Here’s some positive news: school performance scores in Louisiana have returned to pre-pandemic levels. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (32)        “…Thorington.”

Deputies in Acadia Parish seek the person or persons who broke into a home in Rayne, and stole over $7-thousand worth of firearms. 14 handguns, rifles and shotguns were taken. Acadia Crimestoppers offers a $1000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call 337-789-8477.

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise was easily elected by colleagues to be the U.S. House Majority Leader in the 118^th Congress. He says he looks forward to going to work in a Republican majority on issues most important to working Americans…:

CUT 06(11)      “…communities safe.”

Hale Boggs was the last U.S. Representative from Louisiana to serve as majority leader.

With flu season here and hitting hard, the state Department of Health urges you to get your annual flu shot. State health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says don’t let cost get in your way. If you don’t have health insurance or are low on cash, you can get one for free…:

CUT 12(07)      “…health units.”

Information of free flu shots is online at “ldh.la.gov.”

A day after Senator John Kennedy issued a statement that he’s strongly thinking of running for governor, Senator Bill Cassidy says he plans to announce his intentions this week…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Recently re-elected to another term in the U.S. House, District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise has been also elected to be the House Majority Leader in the 118^th Congress, come January. Scalise says he will get to work on crime, inflation and uncontrolled immigration next year. Governor John Bel Edwards says Scalise will be in a good spot to deliver for his home state.

Charges may be upgraded for the driver of a vehicle in which a baby died, when it crashed last Friday in Vermilion Parish. State Police Trooper Tom Gossen says the 14-month-old was riding in the lap of a front seat passenger…:

CUT 06(07)      “…definitely preventable.”

The driver, 27-year-old Jhori Peters of Abbeville is right now cited for no license, careless operation and two child seat violations, but that could change.

Louisiana ranks 45^th among 50 states for rates at which lung cancer is detected early. The American Lung Association’s Ashley Lyerly says FREE lung cancer screening are available if you’re between 50 and 80 or if you’re a heavy smoker…:

CUT 11(09)      “…for lung cancer.”

Just one day after Senator John Kennedy issuing a statement saying he was seriously thinking of running governor next year, Senator Bill Cassidy says he too is thinking about it and will announce his decision by week’s end. When asked this morning about Kennedy, here was his reply…:

CUT 13(08)      “…say that about John.”

The state Republican Party has thrown its weight behind A.G. Jeff Landry to be the next governor, and Cassidy says that will not change his decision one way or the other. This will likely force more candidates to get off the fence and make an announcement.

State Police say it’s likely charges will be upgraded against the driver in a Friday night Vermilion Parish crash that killed a 14-month old baby. Trooper Tom Gossen says the baby was riding in the lap of a front seat passenger, and there’s no excuse for that. Especially when help with child safety seats is available on their Facebook page..:

CUT 08(10)      “…kept safe.”

A New Orleans cop shot and wounded a suspect early today outside the Caesar’s Superdome. NOPD Deputy Chief Chris Goodly says Dome security officers called for assistance with a man and three officers responded…:

CUT 03(10)      “…his body.”

The suspect is in stable condition. An investigation is underway, as in all cases of officer-involved shootings.

A new report says Louisiana ranks among the worst states in the nation for early detection of lung cancer. Ashley Lyerly, with the American Lung Association, says we’re 45^th of 50 states. Not good. She says smoking is still the Number One cause, but there is a stigma now attached to lighting up…:

CUT 10(08)      “…lung cancer.”

Free lung cancer screenings are available. Find out more at “SavedByTheScan.org.”

Investigators are looking into an officer-involved shooting in front of the Caesar’s Superdome this morning. Deputy NOPD Superintendent Chris Goodly says around 7 am three officers were called to assist a Superdome security team. The man pulled a knife which led to him being shot. Goodly says NOPD was only there because they were asked to help…:

CUT 05(14)      “…from time to time.”

The suspect is in stable condition. The officer is on desk duty pending the investigation.

