Last week it was frozen precipitation but this week it’s much milder with a deluge of rainfall. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana’s new Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary is looking to modernize the state agency. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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 Louisiana’s 6^th District has become the state’s 2^nd Majority Black district. Colleen Crain has more on who might represent the new district.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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What a difference a week can make, from arctic cold temperatures to mild weather and plenty of rain. In classic El Nino fashion, LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says a system that’s lingering in the western Gulf of Mexico will continue to move inland and bring us a tropical deluge of rain.

Cut 4 (09) “…wet conditions.”

Our high temperatures will reach the upper 60s across northern parishes and in the 70s along the southern parishes. Lows will only drop into the mid-50s to lower-60s this week because of cloud coverage.  But it’s the rainfall amounts that Keim says will be significant this week.

Cut 5 (06) “…inches of rain.” 

He says central Louisiana is expected to receive the majority of the rainfall and the excess precipitation should improve the state’s drought. Currently, Keim says 92 percent of the state is still experiencing some level of drought.

Cut 6 (06) “…situation.”

Keim says fortunately the rainfall totals should be spread out over a period of days versus hours and that will help saturate the soil and provide runoff to improve water levels across lakes and rivers in Louisiana.

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Louisiana’s new Congressional Map creates a diverse 2^nd Majority Black district that runs diagonally across the state cutting through sections of parishes from Caddo to East Baton Rouge and changing the 6^th district from majority Republican to majority Democrat. With elections coming this fall, LSU Political Science Professor, Robert Hogan says…

Cut 7 (10) “…Democratic district.”

Political insiders weren’t surprised that Garret Graves’ district was sacrificed in the map supported by Governor Landry since Graves backed Landry’s opponent in the gubernatorial race and wasn’t overly supportive of Steve Scalise’s run for US Speaker of the House. Many speculate Senator Cleo Fields will challenge Graves and Hogan believes he could win…

Cut 8 (09) “…African-American district.” 

Hogan says the new 6th district cuts across a large part of the state and getting a handle on the wants and needs of such a diverse population of votes will be difficult for any candidate and while Graves is the incumbent…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to Republicans.”

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Louisiana’s new Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan wants to bring a great customer service experience to hunters and fishermen. Sheahan says since taking on her new role two weeks ago, she’s been meeting with staff to see how the state agency can run more efficiently…

Cut 10 (10) “…this department.”

Sheahan comes to Louisiana after working for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in various leadership positions. She’s only 26 years old and the Ohio State alumnus believes she can bring fresh ideas to the department…

Cut 11 (10) “…in the past.” 

Sheahan says she’s committed to making the Sportsmen’s Paradise as great as it can be…

Cut 12 (12) “…them better.” 

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It’s standard procedure during carnival season for State Troopers to assist New Orleans Police but this time, the extra officers will stay on after Fat Tuesday. Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer, Lt. Melissa Matey says they anticipate sending more than 130 troopers to the Crescent City for Mardi Gras.

Cut 13 (06) “…of New Orleans.”

During his campaign, Governor Jeff Landry promised to address rising crime, and that included increasing law enforcement in the state’s largest city. Matey says it’s a partnership with Attorney General Liz Murrell’s office, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Matey says the goal is for State Police to have a permanent presence in New Orleans….

Cut 14 (09) “…finalized plans.” 

Over the years the number of police officers in New Orleans has dwindled, which Matey says is a problem across the country. She says recruiting individuals to a career in law enforcement has become more difficult. And to fill vacancies elsewhere in the state when troopers are relocated to New Orleans, Matey says the department will increase recruitment.

Cut 15 (11) …our state.“

Matey says they are also going to hold a transitional academy for potential troopers who already have law enforcement experience to increase the number of troopers in the state in addition to the traditional academy.

