Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans cannot support a 111-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel without policy changes that will reduce the number of illegal crossings across the southern border. Jeff Palermo has more..

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult and overwhelming at times says Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut, and with tomorrow being the deadline to choose a 2024 Medicare health plan or make changes to current plans, he says there are free services to help guide individuals to a plan that is best for them.

Cut 4 (12) “…you nothing.”

Newly appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Richard Nelson made a campaign promise while he was a candidate for governor in the most recent race. He promised to repeal the state income tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the popularity of no state income tax in nearby Texas and Florida, and a GOP super-majority in the legislature, plus Nelson’s appointment brings even more momentum for the initiative…

Cut 10 (10) “…the revenue.”

Two juveniles and their mother have now been arrested for the November 13^th murder of 36 year old Kameron Bedsole in Iberia Parish. The first arrest of an 11 year old girl came last week. On Tuesday Houston Police acting on a warrant from Iberia Parish, arrested a 15 year old boy. The mother of the two juveniles, 40 year old, Sabrina Washington, was also arrested on Tuesday. All 3 have been charged with 1^st degree murder. Washington was also charged with accessory after the fact. Sheriff Tommy Romero is asking the public for patience and prayers.

Mandeville Representative and former gubernatorial candidate Richard Nelson has been appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s speculation Governor-elect Jeff Landry promised Nelson a job in exchange for dropping out of the race…

Cut 9 (12) “…Republican.” 

One of Nelson’s campaign promises was to repeal the state income tax.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans are unified and will not approve a 110-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel unless it addresses southern border security. Cassidy says since President Biden took office there have been eight-million illegal crossings…

Cut 6 (06) “…not done so”

Democratic leadership in the Senate says this funding for Ukraine is desperately needed and the bill should not be tied to extreme immigration proposals.

If you’re still looking for Medicare health coverage or want to change your existing plan, you have until tomorrow to meet the 2023 Medicare Annual Enrollment deadline. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

A federal judge is expected to rule soon if the state will need to redraw it’s legislative maps. The case is similar to the state’s congressional map that was found in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The case questions if lawmakers diluted minority voting for both the House and state Senate. Lawmakers are poised to have a special session to redraw the congressional map next month.

Insuring Louisiana’s school buildings is becoming a struggle with climbing insurance rate increases. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Former gubernatorial candidate Richard Nelson will be the state’s next Secretary for the Department of Revenue. That announcement was made by Governor-elect Jeff Landry today. Nelson dropped out of the governor’s race before the election and endorsed Landry. Nelson is currently a state lawmaker from Mandeville.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans will not support a 111-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel unless the legislation contains provisions to slow the number of illegal crossings across the southern border. Demorats say there is funding in the bill for border protection and customs enforcement, but Cassidy says Republicans want policy changes…
cut 8 (11) “….country of orgin”
Cassidy says since President Biden took office there have been eight-million illegal crossings.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans are united in their opposition to a 110-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel, if the legislation does not contain policy changes to slow the number of illegal crossings over the U-S Mexico border…
cut 7 (09 “…southern border”
Democrats say funding for Israel and Ukraine should not contain extreme immigration proposals.

The state transportation department has pushed back the deadline for executing the public-private partnership for widening Interstate 10 in Lake Charles including the construction of a new two-point-one billion dollar bridge. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz…
Cut 10 (08) “…this project.”
The project needs legislative approval and the House Transportation Committee voted against it as several lawmakers objected to use of tolls. The new legislature will have until February 1st to vote on the proposal.

Property insurance premiums are rising for many homeowners and the same goes for school systems. Louisiana School Board Association lobbyist Dannie Garrett says some districts have seen a 30 to 50-percent increase in year-to-year property insurance costs, but state funding for schools has been relatively flat…
cut 9 (06) “….per pupil”

The deadline for choosing a 2024 Medicare health plan is tomorrow. For those still seeking coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut says Louisianans 65 and older can choose Medicare Parts A, B, D, or a combination of the three.
Cut 3 (12) “…to go.”
Bertaut says Blue Cross has experts available to help beneficiaries find a plan.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans are unified and will not approve a 110-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel unless the legislation addresses southern border security. Cassidy says since President Biden took office there have been eight-million illegal crossings…

Cut 6 (06) “…not done so”

Democratic leadership in the Senate says this funding for Ukraine is desperately needed and the funding bill should not be tied to extreme immigration proposals.

Republican John Nickelson has won his lawsuit challenging the results of the November 18th Caddo Parish sheriff’s election. He lost the race by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn, a judge has ruled for a new election because of 11 questionable votes. Political analyst Scott Hughes expects Whitehorn to appeal the decision.

Cut 5 (12) “…on this.”

Many Louisiana residents have felt the financial squeeze from rising property insurance rates, and it’s also a problem for school systems. Dannie Garrett, lobbyist for the Louisiana School Board Association, says premiums are going up and funding from the state is not matching the increase…

Cut 8 (11) “…school system.” 
Legislators are expected to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year.

State Transportation will give the next Legislature an opportunity to approve a public-private partnership that would result in the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The current House Transportation Committee rejected the plan, because of its reliance on tolls as a source of funding. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give a new group of legislators a say…

cut 11 (07) “….cost anything”
The deadline has been extended from December 3rd to February first.

