The mayor of New Orleans will be arraigned in a federal courtroom this afternoon. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Today marks the statistical peak of the hurricane season, and the tropics look more like a day in April instead of at the height of hurricane season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Andre Champagne has the story.

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is being arraigned in federal court at two this afternoon on charges related to covering up a romantic relationship with her bodyguard. Prosecutors say Mayor Cantrell and retired NOPD officer Jeffrey Vappie (VAA-pee) cheated the city out of 70-thousand dollars for trips they took together under the premise that Vappie was providing security to Cantrell. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Cantrell will plead not guilty.

Cut 4 (12) “…small property bond.”

Ciolino says Cantrell’s ability to travel will likely be compromised, to a point.

Cut 5 (13) “…is called for.”

Cantrell’s term as mayor of New Orleans ends January 12th. Indictment or no indictment, she was unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Ciolino says Cantrell’s trial will not start until after she leaves office, and he does not see any pre-trial hearings interfering with her remaining time in office.

Cut 6 (12) “…her being present.”

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Due to new federal rules, Louisiana is one of 12 states where a prescription is now required to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Senator Bill Cassidy says there is a go-around – a blanket prescription issued by State Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 7 (11) “…the prescription written.”

Senator Cassidy says such a move is not unprecedented.

Cut 8 (12) “…upon that prescription.”

Still, Senator Cassidy says the new rules are completely counterproductive.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the patient needs.”

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Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting a storm to form over the next week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there have been six named storms and just one hurricane.

Cut 10 (12) “…count on it.”

Keim says Bermuda High Pressure has kept storms away from the United States.

Cut 11 (09) “…East Coast.”

Keim says today only represents the halfway point of the season, and there’s still time for a destructive storm to hit the Gulf Coast.

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NOAA predicted 13 to 19 named storms this year. But Keim says we are on pace for just a normal season, which would be 14 named storms. He says it’s unusual to have just one hurricane so far.

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The number of people killed on Louisiana roads has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Last year, 753 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, which is a seven-percent drop from 2023. Mark Lambert with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission attributed the lower number to people wearing their seatbelts more than ever.

Cut 13 (12)  “…record high.”

In 2024, 261 people who were not wearing seat belts were killed in crashes, compared to 302 in 2023. Lambert stated that drivers can do all the things necessary to be safe drivers, but they cannot control what others do on the road, which is why he says wearing a seatbelt is so important.

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DWI arrests also increased by four percent, with law enforcement officers arresting almost 14-thousand people last year. Lambert says that increased law enforcement is also helping keep the roads safer.

Cut 15 (10) “…any damage”

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LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry had one of the best plays of the game as he evaded multiple tacklers to break off a 43-yard run late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech. Head coach Brian Kelly says that Berry has put the staff on notice after starting to get used to the transition to college.

Cut 16 (17) “…eye on.”

Florida football will come to Baton Rouge this Saturday with a limited margin for error, as another loss would just about end the Gators’ playoff hopes. Head coach Billy Napier says he is embracing going into Saturday’s matchup against LSU as the villain in a hostile environment.

Cut 17 (20)  “…this team.”

Napier has a record of 20-and-20 through his first 40 games with the Gators. He’s aware of the criticism he is getting for losing, but he says that it is important that he and his staff respond to adversity.

Cut 18 (17) “…those areas.”

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UL-Lafayette will travel to Columbia this weekend to take on number 25 Missouri in a sold-out Memorial Stadium. Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that his team does not need to worry about anything outside of football.

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Cajuns quarterback Daniel Beale had a quiet game in the 34-10 victory over McNeese, only throwing for 86 yards. Desormeaux says that Beale cannot single handedly win the game and that the Cajuns have to rally around their quarterback in order to defeat number-25 Missouri.

Cut 20 (19) “…to win.”

Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in a primary election that will be held in April. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says if the primary was held today, he would expect Cassidy to come out on top.

Cut 11 (10) “…on a dime.”

Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach then-former President Donald Trump.

An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says the federation believes the tort reform legislation that seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits will help business grow.

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Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic antebellum estate, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, says what’s just as upsetting as the theft of the statue are some of the reactions people are leaving on the estate’s Facebook page.

Cut 7 (08) “…Abraham Lincoln here.”

Police in Slidell arrest a woman in connection with a hit-and-run in a parking lot that left a woman critically injured. Surveillance video shows an employee of a community care center walking across the parking lot when she was run over by an SUV that was recklessly going through the parking lot in reverse. The driver was identified as 67-year-old Lillian Sellers of Mandeville, who’s also employed by the care center. Police say when Sellers was questioned, she shrugged her shoulders and provided no explanation.

When starting center Braelin Moore was injured on the first play of the game versus Louisiana Tech, sophomore DJ Chester came into the game to replace him. Head coach Brian Kelly says the staff is comfortable with playing Chester if Moore cannot go this week.

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The SEC has announced its conference schedule for the 2026 baseball season. LSU baseball will travel to Nashville to face Vanderbilt in the first week of SEC play before hosting Oklahoma in Baton Rouge. Other key opponents include Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Georgia on the road. In addition to Oklahoma, LSU will host Kentucky, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and Florida. Former LSU head coach Paul Manieri will return to Baton Rouge for the first time since being the Gamecocks head coach on May 1^st.

Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had the opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds against the Cardinals with a crucial drop in the endzone. Johnson says that even though New Orleans came up short, the team needs to prioritize its focus on the next game.

CUT 20 (19): “New Orleans happy.”

The Saints will take on the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans on Sunday at noon. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is questionable with a toe and shoulder injury, and star tight end George Kittle was placed on the injured reserve after injuring his hamstring against Seattle.

Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie announced that he has not named a starting quarterback for this week’s game versus New Mexico State. The Bulldogs played both quarterbacks, Trey Kukuk and Blake Baker against LSU.

Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in a primary election that will be held in April. Many are wondering if President Trump will make an endorsement. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says it’s possible Trump stays out of the race…

Cut 9 (10)  “…wouldn’t it.”

State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta are challenging Cassidy, who is seeking a third term.

Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic antebellum estate, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, discovered the 64-pound silver statue missing Sunday morning. Kelly doubts that it was an inside job.

Cut 6 (10) “…as 21 years.”

Kelly fears that given the statue’s value, the thief has likely melted it down by now.

An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says improving business conditions is leading to more optimism among small business owners…

Cut 3 (13) “…their businesses.”

She says owners are also optimistic over tort reform legislation recently approved that seeks to reduce frivolous lawsuits and hold down excessive litigation.

Solar manufacturer, First Solar Inc, is expected to begin operations at their new 1.1-billion-dollar plant in New Iberia soon and they’ve tapped St. Landry Parish Noble Plastics to supply components for the new facility.  Noble is investing 8.5 million dollars to expand their facility to meet the needs. Their expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and is expected to create 29 new direct jobs.

Houmas House and Gardens in Ascension Parish is missing a valuable statue of Abraham Lincoln. Sunday morning, owner, Kevin Kelly discovered that the 64-pound silver statue created by Gutzon Borglum who also carved the four U.S. Presidents into the side of Mount Rushmore was missing. Kelly says Lincoln stayed at Houmas House on more than one occasion.

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A 15-year-old was arrested after an accidental shooting on Northwestern’s Campus left a victim seriously injured. Investigators say the juvenile was handling a firearm in a negligent way causing it to fire.  Natchitoches city and parish authorities along with Northwestern police responded Monday night and gave aid to the victim who was eventually airlifted to an Alexandria hospital and is now listed in stable condition. The juvenile is charged with illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and negligent injuring.

A national survey conducted by the NFIB finds optimism among small businesses continues to improve. Jeff Palermo has the story….

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Three formidable challengers are seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy is considered vulnerable because of his 2021 vote to impeach President Donald Trump. But Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says

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A Slidell woman was arrested for an alleged hit and run that left her co-worker critically injured. Slidell police say surveillance shows 67-year-old Lillian Sellers was backing up recklessly in the parking lot of Greenbriar Community Care Center Sunday night when she violently struck a female co-worker walking to her car. She then exited her SUV, retrieved a broken piece of bumper and put it in her car. She then walked in to work saying someone had fallen in the parking lot. When medical personnel determined the victim’s injuries were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, they notified police. When questioned, Sellers reportedly shrugged her shoulders and gave no explanation.

Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. The primary is not until April but Jeremy Alford with LA Politics Weekly says if the primary was held today, he would expect Cassidy to come out on top…

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A valuable statue was stolen from an historic Ascension Parish antebellum estate over the weekend, Andrew Greenstein reports.

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Small Business Owners are optimistic, says a recent NFIB survey and State director Leah Long says they are hearing from members across Louisiana that sales are improving…

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Louisiana’s U-S Senate race has the potential to be heated with Senator Bill Cassidy facing three formidable challengers in a primary election that will be held in April. Many are wondering if President Trump will make an endorsement. Jeremy Alford with L-A Politics weekly says it’s possible Trump stays out of the race…

Cut 9 (10) “…wouldn’t it”

State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta are challenging Cassidy, who is seeking a third term.

An NFIB survey finds optimism among small business owners continues to increase. NFIB state director Leah Long says in Louisiana small business owners believe recent legislation approved will help their business grow, including the tort reform measures designed to reduce frivolous lawsuits and hold down excessive litigation costs…

Cut 4 (10) “…business owners ”

Some news on the progress of the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge. Project spokesperson Johnathan Hill told the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury construction should start early next year, with a finish date set for 2030. Hill says the new bridge will require a toll, but not until a year after the bridge opens.

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Someone stole a rare 64-pound silver statue of Abraham Lincoln from the Houmas House and Gardens in Ascension Parish. Kevin Kelly is the owner of the historic antebellum estate that features multiple restaurants and rooms to stay the night. Kelly reported the theft on Facebook and the comments on the post are upsetting…

Cut 7 (08) “….Abraham Lincoln”

Over the weekend, someone stole a statue of Abraham Lincoln from an Ascension Parish historic mansion, and the owner would really like it back. Kevin Kelly, who owns Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, discovered the 64-pound silver statue missing Sunday morning. Kelly doubts that it was an inside job.

Cut 6 (10) “…as 21 years.”

Kelly fears that given the statue’s value, the thief has likely melted it down by now.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has received an update on the new 2.3-billion-dollar Lake Charles I-10 bridge project. Project spokesman Johnathan Hill says construction is slated to begin next year and is expected to take several years to complete.

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A national survey conducted by the NFIB finds optimism among small businesses continues to improve. Jeff Palermo has the story….

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