2023 was not the a great year for real estate with rising interest rates. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris believes things will improve this year with mortgage rates expected to settle in between five and six percent.

Cut 3 (10) “…buyers and sellers.”

Sad news as a 15-year-old student from Neville High School in Monroe is dead and five of his classmates injured after their deer camp caught on fire early Friday morning. Neville Tiger Network identified the student who died as Junior Tarver Braddock who was on the football and baseball teams.
Two of the five Neville High students hospitalized after yesterday’s fatal fire at a Mississippi deer camp, have reportedly been released. KNOE TV reports two are still being treated for smoke inhalation and one has been transferred to the burn center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

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Louisiana’s new governor-elect Jeff Landry will now be sworn in tomorrow instead of Monday. The inauguration moved to 4:30 Sunday due to expected storms on Monday. State lawmakers will be still be sworn in on Monday. As it all takes shape, republicans will be in control of both the executive and legislative branches. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin on what that means for the first regular session that begins in March…

Cut 12 (12)  “…vetoed.”  
LSU has hired its new defensive coordinator. Former Tulane football player and La Tech defensive coordinator Blake Baker was defensive coordinator at Missouri last season. He helped the Tigers go 11-and-2 as Mizzou ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring defense. His three-year, two-point-five million dollar contract makes him the highest-paid assistant coach in the country.

Word that mortgage interest rates are decreasing sparks hope the real estate market can rebound this year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Monday’s inauguration of Louisiana’s 57^th Governor Elect Jeff Landry has been moved to tomorrow due to the threat of severe weather on Monday. The governor will be sworn in at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon on the steps of the State Capitol, though by law he will not officially take office till Monday at noon. The Inauguration Ball will still take place Monday evening at 7.

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A 15-year-old student from Neville High School in Monroe is dead and five of his classmates injured after their deer camp caught on fire early this morning. The incident happened in Jefferson County, Mississippi and Sheriff James Bailey says his deputies were among the first on scene…

Cut 9 (11) “… burning camp.” 
If you are a king cake connoisseur, get ready to find the baby. One of the tastiest seasons in the Bayou State – King cake season kicks off this Saturday. Co-Owner of New Orleans Haydel Bakery David Haydel says they have been quite busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.

Cut 6 (13) “….on Friday.” 

A new state law that went into this week requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatments could keep them from having a child.  Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (25)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday after 17 years.  When Jim Donelon entered office, the state had some of the most expensive auto insurance rates in the country and despite his best efforts…

Cut 12 (08) “…House Insurance Chairman.” 

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Labor quality remains a big concern for small businesses in 2023. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they’ve been unable to fill some positions for a couple of months. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 15 (12) “…those sectors.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ leaves office Monday after two terms as governor. During his eight years, the Edwards administration navigated multiple natural disasters and civil unrest in 2016 following the Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Edwards tenure will be marred most notably by the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene while in State Police custody.

Cut 6 (12) “…the carpet.”

Louisiana health insurance providers must now pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week.  The new law went into effect this week.  The mandate does not apply to Medicaid or health insurance plans through the state health care exchange. And the bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says coverage is limited.

Cut 8 (08) “…own expense.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday. Edwards and the Legislature had to address a two-billion dollar budget deficit in his first year in office. As governor his first executive order was expanding Medicaid coverage to some 400,000 Louisianans. In 2020 he had to impose Covid restrictions that many Republicans thought went too far…

Cut 5 (09) “…of course.”
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Louisiana’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner will leave office on Monday. Jeff Palermo has more on Jim Donelan’s retirement.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Labor quality is the top concern among small businesses again this year. Forty percent of National Federation of Independent Business members say they were unable to fill positions in the last two months of 2023. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 14 (05) “…want to do.” 

The state’s longest-serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, will leave office on Monday. The 79-year-old from New Orleans has been the state’s insurance commissioner since 2006. Donelon says one of his greatest achievements was an incentive program that resulted in more insurance companies providing homeowners coverage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…

Cut 10 (10) “…five years running.”
Governor John Bel Edwards’ two terms in office ends Monday, ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says the Democrat from Tangiaphoa Parish constantly battled with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He says the battle started on his first day in office when the House rejected the governor’s choice for House Speaker.

Cut 4 (11) “…predecessor.”

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A new law requiring Louisiana health insurance providers to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile went into effect this week. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis says it applies to new health plans and existing health care plans.

Cut 7 (11) “…is completed.”
As we begin the new year, labor quality is the top concern among small businesses according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business survey. Regional NFIB Director Dawn McVea says unfilled positions continue to plague small businesses.

Cut 13 (12) “…out there.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will give his farewell remarks tonight and from his hometown of Amite. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
Lafayette’s Mayor-President Elect Monique Boulet will be sworn in this afternoon at the Cajundome. The daughter of former Governor Kathleen Blanco, Boulet talked about how her late mother would feel about her big day.

Cut 6 (11) “…of this.”
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Louisiana’s float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day one another big award this year. The Showmanship award. Of course, Louisiana has promoted tourism with floats in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade for the last three years and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says always they see a bump in visits to the Louisiana Office of Tourism’s website.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for 2024.”

Mardi gras always attracts a lot of attention, but how about a king cake that’s certified gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and keto-friendly? Eat Fit NOLA Dietician Emma Poling says thanks to the all-natural ingredients of Ochsner’s Signature Kingcaike, everyone can now say yes to king cake.

Cut 12 (12) “…carnival season.” 

Cut 12 (12) “…carnival season.” 

Today Monique Blanco Boulet will be sworn in as Lafayette’s first female Mayor-President. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
Governor John Bel Edwards will give his farewell remarks tonight from his hometown of Amite. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this the governor’s last chance to remind voters of what he’s accomplished in office.

Cut 15 (11) “…same opinion.”

Louisiana’s float in the Rose Parade won an award again this year. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the parade’s theme “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language” allowed Louisiana to showcase some homegrown talent like Amanda Shaw, James Burton, and Sean Ardoin

Cut 8 (08) “…Mardi Gras theme.” 

You don’t have to give up king cake to live a healthier lifestyle. Ochsner Signature Eat Fit King Cakes made by Unrefined Bakery are certified gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and keto-friendly.  Eat Fit NOLA Dietician Emma Poling says people may worry about not getting the traditional taste, but the cakes are just as delicious and under 120 calories.

Cut 11 (12) “…juice dyes.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards will give his farewell remarks tonight from his hometown of Amite. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards will highlight his achievements which he believes is a smart move politically if the Democrat wants to run again in 2027.

Cut 13 (11) “…so desires.”
She’s the daughter of former Governor Kathleen Blanco. And today Monique Boulet will be sworn in this afternoon at 3 pm at the Cajundome. As the first woman to serve in the position, Boulet says her first call to action is to build trust, increase transparency, and build the city’s economy.

Cut 4 (12) “…of Lafayette.”

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Louisiana’s New Year’s Day float in the Rose Parade has won an award for the third consecutive year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they took home the Showmanship Award again this year for a second time this year and the float highlighted the Bayou State’s musical roots…

Cut 7 (10) “…for Louisiana.”

If you’re trying to eat healthier in the new year, there’s a king cake for you! Ochsner Signature Eat Fit king cakes are for those who want to indulge in carnival season confections while keeping their New Year’s resolution. Eat Fit NOLA Dietician Emma Poling.

Cut 10 (10) “…every flavorful.”

Eat Fit King Cakes  are certified gluten free, grain free, dairy free and keto friendly and are being sold by select retailers  in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

The federal government is giving Louisiana the authority to issue permits and provide oversight for wells that store carbon dioxide. The Edwards administration has been working to make Louisiana a major player as a hub for Carbon Caputure and Sequestration…which takes carbon dioxide from industrial sources out of the air and storing it deep underground in a well.  Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Patrick Courreges says Louisiana now has the power to approve these wells…

Cut 13 (09) “…a lot.” 

Four boaters were saved from a sinking 40 foot fishing boat on Lake Borgne early yesterday morning. St. Tammany Parish authorities say Marine deputies and the U-s Coast Guard were called in to help with the rescue. All four people on the boat were taken to local hospitals for treatment for exposure to the cold weather.

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The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will not hear Caddo Parish sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal, so there will be another run-off election. John Nickelson lost the November 18th election by one vote, but a lower court judge ordered a new election after several questionable votes were counted. The election will be held March 23^rd with the presidential primary so political analyst John Hughes says that should favor Hughes who’s a republican.

Cut 8 (09) “…vote race.” 

In Ouachita Parish, a four-year-old was killed in a fatal crash Thursday afternoon. It happened on Highway 546. Trooper Ryan Davis says Bentley Whittlesey was rushed to a local hospital but did not survive…

Cut 4 (12) “…his injuries.”

The U-S EPA is giving Louisiana the authority to approve permits for underground storage of carbon dioxide. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 
Sad news out of Ouachita Parish where four year old Bentley Whittlesey was killed in a fatal crash. Trooper Ryan Davis says routine toxicology samples were taken on both drivers, however…

Cut 5 (06) “ …this crash.” 

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If you’ll be ringing in the new year with fireworks at home, the State Fire Marshall’s office is reminding us all to put safety first. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue suggests having a water source nearby in case of emergency or fire. She reminds adults to never give children fireworks, even sparklers.

Cut 11 (13) “…and bracelets.”

The LSU Tigers won easily over Northwestern State last night. Will Baker had 17 points as the LSU downed the Demons 96-55. LSU will open SEC play a week from tonight against Texas A-and-M.

And the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers get one last tune-up before SEC play as LSU hosts Jacksonville at 7 PM.