The French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established through Friday. Among other things, motor vehicles are prohibited from entering Bourbon Street through the end of the day Friday. But injury attorney Morris Bart, who’s representing dozens of victims and families impacted by last year’s New Year’s Day terror attack, says it doesn’t require a special occasion to take make this level of security happen.

Cut 8 (12) “…a good time.”

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is following head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. But first, he’s coaching Ole Miss in tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl.  Weis came to Baton Rouge after the Rebels’ 41-10 win over Tulane in the first round of the playoffs. He says he’s been doing his best to do right by Ole Miss while carrying out daily duties for his new LSU gig.

Cut 14 (11) “…distraction at all.”

—————————–

As we head into the new year, we’re looking back on the big stories of 2025…including the Louisiana legislature’s efforts to reduce insurance costs. Most of the legislation targeted efforts to reduce auto insurance rates, including a new law that gives Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple more authority to reject rate increases. Temple clashed with Governor Landry over the measure.

Cut 11 (10) “…sooner than that.”

The biggest sports story of the year was the firing of LSU football coach Brian Kelly and Athletic Director Scott Woodward after a blowout loss to Texas A&M on October 25th. Governor Landry made it known he was not a fan of Kelly’s contract and said Woodward would not hire the next head football coach at LSU.

Cut 12 (10) “…us a coach.”

Bourbon Street is closed to motor vehicles through Friday for security purposes, but one prominent injury lawyer says that’s not enough. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Law enforcement agencies across the state are preparing to strictly enforce Louisiana’s new,  hands-free driving law beginning tomorrow.  Under the new law, drivers will face fines for using handheld devices while operating a vehicle. A first offense carries a fine of one-hundred dollars.  But officials say the goal of the law is not to issue citations, but to prevent crashes caused by distracted driving.

——————————

It was a deadly Christmas holiday on Louisiana roadways, as 13 people were killed in crashes from Christmas Day through Monday morning.  Thursday was extremely foggy and the smoke from the bonfires along the Mississippi River made visibility even worse.  But . State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says…

Cut 5 (11) “…injury crash happening.”

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is following head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. But first, he’s coaching Ole Miss for the rest of the College Football Playoff, starting with tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Weis says it was a tough decision to make, but he believes it was the right one.

Cut 13 (14)  “…later on too.”

Today is the final day of 2025, and the biggest story of the year happened just a few hours in on the first day. A 42-year-old U.S. Citizen, who authorities say was inspired by ISIS, sped down Bourbon Street, running over several New Year’s Day revelers, killing 14 people and injuring several more. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick…

Cut 10 (07) “…he possibly could.”

The French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established through Friday. Among other things, motor vehicles are prohibited from entering Bourbon Street through the end of the day Friday. But injury attorney Morris Bart, who’s represents dozens of victims and families impacted by the New Year’s Day terror attack last year, says that’s not enough.

Cut 7 (10) “…never happens again.”

—————————-

The 2025 Christmas holiday was a deadly one on Louisiana roadways. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

As we get set to ring in the New Year, State Police are reminding us all to celebrate responsibly and stay safe.  Authorities say whether you’re traveling or attending local festivities, be sure to take simple precautions that can save lives. They say be sure to buckle up, avoid impaired driving, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, and be sure to obey posted speed limits.

Tourists are once again packing New Orleans to ring in the new year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

National Guard troops have arrived in NOLA to provide security for the New Year’s celebrations. They were also in the city for last year’s Super Bowl and Mardi gras celebrations. The Guard has been deployed to the French Quarter and a New Orleans Police spokesperson says they are not involved in the ongoing immigration crackdown, Operation Catahoula Crunch.

Below freezing temperatures are expected for most of the state tonight and into tomorrow morning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says the wind chill will make it feel even colder…

Cut 10 (05) “….over night tonight”

State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you. Pastorick also reminds you not to leave fires in fireplaces lit overnight.

Cut 7 (09) “…while you’re sleeping.”

84 people have died in house fires this year that’s more than the 73 reported for 2024.

Louisiana Tech is your Independence Bowl champions. The Bulldogs defeated Coastal Carolina 23 to 14 to finish the season 8-5. Tech’s defense forced three turnovers in the second half.

Former Saints stars Drew Brees and Jahri Evans are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Brees is a lock to get in after throwing for 80-thousand yards, the second most in NFL history…

Cut 11 (11) “…before.”

Brees and Evans led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

Detillier says Evans has been a finalist the last three years and this might be his year…

Cut 13 (11)  “…he was.”

New Orleans natives Eli Manning and Reggie Wayne are also finalists. Manning won two Super Bowls as the quarterback of the New York Giants, while Wayne was a great receiver for the Colts and ranks 10th all-time in both receiving yards and receptions.

In their 34-26 win against Tennessee on Sunday, the Saints’ defense allowed the Titans to score 20 points in the first half, but they limited Tennessee to just two field goals in the second half. Head coach Kellen Moore says the team did a much better job of executing in the second half.

