Governor Jeff Landry has issued the call for a redistricting special session to redraw the Congressional and Supreme Court maps. Senate President Cameron Henry says they’ll also debate moving to a closed primary…

Cut 4 (08) “…cost of it.”

The session will begin Monday and has until January 23rd to wrap up.

A JMC Analytics poll reveals 26 percent of Louisianans believe the cost of homeowner and car insurance is the biggest issue in the Bayou State. Pollster John Couvillon says residents are paying attention to what lawmakers are going to do about insurance rates.

Cut 6 (07) “…insurance commissioner.” 

On average, homeowners in the Bayou State pay about two thousand dollars every year for insurance – that’s 700 dollars more than the national average.

Lambda Legal, a civil rights defense organization that focuses on LGBTQ rights is suing the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners over the ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan says the ban sets a precedent that could reach far beyond the transgender community.

Cut 14 (07) “…all in Louisiana.” 

He says the law is unconstitutional.

Library usage in the Bayou State increased 21 percent from 2021 to 2022. State Librarian Meg Placke says Louisianan’s 334 public libraries are much more than just books. In 2022 they provided close to 75-thousand programs, in-person and virtual events for the community that recorded more than two million attendees.

Cut 11 (12) “…and needed.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has issued the call for a redistricting special session. It will begin Monday and legislators will have until January 23rd at 6 PM to finish their work. Senate President Cameron Henry says legislators will redraw the Congressional and Supreme Court map and debating a move to a closed primary elections…

Cut 3 (09) “…get done.”

Moving from open primary elections to closed primaries would be a major change in how we elect our officials.

Louisiana legislators elected Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow as President Pro Tem on Monday.  Barrow thanked members of the Senate for having faith in her leadership and she referred to her husband, James, who died in 2020.

Cut 8 (13) “…grandfather’s place.” 

Lambda Legal is suing the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners on behalf of five families in the state. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan says the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors is unconstitutional…

Cut 13 (11) “…who they are.” 

The law, that went into in Louisiana on January 1st, Gonzalez-Pagan says sets a precedent that could reach far beyond the transgender community.

Flu and COVID cases are on the rise across the nation and the Bayou State has among the highest levels. Ochsner Medical Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly urges Louisianans to practice respiratory etiquette by washing their hands frequently and…

Cut 6 (12) “…that way.”

On his first day in office, Governor Jeff Landry released the call for a special session and issued two executive orders. The special session to redraw the Congressional map will begin next Monday and last until January 23rd. The session will also give legislators the opportunity to vote on a proposal to move Louisiana from open primary elections to closed primaries.

An executive order vetoes the graduation appeal process approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Several BESE members wanted to give high school seniors other options to graduate if they did not pass the LEAP exam.

Legislative leaders have been selected. Eunice Republican Phillip Devillier is House Speaker, Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is Speaker Pro Tem, Metairie Republican Cameron Henry is Senate President and Baton Rouge Democrat Regina Barrow is Senate President Pro Tem…
cut 9 (08) “…very much”

COVID and flu cases are circulating in Louisiana at high levels.…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Library usage is on the rise. A new report shows nine million people visited libraries in 2022, up 21-percent from 2021. State Librarian Meg Placke says it’s welcome news after a dip during the pandemic…
cut 10 (08) “….we have”
Patrons checked out more than 46 million items in 2022.

Eunice Republican Phillip DeVillier begins his first full day as Louisiana’s House Speaker. He was sworn in yesterday shortly after a new Legislature took the oath of office. The 47-year-old says a new Legislature brings new hope and a sense of unity to accomplish great things…
cut 30 (14) “…succeeds”
Pineville Republican Mike Johnson was named Speaker Pro-Tem.

Senators elected Metairie Republican Cameron Henry as their new President and Baton Rouge Democrat Regina Barrow as President Pro Tem. Barrow gave an emotional speech…
cut 7 (13) “…he knew”
Chairmanships will be announced this week.

The flu is going around and we still are not at the peak of the season. Ochsner Medical Director Doctor Sandra Kemmerly says they’ve seen an increase in flu-like respiratory illnesses…
cut 5 (12) “….we perform”

Library visits in Louisiana increased by 21 percent in 2022 and it’s not just about books. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A lawsuit has been filed to block the state from enforcing a new law that prohibits certain procedures to alter the sex of a minor child. Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Louisiana transgender youth. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan says the ban prohibits their clients from either moving from one treatment to another or inhibits their ability to start any treatment…
cut 15 (12) “….this ban”
The author of the legislation, Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, says the lawsuit was expected, but appellate courts in other states have upheld similar laws.

The call for a special redistricting session went out late Monday afternoon. It will begin next Monday afternoon and must conclude on January 23rd. Lawmakers will attempt to redraw the state’s Congressional district map and the Supreme Court map.

Louisiana is seeing the highest activity level of flu and COVID cases in the nation. Ochsner Medical Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the seasonal flu shouldn’t be taken lightly and the best protection is getting vaccinated.
Cut 4 (12) “…some cases.”
According to the Department of Health, emergency room visits in the state between December 17 through 23 were at 14 percent – the highest in more than a decade and double the national average.

The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen is expected to remain the Saints head coach. Colleen Crain…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

COVID and flu cases are circulating in Louisiana and in the southeast at very high levels. Teiko Foxx spoke with a health expert on what that means for the Bayou State…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Library visits in Louisiana increased by 21 percent in 2022 and it’s not just about books. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen is expected to remain the Saints head coach. Colleen Crain…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana is seeing the highest activity level of flu and COVID cases in the nation. Ochsner Medical Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the seasonal flu shouldn’t be taken lightly and the best protection is getting vaccinated.

Cut 4 (12) “…some cases.”

According to the Department of Health, emergency room visits in the state between December 17 through 23 last year were at 14 percent – the highest in more than a decade and double the national average.

Kemmerly says flu activity has passed any of its highest points in the past five years and we still are not at the peak of the season. She says Ochsner rates show an increase in flu-like respiratory illnesses.

Cut 5 (12) “…we perform.”

There were 357 new COVID patients and 374 flu patients admitted in the state for the week ending December 30th, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Kemmerly says that the JN-dot-one-variant can cause fever, chills, body aches, respiratory symptoms, and cough. She urges residents to practice respiratory etiquette by washing their hands frequently and…

Cut 6 (12) “…that way.”

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Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow gave an emotional speech after being elected President Pro Tem on Monday. Before the Republican super-majority legislature, the Democrat referenced her faith…

Cut 7 (13) “…he knew.”

Barrow thanked members of the Senate for having faith in her leadership and she also referred to her husband of more than three decades, James, who died of COVID in 2020.

Cut 8 (13) “…grandfather’s place.” 

During that transition, Barrow says she also lost her godson and her campaign manager.

Echoing Governor Jeff Landry’s inaugural address, Barrow also called for unity and asked lawmakers to do what’s best for the state. She says she looks forward to continuing to serve the citizens of this great state.

Cut 9 (08)  “…very much (clapping).”

Lawmakers are expected to convene for their first Special Session on Monday, January 15^th to redraw the state’s congressional district map.

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Library usage in Louisiana is on the uptick. According to Public Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report more than 9 million visits were recorded in 2022 and patrons checked out more than 46 million items. State Librarian Meg Placke (Plack-ee) says it’s welcome news after a dip during the pandemic.

Cut 10 (08) “…we have.”

Visits increased 21 percent from 2021.

Placke says the state’s 334 public libraries are much more than just books. In 2022 they provided close to 75-thousand programs, in-person and virtual events for the community that recorded more than two million attendees.

Cut 11 (12) “…and needed.” 

Librarians were busy answering 2.5 million reference questions online and in person in 2022 and Placke invites even more visitors to research what’s going on at their local library…

Cut 12 (11) “…just books.” 

In 2022, almost 54% of Louisianans, 2.4 million, were library card holders. Placke says as they begin to crunch the numbers for 2023, they expect visits will be even higher than 2022.

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Lambda Legal, a civil rights defense organization that focuses on LGBTQ rights is suing the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners on behalf of five families in the state. Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan says the state’s ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors is unconstitutional…

Cut 13 (11) “…who they are.”

The law, that went into in Louisiana on January 1st, Gonzalez-Pagan says sets a precedent that could reach far beyond the transgender community.

