At a ceremony in New Orleans, Governor John Bel Edwards posthumously pardoned civil rights pioneer Homer Plessy. Plessy was a Creole man arrested in New Orleans 130 years ago when he refused to leave a whites-only railroad car. Plessy’s protest led to the 1896 ruling known as Plessy versus Ferguson, which said it was legal to have white-only spaces in public areas. Governor Edwards says unfortunately the negative effects of that ruling still linger…:

Cut 4 (08) “…our country.”

An early morning house fire in St. Landry parish claims the lives of two young boys, ages 11 and 12. Opelousas Fire Chief Charles Mason says only four of the six residents escaped. A third child was taken to a hospital.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Jonesboro’s Fire Chief Brandon Brown and a Jackson Parish Sheriff’s deputy, George Wyatt face insurance fraud charges involving a two-vehicle crash of fire department vehicles. Trooper Michael Reichardt says two have also been charged with filing or maintaining false public records, and malfeasance in office.

Cut 12 (07) “…jail now.”  

The investigation revealed that Brown’s juvenile son was the driver of one of the vehicles.

LSU’s football season ended with a loss in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State. But the game was a highlight for fifth-year senior Jontre Kirklin who made his first start at quarterback with three touchdown passes. Kirklin who only played cornerback and wide receiver at LSU, says he was calm heading into his first start at QB since Lutcher High…

Cut 8 (11) “…win this game” 

Governor Edwards gave a posthumous pardon to Homer Plessy, the subject of the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case that ensconced a “separate, but equal” policy that enabled decades of segregation.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lawrence Brooks, the oldest living World War II veteran in the US and Louisiana native, died Tuesday at the age of 112. The Norwood, Louisiana native and New Orleans resident was drafted at the age of 31 and served in the Army’s predominantly African American 91^st Engineer Battalion.

Jonesboro’s Fire Chief and a Jackson Parish Sheriff’s deputy face insurance fraud charges involving a two-vehicle crash of fire department vehicles. Trooper Michael Reichardt says State Police received a tip in August and found Chief Brandon Brown and Deputy George Wyatt were involved and listed as the drivers.

Cut  11 (10)  “…the vehicles.” 

A strange ending to the 2021 football season for the LSU Tigers last night as they only had 38 scholarship players available, and it showed in a 42-20 loss to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl. Fifth-year senior Jontre Kirklin made his first start at quarterback and threw three touchdown passes…

 Cut 6 (12) “…whole journey” 

At a ceremony in New Orleans, Governor John Bel Edwards posthumously pardoned civil rights pioneer Homer Plessy. Plessy was a Creole man arrested in New Orleans 130 years ago when he refused to leave a whites-only railroad car. Plessy’s protest led to the 1896 ruling known as Plessy versus Ferguson, which said it was legal to have white-only spaces in public areas. Governor Edwards says unfortunately the negative effects of that ruling still linger…:

Cut 4 (08) “…our country.”

Two children were tragically killed in a house fire early this morning in St. Landry Parish. Opelousas Fire Chief Charles Mason says they received a call shortly before 1:30 of a house fire where six people resided, only four escaped.

Cut 9 (06) “…and one eleven.”

One child was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

Jonesboro’s Fire Chief Brandon Brown and a Jackson Parish Sheriff’s deputy, George Wyatt face insurance fraud charges involving a two-vehicle crash of fire department vehicles. Trooper Michael Reichardt says two have also been charged with filing or maintaining false public records, and malfeasance in office.

Cut 12 (07) “…jail now.”  

The investigation revealed that Brown’s juvenile son was the driver of one of the vehicles, not Brown or Wyatt.

LSU’s football season ended with a disappointing 42-20 loss to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl Tuesday. This despite the best efforts of 5th-year senior wide receiver & cornerback Jontre Kirklin, who stepped up to fill in at quarterback. Kirklin is known to teammates as a hard worker and team leader.

Cut 7 (10) “…here I am” 

LSU Health Shreveport is holding a drive-thru COVID testing and vaccination site at the state fairgrounds. It’s open Monday thru Saturday from ten until five PM. Infectious disease specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says we’re experiencing a post-holiday surge demand for testing and it’s just the beginning.

Cut 14 (12)  “…testing needed.”

The raw form of medical marijuana is now for sale at cannabis pharmacies in Louisiana.  John Davis, CEO of Good Day Farm, which grows and produces medical cannabis says the smokable form can range in price from $10 to $25 a gram, and growers do not set the prices

Cut  11 (10)  “…medical marijuana program.”  

