The first human patient diagnosed with bird flu in Louisiana and the U.S. has died according to The Louisiana Department of Health. LDH says the patient had underlying health concerns and was over the age of 65. The individual contracted the virus after exposure to a combination of a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. They say the risk to the public is low but cautions everyone to avoid contact with wild or sick birds.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is seeking federal assistance with security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. She’s asking for a tactical expert who can determine whether the city’s plans for bollards on Bourbon Street are sufficient to prevent another tragedy like the one that happened early on New Year’s Day.

Cut 7 (08) “…for public safety.”

Mardi Gras has been upgraded to a SEAR 1 event, the highest Special Event Assessment Rating by the Department of Homeland Security. The Super Bowl was already designated as a SEAR 1 event.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck southeast of Mooringsport in Caddo Parish, early this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Last year several tremors were recorded in northern parts of the state. While earthquakes are relatively rare in Louisiana, tremors measuring 0.5 or higher are increasing says Thomas Pratt with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Cut 13 (09)  “…operations up there.”

A decrease in the duration of unemployment insurance benefits took effect in Louisiana on January 1st. Robert Wooley with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, says coverage changes from 26 weeks to between 12 and 20 weeks but he says some people may be able to get up to eight additional weeks of benefits.

Cut 10 (11) “…that would qualify.”

Wooley also adds, the state is cracking down on unemployment fraud.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is seeking federal assistance on security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Cut 6 (15) “…months on end.”

President Biden has granted the mayor’s request to have Mardi Gras be upgraded to a SEAR 1 event, the highest Special Event Assessment Rating by the Department of Homeland Security. The Super Bowl is already designated as a SEAR 1 event.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck southeast of Mooringsport, early this morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  This tremor follows another 3.0 magnitude earthquake reported late Sunday night in the same region of Caddo Parish. U.S. Geological Survey Research Geophysicist Thomas Pratt says this has been occurring for the past few weeks.

Cut 12 (09) “…call them a sequence.”

In 2024, several tremors were recorded in northern parts of the state.

Since 2019, Louisiana’s economy showed mixed progress according to the Committee of 100’s (C100) year-end report that shows wages statewide have increased by 25-percent.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Changes to unemployment insurance in Louisiana took effect January 1st. Robert Wooley, the assistant secretary of Unemployment Insurance Administration at the Louisiana Workforce Commission, says benefits have gone down from 26 weeks to between 12 and 20 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate.

Cut 9 (06) “…12-week range.”

Wooley says there are ways that people can get up to eight additional weeks of benefits.

There was some drama, but Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton was re-elected as House Speaker. Two of the tree Republican Congressmen who initially voted for someone else switched their support when given another chance. Johnson told the House it’s time to get to work and he says there will be a focus on common sense legislation that includes strengthening the southern border, renewing the Trump era tax cuts and returning to energy dominance…

Cut 4 (12) “…do so.”

A strong cold front is coming to the entire state Sunday with High temperatures statewide on Monday in the 40s. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says morning lows will be several degrees below the freezing mark…

Cut 14 (09) “…whole week.”

A vigil will be held Saturday night at seven in memory of the 14 innocent victims of Wednesday morning’s terror attack on Bourbon Street. Meanwhile, Bourbon Street is getting back to normal. Andrew Greenstein was there last night.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One New Orleans pastor says he’s heartbroken that such a heinous event happened in the City of New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…those different things.”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton was re-elected as House Speaker, but it came with drama. Two Republican Congressmen initially voted for someone else, but switched their support when given another chance, giving Johnson the necessary votes to retain the gavel. Johnson told the House it’s time to get to work and that means putting Americans first again…

Cut 3 (12) “…working people.”

The coldest weather of the season is coming. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be in the 70s on Sunday but then a strong cold front will move in. He says the threat of severe weather exists Sunday for nearly the entire state, starting Sunday morning for northwest Louisiana and moving across the state as the day goes on…

Cut 13 (05)  “…lookout for that.”

High temperatures statewide on Monday will only be in the 40s

Days after the New Year’s Day Terror attack on Bourbon Street there’s an increased security presence around the French Quarter. Russell Desmond owner of Arcadian Books located in the French Quarter says it was on full display for Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl as bomb sniffing dogs checked vehicles at the Dome. Desmond says we need to remember those lost and put security measures in place to prevent attacks like this in the future but moving forward is necessary for the city.

Cut 9 (11)  “…doesn’t happen again.”

Many of the victims of Wednesday’s terror attack on Bourbon Street were brought to University Medical Center in New Orleans. Chief Medical Officer Jeffrey Elder:

Cut 5 (14) “…sister LCMC Hospitals.”

Elder says the majority of the injuries that hospital personnel treated were orthopedic injuries – broken bones, including arms and legs.

It was close but 2 last minute votes came through to re-elect Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the House of Representatives today Representatives Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas changed their votes to Johnson at the last minute, bringing the votes for Johnson to the needed. 218. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie kept his word to not cast his vote for Johnson. Johnson secured President-elect Donald Trump’s support just before the new year, but many republicans were upset over the way he handled the budget bill just before Christmas.

As they were sworn in today, the Republican controlled House and Senate say they have a mandate from voters to improve the livelihoods of Americans. Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says they have an ambitious agenda to carry out in the first 100 days…

Cut 3 (11) “…America’s economy.”

In the wake of the New Year’s Day Terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, French Quarter businesses are asking what can be done to prevent something like it from happening again.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The mild weather we’ve been experiencing will come to an end on Sunday as the coldest weather of the season will begin to make its way into the Bayou State. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be in the 70s on Sunday, but be prepared for a big change…

Cut 12 (10) “…so far.”

Keim says the threat of severe weather exists Sunday for nearly the entire state

The F-B-I now says the man who drove a rented pickup truck at a high rate of speed down Bourbon Street killing at least 14 others, acted alone and they no longer believe others were involved in the New Orleans terrorist attack. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says that 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on Monday posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

President Joe Biden says Jabbar lived in Houston and served in the United States Army and in the Army Reserve until a few years ago….

Cut 3 (12) “…desire to kill.”

Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and he will never forget them. He adds measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday. Among those measures is the placement of Heavy-duty metal barricades called Archers along Bourbon Street sidewalks. The portable barricades can withstand vehicle impacts. They temporarily replace the bollards that are usually present but had been removed for repair prior to the attack.

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he drove at a high rate of speed on Bourbon Street.

Cut 5 (12) “…been briefed on.”

Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30^th posting videos to Social Media along the way. In one, Jabbar proclaimed his support of ISIS which he said he joined before this summer.  Raia says FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two IEDs inside coolers.  One at the cross-section of Bourbon and Orleans Avenue and a second one two blocks away.

Cut 7 (14) “…that were functioning.”

After the terrorist attack, authorities wasted no time in beefing up security in the French Quarter. Heavy-duty metal barricades called “Archers” have been installed along Bourbon Street sidewalks. The archer barricades are portable and can withstand vehicle impacts. They temporarily replace the bollards that are usually present but had been removed for repair prior to the attack.

Baton Rouge native Kareem Badawi was one of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. The recent Episcopal graduate was a freshman at the University of Alabama. Episcopal Head Football Coach Travis Bourgeois coached Badawi all four years.

Cut 14 (14) “…and good times.”

Bourgeois says he watched Badawi grow up and become a man. He says he was a man of integrity on and off the football field.

The FBI has confirmed that the New Orleans terrorist suspect acted alone and he also planted explosive devices on Bourbon Street.  Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________________

President Joe Biden says the FBI is working non-stop, investigating the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Borbon Street. Biden says the man who carried out the attack is 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Houston resident who served in the United States Army and served in the Army Reserve until a few years ago….

Cut 3 (12) “…desire to kill.”

Biden says his administration will support and offer any resources to the investigation to the city of New Orleans.

Cut 4 (16) “…shine forth.”

______________________________________

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he drove at a high rate of speed on Bourbon Street..

Cut 5 (12) “…been briefed on.”

Raia says Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30^th posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

In another video, Jabbar proclaimed his support of ISIS which he said he joined before this summer.  Raia says FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two IEDs inside coolers.  One at the cross-section of Bourbon and Orleans Avenue and a second one two blocks away.

Cut 7 (14) “…that were functioning.”

Raia confirmed Jabbar was not wearing a suicide vest and  is one of the 15 confirmed dead.

Anyone with information, photos or video should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged the public to assist in the investigation….

Cut 8 (12) “…to do that.”

______________________________________________________________

New Orleans is hosting a college football playoff game this afternoon at the Superdome and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Bourbon Street reopened prior to kick-off…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the French Quarter.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and will never forget them, but it would be a tragedy if we let their losses be snuffed out because of fear…

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”

Landry says in the past 24 hours measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…we were before.”

__________________________________________________________

One of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack is Lafayette native and former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech. The 2015 graduate of STM also played lacrosse and was on the track and field team. He went on to play football at Princeton and was working in New York City. STM Principal Marty Cannon coached Bech

Cut 12 (12) “…really special.”

Bech was 28-years-old. His younger brother played at LSU for two seasons and will play in the NFL next season after having a big year at TCU in 2024. Cannon says Bech visited STM frequently and felt blessed to have seen him over the holidays…

Cut 13 (13)  “…to see him.”

Baton Rouge native Kareem Badawi was another victim of the attack. The recent Episcopal graduate was a freshman at the University of Alabama. Episcopal Head Football Coach Travis Bourgeois coached Badawi all four years.

Cut 14 (14) “…and good times.”

Bourgeois says he watched Badawi grow up and become a man. He says he was a man of integrity on and off the football field…

Cut 15 (10) “…the right thing.”

Episcopal will hold a prayer service at the Lewis Family Memorial Chapel tonight at 6:00 for Badawi and fellow alumni Parker Vidrine who was critically injured in the attack.

The FBI has confirmed that the New Orleans terrorist suspect acted alone, and he also planted explosive devices on Bourbon Street.  Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…Im Andrew Greenstein.”

Raia says Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30^th posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

One of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack is Lafayette native and former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech. The 2015 graduate of STM also played lacrosse and was on the track and field team. He went on to play football at Princeton and was working in New York City. STM Principal Marty Cannon coached Bech

Cut 12 (12) “…really special.”

Bech was 28 years old.

New Orleans is hosting the Sugar Bowl, a college football playoff game, this afternoon at the Superdome and Governor Jeff Landry says in the past 24 hours measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…we were before.”

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. The FBI says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he mowed down pedestrians on Bourbon Street. FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two functionable IEDs inside coolers in the French Quarter. 15 people are confirmed dead including Jabbar. The investigation continues and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urges the public to assist.

Cut 8 (12) “…to do that.”

Anyone with information, photos or video should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

President Joe Biden says his administration will support and offer any resources to the investigation to the city of New Orleans.

Cut 4 (16) “…shine forth.”

Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and will never forget them, but it would be a tragedy if we let their losses be snuffed out because of fear…

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”