A Chalmette woman has filed a lawsuit seeking to keep former President Donald Trump’s name off of Louisiana’s presidential primary ballot. A similar lawsuit was successful in Colorado, but not in Michigan. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the U-S Supreme Court will eventually have to rule.
Cut 8 (10) “…in Louisiana.”
Ashley Reeb of Chalmette states in her petition that based on Section 3 Amendment 14 of the U-S Constitution, Trump can not run for President because he engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021.

The next couple of mornings, most of the state will see temperatures get below freezing. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…
cut 13 (07) “…short term”
Lows tomorrow morning could dip below 30-degrees for central and north Louisiana.

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a home fire in Jonesboro claimed the life of a teenager last night. A grandmother and a four-year-old were able to escape the blaze, but they are hospitalized. An investigation into the cause is ongoing. The state fire Marshal says it’s the third fatal fire across Louisiana in as many days.

The State Bond Commission approves $15 million to help pay for the infrastructure to build Louisiana’s first Buc-ees in Lincoln Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Freezing temperatures are in the forecast tonight down to the I-10 corridor. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the forecasted low for Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria is around 30-degrees and some areas could see temperatures even lower than that…

Cut 12 (12)  “.. 25-degrees”  

The first Buc-cee’s in Louisiana is on track to open in 2025. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says $15 million from the bond commission, $6 million from the state, and an expected $6 million from Congress will fund the construction of service roads, interchanges, etc. for the toothy beaver superstore. He says it’s a good return on investment for the state.

Cut 4 (12) “…two years.”

We’ve seen them in other states and now there’s one in Louisiana, a lawsuit attempting to remove former President Donald Trump’s name off the March presidential primary ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A Louisiana resident has filed a lawsuit to take former President Trump off of the state’s March primary ballot. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the petitioner believes Trump should be disqualified because he violated Section Three of the 14th Amendment, and that the courts are facing three difficult questions…

Cut 7 (10) “…insurrection” 

Ciolino expects the U-S Supreme Court will eventually step in.

On Monday, the Louisiana law that bans procedures to alter the gender of a minor goes into effect. Because of resistance from LGBTQ rights groups, Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment expects the law to be challenged in court…

Cut 12 (08) “…will stand.” 

Governor Edwards, who vetoed the bill, expects it will be ruled unconstitutional.

The first Buc-cee’s in Louisiana is one step closer to reality. The Bond Commission has approved the city of Ruston’s request of $15 million to finance infrastructure to accommodate the project. Mayor Ronny Walker says now they are waiting on final plans from state transportation…

Cut 3 (10) “…the development.”

Construction is expected to begin next year and is projected to open in 2025.

Return season is underway and President of the Louisiana Better Business Bureau Carmen Million says before you try to return or exchange an unwanted gift, double-check the store’s policy.

Cut 9 (12) “…item back.” 

Stores are not required to accept exchanges or give refunds unless the merchandise was defective or misrepresented.

A Louisiana resident has filed a lawsuit seeking to take former President Donald Trump’s name off of the state’s presidential primary ballot in March. Ashley Reeb of Chalmette filed the petition. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the petitioner believes Trump should be disqualified because he violated Section Three of the 14th Amendment…
cut 6 (11) “…presidency’
A similar lawsuit was successful in Colorado, but not in Michigan. Ciolino says the U-S Supreme Court will eventually have to step in.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry takes office in eleven days and has yet to name a Transportation Secretary. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a sought after position…
cut 14 (11) “…that job”
On January 1st, it will be illegal for doctors to perform certain procedures to alter the sex of transgender minors. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 29 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana native Gypsy Blanchard has been released from prison in Missouri after serving around 8 years for stabbing her mother Dee Blanchard. Gypsy, who was born in Raceland, testified she killed her mother after she was forced to live her childhood as as a disabled. Dee Blanchard benefited by receiving gifts and other donations. Gypsy Blanchard told TMZ she hopes to meet Taylor Swift who has been an inspiration to her.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry will become Louisiana’s 57^th governor in less than two weeks and there are still cabinet positions to fill. The state’s next Transportation Secretary has not been appointed. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 13 (05) “…of activity”

The next transportation secretary will have a major say about how to fund new interstate bridges in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge and other major infrastructure projects.

A law that blocks procedures to change the gender of a minor goes into effect Monday.  Because other surrounding states passed similar legislation, Grant Parish Representative GabeFirment feared it would bring minors seeking gender-affirming medical care to the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…experimental procedures.” 

Firment expects the law to be challenged in court.

Starting Monday, millions of workers across the nation will get a pay bump as minimum wage increases in 22 states, but Louisiana’s minimum wage remains at 7.25 an hour.  Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says the minimum wage is still below an adequate living wage for a full-time worker in the Bayou State.

Cut 5 (12) “…so low.”

Start your New Year off with a guided hike at one of Louisiana’s state parks or historic sites. State parks across the country are participating in the First Day Hikes project. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the addition of track chairs will allow individuals confined to wheelchairs, walkers, or similar devices to enjoy the trails with family and friends.

Cut 9 (07)  “…and their family.”

