A Louisiana college football team has a chance later this month to shock the world. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The greater New Orleans area remains on edge as Operation Catahoula Crunch enters its second week. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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The Hondo Rodeo Fest, which was a sold-out event last month in Phoenix, is set to make its debut at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The college football season started with visions of LSU getting into the College Football Playoff. While it didn’t exactly work out that way, Louisiana will be represented in the CFP. Fresh off winning the American Conference championship Friday night, Tulane got into the field of 12. Senior tackle Derrick Graham says the moment seeing Tulane revealed as the 11 seed was surreal.

Cut 4 (09) “…time for us.”

The Green Wave will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels. This is not the first time they’ll play at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium this season – on September 20th, Ole Miss pounded Tulane, 45-10. Head Coach Jon Sumrall says things will be different four months later.

Cut 5 (06) “…a better game.”

Sumrall says ending his two-year tenure at Tulane in the College Football Playoff will be really cool, as long as one thing does not happen.

Cut 6 (05) “…our ass beat.”

The game will be played Saturday, December 20th; kickoff is at 2:30. In case you’re curious, Oxford is just under 350 miles north of New Orleans straight up I-55.

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LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a first-of-its-kind Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette this spring. Department of Physical Therapy Chairman Dr. Daniel Flowers says it will expand access to physical therapy education in Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…year in Lafayette.”

Dr. Flowers says by setting up shop in Lafayette, LSU Health Shreveport is helping fill a void in the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…so to speak.”

Flowers says interviews for admission into the program are starting very soon.

Cut 9 (10)  “…three Mays later.”

The program utilized a hybrid model that combines online coursework with hands-on clinical education through partnerships with Ochsner Lafayette General and other healthcare providers.

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A New Orleans city councilman says the Border Patrol is playing with fire in the city with its aggressive tactics of detaining people it believes to be in the country illegally. Like in many other cities where they’ve conducted operations, masked agents are going up to people in unmarked vehicles and are detaining people without identifying themselves. J.P. Morrell points out that Louisiana is an open carry state with a stand-your-ground law.

Cut 10 (09) “…and defends themselves.”

Morrell says the only defense law enforcement has against a stand-your-ground claim is by officers clearly identifying themselves.

The operation, now dubbed “Catahoula Crunch,” has a stated goal of arresting five-thousand people in the country illegally, with the Department of Homeland Security saying the focus is on the most violent criminals. Morrell says setting a goal like that essentially establishes a quota, and it’s an unrealistic one at that.

Cut 11 (06) “…meet that number.”

DHS has said it has released the identities of about a half dozen people with violent criminal histories who Border Patrol agents arrested. Morrell says, however, that the department is not being transparent, because the big picture tells a very different story.

Cut 12 (06) “…here not illegally.”

The advocacy group Union Migrante says so far, Border Patrol agents have arrested several people with no criminal records, including at least three U.S. citizens.

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The biggest rodeo ever is coming to Louisiana as the Hondo Rodeo Fest will make its New Orleans debut at the Caesars Superdome April 10 to 12, 2026.  Co-Founder Blake Cody says the Hondo Rodeo Fest is a three-day premium rodeo competition with a one-million-dollar prize purse.

Cut 13 (07)  “…for the fans.”

The rodeo takes place during the day and at night big-name musical performers take the stage. On Friday Lynyrd Skynyrd will open for country music icon on Jason Aldean.

On Saturday, CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award winner Cody Johnson will perform and Sunday night rock band Creed will take the stage.

Cody says there’s also Western-themed Street Fest.

Cut 14 (09) “…with the sheep.”

Hondo Rodeo Fest launched in November of 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona and returned for a sold-out event last month. Cody says they are excited to bring this massive event to Louisiana.

Cut 15 (08) “…their home state.”

Pre-sale tickets go on sale on Wednesday and with general on-sale tickets going on sale Friday. Tickets start at 40 dollars.

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The Saints avenge a bad loss to the Buccaneers six weeks ago, flipping the script and beating them in Tampa, 24-20. Head Coach Kellen Moore says despite being eliminated from playoff contention a week ago, the team put forth a great effort to earn its third win of the season.

Cut 16 (17) “…with the win.”

In the Saints’ last game against the Bucs, Tyler Shough entered the game in relief of the benched Spencer Rattler, and he’s been the starter ever since. Yesterday afternoon in the rain, Shough completed 13 of 20 passes for only 144 yards and had one of his passes picked off. However, he also rushed for 55 yards and scored two of the Saints’ three touchdowns; the other scored by Devin Neal. Shough said the Saints are turning the corner.

Cut 17 (08)  “…get those wins.”

The Saints will try to make it two in a row and four in 2025 next Sunday afternoon at the Superdome against the Panthers. Kickoff is 3:25.

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The Prep Football Classic begins Thursday in the Caesars Superdome, and the marquee matchup that day will be the Division 3 select state title game between Dunham and Calvary Baptist. The Tigers are led by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in the Class of 2027, Elijah Haven. Dunham Coach Neil Weiner says his three-year starter at quarterback has played at a high level since he walked on campus…

Cut 18 (19)  “…everything he does.”

Calvary Baptist is a sixth seed as they are looking for their fifth state championship and first since 2023. Cavaliers coach Rodney Guinn says they had to re-load after losing in the semifinals last year…

Cut 19 (20) “…first year playing.”

After five years of construction, the massive Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish is done. Lake Borgne is a critical first line of defense from hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico that threaten the greater New Orleans area, and this project provides an added layer of defense. Michael Hare, the executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, says to say that this was a massive project is a mild understatement.

Cut 4 (06) “…three times over.”

Netflix has announced that it has purchased Warner Brothers. Haggai Davis, the host of the radio show TechGumbo, says while that purchase will include HBO Max, that service will not be going away entirely.

Cut 7 (13) “…your Netflix subscription.”

The deal is expected to close sometime in the second half of next year.

A 13-year-old is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 21-year-old family member. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The ACLU has dismissed its suit against the state over the law that makes it a state crime to interfere with an immigration enforcement operation. The ACLU said it dismissed it because it got assurances from the state that the law would not be used to stifle free speech. But Attorney General Liz Murrill said the ACLU dropped it because it knew it was a frivolous case.

The massive Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish is finished. The lake is a critical first line of defense from hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico that threaten the greater New Orleans area. Michael Hare, the executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, says the final price tag will come in about five-million dollars less than the original projections.

Cut 5 (09) “…engineer on this.”

A 35-hundred-dollar reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot and killed a black bear last weekend in Concordia Parish. Sergeant Cole Cupip (CUE-pip) says while black bears can be shot legally, this was not one of those instances – one of the reasons being that it happened in the Richard K. Yancy Wildlife Management Area.

Cut 12 (11) “…of the state.”

A 13-year-old is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 21-year-old family member. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Three escapees in two South Louisiana jailbreaks remain on the loose. 23-year-old Gavin Garnica escaped from the Vermilion Parish Jail, and 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail. The other inmate who broke out of St. Landry, 26-year-old Joseph Harrington, died by suicide during a standoff with Port Barre Police.

Louisiana’s largest ever marsh creation project is completed. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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A 13-year-old is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 21-year-old family member. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The massive Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish is finished. Michael Hare, the executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, says the five-year construction project restored 31-hundred acres of marsh along the lake’s south shore.

Cut 3 (11) “…New Orleans area.”

Lake Borgne is a critical first line of defense from hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico that threaten the greater New Orleans area, and this project provides an added layer of defense. Hare says to say that this was a massive project is a mild understatement.

Cut 4 (06) “…three times over.”

Not only did the project have a direct economic impact of more than 32-million dollars on the region, but Hare says the final price tag will come in about five-million dollars less than the original projections.

Cut 5 (09) “…engineer on this.”

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Netflix has announced that it has purchased Warner Brothers. Haggai Davis, the host of the radio show TechGumbo, says with that purchase, Netflix is also acquiring HBO and the streaming service HBO Max.

Cut 6 (09) “…’Stranger Things’ shows.”

Davis says while HBO Max will be acquired by Netflix, the service will not be going away entirely.

Cut 7 (13) “…your Netflix subscription.”

Davis says with this acquisition, which will be completed in the second half of next year, subscribers can expect a price hike. He points out that streaming services all lose money in the early going with the hope that one day they can make money.

Cut 8 (10) “…dollars a month.”

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A 13-year-old is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly fatally shooting a 21-year-old family member in Leesville. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says the shooting happened overnight (Friday morning) in the midst of a verbal argument.

Cut 9 (11)  “…21 year old.”

The victim has been identified as Kavin Simmons Junior. The juvenile was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

Cut 10 (10) “…very tragic situation.”

Craft says it will be up to the district attorney to determine if the 13-year-old will be charged as an adult.

Cut 11 (09) “…of the subject.”

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for the person who shot and killed a black bear last weekend in Concordia Parish. Sergeant Cole Cupip (CUE-pip) says while black bears can be shot legally, this was not one of those instances – one of the reasons being that it happened in the Richard K. Yancy Wildlife Management Area.

Cut 12 (11) “…of the state.”

Sergeant Cupip says there’s a total reward of 35-hundred dollars for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction in this shooting.

Cut 13 (08)  “…offering a thousand.”

A 13-year-old is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly fatally shooting a 21-year-old family member in Leesville. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says during an argument overnight, the 13-year-old grabbed a gun and fired a single shot into Kavin Simmons Jr., killing him. Sheriff Craft says the juvenile was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

Cut 10 (10) “…tragic situation.”

Netflix has announced that it has purchased Warner Brothers. Haggai Davis, the host of the radio show TechGumbo, says while that purchase will include HBO Max, that service will not be going away entirely.

Cut 7 (13) “…your Netflix subscription.”

Louisiana’s largest ever marsh creation project is completed. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and you’re in the holiday mood, the 99th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches takes place tomorrow. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Four months after being blind-sided by the resignation of its athletic director, ULM has its new man. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A couple of top seeds are on upset alert in the select semifinals of the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has a preview.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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It’s the biggest Christmas celebration in Louisiana. The 99^th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches takes place tomorrow. Ariana Rachal (ruh-SHALL) with the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau says the small North Louisiana city looks like it comes straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Cut 4 (09) “…our center circle.”

The festival features the “Mistletoe Market,” which takes place on Front Street from seven a-m to seven p-m. Rachal says festivalgoers can find all sorts of unique items from the market.

Cut 5 (12) “…gifts and toys.”

The Festival of Lights Parade is one of the many things happening at the festival. Rachal says the parade will feature riders and bands from all over the country.

Cut 6 (11) “…Mardi Gras krewes.”

The parade runs from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

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Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson will soon have a new job. When the calendar flips to 2026, he will become the new president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Nelson says his experience as revenue secretary and his prior experience as a member of the Louisiana legislature makes him the right man to take over leading the 12-campus LCTC system.

Cut 7 (08) “…the biggest problems.”

Nelson says with all the economic development projects happening in the state, it’s now more important than ever to have people trained to do the jobs associated with them, and that’s where the LCTC schools come in.

Cut 8 (11) “…to do that.”

Nelson says training people in those essential skills is a major component in keeping home-grown talent in the state.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s all about.”

Nelson’s deputy in the Department of Revenue, Jarrod Conniglio, will take over as revenue secretary on New Year’s Day when Nelson begins his new job.

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Four months after being blind-sided by the resignation of John Hartwell, ULM introduces its new athletic director. The university introduced S.J. Tuohy as its new man to lead the Warhawks athletic department. During his introduction, Tuohy said his goal is to send the entire athletics program soaring to new heights.

Cut 10 (09) “…eligibility rules anymore.”

The 32-year-old Tuohy says even though he grew up in Memphis, he does have a strong connection to Louisiana – although he did seem a little confused as to some of the specifics.

Cut 11 (09) “…in Louisiana somewhere.”

Tuohy says he chose to go to ULM because it has a strong foundation to build on.

Cut 12 (07) “…build and grow.”

Head football coach Bryant Vincent had been serving as interim athletic director during the last four months following Hartwell’s resignation.

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Two huge matchups in New Orleans highlight tonight’s semifinal action on the select side of the high school football playoffs. Top-seeded Edna Karr, ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps, will host fourth-seeded Catholic. The Cougars beat the Bears in the semis by two points last year, and the LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett expects another close game.

Cut 13 (10)  “…in this one”

The other Division One select matchup is John Curtis versus St. Augustine. Verrett says the Patriots are playing their best football of the season right now.

Cut 14 (11) “…fun to watch.”

One of the hottest teams in the state is Calvary Baptist. Verrett likes the Cavaliers’ chances to knock off second-seeded Notre Dame tonight in Division Three select.

Cut 15 (09) “…lost all year.”

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Number-21 Tulane hosts number-24 North Texas tonight in the American Conference Championship, with the winner likely gaining an invitation to the College Football Playoff. The Mean Green come into the matchup with the top offense in the nation, averaging over 46 points a game. Head coach Jon Sumrall says the Green Wave’s defense has to do a good job of shutting down the pass game.

Cut 16 (14) “…end for sure.”

Sumrall says a huge contributor to the team’s success has been BYU junior transfer quarterback Jake Retzlaff.

Cut 17 (09)  “…a big deal.”

Retzlaff leads the Green Wave in rushing, with 561 yards and 14 touchdowns. Sumrall and North Texas head coach Eric Morris will finish out the season with their respective teams before moving on to coach Power Four programs — Sumrall to Florida and Morris to Oklahoma State. Kickoff at Yulman Stadium is seven p-m.

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Four-star offensive tackle Brysten Martinez out of East Ascension High School in Gonzales signed with LSU on Wednesday. Martinez is rated as the number-nine offensive tackle in the country and says his decision to choose the Tigers over Texas came down to the hiring of Lane Kiffin.

Cut 18 (09)  “…with LSU already.”

One of the three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail is dead. 26-year-old Joseph Harrington shot himself to death during a standoff with Port Barre Police. The other two inmates – 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph – are still on the run. Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says they chiseled through degrading concrete, got onto the roof and used construction equipment to make their escape.

Cut 10 (12) “…the building completely.”

Meanwhile in Vermilion Parish, 23-year-old Gavin Garnica, who’s facing drug and firearm charges, escaped that parish’s jail by scaling the jail’s fence. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says if you see him, do not approach him under any circumstances.

Cut 11 (10) “…drugs and weapons.”

CDC advisors open a two-day meeting, during which they could make changes to recommended childhood vaccinations, and Senator Bill Cassidy has something to say about that. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Lane Kiffin may not get to coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, but he will be appearing at the SEC Championship Game. The new LSU coach will be a guest on ESPN’s College Gameday as it broadcasts from Atlanta, the site of the SEC title game between Georgia and Alabama.

CDC advisors open a two-day meeting, during which they could make changes to recommended childhood vaccinations, and Senator Bill Cassidy has something to say about that. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Not one, but TWO jail breaks in South Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its two-day meeting today to discuss possible changes to its recommended childhood vaccination schedule. The most consequential of potential changes involves the Hepatitis B vaccine, which has been universally recommended since 1991. Senator Bill Cassidy says since then, the virus has nearly been eradicated.

Cut 3 (11) “…shortly after birth.”

The vaccine’s long-standing recommendation is in question after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked the vaccination to autism. Senator Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says the numbers don’t lie – the Hepatitis B vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

Cut 4 (11) “…time of birth.”

Cassidy says it has never been proven that vaccines cause autism, and any changes to the Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation would be very dangerous.

Cut 5 (06) “…of scientific fact.”

During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy assured Cassidy that he would not peddle any conspiracy theories about vaccines causing autism. Last month, Kennedy went back on his word, posting on the CDC website that the notion that vaccines do not cause autism is not based on scientific fact.

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Some notable people will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the people onboard are as diverse as the state itself.

Cut 6 (06) “…Commissioner Mike Strain.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says those three and all the other riders are sponsored by tourism organizations and convention and visitors bureaus throughout the state, with the notable exception of New Orleans.

Cut 7 (10) “…partnered with us.”

Nungesser says those who are riding on the float will be doing a lot more than just simply putting on a smile and waving for the crowd and the TV cameras.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the state.”

The previously-announced musical guest aboard the float, named “Gulf to Gumbo,” is Louisiana’s own “American Idol” runner up John Foster.

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Not one, but two jail breaks in South Louisiana yesterday. In St. Landry Parish Jail, three inmates escaped from the jail there. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped through one of the cells in an upper corner of the building.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of a hole.”

At that point, they were able to get outside and onto the roof. LeBlanc says due to construction that was happening, they were able to use certain equipment to make their escape.

Cut 10 (12) “…the building completely.”

And in Vermilion Parish, a 23-year-old facing drug and firearm charges escaped that parish’s jail late last night. Deputies believed they saw Gavin Garnica sleeping covered in his bunk, but they later discovered video showing him scaling the jail’s fence. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says Garnica is known to be violent, so anyone who sees him should not approach him under any circumstances.

Cut 11 (10) “…drugs and weapons.”

Adams says one big question is how Garnica was able to escape the jail in the first place.

Cut 12 (07) “…have been violated.”

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An investigation leads to a major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says detectives received a tip about narcotics trafficking in the area. So they set up surveillance in the area and developed probable cause to stop 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles.

Cut 13 (11)  “…they located narcotics”

Jones says the investigators found a slew of narcotics in the vehicle, along with other contraband.

Cut 14 (10) “…more drug paraphernalia.”

Jones says Touchet was arrested, along with the two people who were with him – 45-year-old Jessica Robinson of Lake Charles and 41-year-old Josh Reeves of Sulphur.

Cut 15 (10) “…a stolen vehicle.”

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the state over its law making it a state crime to interfere with immigration enforcement operations. Legal Director Nora Ahmed says the ACLU filed the suit on behalf of Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy, which has been providing outreach to let people know of their rights with Border Patrol agents potentially arriving in their neighborhoods.

Cut 7 (12) “…Security is undertaking.”

An estimated 32-hundred jobs are coming to Louisiana’s Bayou Region as Saronic Technologies announces it’s investing 300-million dollars to expand the Franklin Shipyard in St. Mary Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says this major investment will result in Saronic building more autonomous boats.

Cut 4 (09) “…purposes as well.”

The CDC says Louisiana has the highest rate of flu or flu-like illness in the country as flu season gets underway in earnest. Ochsner Health family medicine physician Dr. Madeleine Dehner (DAY-ner) says if you start experiencing symptoms, take extra precautions.

Cut 12 (12) “…start getting worse.”

Tomorrow night is state semifinal night in high school football, as we will find out who goes to the Superdome for the Prep Classic. In Division Two non-select, Plaquemine is in the semifinals for a second straight season, but the LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett says the Green Devils have a tough matchup against top-seeded North DeSoto.

Cut 15 (10) “…ready to go.”

Four defending champions are still in the running for repeat titles.

The ACLU is suing Louisiana over its law making it a state crime to interfere with immigration enforcement. Legal Director Nora Ahmed says the law is essentially silencing Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy in violation of its First Amendment rights.

Cut 9 (11)  “…that they can.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill says she looks forward to defending the law in court.

Saronic Technologies announces it’s investing 300-million dollars to expand the Franklin Shipyard in St. Mary Parish. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says this project builds on Louisiana’s proud shipbuilding legacy by integrating innovative technology to ensure the state continues to be at the forefront of America’s defense economy.

Cut 6 (09) “…advantage of that.”

Flu season arrives in Louisiana with a vengeance. According to the CDC, Louisiana has the highest rate of flu or flu-like illness in the country. Ochsner Health family medicine physician Dr. Madeleine Dehner (DAY-ner) says take extra precautions if you’re near anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Cut 11 (09) “…much as possible.”

The state semifinals of the high school football playoffs are tomorrow night. In Division Three non-select, St. James versus Sterlington in a rematch of last year’s state championship, with Sterlington winning by a touchdown. The LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett expects another close game.

Cut 14 (09) “…a crazy matchup.”

South Plaquemines, Edna Karr and Archbishop Shaw are the other defending champions playing tomorrow night.