46-year-old Jefferey Dixon of Bunkie faces attempted murder and arson charges in connection with a house fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 6  (06) “…set fire.” 

Dixon was quickly apprehended and also faces Violation of a Protective Order and Simple Burglary charges.

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator announces his plans to retire early to accept a state appointment to the Louisiana Board of Pardons. Partor was appointed by Governor Jeff Landry. Prator is among the longest-serving sheriffs in Caddo Parish, and at the end of his current term, he will have served 24 years.

Forecasters are predicting inclement weather over the weekend and some krewes have moved or rescheduled parade times. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Danielle Manning…

Cut 3 (13) “…for Sunday.”  

So make sure to check to see if your intended parade time has been altered.

Louisiana law enforcement officers are stepping up patrol during Mardi Gras season to catch impaired drivers during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign through February 13. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson Greg Fischer says too many people are getting hurt and killed in accidents involving impaired drivers during Mardi Gras season.

Cut 9 (11) “…Mardi Gras.”

Lawmakers are about 2 weeks from the governor’s special session on crime and Governor Landry is expected to push for expanding Louisiana’s death penalty. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The National Weather Service is predicting inclement weather statewide for Saturday and Mardi Gras Krewes are adjusting parade schedules and times. Krewes in Baton Rouge and Lafayette have adjusted time. But Shreveport, Lake Charles, and New Orleans still plan to let the good times roll.

A new deal has been reached to construct a new Interstate-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says tolls charged to motorists have also decreased from the original plan.

Cut 10 (11) “…before.”

Donahue says the total cost for the project has been reduced by more than 20 percent.

It’s that time again! The Humane Society of Louisiana announce more than a dozen Mardi Gras parade horses are up for adoption during their annual Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. President Jeff Dorson says it helps save horses who are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (12) “…terrible ending.”

The program has saved over 90 horses from potentially being sent to slaughter. You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

A group of voters are taking legal action against the latest congressional map approved by the state legislature that contains two majority-Black districts. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Forecasters are predicting heavy rain, flooding, and possible strong storms across portions of the Bayou State on Saturday – leaving Mardi Gras krewes in limbo on whether to continue to let the good times roll. City and krewe leaders are waiting for more information before making any final decisions.

House Speaker Mike Johnson blames President Biden and the Senate for the ongoing crisis at the Mexican border. Johnson says he’s been waiting two months to read the bipartisan Senate legislation and he hopes what he’s hearing about the bill isn’t true.

Cut 6  (15) “…the House.” 

The Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana launches a GoFundMe campaign to help support and provide for the growing needs of the homeless population in central Louisiana. Director Kitty Wynn says the center offers things that many take for granted like washing laundry and showers.

Cut 5 (10) “…you anything.”  

Wynn says additional funding is needed to keep the facility open and all donation can be made to the GoFundMe account “Help the Homeless in Central Louisiana”.

Throughout his election campaign, Governor Jeff Landry promised to address one of the state’s top issue – crime. Landry’s New Orleans Transition Council is working on a strategy to implement a new State Police Troop called Troop NOLA. Landry says it’s important to have a sound plan…

Cut 9 (07)  “…before we fire.” 

Troop NOLA which is supported by the NOPD Superintendent would help the city’s overworked police department.

The Homeless Coalition of Central Louisiana is asking for a handout through its GoFundMe initiative to help support the homeless population in the central Louisiana. Director Kitty Wynn says the need of support to provide for the homeless is ongoing…

Cut 3 (12) “….when available.”  

A GoFundMe account “Help the Homeless in Central Louisiana’ has been set up.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is conducting a study to find out whether intermittent fasting and weight loss affect the aging process. Professor Dr. Corby Martin says the first approach is based on the traditional calorie counting…And the second approach intermittent fasting…

Cut 11 (13) “…per day.” 

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has requested federal assistance for crawfish farmers who have seen a dramatic decline in production because of last year’s historic drought and the recent freeze. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is hopeful for an increase in production…

Cut 15 (05) …be more.“

Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, who lobbied to have the state’s income taxes phased out as a lawmaker, says having the Governor’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council’s recommendation is a step towards the state reaching its full economic potential.

Cut 4 (09) “…that puzzle.”

The state brings in nearly $5 billion a year in taxes. To offset the revenue Nelson says broadening the base of some of existing taxes to lower the rate is probably the best way to do it. 

LSU Athletic Department is in the negative by nearly $4 million dollars. John Tiebaud (Tee-Bow) with the Louisiana Legislative Auditors office says the department transferred $5 million to the university.

Cut 14 (06) “…transfer.

Tiebaud says football turned a profit of $54 million, almost a 50% increase from 2022.

Michael Graham Jr., who spent 14 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit passed away at his home in Virginia.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

During a press conference in Thibodeaux, governor jeff landry said in the upcoming special session on crime they’ll look to pass legislation to resume executions because the victims deserve justice…

Cut 30 (06)….

The House and Senate Transportation committees give the green light for the state to use tolls to help pay for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Jeff Landry is holding a press conference this hour in Thibodeaux where he’s naming former Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove as head the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities and chair the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board of Directors.

