Starting today, there are new restrictions for SNAP recipients. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the state received a waiver from federal officials that prevents SNAP recipients from using government assistance to purchase certain items.

Cut 4 (11) “…traditional candy bars.”

Greenstein hopes this change will result in SNAP recipients purchasing healthier foods.

Some Louisiana schools are moving to four-day work weeks. David Claxton, the executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and Administrators, says four-day schools will still have to adhere to the state law requiring 63,720 minutes of instruction time per school year.

Cut 11 (09) “…five-day week gets.”

Louisiana continues remembering a civil rights icon. Andre Champagne has more on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Closer to home, Louisiana has lost legendary civil rights leader and former president of Xavier University Dr. Norman C. Francis. He died early this morning at Ochsner Hospital. Francis led the only Catholic historically Black university in the country for almost 50 years and is credited with transforming Xavier into a standout institution for medical education. Francis also advised eight U.S. presidents and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Francis was 94 years old.

A growing number of school districts are moving to four-day weeks. David Claxton, the executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and Administrators, says this seems to be happening more in rural parishes, and money seems to be the biggest motivator.

Cut 10 (10) “…that way financially.”

Since 2012, the only time of year you were able to catch a non-stop flight on Allegiant Air from Shreveport to Orlando or vice-versa was during the summer months. But Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says that it will change this year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…throughout the year.”

Starting today, SNAP recipients will not be able to use their benefit cards to purchase soda, energy drinks or candy. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

We continue to get reaction to the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The iconic figure in our nation’s civil rights movement passed away yesterday at the age of 84. Congressman Cleo Fields says the founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition made several trips to Louisiana.

Cut 7 (09) “…was just remarkable.”

Starting today, SNAP recipients will not be able to use their benefit cards to purchase soda, energy drinks or candy. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana continues remembering a civil rights icon. Andre Champagne has more on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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An increasing number of school districts are going to four-day weeks. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Starting today, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefit cards to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks or candy. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the state received a waiver from the feds that prevents SNAP recipients from using government assistance to purchase these items.

Cut 4 (11) “…traditional candy bars.”

Greenstein hopes this change will result in SNAP recipients purchasing healthier foods.

Cut 5 (10) “…breads and cereals.”

Greenstein says SNAP recipients can still purchase soda, energy drinks and candy — but not on the public’s dime.

Cut 6 (08) “…it in moderation.”

Greenstein says they have informed SNAP recipients of the change.

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We continue to get reaction to the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The iconic figure in our nation’s civil rights movement  passed away yesterday at the age of 84. The founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and two-time Presidential candidate advocated for the poor and called for an open and equitable society. Louisiana’s Sixth District Congressman Cleo Fields says Reverend Jackson made several trips to Louisiana.

Cut 7 (09) “…was just remarkable.”

Jackson was known for his “I am somebody” speeches, which became a rallying cry for poor children. In 2005, he spoke on the steps of the state capitol in a rally to rebuild Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit. He called on state lawmakers to help displaced working families and called for the rebuilding of black neighborhoods. Fields says Reverend Jackson had the ability to galvanize people.

Cut 8 (08) “…excited about politics.”

Fields says he worked on Reverend Jackson’s Presidential campaigns in the 1980s. Fields would travel the country and organized voter registration drives. He remembers one conversation in particular he had with Reverend Jackson.

Cut 9 (11)  “…impression on me.”

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A growing number of school districts are moving to four-day weeks. David Claxton, the executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents and Administrators, says this seems to be happening more in rural parishes, and the biggest motivating factor is money.

Cut 10 (10) “…that way financially.”

Claxton says regardless of whether students attend school four days a week or five days a week, the state law requiring 63,720 minutes of instruction time per school year is still in force.

Cut 11 (09) “…five-day week gets.”

As for which day constitutes the extra weekend day for the four-day week students, Claxton says more times than not, it’s Monday.

Cut 12 (08) “…still in school.”

As for whether a four-day week has any effect on student achievement in either direction, Claxton says there’s currently not enough data to make a determination one way or the other.

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Since 2012, the only time of year you were able to catch a non-stop flight on Allegiant Air from Shreveport to Orlando or vice-versa was during the summer months. But Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says that changes this year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…throughout the year.”

Crawford says the reason Shreveport was able to convince Allegiant to extend its non-stop flight offerings to and from Orlando later into the year is because more people wanted to visit Orlando when it’s not scorching hot outside.

Cut 14 (04) “…in the summer.”

Crawford says, depending on when you travel, you might be able to book each leg of your trip for less than a daily pass to Disney World.

Cut 15 (05) “…73 dollars one way.”

The non-stop flights start in May, and bookings are available now.

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After missing last season with a back injury, LSU right-handed pitcher Gavin Guidry has looked great in his two relief appearances. The former Barbe standout has allowed just one in hit in four and a third innings and has struck out ten. Guidry admits he had doubts about whether he would pitch again after undergoing back surgery last April.

Cut 16 (14) “…I put in.” 

Guidry made his return to the mound in the season opener and struck out the side after coming out of the bullpen. He earned the win in that game and earned the save in Monday night’s win over Kent State as he threw two and a third innings of scoreless baseball. Guidry says he is ready to pitch whenever Coach Jay Johnson calls on him.

Cut 17 (21)  “…need to do.”

Guidry was one of LSU’s top arms out of the bullpen as a freshman during the 2023 national championship season. He also pitched well in 2024; but just before he was set to make his season debut in 2025, his back started hurting. The Lake Charles native is glad to be pitching again for the purple and gold.

Cut 18 (12)  “…again is amazing.”

Today is Mardi Gras; and while the celebration in New Orleans is the one that the world talks about, there’s one in Eunice that’s also quite notable. Mayor Scott Fontenot says Cajun Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind celebration.

Cut 5 (07) “…can’t duplicate this.”

Australian-based energy company Woodside Energy’s logo will be on all LSU uniforms starting next athletic year as a part of a multi-year, multi-million-dollar deal. Woodside executive vice president Daniel Kalms says this historic initiative goes beyond the playing field.

Cut 6 (10) “…beyond that.”

Woodside Energy has been operating in Louisiana for nearly two decades. While the company’s logo is red, the logo patch will match LSU’s traditional purple and gold.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among those remembering civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Carter says Jackson was an influential part of his life, including at the outset of his professional career.

Cut 9 (12)  “…nurture it.”

Since 2012, the only time of year you were able to catch a non-stop flight on Allegiant Airlines from Shreveport to Orlando or vice-versa was during the summer months. But Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says that changes this year.

Cut 13 (11)  “…throughout the year.”

Fares start at 73 dollars one way – less than the price of a daily pass at Disney World.

Remembrances are pouring in for civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who died today at the age of 84. Congressman Troy Carter says he remembers his very first meeting with Jackson as a 23-year-old staffer for Mayor Signey Bartholemey and got his autograph, and that connection had endured ever since, including after he was elected to congress.

Cut 10 (09) “…his son, Jonathan.”

While the big Mardi Gras celebration is going on in New Orleans, there’s also a world renowned festival in Eunice every year with Cajun Mardi Gras. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says it attracts people from everywhere.

Cut 4 (11) “…from all over.”

Cajun Mardi Gras is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region.

Woodside Energy, which is building a massive LNG export terminal in Calcasieu Parish, will have its logo on all of LSU’s uniforms starting next athletic season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Unfortunately, there have been several bad actors this Carnival season, and New Orleans Police say they arrested a man who fits that description in more ways than one. They say six-time Golden Raspberry nominee Shia LeBoeuf was punching people after he was thrown out of a business on Royal Street.

Global energy company Woodside Energy, which is building a massive 17-billion-dollar L-N-G plant in Calcasieu Parish has signed an agreement with LSU to have its logo on all of the Tiger uniforms. Woodside Energy’s logo is red, but Executive vice president Daniel Kalms says the logo patch will match the LSU’s traditional purple and gold colors…

Cut 8 (06) “…decision for us.”

Woodside Energy has been operating in Louisiana for nearly two decades.

Starting tomorrow, SNAP recipients will no longer be able to use their benefit cards to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the state received a waiver from the feds that prevents SNAP recipients from using government assistance to purchase these items….

Cut 17 (11) “…candy bars.”

Greenstein hopes this change will result in SNAP recipients purchasing healthier foods.

While the world normally associates Mardi Gras with New Orleans, there’s another community in Louisiana where the celebration is world renowned. Cajun Mardi Gras in Eunice is a tribute to the Acadian people who settled in Southwest Louisiana, providing the foundation of the culture that defines the region. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says the Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run has been a staple…

Cut 3 (05) “…in downtown Eunice”

During a courir, riders go from house to house begging for donations to add in a community-wide gumbo.

A Baton Rouge businessman is looking to form a public-private partnership to buy Spirit Airlines and move its headquarters to New Orleans. John Miller says the purchase of Spirit is the first step in making Louis Armstrong International Airport a hub airport and making New Orleans a hub can further transform Spirit by opening it up to international destinations.

Cut 19 (12) “…international markets overseas.”

Both Frontier and JetBlue attempted to buy the Airline but Spirit’s shareholders rejected Frontier’s offer in 2022, and a judge blocked JetBlue’s 3.6-billion-dollar offer in 2024.

New Orleans Police have charged actor Shia LaBeuof with two counts of simple battery for punching two people in the French Quarter as Mardi Gras celebrations were taking place during the overnight hours. LaBeouf has been in some big movies, including “Transformers” and “Holes.”

While New Orleans may be home to the most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the world, there’s another world renowned celebration taking place in Eunice. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many are saddened over the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson. The civil rights icon has passed away at the age of 84.  President Trump calls Jackson a good man who truly loved people. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says as we honor his legacy, may we recommit ourselves to the work he began and carried forward with faith and courage….

Cut 11 (14) “…of his time”

On Valentine’s Day, Leland and Gussie Lacaze (luh-KAH-zuh) of Robeline were honored as this year’s longest known married couple. For 79 years, the Natchitoches Parish couple has been husband and wife. Louisiana Family forum president Gene Mills says the couple met in 1945.

Cut 21 (13) “…they got married.”

Mills says the Lacaze’s are still in great health.