Researchers at Tulane have taken the lead in developing a vaccine to protect against a little-known, yet potentially deadly tropical disease. Dr. Lisa Morici with the Tulane University School of Medicine says after ten years of development, she and her team have taken their meliodosis vaccine from discovery through pre-clinical testing to GMP manufacturing of drug substance.

Cut 10 (08) “…perhaps in Europe.”

Morici and her team’s findings are published in the journal “Nature Communications.”

The beautiful warm weather we’ve been enjoying is coming to an end. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says cold weather is here.

Cut 4 (09) “…Gulf Coast today.”

Highs for the next few days, highs are expected to be in the 50s and 60s with lows as low as the 20s for some northern parishes. Temperatures should return to the 70s for most of the state this weekend.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are set to deploy to cities throughout Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints fell behind 13-0, but rallied to take the lead in the fourth quarter and went on to beat Tennessee 34-26 for their fourth win in a row. Coach Kellen Moore has orchestrated the team’s longest winning streak in five years, but Moore gives credit to the players…

Cut 13 (09)  “…really special.”

The Saints conclude the regular season by visiting Atlanta and are looking to finish with a 7-10 record.

The big news this week is Governor Jeff Landry’s new volunteer job as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland. The president says Greenland is critical to the United States’ national security interests. Governor Landry was on Fox News this week. He says Greenland, the arctic island owned by Denmark, could become a better country if owned by the U-S…

Cut 8 (08) “…they actually deserve?”

Greenland’s Prime Minister says they are not interested in being acquired by the United States.

A tragic Christmas morning domestic incident ended with deadly force resulting in the death of a man who was holding a victim hostage at knifepoint. Calwell Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call and found Forrest Nelson with a large knife pressed against the victim’s abdomen demanding to leave a residence with his victim. When the victim struggled to get away, Nelson reportedly drew back the knife to stab the victim and deputies shot him. There were three children in the home at the time of the incident.

The insurance commissioner says auto premiums turned the corner in 2025 and expects the momentum to continue in 2026. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The LSU Tigers’ 2025 football season wraps up Saturday when the Tigers take on 21st-ranked Houston in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl. Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says some of LSU’s best players have also opted out of the bowl game as they begin preparations for the NFL draft.

Cut 14 (05) “…the offensive line.”

Eleven players on the 2025 team have announced they plan on transferring, including two starting offensive linemen — Carrius Curne and Coen Echols.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple expects insurance rates to continue to improve in 2026 because of legislation passed this year. He says 30 auto insurance carriers filed for premium decreases in 2025 but he says while premiums are going in the right direction, they’re still considerably higher than those in neighboring states like Mississippi and Alabama. He says there’s one key to getting to those lower levels.

Cut 10 (08) “…it should be.”

Temple says he’s focused on making Louisiana a great place for all parties when it comes to insurance.

A member of the LSU’s 2025 national championship baseball team has signed with the Kansas City Royals organization. Michael Braswell was a third baseman and shortstop for the Tigers, but he’s signed with K-C as a pitcher. He features a fastball in the mid-90s.

Denmark is not happy with President Trump’s talk of acquiring Greenland from them to increase U.S. national security, nor are they happy with the president’s appointment of Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. During an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel, Landry says Denmark has neglected the country and other countries have taken advantage…

Cut 7 (08) “…the Western Hemisphere.”

There are only 57-thousand people in Greenland, but the territory has a vast supply of minerals and rare earths. Landry says he wants to use his role to take the U.S. message directly to the people of Greenland.

2025 has been tough for Louisiana farmers because of low commodity prices. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says corn acreage increased by over 60-percent because the soybean price was so low. Now corn prices have fallen below the cost of production.

Cut 4 (04) “…of the situation.”

He says there is a bright spot for ranchers. Beef prices are near record levels creating profitable conditions for the first time in a while.

Governor Landry appears to be walking back earlier social media comments about making Greenland a part of the U.S. after he was named special envoy to the island that President Trump wants to wrest from Denmark. Landry appeared on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel.

Cut 6 (12) “…we represent protection.”

He says he wants to use his role to take the U.S. message directly to the people of Greenland.

Christmas morning was tragic for the families of 4 people who died in an early morning crash in St. James Parish. The two-vehicle accident happened just before 4:00 am on Highway 641. Four of the five people in a Honda Accord that lost control and struck a GMC Sierra were unrestrained and died as a result of their injuries. A 13-year-old in the back seat was improperly restrained and survived but was transported to a hospital with moderate injuries. The driver of the GMC also was properly restrained and was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries.

