Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has agreed to a three-year reconstructed contract. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Another enhanced statewide drunk driving enforcement operation gets underway today. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over goes from now through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is traditionally one of the deadliest periods in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…an impaired driver.”

Fischer says Carnival is one of four times a year the state does a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, in which it gets federal funding to pay law enforcement officers overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

Fischer says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. On Tuesday, while speaking to members of the Logansport Chamber of Commerce, Fleming presented a pair of checks totaling more than 400-thousand dollars to Shreveport native James Willett and his son. Fleming says he was simply returning their unclaimed property — presenting the largest unclaimed property checks in state history.

Cut 7 (10) “…he passed away.”

Fleming says after the family member passed away, the money went untouched for a few years.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the state.”

Fleming says he wanted to present it publicly to create public awareness of the state’s unclaimed property fund, which currently stands at about 1.2-billion dollars. He says one in six people in Louisiana has unclaimed property, averaging about 900 dollars – and he says that money always belongs to its rightful owner.

Cut 9 (09)  “…not the legislature.”

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Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week, and there are two interesting races to watch. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

The Republican primary for the fifth district congressional race has announced candidates as they are looking to replace Letlow, who represents a district that stretches from northeast Louisiana to Baton Rouge. State Senator Blake Miguez is running, even though he doesn’t live in the fifth district. Alford says we’ve seen that before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Miguez also has President Trump’s endorsement. Alford says it remains to be seen if the endorsement of the President trumps the issue of an Acadiana lawmaker representing a district that’s based in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 12 (06) “…of that chatter.”

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Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie, but Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that moving forward.”

Some of Cumbie’s notable incentives include 50-thousand dollars for five conference wins, which increases by 25-thousand with each conference win. Cumbie could also make 50-thousand dollars for a conference title game appearance or 100-thousand dollars for a conference title game win.

Ivey says the 155-thousand dollars that are no longer part of Cumbie’s annual salary will go towards revenue sharing deals with the players, which will help with recruiting efforts and roster retention.

Cut 14 (12) “…character as well.”

Cumbie is 19-and-31 at Tech and is coming off an 8-5 season with an Independence Bowl victory. Ivey says Cumbie’s reconstructed contract is more than just a financial move.

Cut 15 (08) “…to do that.”

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There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Boutte averages 18 yards a catch and has a touchdown in the postseason. The New Iberia native has the utmost confidence in second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Cut 16 (13) “…of the day” 

Campbell never played for a championship at Neville High School or at LSU. But as a rookie in the NFL, he gets his opportunity after the Patriots used the fourth overall pick to select him.

Cut 17 (17)  “…it’s been awesome.”

Super Bowl 60 is on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Santa Clara, California. Campbell says he will certainly take a moment to take it all in before kickoff.

Cut 18 (09)  “…ready to go.”

The Patriots also have former Louisiana Tech standout Milton Williams. The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season.

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

More than a week and a half after an ice storm ravaged northeast Louisiana, there are still hundreds without power. The storm had knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says once the power is fully restored, they’ll begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid.

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over begins tomorrow and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

Tomorrow afternoon, officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville.

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

The Hyundai Steel mill will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

Delta Utilities customers facing financial hardship can get some help paying their natural gas bills, thanks to a venture the company has launched with the United Way. Sarah McLaughlin Porteous (PORT-ee-uhs) with Delta Utilities says the assistance is meant to be limited in nature.

Cut 5 (04) “…12-month period.”

There is an application process, and there are eligibility requirements, including income relative to household size.

Lane Kiffin touted the quarterbacks he and his staff recruited to LSU in his first remarks to the media since his introductory news conference. Kiffin brought in Sam Leavitt of Arizona State, Husan (HOO-sahn) Longstreet of USC and Landen Clark of Elon. Kiffin says he’s most proud of his staff’s ability to build one of the best quarterback rooms in the country through the portal.

Cut 11 (13) “…about their competitiveness.”

Northeast Louisiana has started the daunting task of recovery following last week’s ice storm. The damage is not limited to what you can see on the outside from your car. With many people losing power for days on end, they were left with refrigerators full of spoiled food. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says that’s been keeping the local food bank very busy. 

Cut 9 (08)  “…in spoiled food.”

Delta Utilities customers who are struggling to pay their bills due to financial hardship can get some help. The company is partnering with the United Way in launching DU Cares, giving qualifying customers 250 dollars towards their natural gas bills one time in a 12-month period. Sarah McLaughlin Porteous (PORT-ee-uhs) with Delta Utilities says the response so far has been very encouraging.

Cut 6 (09) “…than 300 applications.”

In all likelihood, legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be announced tonight as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says while Brees’ statistics are certainly impressive, the impact Brees had on the Saints franchise is immeasurable.

Cut 14 (09) “…run of success.”

Lane Kiffin spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since being hired as LSU’s head football coach. Over the past couple of weeks, Kiffin and his staff traveled across the country to get a head start on recruiting the Class of 2027. He says his trips in Louisiana have stood out.

Cut 12 (14) “…it’s awesome.”

A state representative from St. Bernard Parish files a bill that would make using images of children to create A-I deepfakes of a sexual nature illegal. Republican Michael Bayham says because it’s such a new technology, A-I is currently not addressed in Louisiana statutes.

Cut 10 (12) “…particularly our children.”

With the next Sugar Bowl being a College Football Playoff Semifinal, the game will be played January 15th, 2027. Not only will it be the latest Sugar Bowl in history, but the teams won’t even be known until after New Year’s Day. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says that in no way will diminish the turnout or the excitement leading up to the game.

Cut 4 (09) “…excitement around them.”

Four state lawmakers are looking to make the jump to Congress. Jeff Palermo has more on the race to replace Julia Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A deadly stabbing at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 43-year-old Dominican Republic native Melvin Lopez for the murder of 35-year-old Jonathan Robertson, who was serving 75 years for armed robbery. Lopez has been at the prison since 2017 and is serving a life sentence for murder.

Using images of children to create A-I deepfake images of a sexual nature would be illegal if a state lawmaker has his way. Representative Michael Bayham has filed a bill that would classify deepfake content involving children as child sex abuse material if it’s sexually explicit in nature.

Cut 9 (08)  “…abused and exploited.”

Even though Blake Miguez is running for a U.S. House seat in a district he doesn’t live in, that’s perfectly legal – the only requirement is that he live in the state. Still, USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn says Miguez’s opponents are hitting him hard on that fact.

Cut 7 (10) “…Senator Miguez.”

The primary election is May 16th; qualifying is next week – February 11th through the 13th.

The next Sugar Bowl will be the latest one in its 90-plus-year history. Because it’s a College Football Playoff Semifinal, it will take place Friday, January 15th, 2027. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while it breaks tradition, it’s for the best.

Cut 3 (09) “…be in it.”

The Sugar Bowl at the end of the 2027 season will be New Year’s Eve, before the Superdome hosts the National Championship Game for that season January 24th, 2028.

Cut 26 (02) (SFX ends)

It’s a pretty safe bet that Drew Brees will hear that sound on his front door tomorrow from a Pro Football Hall of Famer, letting him know that he’s a member of the Class of 2026. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says it would be shocking if Brees is not a first-ballot hall of famer.

Cut 13 (05)  “…Drew Brees’ name.”

Four state lawmakers are looking to make the jump to Congress. Jeff Palermo has more on the race to replace Julia Letlow in the 5th Congressional district.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If your kids dread going to school on Mondays, perhaps you should consider moving to East Feliciana Parish. That’s because schools there will be moving to a four-day schedule starting this fall – Tuesday through Friday, with slightly longer days. The school board says this is to give students more time to focus on high-quality instruction.

Using images of children to create A-I deepfakes of a sexual nature would be illegal if a state lawmaker has his way. Representative Michael Bayham has filed a bill that would classify such content as child sex abuse material. The Republican from St. Bernard Parish says because it’s such a new technology, A-I is currently not addressed in Louisiana statutes.

Cut 10 (12) “…particularly our children.”

The Sugar Bowl announces the dates of its next two games – and both are in the calendar year 2027. The game for next season is not until January 15th, since it’s a CFP Semifinal, and the game for the 2027 season is New Year’s Eve. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says the College Football Playoff works around the NFL when scheduling its games.

Cut 5 (10) “…to work with.”

A survey on the Republican Senate primary shows Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the favorite among GOP voters. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The largest flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward after St. Tammany Parish secures almost four-million dollars in federal funding. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Almost four months after two girls were killed in a house fire in Shreveport, two people are arrested, with two more to follow. Jeff Palermo reports one of the suspects is the girls’ grandmother.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Families in north Louisiana that rely on SNAP will see additional benefits because of the ice storm. Officials say there are thousands of households who have less money and less food because of road closures and extended power outages. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 4 (12) “…their SNAP benefits.”

Greenstein says SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits. He says these individuals will not have to do anything additional to receive these added benefits and this will help thousands.

Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”

Governor Landry says there is also assistance available for small businesses that lost revenue due to the ice storm. The governor says small business disaster loans are available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

Cut 6 (08) “…on their feet.”

The deadline to apply is November 2nd.

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A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy paid for the poll.

Cut 7 (08) “…getting re-elected.”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”

The Rigamer survey shows Letlow leading Cassidy 57-22 percent in a head to head matchup. The survey also finds that only 22-percent of Republican primary voters believe Cassidy deserves reelection. Ashy, who has been around Louisiana politics for decades, says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow is a key factor.

Cut 9 (07)  “…anybody overcoming that.”

Ashy organized fundraisers for both Letlow and Governor Landry during Washington Mardi Gras.

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St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.

Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”

The remaining federal funding will go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project. Vinsanau says with the total price tag for the two projects just shy of six-billion dollars, the federal funds will come in very handy.

Cut 11 (11) “…of Southeast Louisiana.”

Vinsanau says while the start of construction is still many years away, the securing of the federal funds advances those projects further than ever before.

Cut 12 (12) “…your next step.”

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In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. announced the arrest of 50-year-old Rita Montgomery in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Reese listed the laundry list of charges Montgomery is facing.

Cut 13 (12)  “…and criminal conspiracy.”

Reese also announced the arrest of 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey; he’s charged with prohibited activities and sanctions, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Reese says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way.”

Reese says both Montgomery and Cooksey lived in the home with the two girls. He said investigators have not established a motive at this time. Reese said his heart remains with the families of Aaliyah and Danielle.

Cut 15 (10) “…not forget them.”

Reese says arrest warrants are also out for two additional people – Sherika Spearman and Bobby Grant. Both will be charged with contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

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The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team has won three of its last four games, and the Cajuns look to keep it hot as they’re at James Madison tonight. With the team’s recent success, Cajuns head coach Quannas White says he wants his team to remain humble.

Cut 16 (17) “…and be consistent.”

The Cajuns lost 10 straight games at the beginning of the season, but the team still has a chance at making the postseason, sitting only three games behind first place in the Sun Belt. White says he always believed his team would turn things around.

Cut 17 (18)  “…go to work.”

Tipoff is at six p.m.

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball looks to bounce back from a loss to Sam Houston tonight, as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State. Tech is 5-5 in Conference USA play, but head coach Talvin Hester wants his team to continue improving, as anything can happen in March.

Cut 18 (13)  “…that last game.”

Junior guard D.J. Dudley has scored 20 or more points in the last four games for the Bulldogs. Hester says Dudley is a special player for several reasons.

Cut 19 (16) “…by the day.”

Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.

Two people are arrested in connection with an October house fire in Shreveport that killed two girls. One of them is the girls’ grandmother, 50-year-old Rita Montgomery. The other suspect is 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way.”

Blake Miguez ends his campaign for U.S. Senate and is now instead running for the now-open fifth district U.S. House seat. It comes after President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, prompting her to enter the Senate race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with Rainbow Trout. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One person is hurt after a natural gas pipeline explodes in Cameron Parish. It happened near Johnson Bayou and Holly Beach this morning. The person injured is an operator at the Delfin LNG pipeline; the Cameron Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness says his injuries are minor. No word on the cause of the explosion.

In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. 50-year-old Rita Montgomery and 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey are arrested in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. says Montgomery is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 14 (12) “…and criminal conspiracy.”

Blake Miguez ends his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

In its annual State of Tobacco Control report card, the American Lung Association gives Louisiana grades that would get it sent to its room with no dinner. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says for instance, the state needs to do a better job in getting the word out that low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered by insurance for those considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

LDWF plans to complete the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state this week. Fisheries Outreach Biologist Jonathan Porter says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise.

Cut 11 (11) “…reproduce.”