Louisiana residents can now request an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” decal for their vehicle at no cost from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the decal will indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability.

Cut 9 (13) “…the stop.” 

Documentation is required for the decal.

A new report by the National Center for Health Statistics reveals suicide rate in the U-S last year reached a record high. More than 49 thousand people intentionally committed suicide. And LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says there has been an increase in drug overdose deaths largely driven by opioids.

Cut 11 (10) “…related event.” 

If you are a loved one need assistance with a mental health crisis call 9-8-8.

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech. After a four-game absence, Reese says she used her time away to reset and refocus. She says LSU legend Shaquille O’Neal was her daily motivator.

Cut 4 (15) “…I am.”

AlexWinterFete is underway in Alexandria and event manager Cathy Spiller says you can buy a $10 fast pass that allows you to wait in a shorter line for the ice-skating rink.

Cut 7 (12) “…don’t get” 

Visit AlexWinterFete, that’s F-E-T-E dot com for more information.

The CDC says nearly 50-thousand people in the U.S. died as a result of a suicide in 2022. The suicide rate of 14.3 deaths per 100-thousand people reached its highest level since 1941. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey says the stigma of mental illness needs to be removed so individuals are more likely to seek help…
cut 12 (12) “…professional care”

Alexandria’s favorite Winter Festival is back for the seventh year and there’s plenty of free-family-friendly entertainment. AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says they even have an ice-skating rink with real ice, Santa Claus, a petting zoo, plenty of inflatables for the kids, and more….

Cut 6 (09) “…shopping vendors.”

The hours on today in downtown Alexandria are four to ten and on Saturday 10 am until 10 pm.

After a four-game absence, LSU women’s basketball star forward Angel Reese made a powerful return to the court last night but felt her time off was necessary to recharge and refocus. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

LSU AgCenter researchers say the preliminary estimate on losses as a result of the drought and excessive heat this summer is nearly one-point-seven billion dollars to the state’s ag and forestry industry. About half of the total damage occurred on farms where crops performed poorly or died. Even the crawfish industry suffered 140-million dollars in damages and Economist Kurt Guidry says water availability is expected to limit crawfish acres…
cut 9 (11) “….point in time”

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th ranked Lady Tigers beat ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. After a four-game absence, the Bayou Barbie says it felt good to be back.
Cut 3 (11) “….with them.”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus for the 2024 legislative term. A republican is moving into the governor’s mansion and the GOP has a super majority in the Legislature. But Willard says Democrats will continue to champion people-centric issues like insurance reform, equal pay for women, and rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
Cut 4 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

There will be excitement on 16 high school football fields as the semifinals are tonight. North DeSoto hosts Opelousas in an intriguing matchup in Division two non-select. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says Opelousas is in the semi-finals for the first time since 1994…
cut 14 (12) “….move”

This year’s drought and historic wildfires have cost the state over 1.7 Billion Dollars. Dr. Kurt Guidry with the LSU Ag Center says the economic impact on some agricultural industries is not included in the figure. For the livestock industry, Guidry says it’s more than just the necessary sale of cattle…

Cut 8 (10) “…calves next year.” 

Nearly 50 thousand people intentionally committed suicide last year reaching a record high in the country. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey…

Cut 10 (07) “…with pills.”

The CDC says the country’s gun suicide rate increased by almost two percent compared to 2021.

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard will lead the House Democratic Caucus when the legislature meets next month for a special redistricting session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A ruling is expected next week on Caddo Sheriff candidate John Nickelson lawsuit challenging election results after a judge has allowed attorneys more time to file briefs to argue the case. Nickelson’s request for another runoff election in response to his allegations of voting irregularities after a recount still had him losing by one vote against Caddo Sheriff-Elect Henry Whitehorn.

Drought, record heat, and historic wildfires cost Louisiana agriculture and forestry 1.7 billion dollars this year based on preliminary estimates by the LSU Ag Center. Economist Dr. Kurt Guidry says soybeans and sugarcane took the hardest economic hit, with those industries losing a combined 595-million dollars…
Cut 7 (12) “…a acre”
Livestock and hay producers sustained 389-million dollars in losses.

The CDC says nearly 50-thousand people in the U.S. died as a result of a suicide in 2022. The suicide rate of 14.3 deaths per 100-thousand people reached its highest level since 1941. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Doctor Rahn Bailey says the stigma of mental illness needs to be removed so individuals are more likely to seek help…
cut 12 (12) “…professional care”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected as the new chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. The first task for the new Legislature that convenes in January is to draw a new Congressional district map that has two majority-minority districts. Federal courts have ruled the current map, which has just one majority-minority district, dilutes black voting power. Willard believes the Republican controlled legislature can complete the task…
cut 5 (09) “….majority-minority seats”

There are 16 high school football semi-final games tonight. In Shreveport, Calvary Baptist hosts Newman. Louisiana Football Magazine Publisher Lee Brecheen says the Cavaliers will be tough to beat…
cut 15 (12) “…much speed”

According to the CDC, U-S suicide rates reached a record high last year with nearly 50 thousand people taking their own life. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The U-S Justice Department has announced the arrest of a Covington father and his son for their actions in the January 6th, 2021 breach of the U-S Capitol. Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old Willard Purkel Jr and his 27-year-old son Cody face federal charges of civil disorder.

New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard has been elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus for the 2024 legislative term. A republican is moving into the governor’s mansion and the GOP has a super majority in the Legislature. But Willard says Democrats will continue to champion people-centric issues like insurance reform, equal pay for women, and rape and incest exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
Cut 4 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

There will be excitement on 16 high school football fields as the semifinals are tonight. North DeSoto hosts Opelousas in an intriguing matchup in Division two non-select. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says Opelousas is in the semi-finals for the first time since 1994…
cut 14 (12) “….move”

This year’s drought has had a tremendous economic impact on Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Angel Reese returned from a four-game unexplained absence and scored 19 points as the seventh ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth ranked Virginia Tech 82-64 in a rematch of last year’s national semi-final game. Aneesah Morrow also had 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. It was win number 700 for Coach Kim Mulkey. She became the quickest coach in men’s or women’s Division basketball history to reach 700 wins.

A new report by the C-D-C reveals the suicide rate in the U-S last year reached a record high. More than 49 thousand people took their own life. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says the rate of suicides involving guns in the U-S has reached its highest level…
Cut 10 (07) “…with pills.”
The federal data shows the rate of suicide by any method has increased by one-third in the past two decades, more than half of those involve firearm, a figure that translates to about one every 20 minutes.

It’s the semifinal round of the high school football playoffs. The top-seed in Division One non-select, Ruston, is seeking its first state championship since 1990 but they face a red-hot Mandeville team tonight. Sports Scouting Report Podcast host Lee Brecheen says the Bearkats are one of the best teams in the state…
Cut 13 (11) “…college prospects.”