Investigators with the Shreveport police with the help of tips from Caddo Crime Stoppers located Larry Lewis but released him after an extensive interview.  They were seeking Lewis for questioning in connection with the robbery and homicide of Billy Lee Jamison in a Walgreens parking lot last week. SPD says they are confident in the arrest of Kelvin Lewis as the person responsible for the heinous crime and the investigation is ongoing particularly regarding the involvement of other individuals.

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place, Louisiana.”

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

It’s that time of year and today Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns and the Department of Revenue is encouraging filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP. Commercially available tax preparation software and paper returns by mail are also acceptable. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says those eligible for a refund will get them faster if they file electronically.

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Twan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested. Anthony was already on probation for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Henry was on parole after a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during his visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something because disasters can be too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Delicious Louisiana Strawberries will be a little late this year. Farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says measures to protect the berries helped the plants but not the berries already on the vine. She says the frigid temps costs them extra and set them back about three weeks.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

She says they will miss out on Valentine’s Day but will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival.

A group of 17 Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Kendrick Lamar is this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.

Tens of thousands of visitors will be coming to New Orleans for the Super Bowl and then Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick had this announcement regarding Mardi Gras parades…

Cut 15 (14) “….make things safer”

Kirkpatrick is confident in their security plan for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Strawberry farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says they took proactive measures like covering them with cloth. But that only went so far.

Cut 10 (13) “…and protected them.”

But Harris says because they lost a majority of their berries and blooms, it will result in a low supply of Louisiana Strawberries for at least the next three weeks.

Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP…

Cut 12 (11) “…account history”

The La-TAP portal can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Seventeen Louisiana legislators are calling for a family friendly Super Bowl halftime show. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges is excited the Super Bowl is in New Orleans but past Super Bowl halftime performances have not been appropriate for children

Cut 5 (09) “…exposed”

The Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and Louisiana Stadium Expo District calling on them to urge the NFL to ensure Super Bowl halftime shows reflect family-friendly values.

Steel wedge barriers have been installed in the French Quarter ahead of the Super Bowl. It’s too keep vehicles off Bourbon Street. NOPD Superintendent Anee Kirkpatrick says the NFL is also bringing in barriers of their own…

Cut 13 (09) “…harden target”

The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There’s the potential for severe thunderstorms tomorrow in Louisiana. The National Weather Service says a cold front will have the potential to produce strong to severe storms across a large portion of our state. The primary threats will be damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.

Seventeen members of the Louisiana Legislature are threatening to pull funding from the Superdome if the Super Bowl halftime show is not “family friendly.” Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the state has spent at least 5 million dollars for economic development initiatives related to the Super Bowl and they do not want children subjected to performers wearing very little clothing or doing sexually suggestive gestures…

Cut 6 (12) “…innocence of children”

Kendrick Lamar is the star of this year’s Halftime performance.

President Donald Trump has suggested it might be time to eliminate FEMA. He’s at least looking at revamping the federal disaster response agency. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says FEMA is far from perfect, but there still needs to be something like FEMA to assist states…

Cut 8 (07) “….could get better”

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Buc-ee’s has bought the property where they’ll build one of their supersized gas stations and convenience stores in Ruston. Mayor Ronny Walker told the Lincoln Parish Journal that construction will begin in about two months on the roads and infrastructure along the I-20 Tarbutton Road Interchange.

Several legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A big-name candidate for the Saints head coaching job says he doesn’t want the job. Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has pulled his name from consideration.Some say Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as the top candidate to get the job.

Last week’s historic winter storm caused damage to Louisiana’s strawberry crop. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in the Livingston Parish town of Springfield, says they lost 80-percent of the berries and blooms on the plant, but the plants survived. Harris says that means you’ll see fewer Louisiana strawberries at your local grocery store the next few weeks, but they’ll be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival in April. She says this is the second year in a row that strawberry farmers have had to deal with a setback…

Cut 12 (09) “….out of business”

President Trump has floated the idea of abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but for now he’s signed an executive order to review FEMA. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government needs some sort of an agency to help states respond to disasters…

Cut 9 (070 “…federal response”

A group of 17 Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Kendrick Lamar is this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.

Meanwhile, federal resources are making their way to New Orleans to make sure the French Quarter is safe. The Department of Homeland Security is bringing in SWAT teams and K-9 patrols. New Orleans Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier says their presence will be felt everywhere

Cut 14 (10) “…and the CBD.”

Governor Jeff Landry will provide more information about Super Bowl Security at 1 PM press conference today.

The Landry Administration is trying to figure what President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans will mean for Louisiana. The state receives millions in federal dollars. In a statement. Governor Landry says they are seeking clarity as to the depth of this action, but they do support Trump’s efforts to cut government waste. A federal judge has temporarily blocked much of the President’s order.

The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Senator Valarie Hodges and other legislators urge the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana legislators, led by Senator Valarie Hodges, sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Hodges advocated for entertainment free of inappropriate content, ensuring all Louisianans could watch without concern. She noted that while many in the state are excited about hosting the Super Bowl, taxpayers and parents are worried about past halftime performances.

Cut 5 (09) “…not be exposed.”

Hodges hopes Louisiana can set a positive example for future Super Bowl hosts by promoting content suitable for viewers of all ages.

Cut 6 (12) “…innocence of children.”

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President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something like it because sometimes disasters are too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Cassidy says if there is no FEMA there still needs to be something like FEMA.

Cut 8 (07) “…could get better.”

Cassidy says he believes this is a good time to look at the efficiency of FEMA and suspects that is what President Trump is alluding to as well.

Cut 9 (07)  “…federal response.”

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Strawberry farmers across the state, including one in Livingston Parish, are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says they took proactive measures in advance of the storm, like covering them with cloth. But that only went so far.

Cut 10 (13) “…and protected them.”

Harris says that’s going to set them back about three weeks. They’ll miss out on Valentine’s Day, but they will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival. She says while they will recover, it will still cost the business some money.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

Harris says this is the second year in a row that strawberry farmers have had to deal with a setback.

Cut 12 (09) “…out of business.”

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We’re getting details of the preliminary security plan for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police have placed wedges and barriers on Bourbon Street to keep vehicles out, and they’re beefing up security along cross streets and around the perimeter. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the NFL is also bringing in barriers of their own for the Super Bowl.

Cut 13 (09)  “…harden target.”

State Police are bringing in additional wedges and barriers, and the Department of Homeland Security is bringing in SWAT teams and K-9 patrols. New Orleans Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier says their presence will be felt everywhere – in the Superdome and beyond.

Cut 14 (10) “…and the CBD.”

As for Mardi Gras, Kirkpatrick says there’s one thing that will not change.

Cut 15 (14) “…make things safer.” (Parade routes will not change)

Kirkpatrick urges people to speak up if they see anything suspicious.

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A struggling LSU men’s basketball team has a big test tonight as they host top ranked Auburn. Auburn leads the SEC in field goal percentage at 49-percent and Coach Matt McMahon says their ability to shoot makes them tough to beat…

Cut 16 (17) “…offensive glass.”

Meanwhile, LSU is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the country. The Tigers are 320^th in the country in three-point shooting at 31-percent. McMahon says the guys are working on their outside shot…

Cut 17 (16)  “…games.”

LSU has added Trey’Dez Green. In his first game since catching two touchdown passes in the bowl game victory over Baylor, Green had two points, which was a thunderous dunk after a blocked shot, and also had three rebounds in eight minutes. McMahon says it was a nice debut for the tight end, who is now a power forward…

Cut 18 (18)   “…offensive glass.”