Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans cannot support a 111-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel without policy changes that will reduce the number of illegal crossings across the southern border. Jeff Palermo has more..

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult and overwhelming at times says Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Economist Mike Bertaut, and with tomorrow being the deadline to choose a 2024 Medicare health plan or make changes to current plans, he says there are free services to help guide individuals to a plan that is best for them.

Cut 4 (12) “…you nothing.”

Newly appointed Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Richard Nelson made a campaign promise while he was a candidate for governor in the most recent race. He promised to repeal the state income tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the popularity of no state income tax in nearby Texas and Florida, and a GOP super-majority in the legislature, plus Nelson’s appointment brings even more momentum for the initiative…

Cut 10 (10) “…the revenue.”

Two juveniles and their mother have now been arrested for the November 13^th murder of 36 year old Kameron Bedsole in Iberia Parish. The first arrest of an 11 year old girl came last week. On Tuesday Houston Police acting on a warrant from Iberia Parish, arrested a 15 year old boy. The mother of the two juveniles, 40 year old, Sabrina Washington, was also arrested on Tuesday. All 3 have been charged with 1^st degree murder. Washington was also charged with accessory after the fact. Sheriff Tommy Romero is asking the public for patience and prayers.

Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice E. Joseph Bleich has declared the November Caddo Parish sheriff’s run-off election void and ordered a new run-off. Bleich’s ruling in the Lawsuit filed by candidate, John Nickelson who lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote states, “it was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted” and it is “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.” Whitehorn’s team is expected to appeal they have has until 9:56 AM Friday.

Three separate house fires have claimed the lives of three people in 2 different Louisiana parishes in the last 2 days. The State Fire Marshall spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are investigating the 3, one in St. Tammany.

Cut 14 …accident there

For fire safety tips and information about the Fire Marshall’s Operation Save a Live program visit lasfm.org

The Louisiana Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews are assembling a trestle bridge to be used during construction of the new Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. She says it’s a design-build project so larger parts of the development may not be seen for some time…

Cut 8 (08) “…great sign.” 

The entire project is expected to be completed in around five years.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a more than $13 million grant to help fight childhood obesity among minorities and those in rural communities. Associate Professor Amanda Staiano says the grant will allow them to find the best approach to deliver their 26-hour evidence-based obesity program.

Cut 3 (09) “…time period.”

There will be a new run-off election for Caddo Parish sheriff as the November 18 run-off election has been declared void. Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice E. Joseph Bleich made the ruling in the election lawsuit filed by Caddo Parish sheriff candidate, John Nickelson who lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote. The ruling states, “it was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted” and it is “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.” Whitehorn’s team is expected to appeal this decision.

State Police have arrested a teenager driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash that occurred last week involving a bicyclist in Lafourche Parish. Trooper Ross Brennan says while Troopers were at the scene of the crash, 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen went to a sheriff’s sub station where she was interviewed about her involvement in the crash. Brennan says Nguyen should have contacted authorities immediately

Cut 11 (07) “…here”

Drivers who travel across the Jimmie Davis Bridge in Shreveport connecting Caddo and Bossier Parishes will notice activity at the base of the bridge. Teiko Foxx explains….

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Three people have died in three separate house fires in Louisiana over the last two days. Two of the fatal fires were in Avoyelles Parish. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first fatal fire that occurred in Avoyelles occurred in the southern part of the parish…

Cut 12 (08)  “…inside”  

State Police have arrested a teenager driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash that occurred last week involving a bicyclist in Lafourche Parish. Trooper Ross Brennan says 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen was traveling north on LA Highway one when she struck 66-year-old Henry Savoie of Larose

Cut 9 (10) “…that vehicle” 

Savoie died over the weekend from his injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has started preliminary site work for the new $361 million dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers may notice workers clearing debris and vegetation near the foot of the bridge.

Cut 6 (08) “…extensive.”

Buchanan says major construction on the four-lane bridge is still about a year away as design work continues

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a grant of more than $13 million to find the best way to help childhood obesity in minority and rural communities.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thoringotn.” 

The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating 2 fires in the last 12 hours involving fatalities. Firefighters battled a house fire in Cottonport around 8:30 Monday evening and later found a male victim inside. Around 8:30 Tuesday morning, firefighters responded to another house fire in Marksville and later found a male victim inside the house.

Governor John Bel Edwards set a goal to reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050. And Weyerhaeuser, one of the largest private owners of timberland is investing millions in Louisiana to modernize and decarbonize their facilities. Spokesperson Deano Orr says the Dodson facility will add a new trimmer, sorter, and stacker to improve mill efficiencies and help reach production targets. He says the technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and waste, in addition to…

Cut 4 (11) “…as well.”

Weyerhaeuser has eight locations in Louisiana including Hammond, Ruston, and Winnfield.Orr says the company is committed to the rural communities in the Bayou State. The first two CDKs are expected to be installed by the end of next year.

16 high school football teams will play in the Prep Classic that begins Thursday in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Shreveport is hosting the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in primetime on Saturday December 16^th. Bowl Spokesperson, Erik Evenson says it’s a win-win for visiting fans and locals to enjoy the festivities leading up to kickoff.

Cut 8 (10) “…on Monday.” 

