A Jefferson Parish English teacher gets the surprise of a lifetime today as she received a 25-thousand-dollar Milken Educator Award. Sarah Watkins is an eighth grade English language arts teacher at Stella Worley Middle School in Westwego and was overcome with emotion when she learned that she was a recipient of this prestigious national accolade.

Cut 6 (11) “…everything.”

Genetic testing by SeaD Consulting has confirmed that all shrimp sold at the Louisiana Shrimp Festival in New Orleans came from Gulf waters. Founder David Williams started the venture a year ago to test shrimp served in restaurants to find out which ones were serving imported shrimp. He says through his efforts, restaurants are starting to switch to domestic shrimp, and that’s helping the local shrimping industry.

Cut 4 (08) “…to respect themselves.”

The number-five ranked LSU women’s basketball team begins their season tonight as the Tigers host Houston Christian at 7 p.m. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 23 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

LSU will play its first game since Brian Kelly was fired this weekend against fourth-ranked Alabama. Interim head coach Frank Wilson believes that the Tigers are a much better team than they were when they played Texas A&M.

Cut 16 (17) “…were last week.”

Pelicans coach Willie Green could lose his job soon if his team doesn’t turn things around in a hurry. Green says he’s blocking out the noise and is focused on turning things around.

Cut 15 (12) “…work at it.”

The Pelicans host the Hornets at the Smoothie King Center.

The Saints are 1-and-8, their worst nine-game record since 1980. New Orleans went 1-and-15 that season as the Aints lost their first 14 games. Coach Kellen Moore says there’s still time for this team to turn the corner…

Cut 22 (17) “…push forward”

Today is the NFL trade deadline. Pro Football Talk reported over the weekend that New Orleans receiver Rashid Shaheed is available. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara has said he would retire, if he was dealt to another team.

Tioga has moved into the Top 10 in the Class 4A Louisiana Sports Writers Association Poll. The Indians scored 75 points in a win over Grant this past Friday and they have a big game this Friday against sixth ranked Franklin Parish.

North DeSoto remains ranked number one in 4A, following Teurlings Catholic who dominated St. Thomas More in the second half last Friday to beat the Cougars for the first time ten years.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is in executive session, deliberating between the three finalists for the next president of the university system. McNeese President Wade Rousse is viewed as the favorite to land the job; he says he’d like to see a separate person appointed as president of the flagship Baton Rouge campus, whereas currently, the president of the Baton Rouge campus oversees the entire system.

Cut 10 (07) “…the outlining campuses.”

Food Banks throughout Louisiana are feeling the burden of the federal government shutdown. Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says food banks already came under financial hardship earlier this year, with the change in presidential administrations.

Cut 4 (13) “…the food banks.”

Van Burkleo says the best way you can help is by donating cash.

Genetic testing from SeaD (“seed”) consulting has shown that for the second year in a row, all shrimp served at the Louisiana Shrimp Festival in New Orleans was wild-caught Gulf shrimp. David Williams founded the company a year ago and began using what’s called the RIGHTTest to determine the species of the shrimp – specifically whether it’s Pacific white shrimp, which is not native to U.S. waters. Williams says through his efforts, several restaurants which had been serving imported shrimp have changed to domestic shrimp.

Cut 3 (13) “…lot higher now.”

Pelicans’ coach Willie Green is officially on the hot seat after the team’s 0-and-6 start to the season, with half of those losses by lopsided scores. Green says he takes responsibility for the poor start.

Cut 13 (12)  “…get on track.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors is meeting at this hour to decide who the school’s next president will be. It’s down to Alabama Provost James Dalton, Former Arizona President Robert Robbins and McNeese President Wade Rousse, who’s viewed as the front-runner. Rousse says if he lands the job, he wants to tackle the deferred maintenance issues at all campuses.

Cut 12 (10) “…inspiration of curiosity.”

Food insecure families are turning to food banks amid the federal government shutdown which is now in its record-tying 35th day. Feeding Louisiana Executive Director Pat Van Burkleo says not only are food banks not designed to replace SNAP, but they had federal funding slashed at the beginning of the second Trump administration. He says, fortunately, others are stepping up to help.

Cut 5 (08) “…has matched that.”

Now that it’s getting dark much earlier with the resumption of Standard Time, pay attention to your body and don’t get behind the wheel if you feel too tired. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says driving after getting less than four hours of sleep is like driving with a blood-alcohol level of point-one-two.

Cut 8 (08) “…average-sized man.”

If the New Orleans Pelicans could turn back time, they’d probably go back to 2007-08, when they won their one and only division title when they were known as the Hornets. This season, they’re off to an 0-and-6 start, with three of those losses coming by lopsided scores. Head Coach Willie Green says his discussions with executive VP Joe Dumars are focused on finding a quick solution to the team’s problems.

Cut 14 (10) “…to be better.”

Amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, the already cash-strapped food banks are stretched even more thin with food insecure families turning to them for help. Feeding Louisiana Executive Director Pat Van Burkleo says Governor Landry and Our Lady of the Lake have each donated 100-thousand dollars – and if you’d like to help, the very best thing to donate is not food, but cash.

Cut 6 (09) “…kind of things.”

Governor Landry, meanwhile, has used this past weekend’s return to Standard Time to proclaim this week as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, now that it’s getting dark much earlier. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says drowsy driving has had deadly consequences in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to drowsy driving.”

We will find out later today who LSU’s new president will be. McNeese President Wade Rousse is viewed as the front-runner. While McNeese is a non-research regional university, LSU’s goal is to become one of the top 50 public research universities in the country. Rousse says he understands how the research process works.

Cut 11 (11) “…get their trust.”

While Rousse may be on the verge of landing a new lucrative job, Pelicans coach Willie Green could lose his soon if his team doesn’t turn things around in a hurry. Green says he’s blocking out the noise and is focused on turning things around.

Cut 15 (12) “…work at it.”

The Pelicans will try for their first win of the season tonight against the Hornets at the Smoothie King Center.

Food Banks across Louisiana are feeling the burden of the federal government shutdown. Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says food banks already came under financial hardship earlier this year, with the change in presidential administrations.

Cut 4 (13) “…the food banks.”
Now that the time has changed, it’s getting dark earlier…which means many are driving home in the dark at six pm which is why Governor Landry has proclaimed this week Drowsy Driving Prevention week.  Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says s when it comes to driving, doing so after depriving yourself of sleep is just as dangeroud as drinking and driving.

Cut 8 (08) “…average-sized man.”

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The number-five ranked LSU women’s basketball team begins their season tonight as the Tigers host Houston Christian at 7 p.m. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The college basketball season tipped off last night. In the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge, the Ragin Cajuns and ULM both lost.  But talk about a shocker, the UNO Privateers, a 22-point underdog, defeated TCU 78-74. UNO only won four games last year.

The LSU Board of Supervisors selects a new president today. Jeff Palermo has more from the perceived front-runner, McNeese president Wade Rousse.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We all know Louisiana is known for it’s great food.  Well, three New Orleans restaurants received Michelin stars for the first time as the prestigious dining guide expanded to include the American South.  Emeril’s in the Warehouse District debuted in the guide with two stars. Saint-Germain on St. Claude Avenue and Mid-City’s Zasu each received one star.

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With Sunday’s time change, that means it is now getting dark much earlier. If you get off work at six p-m, you will be driving home in total darkness. Governor Landry has used the occasion of the end of Daylight Saving Time to proclaim this week as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is a national campaign led by the National Sleep Foundation. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says sleep deprivation is on par with intoxication.

Cut 7 (13) “…point-one-two.”

Food Banks throughout Louisiana are feeling the burden of the federal government shutdown. But Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says others are stepping up to fill the need during the crisis.

Cut 5 (08) “…has matched that.”

People who need food assistance are turning to food banks amid the federal government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A death that was initially reported as a possible suicide in New Orleans East is now being investigated as a homicide, and police have made an arrest in the case. Authorities say 32-year-old Joshua Badod is facing a second degree murder in the case.

———————

The LSU Board of Supervisors meets this morning to select a new president. The three finalists are University of Alabama provost James Dalton, former University of Arizona president and Mississippi native Robert Robbins and McNeese State president Wade Rousse, who is the favorite. Currently, the LSU president oversees the entire system and the Baton Rouge campus. Rousse believes they should be separated.

Cut 10 (07) “…the outlining campuses.”

Pelicans’ coach Willie Green is officially on the hot seat after the team’s 0-and-6 start to the season, with half of those losses by lopsided scores. Green says he understands the criticism and takes responsibility for the poor start.

Cut 13 (12)  “…get on track.”

People who need food assistance are turning to food banks amid the federal government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LSU Board of Supervisors selects a new president today. Jeff Palermo has more from the perceived front-runner, McNeese president Wade Rousse.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

The number-five ranked LSU women’s basketball team begins their season tonight as the Tigers host Houston Christian at 7 p.m. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

_________________________________________________

Food Banks throughout Louisiana are feeling the burden of the federal government shutdown. Pat Van Burkleo, the executive director of Feeding Louisiana, says food banks already came under financial hardship earlier this year, with the change in presidential administrations.

Cut 4 (13) “…the food banks.”

Van Burkleo says amid those funding cuts, other entities are stepping up to help.

Cut 5 (08) “…has matched that.”

Van Burkleo says you can help too – and while the thought of a food donation is certainly appreciated, leave the food at home and simply donate cash.

Cut 6 (09) “…kind of things.”

Van Burkleo says it’s important to note that food banks were never intended to replace federal programs like SNAP during government shutdowns, and that the federal government needs to take the lead in handling this.

_____________________________________________________

With Sunday’s time change, that means it is now getting dark much earlier. If you get off work at six p-m, you will be driving home in total darkness. Governor Landry has used the occasion of the end of Daylight Saving Time to proclaim this week as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, which is a national campaign led by the National Sleep Foundation. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says sleep deprivation is on par with intoxication.

Cut 7 (13) “…point-one-two.”

Fischer says when it comes to driving, doing so after depriving yourself of sleep is the same as doing so after drinking to the point of exceeding the legal blood-alcohol limit.

Cut 8 (08) “…average-sized man.”

Fischer says drowsy driving has had deadly consequences in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to drowsy driving.”

_____________________________________________________

The LSU Board of Supervisors meets this morning to select a new president. The three finalists are University of Alabama provost James Dalton, former University of Arizona president and Mississippi native Robert Robbins and McNeese State president Wade Rousse, who is the favorite. Currently, the LSU president oversees the entire system and the Baton Rouge campus. Rousse believes they should be separated.

Cut 10 (07) “…the outlining campuses.”

Rousse believes there should be an LSU system president and a chancellor for the flagship campus. That’s how it was for many years before those roles were combined in 2012.

Rousse has been serving as McNeese’s president in 2024. Before becoming president, Rousse served in several administrative positions at the Lake Charles school since 2019.

McNeese is a non-research regional university and LSU’s goal is to become one of the top 50 public research universities in the country. But Rousse says he understands how the research process works.

Cut 11 (11) “…get their trust.”

Rousse says if named the next president, he wants to tackle the deferred maintenance issues at the LSU campuses.

Cut 12 (10) “…inspiration of curiosity.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors’ meeting will begin at 9 a.m.

_____________________________________________________

Pelicans’ coach Willie Green is officially on the hot seat after the team’s 0-and-6 start to the season, with half of those losses by lopsided scores. Green says he understands the criticism and takes responsibility for the poor start.

Cut 13 (12)  “…get on track.”

Green’s discussions with the Pelicans front office, including executive vice president Joe Dumars, remain focused on finding a quick solution to improve the season.

Cut 14 (10) “…to be better.”

New Orleans most recently extended Green’s contract in the 2023 offseason.

Green acknowledges the outside noise about his job security but says he is focused on blocking it out and turning the season around.

Cut 15 (12) “…work at it.”

In Green’s four season with the Pelicans, New Orleans has made the playoffs twice.

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LSU will play its first game since Brian Kelly was fired this weekend against fourth-ranked Alabama. Interim head coach Frank Wilson believes that the Tigers are a much better team than they were when they played Texas A&M.

Cut 16 (17) “…were last week.”

Wilson says LSU will go through a more physical Tuesday practice, which will feature more game-like simulations for both the offensive and defensive units.

Cut 17 (23) “…not been realistic.”

LSU’s rushing offense ranks 15th in the SEC, averaging just 106 yards on the ground a game. In Alabama’s lone loss of the season, Florida State rushed for 230 yards. Wilson says running the ball effectively will be a key to beating the Crimson Tide this Saturday.

Cut 18 (19)  “…can do it.”