LSU puts a wrap on the 2025 season by playing Houston in the Texas Bowl tomorrow night. Jeff Palermo has a preview.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says 2025 was the year when Louisianans started seeing their insurance rates go down, and he’s looking forward to the trend continuing in 2026. Temple says 30 auto insurance carriers filed for premium decreases in 2025. And in 2026, rates will continue to go down because of legislation passed earlier this year.

Cut 9 (09)  “…impact next year.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy says a new policy that no longer requires utilities providing energy for large data center projects to prove the generation is the cheapest and most reliable, will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket. Public Service Commissioner J.P. Coussan who spearheaded the new policy says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

At this time of year Flu activity is rampant across the country and this year is no exception, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner LSU Health says the number of people testing positive for the flu is staggering.

Cut 11 (05) “…only trending upward.”

The CDC says almost 50-thousand people have been hospitalized with the flu and there have been about two-thousand deaths associated.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing mortality in wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus can also occasionally transfer to mammals, including domestic cats and dogs, and in rare cases, humans. Health officials consider this strain of the virus to be a minimal threat to humans, but Roberts says if you find sick or dead wild birds, contact the LDWF to remove them safely.

Cut 5 (09) “…to wash that.”

People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last-minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

Leaving animals in cars is cruel and one man is accused of taking it even further. KPLC is reporting that Oakdale Police found an 8-week-old puppy locked in the trunk of a car when they made a traffic stop earlier this month. According to the Humane Society of Louisiana, officers told them that they heard barking sounds which led them to discover the puppy that appeared malnourished. The driver, Dallas Antoine, was cited for animal cruelty. The puppy who has been named Rosie Joe is recovering and will be rehomed.

Flu activity is rampant across the country, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says this is the time of year when flu activity tends to increase.

Cut 12 (08) “…home for Christmas.”

To prevent the flu, avoid sick people, practice good hygiene, and be especially diligent with handwashing.  If you become ill, please stay home and avoid others except to seek medical care.

With the jackpot skyrocketing, Powerball fever is gripping Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Holiday travelers will find the lowest gas prices since 2020 says Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana and he says there are a couple of reasons…

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars a barrel.”

And he says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access energy is defending the policy that removes the requirement for utilities powering the projects to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says the new policy with cause residential customers’ utility bills skyrocket, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says…

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing the death of wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus affects various species differently.

Cut 4 (09) “…disease in geese.”

As you drive to your Christmas destination, Andrew Greenstein reports you can do so without giving too much money to the gasoline companies.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars because the jackpot has rolled over since no one has matched all six numbers since September 6^th. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says while no one has won the big prize, almost 100 people across the country have come close and come.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for two million.”

The LDWF is reporting a resurgence of Avian flu. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not the avian flu, but this year’s flu among people is rampant across the country, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says emergency rooms throughout the state are seeing more people sick with the flu.

Cut 10 (07) “…illness criteria.”

Flu activity tends to increase this is the time of year, so handwashing is especially important.

People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last-minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

A gift many would like to receive is winning numbers, especially since the Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the jackpot has been rolling over for months as no one has matched all the numbers since September 6th.

Cut 8 (11) “…Mega and Powerball.”

Now that Governor Landry has been named special envoy to Greenland, questions about how those duties will impact his gubernatorial duties have arisen. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, but distance may not be the only issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy says a new policy that no longer requires utilities providing energy for large data center projects to prove the generation is the cheapest and most reliable, will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket. Public Service Commissioner J.P. Coussan who spearheaded the new policy says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A home with a child inside was intentionally set on fire Friday night and a LaPlace woman has been arrested says the State Fire Marshal’s office. Spokesperson, Ken Pastorick says the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive where they learned a child had been in the home when the blaze was set and fortunately…

Cut 8 (04) “..out unharmed.”

43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and cruelty to juveniles.

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access the energy is clearing up some misconceptions about the policy. The policy states that utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those projects no longer have to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says residential customers will see their utility bills skyrocket as a result, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

Since Governor Jeff Landry has been named envoy to Greenland, some in Louisiana are wondering how he will handle his job as governor. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says as the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, Landry’s new side hustle may be a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a juvenile still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Eight after the murder of 40-year-old mother of three, Donna Arceneaux, police have made an arrest. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says deputies arrested Scott Jordan for her murder in a case has weighed on the community since October 2017. State Police took over the investigation in 2019. Smith says after he became sheriff, he took the case back and investigators quickly zeroed in on Jordan.

Cut 5 (09) “…to think otherwise.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder.