A former New Iberia police officer who allegedly plotted a terror attack in New Orleans is currently charged with one count of threat by interstate commerce. But Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says many more serious charges are likely forthcoming against 29-year-old Micah Legnon (LEN-yahn).

Cut 9 (12)  “…bomb-making materials.”

ElementUSA announces plans to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says ElementUSA chose St. James Parish because the industrial infrastructure is already in place with the Atlantic Alumina plant.

Cut 4 (12) “…that same material.”

After the Texas Bowl December 27th, LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson will be taking his talents to Ole Miss. He has accepted a job as the Rebels’ running backs coach. Wilson is known as an outstanding recruiter and has convinced several great high school players from the New Orleans area to play at LSU during his two stints with the Tigers. But Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says money matters more than relationships in today’s world of recruiting.

Cut 8 (12) “…it’s all about cash.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

ElementUSA announces that it’s investing 850-million dollars to build a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says the facility will lead to the creation of 200 new direct jobs and more than 550 new indirect jobs.

Cut 3 (06) “…we greatly need.”

It seems that LSU and Ole Miss have an exchange program of sorts going on. LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson has announced that he will be leaving LSU after the Texas Bowl to become the running backs coach at Ole Miss. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says this is not a surprising development.

Cut 6 (08) “…not coming back.”

Guilbeau says as Wilson’s replacement, Lane Kiffin is expected to hire Kevin Smith – the running backs coach he had at Ole Miss.

The U.S. Department of Education awards Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second-graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”

With the legislature ending the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus, State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

The Revenue Estimating Conference identified stronger than expected income tax revenue as one of the main drivers behind the surplus, despite the fact that the legislature cut the income tax rate across the board last year.

The Alexandria Police Department has arrested a ten-year-old for shooting an eight-year-old on December sixth. At first, investigators determined it was an accidental shooting, but upon further investigation they’ve charge the ten-year old with aggravated second-degree battery and juvenile in possession of a handgun. At last report, the eight-year-old was in critical condition.

A former New Iberia police officer is arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in New Orleans. Andre Champagne reports he allegedly has ties to an anti-government group in California.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract they have Louisiana. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

Louisiana has received a 15-million dollar grant from the U-S Department of Education to lead a five-year study on increasing the impact of high-dosage tutoring for first and second graders reading below grade level. Deputy Superintendent with the state Department of Education Jenna Chaisson…

Cut 9 (11) “…Louisiana can read”

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says, last year, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors. She says not only do public libraries offer books to borrow; they also host scores of programs. She says in 2024, Louisiana’s 337 public libraries hosted almost 90 thousand in-person and live virtual programs.

Cut 5 (10) “…are looking for.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools. She says this grant award recognizes the state’s leadership in advancing evidence-based literacy solutions.

Cut 8 (10) “…more about it.”

Chiasson says Louisiana has been a national leader in high-dosage tutoring

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract. She says the state has been litigating with UnitedHealthcare for five years…

Cut 12 (09) “…money back.”

LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders because the original January 1^st target could have caused a lapse in coverage for thousands of Medicaid patients.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Louisiana is awarded a substantial grant to study the impacts of high dosage tutoring on literacy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach of the LSU Tigers through the Texas Bowl and then he’ll leave for an SEC rival. CBS Sports is reporting Wilson will leave his home state to be the running backs coach at Ole Miss. This will be Wilson’s second stint with Ole Miss as he served as the running backs coach for the Rebels when Ed Orgeron was the head coach there. He also has a relationship with new Ole Miss head coach Pete Goulding who was the defensive coordinator of the Roadrunners when Wilson was the head coach at UTSA.

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

The Revenue Estimating Conference determined that stronger than expected income tax revenue is one of the main drivers behind an estimated 293-million-dollar budget surplus for the current fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts and says the ultimate goal is to make income taxes in Louisiana a thing of the past.

Cut 15 (06) “…in this state.”

The state’s libraries are growing in popularity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

A former New Iberia police officer has been arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in New Orleans. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. The latest report shows that in 2024, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors – up eight and a half percent from 2023. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says the trend is very encouraging.

Cut 6 (09) “…workforce development classes.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a neighbor fatally shot a man who was attacking his girlfriend with a knife. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says the victim escaped her Mandeville area home through a window and frantically knocked on neighbors’ doors seeking help. She says one of the neighbors went outside to assist.

Cut 9 (08)  “…stop.”

No arrests have been made so far.

The application period for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ 38th enforcement academy is now open and runs through December 22nd. What’s different about this one is that this is a hybrid academy, meaning it will be open to both POST-certified police officers and non-POST-certified officers. Enforcement Division Superintendent Stephen Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy when it starts in late March.

Cut 5 (08) “…to 24 weeks.”

LSU moves one step closer to launching a School of Construction. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says construction is a very vital part of the U.S. economy.

Cut 8 (11) “…transforming this industry.”

The school would build on the current construction management program, which boasts some two-thousand students. The Board of Supervisors approved it last week, sending it to the Board of Regents for a vote sometime next year.

The last of the five people indicted in February’s hazing-related killing of Southern University student and Human Jukebox member Caleb Wilson has been booked into jail. 24-year-old Jadyn Landrum and four others were indicted last week on charges ranging from manslaughter to felony hazing to obstruction of justice. Landrum is charged with principal to felony hazing; he was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail this morning.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where a neighbor used lethal force to end a domestic dispute. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The application period for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ 38th enforcement academy is open through December 22nd. It open to those with and without law enforcement experience. Division Superintendent Stephen Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy

Cut 5 (08) “…to 24 weeks.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Though the legislature cut income taxes last year, stronger than expected income tax revenue is said to be one of the main reasons for the surplus. Fleming points out that the economies of Texas, Tennessee and Florida are doing the best in the country, and none of them have a state income tax.

LSU moves one step closer to launching the School of Construction. It would build on the current construction management program. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the earliest graduates are paying it forward in creating the new School of Construction.

Cut 7 (11) “…possible for us.”

Over three hundred people have been detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Louisiana since Operation Catahoula Crunch began over two weeks ago. That’s according to a social media post by Commander Gregory Bovino. The Department of Homeland Security said their goal was to detain 5,000 “worst of the worst” violent illegal immigrants targeting those with criminal records. Bovino said an aggravated felon drug trafficker who had previously been deported has been arrested. Some detainees have charges for violent crimes and others have traffic violations.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man was attacking his girlfriend with a knife when her neighbor fatally shot him. The Mandeville area woman attempted to flee her attacker by going through a window and frantically knocking on a neighbors’ door. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says one of the neighbors went outside to help her and commanded the attacker to stop and when he refused, the neighbor shot the attacker. Carboni says no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation continues

Cut 11 (04) “..the facts”

LSU is about to lead a building revolution. The Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the School of Construction within its College of Engineering, last week. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the school would build on the current construction management program.

Cut 6 (07) “…two-thousand students.”

She says construction is a vital part of the U.S. economy. The Board of Regents will vote on the program’s approval sometime next year.

LDWF is looking to train new Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officers. Stephen Clark, the superintendent of the enforcement division of LDWF, says applications are now being accepted for the department’s 38th enforcement academy.

Cut 4 (06) “…end of March.”

He says the academy is a hybrid academy, open to both POST-certified police officers and non-POST-certified officers. Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy.