Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. Compared to December of 2023, the total number of jobs increased by more than 20-thousand.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.4-percent, but DiPalma says that’s still low.

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Cut 5 (09) “…kinds of conditions.”

Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane. He says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Governor Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A two-vehicle crash on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Rescue divers responded, and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not suffer any injuries.

A two-vehicle accident on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Unconfirmed reports say both vehicles went into the water. Rescue divers responded and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not sustain injuries.

Governor Landry is asking Senator Bill Cassidy to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy says he hasn’t decided how he will vote yet and while he agrees with Kennedy on the dangers of ultra processed foods, he expressed concern over Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.

Cut 10 (15) “…data we accumulated .”

Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

An abundance of trees in Louisiana’s forests is creating an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The Baton Rouge area gained 11-hundred jobs in the last month to lead the state. The New Orleans area, on the other hand, lost 11-hundred jobs in the last month but still showed a year-over-year gain of 64-hundred jobs.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Farmers say despite the single-digit temperatures that gripped the state last week, sugarcane appears to have held up quite well, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Cut 4 (09) “…crop starts emerging.”

Gravois says the timing of the freeze helped avoid disaster.

Louisiana is reporting job growth again. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month with some select industries leading the way.

Cut 13 (12)  “…year as well.”

The Louisiana Forestry Association is encouraging industry to utilize the overabundance of trees in the state’s forests. Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says with trees growing at a much faster rate than those being harvested, that creates an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive.

And he says biofuels produced by forestry are entirely renewable.

Cut 8 (14) “…many different ways.”

Vandersteen says harvesting trees in forests will also reduce the threat of wildfires.

Governor Jeff Landry has called on the U.S. Senate, specifically Senator Bill Cassidy, to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy, who is up for re-election in 2026, faces political pressure from within his own party and RFK’s confirmation could play a role in his re-election.  Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

Cut 11 (10) “…focus on the campaign.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. And she says while the unemployment rate ticked up very slightly, the state is still in good shape in that regard.

Cut 14 (06) “…still relatively low.”

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane

Cut 3 (12) “…underground buds.”

Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Louisiana is looking at an abundance of trees. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says many industries that use forest products, like the paper industry, are declining while large numbers of trees are planted annually.

Cut 7 (09) “…in this state.”

He says the abundance creates an opening for the biofuel industry to use them and thrive.

Governor Jeff Landry has called on the U.S. Senate, specifically Senator Bill Cassidy, to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy says he hasn’t decided how he will vote yet.

Cut 9 (07)  “…State of Louisiana.”

Kennedy has his first confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. He’ll go before the Senate Health, Education. Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday and Cassidy chairs that committee.

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. Compared to December of 2023, the total number of jobs increased by more than 20-thousand.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

Health services, private education and construction are three industries that continue to add jobs.

An abundance of trees in Louisiana’s forests is creating an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s Sugar cane crops did not freeze last week despite single digit temperatures as far south as New Iberia. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Doctor Kenneth Gravois says the snow insulated the cane from the cold and the cane varieties that exist today can withstand the cold better…

Cut 5 (09) “…conditions”

Farmers say despite the single-digit temperatures that gripped the state last week, sugarcane appears to have held up quite well. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says, though, that the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Cut 4 (09) “…crop starts emerging.”

Gravois says the timing of the freeze helped avoid disaster.

The Louisiana Forestry Association is encouraging industry to utilize the overabundance of trees in the state’s forests. Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says with trees growing at a much faster rate than those being harvested, that creates an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive.

Cut 6 (15) “…or outside Louisiana.”

Five people from Houston are arrested for allegedly using drones to smuggle contraband, including drugs and cell phones, into the federal prison in Pollock. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also involved.

Cut 10 (09) “…that’s here illegally.”

That person is 35-year-old Laura Martinez, and ICE has a detainer on her. The sheriff’s office and the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement seized about 12-thousand dollars. McCain says they’re working on ways to combat the use of drones in smuggling contraband into federal prisons.

An alleged shoplifter shot by an off-duty Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy has died. Sheriff Mark Wood says the deputy was working off-duty detail at Academy Sports and Outdoors on Friday night in Alexandria when he attempted to stop an alleged shoplifter

Cut 7 (16) “…his injuries .”

Authorities have not released the identity of the man who died and the  deputy is on paid leave.

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane…

Cut 3 (12) “…underground buds”

Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at standing up to the cold.

Nationally, egg prices surged nearly 38-percent in the past year.  Sean Richardson explains why…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne took to social media to complain about the scoring from judges and the concern gymnasts are not being awarded with perfect 10s which is what fans want to see. Dunne might have a point, there have only been two perfect tens awarded, compared to 19 at this same time last year in collegiate gymnastics.

The spread of bird flu has caused egg prices to rise again. Nationally, egg prices surged nearly 38-percent in the past year, with the average price of a dozen eggs reaching $3.65 compared to $2.14 a year ago, according to USDA data. LSU AgCenter agent Will Strickland says the holidays also added to the price jump.

Cut 4 (10) “…egg inventory.”

Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says an alleged shoplifter shot by an off-duty deputy working security detail at Academy Sports and Outdoors in Alexandria last Friday has died…

Cut 8 (13) “….do that”

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation for the Central Louisiana Critical Incident Response Team.

Five people from Houston were arrested for allegedly using drones to get drugs and cell phones to inmates at the federal penitentiary in Pollock. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says drones have become more popular to smuggle contraband into federal prison and they’re working on ways to combat it…

Cut 12 (08) “….federal prison here”

Junior right-handed pitcher Gavin Guidry from Barbe High School in Lake Charles will wear the coveted number eight jersey for the second-ranked LSU baseball team this season. Guidry says he’ll wear the number with pride and use this leadership position to help the Tigers win…

Cut 18 (15)   “…what that looks like.”

College baseball opening day is February 14^th.