Cut 17 (15)  “…much higher level.”

The Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association released its 5A All-State team today. LSU signee and Edna Karr senior Richard Anderson was named as the 5A Outstanding Defensive Player of the year. LSU commit and Evangel Christian junior Peyton (Pop) Houston was named as the 5A Outstanding Offensive Player of the year.

Nicholls men’s basketball is off to a 3-and-0 start in Southland Conference play after defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last night by a score of 76 -71. Sophomore guard Jalik Dunkley and senior guard Jaylen Searles led the Colonels in scoring with 16 points each. Nicholls is now 4-and-8 on the season.

Visitors are flocking to New Orleans to ring in the New Year and to take in the Sugar Bowl Thursday evening, and that’s going to mean an economic impact of about 200-million dollars this week alone. Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says those visitors will have plenty of activities to choose from this week.

Cut 4 (12) “…the fireworks show.”

It’s going to be another cold night throughout the state tonight, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding you to be extra vigilant when keeping your house warm. Spokesman Ken Pastorick says use extra precautions when using a space heater.

Cut 6 (07) “…things like that.”

Pastorick says you should never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. He says don’t do that – that will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you.

Two all-time great players from the Saints are finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…Jeff Palermo.”

As the clock continues to tick towards 2026, that means a slew of new laws are set to take effect. Other new laws are already in effect, but come January 1st, the grace period will end. Among them is the one banning hand-held cell phone use while driving. Starting Thursday, if you’re caught, it’s a secondary offense that will result in a fine.

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed 14 people. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger says while the city has learned from that incident and is taking measures to prevent a repeat occurrence, the city is not going to let that define it…

Cut 5 (13) “….dim that light”

It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint. Hollis has been an avid coin collector since he was a child when he was gifted a Peace Dollar.

Cut 19 (11) “…coins ever since.”

Hollis will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters.

Temperatures will fall below freezing for several hours tonight and into tomorrow morning for areas north of I-10 and I-12. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says cold weather precautions should be taken…

Cut 9 (08)  “…coastal parishes.”

If you are not a fan of the cold, it will be warmer tomorrow afternoon and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

This past weekend a baby in Breaux Bridge died in a house fire and investigators have not determined whether the home had a working smoke alarm. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastrorick says as always, make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home – they often are the difference between life and death.

Cut 8 (07) “…working smoke alarms.”

And Pastorick says on this cold night, do not use the oven or stove to warm your house.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Sugar Bowl is Thursday night in New Orleans as Lane Kiffin’s old team, the Ole Miss Rebels take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Kiffin, who is now running the LSU Tigers may attend the Sugar Bowl with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. That’s according to a report from Yahoo Sports Senior College Football reporter Ross Dellenger.

As expected former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a finalist to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Brees led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title in 2009 and is the only player in club history to win the league’s Offensive Player of the Year Award, which he won twice. Brees is trying to become the first Saints player to be elected on the first ballot of his Hall of Fame candidacy and WWL Radio’s Mike Detillier believes it will happen…

Cut 12 (06) “…Drew Brees”

Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans is also a finalist.

Below freezing temperatures are expected for most of the state tonight and into tomorrow morning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says the wind chill will make it feel even colder…

Cut 10 (05) “….over night tonight”

Jacquemine says we’ll start to warm up tomorrow and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

Tourists are once again packing New Orleans to ring in the new year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several new laws go into effect on January 1^st . New insurance reform measures go into effect, there are also unemployment benefit changes that will require an unemployed person to perform at least five work search related activities a week, up from the current three.

We are looking at cold temperatures tonight and into tomorrow morning. Temperatures will fall into the 20s for most of the state and areas north of I-10 and I-12 will be below freezing for several hours. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you. Pastorick also reminds you not to leave fires in fireplaces lit overnight.

Cut 7 (09) “…while you’re sleeping.”

Former Saints stars Drew Brees and Jahri Evans are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says is a lock to get in as changed the direction of the Saints franchise for ever….

Cut 11 (11) “…before”

Brees and Evans led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

Just two days until Louisiana shows itself off to the world on the streets of Pasadena, California. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In Shreveport, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will kick-off next hour. Louisiana Tech is facing Coastal Carolina. The Bulldogs are 7-5 on the season and they are 3-2- and 1 all time in the Independence Bowl and this marks the 85^th football game La Tech has played in Shreveport.

Visitors have started flowing into New Orleans to celebrate the New Year’s Holiday. Walt Leger, president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says there are plenty of activities to choose from….

Cut 4 (12) “…fireworks show”

Leger says hotel occupancy is between 90 to 95-percent.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has a big task in front of him as he must rebuild a roster that went 7-and-6 this season. Kiffin says signing high-caliber players out of the transfer portal will be critical to their success in 2026, and appearing on Talk 107-3 Baton Rouge, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard says LSU officials have confidence Kiffin will get the job done.

Cut 11 (06) “…we hired him.”