There’s a potential for some severe weather Saturday in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A 13 year old Madisonville girl was arrested Friday after telling a classmate she was going to “shoot up” her junior high school. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office became aware of the incident after the other student informed a teacher. The girl was issued a menacing summons and released on a custodial agreement to appear in court.

—–

The first 13 homes to have a fortified roof installed through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program have been completed. Homeowner Alicia Craige is among them. In order to comply with insurance requirements, Craige says she needed to get her roof repaired immediately so she applied online.

Cut 4 (12) “…new roof.”
Three more state champions were crowned yesterday in the dome… Union Parish with a dramatic win over St. James. Catholic High Crushed Acadiana. And Opelousas won the school’s first state championship beating out Cecilia

The prep classis finishes up today with three more games. St. Charles Catholic goes after its third consecutive state title when they face Calvary Baptist at 3:30. Cougars Coach Wayne Stein.

Cut 10 (04) “…blessed.”

Louisiana is about to see a significant mercury drop, the high today will be in the 70s. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says after the rain moves through get ready for a much colder Sunday with highs only in the 50s.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the state.” 

Another year of economic growth for Louisiana… as private companies invested 25 Billion Dollars in the Bayou State in 2023. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary, Don Pierson says new opportunities in new fields at higher paying positions are increasing in Louisiana and that will mean more growth for the state…

Cut 13 (12) “…the nation.”

—

Thirteen Louisiana homes to get a fortified roof are complete under the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

It’s expected Jayden Daniels will become LSU’s third Heisman Trophy winner as the award will be handed out tonight in New York City. Daniels won two big awards last night, the Water Camp national Player of the Year award and the Davey O’Brien Award as the top quarterback in college football.

The first 13 homes to have a fortified roof installed through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program have been completed. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon stopped by a home in Slidell and says it’s exciting to see the first homes finished.

Cut 3 (10) “…an evaluator.”

A cold front approaching the Bayou State from the northwest has the potential to bring some severe weather along with rain and much cooler temperatures this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s potential for some dicey weather Saturday, in the form of high winds and tornados…

Cut 6 (10) “…out of five.”

——
For the 7^th year in a row, Louisiana has seen economic growth. Private companies invested 25 Billion Dollars in the Bayou State in 2023. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary, Don Pierson…

Cut 12 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”  
Union Parish ended its streak of three consecutive losses in the state championship game with a dramatic 36-35 win over St. James yesterday. Opelousas won the school’s first state championship with a 26-13 win over Cecilia and Catholic High crushed Acadiana 55-31.

The Prep Classic finishes with three more games today. It starts at noon with St. Thomas More taking on Lafayette Christian. Cougars head coach Jim Hightower.

Cut 9 (08) “…we measure up.” 

The New Orleans Pelicans lost to a star studded Los Angeles Lakers team in the Semi-finals of the first ever NBA In-Season tournament last night. The game saw Lebron James return to King James form as the star scored 30 points and 8 assists in a 133 to 89 rout of New Orleans.

—

In other basketball news, LSU will face off against Kansas State tomorrow at 12:30pm on the SEC Network and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will host the ULL Ragin Cajuns at 2 pm on ESPN+.

—

The 2023 Prep Classic continues today with St.James taking on Union Parish. St.James upset second-seeded Sterlington on the road to earn their spot in the championship and Wildcats head Coach Lavanta Davis says that Union Parish’s offense will be tough to stop.

Cut 13 (14) “ … hands full.”

St.James and Union Parish will kick off at 3:30pm today.

—

The 5 and 7 Saints are on a three game losing streak heading into their matchup this Sunday against the 1 and 11 Panthers. New Olreans running back Alvin Kamara knows that any divisional rivalry game will be a tough game, so he says that the Saints need to adopt a must win mindset to beat Carolina on Sunday and also finish this season strong.

Cut 18 (20) “ … work for it.”

The Saints will battle the Panthers at noon on FOX

—

LSU Heisman hopeful Jayden Daniels was announced as the second ever Tiger to win the AP College Football Player of the Year Award. In LSU’s magical 2019 season, Joe Burrow was the first to receive the honor and he also won the Heisman that year which is something that Daniels is looking to accomplish tomorrow night at 7 pm.

Jayden Daniels is expected to win the Heisman Trophy tomorrow night. After three up-and-down seasons at Arizona State, Daniels blossomed at LSU, becoming one of the top players in college football. Coach Brian Kelly credits Daniels’ work off the field with helping him be spectacular on the field…

Cut 19 (19) “…the game.” 

The Prep Classic continues today. Tonight’s game pits powerhouses Catholic and Acadiana against each other. Wreckin’ Rams Coach Matt McCullough says they need to win the turnover battle tonight…

Cut 15 (13) “…really well.”
Cecilia takes on Opelousas today at noon. Southern Lab beat Riverside 42-35. LRN

———

Within the last week, there were three fatal fires in Louisiana. Colleen Crain spoke with the Louisiana State Fire Marshall’s office about fire safety…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A former model who was jailed for nearly ten years on a murder for hire plot and sexual battery crime, has been arrested again. This time 52 year old Dean Kelly is facing charges of third degree rape and sexual battery…in connection to an incident authorities say happened in October.

The state’s new paid family leave policy doesn’t apply to college employees but LSU and the University of Louisiana System says they’ll honor it. You may recall, governor-elect Jeff Landry expressed concerns that the policy could be too costly for the state. But University of Louisiana System President Doctor Jim Henderson says they did their own study…

Cut 4 (11) “…work environment.”

In the last week, Louisiana has seen 3 fatal house fires. And with more cold weather on the way, Louisiana State Fire Marshall Spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue wants to remind everyone to be careful with space heaters. Never plug them into extension cords or power strips and…

Cut 8 (12) “…caught fire.” 

——-

A task force convened by Gov.-elect Jeff Landry met this week to weigh the rollback of 2017 laws aimed at lowering Louisiana’s prison population. Outgoing Governor John Bel Edwards meanwhile warning the incoming administration again against the move. Edwards says it would be a kneejerk political reaction unlikely to yield real results.

Speaking of results, a lot goes into a Heisman campaign, and the LSU Athletic Department claimed a win in 2019 and odds are they will again tomorrow. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana has seen 3 fatal house fires in the last week. It’s a disturbing trend especially with more cold weather on the way. Louisiana State Fire Marshall Spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue says one thing makes all the difference…

Cut 7 (10) “…life and death.”

If you cannot afford a smoke alarm, check with your local fire department or visit lsfm.org

LSU and the University of Louisiana System have announced they will mirror the state’s policy to offer employees up to six weeks of paid paternal leave even though the policy does not apply to college employees. University of Louisiana System President Doctor Jim Henderson says the policy allows parents to be able to focus on their newest addition to the family and it lessens the financial strain.

Cut 5 (08) “…with it.”

———-

It’s been an especially busy few days for LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels leading up to tomorrow night’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. And LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says for the winner, Sunday’s schedule is nonstop…

Cut 10 (07) “…exciting weekend.”

The Prep Classic continues today, with a match up of powerhouse teams tonight as Catholic battles Acadiana for the Division One select championship. Catholic coach Hudson Fuller’s team is led by quarterback and Cajuns commitment Daniel Beale…

Cut 14 (11) “…really special.”

Oak Grove beat Haynesville last night in the dome, 62-36 to take home their fourth state championship in five years.

Southern Lab outlasted Riverside 42-35. That’s a sixth state title for the Kittens and a second in three years.

The state’s new paid family leave policy doesn’t apply to college employees but LSU and the University of Louisiana System says they’ll honor it. Brooke Thorington has more has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana has seen 3 fatal house fires in the last wee, among them: a kitchen fire.  Louisiana State Fire Marshall Spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue says when cooking…

Cut 9 (09)  “…intended it to.”

———–
Jayden Daniels’ campaign for the Heisman is looking promising after being named AP College Football Player of the Year yesterday. LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says in addition to his athletic ability, Daniels’ outgoing personality has made the Heisman campaign a lot of fun…and Daniels is taking it all in stride.

Cut 12 (11) “…incredibly well.” 

In high school football, the Prep Classic continues today. At 3:30, St. James will take on Union Parish. St. James went on the road last week and upset second-seeded Sterlington. Wildcats Coach Lavanta Davis says Union Parish’s offense is tough to stop….

Cut 13 (14) “…hands full.”

Cecilia plays Opelousas at noon today.  The nightcap game is at 7 Catholic versus Acadiana.

ULM has named Byran Vincent to be their next head football coach. Vincent is hoping to turn around a Warhawks program that has only won two games in 2023 and says that he wants to build a program that northeast Louisiana can be proud of …

Cut 19 (19) “… physical football team.”

—

The 2023 Prep Classic beings tonight in the Caesars Superdome with the non-select Division 4 matchup pitting Oak Groove, who have won seven state titles, against Haynesville, who have won 17. The Haynesville Golden Tornado have not been to the dome since 2016 and head coach David Franklin sees tonights game as an exciting opportunity for the Haynesville community.

Cut 14 (08) “ … excited about.”

Haynesville and Oak Grove will kick off at 7 PM.

—

The 5 and 7 Saints are on a three game losing streak heading into their matchup this Sunday against the 1 and 11 Panthers. The Saints are losing optimism during this slide, but Head Coach Dennis Allen is confident that his team can and needs to win this Sunday.

Cut 18 (14) “ … this thing.”

The Saints will battle the Panthers at noon on FOX

—

The New Orleans Pelicans will play a star studded Los Angeles Lakers team in the Semi-finals of the first ever NBA In-Season tournament tonight. The matchup will feature two franchises who are eager to win the title for different reasons.Lebron James wants to cement his legacy with the trophy and New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green says that his team is hungry to win the Pels first ever title. The Pels and Lakers will face off at 7 pm and the winner will play either the Bucks or Pacers tomorrow in the championship game.

While some Christmas tree farmers may have faced a decrease in supply due to the drought, the price of a fresh Christmas tree is holding steady in Louisiana. Here’s Teiko Fox.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
The actor’s strike may be over. But even with new deal, some are concerned about what’s next. In the past, many say it was easy to measure viewership when a production aired on linear television and talent was compensated based on ratings. But with streaming services, actors like Baton Rouge’s Jason Bayle, say that’s not the case.

Cut 12 (08) “…your worth.” 

—-
You may have heard Louisiana is now third in the nation when it comes to high homeowner’s insurance costs. Insurance companies have repeatedly said they’re high here because of the unpredictable destructive weather conditions. While we cannot change the weather, Executive Director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs says there are things we can do to mitigate the risks and costs…

Cut 8 (06) “…way to do it.” 

The 2023 Prep Classic begins today in the Caesars Superdome as over the next three days eight champions will be crowned in high school football. The first game of the day is Riverside versus Southern Lab. Riverside is led by Lutcher native and second-year head coach Lee Roussel…

Cut 16 (14) “…it can get done.”
Kick-off for that game is set for 3:30