Southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 o’clock tonight. That means be prepared and ready to act quickly because conditions make tornado development possible. Severe weather is expected to impact all South Louisiana for the next several hours. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannan says damaging winds, large hail in addition to tornadoes are possible for much of the extreme southeast region of the state.

Cut 5 (13) “ …potential develops.” 

Louisiana Senators elected Metairie Republican Cameron Henry as its President. Henry was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 and he’s beginning his second term as a state senator…

Cut 11 (05) “…great honor”

Mudbug season is questionable this year, after the heat and drought of 2023. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Saints missed the playoffs despite blowing out Atlanta out 48-17 yesterday to finish with a 9-8 record. There’s a lot of talk about what happened at the end of the game when Jamaal Williams scored a touchdown from one yard out with three seconds left. Coach Dennis Allen didn’t want his team to score again

Cut 12 (10)  “…should be”  

Come January Eighth, Republicans will have a supermajority in both the Louisiana House and Senate, but Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this will not be a lost year for Democrats. He says they will likely have a new Congressional map that would provide the opportunity for two Democrats to be elected to Congress in November or in a December runoff

Cut 11 (09) “…for em.” 

2024 is bringing a significant tax change for Louisiana businesses. Tax Expert for Advantous, Jason DeCuir says the new sales tax collection system with Uniform Local Sales Tax Boards is not perfect but it’s simpler for businesses and should improve collection.

Cut 14 (11) “…right direction.”

If you find you’ve failed to keep your New Year’s resolution, LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says you can always start over again, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Cut 8 (06) “…in our lives.” 

If you or someone you care for is having a mental crisis you can call 9-8-8 for free counseling and guidance to local resources.

The American Red Cross is making a call to action for more volunteers in Louisiana. Regional Volunteer Services Officer Rebecca Merritt says 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers. She says there are lots of different disaster-related volunteer roles.

Cut 5 (12) “…as well.”

For more information visit www dot redcross dot org forward slash Louisiana.

2024 is here and Louisiana’s new Legislature will get to work soon on redrawing the state’s Congressional map. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s New Year’s Day and the beginning of 2024 resolutions. In order to avoid a setback, LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says choose realistic resolutions, let them be things you can control, and have a support group.

Cut 6 (08) “…positive future.”

The new year is bringing a significant tax change. Tax Expert for Advantous, Jason DeCuir says after the Wayfair lawsuits, new federal rules regarding sales tax collection require states to have a simple centralized collection method. He says the state’s previous fragmented system cost Louisiana uncollected revenue from remote online businesses…

Cut 13 (12) “…remitting to Louisiana”

If giving of your time is your New Year’s resolution, Regional Volunteer Services Officer Rebecca Merritt says the American Red Cross needs your help. More than 900 people voluntarily give time to help the Louisiana Red Cross. In the last year, she says volunteers responded to more than 16 hundred local disasters.

Cut 4 (13) “…Cross going.”

2024 promises to be a busy year politically with a new governor and legislature set to take over on January 8th. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says two special sessions are planned. Pinsonat says a special session to redraw a new Congressional map will begin January 15th and a criminal justice reform session is expected to take place in February…

Cut 9 (06)  “…serious outcomes.”

A significant tax change takes place with the start of the new year. Tax Expert for Advantous, Jason DeCuir says Louisiana is moving to a Uniform Local Sales Tax Board to collect taxes from businesses, instead of the Parish E-File System which DeCuir calls one of the most complex collection systems in the country.

Cut 12 (11) “…local government.” 

DeCuir says after the Wayfare lawsuits, new federal rules regarding sales tax collection require states to have a simple centralized collection method.

It’s New Year’s Day and if you want to keep your resolutions this year, Brooke Thorington has some advice from a professional.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you’re looking for a way to give back in the new year, the American Red Cross is making a call to action for more volunteers in Louisiana. Regional Volunteer Services Officer Rebecca Merritt says the need for more volunteers to help respond to disasters in the Bayou State has never been greater.

Cut 3 (12) “…keep happening.”

The American Red Cross has responded to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.

The Edwards administration has been working to make Louisiana a major player as a hub for Carbon Capture and Sequestration, taking carbon dioxide from industrial sources out of the air and storing it deep underground in wells. Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the U-S EPA has now given Louisiana the power to approve these wells…

Cut 13 (09) “…a lot.” 

The State Supreme Court has opted not to hear Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal to keep his one-vote victory in the run-off election. The 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for another runoff due to voting irregularities. Political Analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 6 (12) “…new election.”

In Ouachita Parish four-year-old Bentley Whittlesey was killed in a fatal crash involving two vehicles. Trooper Ryan Davis says the child was a properly restrained rear passenger in a Toyota Corolla driven by 27-year-old Kaytlin Whittlesey. The Toyota turned into the path the Ford pick up. The drivers received minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. He says routine toxicology samples were taken, however…

Cut 5 (06) “ …this crash.” 

A woman who said she was kidnapped from a bar in New Orleans managed to escape her kidnappers in Vidor, Texas Thursday night. Vidor Police say the woman approached a man in a parking lot saying she escaped her captors. The woman was transported by Acadian Ambulance Service to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition. Authorities are searching for the vehicle the victim described as a white 2010 – 2015 Cadillac Escalade pickup truck with three Cadillac rims with the rim on the driver’s side being a spare tire with a black rim.