A day after Senator John Kennedy issued a statement he’s seriously considering running for governor next year, Senator Bill Cassidy was asked what his intentions are there…:

CUT 12(05)      “…tease it now.”

This week the state Republican Party announced they’re backing of Attorney General, Jeff Landry for governor. Cassidy says that smacks of “back room deal making.”

A new report finds Louisiana is near the bottom for catching lung cancer before it’s too late. Marsanne Golsby has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker awarded Andrew Lincoln with a special life-saving award for risking his own life to pull a woman from a burning car crash. That happened October 9^th on Highway 164 in Webster. Lincoln is a tow truck driver and was answering another call, when he spied the crash and took action.

The mother of Ronald Greene voiced her frustration to lawmakers investigating the State Police custody death of her son because no one’s been held accountable…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

Former Baton Rouge University High football standout Michael Hollins is recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in the shooting at the University of Virginia. Three UVA football players were killed. Hollins and one other survived the shooting. A suspect is in custody. Hollins is in stable condition following a surgery.

In a statement released this morning, Senator John Kennedy says he is considering entering the 2023 race for governor.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat thinks the Democrat’s victories in the Senate will influence Kennedy’s decision…:

CUT 03(10)      “…Republican legislature.”

Political analyst, TV and radio host Roy Fletcher says the state GOP went off half-cocked when it endorsed Jeff Landry…:

CUT 04(10)      “…talked to him.”

Kennedy won reelection to the Senate with 62 percent of the vote.

Deputies in Rapides Parish say an inmate being transported from court to jail, tried to escape by leaping from a parking garage. The handcuffed and shackled man fell three floors; landing on a sidewalk. He is alive, and being treated at an Alexandria hospital. An investigation into how he got loose is underway.

On the same day a grand jury convenes in North Louisiana to consider charges against state troopers in the 2019 beating death of Black motorist Ronald Greene, his mom Mona Hardin talked with state lawmakers. She says she wants those who covered up what happened to Ronald held accountable…:

CUT 10(16)      “…crime is.”

The grand jury heard evidence today. We’re await8ing their findings.

Students at Pope John Paul II High in Slidell mourn the death of 16-year-old classmate Christian Tullos; killed in a crash with a big rig. Christian’s sister Ali is on the school volleyball team…:

CUT 13  (06)        “…Minecraft kid.”

Tullos vehicle slammed in to rear of the 18-wheeler on I-12 in St. Tammany Parish Saturday. The crash is under investigation.

This morning Senator John Kennedy revealed he is considering running for governor next year. Within hours the Louisiana GOP reminded people they already have a candidate…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

Police in Bossier City were called out to a home after a homeless man discovered some suspicious bones inside a house. After getting a warrant from the owner, they took a look and found the bones…which were from a turkey.

Deputies in Rapides Parish say an inmate being transported from court to jail, tried to escape by leaping from a parking garage. The handcuffed and shackled man fell three floors; landing on a sidewalk. He is alive, and being treated at an Alexandria hospital. An investigation into how he got loose is underway.

In a statement released this morning, Senator John Kennedy says he is considering entering the 2023 race for governor. Within a short time, the Louisiana Republican Party doubled down on its endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the overwhelming support Kennedy received in his reelection last week sets him up well to be a leading candidate for governor…:

CUT 06(08)      “…statewide.”

Kennedy gathered 62-prevent of the popular vote in the November 8^th election. Should he run for governor and not win, he can still be the state’s U.S. Senator.

Caddo Parish residents were not imaging the felt the earth move Sunday; it did. Especially near the town of Blanchard. Geophysicist Paul Caruso with the US Geological Service confirms it…:

CUT 07(10)      “…and Shreveport.”

He says it was not a major event; just some floor rumbling and lamps shaking.

Former Baton Rouge University High football standout Michael Hollins is recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in the shooting at the University of Virginia. Three UVA football players were killed. Hollins and one other survived the shooting. A suspect is in custody. Hollins is in stable condition following a surgery.

