As part of Operation Swamp Sweep, the Department of Homeland Security is launching what it calls Operation Catahoula Crunch. This operation is targeting specific undocumented aliens with violent crime arrests who had been released by police departments who it says have refused to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Once arrested, those people could be sent to the so-called “Louisiana Lockup” in Angola, which Governor Landry said would be used specifically for these people.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and holding facility.”

A new task force has begun meeting to make sure Louisiana has enough power to provide electricity for everyone, with a massive data center under construction in Richland Parish. Senate President Cameron Henry says the task force will produce its findings by March 1st.

Cut 12 (08) “…some adjustments.”

The number of homeowners insured by Citizens Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort, remains near its 20-year peak. As of the end of last month, Citizens accounted for more than 122-thousand policies. Ben Albright, the president and CEO of the Independent Agents and Brokers Association of Louisiana, says in some areas, the only option besides Citizens are smaller insurance companies.

Cut 4 (13) “…much more capitalized.”

Louisiana’s best high school football players are signing with colleges today as a three-day early signing period began today. Lafayette Christian Academy star Brayden Allen was one of LSU’s first signees. Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine says the Tigers are getting a good one in Allen

Cut 6 (09) “…slot corners.”

There’s a new head coach on The Bluff. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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During his introductory press conference, new football coach Lane Kiffin talked about the emotions of leaving Ole Miss for LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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With the Border Patrol’s immigration enforcement operation underway, the attorney general of Louisiana has a stern warning for anyone looking to get in the agents’ way. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Pro Football Hall of Famer and New Orleans native Marshall Faulk was introduced as Southern’s head coach yesterday. Faulk says the Jaguars will give it their all each week.

Cut 4 (11) “…to be represented.”

Faulk also says it’s important for him to not only be a great football coach for his players at Southern, but also to be a great coach for them in life.

Cut 5 (15) “…as in football.”

Faulk faces a tall task, as the Jaguars won just two games this past season. He says the program will need financial help in order to be successful and urged Jaguar nation to show up for the players when it matters most.

Cut 6 (13) “…cheering for you.”

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New LSU football coach Lane Kiffin says he leaned on two national championship-winning coaches in making his decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU. Kiffin says he spoke with Nick Saban and Pete Carroll, and it was the former USC and current Las Vegas Raiders coach who really convinced him, along with others.

Cut 7 (13) “…the best resources.”

Kiffin says it was difficult to leave Ole Miss and not have the opportunity to finish the season with the Rebels. But when he got to Baton Rouge Sunday and saw Tiger Stadium all lit up, he called former LSU coach Ed Orgeron.

Cut 8 (12) “…to the fans.” (crowd laughs)

Orgeron has expressed interest in returning to LSU as an assistant coach, and reports indicate it may happen.

Kiffin will be focused on signing a recruiting class this week, as a three-day early signing period begins tomorrow. Kiffin, who declared himself the “Portal King” at Ole Miss for his ability to sign players out of the transfer portal, believes he’ll have an easier time at LSU.

Cut 9 (14)  “…portal’s not open.” (crowd laughs)

The transfer portal window opens January 2nd.

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With the Border Patrol’s immigration enforcement operation underway in New Orleans and the surrounding areas, Attorney General Liz Murrill has a warning for anyone who gets in agents’ way – not only is it a federal crime to obstruct ICE or the Border Patrol, but it’s a state crime as well, punishable by fines and prison time.

Cut 10 (13) “…stop doing it.”

Furthermore, Murrill says public officials who obstruct their operations face charges of malfeasance in office. Some Democrats and immigration lawyers say that since the Border Patrol has taken over immigration enforcement sweeps from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, they’re going after people indiscriminately based solely on the color of their skin or their Hispanic appearance. Murrill disagrees with that notion.

Cut 11 (10) “…they find them.”

In recent months, Border Patrol agents have been captured on video using aggressive tactics like boxing people in with their vehicles, smashing in windows and forcing people out of their vehicles and pepper-spraying protestors at point-blank range. Murrill says those videos likely do not tell the whole story.