The estimated Powerball Jackpot reaches $610-million for tonight’s drawing. And that estimate could go even higher, Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says Powerball usually gives an estimate of anticipated winnings, based on sales, by midday on the day of the drawing.

Cut 8 (09) “…around noon.” 

The cash value on a $610-million jackpot is $434.2 million.

A strange ending to the 2021 football season for the LSU Tigers last night as they only had 38 scholarship players available, and it showed in a 42-20 loss to Kansas State in the Texas Bowl. Fifth-year senior Jontre Kirklin made his first start at quarterback and threw three touchdown passes…

 Cut 6 (12) “…whole journey” 

The Dash Diet which was developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is once again ranked as one of the top diets by U-S News and World Report. Erik Piccoli has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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Smokable medicinal cannabis hits the store shelves to a warm reception from consumers in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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If you looking to get a COVID test or a vaccination a drive-thru clinic at the state fairgrounds in Shreveport is providing both. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (00) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The DASH Diet which was developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Researcher Center is ranked as one of the top best diets according to U.S. News and World Report. Doctor Catherine Champagne with Pennington says the Dash Diet ranked high for healthy eating, among the easiest to follow, and good for your heart…

Cut 4 (10) “…dairy foods.” 

Dr. Champagne says the Dash Diet encourages eating foods low in sodium, but low sodium does not have to mean a lack of flavor…

Cut 5 (11) “…and spices.”

Dr. Champagne says DASH isn’t for those trying to cut fat quickly and because of its long process it doesn’t garner as much attention as others. She says when the USDA announced their dietary guidelines for Americans one of the diets they patterned was DASH…

Cut 6 (06) “…DASH diet.”

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If there’s a winner of tonight’s Powerball drawing, they’ll be awarded the seventh-largest jackpot in the game’s history at $610 million. Kim Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says there hasn’t been a Powerball jackpot winner since October 4^th and the top prize has grown quite a bit.

Cut 7 (10) “…those circles.”

And the jackpot estimate could go even higher, Chopin says Powerball usually gives an estimate of anticipated winnings, based on sales, by midday on the day of the drawing, and on Tuesday it increased on a non-draw day from $575 to $610 million.

Cut 8 (09) “…around noon.” 

The cash value on a $610-million jackpot is $434.2 million.

The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot in the Bayou State was March of 2018 with a prize of $55 million. Chopin says the largest Powerball Jackpot winner in Louisiana was $191-million and that was in October of 2017.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in 1995.”

Tonight’s drawing is at 9:59 PM.

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Louisiana’s nine legal medical cannabis pharmacies say long lines and bustling business in the first days that smokeable marijuana flowers were legally available. John Davis, CEO of Good Day Farm, which grows and produces medical cannabis products for the LSU Ag Center says he’s been informed of long lines and wait times to get prescriptions filled.

Cut 10 (13)  “…their appointments.”

Persons with a medical recommendation from their doctor can get up to 71 grams every two weeks. There has been a bit of grumbling about price. Medical cannabis can be sold for anywhere from $10 to $25 a gram, depending on the retailer. Davis says growers do not have any say in what the consumer is charged.

Cut  11 (10)  “…medical marijuana program.”  

Some patients questioned said they’d gladly pay a higher price than take the risks of the illegal market. Smokable cannabis is generally less expensive than other legal cannabis previously available.

About 150 pounds of smokeable cannabis hit the store shelves this week. That’s about 20-thousand 8-ounce servings. Davis says his company recently started up a huge growing facility near Ruston, to make sure supply meets demand.

Cut 12 (07) “…in February.”

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Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID, LSU Health Shreveport begins its community testing and vaccination site today at the state fairgrounds. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says they are opening to try to help meet the high demand of testing and free up congestion at emergency rooms.

Cut 13 (09) “…appropriate place to get tested.”

Vanchiere says the only time you should be getting tested for COVID at the emergency room is if you are being admitted and you should only be tested if you are having symptoms or have a known exposure.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant and more people gathering and traveling over the holidays has caused a major surge in people being tested for COVID. Vanchiere says it’s just the beginning of the most recent demand for testing.

Cut 14 (12)  “…testing needed.”

The drive-thru clinic will be testing and administering both vaccines and booster shots Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM at the state fairgrounds. Vanchiere asks that you bring your ID and health insurance card if you have one. Children must be accompanied by a parent and test results will be emailed.

Cut 15 (10)  “…the latest.”

Gates will close at 4:30 PM. Pre-registration is not required for testing but requested for vaccines at LSU Health Shreveport’s website.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for the year happened Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of one man and his dog. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim had initially escaped but re-entered in an attempt to save his pet.

Cut 9 (12) “…your life for”

The victim’s identity has not been released

A 15-year has been arrested and charged with 2^nd Degree Murder in connection with a New Year’s Eve fatal shooting in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Keith Adam Joseph from Washington, Louisiana. Guidroz says this is just another case in a larger issue…

Cut 14 (06)  “…it appears.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says while it’s possible the rate of deaths from COVID may slow down, the concern remains about hospitals being inundated with COVID patients and not having the ability to properly treat other diseases…

Cut 8 (13) “…COVID there” 

And with COVID cases continuing to surge some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.

Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Brumley says research shows it’s much better for everyone when students are in the classroom when it’s safe to do so.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for the year happened Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of one man and his dog. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim had initially escaped but re-entered in an attempt to save his pet…:

Cut 9 (12) “…your life for”

The victim’s identity has not been released

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the best way to prevent death from COVID is getting vaccinated, but that’s a concern in Louisiana, which has one of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates as only half of the population has completed the vaccine series…

Cut 7 (12) “…more people vaccinated” 

The school bell is ringing once again in Louisiana and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.

Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Research indicates having students in the classroom is best for everyone and Brumley says systems should do all they can to do so as safely as possible. As for vaccines, Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for ages five and up and encourages parents to speak with their physician.

The Powerball jackpot is up to $610 million, it’s the seventh-largest jackpot in Powerball’s history. It has a cash option of $175.6 million and the drawing will be held Wednesday night. It’s been almost three months since someone has hit the jackpot. Drawings are on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:59 PM.

The state reports another increase in COVID hospitalizations, today the tally is at 1,226. Up 120 from the previous day’s report. As for new COVID cases, there are 9,290 and 17 additional fatalities.

The state is reporting more than 15 thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, but could we see fewer COVID deaths in the months ahead. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says one hopeful sign is that the mortality rate with the Omicron verge does not seem to be as severe as it was with the Delta surge…

 Cut 6 (11) “…the virus” 

Hassig says while it’s possible the rate of deaths from COVID may slow down, the concern remains about hospitals being inundated with sick COVID patients and not having the ability to properly treat other diseases.

As COVID cases increase and kids return to the classroom, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the use of face masks in schools is a local school system decision. As for COVID vaccines Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for the majority of school-age children and advises parents to discuss the matter with their healthcare provider.

Cut 5 (11) “…parent’s decision.”

The city of Minden will be one of six featured on HGTV’s newest series, Home Town Kickstart. The TV show will help revitalize the Webster Parish town. Community activists Rachel Miller and Sarah McDaniel applied to HGTV to feature Minden on the show…

Cut 12 (08) “…we’re chosen.”
It’s expected to air late spring.

School is back in session and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating face masks. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the department’s stance on the issue is that it’s a local decision, and because parents are very impassioned about face masks on both sides of the issue…

Cut 4 (07) “…for kids.”

Brumley credits students, facilty, and parents for keeping students in the classroom as much as possible during the pandemic along with other natural disasters they’ve faced.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown says it is a great honor, but he must share the credit…

Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”

Tip-off is a 6 pm against Kentucky.

A new and healthier type of white rice has been developed called Parish Rice that carries more and has the lowest glycemic level of any white rice on the market. Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice says it allows diabetics to enjoy the rice without needing to worry as much about the sugar level and his ultimate goal is to increase the consumption of rice…

Cut 9 (10)  “…bring people back.”

For more information visit parishrice.com

The City of Minden will be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart, it’s a spin-off of Home Town Takeover. Community activist Rachel Miller says Takeover gave the city of Wetumpka, Alabama a huge boost in tourism and she’s are hopeful Kickstart will do the same for Minden.

Cut  11 (11)  “…again and again.”  

The show is expected to air late spring.

The state reached a grim milestone Monday with 15,001 fatalities from COVID. The holiday weekend also tallied 31-thousand new cases, more than twice the Christmas holiday weekend total amount of new cases. 11-hundred and 6 covid patients are in Louisiana hospitals.

A new and more nutritious type of white rice that has more protein and a lower glycemic index score has been developed in Louisiana. …

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

The City of Minden is prepping for their close-up as they’ll be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart. It’s a spin-off of the hit series Home Town Takeover where beloved Mississippi designers Ben and Erin Napier revitalize small communities. Minden community activist Sara McDaniel says they are thrilled to be chosen.

Cut 10 (11)  “…on Minden.”

The show is expected to air late spring.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. During his time with the Tigers, Brown advocated for reforms within college hoops to make it a more positive and educational experience for players…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…their lives better.”

Tipoff against Kentucky tonight is 6pm.