For decades cotton was king. But this year the Louisiana cotton crop is expected to be the smallest in history. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says input costs to produce cotton has gone up and the price for cotton has gone down from two dollars a pound in the mid-1800s

Cut 12 (12) “…what’s going on.”

Soybeans is Louisiana’s largest crop, followed by corn and rice.

President Trump’s budget bill phases out tax credits for energy companies that invest in projects that produce solar and wind power. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis says this will raise electricity prices. The director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, Doctor Greg Upton says it’s possible, but not in the short term…

Cut 4 (11) “…period of time.”

New solar and wind energy projects can still receive the tax credit, but construction needs to start in the next year to qualify.

In an effort to grow the Louisiana Democratic Party, executive director Dadrius Lanus, says party officials plan to visit rural parishes…

Cut 10 (06) “…rural parishes”

Lanus says that includes parishes that lean Republican. He says the tour will be called “Fight for Our Lives.”

The Saints traded in black and gold for white and gold with a new alternate helmet released today. Kace Kieschnick has more

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

University Lab two-way lineman Lamar Brown is set to make his commitment at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow. Zach Nagy of SI on LSU says the five-star is the number one-ranked athlete in the class of 2026.

Cut 6 (11) “…offensive lineman.”

Nagy says Brown’s recruitment is a two-horse race between LSU and Texas A&M. On3.com gives LSU an 86% chance to land the blue chip while 247Sports gives the nod to Texas A&M with a 75% chance.

Louisiana Democrats say they plan on making inroads ahead of the midterm elections by launching what they call the “Fight For Our Lives.” State Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says that involves reaching out to people from outside the party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…that we build.”

Candidates seeking to replace term-limited New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell can officially qualify today for the October 11^th primary. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Qualifying begins today for the October 11th election, and the biggest race in the state is the mayor’s race in New Orleans. The current mayor, LaToya Cantrell, is term-limited and cannot seek a third term. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak expects several candidates will sign up to qualify over the next three days; and as it stands now, four of them have a shot.

Cut 10 (07) “…from running.”

Bill Cassidy may be in for the fight of his political life next April with two prominent Republicans running against him for the party’s nomination in the state’s newly-closed primary election. But Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says if Cassidy survives, that won’t be his only fight next year.

Cut 7 (08) “…run against him.”

And Lanus says Democrats will also field strong candidates to run for the four Congressional seats currently held by Republicans.

Wind and solar power tax credits created during the Biden Administration are being phased out, thanks to the budget bill signed by President Trump. These tax credits help energy companies pay for projects that produce solar and wind energy. Dr. Greg Upton, the director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says without this federal subsidy, ratepayers will have to pay for these investments, but the impact to the consumer is several years away.

Cut 3 (09) “…the facility.”

A delegation from the Saints, including owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis, is on a relationship-building mission in France this week. Also among the delegation is Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel; he says they will be launching flag football this Sunday with their European League of Football counterparts, the Paris Musketeers.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in the NFL.”

Louisiana Democrats say the gloves are off for the midterms. State Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says with the passage of what Republicans call the Big Beautiful Bill and what Democrats call the Big Ugly Bill, Democrats are coming after Republicans, especially Senator Bill Cassidy.

Cut 9 (08)  “…House Speaker Johnson.”

ULM receives the final nine million dollars in state funding required to complete the renovation of Sugar Hall. It opened in 1971 to house its College of Pharmacy before it moved to the Bienville Campus in 2005. University President Dr. Carrie Castille says Sugar Hall is ingrained in Louisiana healthcare.

Cut 4 (12) “…sciences programs.”

Sugar Hall is expected to reopen next year.

Candidates seeking to replace term-limited New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell can officially qualify today for the October 11th primary. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints have just unveiled their new alternate helmets. They’re white with tiny black specks, a gold fleur-de-lis logo on the side and a gold facemask. The stripe down the middle consists of a wide gold stripe dotted with tiny fleur-de-lis, flanked with black stripes with a thin white gap in between.

The Louisiana Democratic Party says it will make sure the primary will not be Bill Cassidy’s only political fight next year, should he survive it. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A delegation from the Saints, including owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis, is on a relationship-building mission in France this week. Also among the delegation is Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel who says the Saints are using this trip to grow the game of American football in France.

Cut 15 (10) “…it more popular.”

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The race to see who will be New Orleans next mayor starts today as qualifying  for the October 11^th election begins today. Current mayor LaToya Cantrell is term limited and cannot seek a third term. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says though City Council president Helena Moreno has been the favorite in polls so far, UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says state senator Royce Duplessis can use his experience as a lawmaker to his advantage.

Cut 12 (12) “…right now.”

ULM has received the final nine million dollars from the state to finish thr renovation of Sugar Hall, a fixture in Louisiana Healthcare since 1971. President Dr. Carrie Castille says  once complete, Sugar Hall will be home to several important College of Health Science programs.

Cut 5 (12) “…workforce development.”

Senator Bill Cassidy may be in for the fight of his political life next April with two prominent Republicans running against him for the party’s nomination in the state’s newly-closed primary election. State Treasurer John Fleming and State Senator Blake Miguez have both cited Cassidy’s vote to convict then-former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”)

Cut 8 (09) “…it didn’t work.”

Qualifying begins today for the October 11^th election and the biggest race in the state is the mayor’s race in New Orleans. Current mayor LaToya Cantrell is term limited and cannot seek a third term. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says there are four candidates with a shot, including New Orleans City Council president Helena Moreno, who’s been the favorite in two polls so far.

Cut 11 (13) “..through the campaign.”

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A delegation representing the Saints is visiting France this week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Baton Rouge based says it has reached a $79.9 million deal to acquire north Louisiana-based Progressive Bank.  B1Bank will issue more than 3 million shares of stock to Progressive shareholders, giving them a 9.3% stake in the business.  The deal, which would close early next year, still  needs approval from regulators and Progressive shareholders.

Candidates seeking to replace term-limited New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell can officially qualify today for the October 11^th primary. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

ULM has received the final nine million dollars in state funding required to complete the renovation of its Sugar Hall. President Dr. Carrie Castille says once complete Sugar Hall will not only be home to students in many areas of health care, but to community clinics as well.

Cut 6 (10) “…northeast Louisiana.”

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Bill Cassidy may be in for the fight of his political life next April with two prominent Republicans running against him for the party’s nomination in the state’s newly-closed primary election. But Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Dadrius (“Darius”) Lanus says if Cassidy survives, that won’t be his only fight next year.

Cut 7 (08) “…run against him.”

Saints owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis are part of a delegation in France this week on a relationship-building mission. Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel, who also made the trip, says team execs have taken several trips to France over the years and are making valuable connections.

Cut 14 (14) “…business in Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Democratic Party says it will make sure the primary will not be Bill Cassidy’s only political fight next year, should he survive it. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Qualifying begins today for the October 11^th election and the biggest race in the state is the mayor’s race in New Orleans. Current mayor LaToya Cantrell is term limited and cannot seek a third term. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak expects several candidates will sign up to qualify over the next three days and as it stands now, four of them have a shot.

Cut 10 (07) “…from running.”

———–

ULM has received the final nine million dollars in state funding required to complete the renovation of its Sugar Hall. Sugar Hall was opened in 1971 to house ULM’s College of Pharmacy before moving to the Bienville Campus in 2005. President Dr. Carrie Castille says Sugar Hall is ingrained in Louisiana healthcare.

Cut 4 (12) “…sciences programs.”

A delegation from the Saints, including owner Gayle Benson and linebacker Demario Davis, is on a relationship-building mission in France this week. Also among the delegation is Senior Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel; he says they will be launching flag football this Sunday with their European League of Football counterparts, the Paris Musketeers.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in the NFL.”