Senator Bill Cassidy is working to help families dealing with soaring flood insurance costs. Along with New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, Cassidy has introduced the Flood Insurance Affordability Tax Credit Act, which would provide low and middle-income families with an up-front tax credit of up to 33-percent.

Cut 8 (07) “…place to start.”

Louisiana is seeing an uptick in Bird Flu. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The UL Lafayette Alumni Association is working to help students who left before completing their degree programs come back and finish them. Association CEO Amy Armstrong says the Comeback Scholarship offers up to two-thousand dollars over two semesters to eligible students who re-enroll.

Cut 4 (10) “…goals as well.”

Applicants must have been previously enrolled in a degree program at the university, earned at least 60 credit hours, and meet re-entry admission requirements. Funding comes from UL vanity license plates sold in the state where the school receives 100-dollars per plate.

Senator Bill Cassidy is working to help families facing soaring flood insurance costs. The Republican, along with New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, has introduced the Flood Insurance Affordability Tax Credit Act.

Cut 6 (13) “…flood insurance premiums.” 

Cassidy said this tax credit would not only benefit current flood insurance policyholders, but it would also encourage others to enroll in the program.

Cassidy is also speaking out about State Treasurer John Fleming launching a primary bid for his seat in 2026. Cassidy said he will run on his record, and that he is proud of it.

Cut 12 (12) “…take that blame (2x).” 

A man is arrested in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old boy in what investigators in Baton Rouge describe as a targeted attack. Sergeant L’Jean (“ell jeen”) McKneely says 22-year-old Kendrick Profit shot into a vehicle and killed Diellon (“dillon”) Daniels.

Cut 14 (13) “…accountable for their action.”

The pregnant mother driving the car was not hurt, but Diellon and her two other kids were hit. The shooting forced the mother into labor the next day.

The Haynesville Golden Tornado head to the Prep Classic seeking its 18th state championship in school history as they will face South Plaquemines tomorrow afternoon in the Caesars Superdome. Haynesville coach David Franklin says South Plaq has a lot of team speed…

Cut 9 (05)  “…well coached,”

The Golden Tornado have not won a state title since 2014.

A new study ranks Louisiana as one of the top states for lawsuit abuse. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33)“…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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For the first time in over 30 years a jaguar cub was born at the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence over an early primary challenge to his 2026 re-election bid. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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When it comes to lawsuit abuse, Louisiana ranks close to the top. The American Tort Reform Foundation ranks Louisiana as its tenth biggest Judicial Hellhole in the country. Association President Tiger Joyce says Louisiana courts awarded more than 400-million dollars in nuclear verdicts last year.

Cut 4 (10) “…the energy industry.”

Joyce says you can point to lawsuit abuse as one reason why we pay some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country.

Cut 5 (10) “…availability of insurance.”

Joyce says the legislature has enacted several reforms in recent years, but one in particular was stopped in its tracks by Governor Landry, who the foundation says benefitted from 700-thousand dollars in contributions to his campaign by trial lawyers.

Cut 6 (08) “…Landry vetoed that.”

The foundation says excessive litigation costs result in the loss of more than 40-thousand jobs across the state each year, and it forces each resident to pay a tort tax of sorts of nearly one-thousand dollars a year.

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BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced the birth of a jaguar cub, the first at the zoo in over three decades and the first in the U.S. since 2022. This milestone highlights the zoo’s dedication to wildlife conservation, with director Jim Fleshman emphasizing its importance as a symbol of hope for the species.

Cut 7 (10) “…Jaguar S-S-P.”

Both mother and cub are bonding and recovering well behind the scenes, where they will remain for the next two months. Fleshman says the cub’s arrival is especially significant given its mother’s previous experiences with stillborn litters.

Cut 8 (07) “…spit and vinegar.”

This birth draws attention to the critical role zoos play in species conservation and the success of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan.

Cut 9 (07)  “…100 years.”

The community is invited to participate in naming the cub, which will make its public debut in spring 2025.

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Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence on drawing an early primary challenger for his 2026 re-election campaign. State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he will run for Cassidy’s seat, saying among other things that he’s not conservative enough for Louisiana. Cassidy told reporters that he has had better things to do than to read Fleming’s announcement, and that he’s baffled over Fleming’s intentions.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of Louisiana.”

Cassidy says he will run on his record and would gladly take the blame for doing things for Louisiana.

Cut 11 (13) “…roads and bridges.” (takes blame for $1.35B for broadband internet and $5.9B from infrastructure law to build roads and bridges)

That’s not the only infrastructure project that Cassidy said he would take the blame for.

