The LDWF is reporting a resurgence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the state’s wild bird population. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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As you drive to your Christmas destination, you can do so without giving too much money to the gasoline companies. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With the jackpot skyrocketing, Powerball fever is gripping Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing mortality in wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus affects various species differently.

Cut 4 (09) “…disease in geese.”

The virus can also occasionally transfer to mammals, including domestic cats and dogs, and in rare cases, humans. Health officials consider this strain of the virus to be a minimal threat to humans, but Roberts says if you find sick or dead wild birds, contact the LDWF to remove them safely.

Cut 5 (09) “…to wash that.”

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People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says one thing keeping prices low is OPEC not adjusting production when the U.S. increased its production of refined gasoline.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars a barrel.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

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Things that are expanding this holiday season – credit card balances from buying presents, waistlines due to overindulging in fruitcake, and the Powerball jackpot because no one can match the five white balls and the Powerball. The jackpot has rolled over every drawing since September 6th, and Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the estimated jackpot for tonight’s drawing is 1.7-billion dollars.

Cut 8 (11) “…Mega and Powerball.”

While no one has won the big prize, almost 100 people across the country have come agonizingly close. Maher says they still came away with huge paydays.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for two million.”

Of course, you have a much better chance of being struck by lightning or being cast in the lead role of a major motion picture than you have of winning Powerball. But in any event, good luck!

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This will certainly put a damper on a festive holiday season – flu activity is rampant across the country, especially in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says emergency rooms throughout the state are seeing more and more people sick with the flu.

Cut 10 (07) “…illness criteria.”

Dr. Janese says the number of people testing positive for the flu is staggering.

Cut 11 (05) “…only trending upward.”

Janese says this is the time of year when flu activity tends to increase.

Cut 12 (08) “…home for Christmas.”

Nationwide, the CDC says about 4.6-million people across the country have become sick with the flu, including almost 50-thousand hospitalizations and about two-thousand deaths.

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The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy that streamlines the process for large projects like data centers to access the energy they need is clearing up some misconceptions about the new policy. The policy states that utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those projects no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable on the market. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says residential customers will see their utility bills skyrocket as a result, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

Coussan says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

Coussan says the new policy is not a rubber stamp for utility companies to charge what they want to charge in order to expedite these big projects.

Cut 15 (10) “…of this project.”

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Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton reviewed the start of the Lane Kiffin era at LSU on Tiger Rag Radio. She says it was always a home run hire, but she’s still been impressed by his enthusiasm to embrace the program and the all-star coaching staff he’s put together.

Cut 16 (16) “…could be better.”

One of Kiffin’s claims to fame is how effectively he’s used the transfer portal to build his roster in Oxford. Fenton says finding players in the portal and bringing in former players from Ole Miss can be a recipe for instant success.

Cut 17 (19)  “…why not?”

Two Rebels Kiffin is sure to target are quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Fenton says with Harlem Berry and Caden Durham already on the roster and a nearly two-million-dollar NIL offer in Oxford, Kiffin may not be able to persuade Lacy despite their connection.

Cut 18 (20)  “…room already.”

A LaPlace woman was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a home with a child still inside.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says because there was a working smoke detector in the house, the child was able to get out unharmed.

Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says this case has weighed on the community ever since that late October day that year.

Cut 3 (09) “…to its conclusion.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder; his bond has been set at two-million dollars.

With Governor Landry also serving as special envoy to Greenland, how does that affect his job at home? LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the state time, those refer to state positions. Thus, a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

There’s a new policy that streamlines the process for data centers and other large projects to access the energy they need, and the public service commissioner who spearheaded it is clearing up some misconceptions about it. Commissioner J.P. Coussan says it’s not a rubber stamp for utility companies to charge what they want to charge in order to expedite these big projects.

Cut 15 (10) “…of this project.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a child still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says this case has weighed on the community ever since that late October day that year.

Cut 3 (09) “…to its conclusion.”

Sheriff Smith says while there had been talk back then about Arceneaux’s death being a suicide, law enforcement never officially reached that conclusion – the case simply went unsolved.

Cut 4 (11) “…an unsolved murder.”

Smith says after he became sheriff, he took the case back from State Police, and investigators quickly zeroed in on Jordan.

Cut 5 (09) “…to think otherwise.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder; no bond has been set as of yet.

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A LaPlace woman was arrested for setting fire to a home with a child still inside last Friday night. State Fire Marshal spokesman Ken Pastorick says investigators determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

(43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested and is charged with one count each of arson and cruelty to a juvenile.) The St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive; and while on the scene, Pastorick says they discovered a child had been in the home when it was set ablaze.

Cut 7 (04) “…to juveniles.”

Thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

Cut 8 (04) “..out unharmed.”

He says smoke alarms save lives and encourages Louisiana residents to test their alarms regularly or get one if they don’t have one.

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With Governor Landry serving as special envoy to Greenland, how does that affect his job at home? LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says being that the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, that will make Landry’s new side hustle a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

Alford says logistics could also be an issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the state time, those refer to state positions. Thus, a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says this case has weighed on the community ever since that late October day that year.

Cut 3 (09) “…to its conclusion.”

With Governor Landry serving as special envoy to Greenland, how does that affect his job at home? LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says being that the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, that will make Landry’s new side hustle a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

While there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the state time, that doesn’t apply in this case since this is not an official state office.

A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a juvenile still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

And now, a look at today’s commodities.

Governor Landry takes to social media to address his new side hustle. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 killing of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. While the autopsy classified her death as a homicide, law enforcement had originally ruled her death a suicide. It’s unclear what broke the case after so many years.

One year into the repeal of the “three-year rule” that had prohibited insurance companies from dropping policyholders who had been with them for three years, only one company has taken advantage thus far. Representative Gabe Firment says that bill he authored, along with other programs like the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, have made a big impact in reshaping the state’s insurance landscape.

Cut 6 (11) “…three year rule.”

Speaking of bright futures, the Saints may have one in quarterback Tyler Shough. He has led the team to a three-game winning streak, including a 29-6 win over the Jets Sunday. In fact, the Saints have won four of Shough’s seven starts, including both games against the first place Carolina Panthers. Shough says establishing oneself as a leader is a challenge in itself, even more so as a rookie.

Cut 15 (06) “…to build that.”

Governor Landry is talking about his new side job as special envoy to Greenland. President Trump has long expressed a desire to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, and his appointment of Landry as special envoy to Greenland is seen as an escalation of that quest. While the Danish government is livid at this development, Landry put a friendly spin on his mission.

Cut 12 (10) “…great Cajun food.”

Back at home, Landry has announced a four-day mourning period to mark one year since the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street. Flags will be flown at half-staff beginning January 1st at 3:15 a.m., to coincide with the time a man drove onto Bourbon Street, plowing into a crowd of revelers, killing 14 people. On January 4th, there will be a moment of silence to remember the victims, and the governor is asking all churches to ring 14 bells. 

Despite the repeal of Louisiana’s “three-year rule” stopping insurance carriers from dropping policies older than three years last year, only one company has canceled old policies. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Don’t look now, but the Saints are riding a three-game winning streak. Head coach Kellen Moore says with a young team, he hopes that this will be a sign of things to come next year and the years to come.

Cut 14 (06) “…guys doing this.”

We’re now hearing from Governor Landry himself on his new side hustle as special envoy to Greenland. President Trump has long sought to wrest Greenland from Danish control, and Landry said he wants to help Trump achieve that goal. In a video posted to social media, Landry said he’s the one best suited to have a conversation with the government of Greenland about becoming a part of the United States.

Cut 11 (12) “…continental United States.”

A year into the repeal of the so-called “three-year rule” that had prohibited insurance companies from dropping policyholders who had been with them for at least three years, only one company has taken advantage of it so far. Representative Gabe Firment, who authored the 2024 bill, says one of the goals of his bill was to help stabilize the market.

Cut 5 (06) “…or two carriers.”

If their play the last three weeks is an indication of the future, the Saints will have some very bright days ahead of them. The Saints have won three in a row, including an emphatic 29-6 win over the Jets Sunday, and four of their last six games. Head Coach Kellen Moore says it’s good to see his team getting a taste of success.

Cut 13 (06)  “…habits right now.”

While the Saints – and the Pelicans – may be winning, Powerball players are not – at least not the big prize. Despite millions and millions of people scooping up Powerball tickets for last night’s drawing, not a single one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball number. That means the jackpot for the drawing Christmas Eve will be an estimated 1.7-billion dollars. That’ll buy a whole lot of Christmas presents. Just don’t hold your breath.

Despite the repeal of Louisiana’s “three-year rule” stopping insurance carriers from dropping policies older than three years last year, only one company has canceled old policies. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Community leaders gather in Baton Rouge to demand an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry takes to social media to address his new side hustle. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana lawmakers passed a legislative package aimed at improving the insurance market for homeowners in Louisiana last year. One of the laws included in this effort repealed the state’s “three-year rule,” preventing companies from dropping policyholders who had been customers for three years. A year later, state Representative Gabe Firment says only one company has taken advantage of the policy.

Cut 4 (13) “…three year rule.”

Despite reducing protections for homeowners, supporters argued the freedom for insurance companies would attract more carriers and help stabilize the market.

Cut 5 (06) “…or two carriers.”

Firment says the 2024 legislation, along with efforts to build resilient structures like the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, have made a big impact in reshaping the state’s insurance landscape.

Cut 6 (11) “…three year rule.”

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Community activists gathered outside a Baton Rouge church with a unified message: Operation Catahoula Crunch must end now. Faith leaders and organizers say while the government has long maintained that the operation’s goal is to go after the worst violent criminals who are in the country illegally, that’s not what’s happening. Christina from the group Mision Migrante told the story of a 17-year-old who was accosted by six federal agents in tactical gear as he was putting gas in his car in Denham Springs.

Cut 7 (09) “…I said yes.”

Christina says after several minutes of aggressive questioning, the agents realized the teen wasn’t lying and let him go. Marcela Hernandez from Familias Unidas en Accion says it’s a scene playing out over and over again.

Cut 8 (09) “…immigration cases open.”

Sara Ayo (EYE-oh) Louis with the group Voice of the Experienced says Operation Catahoula Crunch is not keeping communities safe as the government claims it is – it’s terrifying communities.

Cut 9 (11)  “…of racial profiling.”

The U-S Department of Homeland Security says it has arrested 370 undocumented immigrants since early December as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch, but has not said how many have committed violent crimes. It’s been reported that some of the individuals detained were alleged drug dealers or involved in hit-and-run accidents. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says they are making America Safe Again by securing the border, taking the fight to cartels and arresting thousands of undocumented immigrants nationwide.

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Governor Landry is speaking out about his new side hustle as special envoy to Greenland. In a video posted to social media, Landry said President Trump approached him about the opportunity.

Cut 10 (09) “…the United States.”

Landry said perhaps with the exception of the governor of Alaska, he’s the one best suited to have a conversation with the government of Greenland about becoming a part of the United States.

Cut 11 (12) “…continental United States.”

Greenland is a territory of Denmark, and the Danish government is furious at Trump’s and Landry’s comments. Trump has long expressed a desire to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, remarking in the past that he would not rule out military force to do so. Landry, though, put a friendly spin on his mission.

Cut 12 (10) “…great Cajun food.”

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If their play the last three weeks is an indication of the future, the Saints will have some very bright days ahead of them. The Saints have won three in a row, including an emphatic 29-6 win over the Jets Sunday, and four of their last six games. Head Coach Kellen Moore says it’s good to see his team getting a taste of success.

Cut 13 (06)  “…habits right now.”

Moore says with a young team, he hopes that this will be a sign of things to come next year and the years to come.

Cut 14 (06) “…guys doing this.”

While it didn’t pay dividends immediately, the turning point of the season came in Week 8 when Moore benched Spencer Rattler in favor of Tyler Shough. In the seven games he’s started, he’s won four, including both games against the first place Carolina Panthers. Shough says establishing oneself as a leader is a challenge in itself, even more so as a rookie.

Cut 15 (06) “…to build that.”

If the Saints win out and the Buccaneers lose their last two games, the Saints will finish the 2025 season in second place in the NFC South.

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After throttling Tulane 41-10 last weekend, Ole Miss is set to face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl New Year’s Day. It will be a Week Eight rematch, which Georgia won 43-35. New Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding’s defense gave up 510 yards of total offense, as the Bulldogs did not punt once. Golding says his defense is going to have to do a couple of things better this time around.

Cut 16 (11) “…offense back on.”

Golding says the Rebels can’t beat themselves on the defensive side of the ball like they did in the first matchup, but he also says they have to do the small things well when facing off against the Bulldogs.

Cut 17 (19)  “…on the perimeter.”

The last time Georgia played Ole Miss, the Bulldogs’ defense gave up the second-most points in a game this season with 35. Since then, Georgia has not allowed its opponents to score more than 21 points. Head coach Kirby Smart says the outcome of this matchup will come down to who executes better between the white lines.

Cut 18 (15)  “…you played them.”

In last year’s Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame beat Georgia, 23-10. Smart doesn’t believe last year’s game will have any impact, as the Bulldogs have an entirely different team.

Cut 19 (18) “…Ole Miss previously.”

The Sugar Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. New Year’s Day.

President Trump appoints Governor Landry as special envoy to Greenland. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says by doing so, Trump is telling the world he is very serious in his long-time goal to capture Greenland.

Cut 5 (14) “…an entire state.”

You wouldn’t know it by stepping outside, but it is now officially winter. The winter solstice arrived at 9:03 yesterday morning, marking the point where the North Pole is at its furthest distance from the sun. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says at least in the early part of winter, the operative words are “La Nina.”

Cut 12 (11) “…than normal temperatures.”

A pair of Saints legends may have stepped off the Superdome field for the last time. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Community activists and faith leaders gathered in front of a Baton Rouge church this morning to demand an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch. They said thousands of families have been sheltering in place since the start of the operation, and people have been detained despite either having legal status or being U.S. citizens.

President Trump is enlisting the help of Governor Landry in escalating his quest for Greenland. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A pair of Saints legends may have stepped off the Superdome field for the last time Sunday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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By naming Governor Landry special envoy to Greenland, President Trump is once again ramping up efforts to wrest the island from Denmark. In a social media post thanking Trump, Landry said, in his words, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.” Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says the choice of Landry as special envoy to Greenland is an interesting one.

Cut 3 (10) “…least very entertaining.”

Denmark says it’s deeply upset by the move, with that country’s foreign minister calling Landry’s comments completely unacceptable. Alford says Trump has had visions of making Greenland a part of the U.S. for a while, dating back to his first presidency.

Cut 4 (12) “…force to diplomacy.”

Alford says by tapping Landry as special envoy to Greenland, Trump is telling the world he is very serious in his quest to capture Greenland.

Cut 5 (14) “…an entire state.”

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The last of the three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail earlier this month has been captured. Major Mark LeBlanc says narcotics detectives and SWAT officers acted very quickly on a tip received late last week and found 24-year-old Keith Eli.

Cut 6 (11) “…coming to anybody.”

Earlier, Johnathan Joseph surrendered to authorities, and Joseph Harrington shot himself to death during a standoff with police in Port Barre. Major LeBlanc says while the two surviving inmates are back in custody, the investigation into their escape is still ongoing.

Cut 7 (13) “…investigation on that.”

LeBlanc says Sheriff Bobby Guidroz has offered to fund the replacement of the locks in the jail facility, since they have long outlived their usefulness.

Cut 8 (12) “…exceeding 40 years.”

They’ve also beefed up staffing and have implemented very strict monitoring of security protocols.

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Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and tight end Taysom Hill both posted stellar, emotional performances in what could have been their last game in the Superdome yesterday. Hill, an x-factor for the Saints offense for nearly a decade, became the only player in the Super Bowl era to total over 1,000 yards rushing, receiving and passing. He says he reflected on his time in New Orleans on his drive to the stadium.

Cut 9 (14)  “…special day.”

Hill saw a career-high 17 touches for 116 yards and capped off a historic day with a 38-yard touchdown pass.

Jordan has been a star on the Black and Gold defensive front for 15 years and his 130 sacks ranks 17^th in NFL history. Two of those came in back-to-back plays Sunday as the 36-year-old remains as impactful as ever. Jordan says he doesn’t know what the future holds, but even without a contract for next season, he’s all-in on New Orleans.

Cut 10 (11) “…or not”

Both remain focused on the final two weeks of the season and have yet to make any public decisions about their futures, but with the momentum the Saints have closing out the season, each have remained dedicated to the team, franchise, and city they’ve made home.

Cut 11 (13) “…let’s go.”

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You wouldn’t know it by stepping outside, but it is now officially winter. The winter solstice arrived at 9:03 yesterday morning, marking the point where the North Pole is at its furthest distance from the sun. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says at least in the early part of winter, the operative words are “La Nina,” which will make for a rather mild winter.

Cut 12 (11) “…than normal temperatures.”

Keim says with a La Nina, the jet stream is displaced to the north, and that means areas north of Louisiana won’t have it as pleasant as we do.

Cut 13 (11)  “…here in Louisiana.”

Keim says if you’re looking forward to strapping on your skates and hockey gear and playing a pickup game of shinny on Canal Street in New Orleans like you were able to do last January, don’t hold your breath – it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see another snowstorm in South Louisiana.

Cut 14 (13) “…a normal winter.”