S., but this executive order may pave the way for them to be available separately.

Cut 4 (09) “…that way yet.”

But Dr. Hebert notes that by separating them, you go from getting two shots – one at 12 months and one at four years – to getting six shots. And he says there’s no guarantee that separating them will provide any benefit.

Cut 5 (09) “…have that either.”

One concern among a select few people is that vaccines involve injecting into the body a tiny amount of the virus that it’s intended to immunize against. Hebert says combining the MMR Vaccine reduces that amount of virus even more.

Cut 6 (12) “…think you get.”

It’s important to note that Trump’s executive order is merely a recommendation and is not legally binding. All vaccine requirements for things like registering kids for public school are all established at the state level.

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Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow is facing questions over her purchase of Meta stock after reportedly signing a confidential agreement related to Meta’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. A report by WWNO says Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the report raises red flags about whether politicians are getting access to information that could benefit them financially.

Cut 7 (09) “…of their work.”

This is not the first time Letlow has faced questions about potential insider trading. During the primary, political ads accused her of violating federal law by failing to timely disclose more than 200 stock transactions worth millions of dollars.

Letlow denied any wrongdoing, saying a third-party broker conducted the trades without her knowledge or direction. A representative for Letlow says she had no role in directing any of her trades, including the Meta transactions, and that the NDA played no role because she was unaware the trades were taking place.

Letlow is considered the favorite to become Louisiana’s next U.S. senator. Hogan says he does not expect the report to cost her significant support.

Cut 8 (09) “…to enrich himself.”

But Hogan says the story could resonate with voters who believe politicians face different rules than the general public. He says Letlow’s Democratic opponent, Jamie Davis, will likely make it an issue on the campaign trail.

Cut 9 (08)  “…here in Louisiana.”

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A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. That conclusion is part of a survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says they surveyed more than one-thousand residents to gauge political polarization.

Cut 10 (11) “…it has not.”

DiResto says survey results found that people in Louisiana appear to feel just as negatively about the opposing political party as they do nationwide, but in Louisiana people are comfortable in talking with people they disagree with politically.

Cut 11 (06) “…their political belief.”

In a potential sign of civic health, PAR president Steven Procopio says only eight-percent of the respondents they frequently post about politics on social media.

Cut 12 (08) “…engaging in that.”

DiResto says 70-percent of the participants reported having a conversation with someone with different political views within the past month.

Cut 13 (11)  “…matter either way.”

The 2026 Louisiana Common Ground survey is part of an effort by LSU’s Public Policy Lab and Park to understand and reduce polarization while promoting dialogue and civic thought.

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UL-Lafayette football coach Michael Desormeaux identified two Baton Rouge-area freshmen as players to watch in Cajuns training camp. Leading wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. is still out with a bruised knee, and Desormeaux says Zachary product Kristion Brooks has stepped up with other injuries in the room.

Cut 14 (13) “…that are going.”

The Cajuns are also dealing with injuries in the linebacker room, as junior Lester Jones has missed the last three practices with a groin injury. Desormeaux says Catholic High School alum Harrison Kidder (ki-DARE) has made an impact there.

Cut 15 (13) “…playing physical.”

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LSU welcomed back two starters from last year’s offensive line — center Braelin Moore and right tackle Weston Davis. Transfers Jordan Seaton and Aliou Bah join fifth-year Tiger Bo Bordelon to fill out the rest of the unit. Moore says he feels they have the talent to win a Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football.

Cut 16 (16) “…two Super Bowls.”

Moore started 12 games for LSU last season after transferring from Virginia Tech. After head coach Brian Kelly was fired and almost all of the offensive staff that recruited him left, he still decided to come back to LSU so he could play for coach Lane Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis.

Cut 17 (16) “…do for me.”

Kiffin’s offense is known for it’s lighting-quick tempo. His Ole Miss squad last season averaged one snap every 23-and-a-half seconds of game time. Moore says he had to adjust to the pace, but it can be a lethal asset for the Tigers this season.

Cut 18 (13) “..for the defense.”

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The Saints host the Jaguars for a joint practice today. The teams square off in their preseason opener at three p.m. Saturday, but head coach Kellen Moore says the starters will see more action today and rest for the game. He says it will be an excellent opportunity for the team.