Cut 12 (12) “…take that blame (2x).” (takes blame for over $10B for building levees and flood mitigation)

Cassidy says if people believe that the state shouldn’t get that ten-billion dollars, then maybe they don’t want to be in Louisiana.

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A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old boy in what investigators in Baton Rouge describe as a targeted attack. 22-year-old Kendrick Profit faces charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, obstruction of justice, and illegal use of weapons in the drive-by shooting near Swan Avenue. Sergeant L’Jean (“ell jeen”) McKneely says the community was crucial in the investigation.

Cut 13 (07)  “…vital to this arrest.”

The car’s pregnant driver was unharmed. However, her three children in the car were struck by bullets. The shooting caused the mother to go into labor the following day. McKneely says all three boys were hospitalized, with one critically injured and two seriously injured. Tragically, eight-year-old Diellon (“dillon”) Daniels died of his injuries.

Cut 14 (13) “…accountable for their action.”

The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of the young boy and seeks justice for the family impacted by this violent attack.  McKneely says if anyone has information on the shooting to contact Crime Stoppers.

Cut 15 (12) “…behind bars.”

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St. James is back in the state championship game for a second consecutive season after suffering a heart breaking loss to Union Parish last season. Wildcats Coach Lavanta Davis is trying to bring home a sixth state title for St James…

Cut 16 (12) “…miscues.”

Davis has a young team on his hands. His quarterback is freshman Ja’Juan Jackson, who has completed 70-percent of his passes for 1,840 yards and 23 touchdowns. Davis says his 14-year-old signal caller has handled the offense well…

Cut 17 (17)  “…from it.” 

St. James will play Sterlington tomorrow night in the Division 3 non-select state championship game. Panthers head coach Lee Doty says his team has gotten better every week…

Cut 18 (23)   “…finally got healthy.”

Sterlington relies on its ground game. They have two one-thousand yard rushers Hagen Herring and Gaven Evans. Doty says Herring is averaging ten years a carry…

Cut 19 (20) “…longest run.”

According to the latest national survey of small business owners, optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. NFIB State Director Leah Long says challenges persist, however, as some owners reported unfilled job openings and inflation remains the top concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…of how high inflation is.”

Long says positive changes include lowering the personal income tax and eliminating the inventory tax.

Two people walking along an unlit roadway in Concordia Parish last night were hit and killed. State Police say Carleen Smith of Farmerville and Donnie Free of Ferriday were walking in the roadway on U.S. Highway 84 near a convenience store when they were hit by an eastbound Chevy Journey and a westbound Dodge Challenger. It happened at around nine p-m – well after dark – and there are no street lights in the vicinity. The two were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is still ongoing.

It’s Prep Classic week as 16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. The division four select title game kicks-off the Prep Classic at noon and Vermilion Catholic head coach Broc Prejean (PRAY-ZHAWN) is hoping to lead the school to its third title…

Cut 9 (11)  “…home for,”

On Friday, the Franklinton Demons square off against Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

According to the latest national survey of small business owners, optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. NFIB State Director Leah Long says challenges persist, however, as some owners reported unfilled job openings and inflation remains the top concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…of how high inflation is.”

Long says positive changes include lowering the personal income tax and eliminating the inventory tax.

It’s almost winter here in Louisiana; and with that, flu and COVID-19 activity will soon spike. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated. She says while the vaccines won’t prevent you from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Cut 8 (07) “…case scenario, death.”

It’s Prep Classic week as 16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. The division four select title game kicks-off the Prep Classic at noon and Vermilion Catholic head coach Broc Prejean (PRAY-ZHAWN) is hoping to lead the school to its third title…

Cut 9 (11)  “…home for,”

On Friday, the Franklinton Demons square off against Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

The holiday season is here – and so is flu and COVID-19 season. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated. She says the vaccines are in abundant supply and have been updated for this winter.

Cut 7 (08) “…influenza or COVID-19.”

Givens says while neither the flu nor the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent someone from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says this new data center will generate some decent tax revenue for the parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…dollars, et cetera.”

The first of the two buildings could be up and running by the end of next year.

Small Business optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Saints are preparing to face the Commanders Sunday in the Superdome. They’ve won three of their last four games after firing Dennis Allen.

Yet another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says two 450-thousand-square-foot buildings will be put up on a 611-acre parcel off Louisiana Highway 964.

Cut 11 (09) “…were looking for.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is teaming up with the Healing Road Foundation to raffle off a black bear harvest permit to a military veteran. Secretary Madison Sheahan says depending on what happens to the black bear population, there could be more opportunities for military veterans to be able to participate.

Cut 15 (13) “…increase those opportunities.”

The largest medical marijuana dispensary is open in Lake Charles. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

It’s Army and Marshall in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Erik Evenson (EE-vin-son) with the Independence Bowl says just as it has in the past, the city is rolling out the welcome mat for those visiting from West Point, New York, and from Huntington, West Virginia.

Cut 8 (14) “…they have it.”

The largest medical marijuana dispensary is open in Lake Charles. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Shreveport is getting ready to welcome visitors from New York and West Virginia for the Independence Bowl. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Yet another data center is coming to Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports this one will be in West Feliciana Parish.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The largest medical marijuana dispensary story is open in Lake Charles. The ten-thousand-square-foot Good Day Farms facility is located near major casinos and replaces a smaller location. It includes a drive-thru, product displays, and unmedicated taste tests of THC and CBD gummies. Chief Retail Officer Laurie Gregory says the modern, colorful design resembles a sneaker store rather than a pharmacy, aiming to destigmatize cannabis use.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Lake Charles”

Medical cannabis use in Louisiana has surged, with the patient count increasing 60-percent statewide and nearly doubling in Calcasieu Parish over the past year. Gregory says this growth also led to a 61-percent rise in cannabis tax revenue, totaling 993-thousand-dollars in 2023.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

Gregory says Good Day Farms is positioned to attract local and Texas customers, the dispensary benefits from Louisiana’s lack of residency requirements for medical marijuana use.

Cut 6 (10) “…cannabis products”

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The matchup for the Independence Bowl is set – Marshall against Army. Erik Evenson (EE-vin-son) with the Independence Bowl says this is one of the best matchups in the bowl’s long history.

Cut 7 (10) “…a ranked team.”

Evenson says just as it has in the past, the city is rolling out the welcome mat for those visiting from West Point, New York, and from Huntington, West Virginia.

Cut 8 (14) “…they have it.”

Evenson says there will be several events leading up to the game, especially the day before, on the 27th.

Cut 9 (14)  “…concert as well.”

Then on game day, the free Coca Cola Fan Fest starts at 3:00, with music, games and fun. Kickoff on December 28th is at 8:15.

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Yet another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says this is a good time for businesses to set up shop in Louisiana

Cut 10 (08) “…to be working.”

The data center is expected to create several hundred permanent jobs in West Feliciana Parish. Havard says two 450-thousand-square-foot buildings will be put up on a 611-acre parcel off Louisiana Highway 964.

Cut 11 (09) “…were looking for.”

Havard says this new data center will generate some decent tax revenue for the parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…dollars, et cetera.”

The first of the two buildings could be up and running by the end of next year.

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The state announces a partnership to support black bear conservation and military veterans. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan says the department is partnering with the Healing Road Foundation.

Cut 13 (07)  “…and to fish.”

Through this partnership, the foundation raffled off a black bear harvest permit for 2024 to a military veteran. Sheahan says this partnership is just in time for the state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987.

Cut 14 (14) “…have a season.”

Sheahan says the black bear population increased to the point that they could have a black bear hunting season – and depending on what happens with the black bear population, there could be more opportunities for military veterans to be able to participate.

Cut 15 (13) “…increase those opportunities.”

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The winter transfer portal opened Monday and the LSU Tigers are looking for receivers. LSU has been named a team to watch for Barion Brown, who had 29 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season. Blake Ruffino for A-Y-S Sports says other SEC schools will also be interested

Cut 16 (19) “…he does.”

247 sports is reporting former Oklahoma receiver Nic Anderson has narrowed his choices between LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. Ruffino says Anderson had ten touchdown catches in 2023 for the Sooners, but injuries kept him off the field for nearly all of the 2024 season…

Cut 17 (12)  “…athleticism.” 

There are whispers LSU receiver Chris Hilton could enter the transfer portal after an injury plagued 2024 season. Ruffino says its hard to say what Hilton will do…

Cut 18 (13)   “…for you.”

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UL Lafayette will take on TCU in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Saturday, December 28th. Cajuns Head Coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says it’s a great way to wrap up a successful season.

Cut 19 (14) “…a part of.”

The Cajuns are coming off a 31-3 loss to Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship Game. Desormeaux says that’s now ancient history, and the task at hand is preparing for the Horned Frogs.

Cut 20 (08) “…regrouping after disappointment.”

The big question mark for the Cajuns is the status of redshirt senior quarterback Chandler Fields. He left the title game in the second quarter with an injury and didn’t return. Kickoff on December 28th is 1:50 p.m.

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, East Baton Rouge Parish elects a Republican mayor-president, as Sid Edwards has unseated two-term incumbent Sharon Weston Broome. At his victory rally, the longtime high school football coach said voters wanted change.

Cut 3 (13) “…going to happen. (cheers fade)” 

Edwards won the race despite being very heavily outspent by both Broome and by Ted James, who finished third in the primary and did not advance in the runoff

Yet another teenager is arrested for making threats against his school on social media. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says the 15-year-old boy sent messages stating that he was going to bring a gun to school and shoot someone who was spreading rumors about him. The boy told deputies that he did not have a gun and did not have access to one. He’s been released to a parent on a custodial agreement to appear in court.

Public library usage in the state is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Last year, more than ten-million people visited public libraries – a double-digit percentage increase from 2022. State Librarian Meg Placke says not only do libraries have volumes of books that can be checked out, but they have lots of programs for the entire family.

Cut 10 (10) “…summer reading programs.”

Placke says many patrons are also taking advantage of the library’s online offerings.

Saints Interim Coach Darren Rizzi is denying reports that quarterback Derek Carr is out for the season. After Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand, reports surfaced that Carr would miss the remainder of the season. However, Rizzi says that’s not true.

Cut 12 (07) “…week plays out.”

Rizzi did say that Carr suffered a concussion and is now in concussion protocol.

A shocker in Baton Rouge as the two-term incumbent mayor is ousted by a political newcomer. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LSU Tigers are headed to the Texas Bowl for the third time, and they’ll battle the Baylor Bears on New Year’s Eve in Houston. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A shocker in Baton Rouge as political newcomer Sid Edwards has unseated two-term incumbent mayor Sharon Weston Broome and will become the parish’s next mayor-president in January. The Republican Edwards got 54-percent of the vote, compared to 46-percent for the Democrat Broome. At his victory rally, the longtime high school football coach said voters wanted change.

Cut 3 (13) “…going to happen. (cheers fade)”

John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn), the owner and founder of JMC Analytics and Polling, says not only can money not buy you love, but it also cannot buy the mayor-president’s seat in Baton Rouge, since Edwards was greatly outspent during the campaign.

Cut 4 (10) “…who finished third.”

Couvillon says two factors in particular worked in Edwards’ favor on Saturday.

Cut 5 (08) “…Coach Sid’s corner.”

Couvillon says another big takeaway from this election was the fact that votes for Ted James in the primary ended up being votes against Sharon Weston Broome, since most of those votes ended up going to Edwards in the runoff. The 61-year-old Edwards is the first Republican to be elected mayor-president in East Baton Rouge Parish in 24 years.

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Planning for this year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl will be a little more challenging than in years past. That’s because given the new College Football Playoff format, one of the two participating teams will not be known until less than two weeks before the game. Georgia will take on the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana, which will take place December 20th in South Bend. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says the planning workload is bigger this year.

Cut 6 (09) “…Dame and Indiana.”

Hundley says the best part about the new format is that unlike in the BCS and the four-team College Football Playoff, the Sugar Bowl will have championship implications every year from now on.

Cut 7 (13) “…sales at all.”

Hundley says in years that the Sugar Bowl hosts the semifinals, the planning will be even more of a challenge, beginning with six possible participants which will not be whittled down to two until a little more than a week before gametime.

Cut 8 (08) “…but we’re excited.”

The 2025 Sugar Bowl takes place New Years Day, with kickoff at 7:45 p.m.

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More and more people are using public libraries in the state. Last year, more than ten-million people visited public libraries – a double-digit percentage increase from 2022. State Librarian Meg Placke says library usage is almost at pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 9 (07)  “…across the board,”

Placke says not only do libraries have volumes of books that can be checked out, but they have lots of programs for the entire family.

Cut 10 (10) “…summer reading programs.”

Placke says these days, you can use the public libraries without setting foot on any of them.

Cut 11 (10) “…the library online.”

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Reports of Derek Carr’s demise for the 2024 season are greatly exaggerated. After Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand, reports surfaced that Carr would miss the remainder of the season. However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi says that’s not true.

Cut 12 (07) “…week plays out.”

Rizzi says it does not appear that Carr will need surgery on his non-throwing hand, which means he could return possibly as early as this Sunday against the Commanders.

Cut 13 (14)  “…type of thing.”

But Rizzi says there’s something else in the mix that could jeopardize Carr’s status for Sunday.

Cut 14 (10) “…dealing with both.” (Carr is in the concussion protocol)

Since the team fired Dennis Allen after a seven-game losing streak, the Saints have won three of their last four games and sit in third place, two games behind the Buccaneers.