Planning for the 2026 legislative session will intensify now that it’s a new year. Jeff Palermo reports on the big issues lawmakers will tackle this year…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The federal government minted its last penny about two months ago, but it will be decades before the penny becomes a rare coin. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says enough pennies have been minted to stack them to the moon and back.

Cut 13 (08)  “…I hope.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup a wrongfully enslaved man born a free man in upstate New York in 1807 whose Autobiography “12 Years a Slave,” you may know. 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.”

He escaped slavery with the help of a Louisiana carpenter.

For those who made healthy lifestyle resolutions for the new year, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan has some helpful advice. She says maintaining any resolution starts with setting S.M.A.R.T goals.

Cut 7 (13) “…time-bound.”

The U.S. has launched military strikes on Venezuela and Venezuelan President Nicolás (Nee-Ko-Laas) Maduro (Ma-DOO-ro) have been captured.  Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow is speaking out in support of the action.  On X this morning, Letlow posted quote “The days of America Looking the other way on narco-terrorism are over.  I stand with our military and President Trump after a successful operation in Venezuela to protect American lives.”

in 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 will be built in the Bayou State…

Cut 4 (10) “…long run”

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Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship on the line, but there’s been uncertainty about whether the six LSU assistant coaches on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Charlie Weis.”

LSU will face Texas A&M this afternoon in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon with a marquee win over SMU and their only loss coming to 12^th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

Cut 14 (14) “…great atmoshperes.”

Tip off against the Aggies is set for three this afternoon in College Station.

Louisiana’s current congressional districts will remain in place for this year’s mid-term elections, after the Supreme Court decided against expediting a ruling on the one being challenged by the end of 2025.  State lawmakers had hoped for an earlier decision as the state’s switch to closed party primaries.  And with the Supreme Court now set to rule during its usual late-spring release period, there won’t be time to make changes.

In three months state lawmakers will head to Baton Rouge for the regular legislative session. Lawmakers will not have to worry about budget cuts. That’s because of 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, instead the legislature should practice fiscal restraint…

Cut 5 (08) “…to have.”

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If the New Year has you resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle, 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.”

The federal government minted its last penny about two months ago, but it will be decades before the penny becomes a rare coin. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says enough pennies have been minted to stack them to the moon and back.

Cut 13 (08)  “…I hope.”

Some stores are already price-rounding to eliminate the need for pennies

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, but what coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Former LSU football head coach Brian Kelly is selling his home on East Lakeshore Drive at an asking price of 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.  Though many say it appears renovations and and upgrades have since been made.

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A woman is behind bars after Sulphur police said she shot and killed her 1-year-old child. We’re told Kristin Bass killed the girl at a home on Quelqueshue Street on New Year’s Day, Sulphur Police spokesman Major Jason Gully said Officers responded to the home after 8 p.m. We’re told the victim’s father identified her as Acelynn Moss.

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 2-year-old girl inside a car Thursday afternoon. BRPD Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the incident occurred when a woman spotted what she believed was her relative’s stolen vehicle and began following it.

Cut 3 (08) “…of the vehicle.”

Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.

The U.S. has launched military strikes on Venezuela. President Trump says Venezuelan President Nicolás (Nee-Ko-Laas) Maduro (Ma-DOO-ro) and his wife were “captured and flown out of the Country” early this morning, confirming a “large scale strike” by the U.S. that drew quick condemnation and concern from across the globe.  Officials have said the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, an elite special forces unit, carried out the operation to capture Maduro.

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 will be built in the Bayou State…

Cut 4 (10) “…long run”

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

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Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship on the line, but there’s been uncertainty about whether the six LSU assistant coaches on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Charlie Weis.”

LSU basketball will face Texas A&M this afternoon in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon with a marquee win over SMU and their only loss coming to 12^th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

Cut 14 (14) “…great atmoshperes.”

Tip off against the Aggies is set for three this afternoon in College Station.

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 2-year-old girl inside a car yesterday afternoon. BRPD Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the incident occurred when a woman spotted what she believed was her relative’s stolen vehicle and began following it.

Cut 3 (08) “…of the vehicle.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning for a 15th NFL season next season. Davis says today’s game allows for longevity that the game of years past didn’t allow for.

Cut 6 (14) “…you maximize it.”

This season, Davis has a career-high 137 tackles, including 63 solo tackles.

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, but which coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Kiffin was not at the Sugar Bowl; he was at the P-MAC watching the LSU women suffer their first loss of the season at the hands of 11th-ranked Kentucky. The men are also off to a hot start, entering SEC play with only one loss on the season, that to 12th-ranked Texas Tech.

A two-year-old girl continues to fight for her life after she was shot in the head on New Year’s Eve. Baton Rouge Police Lt. L’Jean McKneely says the child was riding in a car with a woman, who saw a man driving a vehicle that belonged to one of her relatives. McKneely says when the woman started following the vehicle, the man exited the vehicle and shot at her car…

Cut 5 (11) “…that are following

Twenty-seven-year-old Landrick Ruffin Junior is facing six counts of attempted first-degree murder while the toddler is in critical condition.

On Sunday, the Saints will look to finish the regular season on a five-game winning streak when they visit Atlanta. Veteran linebacker Demario Davis says this late season surge has him excited…

Cut 8 (11) “…momentum of this”

Davis, who turns 37 years old later this month, says he wants to play in his 15^th NFL season next year. He has set a career high in tackles this year.

Six assistant coaches from LSU helped Ole Miss beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last night. They were part of Lane Kiffin’s staff at Ole Miss and have signed contracts to be part of Kiffin’s staff at LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau…

Cut 11 (13) “…that’s clear”

But multiple reports say some of those assistants will not return to Ole Miss for their College Football Playoff semi-final game against Miami.

The LSU men’s basketball team begins SEC play tomorrow afternoon as the Tigers visit Texas A&M. The Aggies are 10-3 and rank second in the SEC in points scored and three-point percentage. Coach Matt McMahon says A&M’s defense is no slouch either…

Cut 15 (10) “….a premium”

Tip off is at 3 PM.

Authorities arrest a Baton Rouge man accused of shooting a two-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve, leaving her in critical condition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The new year is here, and that means some new laws are now in effect. Many are in the realm of insurance reform. Among them – those who are determined to be at least 51-percent at fault for a crash can no longer collect damages in a civil suit, and companies must give discounts on liability premiums for commercial vehicles with dashcams.

Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship game on the line, but there’s now uncertainty about whether the six incoming LSU assistant coaches currently on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Charlie Weis.”

Lane Kiffin was not at last night’s Sugar Bowl. Instead, he was at P-MAC watching the LSU women’s basketball team lose its first game of the season, 80-78, to Kentucky. The Lady Tigers have a quick turnaround, as they visit 12th-ranked Vanderbilt Sunday. Coach Kim Mulkey says she needs to see more from her young, talented team.

Cut 13 (12)  “…pity party.”

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man is under arrest in connection with the shooting of a two-year-old girl inside a car. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon after police tracked down the suspect vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely urges residents to contact police if they locate their stolen vehicle.

Cut 5 (11) “…that are following.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning next season. It will be his ninth in New Orleans – and his 15th in the NFL. Davis says advances in medical science allows players to enjoy longer careers in the NFL.

Cut 7 (13) “…to regenerate faster.”

The Lady Tigers lost their first game of the season after 11th-ranked Kentucky hit a last second three pointer to win 80-78 in LSU’s SEC opener last night. The Lady Tigers were outrebounded 17-to-4 on the offensive glass, and coach Kim Mulkey says that was the difference in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…fix that.”

The men, meanwhile, will face Texas A&M tomorrow in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon, with their only loss coming to 12th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

Cut 14 (14) “…great atmoshperes.”

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last night, but which coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still up in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Police in Natchitoches are looking for a man in connection with a stabbing that happened late yesterday morning. They say 52-year-old Lloyd Paillett stabbed two people; they’re hospitalized in stable condition.

As a Baton Rouge toddler continues fighting for her life after being shot in the head, a 27-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the little girl remains in critical condition.

Cut 4 (09) “…Baton Rouge community.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced he will return for his 15th NFL season, his ninth in New Orleans. While this season got off to a rough start, with the Saints losing eight of their first nine games, they’ve seemed to have turned the corner with Tyler Shough at quarterback, winning four in a row. Davis says this late season surge has him excited for 2026.

Cut 8 (11) “…momentum of this?”