Visitors are flocking to New Orleans to ring in the New Year and to take in the Sugar Bowl Thursday evening, and that’s going to mean an economic impact of about 200-million dollars this week alone. Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says those visitors will have plenty of activities to choose from this week.

Cut 4 (12) “…the fireworks show.”

It’s going to be another cold night throughout the state tonight, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding you to be extra vigilant when keeping your house warm. Spokesman Ken Pastorick says use extra precautions when using a space heater.

Cut 6 (07) “…things like that.”

Pastorick says you should never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. He says don’t do that – that will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you.

Two all-time great players from the Saints are finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…Jeff Palermo.”

As the clock continues to tick towards 2026, that means a slew of new laws are set to take effect. Other new laws are already in effect, but come January 1st, the grace period will end. Among them is the one banning hand-held cell phone use while driving. Starting Thursday, if you’re caught, it’s a secondary offense that will result in a fine.

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed 14 people. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger says while the city has learned from that incident and is taking measures to prevent a repeat occurrence, the city is not going to let that define it…

Cut 5 (13) “….dim that light”

It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint. Hollis has been an avid coin collector since he was a child when he was gifted a Peace Dollar.

Cut 19 (11) “…coins ever since.”

Hollis will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters.

Temperatures will fall below freezing for several hours tonight and into tomorrow morning for areas north of I-10 and I-12. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says cold weather precautions should be taken…

Cut 9 (08)  “…coastal parishes.”

If you are not a fan of the cold, it will be warmer tomorrow afternoon and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

This past weekend a baby in Breaux Bridge died in a house fire and investigators have not determined whether the home had a working smoke alarm. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastrorick says as always, make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home – they often are the difference between life and death.

Cut 8 (07) “…working smoke alarms.”

And Pastorick says on this cold night, do not use the oven or stove to warm your house.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Sugar Bowl is Thursday night in New Orleans as Lane Kiffin’s old team, the Ole Miss Rebels take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Kiffin, who is now running the LSU Tigers may attend the Sugar Bowl with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. That’s according to a report from Yahoo Sports Senior College Football reporter Ross Dellenger.

As expected former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a finalist to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Brees led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title in 2009 and is the only player in club history to win the league’s Offensive Player of the Year Award, which he won twice. Brees is trying to become the first Saints player to be elected on the first ballot of his Hall of Fame candidacy and WWL Radio’s Mike Detillier believes it will happen…

Cut 12 (06) “…Drew Brees”

Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans is also a finalist.

Below freezing temperatures are expected for most of the state tonight and into tomorrow morning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says the wind chill will make it feel even colder…

Cut 10 (05) “….over night tonight”

Jacquemine says we’ll start to warm up tomorrow and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

Tourists are once again packing New Orleans to ring in the new year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several new laws go into effect on January 1^st . New insurance reform measures go into effect, there are also unemployment benefit changes that will require an unemployed person to perform at least five work search related activities a week, up from the current three.

We are looking at cold temperatures tonight and into tomorrow morning. Temperatures will fall into the 20s for most of the state and areas north of I-10 and I-12 will be below freezing for several hours. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you. Pastorick also reminds you not to leave fires in fireplaces lit overnight.

Cut 7 (09) “…while you’re sleeping.”

Former Saints stars Drew Brees and Jahri Evans are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says is a lock to get in as changed the direction of the Saints franchise for ever….

Cut 11 (11) “…before”

Brees and Evans led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

Just two days until Louisiana shows itself off to the world on the streets of Pasadena, California. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In Shreveport, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will kick-off next hour. Louisiana Tech is facing Coastal Carolina. The Bulldogs are 7-5 on the season and they are 3-2- and 1 all time in the Independence Bowl and this marks the 85^th football game La Tech has played in Shreveport.

Visitors have started flowing into New Orleans to celebrate the New Year’s Holiday. Walt Leger, president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says there are plenty of activities to choose from….