The U-S EPA is giving Louisiana the authority to approve permits for underground storage of carbon dioxide. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

If you’re planning fireworks at home this year State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says suggests having a water source nearby in case of emergency and she says do not pop fireworks when impaired because it slows your reaction time and never give children fireworks, even sparklers.

Cut 11 (13) “…and bracelets.”

A woman who said she was kidnapped from a bar in New Orleans managed to escape her kidnappers in Vidor, Texas Thursday night. Vidor Police say the woman approached a man in a parking lot saying she escaped her captors. The woman was transported by Acadian Ambulance Service to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition. Authorities are searching for the vehicle the victim described as a white 2010 – 2015 Cadillac Escalade pickup truck

The State Supreme Court is not hearing Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal to keep his one-vote victory in the run-off election. With early voting starting March 9^th, Political Analyst Scott Hughes says Democrat Whithorn and Republican challenger John Nickelson only have about six weeks to campaign. He believes with the presidential primary at the same time it will favor Republican turnout and it also comes down to…

Cut 8 (09) “…vote race.” 

The election will be held March 23^rd with the presidential primary.

The federal government is giving Louisiana the authority to issue permits and provide oversight for wells that store carbon dioxide. The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, LABI, and Senator Bill Cassidy have all released statements saying that Louisiana receiving primacy over the permitting and regulation of wells will lead to economic growth. Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Patrick Courreges says there are a lot of businesses interested in underground sequestration of carbon dioxide in Louisiana…

Cut  14 (08) “..in Louisiana”

In Ouachita Parish four-year-old Bentley Whittlesey was killed in a fatal crash involving two vehicles. Trooper Ryan Davis says the child was a rear-seat passenger in the Toyota and was properly restrained. Davis says, The Child was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Cut 4 (12) “…his injuries.”

In a five to two vote, the State Supreme Court has opted to not hear Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal to keep his one-vote victory in the run-off election. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Planning to start the New Year with a bang? The State Fire Marshal’s Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s best to attend a public display where professionals are handling the pyrotechnics. But if you are going to be purchasing your own fireworks…

Cut 10 (12) “…set ablaze.”

Louisiana sees her third fatal home fire in 3 days. The latest in Jonesville claimed the life of a teenager who couldn’t escape an apartment fire. The Victim’s grandmother and a 4-year-old were hospitalized. Another occupant along with occupants of the 3 attached apartments were able to escape but are displaced from their homes. 2023 showed a record low number of fatal home fires in Louisiana but the State Fire Marshall says December is on the cusp of becoming our most deadly in 2023.

Ashley Reeb of Chalmette filed a lawsuit to take former President Donald Trump’s name off of the state’s presidential primary ballot in March. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution a person engaged in insurrection cannot serve as President. He says the courts are facing three difficult questions when determining if the former president should be disqualified.

Cut 7 (10) “…insurrection” 

The State Bond Commission approves $15 million to help pay for the infrastructure to build Louisiana’s first Buc-ees in Lincoln Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you need to return a gift the President of Louisiana Better Business Bureau Carmen Million says Most electronics and home appliances, come with warranties that are to be fulfilled by the manufacturer, not the retailer. For electronics, there may be specific return requirements like returning the item in its original packaging.

Cut 11 (13) “…the manufacturer.”

We’ve seen them in other states and now there’s one in Louisiana, a lawsuit attempting to remove former President Donald Trump’s name off the  March presidential primary ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

An early morning crash claimed the lives of two people from Houma. 39-year-old Melissa Stelly and 28-year-old Duncan Prentice were driving in opposite directions on Hwy 182 when the accident occurred. Louisiana State Police are still investigating but say the F-350 driven by Prentice crossed the center line and struck the F-150 driven by Stelly. Both overturned into Bayou Black and were engulfed in flames. Troop C is asking drivers to drive safely and stay focused while driving.

The first Buc-cee’s in Louisiana is one step closer to reality. The Bond Commission has approved the city of Ruston’s request of $15 million to finance infrastructure to accommodate the project. Mayor Ronny Walker says now they are waiting on final plans from state transportation…

Cut 3 (10) “…the development.”

We’re looking at dropping temperatures and LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says frost and freezing conditions are expected Saturday morning but he says tomorrow morning will be the colder of the two mornings…

Cut 13 (07) “…short term” 

A Louisiana resident has filed a lawsuit to remove former President Donald Trump’s name off the state’s presidential primary ballot in March. Ashley Reeb of Chalmette filed the petition and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the petitioner believes Trump should be disqualified because she says he violated Section Three of the 14th Amendment.

Cut 6 (11) “…presidency.”

It’s the fourth day of Christmas and gift returns have begun. President of Louisiana Better Business Bureau Carmen Million says stores are not required to accept exchanges or give refunds unless the merchandise was defective or misrepresented and She says most stores will only accept returns and exchanges if you can present the item with its original receipt.

Cut 10 (08) “…super important.”

In addition to a good return on investment for the state, and Beaver Nuggets, The first Buc-cee’s in Louisiana will also provide more than 250 high-paying jobs says Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker.

Cut 5 (12) “ …health insurance.” 

Construction is expected to begin next year and the store to be located between Rushton and Grambling is projected to open in 2025.

Temperatures are dropping tonight with Freezing temperatures forecast down to the I-10 corridor. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the forecasted low for Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria is around 30-degrees and some areas could see temperatures even lower than that…

Cut 12 (12)  “.. 25-degrees”