Cut 19 (17) “…need right now.”

Moore says the running back group will get great experience with tackling that they haven’t been able to see in camp so far. He says he knows the talent Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne have at the top of the room, but the joint practice gives a great chance to evaluate younger talents.

Cut 20 (14) “…to come alive.”

The state is in for another brutally hot weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the humidity is going to make it unbearable to be outside.

Cut 3 (10) “…into the weekend.”

Grymes says while parts of the state have seen some rain this week, today will likely be the last day we’ll see any rain for quite some time.

State representative Danny McCormick has proposed a ban on all AI-powered Flock cameras in Louisiana.  Despite their benefit to law enforcement, there’s been growing opposition to Flock cameras nationwide over privacy concerns. But Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says any abuse of the technology has been due to misuse by law enforcement, not the cameras themselves.

Cut 8 (10) “…abuse it.”

A new school year is underway, and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is optimistic the recent gains in student achievement will continue. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

At the outset of this school year, a 14-year-old Hammond boy is learning the hard way what not to bring to show-and-tell. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested the Hammond Eastside Upper School student for allegedly packing two BB guns inside his book bag this morning. There were no threats, although the school was briefly placed on lockdown.

There has been growing opposition to Flock Safety cameras, but Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says they are nothing new. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tragedy in Concordia Parish as a 15-year-old boy is shot to death. Police in Vidalia say the boy and a 14-year-old were playing with a loaded gun when it discharged, striking the victim. The victim was airlifted to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. The 14-year-old was detained at the scene; no word of any charges at this time.

Summer vacation is over; school is now back in session. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says nearly 90-percent of the teachers who taught last year have returned for the new school year. He says teacher vacancies have also dropped, from about 25-hundred a few years ago to roughly one-thousand today. And he says teacher morale appears to be improving as well.

Cut 11 (10) “…paperwork.”

The LSU Lady Tigers are gearing up for another season; it tips off November 2nd against Southeastern Louisiana. The Advocate’s Reed Darcy says Head Coach Kim Mulkey has had to rebuild her squad after their heartbreaking loss to Duke in the Sweet 16, but this year’s team is poised to compete for a deep tournament run again.

Cut 14 (12) “…transfer portal.”

Louisiana public school students ranked first in the nation in reading growth and second in math growth in the Latest Education Scorecard. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he wants to continue that trend. He says classroom discipline will also be a major focus this school year, and He’s urging local school leaders not to tolerate disruptive behavior that interferes with other students’ ability to learn…

Cut 10 (06) “…can learn.”

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse is disputing the growing opposition against AI-powered Flock cameras. The license-plate reading cameras have been used in millions of cases across the country, and Morse says the images are invaluable when looking for missing persons and tracking down criminals.

Cut 7 (10) “…these cameras.”

He says the images they take of cars on public roadways do not violate the Constitution.

A tropical disturbance headed towards the Caribbean has a good chance of becoming Tropical Storm Dolly, but State Climatologist Jay Grymes says don’t count on it making its way to the Gulf.

Cut 5 (15) “…it could dissipate.”

Another disturbance is right behind it, but Grymes does not expect that one to be a threat to Louisiana either.

LSU announced its women’s basketball schedule for this season and The Advocate’s Reed Darcy says the Lady Tigers have a difficult non-conference slate. LSU plays powerhouse UConn in Nashville December 20th and also has matchups with UNC, NC State and Villanova.

Cut 13 (12) “…Kim Mulkey.”

A new school year is underway, and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is optimistic the recent gains in student achievement will continue. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. A new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024, and it had the fourth most total job losses from 2024 to 2025.

State representative Danny McCormick has proposed a ban on Flock cameras in Louisiana, saying they violate citizens’ privacy. But Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says that is not true.

Cut 6 (13) “…public roadways.”

Morse says the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that there is no expectation of privacy in a public space.

The LSU women’s basketball schedule is out. The Lady Tigers tip off the season against Southeastern Louisiana on November 2nd. SEC play begins December 31st at Auburn, and The Advocate’s Reed Darcy says Kim Mulkey’s squad could go undefeated in January.

Cut 12 (12) “…postseason after that.” 

LSU ends the regular season with South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma.