Outgoing Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s pleased with President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet choices, even though he was passed over for Transportation Secretary in favor of Sean Duffy.  Graves conveyed optimism about Trump’s leadership and his dedication to Louisiana’s interests, particularly in energy policy and economic growth.

Cut 11 (09) “…gonna make change.”

About 40 championship rings have been stolen from legendary LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux’s office, and university police are actively searching for them. Breaux says the rings that were stolen dated as far back as the 1980s.

Cut 5 (09) “…in that case.”

Breaux retired as coach in 2020 and still works for the university in an ambassador role. So far, police have no suspects.

Facebook parent Meta is planning to build a 5-billion dollar artificial intelligence center near Monroe. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Luke Letlow will be immortalized with a post office in Rayville bearing his name. Letlow was elected to represent Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in 2020 but died of COVID just five days before he was to be sworn in. The designation passed the Senate last night and now awaits a signature from President Biden to make it official.

About 40 championship rings have been stolen from legendary LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux’s office, and university police are actively searching for them. Breaux says the rings that were stolen dated as far back as the 1980s.

Cut 5 (09) “…in that case.”

Breaux retired as coach in 2020 and still works for the university in an ambassador role.

While Congressman Garret Graves was considered for Transportation Secretary, the role went to Sean Duffy. Graves expressed support for Duffy and their collaboration. He highlighted President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selections as a sign of significant change.

Cut 9 (09)  “…us from Mexico.”

Graves conveyed optimism about Trump’s leadership and his dedication to Louisiana’s interests.

Facebook parent Meta is planning to build a 5-billion dollar artificial intelligence center near Monroe. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Luke Letlow will be immortalized with a post office in Rayville bearing his name. Letlow died of COVID at the end of 2020, just five days before he was to be sworn into the House of Representatives. Senator Bill Cassidy says Letlow’s story shows the impact COVID had on our state…

Cut 13 (11)  “…with that I yield.”

LSU Police are looking for whoever stole dozens of gymnastics championship rings. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Facebook parent Meta is planning to build a 5-billion dollar artificial intelligence center near Monroe. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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LSU Police are looking for whoever stole approximately 40 championship rings from legendary gymnastics coach D-D Breaux’s. Breaux retired as coach in 2020 and still works for the university in an ambassador role. She says she normally keeps her door locked when she leaves for the day; but one day earlier this month, she didn’t. She says she first realized that something was amiss when a news article she kept on top of the case of rings was moved.

Cut 3 (09) “…of this case.”

Breaux says whoever stole the rings was apparently only after the rings and nothing else.

Cut 4 (14) “…took my rings.”

Breaux says the rings that were stolen dated as far back as the 1980s and were for individual events. She says she still has the team championship rings she won.

Cut 5 (09) “…in that case.”

The value of each ring stolen is believed to be more than three-thousand dollars. So far, university police have no suspects.

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Facebook parent company Meta is planning to build a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center near Monroe in Richland Parish. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says this would be huge…

Cut 6 (06) “…comes true.”

The facility would employ as many as 500 people with an average salary of 82-thousand dollars. Campbell says northeast Louisiana is one of the poorest areas in the country…

Cut 7 (12) “…about it.”

Campbell sits on the Public Service Commission. The P-S-C will have to approve the construction of three new natural gas power plants that would supply power to the A-I facility. Campbell says he’ll do what he can to make sure the project becomes a reality, because northeast Louisiana needs the jobs.

Cut 8 (08) “…in poverty.”

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While Congressman Garret Graves was considered for Transportation Secretary, the role went to Sean Duffy. Graves expressed support for Duffy and their collaboration. He highlighted Trump’s cabinet selections as a sign of significant change, emphasizing the administration’s focus on inflation, infrastructure, energy, and stressed addressing illegal immigration.

Cut 9 (09)  “…us from Mexico.”

Graves criticized the Biden administration’s energy policies, particularly the lack of new energy production areas, which he claims disproportionately impacts Louisiana. He anticipates that Trump will open areas like the Gulf of Mexico for production.

Cut 10 (11) “…begin future production.”

Graves conveyed optimism about Trump’s leadership and his dedication to Louisiana’s interests, particularly in energy policy and economic growth.

Cut 11 (09) “…gonna make change.”

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The U.S. Senate has passed a bill by Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy to rename the U.S. Postal Service facility in Rayville, as the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.” Cassidy says the legislation honors Luke Letlow, a Louisiana native, elected in 2020 to represent the state’s 5th Congressional District, who died of COVID-19 complications five days before taking office.

Cut 12 (11) “…fellow Americans.”

Cassidy praised Letlow’s dedication to improving lives in Louisiana, and Letlow’s story shows the impact  COVID had on our state…

Cut 13 (11)  “…with that I yield.”

Facebook parent company Meta is planning to build a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center near Monroe in Richland Parish. The facility would employ as many as 500 people with an average salary of 82-thousand dollars. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says northeast Louisiana is one of the poorest areas in the country…

Cut 7 (12) “…about it.”

Congressman Garret Graves says President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selections are a sign of significant change, particularly in energy policy. Graves anticipates that Trump will open areas like the Gulf of Mexico for production.

Cut 10 (11) “…begin future production.”

LSU Police are looking for whoever stole approximately 40 championship rings from legendary gymnastics coach D-D Breaux’s offic. Breaux retired as coach in 2020 and still works for the university in an ambassador role. She says she normally keeps her door locked when she leaves for the day; but one day earlier this month, she didn’t. She says she first realized that something was amiss when a news article she kept on top of the case of rings was moved.

Cut 3 (09) “…of this case.” 

The value of each ring stolen is believed to be more than three-thousand dollars. So far, police have no suspects.

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

Time is running out on the special session on tax reform. The biggest sticking point involves sales taxes, with House members now considering just adding 19 services to the sales tax base instead of the 41 originally proposed by Governor Landry. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it looks like lawmakers are making some headway.

Cut 23 (11) “…initially brought up.”

Alford says if the House can’t agree on a sales tax plan, the entire tax reform plan could be in jeopardy.

While Congressman Garret Graves was considered for Transportation Secretary, the role went to Sean Duffy. Graves expressed support for Duffy and their collaboration. He highlighted Trump’s cabinet selections as a sign of significant change.

Cut 9 (09)  “…us from Mexico.”

Researchers at Tulane University are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at curbing the spread of whooping cough. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Luke Letlow will be immortalized with a post office in Rayville bearing his name. Letlow was elected to represent Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in 2020 but died of COVID just five days before he was to be sworn in. The designation passed the Senate last night and now awaits a signature from President Biden to make it official.

Facebook parent company Meta is planning to build a five-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center near Monroe in Richland Parish. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says this would be huge…

Cut 6 (06) “…comes true.”

The facility would employ as many as 500 people with an average salary of 82-thousand dollars.

Tulane University researchers are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at reducing the spread of whooping cough. Lead study author Lisa Morici (mo-REE-see) says while current vaccines are effective at preventing whooping cough, they fail to clear the bacteria from the upper respiratory tract, allowing even vaccinated people to spread the disease. The vaccine she and her team are working on aims to address this.

Cut 15 (10) “…from the animals.”

Morici’s study is published in the journal npj Vaccines.

Louisiana Workforce Commission showed sustained growth, with seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reaching 1.9 million in October 2024. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

We now know the names of the two young men shot and killed during a second line parade in New Orleans on Sunday. They were 21-year-old Rasean Carter and 19-year-old Malachi Jackson. They were killed in the second of two separate shootings at the Nine Times second line. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the two shootings were unrelated.

In the special session on tax reform, lawmakers have a long way to go, and a short time to get there. Part of Governor Landry’s plan involved ending tax breaks on certain sectors, like the state’s film industry. The film industry has vehemently pushed back on that, and LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says that seems to have struck a chord with those in the State Senate.

Cut 12 (07) “…in the industry.”

The special session must end by six p-m Monday.

Senator Bill Cassidy will serve as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee during the 119th Congress. Cassidy addressed Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose controversial views on public health topics like fluoride in drinking water have sparked significant debate.

Cut 5 (13) “…it is safe.” 

Tulane University researchers are working on a vaccine aimed at reducing the spread of whooping cough. Lead study author Lisa Morici (mo-REE-see) says this is a nasal vaccine.

Cut 14 (14) “…a needle delivery.”

Morici says the new vaccine combines the traditional pertussis antigens with an innovative adjuvant that boosts the body’s immune response, specifically in the respiratory tract. Morici’s study is published in the journal npj Vaccines.

