As the old saying goes – what goes up must come down. That will certainly be the case here in Louisiana in terms of the weather. This weekend, temperatures will be very pleasant, but that will quickly give way to brutal cold that would make Minnesota jealous. National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Slaughter says it’s still too early to determine whether any area will have wintry precipitation.

Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins and other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline

Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says construction will begin very soon, and that people across the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Cut 5 (10) “…of this year.”

A pair of government advocacy groups are joining forces. The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana, or CABL, have announced that they’re merging to form Leaders for a Better Louisiana. Barry Erwin, who was the president of CABL, says this merger was a long time in the making.

Cut 9 (09)  “…way, we hope.”

Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.

Louisiana is bracing for brutally cold temperatures next week – at least brutally cold in Louisiana standards.   National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Cut 7 (07) “…till at least Wednesday.”

The state is one step closer to building a statewide broadband network after securing final approval for federal funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says the state awarded contracts to many companies, several of which based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.

Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”

Iyengar says the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customer service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is preparing for an unusual winter weather event next week, bringing conditions the state rarely faces. Residents of Lafayette and Acadiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow.  National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the single digits.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says Louisiana is the first state in the country to secure federal approval of broadband funds.

Cut 3 (08) “…our federal funds.” 

Three men are now under arrest in connection with the shooting at the bonfire in Webster Parish last weekend that injured six people, two critically. Sheriff Jason Parker says thankfully, all victims will survive.

Cut 15 (08) “…that they’re okay.”

Two men are charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one other is charged with accessory after the fact.

Nearly every genre will be represented at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Cubes and show times have not yet been released, but producer Quint Davis says if you go to n-o-jazz-fest-dot-com you can find out which weekend the different artists will perform…

Cut 11 (11) “…zip code.”

The festival takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 24th to May 4th.

Appearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Governor Landry urged the new Congress to provide more federal dollars for an improved Interstate system. The governor says connecting I-49 from Shreveport to New Orleans has been discussed since the early 1980s….

Cut 8 (10) “…been completed.”

The latest Small Business Optimism Index by the National Federation of Independent Business shows that small business owners are more optimistic today than they have been in the last six years. State Director Leah Long says here in Louisiana, the reduction in the income tax will be a big boost to small business owners.

Cut 21 (06)  “…hire more employees.”

Long says small business owners are looking forward to a new presidential administration, and one thing they want in the new term is the reauthorization of the Main Street Tax Act.

The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been announced. Michelle Southern reports this year’s festival features a wide array of artists and something special for Louisiana residents…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

It’s going to be a nice weekend outside for much of the state – but come the outset of the next work week, temperatures will turn frigid – at least relative to what we’re used to. Overnight lows throughout most of the state will be below freezing starting by Sunday night; and depending on where you’re at, temperatures might not get out of the 30s during the day. Temperatures should warm up again by the end of next week.

Governor Landry testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, saying the state is moving forward on building a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. He says while tolls will help pay for the two-point-three-billion-dollar project, he can lower them if the state can receive more federal dollars.

Cut 9 (13)  “…can help.”

Three men are now under arrest in connection with the shooting at the bonfire in Webster Parish last weekend. 23-year-old Zyan Stanley of Minden and 21-year-old Kobe Sheppard of Sibley are each charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder. 22-year-old Jacolby Snell of Doyline is charged with accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. Sheriff Jason Parker says the organizers of the bonfire did not obtain a permit ahead of time.

Cut 13 (11) “…having get-togethers.”

New Orleans may become the new place to recharge… at least, recharge your electric vehicle, as the city just got over 9 million dollars to install EV chargers. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The NFL is teaming up with law enforcement to beef up security in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 59. ESPN is reporting the plan involves SWAT team members, armored vehicles, special agents on rooftops, government surveillance drones and extra security cameras throughout the city. Customs and Border Protection will patrol the Mississippi River, and the TSA will deploy more than 90 bomb-sniffing dogs.

Governor Jeff Landry asked a Congressional Committee yesterday to provide more federal dollars for major highway projects and eliminate the bureaucracy in place that keeps many projects from moving forward. Landry gave I-49 from New Orleans to Shreveport as an example of a highway project discussed for decades, but not fully completed…

Cut 8 (10) “….been completed”

House Transportation Chairman Sam Graves says one of their priorities is to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, but that doesn’t mean everyone will get everything they want.

The Federal Highway Administration is providing nine million dollars to install electric vehicle chargers at 58 locations across New Orleans. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says 66-percent of the new chargers will be installed in federally designated disadvantaged communities…

Cut 5 (06) “….throughout our community”

The money will also go towards installing new EV chargers at Dillard and Xavier Universities.

The musical lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is out. Rock legends Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz along with country stars Luke Combs and Kacey Musgraves are among the biggest performers who will take the stage from April 24^th to May fourth. Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says you also have…

Cut 12 (10) “…jazz singer”

Weekend passes are on sale at n-o jazz-fest-dot-com and state residents pay less than visitors from outside of Louisiana.

Three men are now in custody for their role in a mass shooting that took place at a large gathering in Dubberly that featured a bonfire, a DJ, food and drinks. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says organizers of the 350-person event should have obtained a permit…

Cut 14 (07) “….reduced the risk”

Parker says six people were shot, two were injured critically, but all victims will survive.

Governor Jeff Landry testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging the new Congress to provide more federal dollars for an improved interstate system, including new bridges for Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Landry says a new Mississippi River bridge in the capital city is desperately needed to alleviate congestion on Interstate 10…

Cut 7 (07) “…back and forth.”

Landry says a modernized interstate system will boost the economy and he also asked Congress to minimize the federal red tape that keeps major highway projects from happening.

New Orleans has received over 9 million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration to install electric vehicle chargers across the city. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter thinks this will help New Orleanians go greener.

Cut 4 (12) “…place to charge.”

The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been announced. Michelle Southern reports this year’s festival features a wide array of artists and something special for Louisiana residents…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Jazz Fest is one of the great events in the spring. But we still must get through winter and very cold temperatures are in the forecast for next week and there’s the chance for winter precipitation and that includes snow. The National Weather Service says it’s still five days out, but highest probability of light snowfall is south of the I-20 corridor on Tuesday.

Governor Jeff Landry testified before the U-S House Transportation Committee, asking for more federal dollars to pay for major highway projects. Andrew Greenstein has the story….

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of a K-9 that died in the line of duty. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Macho, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, was helping deputies find a wanted subject at a home in Harvey. While apprehending the suspect, Canine Macho experienced a medical emergency and died at a veterinarian hospital.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has released its 2025 line-up. Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz and Kacey Musgraves are the headliners for the two-weekend musical festival that takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 24^th to May fourth. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says weekend passes are on sale now and Louisiana residents receive a discount…

Cut 10 (10) “…local people.”

Go to n-o-jazz-fest-dot-com for tickets.

More E-V charging stations are coming to New Orleans thanks to nine-million dollars in funding from the Federal Highway Administration. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the availability of E-V charging stations will help convince people to buy an electric car…

Cut 6 (12) “….that are available”

Carter says Gasoline- and diesel-based cars, trucks and buses account for almost 43% of New Orleans’ total greenhouse gas emissions.