A large tornado watch has been issued for most of Louisiana and portions of Mississippi and Texas.  This is just the start of a long day of expected severe weather with the threats extending well beyond 3 p.m. when this watch expires.   LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says while there’s potential for severe weather across Louisiana, some areas are at higher risk.

Cut 4 (13) “…else in Louisiana.”

Eight people were injured early this morning after a fight let to gunfire in Wallace.  It happened outside a local business just after midnight.  St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s officials say three people were shot, four others  sustained graze wounds and one other person was injured.  We’re told everyone is stable but there’s been no word on the extent of the injuries.  Authorities are still investigating the incident.

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Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at her first year in office and looks ahead to year two. Murrill says one of her biggest accomplishments is addressing crime in New Orleans through the creation of Troop NOLA within the State Police, saying it’s a force multiplier.

Cut 6 (10) “…have a need.”

The Ragin Cajuns will face TCU in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on this afternoon at 1:15. U-L Lafayette is in a bowl game for a seventh straight year and they are 10-and-3 on the season, while the Horned Frogs are 8-and-4. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win….

Cut 16 (12) “…going to win.”

It’s the first ever meeting between the two schools on the football field.

A 13-year-old boy is hit and killed while riding a bicycle on a dark country roadway in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police say Benjamin Mixon of Kentwood was riding with another juvenile on State Highway 1061 at around 6:30 Thursday evening when an SUV hit them from behind. Because the speed limit is 55 miles an hour and there’s no shoulder, there was likely no way the driver could have seen the two until it was too late. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) says the riders did not help matters with the clothing they were wearing.

Cut 13 (05)  “…on the roadway.”

Also, Gremillion says neither bike had any lights on it.

Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at her first year in office. Murrill says one of her biggest accomplishments is addressing crime in New Orleans through the creation of Troop NOLA within the State Police, saying it’s a force multiplier.

Cut 6 (10) “…have a need.”

Louisiana Tech is looking to upset 22nd ranked Army in the Independence Bowl. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saturday is a day in which you will want to be weather aware. A cold front is coming through, and that’s going to bring heavy rains. While there’s potential for severe weather everywhere across the state, areas in northeast Louisiana, including Alexandria, will be at higher risk of severe storms than others. Those in the northern and eastern portions of the state should also be prepared for the potential of tornadoes.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at year one in office and looks ahead to year two. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

No matter where in the state you are, you will want to be weather aware tomorrow. LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming through, and that’s going to bring heavy rains.

Cut 3 (09) “…even heavier rainfall.”

LSU is getting a big name and some experience back at linebacker next season. Junior linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. announced he’s coming back to LSU for the 2025 season. Perkins, who has 13 career sacks, and 164 tackles announced his return on Instagram. In the 2024 season opener against USC, he led LSU in tackles but tore his ACL in the game again UCLA and only played 4 games in the 2024 season.

For the sixth time in the program’s history, Louisiana Tech will play in the Independence Bowl. The Bulldogs will battle 22^nd ranked Army at 8:15 on Saturday night. The Black Knights are led by quarterback Bryson Dailey, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Tech Coach Sonny Cumbie says not only does Army have a great quarterback, but their offensive line is outstanding…

Cut 14 (07) “…offensive line.”

Louisiana Tech enters the game with a five and seven record, but statistically they have one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just over 300 yards a game

Looking ahead to her second year in office, Attorney General Liz Murrill says she would like to focus on the fentanyl crisis and she’s borrowing an idea Arizona’s Democratic attorney general and appointing a fentanyl opioid specialist to help decide how to spend opioid settlement money.

Cut 8 (16) “…the long-term.”

A 13-year-old boy Kentwood boy was hit by an SUV and killed while riding a bicycle on a dark country roadway in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police say Benjamin Mixon and another boy highway 1061 at around 6:30 yesterday evening when he was hit from behind. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) says there was no way the driver could have seen the two boys until it was too late.

Cut 12 (03) “…at a hillcrest.”

He adds the bikes had no lights and the boys were wearing dark colored clothing.

The Independence Bowl is Saturday night and Louisiana Tech is looking to upset 22^nd ranked Army. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 1.22 billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery Communications Director Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) says that’s a lump sum cash value of 549-million dollars and she recommends checking your numbers as soon as possible.

Cut 11 (13) “…claim their winnings.”

Tonight’s winning numbers will be drawn just before 10 p.m. Central time.

A 13-year-old boy from Kentwood was hit and killed while riding a bicycle on a dark country highway in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) says Benjamin Mixon was hit from behind by an SUV while he and another boy were riding on State Highway 1061 at around 6:30 yesterday evening. Gremillion says there was no way the driver could have seen the two boys until it was too late.

Cut 13 (05)  “…on the roadway.”

Also, Gremillion says neither bike had any lights on it. The SUV was traveling at 55 miles per hour and there was no roadway shoulder at the site.

Attorney General Liz Murrill is looking forward to her second year of service and says she would like to focus on the fentanyl crisis.

Cut 7 (15) “…opioid settlement money.”

Murrill says it’s an idea that the office of Arizona’s Democratic attorney general is implementing.

The whole state of Louisiana can expect rain and possibly some severe weather as a cold front comes through Saturday.  LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says those in the northern and eastern portions of the state should also be prepared for the potential of tornadoes.

Cut 5 (07) “…very strong tornadoes.”

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 1.22-billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery Communications Director Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) says it has a lump sum cash value of 549-million dollars.

Cut 9 (15)  “…September 11th,”

Tonight’s winning numbers will be drawn just before 10 p.m. Central time.

A 13-year-old boy is hit and killed while riding a bicycle on a dark country roadway in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police say Benjamin Mixon of Kentwood was riding with another juvenile on State Highway 1061 at around 6:30 yesterday evening when an SUV hit them from behind. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) says with a speed limit of 55 miles an hour and no shoulder, there was no way the driver could have seen the two boys until it was too late.

Cut 12 (03) “…at a hillcrest.”

Gremillion says both young bicyclists were wearing dark clothing.

Also in Tangipahoa Parish, a missing 14-year-old girl from Tennessee was found in a wooded area. Authorities say she spent Christmas living in a tent, while 28-year-old Alexander Materne was in Jennings with his family. Investigators say Materne drove to Tennessee to get the girl, and the two engaged in sexual acts in St. Charles Parish. Then Materne set up a tent for her in Tangipahoa Parish. Officials say the two met while playing an online game.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at year one in office and looks ahead to year two.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight’s jackpot for Mega Millions is a whopping one-point-two billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the jackpot started rolling over in September, but during that time three Louisiana players became millionaires…

Cut 10 (13) “….winning jackpot roll”

Tomorrow is a day in which you’ll want to be weather aware. LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will bring heavy rains, with some parts of the state being at higher risk of severe storms than others.

Cut 4 (13) “…else in Louisiana.”

Keim says those in the northern and eastern portions of the state should also be prepared for the potential of tornadoes.

Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at her first year in office and looks ahead to year two. Murrill says one of her biggest accomplishments is addressing crime in New Orleans through the creation of Troop NOLA within the State Police, saying it’s a force multiplier.

Cut 6 (10) “…have a need.”

As for her priorities in year two, Murrill said she would like to focus on the fentanyl crisis.

The Independence Bowl is Saturday night and Louisiana Tech is looking to upset 22nd ranked Army. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

No matter where in the state you’re at, you will want to be weather aware tomorrow. LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming through, and that’s going to bring heavy rains. 

Cut 3 (09) “…even heavier rainfall.” 

Keim says those in the northern and eastern portions of the state should also be prepared for the potential of tornadoes.

Starting Wednesday, you will know whether the shrimp you order at your favorite restaurant or you buy at the grocery store comes from Louisiana. A new law goes into effect January 1st requiring restaurants and distributors to clearly disclose whether the seafood was caught off the shores of Louisiana. The bill’s author, Marrero State Senator Patrick Connick, says the new law does not dictate what brand names the companies go by.

Cut 8 (07) “…product of China.”

Violators face stiff financial penalties.

An 11-year-old boy is killed in a Christmas morning house fire in Richland Parish. Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Edwards with the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says the home did not have working smoke detectors, and that made the difference between life and death.

Cut 11 (08) “…in the home.”

While the cause is still under investigation, Edwards says possibilities include faulty electrical wiring and a space heater placed close to flammable materials.

A hunter near Baton Rouge is recovering after being accidentally shot by another hunter. Agent Jared Riddle with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they were hunting at the same time on a small piece of property in Zachary that both had permission to be on, but they were unaware of each other’s presence.

Cut 13 (11)  “…hunter’s orange on.”

Come January 1st, whenever you buy seafood at the store or order seafood at your favorite restaurant, you will know whether it comes from Louisiana. A new law goes into effect that day requiring restaurants and distributors to clearly disclose where the seafood was caught.

Cut 7 (07) “…type of product.”

That’s Marrero Senator Patrick Connick. Connick says the new law also increases the fines and penalties for businesses that do not clearly mark the seafood’s origin on the packaging or menu.

An 11-year-old boy is killed in a Christmas morning house fire in Rayville. Assistant Fire Chief Rusty Edwards of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says an electrical malfunction with the home’s wiring or a space heater are potential causes. Edwards says the home also did not have working smoke alarms and he says the state agency is offering free smoke detectors…

Cut 10 (09) “…easily catch fire.”

Louisiana will be featured in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, to promote Louisiana tourism with a float called “Louisiana Saturday Night.”

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Leesville high school running back Xavier Ford has been named the Class Four-A offensive player of the year. Ford rushed for a state record 3,647 yards and 52 touchdowns this past season. Iowa’s Cohen Charles is the defensive player of the year in Class 4A as the senior had 159 tackles, four forced fumbles and four interceptions. Cecilia’s Dennis Skains is the coach of the year after leading the Bulldogs to their first state championship since 1995.

Authorities have found a missing 14-year-old girl from Tennessee living in a tent in a wooded area of Tangipahoa Parish. Twenty-eight-year-old Alexander Materne from St. Rose in St. Charles Parish has been arrested in her disappearance. Authorities say the two met while playing an online game and Materne went to Tennessee to get her. The two allegedly engaged in sexual acts in St. Rose and then she was brought to Tangipahoa Parish while Materne celebrated Christmas with his family in Jennings.

A young boy is killed in a Christmas morning house fire in Richland Parish….

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

For the fourth straight year, Louisiana will have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on January 1^st. The theme of this year’s float is Louisiana Saturday Night and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it will illustrate what a Saturday night in Louisiana is like. Nungesser says more than 100 Louisianians will help decorate the float…

Cut 5 (09) “…with all volunteers”

The float features a giant playful alligator wearing Mardi Gras beads, a Cajun Dance Hall and rising country music star Timothy Wayne will sing the iconic song “Louisiana Saturday Night.”

The origin of crawfish and shrimp and other seafood must be clearly labeled because of a new law that goes into effect on January 1^st. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick authored the legislation…

Cut 8 (07) “….product of China’

Connick says businesses who try to mislead the consumer with where the seafood originated from will face thousands of dollars fines.