A federal judge ordered the Louisiana Legislature to draw a new congressional map after it was determined the one approved in 2022 underrepresented the Black vote by not having two majority minority districts. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects a lawsuit contesting this latest map…

Cut 10 (05) “…the Constitution”

Jury selection is underway in the re-trial of Cardell Hayes. Who claimed self-defense after fatally shooting former Saints star Will Smith in 2016. Hayes was convicted of manslaughter, but it was tossed out due to a non-unanimous jury verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says if the jury splits again, it’s a victory for the defense…

Cut 13 (12) “…plea” 

You might be tempted to prune foliage that was damaged during last week’s freeze, but experts encourage you to resist the urge. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Caddo Parish, the family of a 44-year-old Dottie Yates-McCathran is asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact the sheriff’s office. She went missing four years from her residence in Vivian, on Vivian Airport Road. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact Detective Matthew Purgerson at (318) 681-0774.

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the new Congressional district map approved by lawmakers. Jeff Palermo reports the new map makes it harder for Republican Garret Graves to get re-elected this year…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Houma Thibodaux is morning the loss of Biship Mario Dorsonville who passed away Friday at a hospital in Kenner after complications related to recent health issues he had been battling. Dorsonville has served as bishop for the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux since 2023 when he came to the area after serving as auxiliary bishop for the Washington DC Archdiocese. Dorsonvillle was born in Bogata, Colombia, coming to the US in 1992 and briefly returning to service in Colombia in the mid-1990s. He was 63.

A wet week is coming up for the Bayou State. Most of Northwest Louisiana is under a flood watch from Tuesday morning through Wednesday. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says rainfall totals could be between four and eight inches through the week, possibility higher.

Cut 8 (09) “…do occur” 

After last week’s deep freeze, chances are your lawn isn’t as attractive as it used to be, and you might be tempted to prune away unsightly foliage. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says not to because the damaged leaves will protect the plants from the next freeze.

Cut 3 (09) “…bounce back.”

The political future for Baton Rouge Republican Garret Graves is cloudy after the Louisiana Legislature approved a new Congressional map that turns his district into a second Black-majority district. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Graves has served in Congress since 2015 and his re-election chances for this year have taken a major hit

Cut 9 (04) “…big disadvantage” 

Jury selection is underway in the re-trial of Cardell Hayes. He fatally shot former Saints star Will Smith in 2016. Hayes says the shooting was in self-defense after an argument erupted following a car crash in the Garden District. Hayes was convicted of manslaughter, but it was tossed out due to a non-unanimous jury verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says typically the defense has an advantage in re-trials

Cut 12 (10)  “…and accuracies”  

LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says expect a wet week. Forecasts show average rainfall totals between four and eight inches through the week, with the possibility of higher amounts. He says localized flooding for urban and poor drainage areas is possible and water levels for multiple river basins will rise…

Cut 7 (12) “…of Louisiana.” 

Warmer temperatures this week may tempt some to prune away unsightly foliage left by last week’s freezes.  LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says it’s not time yet, we are likely to see another freeze which would harm new growth. To protect your plants, especially the tropical or tender ones, Kirk-Ballard says to keep them covered and to add mulch.

Cut 5 (08) “…be patient.” 

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is not happy the Louisiana Legislature drew a new map. He believes they should have demanded a federal trial on the map approved in 2022. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Congressional redistricting battle is far from over…

Cut 11 (11) “…one particular district”

The new sixth Congressional district will stretch from Baton Rouge through Alexandria and Natchitoches and into Shreveport putting Garret Graves seat at risk.

A wet week is coming up for the Bayou State. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says to expect heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding through Thursday..

Cut 6 (07) “…higher amounts” 

Jacquemin says localized flooding is possible for urban and poor drainage areas.

Houma Thibodaux is morning the loss of Biship Mario Dorsonville who passed away Friday at a hospital in Kenner after complications related to recent health issues he had been battling. Dorsonville has served as bishop for the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux since 2023 when he came to the area after serving as auxiliary bishop for the Washington DC Archdiocese. Dorsonvillle was born in Bogata, Colombia, coming to the US in 1992 and briefly returning to service in Colombia in the mid-1990s. He was 63.

You might be tempted to prune foliage that was damaged during last week’s freeze, but experts encourage you to resist the urge. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Special Session has come to an end and A closed party primary bill is heading to Jeff Landry’s desk, but it’s not as expansive as the governor wanted. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Legislature has also sent a Congressional map with two majority Black districts to the governor’s desk. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick gave the legislature until January 30th to rewrite the map because it violated the Voting Rights Act by not having two majority-minority districts. St. Bernard Parish Representative Michael Bayham voted against the map because of the rushed process.