Weyerhaeuser, one of the largest private owners of timberland, is spending millions to modernize and decarbonize their Louisiana facilities. 96 million is going to a Winn parish lumber mill and Spokesperson Deano Orr says the company is committed to rural communities in the Bayou State. He says earlier this month the company announced the Thrive project…

Cut 5 (13) “ …first beneficiary.”  

The first two CDKs are expected to be installed by the end of next year.

Sixteen teams are getting ready to play in the state high school football championships. Opelousas will play Cecilia in the Division two non-select state title game on Friday at noon in the Caesars Superdome. Cecilia Coach Dennis Skains has the Bulldogs playing for its first state title game since 1995…

Cut 10 (10) “…with that”  

The Prep Classic gets underway Thursday in the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans.

Time is getting short for sending holiday mail and packages and you want it to reach its destination by Dec 25th. If you’re sending by US mail the USPS website says, you have until December 16 to mail. You get an extra 4 days if you send priority but even the fastest method, priority mail express has to be sent by December 21^st. UPS and FedEx have similar deadlines.

California will face off against Texas Tech in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport on December 16^th.  Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s their first power-five match-up since 2016 and the game will be a three-hour commercial for Shreveport-Bossier City.

Cut 6 (12) “…the game.”

Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards will honor Louisiana Veterans this evening at the 3^rd annual US Armed Forces Memorial Grove Lighting Ceremony in Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park. The Edwards are hosting with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to honor fallen soldiers and their families. The University Lab school Choir will sing as 100,000 lights will adorn the grove of Crepe Myrtles outside the Capitol, Monday evening beginning at 5:30 PM. Special guests include Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and National Guard Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell.

One of the largest private owners of timberland in the world, Weyerhaeuser, will invest 96 million dollars in its Dobson lumber mill in Winn Parish to reduce carbon emissions. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Sixteen teams are getting ready to play in the state high school football championships. Opelousas will play in its first state title game since 1956 and coach Jimmy Zachery says there’s a big buzz inside the St. Landry Parish town…

Cut 9 (09) “…all the time” 

Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Joseph Bleich is hearing the Caddo Parish Sheriff Candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit challenging the result of the November election. He’s asked the attorneys for both candidates to provide more written evidence. Political analyst Scott Hughes says Henry Whitehorn believes he’s the undisputed winner, but Nickelson’s attorneys believe they’ve uncovered some questionable ballots…

Cut 13 (12) “…determine the winner.”

Today is World AIDS Day and Louisiana has seen some improvement in new cases of HIV in the state. According to The Louisiana Department of Health, Since 2018, the Bayou State has seen an 11% decrease in those living with HIV. There’s still work to do as 22,920 Louisianans are HIV positive.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is offering  “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and “Needs Accommodation” decals for vehicles to indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux…

Cut 9 (13) “…the stop.” 

Boudreaux says customers will need to show a statement from a qualified health professional verifying their diagnosis unless they have an indicator on driver’s license or identification card.

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored 19 points and had nine rebounds last night as the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. After a four-game absence, the Bayou Barbie says it felt good to be back.

Cut 3 (11) “….with them.”

Reese missed games against Texas Southern, Southeastern Louisiana and the Cayman Island Classic.

A ruling is not expected until next week in Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit challenging the result of the November election. Nickelson lost by one vote, to Henry Whitehorn. Political analyst Scott Hughes says Nickelson’s attorneys presented the judge with some compelling evidence…

Cut 12 (12)  “…proper form”  

Retiring sheriff Steve Prator’s term ends June 30^th

Louisiana residents can now request an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” automobile decal to indicate to law enforcement that an individual has a disability. They are available through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at no cost. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the decal is a positive move.

Cut 11 (07) “…huge impact.”

To make an appointment with OMV, visit expresslane.org.

After a four-game absence, LSU women’s basketball star forward Angel Reese made a powerful return to the court last night but felt her time off was necessary to recharge and refocus. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Alexandria’s favorite Winter Festival is back for the seventh year and there’s plenty of free-family-friendly entertainment. AlexWinterFete event manager Cathy Spiller says the event attracts an average of 30 thousand attendees, and is a companion festival to the city’s spring event RiverFete.

Cut 8 (10) “…F-E-T-E.” 

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is offering a decal to indicate “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or a “Needs Accommodation” to indicate to law enforcement and emergency responders that an individual has a disability. Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says customers must provide a statement from a qualified health professional verifying their diagnosis unless there is already an Autism or Needs Accommodation indicator on their driver’s license or identification card

Cut 10 (09) “…the decal.”  

There is no cost for the decal.

LSU All-American forward Angel Reese scored was back on the court last night as the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers defeated ninth-ranked Virginia Tech 82-64. Reese made 9 of 16 free throws against the Hokies which contributed to Coach Kim Mulkey’s 700^th career victory. Mulkey feels Reese’s return was good for Reese, the team, and Tiger Nation.

Cut 5 (13) “ …she’s comfortable.”  

The Lady Tigers take a break for final exams and will play again on December 10th when they host the Lady Cajuns.

If you’re looking for the perfect festival to get you in the holiday spirit and knock out some of your shopping, consider downtown Alexandria. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Today is World AIDS Day and Louisiana has seen some improvement in new cases of HIV in the state. According to The Louisiana Department of Health, Since 2018, the Bayou State has seen an 11% decrease in those living with HIV. There’s still work to do as 22,920 Louisianans are HIV positive.