A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 2-year-old girl inside a car yesterday afternoon. BRPD Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the incident occurred when a woman spotted what she believed was her relative’s stolen vehicle and began following it.

Cut 3 (08) “…of the vehicle.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning for a 15th NFL season next season. Davis says today’s game allows for longevity that the game of years past didn’t allow for.

Cut 6 (14) “…you maximize it.”

This season, Davis has a career-high 137 tackles, including 63 solo tackles.

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, but which coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Kiffin was not at the Sugar Bowl; he was at the P-MAC watching the LSU women suffer their first loss of the season at the hands of 11th-ranked Kentucky. The men are also off to a hot start, entering SEC play with only one loss on the season, that to 12th-ranked Texas Tech.

Authorities arrest a Baton Rouge man accused of shooting a two-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve, leaving her in critical condition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The new year is here, and that means some new laws are now in effect. Many are in the realm of insurance reform. Among them – those who are determined to be at least 51-percent at fault for a crash can no longer collect damages in a civil suit, and companies must give discounts on liability premiums for commercial vehicles with dashcams.

Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship game on the line, but there’s now uncertainty about whether the six incoming LSU assistant coaches currently on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Charlie Weis.”

Lane Kiffin was not at last night’s Sugar Bowl. Instead, he was at P-MAC watching the LSU women’s basketball team lose its first game of the season, 80-78, to Kentucky. The Lady Tigers have a quick turnaround, as they visit 12th-ranked Vanderbilt Sunday. Coach Kim Mulkey says she needs to see more from her young, talented team.

Cut 13 (12)  “…pity party.”

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man is under arrest in connection with the shooting of a two-year-old girl inside a car. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon after police tracked down the suspect vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely urges residents to contact police if they locate their stolen vehicle.

Cut 5 (11) “…that are following.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning next season. It will be his ninth in New Orleans – and his 15th in the NFL. Davis says advances in medical science allows players to enjoy longer careers in the NFL.

Cut 7 (13) “…to regenerate faster.”

The Lady Tigers lost their first game of the season after 11th-ranked Kentucky hit a last second three pointer to win 80-78 in LSU’s SEC opener last night. The Lady Tigers were outrebounded 17-to-4 on the offensive glass, and coach Kim Mulkey says that was the difference in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…fix that.”

The men, meanwhile, will face Texas A&M tomorrow in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon, with their only loss coming to 12th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

Cut 14 (14) “…great atmoshperes.”

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last night, but which coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still up in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Police in Natchitoches are looking for a man in connection with a stabbing that happened late yesterday morning. They say 52-year-old Lloyd Paillett stabbed two people; they’re hospitalized in stable condition.

As a Baton Rouge toddler continues fighting for her life after being shot in the head, a 27-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the little girl remains in critical condition.

Cut 4 (09) “…Baton Rouge community.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced he will return for his 15th NFL season, his ninth in New Orleans. While this season got off to a rough start, with the Saints losing eight of their first nine games, they’ve seemed to have turned the corner with Tyler Shough at quarterback, winning four in a row. Davis says this late season surge has him excited for 2026.

Cut 8 (11) “…momentum of this?”

The state is receiving 208 million dollars from the federal government that’s intended to improve healthcare in rural Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

From now on, holding a cell phone to your ear while driving could cost you a few bucks. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The college football transfer window opens today and Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects Lane Kiffin and LSU to be active buyers. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program, established when Congress approved President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says this funding will improve healthcare access in rural communities…

Cut 4 (15) “…live longer.”

Greenstein says this money will improve access to care, strengthen local healthcare systems and expand workforce capacity…

Cut 5 (12) “…entire state.”

Greenstein says the goal is also for this money to help rural residents with chronic or complex health conditions. He says these dollars will also help sustain operations at rural healthcare facilities and upgrade infrastructure…

Cut 6 (11) “…bigger cities.”

Nearly 1.1 million Louisiana residents live in rural parishes with 37% covered by Medicaid and 22% covered by Medicare. Louisiana’s award am0unt of $208 million is among the highest in the nation, and among the top three in the Southeast.

____________________________________________

I hope you’ve gotten used to using your hands-free cell phone device while driving; because from now on, holding a phone to your ear while driving will cost you a few bucks if you’re caught. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says the purpose of the ban on hand-held cell phones while driving is to increase everyone’s safety.

Cut 7 (12) “…result of that.”

The ban officially went into effect last August 1st; but officers were initially issuing warnings. That grace period ended when the calendar flipped to 2026. There had been a ban on texting while driving in place for quite some time; Trooper Mayfield says this new law takes it one step further.

Cut 8 (08) “…hands-free manner.”

During debate in the legislature, some noted that this new law would be discriminatory against those who drive older vehicles which don’t have Bluetooth built-in to allow hands-free phone conversations in which you can listen to the person you’re talking to on your car stereo speakers. Mayfield says that’s no excuse.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the steering wheel.”

This is a secondary offense, meaning you cannot be pulled over for that offense alone. Instead, it would yield an additional fine if you’re observed using a hand-held cell phone while committing a moving violation, like speeding or running a red light.

____________________________________________

The big political story for 2026 will be the U-S Senate race as Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy faces several challengers from his own party. State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez, state representative Julie Emerson and PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta are seeking to unseat Cassidy. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy has one big advantage…

Cut 10 (07) “…really tough re-election.”

Cassidy is facing a difficult re-election campaign, because he voted to impeach President Donald Trump 2021 after the January 6^th Capitol attack, which angered many pro-Trump Republicans.

Adding to Cassidy’s challenge is the change to a closed primary election system. Pinsonat says registered no party voters can vote in the primaries, but the Secretary of State’s office and the campaigns will need to educate voters…

Cut 11 (11) “..to declare.”

The primary election will take place in May, a party primary run-off will take place in June. The General election will be in November.

The 2026 legislative session begins in March. Pinsonat expects a quiet session after lawmakers in 2025 approved a package of property insurance reform laws. Some of those measures didn’t got into effect until January 1^st, so Pinsonat doesn’t expect Governor Landry to be pushing even more insurance reform bills..

Cut 12 (10) “…reforming insurance.”

____________________________________________

The college football transfer window officially opens today, and Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects an eventful cycle with all of the coaching moves across the nation. Bromberg says Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin is one of the best at adapting to the portal, but he’s in for a tough task as he’s only been at LSU for a month.

Cut 13 (06)  “…right away.”

The Tigers will almost certainly look to bolster the quarterback room alongside Michael Van Buren. Kiffin’s former passer, Trinidad Chambliss, is awaiting a response from the NCAA on whether he’ll get another year of eligibility, but with names like Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, and Dylan Raiola Bromberg says the Tigers won’t be waiting around.

Cut 14 (12) “…2026 season.”

Bromberg also expects Kiffin to target the position groups that helped build Ole Miss’s playoff roster: defensive line and wide receiver. He says LSU’s reputation and Kiffin’s offense is a match made in pass catcher heaven.

Cut 15 (09) “…system is.”

____________________________________________

It was a Sugar Bowl for the ages. In a game that came down to the last ten seconds, Ole Miss beat Georgia, 39-34, to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Lucas Carneiro kicked a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left to give OIe Miss the win, with the final margin coming on the ensuing kickoff when a botched lateral by Georgia hit their own end zone pylon for a safety. After the game, Hammond’s own Pete Golding, the head coach of Ole Miss, said he made some adjustments with his Rebels down 21-12 at halftime.

Cut 16 (14) “…have all year.”

Not only do the Rebels advance to the Fiesta Bowl, where they will face Miami, but they avenged a 43-35 loss to Georgia, which was their only loss of the regular season that ultimately kept them out of the SEC Championship Game. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss says the Sugar Bowl was basically the polar opposite of that October 18th game in Athens.

Cut 17 (12)  “…and we executed.”

For Georgia, it was their second straight loss in the Sugar Bowl, on the heels of their 23-10 loss to Notre Dame a year ago. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said the back-and-forth game was like every SEC game they played all season long.

Cut 18 (13)  “…didn’t finish it.”

The game-winner notwithstanding, Carneiro had a game for the ages. In the first quarter, he set a new Sugar Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal – and just over three and a half minutes later, he broke his own record with a 56-yarder.

In 2026, New Orleans is looking to extend its three-year winning streak. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The college football transfer portal window opens up tomorrow and runs through the 16th, and LSU will be shopping for its next starting quarterback. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

If you’d like to make a new year’s resolution that’s actually easy to stick to, how about making a pledge to keep Louisiana free of litter? Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser have suggested ten resolutions aimed at helping keep Louisiana clean. Nungesser says a few should be pretty simple.

Cut 3 (10) “…tarps and straps.”

Nungesser says a couple suggested resolutions are aimed at business owners.

Cut 4 (07) “…and empty them.”

You can report littering to the litter hotline at 855-LA-LITTER, and those who are confirmed to be littering will get a ticket, which Nungesser says has been an effective way to prevent them from littering in the future.

Cut 5 (05) “…to litter again.”

______________________________________________

New Orleans is looking to continue a winning streak of sorts in 2026, when it comes to reducing violent crime in the city. According to figures from the Real-Time Crime Index and the Metropolitan Crime Commission, overall violent crime fell in 2025, marking the third year in a row that overall crime numbers decreased in the city. Jeff Asher, who analyzed the numbers for the Real-Time Crime Index, says murders were way down.

Cut 6 (11) “…had in 2022.”

Asher says all other violent crime categories saw reductions of between 60 and 80-percent from their 2022 levels.

Cut 7 (10) “…of the pandemic.”

Asher says those federal investments are paying dividends in other cities across the country.

Cut 8 (13) “…places seeing decreases.”

______________________________________________

The college football transfer portal opens up tomorrow and will run through January 16th. Currently, LSU has 17 players planning to enter the transfer portal. Geaux 247 senior writer Glen West says head coach Lane Kiffin could sign nearly 30 players this portal period.

Cut 9 (12)  “…way for LSU.”

One of the biggest positions that the Tigers have to focus on in the portal is the offensive line. LSU has six offensive linemen planning to enter the transfer portal, two of which were starters this season. West says the staff has to be able to find some quality starters.

Cut 10 (12) “…some depth pieces.”

LSU is also seeing a mass exodus on the defensive line. Seniors Jack Pyburn, Patrick Payton, Jacobian Guillory and Bernard Gooden are all out of eligibility and are declaring for the NFL Draft, while sophomore defensive tackle is entering the transfer portal. West says the defensive line will be a key position the Tigers have to fill.

Cut 11 (14) “…line as well.”

_______________________________________________

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team opens up conference play tonight against 11th-ranked Kentucky. In their 14 non-conference games, the Tigers’ average margin of victory was more than 55 points. On WWL radio, Mulkey says she will learn a lot about her team through the first few SEC games.

Cut 12 (14) “…to suit you.”

LSU enters SEC play with the number-one scoring offense in the country, as the Tigers average 108 points per game. The Tigers also have seven players averaging over 10 or more points. Even though the team is putting up historic numbers on the offensive end of the floor, Mulkey says the team has to do two specific things well if it wants to continue to be successful.

Cut 13 (14)  “…the defensive end.”

LSU brought in the top freshman class in the nation this year, and the young Tigers aren’t skipping a beat. Among the freshmen is 6-2 forward Grace Knox, who’s averaging 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. Mulkey says Knox could go down as one of the best players in program history.

Cut 14 (12) “…talent from California.”

We’re getting ready to kiss 2025 goodbye and welcome 2026. As such, the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone has been re-established. With the exception of emergency purposes, vehicles are prohibited from entering the zone – essentially Bourbon Street and one block in either direction. Glade Bilby, the president of The French Quarter Citizens, says he agrees with that move.

Cut 5 (08) “…are not driving.”

As the clock ticks towards midnight, some people will be ringing in the new year by popping fireworks. If you’re among them, there are things you need to know to stay safe. Ken Pastorick with the Office of the State Fire Marshal says when shooting fireworks, make sure you’re in an open area.

Cut 7 (05) “…these things off.”

Pastorick says never put dry fireworks debris in garbage cans – embers can ignite and start a fire.

If you make a fool of yourself ringing in the new year to the point that your significant other tells you to take a hike, do it! Louisiana State Parks Assistant Secretary Brandon Burris says there will be free admission to State Parks tomorrow and Friday, so you can begin the new year with a hike to connect with the outdoors.

Cut 10 (11) “…great hike” 

What were the most popular baby names throughout the state? According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the most popular girl’s name was Amelia, and the most popular boy’s name was Noah. Other top girls’ names include Charlotte, Olivia and Emma. Other names on the boys’ list include Liam, James and John. For some strange reason, the name Andrew did not crack the top 10.

With the New Year’s holiday upon us, the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established, encompassing an area bound by Canal, Royal, St. Ann and Dauphine streets. State Police Trooper Danny Berrincha says visitors staying in hotels on Bourbon Street should use the entrances on Royal Street or Dauphine Street if possible.

Cut 4 (09) “…as your identification.”

If the Polar Bear Plunge doesn’t exactly appeal to you to ring in the new year, why not take a hike? Louisiana State Parks Assistant Secretary Brandon Burris says as part of the First Day Hikes program, admission to state parks tomorrow and Friday is free – all the better to enjoy the beautiful landscapes at the state parks.

Cut 12 (15) “…experience.”

For a fifth consecutive year, Louisiana will have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (35) “…Jeff Palermo.”

After the parade tomorrow comes a full day of College Football Playoff action, culminating with the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Ole Miss. The winner of that matchup will face the winner of tonight’s Cotton Bowl between Miami and Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl next week.

If you’re planning on ringing in the new year in the French Quarter, there are things you need to know before you go, especially in light of what happened just after we rang in the start of this year. The French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is re-established, encompassing an area bound by Canal, Royal, St. Ann and Dauphine streets. State Police Trooper Danny Berrincha says when entering that area, the best rule of thumb is to bring as few items with you as possible.

Cut 3 (09) “…to the entry.”

If you’re planning on popping off fireworks tonight, use some common sense to prevent the celebration from turning to disaster. Ken Pastorick with the Office of the State Fire Marshal says never put dry fireworks debris in garbage cans – embers can ignite and start a fire; and if that can is next to your house, you can burn your house down.

Cut 8 (06) “…the garbage can.”

If you make a fool of yourself ringing in the new year to the point that your significant other tells you to take a hike, do it! You can take a hike in a state park for free tomorrow or Friday, so you can begin the year by connecting with the outdoors. State Parks Assistant Secretary Brandon Burris says you can visit the Louisiana State Parks First Day Hikes webpage for a full listing of events and to plan your First Day Hike.

Cut 11 (07) “…more advanced hikes.”

Another thing you can do tomorrow to ring in the new year is to take in the Sugar Bowl. Georgia and Ole Miss kick things off in the Superdome at seven. If you want to go and still need a ticket, be prepared to fork over some serious coin – tickets on the secondary market start at around 175 dollars. The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, against the winner of tonight’s Cotton Bowl between Miami and Ohio State.

If you’re planning on ringing in the new year in the French Quarter, you can expect beefed up security, bolstered by the National Guard. Glade Bilby, the president of The French Quarter Citizens, says in light of what happened at the outset of this year, New Orleans has no other option but to take extra precautions to give visitors peace of mind.

Cut 6 (10) “…with security measures.”

Some of you may stay home and pop off fireworks. If you do, there are things you need to know to stay safe, prevent your house from going up in flames and prevent you from losing a finger and becoming the next spokesman for Hamburger Helper. Ken Pastorick with the Office of the State Fire Marshal says make sure you’re in an open area when shooting fireworks.

Cut 7 (05) “…these things off.”

And never put dry fireworks debris in garbage cans – embers can ignite and start a fire.

For a fifth consecutive year, Louisiana will have a float in the Tournament of Roses New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, California. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (35) “…Jeff Palermo.”

What were the most popular baby names throughout the state? According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the most popular boy’s name was Noah, and the most popular girl’s name was Amelia. Other names on the boys’ list include Liam, James and John; top girls’ names include Charlotte, Olivia and Emma.