Cut  14 (08) “…a mess”

Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest tomorrow in Sulphur. As a child, he was diagnosed with autism. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says as a way to cope, Sonnier’s physician told him to learn to play an instrument and the doctor agreed with his choice of the accordion.

Cut 7 (05) “…that happened.” 

Sonnier was 77. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AutismSpeaks-dot-org.

2 people died as a result of the recent frigid weather. The Louisiana Department of Health reports coroners confirmed that the deaths of a 36-year-old male in Rapides Parish and a 73-year-old female were weather related due to hypothermia.

Governor Jeff Landry’s closed party primary proposal is headed to the Governor for his signature, but significant changes were made before it passed the house and senate. Statewide or legislative races were not included but under the bill, Federal elections and elections for Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and BESE will shift to party primaries starting in 2026. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says a recent poll shows there is public support for closed primaries…

Cut 5 (08) “…elected officials.” 

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that has two majority Black districts. This could result in a second Louisiana Democrat being elected to the U-S House. State Representative Beau Beuallieu says the proposed Congressional boundaries also protect four Republican members…

Cut 13 (15) “…Louisiana” 

A federal judge ordered the Louisiana Legislature to redraw the Congressional map lawmakers approved in 2022, because it violated the Voting Rights Act by not having two majority-minority districts.

Governor Jeff Landry says a new deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposed the financing plan proposed last year by the Edwards administration and they do not like Landry’s plan, even though it reduces the toll for trucks to cross the bridge from $12.50 to $8.25. Director of the L-M-T-A Renee Amar…

Cut 11 (11) “…Louisiana truckers.”

It could cost two billion dollars to replace the Calcasieu River Bridge built in 1952. Amar says no other stretch of I-10 from California and Florida is tolled and believes federal and state tax dollars should pay for construction

Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest tomorrow in Sulphur. Sonnier was 77. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to AutismSpeaks-dot-org.

The Louisiana Senate has made significant changes to Governor Jeff Landry’s closed party primary proposal. The legislation no longer includes statewide or legislative races, but the bill would shift federal elections to party primaries starting with elections in 2026. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis still believes it’s a bad bill for Louisiana…

Cut 3 (07) “…are going to be frustrated.”

Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in the primaries. The proposal heads to the House for its concurrence.

2 people died as a result of the recent frigid weather. The Louisiana Department of Health reports coroners confirmed that the deaths of a 36-year-old male in Rapides Parish and a 73-year-old female were weather related due to hypothermia.

Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to finance a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge calls for tolls but at a lower cost than what the Edwards Administration proposed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Visitation for Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier is being held this afternoon. Sonnier was honored with numerous accolades and he was inducted into seven Music Halls of Fame. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard…

Cut 8 (09) “…his heart.” 

Louisiana has launched the Year of Music Campaign to emphasize the state’s musical culture and influence on music across genres. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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With the lineup for JazzFest 2024 public, Brooke Thorington has more from the festival’s producer about what all goes into creating a “Killer” line-up and what it means for the city.

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Once again Oil City Representative Danny McCormick has filed a bill that will be debated in the upcoming regular session to make it legal to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana’s Year of Music campaign has begun, and Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says it started with Louisiana’s Showmanship Award winning float and musical performance at the Rose Bowl parade. 2024 will be a year of promoting the Bayou State through its great music and rich musical history…

Cut 4 (09) “…January 22nd.”

Recently, Louisiana talents like Lauren Daigle, Jon Batiste, Laney Wilson, Amanda Shaw, and Lane Hardy have shined a spotlight on the state and Nungesser says Louisiana will be working on some social media take overs where they discuss what they love about Louisiana. The state is also launching the Louisiana Music Trail…

Cut 5 (12) “…in Vidalia.” 

You can travel the Trail. It goes live on ExploreLouisiana.com

As part of the Year of Music, Nungesser says, Louisiana will be participating in events like the CMA Fest in Nashville, ad DC Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C.

Cut 6 (11) “…trip here.”

Nungesser also hopes this is the year to bring back the Music Commission to begin to bring more music recording back to Louisiana.

