A teenager has been arrested for the murder of 73-year-old Ruby Lee Peterson who was found stabbed to death inside her apartment in Bastrop Tuesday evening. Morehouse Parish Chief Deputy James Mardis says they quickly zeroed in on 17-year-old Amir Dowles.

Cut 10 (05) “…with a suspect.”

Authorities have not discovered a motive, but it is believed that Dowles knew the victim since they lived in the same apartment complex.

Many believe we are heading for another federal government shutdown – at least a partial one. Senate Democrats appear unwilling to fund Homeland Security. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says even if there is a partial government shutdown, don’t expect the ICE and Border Patrol raids to end at least for the time being – Homeland Security has enough money to keep them going for now.

Cut 5 (08) “…tremendous immediate impact.”

Hogan points out that if Democrats are successful in separating Homeland Security from the six-bill package, the funding bill would have to go back to the House for its approval, and the House is in recess for the rest of the week.

Some people in northeast Louisiana may have to wait a couple more days to get power restored. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the nineth storm related death, hypothermia is being blamed. The DeSoto Parish coroner says a 74-year-old man died at his home following an extended power outage. The department of health reported the tragedy as the ninth storm related death. And is reminds residents to take safety precautions in the cold includng taking advantage of the 44 open warming centers across the state.

Entergy is reporting nearly 50-thousand people are still without power and customers in parishes like Union, Ouachita, East Carroll, Morehouse and West Carroll may have to wait until Saturday before the power is restored. Entergy’s vice president of customer service, Nyka Scott says they have opened information centers to help customers who are dealing with a prolonged outage. She says these are places where customers can charge devices and access assistance.

Cut 8 (12) “…their areas.”

A 73-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her apartment in Bastrop and a 17-year-old has been charged in her murder. Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Mardis says they do not know why Amier Dolwes killed Ruby Lee Peterson. The two lived in the same apartment complex…

Cut 11 (06) “…knew him yes”

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 21 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Rigamer says that growth pales to the population gains seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

We could see a partial federal government shutdown if the Senate does not pass a House approved funding package. Democrats saying they’ll pass the budgets for the other five departments, but they want to pull Homeland Security from the package, tying its funding approval to Republicans agreeing to a series of conditions, including ending roving patrols and establishing a universal code of conduct. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says whereas Republicans might not have previously acquiesced to those demands, this time they might.

Cut 4 (11) “…in this case.”

Some people in northeast Louisiana have been waiting a long time to get their power restored. Now, Entergy says they may have to wait a little longer. It says it may be as late as Saturday before it can restore power to everyone. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service for Entergy, says that’s because the task was a lot more daunting than originally anticipated.

Cut 6 (09) “…than we thought.”

Entergy has opened information centers to help customers who are dealing with a prolonged outage. These are places where customers can charge devices and access assistance.

A teenage boy is arrested in connection with the killing of an elderly woman inside her Morehouse Parish apartment. On Tuesday evening, 73-year-old Ruby Lee Peterson was found stabbed to death inside her apartment in Bastrop. Chief Deputy James Mardis with the Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office says the following day, deputies arrested 17-year-old Amir Dowles.

Cut 9 (06)  “…with the investigation.”

The clock is ticking towards another partial government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to police records, the Teacher of the Year at Broussard Middle School has been arrested on child sex abuse charges. Thirty-seven-year-old Christi Oster has been charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Lafayette Police say Oster had an inappropriate relationship with a former student.

It’s a huge political networking event and D-C Mardi Gras is happening this week in our nation’s capital. Events are underway all this week with a dinner dance on Friday and a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday. But LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says amid all the parties and pageantry, there are big issues and storylines.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Could we be headed for another government shutdown? That could happen – more specifically a partial shutdown – if the Senate fails to give its approval to a House-passed funding package by midnight tomorrow night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the six pending bills were cruising towards passage – but then, something happened last weekend.

Cut 3 (08) “…that want changes.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 30 (09)“…them do that.”

A really cool event happens in the Superdome on Saturday night as one-thousand musicians both amateur and professional will gather to play iconic rock songs. It started in Italy in 2015 and Saturday night in the Dome will be their first ever U-S performance. I told you, many of the musicians are amateurs, including ten-year-old George Schafer of Covington…

Cut 15 (05) “….they were 10”

Schafer say she’s been playing the guitar since he’s five years old.

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population. But demographer Greg Rigamer says that growth pales to the population gains seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Louisiana had the seventh worst-population growth in the nation in 2025 according to the latest Census data.

A new state tax credit available to businesses is designed to encourage employers to hire interns and have apprenticeships. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Barry Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify….

Cut 6 (11) “….dollars a year”

D-C Mardi Gras festivities pick up today in the nation’s capital. It’s one of the largest political networking events of the year. Lapolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event to secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

The first ever U-S Rockin 1000 concert will take place at the Caesars Superdome on Saturday. It features one-thousand musicians playing iconic rock anthems and there will be musicians from Louisiana involved, including 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington…

Cut 13 (06) “…couldn’t pass up”

The musicians begin rehearsals today and the concert is Saturday night.

Last year, Louisiana had a net gain of 33-hundred residents. That pales in comparison to the net gains of nearby states like Texas, Florida and Tennessee, and that still puts Louisiana some 40-thousand people short of where it was at the start of the decade. Still, demographer Greg Rigamer says the fact that Louisiana had a net increase is a good sign, and the state needs to maintain the momentum.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or no growth”

It’s the show where one-thousand ordinary folks with extraordinary talent come together – the Rockin’1000 is rehearsing together for the first time today for Saturday’s show. Among them is 70-year-old Andy Chetta of Covington. He admits that he may have a little stage fright, but organizers are putting him at ease.

Cut 14 (09) “…won’t get noticed.”

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Speaking of that fifth district seat, former Congressman Garret Graves is invoking the fifth – his words, not mine. Amid speculation that Graves may run for the seat that Letlow is vacating for her U.S. Senate run, Graves says he’s not going to do so, saying it’s not the time nor the office that makes sense.

It’s a huge political networking event and D-C Mardi Gras is happening this week in our nation’s capital. Events are underway all this week with a dinner dance on Friday and a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday. But LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says amid all the parties and pageantry, there are big issues and storylines.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. But demographer Greg Rigamer says last year’s growth here still pales compared to the growth seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

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Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Repair crews are still hard at work in north Louisiana, trying to get utility polies back up and transformers back online.   In a news release yesterday, Entergy officials said restoration crews continue to make progress but they’re performing presision work that cannot be rushed without compromising safety, especially in the extreme cold.  As of this morning, some 53-thousand customers are still without power.

Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year.  But as Andre Champagne reports, our state still has a long way to go.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

More than 53-thousand people in North Louisiana remain without power this morning with more than half of those in Ouachita Parish.  Entergy said yesterday they’d identified damage to 700 utility poles, and 170 transformers. We’re told restoration crews continue to make progress in extreme cold as they perform precision work than cannot be rushed without compromising safety.

———————–

One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

When it comes to internships and apprenticeships for high school students, Louisiana trails other Southern states.  But a new state tax credit for employers aims to change that.  Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and its something they can claim on their state tax returns beginning next year.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has announced that he will not run for congress in the newly open 5^th Congressional District Race, saying this is not the time nor office that makes sense for him. Current 5^th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced last week she’ll be challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in his run for re-election.

—————————————
Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

While Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year, it still has a long road ahead. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”

Erwin says providing internships and apprenticeships to young people can help enhance the workforce and help employers identify future full-time workers. He says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and they can claim the credit on their tax returns beginning in 2027.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify.

Cut 6 (11) “…dollars a year.”

______________________________________________________

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Rigamer says Louisiana’s population growth last year still pales in comparison to the gains experienced by neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Rigamer says, however, the fact that Louisiana had a net increase is a good sign, and the state needs to maintain the momentum.

Cut 9 (10)  “…or no growth”

______________________________________________________________

One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

Alford says there are big issues and storylines in the backdrop of this year’s D-C Mardi Gras.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

______________________________________________________________

This afternoon, after months of practicing on their own, the musicians who will make up the Rockin’1000 will gather on the Superdome floor to rehearse as a group for the first time ahead of Saturday night’s show. Unlike your typical rock concert which features musicians you’ve idolized your entire lives, these musicians are your average Joes – people from all walks of life, young and old. They include 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington. Despite first taking up the drums at the age of 13, Saturday will be his very first gig.

Cut 13 (06)  “…couldn’t pass up.”

Chetta admits that he may have a little stage fright – understandable, since most people’s first gigs are in venues much smaller than the Superdome – but Rockin’1000 organizers are putting him and everyone else at ease.

Cut 14 (09) “…won’t get noticed.”

On guitar either behind Chetta – or on the other end of the floor, depending on where they put him – will be 10-year-old George Schafer, also of Covington. He’s been playing guitar since he was five – literally half his life – and he says being a part of the show will be an incredible experience.

Cut 15 (05) “…they were 10?”

Chetta, Schafer and the 998 other musicians will be busy rehearsing together today, tomorrow and Saturday afternoon.

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The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is currently riding a five-game winning streak, and the Lady Tigers look to make it six straight tonight against Arkansas at 7 p.m. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says this is one of the closest teams she’s ever had in her time in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (16) “…get too low.”

Sophomore guard Jada Richard (ree-SHARD) has made significant strides from her freshman to sophomore season. Through seven SEC games, Richard is averaging 13 points per game. Mulkey says Richard’s success this season stems from being more comfortable with running the offense.

Cut 17 (18)  “…level of college.”

Not only has Richard been able to score the ball as of late, but she’s also dishing out 3 assists per game. Mulkey says playing the point guard in her system comes with several responsibilities.

Cut 18 (18)  “…you shoot it.”

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Saints veteran linebacker Demario Davis becomes a free agent this offseason, and it sounds like he is open to testing the market. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show on FanDuel TV earlier this week, and this is what he had to say on potentially returning to New Orleans for his 15th season in the NFL.

Cut 19 (18) “…we shall see.”

Davis, who has played for New Orleans since 2018, led the Saints in tackles this year with 143. Davis says he’s noticed a lack of veteran leadership on defenses around the league and believes he could help fill that role.

Cut 20 (17) “…your services more.”