Cut 4 (12) “…fireworks show”

Leger says hotel occupancy is between 90 to 95-percent.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has a big task in front of him as he must rebuild a roster that went 7-and-6 this season. Kiffin says signing high-caliber players out of the transfer portal will be critical to their success in 2026, and appearing on Talk 107-3 Baton Rouge, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard says LSU officials have confidence Kiffin will get the job done.

Cut 11 (06) “…we hired him.”

It’s going to be another cold night throughout the state tonight, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding you to be extra vigilant when keeping your house warm. Spokesman Ken Pastorick says use extra precautions when using a space heater.

Cut 6 (07) “…things like that.”

Pastorick says you should never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you.

Visitors flock to New Orleans every year to ring in the new year, and this year is no different. Walt Leger, the president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says bolstered by football fans visiting from Athens, Georgia, and Oxford, Mississippi, hotels throughout the city are packed.

Cut 3 (10) “…restaurants, shops.”

And that’s going to mean an economic impact of about 200-million dollars.

It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41st director of the U.S. Mint. The 53-year-old LSU graduate and coin expert is the first U.S. Mint director from Louisiana. He calls this a dream job and plans to represent the state well.

Cut 9 (10)  “…afforded to me.”

LSU won its eighth national championship in baseball in June, but the biggest story in LSU sports this year was the firing of head football coach Brian Kelly and the hiring of Lane Kiffin. LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard was a guest on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge and said Kiffin emerged quickly as their top choice to replace Kelly.

Cut 10 (08) “…in the world.”

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In just two days, Louisiana will show itself off to the world when it glides its float along the streets of Pasadena, California, for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve been working hard getting the float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” ready for Thursday morning’s big show.

Cut 4 (08) “…on this float.”

Louisiana Tech plays in its second straight Independence Bowl today. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Now that new LSU Athletic Director, Verge Ausberry has secured a new head football coach in Lane Kiffin, he says a big part of his job in 2026 will be fundraising…

Cut 12 (13) “…in different areas.”

A baby died as a result of a house fire over the weekend in Breaux Bridge. The fire department responded to the fire just after 2:00 a.m. Sunday. Two of the child’s siblings suffered from smoke inhalation and the baby’s mother sustained burn injuries. The State Fire Marshalls office has not determined weather there was a working smoke detector in the home but during this tragedy, they are reminding Louisiana residents of the importance of making sure homes have working smoke alarms.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis is a coin expert and when he’s sworn-in next month will be the first U.S. Mint director from Louisiana. He says it’s his dream job…

Cut 9 (10)  “…afforded to me.”

In two days, Louisiana will again ride in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The float is titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” and features a giant pelican chef stirring a big pot of gumbo. One of the riders, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, says this year’s float is intended to promote Louisiana’s rich agriculture and seafood industries.

Cut 6 (11) “…all coming together.”

For the second straight year, Louisiana Tech is playing in the Independence Bowl today. As the Bulldogs take on Coastal Carolina in Shreveport, Senior defensive back Cedrick Woods wraps up his six-year college career with the Bulldogs. It’s his 58th game with the Bulldogs, which is the most played by a single player in program history. Woods says he is blessed to have been able to play for so many years.

Cut 14 (13) “…got this opportunity.”

For the third year, Louisiana will ride in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” features a giant pelican chef stirring a big pot of gumbo. One of the riders will be Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who says the process of making the float is impressive.

Cut 5 (07) “…100-thousand.”

This year’s musical guest is American Idol runner-up John Foster.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis is named the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint and  will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters at facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and West Point, New York. He says special coins will be produced to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 8 (08) “…mint products”

Hollis expects to be sworn in next month, possibly during Washington, DC, Mardi Gras. His favorite coin is a 1925 U.S. Indian Head Quarter Eagle. He has it in his pocket for every special occasion in his life.

Louisiana Tech plays in its second straight Independence Bowl today. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Now that new LSU Athletic Director, Verge Ausberry has secured a new head football coach in Lane Kiffin, he says a big part of his job in 2026 will be fundraising…

Cut 12 (13) “…in different areas.”