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The complete line-up for the 2024 New Orleans JazzFest is out and it runs the gamut, from Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals to Zachary Richard. JazzFest Producer Quint Davis says this year’s bill is unlike those in years past with eight days of music at the fairgrounds.

Cut 7 (13) “…fell in.”

Booking acts for 14 different stages is no easy task. Davis says for example it’s taken five years to get The Rolling Stones, after the pandemic and one tour being postponed for health issues but 2024 is the year. He says several factors have to be considered when…

Cut 8 (09) “…aligned.” 

And because the festival is such a big draw, not just for music fans, Davis says some of the acts who aren’t even touring are coming to specifically play JazzFest.

While Mardi Gras and conventions are huge economic drivers for the Big Easy, JazzFest is right up there with them.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and state.”

For tickets and to view the full line-up visit NOjazzfest-dot-com

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee votes for a proposed Congressional district map that makes Republican Garret Graves’ district a second Black majority district in Louisiana. A federal judge has ordered the Louisiana Legislature to draw a map with two majority-minority districts. Catahoula Senator Glen Womack says his bill does that and it also…

Cut 10 (12) “…Scalise.”

Womack admits his map is politically drawn so House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Scalise, and US Representatives Clay Higgins and Julia Letlow will be re-elected for the remainder of the decade.

Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain does not like the map, because Graves’ district crosses the state diagonally so that black neighborhoods in Shreveport are connected with Black communities in Baton Rouge….

Cut 11 (11) “…zig zagging.” 

New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says this map is likely their best option

Cut 12 (15) “…support from.” 

The map was amended in committee, so it will need full House and Senate approval before heading to the governor’s desk. The amended version of the map puts all of Calcasieu Parish in Speaker Johnson’s district and all of Ouachita Parish in Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s district. East Baton Rouge and Rapides are split between three different districts.

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State lawmakers have begun filing bills for the regular session that starts in March and north Louisiana Republican Danny McCormick has already filed his legislation to allow non-felons, 18 and over to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. McCormick’s measure ran into trouble in the state Senate last year…

Cut 13 (07) “…constitutional carry bill.”

This is the fifth consecutive year McCormick has authored a conceal carry bill. In 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the bill. McCormick pulled it from consideration last year after the Senate started to heavily amend the legislation.

Currently, Louisiana residents need a permit to conceal carry, and to obtain the permit, a person must undergo firearm training. McCormick argues a gun owner can legally open carry in Louisiana and training is not required…

Cut 14 (08) “…their right.” 

McCormick describes his legislation as a constitutional carry bill…

Cut 15 (11) …God Given right.“

58-year-old Kenneth Ary of Walker and 21-year-old Helen Ary of Tomball, Texas were found dead at the scene. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says a Walker police officer who lived near the shooting got to the scene quickly…

Cut 13 (10) “…this situation” 

22-year-old Kennetra Ary was arrested for allegedly shooting her father and sister.

Blood donations have dropped to critical levels in Louisiana. Since the pandemic. Ochsner Health has seen a 40% drop in blood donations, with more people working from home and blood drives at schools and the workplace not as routine as they were in the past. Spokesperson for The Blood Center, Paul Adams, says donating blood has its perks; you’ll learn your blood type and they can check your cholesterol and iron levels…

Cut 5 (07) “…three lives.” 

To find a blood drive near you in southeast Louisiana visit TheBloodCenter-dot-org or reach out to your local hospital to find their local supplier.

The Line up for Jazz Fest is out. The dates this year are April 25^th through the 28^th and May 2^nd through the 5^th. NOLA.com and Times-Picayune Entertainment Writer Keith Spera says it’s kind of a bonus JazzFest this year with eight days at the Fairgrounds versus seven.

Cut 8 (13) “…top to bottom.” 

Weekend passes and VIP Packages are also on sale now. For the full line-up visit NOjazzfest.org

Tragic House fires are far too common especially in the cold weather. There have been 38 home fires across Louisiana in just the last four days. Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross, Ed Bush says, one thing can make the difference in your survival….

Cut 10 (10) “…out safely.” 

The Red Cross will install a smoke detector free of charge if you ask.