One of New Orleans beast known Mardi Gras parades, the krewe of Endymion, will not roll down St. Charles Avenue in 2023. It will return to its original Mid-City route, from Orleans & Carrollton, down Canal and ending at the Morial Convention Center. It rolls Saturday, February 18^th.

Lots of folks expressing shock and surprise to learn Shreveport’s wastewater contains high levels of methamphetamine…but Brook Thorington spoke with one person who was not…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

Recent rain has led to Jeff Davis Parish Parish canceling the outdoor burn ban that had been in place since early October. Calcasieu and Vernon parishes have also lifted their burn bans.

Melon smashing comic Gallagher has died at age 76. Yes, he is a distant relative, and no, I’ve never met the man.

The recent resignation of Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges in handling thousands of child welfare cases statewide. This after two toddler in Baton Rouge died from fentanyl overdoses while under DCFS overwatch. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow also chairs the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. She says she looks forward to speaking with newly-promoted DCFS head Terri Ricks about resolving problems…:

CUT 13(08)      “…have these hiccups.”

Governor Edwards accepted the resignation of DCFs Secretary Marketa Walters earlier this week.

The Governor spoke at Veterans Day ceremonies in Iberville Parish Friday. Mr. Edwards is a U.S. Army vet, and says should appreciate our veterans because so many of them volunteered to serve. Nearly a quarter-million Louisianans are military vets; over 30-thousand of them are women.

Under fire for the fentanyl-related deaths of two toddlers who were under care of the Department of Children & Family Services, the head of that agency has resigned. With Marketa Garner Walters out, Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks takes the head job. State Senator Regina Barrow, of Baton Rouge, chairs a Senate committee overseeing women and child welfare issues. She says it is true that DCFS is understaffed, and many case workers are overworked and underpaid…but nevertheless they must be held accountable…:

CUT 14  (06)        “…had done their job.”

She says it may be time for an overhaul at DCFS.

The LSU Tigers will likely have heaters on the sidelines and extra blankets for their matchup against unranked Arkansas today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be pretty nippy in Fayetteville…:

CUT 22  (07)        “chilly out there.”

Kickoff is at 11am.

After a report showing Shreveport’s wastewater contains double the amount of methamphetamine of anywhere else in the country, many folks were shocked. But not Louisiana Addiction Research Center director Nick Goeders. He says it didn’t surprise him whatsoever…:

CUT 09(13)      “…last ten years.”

The City of Shreveport’s water system purifies wastewater before it’s re-used, but Goeders says he’s concerned about rural water systems and their levels of contamination.

Lafayette Police seek a woman they say impersonated a nurse to gain access to employees only areas of a local hospital, where she helped herself to other peoples’ wallets and credit cards. They used security cam images compared with social media posts to identify Lakeshia Kennedy; now sought for felony theft. She’s wanted for the same crimes committed in Opelousas and in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Lots of folks expressing shock and surprise to learn Shreveport’s wastewater contains high levels of methamphetamine…but Brook Thorington spoke with one person who was not…:

CUT 02  (33)        “…Thorington.”

Recent rain has led to Jeff Davis Parish Parish canceling the outdoor burn ban that had been in place since early October. Calcasieu and Vernon parishes have also lifted their burn bans.

Melon smashing comic Gallagher has died at age 76. Yes, he is a distant relative, and no, I’ve never met the man.

The recent resignation of Department of Children & Family Services Secretary Marketa Walters has brought attention on the agency’s challenges in handling thousands of child welfare cases statewide. This after two toddler in Baton Rouge died from fentanyl overdoses while under DCFS overwatch. Baton Rouge state Senator Regina Barrow also chairs the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. She says she looks forward to speaking with newly-promoted DCFS head Terri Ricks about resolving problems…:

CUT 13(08)      “…have these hiccups.”

Governor Edwards accepted the resignation of DCFs Secretary Marketa Walters earlier this week.

The Governor spoke at Veterans Day ceremonies in Iberville Parish Friday. Mr. Edwards is a U.S. Army vet, and says should appreciate our veterans because so many of them volunteered to serve. Nearly a quarter-million Louisianans are military vets; over 30-thousand of them are women.