Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York, trying to lure two major sporting events to New Orleans.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a house fire over the weekend that killed a 75-year-old Coushatta woman. Her 43-year-old son was treated for smoke inhalation and survived. Investigators say the home did not have a working smoke alarm at the time. A cause for the fire is not known.

One of the new laws that went into effect as of January 1^st requires contractors with a residential construction or roofing license as the only ones that can legally perform roofing work. Prior to January 1^st, state law allowed for home improvement contractors to install roofs, but Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert says they do not have the necessary qualifications…

Cut 10 (11) “…control that.” 

Hassert says it’s also now a criminal offense to do contracting without the proper license.

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan just finished his 15^th season and it was a good year for the future hall of famer as he racked up another 10.5 sacks. Jordan says if his wife gives him the blessing to keep playing, he plans to suit up for a 16^th season…

Cut 12 (12) “…always been”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York to try to lure two major events to New Orleans – the 2031 Super Bowl and a future NBA All-Star Game. NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says if New Orleans fails to land the 2031 Super Bowl, the city’s next opportunity would not come until 2038. 

Cut 3 (07) “…chance we have.”

Benson’s NFL team will not be going to the Super Bowl this season; the players spent the day in the Superdome cleaning out their lockers. That includes veteran defensive tackle Cam Jordan, who just wrapped up his 15 NFL season. Jordan says whether he plays a 16th season will come down to whether he can get approval from his boss – his wife.

Cut 11 (11) “…where it takes us.”

A law that went into effect with the new year requires contractors to have a residential construction or roofing license to legally perform roofing work. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Sulphur woman is behind bars for allegedly killing her one-year-old daughter. Police say Kristin Bass shot her daughter Acelynn to death New Year’s Day. Kristin allegedly told the girl’s father that she had just sent their baby to God and was looking for her two-year-old sister to do the same to her.

If you need a new roof, a new law went into effect on January 1^st that you should know about. Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert, says only contractors with a residential construction or roofing license can legally perform roofing work…

Cut 8 (09) “…lower them rates”

Hassert says the change in the law will ensure that roofing work is conducted by qualified professionals.

NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan is reporting Governor Landry is in New York along with Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson. The two have meetings with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Duncan says it’s part of an effort to bring another Super Bowl to New Orleans in 2031 and an NBA All-Star game to the Big easy, but renovations will be needed first to the Smoothie King Center…

Cut 5 (07) “…important revenue streams”

A statue is unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of a wrongfully enslaved man. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 16 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LSU football head coach Brian Kelly is selling his Baton Rouge home that’s next to the LSU lakes. The asking price is 3.5 million.  That’s according to a listing from the W Group Real Estate. The gated property boasts a main house, guest home, pool and an outdoor kitchen. The home was listed for two million in 2022.

A new law that went into effect with the new year requires contractors to have a residential construction or roofing license to legally perform roofing work. Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert, says the change in the law will ensure that roofing work is conducted by qualified professionals who received a license after passing a roofing exam…

Cut 9 (08)  “…install a roof.”

Prior to January 1^st, state law allowed for home improvement contractors to install roofs, but Hassert says they do not have the necessary qualifications.

A new exhibit that’s opened at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge examines the tenure of nine governors who lived in that building from 1929 to 1962. The time period covers World War Two. Executive Director of the Old Governor’s Mansion, Sinella Aghasi, says  Sam Houston Jones and James Houston Davis were the governor’s during that time and Aghasi says the state took on a major initiative to help fund combat operations…

Cut 7 (07) “…war bonds.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York, trying to lure two major sporting events to New Orleans….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

For the first time in the Kim Mulkey era, 12^th ranked LSU is off to an 0-2 start in SEC play after losing to Vanderbilt yesterday. And the Lady Tigers have some challenging games coming as they will play Georgia and then Texas and Oklahoma, who are both ranked in the Top 5….

Cut 20 (12) “…get better”

Saints Owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to try to re-enter the competition for the 2031 Super Bowl. While hosting last year’s Super Bowl was a huge success for the city, the NFL did say there’s room for improvement, such as the availability of high-end hotel rooms. NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says the issue is not unique to New Orleans.

Cut 4 (07) “…and Las Vegas.” 

If eating healthier is one of your goals this new year, you’re in very good company. LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan says to achieve your goal, focus on balanced meals with lean protein, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Cut 8 (10) “…and antioxidants.”

The Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge has a new exhibit. It’s called “Three Decades of Change” and it examines the tenure of nine governors who lived there from 1929 to 1962. Executive Director Sinella Aghasi (AH-guh-see) says these men guided Louisiana through some of the most challenging days in the state’s and nation’s history.

Cut 6 (13) “…Civil Rights Movement.”

A man tricked into slavery is immortalized with a statue in Avoyelles Parish over the weekend. Melissa Howell says the location of the statue of her great great great grandfather Solomon Northup, who was given the name “Platt Hamilton” by his slavemasters, is very significant. 