Cut 12 (15) “…get somebody’s attention.”

Operation Swamp Sweep is expected to last two months, with a stated goal of five-thousand arrests.

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Governor Landry has announced that Chennault Airport has secured a 20-million-dollar grant from FEMA that will be used to build a 37-thousand-square-foot paint hangar. Chennault International Airport executive director Kevin Melton says the new hangar will expand airport operations, and its main use will be to paint airplanes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…commercial-sized aircraft.”

Melton says the construction is expected to begin in February and will take a little over a year to complete. He says once constructed, the paint hangar will support more than 100 additional jobs.

Cut 14 (05) “…our local companies.”

Melton says Chennault is receiving this grant to help the airport recover from the damages sustained during Hurricane Laura.

Cut 15 (08) “…advantage of that.”

New LSU football coach Lane Kiffin’s seven-year contract is worth more than 91-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has more on Kiffin’s new deal.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lane Kiffin won’t be the only new sheriff in town. Southern University has introduced Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as its new head football coach this afternoon. The New Orleans native takes over for Terrence Graves, who was fired after the Jaguars started the season 1-and-6.

While the Lane Train has arrived in Baton Rouge, Jon Sumrall will soon be boarding the midnight train to Gainesville. The Tulane head coach has announced that he will become the head coach of the Florida Gators next season. There was no drama at Tulane – Athletic Director David Harris says Sumrall will coach the Green Wave through the end of the season.

Cut 7 (15) “…coach the team.”

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office releases a series of videos to educate voters on the new closed party primaries for select offices. On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the videos are part of a robust campaign to educate voters.

Cut 3 (10) “…in-person outreach.”

New LSU football coach Lane Kiffin’s seven-year contract is worth more than 91-million dollars. Jeff Palermo has more on Kiffin’s new deal.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Lane Kiffin won’t be the only new sheriff in town. Southern University has introduced Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as its new head football coach this afternoon. The New Orleans native takes over for Terrence Graves, who was fired after the Jaguars started the season 1-and-6.

The Secretary of State’s Office releases a series of videos to educate voters on the state’s new closed party primaries for select races. With a 30-day pushback approved by the legislature in the recent special session, the primary election is May 16th, with the runoff on June 27th. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while that may seem a ways away, time is of the essence in making voters aware of the changes.

Cut 4 (05) “…ready for them.”

Retailers are expecting a brisk holiday shopping season, but economic factors will dictate where that spending is coming from. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says amid rising prices due to tariffs, young adults are forecast to scale back on their holiday spending considerably.

Cut 11 (11) “…in actual spend.”

Lane Kiffin is the new head football coach for LSU after a successful six-year stint with SEC rival Ole Miss. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says LSU deserves credit for hiring its top target.

Cut 12 (11) “…popcorn ready.”

While the Lane Train has arrived in Baton Rouge, Jon Sumrall will soon be boarding the midnight train to Gainesville. The Tulane head coach has announced that he will become the head coach of the Florida Gators next season. There was no drama at Tulane – Athletic Director David Harris says Sumrall will coach the Green Wave through the end of the season.

Cut 7 (15) “…coach the team.”

It was the safest bet at the start of the season, and the Saints made it official with their 21-17 loss to the Dolphins yesterday – they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. After their potential game-tying two-point conversion was intercepted and returned for a defensive two-point conversion, the Saints recovered the ensuing onsides kick, but they couldn’t take advantage. Head Coach Kellen Moore:

Cut 20 (18) “…learn from this.”

Retailers are gearing up for a brisk holiday shopping season. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says overall, retailers are expecting a growth in revenue this year over last year.

Cut 9 (11)  “…since last year.”

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office releases a series of videos to educate voters on the new closed party primaries. They only apply to U.S. House, U.S. Senate, State Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and BESE races. On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the videos are part of a robust campaign to educate voters.

Cut 3 (10) “…in-person outreach.”

Tulane is the latest Louisiana school needing a new head football coach. Jon Sumrall has announced that he’s leaving Tulane to take the head coaching job at Florida. Tulane Athletic Director David Harris says while it’s sad to lose Sumrall after two seasons, it’s not exactly unexpected, with the Green Wave one win away from a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

Cut 6 (07) “…be what occurs.”

Of course, the biggest coaching news in Louisiana is LSU making official the hiring of Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss. Jeff Palermo has more on what the Tigers are getting in Kiffin.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LSU coaching saga is over. Lane Kiffin has officially signed his seven-year, 91-million-dollar contract to be the new Tigers’ head football coach. It looked like LSU would have a hard time attracting a big-time coach when it appeared that Governor Landry had a hand in Scott Woodward’s firing as athletic director. But Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says new AD Verge Ausberry was confident he could hire the best coach in college football.

Cut 11 (11) “..politics.”

The 2025 hurricane season is over; and for the first time since 2015, a hurricane did not make landfall in the U.S. Colorado State research scientist Phil Klotzbach says atmospheric conditions protected the U.S.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the hurricanes.”

For the first time ever, the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola hosted a daddy-daughter dance. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 23 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Entergy is beginning construction on a pair of power plants in north Louisiana that will power Meta’s massive data center in Richland Parish. The Franklin Farms Power Station will consist of two combined-cycle combustion turbine facilities which the company says will add about 15-hundred megawatts of natural gas generation capacity.

A flight instructor and her student are presumed dead after a plane that took off from New Orleans Lakefront Airport crashed into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night. The owner of Apollo Flight School, Michael Carasto, says the plane disintegrated once it hit the water, so the chances of survival were slim.

Cut 11 (14) “…much in shock.”

After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life is reminding everyone of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Policy Director Erica Inzina says the purpose is to protect the life of the newborn baby.

Cut 7 (12) “…no questions asked.”

There are also two Safe Haven drop boxes in South Louisiana.

You will certainly be in good company if you’re heading out of town for Thanksgiving today, as this is historically the busiest travel day of the year. While the car is easily the most popular Thanksgiving mode of transportation, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says more and more people are boarding lines like “The City of New Orleans.”

Cut 6 (10) “…sure of that.”

Longtime Acadiana meteorologist Ed Roy has died. Roy started his career with KPEL but was best known for his 20-year stint on KATC. In addition to his work on TV, Roy also ran several businesses, including Ed Roy Private Investigations. He was also a public servant, having served on the Lafayette Parish Council and with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Ed Roy was 74 years old.

Louisiana Right to Life is reminding everyone of the state’s Safe Haven Law. This, after a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl allegedly killed her newborn baby immediately after birth. Under the law, a mother can drop off the baby up to 60 days old at a designated surrender location with no questions asked. In addition, Policy Director Erica Inzina says in South Louisiana, there are two Safe Haven drop-off boxes.

Cut 8 (15) “…has walked away.”

“The worst of the worst” – those are the scathing words of Vernon Parish Judge Tony Bennett as he sentenced 44-year-old Morris Perkins of Rosepine to life in prison without the possibility of parole for raping a child under the age of 13. Not that he will outlive that sentence, but he was also sentenced to a consecutive 30-year term for child pornography.

Regardless of the mode of transportation, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says almost seven-million people in the West South Central Region will hit the road this holiday; so if you’re heading out today, now is a really good time to leave.

Cut 4 (08) “…bulk of people.”

After missing two more field goals Sunday, the Saints replace Blake Grupe with former LSU Tiger Cade York. The Saints chose York over Justin Tucker, who recently completed a ten-game suspension for alleged improper behavior with massage therapists. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with WWL Radio says there’s simply too much baggage with Tucker.

Cut 15 (12) “…his NFL career.”

After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life wants to remind you of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A young flight instructor and her student are presumed dead after their Cessna plane crashed into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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High school football quarterfinals kick off this weekend. Kace Kieschnick has LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett’s games to watch in the non-select brackets.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Regardless of the mode of transportation, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says almost seven-million people in the West South Central Region will hit the road this holiday; so if you’re heading out today, do so as soon as possible.

Cut 4 (08) “…bulk of people.”

Redman says the best part about traveling by car this year is cheap gas.

Cut 5 (10) “…head into Christmas.”

More than 430-thousand will be taking to the friendly skies, and Redman says another mode of transportation has gained popularity this year.

Cut 6 (10) “…sure of that.”

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After a 14-year-old Livingston Parish girl is charged with killing her newborn baby, Louisiana Right to Life is reminding everyone of the state’s Safe Haven Law. Policy Director Erica Inzina says the purpose is to protect the life of the newborn baby.

Cut 7 (12) “…no questions asked.”

(Up to 60 days old, the mother can drop the baby off at a designated surrender location with no questions asked.) A mother can drop the baby off at any hospital, a staffed fire station or a staffed law enforcement station. In addition, Inzina says in South Louisiana, there are two Safe Haven drop-off boxes.

Cut 8 (15) “…has walked away.”

Inzina says in light of what happened in Denham Springs this week, there needs to be more outreach to let people know that the Safe Haven Law exists in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a safe option.”

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A flight instructor and her student are presumed dead after a plane that took off from the New Orleans Lakefront Airport crashed into Lake Pontchartrain Monday night. The owner of Apollo Flight School, Michael Carasto, says it’s unknown why the instructional flight over the lake turned into a tragedy.

Cut 10 (12) “…or what happened.”

Carasto says the Cessna plane they were flying was a late 70s or 80s model, but it was maintained to regulation standards. He says there was no distress call, and the plane disintegrated once it hit the water, so the chances of survival were slim.

Cut 11 (14) “…much in shock.”

Carasto says the instructor was highly qualified with 13-hundred flying hours. He says both victims were in their 20s.

Cut 12 (06) “…is my first.”

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The Saints have cut 27-year-old kicker Blake Grupe after he missed two more field goals on Sunday, and they’ve signed former LSU Tiger Cade York. Grupe’s eight missed field goals this season leads the NFL. WWL radio NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the offensively-challenged Saints could no longer wait for Grupe to snap out of his slump.

Cut 13 (10)  “…they’re loaded offensively.”

York was on LSU’s 2019 national championship team, and he made 82-percent of field goals in three seasons at LSU. He struggled his rookie season with the Bengals in 2022, and he only appeared in six games last season. Detillier says York has not kicked in the NFL this year.

Cut 14 (11) “…a bit inconsistent.”

The Saints passed on signing kicker Justin Tucker, who recently completed a ten-game suspension for alleged improper behavior with massage therapists. Detillier says there’s simply too much baggage with Tucker.

Cut 15 (12) “…his NFL career.”

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The quarterfinals of the Louisiana high school football playoffs kick off Friday. LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett says the chaos of the D-1 non-select bracket has lived up to the hype. 26th seeded Barbe upset Northwood and West Monroe, but Verrett says their Cinderella run will have to go through second-ranked Neville.

Cut 16 (16) “…offense keep going.”

Verrett says he’s circling Belle Chasse versus West Feliciana in Division Two. Coach Stephen Meyers’ Cardinals have the makings of a championship contender.

Cut 17 (16)  “…back in Louisiana.”

Third-seeded St. James will take on sixth seeded Oak Grove Friday in the division three quarterfinals. Verrett says this will be a matchup between two dynamic offenses.

Cut 18 (18)  “…to possibly win.”

Oak Grove is outscoring opponents 89-0 in the playoffs this year so far.

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UL-Lafayette football is just one win away from becoming bowl eligible for the eighth straight year. The Cajuns take on the ULM Warhawks Saturday for rivalry weekend, and head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says he wants his team to start out faster and be able to finish the season strong.

Cut 19 (13) “…postseason dreams alive.”

In the Cajuns’ 34-30 win over Arkansas State, starting center Cooper Fordham and veteran reserve Mackey Maillho (MAIL-oh) suffered season-ending injuries. UL-Lafayette is now up to nine offensive linemen who are out for the year. Desormeaux says everyone has elevated their play to get the team to this point.

Cut 20 (21) “…handle and weather.”

Kickoff in Lafayette Saturday is at 2 p.m.