The Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the Atlantic tarpon is a declining species, but that didn’t stop the governor from vetoing the bill that would have put some protections on it. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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Amir “Aura” Khan is headed to LSU. The viral McNeese basketball student manager officially joined Will Wade’s staff. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly illegally selling native turtles online. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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A conservation organization that represents sportsmen is disappointed Governor Landry vetoed legislation that would have designated Atlantic tarpon as a Louisiana saltwater gamefish. Rick Owens with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the purpose of the legislation is to preserve a piece of Louisiana’s recreational identity before it fades further.
Cut 4 (04) “…had decades ago.”
Owens says Louisiana waters once supported numerous tarpon clubs, tournaments and seasonal fisheries that attracted anglers from across the Gulf Coast.
In his veto message, Governor Landry said there is no real harvest pressure on tarpon and nothing in science suggests the state needs to put limits or restrictions to protect it, when it is primarily a catch-and-release fish.
But Owens says the LDWF lists the “silver king” as vulnerable and at a moderate risk of going extinct.
Cut 5 (09) “…fish to release.”
Landry says House Bill 688 is a solution in search of a problem. Owens says the legislation that was vetoed would have placed tarpon within the same general management framework Louisiana already uses for other recreational species, including red drum, speckled trout, and black bass.
Cut 6 (11) “…for the tarpon.”
The House and Senate approved the legislation unanimously; and since it did not become law, Louisiana is the only state that does not formally recognize tarpon as a recreational gamefish.
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Viral McNeese basketball student manager Amir Khan is following Will Wade to LSU. He’ll join Wade’s LSU staff in the same role. Khan says he first became a student manager because he grew up as an LSU fan watching Wade.
Cut 7 (10) “…lot to me.”
The Lake Charles native gained massive popularity during the 2025 NCAA tournament, leading the Cowboys out of the tunnel with a boombox. He originally transferred to NC State when Wade took the job there last season but returned to McNeese when his class credits didn’t transfer over.
Cut 8 (08) “…season with McNeese.”
Khan became the first student manager to sign an NIL deal during McNeese’s 2024 tournament run. His goal for his senior year is to help other managers at LSU, McNeese and around the country land deals of their own. As for the boombox making an appearance, we’ll have to wait and see.
Cut 9 (11) “…the other stuff.”
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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly selling native turtles online. Captain Scott Dupre with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the legislature recently passed a law making it illegal to sell native turtles in the state.
Cut 10 (08) “…to protect it.”
LDWF agents got a tip that 32-year-old Sydney Broussard of Eunice was selling turtles online. They found that she was selling red eared slider turtles for eight dollars apiece and an alligator snapping turtle for 30 dollars. Captain Dupre says Broussard faces a 350-dollar fine for each turtle she was selling.
Cut 11 (10) “…responsible for restitution.”
Agents seized the turtles and returned them to the water. Dupre says while it’s illegal to sell native turtles in Louisiana, it’s not illegal to possess them, but there are limits.
Cut 12 (08) “…alligator snapping turtle.”
There are also prohibited turtle species, which are illegal to possess at all.
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Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have released their initial findings from their RURAL Health study in Franklin Parish. Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says some of the more notable findings include elevated rates of two key health factors.
Cut 13 (13) “…others like diabetes.”
(The study shows that Franklin Parish has elevated rates of obesity and high blood pressure.) The RURAL Health study compares rural communities to other rural communities, as opposed to urban communities. Dr. Broyles says these findings underscore the importance of having strong health care in all communities, including in rural areas.
Cut 14 (13) “…address these conditions.”
These findings come on the heels of the initial findings from an earlier study in Assumption Parish. Broyles says now that we know the what, now the job for the researchers is to figure out the why.
Cut 15 (13) “…do about it.”
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The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is this weekend, and two LSU baseball stars should hear their names called on Saturday. Center fielder Derek Curiel is expected to be a top 15 pick in the first round, while right fielder Jake Brown is a potential second round pick as he’s ranked by ESPN.com as the 64th best player in the draft. Brown will spend draft day with his family in Sulphur.
Cut 16 (11) “…in my life.”
Brown’s junior season at LSU ended prematurely when he broke the hamate bone in his wrist on April 19th. Brown was one of the Tigers best hitters, hitting .309 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. He was able to swing again a week after LSU’s season ended in the SEC Tournament.
Cut 17 (15) “…I’m feeling great.”
Brown loved being a Tiger and could have returned for his senior season, but he’s ready to play professional baseball.
Cut 18 (11) “…draft this year.”
Brown will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus.