Baton Rouge hit a fourth consecutive employment record last month, and New Orleans continued it’s powerful jobs performance with another 2,100 jobs month to month, but over the year Shreveport is down 2,800 jobs, Houma is down 1,200, and Lake Charles is down 800. Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante blames the construction industry…

Cut 11 (11) “…services and manufacturing.”

Statewide manufacturing added 5,000 jobs over the year.

Today marks the beginning of tax season, and you now have until April 15^th to file your 2019 earnings and deductions. Last year was year one for the major federal tax overhaul that eliminated many itemized deductions in exchange for a higher standard deduction. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber…

Cut 8 (10) “…last year.”

Louisiana is named the most pro life state in the nation by Americans United for Life. Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Alexandra Seghers says pro-life voters will soon have an opportunity to back up that ranking by voting on a constitutional amendment on the November ballot…

Cut 14 (07) “…constitution.”

The March for Life gathered in both Monroe and Baton Rouge over the weekend, and thousands, including the President, joined the march in D.C Friday.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center needs non-breast fed babies for a study dedicated to crafting better formula. Director of biomedical imaging Owen Carmichael says research suggests if a formula is fortified with the nutrient building blocks for the development of myelin, it promotes better brain development.

Cut 5 (08) “…of electrical wires.”

The study doesn’t restrict a baby’s diet solely to the fortified formula. 

Starting today you can submit your 2019 state and federal taxes, and you’ll have until April 15^th to get them done. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber says his number one tip for filers every season is to efficiently organize your tax information either for yourself or your preparer.

Cut 7 (11) “…returns”

Americans United for Life ranks Louisiana as the most pro-life state in the nation, largely on the back of a series of bills passed last year in the Legislature.  The rankings also touted an upcoming March 4^th Supreme Court admitting privileges case originating from Louisiana. Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Alexandra Seghers…

Cut 13 (11) “…Louisiana”

Opponents argue requiring admitting privileges at local hospitals is an undue burden designed to shutter abortion clinics across the country.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Two people died over the weekend in Baton Rouge after two vehicles believed to be drag racing collided with each other, and then struck a bicyclist. The crash claimed the life of one of the drivers, 56-year-old Christopher Brock, and the bike rider, 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd. The surviving driver of the other vehicle has been arrested.

The sports world remains stunned today over the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter. They were among the nine who died in a helicopter crash in California. Bryant won five NBA titles with the Lakers, three straight with former LSU star Shaquille O’ Neal in the early 2000s.

In a social media post, O’Neal said there are no words to express the pain. I love you and you will be missed.

Bryant’s sudden passing was in the background of Sunday night’s Pelicans game versus the Boston Celtics. Both teams started the game taking a 24-shot clock violation in honor of number 24, Kobe Bryant.

Kobe was a big fan of Zion Williamson and the rookie produced his first double-double as he had 21 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. Jrue Holiday had 25 points. New Orleans went on to beat Boston 123-108.

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After winning a school-record 11 games in 2019, the Ragin Cajuns football team begins offseason workouts today as they prepare for 2020. Third-year head coach Billy Napier says the goal is to build on last year’s success…
cut 19 (16) “…intend to do”

LSU baseball has started practicing for the 2020 season and freshman outfielder Maurice Hampton is trying to make the quick adjustment after helping the football team win a championship. Coach Paul Maineiri….
cut 18 (20) “…I think”

Three people are missing after two towing vehicles collided in the Mississippi River near Destrehan Sunday morning. The collision caused one of the vessels to sink, and caused heavy damage to the other, with the incident shutting down a portion of the River for hours. One of the vessels also was carrying sulfuric acid, and released an unknown amount of the gas into the air after the collision.

Tax season is upon us and today is the first day you can file your 2019 taxes…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The sports world mourns the passing of Kobe Bryant who died yesterday with his daughter in a helicopter crash.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study.  Director of biomedical imaging Owen Carmichael says while breastfeeding is the way to provide a baby with the best possible nutrition…

Cut 4 (13) “…are fed formula.”

The study tests a conventional baby formula against an enhanced formula that has a greater number of certain nutrients.

New job numbers released by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows the Baton Rouge area has set a fourth consecutive nonfarm employment record in December 2019.  Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante says 1,800 jobs have been added over the month.

Cut 10 (10) “…over the state.”

New Orleans gained 11,300 jobs over the year, and 2,100 jobs from November to December.

There was an officer-involved shooting around 7:50 this morning in the French Quarter. According to NOPD three officers fired at a man who had been pointing a gun at people in the quarter that morning, there was an exchange of fire, but they’re not sure who shot first. The man was critically wounded and taken to University Medical Center.

An unidentified 31-year-old black male was stabbed to death in Lafayette last night, allegedly by 26-year-old Elizabeth Alfred of Lafayette. Alfred has been charged with second-degree murder in the incident.

After guiding LSU to a national title, head coach Ed Orgeron has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth 42-million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins doesn’t see the big-money contract slowing down Orgeron’s work ethic…

Cut 8 (10) “…something again.”

The contract extension is pending approval of the LSU Board of Supervisors. The deal keeps Coach O’ in Baton Rouge through the 2026 season.

Holden Matthews, the man suspected of setting fire to three African American Churches in St Landry Parish last spring, will have a change of plea hearing next month. Matthews next court date is February 10th. He also faces state charges, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino expects the son of a law enforcement officer will only spend time in federal prison…

Cut 11 (12) “…dismissed.”

The U-S Attorney’s office indicted Matthews on three counts of intentional damage to religious property which is considered a hate crime and three counts of arson.

Onlineschoolsreport.com ranks Northwestern State University’s online Bachelor of General Studies as the number two program in the nation. A majority of the curriculum’s students are over the age of 24, and Executive Director of Academic Advising Steve Hicks says it fits their needs whether full time or part-time.

Cut 4 (07) “…suit their needs.”

After guiding LSU to a national title, head coach Ed Orgeron has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth 42-million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says there were doubters when former athletics director Joe Alleva hired Orgeron as the head coach in 2016, but it’s turned out to be a perfect fit…

Cut 7 (10) “…college football.”

The contract extension is pending approval of the LSU Board of Supervisors. The deal keeps Coach O’ in Baton Rouge through the 2026 season.

Holden Matthews, the man suspected of setting fire to three African American Churches in St Landry Parish last spring, will have a change of plea hearing next month. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino expects a deal to be reached, but the length of his sentence is anyone’s guess…

Cut 10 (07) “…civil rights violations.” 

Ciolino adds the evidence against Matthew’s is substantial.

The hunt for the killer of a gay black teen who was found near a lake in Angie two weeks ago continues, and the Southern Poverty Law Center is concerned it may have been a hate crime. 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor was found shot in the head only an hour after being reported missing by his mother. Washington Parish Sheriff’s chief deputy Mike Haley says it’s their office’s primary focus.

Cut 12 (11) “…FBI.”

Haley adds they’re currently reviewing a key piece of evidence discovered in the lake by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s dive team.

Onlineschoolsreport.com ranks Northwestern State University’s online Bachelor of General Studies as the number two program in the nation. Executive Director of Academic Advising Steve Hicks says the positive ranking should help with enrollment…

Cut 5 (08) “…to the region.”

Data sources for the rankings include the National Center for Education Statistics and the US Department of Education’s College Scoreboard.

The hunt for the killer of a gay black teen who was found near a lake in Angie two weeks ago continues, and the Southern Poverty Law Center is concerned it may have been a hate crime. 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor was found shot in the head only an hour after being reported missing by his mother. The SPLC is demanding no stone be left unturned in the case given what they say is the history of failure by law enforcement agencies in the Deep South to solve, or even investigate anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.

Cut 13 (10) “…particular”

That’s SPLC Staff Attorney Tyler Clemons. The FBI estimates nearly one in five hate crimes are motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias.

But Washington Parish Sheriff’s chief deputy Mike Haley says it’s too early to start labeling the killing a hate crime, and they don’t have the evidence yet to make that determination.

Cut 14 (09) “…don’t know”

Holden Matthews, the man suspected of setting fire to three African American Churches in St Landry Parish last spring, will have a change of plea hearing next month. The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the prosecution has a lot of evidence..

Cut 9 (10) “…the arson.”

Onlineschoolsreport.com ranks Northwestern State University’s online Bachelor of General Studies as the number two program in the nation. The rankings looked at various factors including student satisfaction and median debt by program. Executive Director of Academic Advising Steve Hicks…

Cut 3 (11)  “…is an honor.” 

Hicks says the general studies program is an appropriate field for those who have an employer that requires a degree for upward mobility.

The Zion Williamson era of the Pelicans continues it’s slow start in a 113-106 loss to the nuggets at home in the Smoothie King Center. The team lost control in the 1^st and couldn’t ever quite get it’s footing against Denver’s size as Brandon Ingram continued his cold spell scoring only 13 points on 11 shots. Jrue Holiday had an even rougher game, only scoring 12 points on 17 shots, another in a line of disappointing outings for the team’s leader.

We did get another Zion outing, with the rookie star playing 21 minutes last night. He’s still shooting red hot from the floor, scoring 15 points on only 9 shots, but no 3s, along with six rebounds, a monstrous block, and his first dunk off an alley-oop. While Zion was on the court, the Pels outscored the Nuggets by 16 points.

The Pels are now 5-5 in their last ten and sit four and a half games out of the playoffs. They take on the Celtics tomorrow at 5PM.

After guiding LSU to a national title, head coach Ed Orgeron has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth 42-million dollars. The contract extension is pending approval of the LSU Board of Supervisors. The deal keeps Coach O’ in Baton Rouge through the 2026 season. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says there were doubters when former athletics director Joe Alleva hired Orgeron as the head coach in 2016, but it’s turned out to be a perfect fit…

Cut 7 (10) “…college football.”

LSU, on a seven-game win streak, takes on the 12-6 Longhorns today on the hardwood. Tigers Coach Will Wade says the Longhorns will be ready for the Tigers

cut 20 (25) “ to go”    

Winning the national championship results in a big payday for LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The New Orleans Saints are going to court to keep hundreds of emails from being unearthed showing the team’s executives advised the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in doing PR damage control, as they are accused of helping the in the church’s “pattern and practice of concealing” evidence of sex abuse.  The team has responded saying the advice was simple and never wavering. Be direct, open and fully transparent, while making sure that all law enforcement agencies were alerted.

The man accused of setting fire to three predominately black congregation churches in St. Landry Parish will have a change of plea hearing. Holden Matthews previously pleaded not guilty to state and federal arson and hate crime charges. Ciolino says a plea deal will reduce Matthews’ federal sentence and keep him out of a state penitentiary…
Cut 11 (12) “…dismissed.”

Matthews next court date is February 10th.

Northwestern State’s online general studies program has been ranked as the second-best in the country. Executive Director of Academic Advising at Northwestern, Steve Hicks, says the online general studies program provides a lot of flexibility for a student, many of them over the age of 24…
Cut 4 (07) “…suit their needs.”

Hicks says the general studies program is an appropriate field for those who have an employer that requires a degree for upward mobility.