The 2025 Christmas holiday was a deadly one on Louisiana roadways. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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Bourbon Street is now closed to motor vehicles through Friday as part of the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone, but one prominent injury lawyer says that’s not enough. Jeff Palermo reports.
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New LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. spoke of his relationship with new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin ahead of Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl matchup with Georgia. Andre Champagne has more.
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It was a deadly Christmas holiday on Louisiana roadways, as 13 people were killed in crashes from Christmas Day through Monday morning. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says all 13 deaths were preventable.
Thursday morning was very foggy, which was augmented by the smoke coming from the bonfires along the Mississippi River the night before. Mayfield says foggy conditions are no excuse.
Cut 5 (11) “…injury crash happening.”
Mayfield says when you make your way around the state for your New Year’s celebrations, you can expect a beefed-up State Police presence.
Cut 6 (09) “…around certain areas.”
The 13 deaths over the four-day Christmas holiday period makes 2025 the third deadliest in the state since 2015, topped only by 17 deaths in 2021 and 16 deaths in 2018.
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The French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established through Friday. Among other things, motor vehicles are prohibited from entering Bourbon Street through the end of the day Friday. But injury attorney Morris Bart, who’s representing dozens of victims and families impacted by the terror attack this past New Year’s Day, says that’s not enough.
Cut 7 (10) “…never happens again.”
Bart says it doesn’t require an occasion like New Year’s, the Sugar Bowl or Mardi Gras to take enhanced measures to close off Bourbon Street.
Years prior to the attack, the City of New Orleans had acquired removable bollards from engineering firm Mott MacDonald, which often failed when the tracks they moved on became clogged by drinks and beads. Bart says litigation research shows that those decorative bollards will only stop vehicles going up to five miles an hour.
Cut 9 (07) “…heavy duty bollards.”
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Today is the final day of 2025, and the biggest story of the year happened just a few hours in on the first day. A 42-year-old U.S. Citizen, who authorities say was inspired by ISIS, sped down Bourbon Street, running over several New Year’s Day revelers, killing 14 people and injuring several more. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the horrific event
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Governor Landry has ordered an official four-day period of mourning beginning this New Year’s Day.
Another major story in 2025 was the state legislature’s efforts to reduce insurance costs. Most of the legislation targeted efforts to reduce auto insurance rates, including a new law that gives Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple more authority to reject rate increases. Temple clashed with Governor Landry over the measure.
Cut 11 (10) “…sooner than that.”
The biggest sports story of the year was the firing of LSU football coach Brian Kelly and Athletic Director Scott Woodward after a blowout loss to Texas A&M on October 25th. Governor Landry made it known he was not a fan of Kelly’s contract and said Woodward would not hire the next head football coach at LSU.
LSU announced Lane Kiffin as its new football coach on November 30th — a decision made in part by new Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, who had the interim tag removed just days after being inserted into the role.
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Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is following head coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. But first, he’s coaching Ole Miss for the rest of the College Football Playoff, starting with tomorrow night’s Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Weis says it was a tough decision to make, but he believes it was the right one.
Weis went to Baton Rouge after the Rebels’ 41-10 win over Tulane in the first round. Weis says he’s been doing his best to do right by Ole Miss in finishing the season out while carrying out daily duties for his new LSU gig.
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Weis and Kiffin’s relationship dates back to coaching together on the Alabama staff in 2015. Weis also followed Kiffin to Florida Atlantic and to Ole Miss. Weis says Kiffin has a special ability to develop quarterbacks.
Cut 15 (09) “…makes coach great.”
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Louisiana Tech are Independence Bowl Champs for the fourth time in school history. The Bulldogs overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Coastal Carolina 23-14. The Dogs’ defense allowed 248 yards in the first half but shut out the Chanticleers in the second and forced three turnovers. Cornerback Cedric Woods says they were ready for anything.
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The Tech offense found its groove after a sluggish first-half performance. The Bulldogs had four turnovers of their own, but scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, including a 52-yard pass to wideout Marlion (Mar-lun) Jackson. Quarterback Trey Kukuk (Kew-kuk) totaled over 100 yards through the air and on the ground and says this LA Tech team is defined by resilience.
The victory is LA Tech’s first bowl win since 2019 and will finish the season 8-and-5, head coach Sonny Cumbie’s best mark in four years in Ruston. Cumbie says, despite national narratives, bowl games are as important as ever, and he hopes this season’s success can welcome a new era in Bulldogs football.