Judge Joe Bleich has ordered a new runoff election in the Caddo Sheriff’s race after ruling the results void. Republican candidate John Nickelson challenged the November 18^th outcome after he lost to Democrat Henry Whitehorn by one vote. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says the earliest an election can be held is next spring.

Cut 6 (12) “…local race.”

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator’s term ends June 30^th.

Homeowners in the Bayou State are feeling the pinch of increasing property insurance premiums and so are school districts. Louisiana School Boards Association Lobbyist, Dannie Garrett…

Cut 7 (09) “…money somewhere.”

Garret says expenses associated with school buildings are schools’ second largest expense and insurance rates continue to rise.

State Transportation has extended the deadline for the public-private partnership to widen Interstate 10 and construct a new Calcasieu River Bridge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans swamp fire that contributed to the 168-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish plie that killed eight people and injured 63 others nearly a month ago has finally been put out. Officials say the fire drilled into the swamp’s dense soil which had become dry and combustible after weeks of drought.

Insuring Louisiana’s school buildings is becoming a struggle with climbing rate increases. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

After a tense debate, the Terrebonne Parish School Board made the difficult decision to close three elementary schools, which will send students, teachers and staff to other schools next school year.

ULM will hold a press conference at 11 AM today to introduce Bryant Vincent as its new football coach.

The state transportation department has pushed back the deadline for executing the public-private partnership for widening Interstate 10 in Lake Charles including the construction of a new two-point-one billion dollar bridge. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz…
Cut 10 (08) “…this project.”
The project needs legislative approval and the House Transportation Committee voted against it as several lawmakers objected to use of tolls. The new legislature will have until February 1st to vote on the proposal.

Earlier this year Niagara Bottling announced plans to build a 160-million dollar production facility in Ponchatoula. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Regine Williams says Niagara Bottling is holding a job fair today and tomorrow in Hammond as they plan to create 70 new jobs…
cut 14 (04) “…hiring event”
It takes place today until 3:30 PM at Chappapeela Sports Park in Hammond and then again tomorrow from 8 AM until 1:30 PM.

Judge Joe Bleich has ordered a new election in the Caddo Sheriff’s race. Teiko Foxx reports Republican John Nickelson challenged the election after losing by one vote…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will hear a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Diocese of Lafayette that claims the church knew Reverend Kenneth Morvant acted inappropriately with altar boys. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Doug Bienvenu who says he was abused when he was nine years old. Morvant died in 2002.

Property insurance premiums are rising for many homeowners and the same goes for school systems. Louisiana School Board Association lobbyist Dannie Garrett says some districts have seen a 30 to 50-percent increase in year-to-year property insurance costs, but state funding for schools has been relatively flat…
cut 9 (06) “….per pupil”

A plan to use public and private dollars, including toll money, to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is still alive as a new deadline of February first has been set for legislative approval. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give the new administration and Legislature a chance to weigh in…
cut 12 (10) “….path forward”
Southwest Louisiana legislators oppose the idea of using tolls to pay for a new bridge.

Republican John Nickelson has won his lawsuit challenging the results of the November 18th Caddo Parish sheriff’s election. Nickelson lost the race by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn, but a judge has ruled a new election should take place because there were 11 questionable votes counted….
cut 4 (12) “…vote margin”
Political analyst Scott Hughes says unless the ruling is overturned on appeal, the re-do election will take place in March.

The state department of transportation will give the next Legislature an opportunity to approve a public-private partnership that would result in the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The current House Transportation Committee rejected the plan, because of its reliance on tolls as a source of funding. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give a new group of legislators a say…
cut 11 (07) “….cost anything”
The deadline has been extended from December 3rd to February first.

Many Louisiana residents have felt the financial squeeze from rising property insurance rates, it’s also a growing problem for school systems. Dannie Garrett is a lobbyist for the Louisiana School Board Association and he says premiums are going up and funding from the state is not matching the increase in insurance cost…
cut 8 (11) “…school system”
Legislators are expected to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year.

In partnership with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Niagara Bottling is hosting a two-day hiring event, today and tomorrow in Hammond. Regine Williams with the LWC says they are looking to hire employees for their new water bottling plant in Ponchatoula.
Cut 13 (09) “…and more.”
Last January Niagara Bottling announced plans to invest up to 160-million dollars on a new production facility near Hammond.

A judge calls for a new sheriff’s election in Caddo Parish after Republican John Nickelson challenged the results when he lost the run-off and recount by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says the judge identified at least 11 illegal votes.

Cut 4 (13) “…vote margin.”

The election, if not appealed, will be held in March.

State Police have arrested 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen after the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 66-year-old cyclist Henry Savoie of Larose last week. Trooper Ross Brennan says the crash happened on LA Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish. Nguyen is charged with hit and run driving with serious injury or death…

Cut 10 (06) “…of the crash”  

Savoie died over the weekend.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says a decision has yet to be made if quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in the Tigers bowl game on New Year’s Day in Tampa against Wisconsin. Daniels is a likely top-ten pick in the 2024 NFL draft and Kelly says the Heisman finalist understands the pros and cons of playing in one more college game…

Cut 15 (15) “…both sides of it.”

=The University of Louisiana Monroe has named Bryant Vincent as their new head football coach. Vincent most recently served as Offensive Coordinator at the University of New Mexico and before that he was the interim head coach at UAB in 2022. ULL will hold a press conference Wednesday at 11 AM to officially welcome him to the Warhawk family.