A massive AI data center could be coming to North Louisiana. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and others, is planning the five-billion-dollar project in Richland Parish near Monroe, and it would create as many as 500 jobs with an average salary of 82-thousand dollars. If approved, the data center could be up and running in about three years.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission showed sustained growth, with seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reaching 1.9 million last month.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The clock is ticking on the special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Researchers at Tulane University are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at curbing the spread of whooping cough. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy will serve as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee during the 119th Congress. Cassidy addressed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose controversial views on public health topics like vaccinations and fluoride in drinking water have sparked significant debate.

Cut 4 (10) “…will take place.”

Cassidy acknowledged these controversies, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making on public health matters. He stressed that his role as HELP Committee chairman will prioritize advancing policies rooted in scientific consensus and improving health outcomes nationwide.

Cut 5 (13) “…it is safe.”

As chairman, Cassidy is expected to play a critical role in shaping healthcare reforms, addressing workforce challenges, and overseeing educational initiatives. His leadership could influence debates on contentious issues such as vaccine mandates.

Cut 6 (13) “…on anything else.”

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Louisiana’s employment figures show sustained growth. Workforce Commission Economist Emily DiPalma says seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reached 1.9 million last month — up 7,700 from September and 9,500 over the year. Private sector employment also rose to 1.6 million, adding 7,100 jobs monthly and 3,900 annually.

Cut 7 (07) “…to include agriculture.”

This marks 43 consecutive months of year-over-year growth. The number of employed individuals decreased by 5,800 from September, while unemployed individuals increased by 3,600. DiPalma says major job gains over the month included private education and health services, manufacturing and construction…

Cut 8 (12) “…in that sector.”

With the year over year job growth, DiPalma says she doesn’t see exponential growth but instead a steady trend making the forecast for jobs in Louisiana looking bright.

Cut 9 (06)  “…ten-year outlook.”

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In the special session on tax reform, lawmakers have a long way to go, and a short time to get there. The biggest sticking point involves sales taxes, with House members now considering just adding 19 services to the sales tax base instead of the 41 originally proposed by Governor Landry. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it looks like lawmakers are making some headway.

Cut 10 (11) “…initially brought up.”

Earlier, the House approved a measure to reduce income taxes to a flat three-percent across the board and to boost the standard deduction. But Alford says if they can’t agree on an accompanying sales tax plan, that income tax plan could be in jeopardy.

Cut 11 (05) “…to carry forward.”

Part of Landry’s plan involved ending tax breaks on certain sectors, like the state’s film industry. The film industry has vehemently pushed back on that, and Alford says that seems to have struck a chord with those in the State Senate.

Cut 12 (07) “…in the industry.”

The special session must end by six p-m next Monday.

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Tulane University researchers are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at reducing the spread of whooping cough. Lead study author Lisa Morici (mo-REE-see) says the new vaccine combines the traditional pertussis antigens with an innovative adjuvant that boosts the body’s immune response, specifically in the respiratory tract.

Cut 13 (11)  “…that are susceptible.”

Morici’s findings come at a time when whooping cough cases are on the rise. Whooping cough affects about 24-million people worldwide and primarily affects infants and those with weakened immunity systems. Morici says the best part about this vaccine is that it is injected through the nasal passages.

Cut 14 (14) “…a needle delivery.”

Morici says while current pertussis vaccines are effective at preventing whooping cough, they fail to clear the bacteria from the upper respiratory tract, allowing even vaccinated people to spread the disease. The vaccine she and her team are working on aims to address this.

Cut 15 (10) “…from the animals.”

Morici’s study is published in the journal npj Vaccines.

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The Louisiana Tech football tam’s celebration of their upset win over Western Kentucky will be cut short as they look ahead to visit Arkansas this weekend. The Razorbacks are led by Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green. Bulldogs Head Coach Sonny Cumbie says containing the athletic signal caller will be top priority…

Cut 16  (19)  “…at times.” 

The Bulldogs will depend on the nation’s 12th-ranked defense to slow down the Razorbacks. Linebacker Zach Zimos has been key to the unit’s success since transferring from Arkansas two seasons ago. Cumbie says the team’s second-leading tackler has been a transfer success story…

Cut 17 (19) “…having him.” 

The 4-and-6 Bulldogs need to come away with a win to keep their bowl hopes alive.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly is facing scrutiny after a disappointing stretch in his highly anticipated third season in Baton Rouge. After starting 6-and-1 with playoff aspirations, the Tigers have lost three in a row to eliminate themselves from contention. SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum shares many fans’ concern…

Cut 18 (14)   “…what I’m seeing.”