A minimum wage increase goes into effect Monday in 22 states, while Louisiana remains one of over a dozen states that is keeping the federal minimum wage at 7.25 an hour.
Cut 4 (12) “…Louisiana legislature.”
That’s Jan Moeller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, but U-L Lafayette economist Gary Wagner says wages have been on the rise since the pandemic and a higher minimum wage is not needed.

A law going into effect on New Year’s Day is a measure that bans gender affirming procedures on children. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored the legislation and expects a legal challenge….
cut 12 (08) “….will stand”
Governor Edwards opposed the legislation, because he says it denies healthcare to a small, unique and vulnerable group of children.

Republican Jeff Landry will become the state’s 57th governor on January 8th. Landry is still filling out his cabinet as he’s yet name who will be the secretaries for the department of transportation, natural resources, economic development and corrections under his administration. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are hundreds of positions that need to be filled when a new administration takes over…
cut 15 (11) “….state government”

On January 1st, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging the public to kick off the new year with a hike at one of Louisiana’s State Parks. Nungesser says some of the hikes are guided…
cut 8 (11) “…of the parks”
Nungesser says nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Sam Houston State Park hike led by Southwest Master Naturalist Barbara Morris.

Over a dozen new laws will go into effect on January 1st. One of the more controversial bills going into effect is a bill that bans gender affirming care for trans minors in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards called it an attack on transgender children and vetoed it, but the Legislature overrode the veto. Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment wrote the legislation…
cut 10 (08) “….protect children”
The legislation is expected to face a legal challenge.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry takes office in eleven days and has yet to name a Transportation Secretary. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a sought after position…
cut 14 (11) “…that job”
Landry also has to name a new Economic Development Secretary and Natural Resources Secretary.

On January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase in 22 states, while in Louisiana it holds steady at $7.25 an hour…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Looking for something to do on New Year’s Day. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser recommends taking a hike in a State Park…
cut 7 (07) “….21 state parks”

Eleven days from now, Governor-elect Jeff Landry will be sworn in, and he still has several major positions to fill in his cabinet. Landry has yet to name the next Transportation Secretary. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a coveted position with federal transportation dollars available to spend…
Cut 13 (05) “…of activity”
Alford says former and current legislators are in interested in becoming the next state Transportation Secretary, but he says Landry could also pick a former Trump administration official.

There are 22 states that will increase the minimum wage on January 1st. In Louisiana, the minimum wage will remain $7.25 an hour, it’s been that way since 2009. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says Louisiana continues to lose population as many search for higher wages. He says for the Bayou State to be more competitive, a higher minimum wage is needed…
cut 6 (07) “…an hour”
Governor-elect Landry says the state’s focus should be on bringing in good paying jobs, instead of raising the minimum wage.

Louisiana State Parks has a suggestion for New Year’s day. Colleen Crain has the details
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Temperatures will dip into the upper 20s for much of north Louisiana tonight. We’ll see near freezing temperatures for south Louisiana.

A 16-year-old is dead, and his 13-year-old passenger was airlifted to Baton Rouge after the stolen vehicle they were in crashed and burst into flames early this morning. The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office says a chase ended in Pointe Coupee Parish after the car was spotted driving recklessly on I-10. The vehicle crashed a mile or more after spikes were deployed on Highway 411 to stop the vehicle. The driver and his girlfriend are believed to be from the New Orleans area.

The Thibodaux Police Department is under fire after an officer fatally shot a loose dog on Christmas Day. Jeff Dorson with the Humane Society of Louisiana says it could have been avoided if more law enforcement officers were properly trained…

Cut 8 (10) “…used to this.” 

A press release from Thibodaux PD says the officer was bit by the dog before shooting it.

2023 will come to an end with cooler temperatures with lows in the mid to low 30s. National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Tyler Stanfield says it will hover around the freezing mark for the southern half of the state this weekend.

Cut 3 (12) “…Friday Saturday.”

There are plenty of respiratory illnesses plaguing the state right now. LSU Health  New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says while there are vaccines for COVID, the flu, and RSV now, unfortunately, the state’s vaccination rate is woefully low. So, if you find yourself not up to par…

Cut 11 (11) “…been vaccinated.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry still has several major positions to fill in his cabinet including Transportation Secretary who will have a major say about how to fund new interstate bridges in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge and other major infrastructure projects. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Landry has options…

Cut 14 (11) “…that job.” 

In addition to the multiple respiratory viruses, like COVID, and RSV, going around right now, LSU Health Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says Louisiana is a hot spot for influenza.

Cut 10 (09) “…in the state.”

After fatally shooting a loose dog on Christmas Day the Thibodaux Police Department is receiving criticism for overreacting. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Cooler temperatures expected over the next few days in the Bayou State, bringing temperatures in the mid to low 30s to parts of the state. National Weather Service New Orleans Meteorologist Tyler Stanfield also expects light rain chances on New Years Day. Stanfield says El Nino climate conditions in the Gulf of Mexico will bring the Bayou State temperatures in the 60s and possibly wetter conditions through February.

Cut 5 (12) “ …that period.”