150 Louisiana National Guard troops could be headed to the Southern border in Texas as soon as next month. Governor Jeff Landry says states need to step up, because the federal government is not doing enough to stop people from entering the country illegally. He says the National Guard can also slow the flow of fentanyl crossing the border. The governor says many people know someone who died from a fentanyl overdose.
Cut 28 (13) “…they please”

State Treasurer John Fleming opposes the proposed 2.5 billion dollar sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health. Fleming doesn’t like that Blue Cross will be owned by an out of state, publicly traded corporation…
cut 12 (07) “…this state”
Elevance Health says Louisiana is being subjected to a lot of misinformation about the proposed sale.

Super Bowl 58 is Sunday in Las Vegas and next year it will be in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says America’s biggest sporting event will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state…
cut 8 (11) “….Super Bowl”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is seeking entries for the 2024 PBS short film festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Landry has released the call for the crime special session. For 17 days starting on February 19th, state lawmakers will consider legislation that would result in harsher penalties for offenders who are 17-years-old. The governor also wants to restrict parole eligibility and increase the penalties for carjacking and expand the methods that the death sentence can be carried out. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the courts ultimately protect death row inmates when it comes to civil rights…
cut 15 (07) “…to pass”

State Treasurer John Fleming has come out in opposition to the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Fleming says he’s looked into what has happened in other states when Blue Cross was sold to Elevance Health…
cut 10 (11) “…to increase”
Elevance Health says it’s a trusted source of health coverage to more than 47 million people across the country.

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record tying 11th time next year. And State and city officials are in Las Vegas preparing for what’s ahead….
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is seeking entries for the 2024 PBS short film festival. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record tying 11^th time next year. And State officials are in Las Vegas preparing for what’s ahead. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________________

 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many including State Treasurer John Fleming. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

______________________________________________

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is looking for independent short filmmakers to submit entries for the 13^th annual PBS Short Film Festival. LPB spokesperson Colleen Spillane (Spuh-lan) says this is the tenth year Louisiana has participated and talent from the Pelican State has been represented every year in the past decade with an entry.

Cut 4 (08) “…in our state.”

Entries can be fiction or non-fiction and Spillane says a committee at LPB will then judge the entries and those that make the cut will be entered into the 2024 PBS Short Film Festival.

Cut 5 (11) “…quite frank.” 

Filmmakers are encouraged to visit lpb.org/filmfest for information on how to enter and specs for their submission. Spillane says the films need to be between three and fifteen minutes in length.

Cut 6 (08) “…nationwide.”

The deadline is February 21^st and the website is lpb.org/filmfest

__________________________________________

The Bayou State is already preparing to host Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next year. Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism is in Las Vegas to learn what’s ahead. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re going over protocols…

Cut 7 (09) “…next year.”

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record-tying 11^th time next year. The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans in 2013 produced a total of $480 million in economic impact on New Orleans’ economy.

Nungesser says New Orleans is not the only city that benefits from hosting a Super Bowl

Cut 8 (11) “…Super Bowl.” 

Nungesser expects steep competition to host future games as more cities build larger stadiums. And while the number of violent crimes in New Orleans dropped in 2023, Nungesser says the effort to buckle down on crime must continue.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to go.”

Super Bowl 59 will be played on February 9th at the Caesars Superdome.

_________________________________________________________

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many. Blue Cross says the move would improve access, quality, and affordability but State Treasurer and Family Doctor John Fleming says he, the Louisiana State Medical Society, and virtually all the specialty societies oppose this move because of the track record of Elevance in other states.

Cut 10 (11) “…to increase.”

Fleming is concerned that Indiana based Elevance would have people out of state administering the health coverage of the people of Louisiana. Close to Two million Louisianans have Blue Cross and Fleming says currently, Blue Cross is owned by its members and run for their benefit.

Cut 11 (08) “…be lost.” 

Fleming says for-profit Elevance Health has a poor track record for withdrawing or denying claims. He also says the publicly traded company could have owners anywhere in the world. He’s concerned since they’ve centralized operations in other states…

Cut 12 (07) “…this state.” 

_____________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry has called for a special session for lawmakers to debate his tough-on-crime legislation. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the will begin on Monday, February 19^th, and will consist of 24 policies.

Cut 13 (13)  “…on bail approach.”

Pinsonat says Landry is attempting to reverse former Governor John Bel Edwards’ Criminal Justice Reforms passed in his first term.

Pinsonat says the tough-on-crime approach is a nationwide trend among Republicans to reserve Democratic policies that shortened prison sentences and also allowed those accused of a crime the ability to not put up money for bail.

Cut 14 (10) “…or four years.”

Among Landry’s legislation is expanding ways the state can carry out the death penalty. Pinsonat points out that when it comes to the death penalty it’s the courts that ultimately protect prisoners when it comes to their civil rights.

Cut 15 (07) “…to pass.”

The special session will begin on February 19^th and is scheduled to end Wednesday, March 6^th. The Regular Session begins on March 11^th and adjourns on June 3^rd.

_______________________________________________________________

A week from today a new college baseball season will get underway. The LSU Tigers are looking to repeat as champs and they are picked to finish in second in the SEC West, behind Arkansas. There are questions about LSU’s offense, but they have one of the best hitters in college baseball. Coach Jay Johnson says third baseman Tommy White looks good after offseason shoulder surgery…

Cut 16 (17) “…this year.” 

Johnson is also thankful to have Hayden Travinksi back for a fifth season. Johnson says Travinski will provide protection for White in the Tigers batting order…

Cut 17 (20) “…around Tommy.” 

LSU will certainly miss Dylan Crews. The number two overall pick in last year’s Major League Baseball draft hit .426 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. Sophomore Paxton Kling will start in centerfield for the Tigers this season and Johnson is expecting a big season from the Pennsylvania native…

Cut 18 (15)  “…in that spot.”

_________________________________________________________________________

First-year ULM football coach Bryant Vincent believes the Warhawks signed the best running back out of the state of Mississippi. Vincent says Ahmad Hardy rushed for 22-hundred yards his senior season…

Cut 19 (16) “…big ones.” 

ULM signed 11 players on Wednesday after signing 30 during the early signing period in December. Vincent believes they addressed a lot of needs, but there’s still more work to do…

Cut 20 (25) “…to play.”

Governor Jeff Landry officially announced he’s deploying the Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to help keep drugs and human trafficking from flowing into the United States. The deployment is expected to cost the state three-million dollars and Landry says it’s well spent money….

Cut 3 (05) “…in Texas”  

Landry says several other states have also committed to sending their National Guard troops to the southern border.

Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise plans to return to Washington next week following treatment for multiple myeloma. In a press release Thursday, his office announced he successfully completed his stem cell treatment and is in complete remission.

The Bayou State is already preparing to host Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next year. Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism is in Las Vegas to learn what’s ahead. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re going over protocols…

Cut 7 (10) “…next year.”

The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans in 2013 produced a total of $480 million in economic impact on New Orleans’ economy.

Two educators in the Bayou State earned the national Milken Educator award. The recipients are Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan and Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack. Ryan says she could have never prepared herself for such an award.

Cut 9 (09) “…be me.”

Ryan and Waguespack received a $25 thousand dollar cash prize.

Governor Jeff Landry is sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the U-S Mexico border. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Financial problems have resulted in the town of Boyce laying off its entire police force, except for police chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). Goudeau is hopeful the town’s financial house can get back in order, so he can hire police officers again…

Cut 8 (08) “…all around us.” 

Goudeau says he’s been the police chief in Boyce since 2019, money problems plagued the town back then. Boyce mayor, Kelvin McCoy, says the police chief has significant authority over his budget and his budget has been completely expended.

An 18-year-old has been arrested for terrorizing after he allegedly made text and picture threats over Snap Chat. According to Thibodaux Police, Xavier Smith of Gheens, LA made the threats Tuesday morning to several E.D. White High School Students who were acquainted with an individual known to Smith. Smith was arrested Wednesday evening and is being held on $250,000 bond.

Two of the state’s top educators Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan and Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack. were surprised Wednesday with the Milken Educator award and each received a $25 thousand dollar cash prize. Waguespack says her goal is to create an environment where learning becomes a journey. She hopes to make a lasting impression on the lives of her science students.

Cut 12 (13) “…a scientist.”

Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard. The deployment could begin next month but Landry would not disclose how many guardsmen will be sent to Texas. Louisiana National Guard Brigadier General Thomas Friloux says their missions will be assigned through the Texas National Guard and they will not be detaining illegal individuals crossing the border…

Cut 5 (10) “…under Texas law”

Police Chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). is the only police officer left in the town of Boyce. Everyone else was due to the town’s financial issues. Goudeau says he’ll continue to patrol the town daily and Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies will also assist in law enforcement duties.

Cut 7 (10) “…personal rapport”  

Former LSU Women’s basketball star Alexis Morris will take the court as a Harlem Globetrotter Friday. Morris, known for her exceptional ball-handling, helped the LSU Lady Tigers win their first National Championship. She’s the seventh current woman to join the Globetrotters. Globetrotter president, Keith Dawkins says, “Signing Alexis reflects our commitment to pursuing the best ballers from around world.”

Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack was one of two Louisiana teachers to receive the Milken Educator award Wednesday. During a school assembly, Waguespack was recognized with the “Oscar of Teaching” for her innovative teaching skills and pursuing leadership opportunities. The Harry Hurst Middle school teacher believes this award is a tremendous honor for educators…

Cut 11 (13) “…productive people.”

An 18-year-old has been arrested for terrorizing after he allegedly made text and picture threats over Snap Chat. According to Thibodaux Police, Xavier Smith of Gheens, LA made the threats Tuesday morning to several E.D. White High School Students who were acquainted with an individual known to Smith. Smith was arrested Wednesday evening and is being held on $250,000 bond.

Louisiana National Guard troops could be headed to the Southern border in Texas as soon as next month. Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending the troops and says the mission will help train the guardsmen for active duty and it will also help slow the amount of fentanyl entering the United States. He says many people someone who has died from a fentanyl overdose.

Cut 4 (13) “…they please”

The Rapides Parish town of Boyce is without a police force after it had to layoff six of its officers. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

The Milken Educator award was announced Wednesday honoring Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan and Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack. Ryan was honored for challenging her 11^th and 12^th grade science students to take an active role in learning…

Cut 10 (12) “…them think.”

Governor Jeff Landry is sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the U-S Mexico border. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The suspect killed in a fatal officer involved shooting in Caddo Parish on Wednesday has been identified as 19-year-old Javaria Taylor. Authorities say shots were fired as officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant to Taylor, who was in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Deputy Justin Dunn took a bullet but is expected to recover.

Congratulations to Kelly Ryan and Lauren Waguespack! The two Louisiana teachers won the Milken educator award, the nation’s preeminent teachers’ program. Waguespack, a sixth grade teacher at Harry Hurst Middle school in Destrahan hopes to make a lasting impression on the lives of her science students.

Cut 12 (13) “…a scientist.”

Ryan and Waguespack was awarded a 25-thousand dollars cash prize for their outstanding work as a educators.

Boyce Police Chief Ronald Goudeau is the only officer left in the police department as a result of the town’s budget cuts. Goodeau says the town’s finances could no longer support the salaries of his six officers who were laid off…

Cut 6  (10) “..financial plan” 

Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard in border security. The deployment is expected to cost the state three-million dollars and Landry says it’s well-spent money….

Cut 3 (05) “…in Texas”  

He says other states have also committed to sending troops to the border.

Financial problems have force the town of Boyce to lay off their entire police force except for police chief Ronald Goudeau (Good-oh). He’s hopeful the town’s financial house can get back in order, so he can hire police officers again…

Cut 8 (08) “…all around us.” 

Goudeau says he’ll continue to patrol the town daily and Rapides Parish Sheriff deputies will also assist in law enforcement duties.

Two more Louisiana educators were surprised Wednesday with the Milken Educator award, and each received a $25 thousand dollar cash prize. The recipients are Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack and Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan, who says she could have never prepared herself for such an award.

Cut 9 (09) “…be me.”

Christine Bayard of Johnston-Hopkins Elementary in Iberia Parish and Derrick Winn of Crestworth Elementary in Baton Rouge also received the Milken Educator award this week.

LSU Football had a successful signing day yesterday as six players signed through the transfer portal including three defensive backs, two receivers, and former Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swann, who LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly is excited to have on campus.

Cut 20 (17) “ … quarterback position.”

LSU will begin spring practice on March 5th and their spring game will be on April 13th.

—

ULM also had a successful National Signing Day as the Warhawks added 11 players that make its class the highest rated class at ULM in three years. The class ranks fourth in the Sun Belt and is very balanced, including 6 offensive players and 5 defensive players.

—

And in baseball news, UL-Lafayette shortstop Kyle DeBarge was picked to be the 2024 Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year.

—

The LSU Lady Tigers take on Vanderbilt tonight after dominating the Florida Gators 106 to 66 on Sunday. After suffering two tough losses to South Carolina and Mississippi State, LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey says that she’s proud of her team’s grit this season.

Cut 16 (16) “… game too.”

Tip off will be at 8 pm.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans extended their three game win streak against the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday winning 117 to 106.

—

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team suffered their second home loss of the season against the Georgia State last night, 78 to 69. LA Tech suffered their first home loss of the season to Western Kentucky 81 to 76. ULM defeated Coastal Carolina at home, 79 to 75 and LSU could never get settled in their 88 to 68 loss on the road to Tennessee.