LSU made headlines in 2021 when they hired Brian Kelly just one year removed from a College Football Playoff appearance with Notre Dame. Kelly led the Tigers to back-to-back 10-win seasons his first two years but fell short of playoff expectations. Finebaum says Kelly was the right hire despite recent struggles…

Cut 19 (15) “…in Baton Rouge.”  

Finebaum says Kelly won him and many others over after bouncing back from a 4-and-8 season at Notre Dame in 2016. He went on to five straight double-digit win seasons and two CFP appearances. Finebaum doesn’t expect Kelly to get fired this season but it will take a similar effort to cool down the hot seat…

Cut 20 (15) “…Kelly’s future.”

At the beginning of the special session on tax reform, the state’s film tax credit program was on the chopping block. But Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says there’s an effort to preserve it. Connick says they are looking to lower the amount of credits distributed to film producers each year from 180-million dollars to 125-million dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “…jobs here.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy has been a loud voice in Washington D-C for flood insurance reform, saying premiums are no longer affordable. Cassidy says premiums in Louisiana have increased by 234 percent.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last year.”

Cassidy criticized FEMA, saying it’s creating a program that is going bankrupt.

Starting May 7th, you will need to upgrade your ID to a Real ID in order to board a flight. During a news conference at Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, Dan Casey, the commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, says just a small percentage of those without Real ID would represent a lot of travelers.

Cut 6 (12) “…unable to travel.”

And starting in May, you can fly nonstop between Shreveport and Nashville. Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says Allegiant Airlines is offering twice-weekly non-stop flights between the two cities on a seasonal basis.

Cut 12 (07) “…things go well.”

The flights begin May 22nd and will be offered Thursdays and Sundays.

If you haven’t updated your driver’s license to a Real ID, time is running out. Andrew Greenstein is at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport with more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two Louisiana high school football teams have been disqualified from the playoffs. Kace Kieschnick tells us why…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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At the beginning of the special session on tax reform, the state’s film tax credit program was on the chopping block. But Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says there’s an effort to preserve it. Connick says they are looking to lower the amount of credits distributed to film producers each year from 180-million to 125-million dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “…jobs here.”

Governor Landry wants to scale back the film tax credit program and several other tax credits, so the state can afford to lower the state’s income tax rate on individuals. Connick says there has been healthy dialogue between legislators and those in the film industry…

Cut 4 (12) “…fluid over here.”

Film industry leaders have told legislators if the film tax credit program is eliminated, hundreds of jobs will go away. But Connick says these tax credits mostly benefit producers who do not live in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (13) “…and New York.”

The special session must come to a conclude next Monday night.

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Starting May 7th, you will need to upgrade your ID to a Real ID in order to board a flight. During a news conference at Baton Rouge Municipal Airport, Dan Casey, the commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles, says just a small percentage of those without Real ID would represent a lot of travelers.

Cut 6 (12) “…unable to travel.”

Casey says getting a Real ID is easy. All you need to do is to go to your local OMV office and bring with you a birth certificate or passport and two pieces of mail, and your ID will be upgraded to a Real ID.

Cut 7 (10) “…they meet requirements.”

Casey says Louisiana has a long way to go to get everyone updated to Real ID.

Cut 8 (07) “…are real ID.”

The difference between a regular ID and a Real ID is that Real ID verification records are kept by the state. There is no additional charge to update your ID to a Real ID.

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has been a loud voice in Washington D-C for flood insurance reform. Cassidy says Risk Rating 2.0 has led to flood insurance premiums that are no longer affordable. He has new numbers on how costly flood insurance has become. Cassidy says premiums in Louisiana have increased by 234 percent.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last year.”

Cassidy criticized FEMA saying its creating a program that is going bankrupt, and he has a plan to make NFIP affordable, accountable, and sustainable…

Cut 10 (06) “…find away forward.”

Cassidy says NFIP has been in desperate need for reform for years and Republicans will have an opportunity to to deliver for the American People next year…

Cut 11 (05) “…next congress.”

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Starting in May, you can fly nonstop between Shreveport and Nashville. Mark Crawford, the airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority, says Allegiant Airlines is offering twice-weekly non-stop flights between the two cities on a seasonal basis.

Cut 12 (07) “…things go well.”

Crawford says they had been trying to get daily nonstops between Shreveport and Nashville for about eight years due to the demand.

Cut 13 (08)  “…every single day.”

And Crawford says if you plan properly, you can actually get a round-trip flight for less than 100 dollars.

Cut 14 (04) “…for that price”

The flights begin May 22nd and will be offered Thursdays and Sundays.