Cut 12 (11) “…his reclaimed freedom.”

We’re three months away from the 2026 legislative session. Senate President Cameron Henry says between now and then, lawmakers will be keeping an eye on how last year’s legislation dealing with auto insurance reform is impacting premiums. Several laws that passed last year just went into effect last week.

Cut 6 (11) “…auto insurance”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York to try to lure two major events to New Orleans – the 2031 Super Bowl and a future NBA All-Star Game. NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says if New Orleans fails to land the 2031 Super Bowl, the city’s next opportunity would not come until 2038. 

Cut 3 (07) “…chance we have.”

If you resolve to lead a healthier lifestyle this new year, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan has some advice. She says maintaining any resolution starts with setting S.M.A.R.T goals.

Cut 7 (13) “…time-bound.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish over the weekend to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of an enslaved man. Solomon Northup was born a free man in upstate New York in 1807; Melissa Howell, a direct descendant, says in 1841, two men approached him with what seemed to be a lucrative offer – but instead, they tricked him into slavery.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the Capitol.”

Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport has the info you need not to fail your health resolutions for 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnck.”

Tough start to 2026 for the fifth ranked LSU women’s basketball team as the Lady Tigers dropped to 0-2 in SEC play yesterday with a 65-61 loss to 12^th ranked Vanderbilt. In both losses, Mulkey questioned her team’s toughness.

In three months, state lawmakers will head to Baton Rouge for the regular legislative session. Senate President Cameron Henry anticipates a lengthy discussion about the state’s future energy needs with construction beginning on two massive data centers and the possibility of more data centers being built in the Bayou State…

Cut 4 (10) “…long run”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st.

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup. He was born a free black man in upstate New York in 1807, but in 1841 he was kidnapped in Washington D-C and sold into slavery and trafficked to Louisiana.  His direct descendant, Melissa Howell, recounts that in 1841, two men approached him with what seemed to be a lucrative offer.

Cut 10 (14) “…nearly 12 years.”

It was not until January 4^th, 1853 when Northup won back his freedom with help from the Avoyelles Parish court system.

Lawmakers are making plans for the session that begins in March. Last year, auto insurance reform was a significant issue Senate President Cameron Henry says several of those new laws did not take effect until January 1^st and they need to see how they impact rates…

Cut 6 (11) “…auto insurance”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st. Lawmakers are expected to discuss the energy needs of the data centers being built in the state. Henry says he hopes they will cut taxes since the budget is supposed to have a 300-million-dollar surplus.

The federal government stopped minting pennies about two months ago and some stores are already price-rounding to eliminate the need for pennies. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says…

Cut 15 (06) “…of the customers.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup, a free man who kidnapped and enslaved for 12 years in 1841. During the ordeal, he reached Louisiana, where a carpenter named Samuel Bass befriended him and helped him escape. Melissa Howell, a direct descendant says Northup was given the name “Platt Hamilton” by his enslavers and the location of the statue is where he stood when he was declared free at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse.

Cut 12 (11) “…his reclaimed freedom.”

Northup’s 1853 autobiography, “12 Years a Slave,” was adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie in 2014.

If you’re looking to be more active in 2026, Dr. Marie Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport recommends finding exercises you enjoy. She says small changes in your daily life can make a world of impact. Consistency is most important.

Cut 9 (14)  “…big difference.”

When the legislative session begins in March, Louisiana lawmakers should not have to worry about budget cuts. That’s because stronger than expected tax collections could result in a nearly 300-million dollar surplus when the current fiscal year ends on June 30th. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s not looking to go on a spending spree.

Cut 5 (08) “…to have.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup. You may have read his autobiography, 12 Years a Slave or have seen the movie. His descendant, Melissa Howell, says in 1841, two men approached him about being part of their traveling show.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the Capitol.”

A Louisiana carpenter named Samuel Bass befriended Northup and helped him escape.

For those with health resolutions for 2026, Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport has some information to help you succeed. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnck.”

About two months ago the federal government minted its last penny and Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says in addition to the massive amount already in circulation, the fact that Americans rarely use cash anymore will prolong the penny’s survival. Hollis says consumers are using coins less and less.

Cut 14 (09) “…or coin.”

In three months, state lawmakers will head to Baton Rouge for the regular legislative session. Senate President Cameron Henry anticipates a lengthy discussion about the state’s future energy needs with construction beginning on two massive data centers and the possibility of more data centers begin built in the Bayou State…

Cut 4 (10) “…long run”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st.

If you’ve made healthy eating your new year’s resolution, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan says everything starts with the food chosen to fuel the body. She recommends focusing on balanced meals with lean protein, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Cut 8 (10) “…and antioxidants.”

A statue is unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of a man who was tricked into slavery. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northup’ autobiography, 12 Years a Slave, was adapted into an Academy Award winning move in 2014. A screening of it was held over the weekend in Marksville.