The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for the person who shot and killed a bald eagle in Vermillion Parish back in early December. The bald eagle is the national bird and a national symbol of the U.S. As such, Sergeant Michael Hebert notes that from coast to coast, it is illegal to shoot one.

Cut 8 (04) “…Eagle Protection Act.”

Killing a bald eagle is punishable by up to one year in jail and five-thousand dollars in both fines and civil restitution.

Moderna and Merck have recently announced that a vaccine they’re working on to treat melanoma is showing lasting benefits for patients. Dr. Kyle Holen, the head of development of oncology and therapeutics at Moderna, says this could be a game-changer in how all types of cancers are treated.

Cut 11 (05) “…randomized clinical trial.”

In a five-year follow-up of the ongoing clinical trial, those with the high-risk skin cancer who take the vaccine along with Keytruda have lowered their risk of recurrence by half, compared to taking Keytruda alone. 

Cut 23 (08) “…Class of 2026.”

Who Dat nation is rejoicing as Drew Brees is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A middle school teacher in Hammond is arrested for allegedly having sex with a teenager. Investigators say 47-year-old Chad Basso had sex with a 15-year-old he met online. Basso taught eighth grade at Hammond Westside Montessori School; the teen does not go to school there.

Entergy says it has completed its mission in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Who Dat nation is rejoicing as Drew Brees is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Construction is getting underway on the Donaldsonville campus in the River Parish Community College system. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says for the first three to four years after it opens in 2028, the campus in Ascension Parish will be used specifically to train workers for the new Hyundai Steel mill, until it fills all 13-hundred jobs.

Cut 3 (08) “…in the area.”

Taylor says this is the latest in the growth of the River Parish Community College system.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Boutte.”

Taylor says community colleges like River Parish Community College are key to a strong workforce.

Cut 5 (08) “…to the jobs.”

____________________________________________

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for the person who shot a bald eagle to death. Sergeant Michael Hebert says it happened in Erath on December 5th.

Cut 6 (10) “…to its wounds.”

Sergeant Hebert says a reward of up to 15-thousand dollars is being offered for information leading to a conviction in this incident.

Cut 7 (11) “…have been receiving.”

The bald eagle is the national bird and a national symbol of the U.S. As such, Hebert notes that from coast to coast, it is illegal to shoot a bald eagle.

Cut 8 (04) “…Eagle Protection Act.”

Killing a bald eagle is punishable by up to one year in jail and five-thousand dollars in both fines and civil restitution. Up until 1995, the bald eagle was classified as an endangered species. Its population has since recovered, and its conservation status is now “least concern.”

______________________________________

Moderna and Merck have recently announced that a vaccine they’re working on to treat melanoma is showing lasting benefits for patients. In a five-year follow-up of an ongoing clinical trial, those with the high-risk skin cancer who take the vaccine along with Keytruda have lowered their risk of recurrence by half, compared to taking Keytruda alone. Dr. Kyle Holen, the head of development of oncology and therapeutics at Moderna, says the vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as the COVID vaccine.

Cut 9 (11)  “…cells as foreign.”

Dr. Holen says Moderna is looking at several different types of cancers in clinical trials, some of which are taking place in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “…types of cancers.”

Holen says this could be a game-changer in how all types of cancers are treated.

Cut 11 (05) “…randomized clinical trial.”

_______________________________________________________

Drew Brees is the first New Orleans Saint in franchise history to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The formal announcement was made Thursday night. No one could have predicted that Brees would become one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history when he was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

Cut 12 (09) “…a different way.”

Brees became the first quarterback to surpass 80-thousand career passing yards, and his 571 touchdown passes are the second most in NFL history. His career completion percentage is the highest in league history.

Brees started his pro career in San Diego, but in the season before he was set to become a free agent, he suffered a career-threatening shoulder injury. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton took a chance on him in 2006, and the rest is history.

Cut 13 (11) “…I could be.”

Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also guided New Orleans to three NFC Championship Game appearances. He’s remembered for all of the records, the victories and — maybe more importantly — his role in the post-Katrina recovery.

Cut 14 (13) “…bigger than them”

Brees and the rest of his class will be formally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.

Cut 23 (07) “…Class of 2026.”

Dan Fouts recently showed up to Drew Brees’ home unannounced to deliver him the big news. The widely-expected news was announced last night during the NFL Honors show. Brees says he would have never envisioned this outcome when he was drafted in the second round in 2001.

Cut 12 (09) “…a different way.”

Construction is getting underway on the Donaldsonville campus in the River Parish Community College system, which will be used primarily to train future employees at the Hyundai Steel mill, which is under construction nearby. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says this is the latest in the growth of the system.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Boutte.”

Moderna and Merck have recently announced that a vaccine they’re working on to treat melanoma is showing lasting benefits for patients. In a five-year follow-up of an ongoing clinical trial, those with the high-risk skin cancer who take the vaccine along with Keytruda have lowered their risk of recurrence by half, compared to taking Keytruda alone. Dr. Kyle Holen, the head of development of oncology and therapeutics at Moderna, says the vaccine uses the same mRNA technology as the COVID vaccine.

Cut 9 (11)  “…cells as foreign.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for the person who shot and killed a bald eagle in Vermillion Parish back in early December. The bald eagle is the national bird and a national symbol of the U.S. As such, Sergeant Michael Hebert notes that from coast to coast, it is illegal to shoot one.

Cut 8 (04) “…Eagle Protection Act.”

All eyes will be on the U.S. Senate race and the fifth congressional district when qualifying takes place next week. After initially challenging Bill Cassidy for the Senate, Blake Miguez is now running in the fifth district, even though he doesn’t live close to there. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says we’ve seen that before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Drew Brees is the first New Orleans Saint in history to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The formal announcement was made last night. Brees acknowledged that no one could have predicted that he would become one of the most prolific quarterbacks in history when he was taken in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.

Cut 12 (12) “…different way.”

You drink, you drive, you lose – Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over starts today and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is one of four times a year the state does a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, in which it gets federal funding to pay law enforcement officers overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

It’s the biggest return of unclaimed property in Louisiana – more than 400-thousand dollars. State Treasurer John Fleming presented a pair of checks to Shreveport native James Willett earlier this week. He says a family member who had been managing the Willetts’ mineral royalties had passed away a few years ago, and the money ended up going untouched.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the state.”

Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has agreed to a three-year reconstructed contract. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Another enhanced statewide drunk driving enforcement operation gets underway today. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over goes from now through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is traditionally one of the deadliest periods in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…an impaired driver.”

Fischer says Carnival is one of four times a year the state does a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, in which it gets federal funding to pay law enforcement officers overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

Fischer says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

______________________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. On Tuesday, while speaking to members of the Logansport Chamber of Commerce, Fleming presented a pair of checks totaling more than 400-thousand dollars to Shreveport native James Willett and his son. Fleming says he was simply returning their unclaimed property — presenting the largest unclaimed property checks in state history.

Cut 7 (10) “…he passed away.”

Fleming says after the family member passed away, the money went untouched for a few years.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the state.”

Fleming says he wanted to present it publicly to create public awareness of the state’s unclaimed property fund, which currently stands at about 1.2-billion dollars. He says one in six people in Louisiana has unclaimed property, averaging about 900 dollars – and he says that money always belongs to its rightful owner.

Cut 9 (09)  “…not the legislature.”

______________________________________________________________

Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week, and there are two interesting races to watch. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

The Republican primary for the fifth district congressional race has announced candidates as they are looking to replace Letlow, who represents a district that stretches from northeast Louisiana to Baton Rouge. State Senator Blake Miguez is running, even though he doesn’t live in the fifth district. Alford says we’ve seen that before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Miguez also has President Trump’s endorsement. Alford says it remains to be seen if the endorsement of the President trumps the issue of an Acadiana lawmaker representing a district that’s based in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 12 (06) “…of that chatter.”

______________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie, but Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that moving forward.”

Some of Cumbie’s notable incentives include 50-thousand dollars for five conference wins, which increases by 25-thousand with each conference win. Cumbie could also make 50-thousand dollars for a conference title game appearance or 100-thousand dollars for a conference title game win.

Ivey says the 155-thousand dollars that are no longer part of Cumbie’s annual salary will go towards revenue sharing deals with the players, which will help with recruiting efforts and roster retention.

Cut 14 (12) “…character as well.”

Cumbie is 19-and-31 at Tech and is coming off an 8-5 season with an Independence Bowl victory. Ivey says Cumbie’s reconstructed contract is more than just a financial move.

Cut 15 (08) “…to do that.”

______________________________________________________________

There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Boutte averages 18 yards a catch and has a touchdown in the postseason. The New Iberia native has the utmost confidence in second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Cut 16 (13) “…of the day” 

Campbell never played for a championship at Neville High School or at LSU. But as a rookie in the NFL, he gets his opportunity after the Patriots used the fourth overall pick to select him.

Cut 17 (17)  “…it’s been awesome.”

Super Bowl 60 is on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Santa Clara, California. Campbell says he will certainly take a moment to take it all in before kickoff.

Cut 18 (09)  “…ready to go.”

The Patriots also have former Louisiana Tech standout Milton Williams. The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season.

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

More than a week and a half after an ice storm ravaged northeast Louisiana, there are still hundreds without power. The storm had knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says once the power is fully restored, they’ll begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid.

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over begins tomorrow and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

Tomorrow afternoon, officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville.

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

The Hyundai Steel mill will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

Delta Utilities customers facing financial hardship can get some help paying their natural gas bills, thanks to a venture the company has launched with the United Way. Sarah McLaughlin Porteous (PORT-ee-uhs) with Delta Utilities says the assistance is meant to be limited in nature.

Cut 5 (04) “…12-month period.”

There is an application process, and there are eligibility requirements, including income relative to household size.

Lane Kiffin touted the quarterbacks he and his staff recruited to LSU in his first remarks to the media since his introductory news conference. Kiffin brought in Sam Leavitt of Arizona State, Husan (HOO-sahn) Longstreet of USC and Landen Clark of Elon. Kiffin says he’s most proud of his staff’s ability to build one of the best quarterback rooms in the country through the portal.

Cut 11 (13) “…about their competitiveness.”

Northeast Louisiana has started the daunting task of recovery following last week’s ice storm. The damage is not limited to what you can see on the outside from your car. With many people losing power for days on end, they were left with refrigerators full of spoiled food. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says that’s been keeping the local food bank very busy. 

Cut 9 (08)  “…in spoiled food.”

Delta Utilities customers who are struggling to pay their bills due to financial hardship can get some help. The company is partnering with the United Way in launching DU Cares, giving qualifying customers 250 dollars towards their natural gas bills one time in a 12-month period. Sarah McLaughlin Porteous (PORT-ee-uhs) with Delta Utilities says the response so far has been very encouraging.

Cut 6 (09) “…than 300 applications.”

In all likelihood, legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be announced tonight as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says while Brees’ statistics are certainly impressive, the impact Brees had on the Saints franchise is immeasurable.

Cut 14 (09) “…run of success.”

Lane Kiffin spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since being hired as LSU’s head football coach. Over the past couple of weeks, Kiffin and his staff traveled across the country to get a head start on recruiting the Class of 2027. He says his trips in Louisiana have stood out.

Cut 12 (14) “…it’s awesome.”

A state representative from St. Bernard Parish files a bill that would make using images of children to create A-I deepfakes of a sexual nature illegal. Republican Michael Bayham says because it’s such a new technology, A-I is currently not addressed in Louisiana statutes.

Cut 10 (12) “…particularly our children.”

With the next Sugar Bowl being a College Football Playoff Semifinal, the game will be played January 15th, 2027. Not only will it be the latest Sugar Bowl in history, but the teams won’t even be known until after New Year’s Day. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says that in no way will diminish the turnout or the excitement leading up to the game.

Cut 4 (09) “…excitement around them.”

Four state lawmakers are looking to make the jump to Congress. Jeff Palermo has more on the race to replace Julia Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A deadly stabbing at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 43-year-old Dominican Republic native Melvin Lopez for the murder of 35-year-old Jonathan Robertson, who was serving 75 years for armed robbery. Lopez has been at the prison since 2017 and is serving a life sentence for murder.

Using images of children to create A-I deepfake images of a sexual nature would be illegal if a state lawmaker has his way. Representative Michael Bayham has filed a bill that would classify deepfake content involving children as child sex abuse material if it’s sexually explicit in nature.

Cut 9 (08)  “…abused and exploited.”

Even though Blake Miguez is running for a U.S. House seat in a district he doesn’t live in, that’s perfectly legal – the only requirement is that he live in the state. Still, USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn says Miguez’s opponents are hitting him hard on that fact.

Cut 7 (10) “…Senator Miguez.”

The primary election is May 16th; qualifying is next week – February 11th through the 13th.

The next Sugar Bowl will be the latest one in its 90-plus-year history. Because it’s a College Football Playoff Semifinal, it will take place Friday, January 15th, 2027. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while it breaks tradition, it’s for the best.

Cut 3 (09) “…be in it.”

The Sugar Bowl at the end of the 2027 season will be New Year’s Eve, before the Superdome hosts the National Championship Game for that season January 24th, 2028.

Cut 26 (02) (SFX ends)

It’s a pretty safe bet that Drew Brees will hear that sound on his front door tomorrow from a Pro Football Hall of Famer, letting him know that he’s a member of the Class of 2026. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says it would be shocking if Brees is not a first-ballot hall of famer.

Cut 13 (05)  “…Drew Brees’ name.”