Cut 14 (07) “…all in Louisiana.” 

Gonzalez-Pagan says the Louisiana lawsuit is on behalf of five families who are directly impacted by the ban. He says the ban prohibits their clients from either moving from one treatment to another or inhibits their ability to start any treatment whatsoever.

Cut 15 (12) “…this ban.”

Lamba Law has filed lawsuits in states with similar bans like North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Montana, and Texas.

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The LSU men’s basketball team has a chance to go 2-0 in the SEC tonight when they host Vanderbilt. The Tigers won their SEC opener on Saturday night against Texas A-and-M, while the Commodores while the Commodores are 5-9 overall. But Coach Matt McMahon says they can’t take Vandy lightly…

Cut 16 (16) “..recent games.” 

LSU has played better since Tulane transfer Jalen Cook was granted eligibility in mid-December. Cook in four games is averaging 14 points and nearly five assists a game, McMahon says Cook has been a real shot in the arm…

Cut 17 (18) “…the team.” 

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The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen will remain the Saints head coach. Allen told reporters on Monday he also expects to be back in 2024 but knows he has to do a better job…

Cut 18 (19)  “…didn’t.” 

The Saints were a 9-8 in 2023, just missing the playoffs. Quarterback Derek Carr received plenty of criticism from the fanbase during the season, but finished the strong. Allen says there are several reasons why Carr played well down the stretch…

Cut 19 (26) “…he’s played.” 

Allen was asked if there was a divide between the players and coaches after the players decided to score a touchdown in the final seconds against Atlanta, while Allen wanted quarterback Jameis Winston to take a knee. Allen says everyone is on the same page…

Cut 20 (10) “…fracture.”

All of south Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 o’clock tonight. Possible severe thunderstorms, hail, and flash flooding is expected for southeastern Louisiana this afternoon through early tomorrow morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannan…

Cut 5 (13) “ …potential develops.” 

Bannan says once the line starts to develop, it will move to the east quickly and out of the Bayou State by early morning.

Metairie Republican Cameron Henry was elected as Senate President. Henry was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 and he’s beginning his second term as a state senator…

Cut 11 (05) “…great honor”

LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Todd Fontenot says conditions have made it extremely difficult for this year’s crawfish season. He says many crawfish farmers made adjustments, for example, those who rotate from rice to crawfish, he says they irrigated post-harvest.

Cut 7 (11) “…as big as an effect.” 

On the bright side, Fontenot says the mild winter we’ve had so far has improved conditions for crawfish. But he’s quick to point out that for some farmers salinity issues and lack of rice stubble have devastated their mudbug crop.

The Saints missed the playoffs despite blowing out Atlanta out 48-17 yesterday to finish with a 9-8 record. There’s a lot of talk about what happened at the end of the game when Jamaal Williams scored a touchdown from one yard out with three seconds left. Coach Dennis Allen didn’t want his team to score again

Atlanta Coach Arthur Smith was furious after the game and refused to shake Allen’s hand. Quarterback Jameis Winston says it was a team decision to give Williams the ball so he can finish the year with one touchdown…

Cut 13 (09) “..good about that” 

Eunice Republican Phillip Devillier was elected as Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House today. Devillier was elected to the House in 2015 and his district includes parts of Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes. Devillier’s acceptance speech hit on a theme Governor Jeff Landry touched on during his inauguration speech and that’s unity….

Cut 9 (09) “… are coming” 

This crawfish season is among the most questionable in the Bayou State after the oppressive heat and drought of 2023. LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Todd Fontenot says conditions have made it extremely difficult for the state’s favorite crustacean crop to thrive.

Cut 6 (08) “…this time.” 

Crawfish normally lay eggs in August but the drought dried out those areas where they normally retreat to reproduce.

Most of Southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch till 9 PM Monday and the potential for tornadoes hail, and flash flooding is expected for all of south Louisiana thru early tomorrow morning. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Saints missed the playoffs despite blowing out Atlanta out 48-17 yesterday to finish with a 9-8 record. There’s a lot of talk about what happened at the end of the game when Jamaal Williams scored a touchdown from one yard out with three seconds left. Coach Dennis Allen didn’t want his team to score again

Cut 12 (10)  “…should be”