Should the Bayou phase out personal and corporate income taxes, corporate franchise taxes, and local inventory taxes? State Governor Jeff Landry’s Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Council thinks so. Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the state’s tax code is outdated. When asked what his solutions are to offset the lost revenue to the state treasury…

Cut 5 (11) “…rid of.” 

Michael Graham Jr., who was wrongly convicted of murdering a Union Parish Couple in 1986, died in poverty last week. After serving 14 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit, Graham was exonerated and released from Angola in December of 2000 with $10 and a bus ticket. Executive Director of Death Penalty Action, Abe Bonowitz …

Cut 11 (07) “…of that.” 

Despite having new election laws that will go into effect by 2026, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he plans to run for re-election. He says changing to party primaries is too costly with an estimated price tag of $61 million over three years and $135 million over ten years.

Cut 11 (11) “…$60 million.”

About 28 percent of Louisiana voters who are unaffiliated will be able to vote in the party primary of their choice but not both. The change to party primaries will only apply to Congressional, state school board, Public Service Commission, and state Supreme Court judicial elections.

The LSU women’s basketball team lost to unranked Mississippi state bulldogs 77-73. It the Lady Tigers first two-game losing streak since 2022. Coach Kim Mulkey says the team is missing that experience that last year’s championship team possessed…

Cut 10 (10) “…things get tough.”

The ninth-ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas statewide jumped two cents from the day before to $2.82, that’s up by seven cents from a week ago. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman…

Cut 7 (11) “…the summer.” 

This time last year regular gas was $3.25 a gallon.

A king cake burglar broke into Bittersweet Confections bakery in New Orleans last week and stole several items including seven king cakes. Owner Cheryl Scripter…

Cut 3 (10) “….and creepy”  

While the action is disheartening, Scripter says the support from the community has been overwhelming.

For the first time since 2022, the LSU women’s basketball team has lost two games in a row after losing to Mississippi State 77-73 last night. The Lady Tigers returned two starters from last year’s national championship team. Coach Kim Mulkey says the team is missing that experience that last year’s championship team possessed…

Cut 10 (10) “…things get tough.”

The loss drops LSU’s record to 18-4 and 5-3 in the SEC. The ninth ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

The U-S National Science Foundation has awarded LSU and other universities one of the largest grants ever – totaling $160 million over the next 10 years to support energy transition, decarbonization, and create jobs. Vice President of Research and Economic Development Robert Twilley says the grant lays the foundation for other successful research endeavors to keep the state as the energy leader of the world.

Cut 6 (10) “…important one.”

Louisiana Economic Development will also contribute $67 million toward the project over the next decade.

The number of flu-like illnesses remains elevated despite a slight decrease from the reporting period before and COVID cases are still circulating in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents found the body of a Pineville man in Vernon Lake after a fatal boating incident Sunday. 42 year old Derek Green was operating the motor on his boat when a wave knocked him into the water. Two juveniles on the boat said Green resurfaced a few times but not seen again. Green was not wearing a flotation device.

The defending champion LSU women’s basketball team has its first two-game losing streak since 2022 as the Lady Tigers lost last night to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are not executing defensively…

Cut 9 (12) “…doing it”

The ninth ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

The U-S National Science Foundation awarded a $160 million grant to an LSU and other universities statewide to support Louisiana’s energy industry. Vice President of Research and Economic Development Robert Twilley says the NSF grant is an opportunity to educate workers and expand the state’s future energy economy.

Cut 5 (12) “…and running.” 

LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says Louisiana is seeing a high level of flu-like illnesses. Lopez says COVID cases have also peaked.

Cut 15 (11) …out there.“

Lopez encourages individuals to get their COVID booster shots and he anticipates there will be an increase of respiratory illnesses as a result of Mardi Gras and the colder weather forcing people to stay indoors.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, Louisiana will be the 45^th state to have girls’ wrestling championships. The Louisiana High School Athletics Association Assistant Director, Adam McDowell says girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports and for years they worked to get 80 schools to participate, the number required to add a new sport. Turns out…

Cut 7 (08) “…a division.”

157 girls from 40 schools are already wrestling on the boys’ teams and McDowell says adding the girl’s division to their annual convention was overwhelmingly approved.

In next month’s special session on crime, Governor Jeff Landry will push for Louisiana lawmakers to find new ways to hand out capital punishment like Alabama. He says death penalty cases can be lengthy and cost the state millions.

Cut 7 (12) “…to victims.” 

Alabama became the first state to use nitrogen gas as a new method to execute a death-row prisoner last week. Landry opposed granting clemency to more than 50 death row inmates last year.

To increase public awareness of police misconduct in the state, The ACLU of Louisiana has launched a comprehensive dashboard of police killings and violence. ACLU Data Analyst Elijah Appelson says they created the dashboard to increase accessibility to the data and amplify the voices of individuals who are victims of police violence.

Cut 9 (09) “…the violence.”

A third reason for the dashboard is to ensure police accountability.

The daughter of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards is telling her story in the book The Life and Times of a Governor’s Daughter. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”