Operation Catahoula Crunch has New Orleans on edge. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette. Department Chair, Dr. Daniel Flowers says interviews are happening soon.

Cut 9 (10)  “…three Mays later.”

After winning the American Conference, the Tulane Green Wave go word they will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels in the first round of the college football playoffs. This is not the first time they’ll play at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium this season – on September 20th, Ole Miss pounded Tulane, 45-10. Head Coach Jon Sumrall says things will be different four months later.

Cut 5 (06) “…a better game.”

The game will be played Saturday, December 20th; kickoff is at 2:30.

The biggest rodeo ever is coming to Louisiana as the Hondo Rodeo Fest will make its New Orleans debut at the Caesars Superdome April 10 to 12, 2026.  Co-Founder Blake Cody says the Hondo Rodeo Fest is a three-day premium rodeo competition with a one-million-dollar prize purse.

Cut 13 (07)  “…for the fans.”

The rodeo takes place during the day and at night big-name musical performers take the stage.

A New Orleans city councilman says the Border Patrol is playing with fire its aggressive tactics of detaining people it believes to be in the country illegally. Like in many other cities where they’ve conducted operations, masked agents are going up to people in unmarked vehicles and are detaining people without identifying themselves. J.P. Morrell points out that Louisiana is an open-carry state with a stand-your-ground law.

Cut 10 (09) “…and defends themselves.”

LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette this spring. Department of Physical Therapy Chairman Dr. Daniel Flowers says it will expand access to physical therapy education in Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…year in Lafayette.”

Dr. Flowers says by setting up shop in Lafayette, LSU Health Shreveport is helping fill a void in the state.

The Hondo Rodeo Fest, which was a sold-out event last month in Phoenix, is set to make its debut at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The college football season started with visions of LSU getting into the College Football Playoff. While it didn’t work out that way, Louisiana will be represented. Fresh off winning the American Conference championship Friday night, Tulane got into the field of 12. Senior tackle Derrick Graham says the moment seeing Tulane revealed as the 11 seed was surreal.

Cut 4 (09) “…time for us.”

Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson will soon have a new job. When the calendar flips to 2026, he will become the new president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Nelson says his experience as revenue secretary and his prior experience as a member of the Louisiana legislature makes him the right man to take over leading the 12-campus LCTC system.

Cut 7 (08) “…the biggest problems.”

Nelson’s deputy, Jarrod Conniglio, will take over as revenue secretary.

Four months after losing their athletic director, ULM has named 32-year-old S.J. Tuohy as their new man in charge. Though he grew up in Memphis, Tuohy says he has a strong connection to Louisiana.

Cut 11 (09) “…in Louisiana somewhere.”

Tuohy says he chose to go to ULM because it has a strong foundation to build on.

It’s the biggest Christmas celebration in Louisiana. The 99^th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches takes place tomorrow. The Festival of Lights Parade is one of the many things happening at the festival. Ariana Rachal (ruh-SHALL) with the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau says the parade will feature riders and bands from all over the country.

Cut 6 (11) “…Mardi Gras krewes.”

The parade runs from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

High school football semifinals are this weekend in New Orleans and one of the hottest teams in the state is Calvary Baptist. Spencer Verrett with LHSAA Network likes the Cavaliers’ chances to knock off second-seeded Notre Dame tonight in Division Three select.

Cut 15 (09) “…lost all year.”

A 21-year-old man is dead in an overnight shooting in Leesville and a 13-year-old is accused. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened around midnight. Deputies responded to a 911 call and found Kavin Simmons Jr. with a gunshot wound to the chest. Emergency personnel provided aid but Simmons died at the scene. Detectives say the 13-year-old family member got a pistal and shot Simmons while the two were having an argument. The boy has been taken to a juvenile facility and faces a charge of second-degree murder.

Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson has been named the new president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Nelson says training people in the essential skills needed in the market is a major component in keeping home-grown talent in the state.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s all about.”

Nelson’s deputy in the Department of Revenue, Jarrod Conniglio, will take over as revenue secretary on New Year’s Day when Nelson begins his new job.

A couple of top seeds are on upset alert in the select semifinals of the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has a preview.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In college, number-21 Tulane hosts number-24 North Texas tonight in the American Conference Championship, with the winner likely gaining an invitation to the College Football Playoff. The Mean Green come into the matchup with the top offense in the nation, averaging over 46 points a game. Head coach Jon Sumrall says the Green Wave’s defense has to do a good job of shutting down the pass game.

Cut 16 (06) “…end for sure.”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System has named a new president. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson will take the helm at the beginning of the year. He says with all the economic development projects happening in the state, it’s now more important than ever to have people trained to do the jobs associated with them. That’s where the LCTC schools come in.

Cut 8 (11) “…to do that.”

The 99^th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches is taking place tomorrow. Ariana Rachal (ruh-SHALL) with the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau says it’s the biggest Christmas celebration in Louisiana, and their small city looks like it comes straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Cut 4 (09) “…our center circle.”

The Festival of Lights Parade begins at 1 p.m.

Four months after losing their athletic director, ULM has its new man. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

This weekend in New Orleans in the select side of the semifinal high school football playoffs, top seeded Edna Karr takes on Catholic and John Curtis battles St. Augustine. Spencer Verrett of the LHSAA Network says the Patriots are playing their best football of the season right now.

Cut 14 (11) “…fun to watch.”

Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson will soon have a new job. When the calendar flips to 2026, he will become the new president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Nelson says his experience as revenue secretary and his prior experience as a member of the Louisiana legislature makes him the right man to take over leading the 12-campus LCTC system.

Cut 7 (08) “…the biggest problems.”

Four months after being blind-sided by the resignation of John Hartwell, ULM introduces its new athletic director. The university introduced S.J. Tuohy as its new man to lead the Warhawks athletic department. During his introduction, Tuohy said his goal is to send the entire athletics program soaring to new heights.

Cut 10 (09) “…eligibility rules anymore.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and you’re in the holiday mood, the 99th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches takes place tomorrow. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Two huge matchups in New Orleans highlight tonight’s semifinal action on the select side of the high school football playoffs. Top-seeded Edna Karr, ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps, will host fourth-seeded Catholic. The Cougars beat the Bears in the semis by two points last year, and the LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett expects another close game.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the answer”

South Louisiana saw jail breaks in two parishes yesterday. In St. Landry Parish, Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped through one of the cells in an upper corner of the building.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of a hole.”

At that point, they were able to get outside and onto the roof.

In Vermilion Parish, a 23-year-old facing drug and firearm charges escaped that parish’s jail late last night. Deputies believed they saw Gavin Garnica sleeping covered by a blanket in his bunk, but they later discovered video showing him scaling the jail’s fence. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says Garnica is known to be violent, but the big question is how Garnica was able to escape the jail in the first place.

Cut 12 (07) “…have been violated.”

A tip and a traffic stop led to a major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says when 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles stopped, investigators found. Around 85 pounds of methamphetamine the vehicle, along with a weapon and other contraband. Touchet was arrested, along with the two people who were with him – 45-year-old Jessica Robinson of Lake Charles and 41-year-old Josh Reeves of Sulphur.

Cut 15 (10) “…a stolen vehicle.”

Some Louisiana royals will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Joining Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain will be the Oyster Queen, and the Jambalaya Queen and they will be doing more than simply smiling and waving to the crowd.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the state.”

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its two-day meeting today to discuss possible changes to its recommended childhood vaccination schedule. The long-standing recommendation for the Hepatitis B is in question after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked it to autism. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, says it has never been proven that vaccines cause autism, and any changes to the Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation would be very dangerous.

Cut 5 (06) “…of scientific fact.”

He says the vaccine is safe and effective.

Some notable people will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the people onboard are as diverse as the state itself.

Cut 6 (06) “…Commissioner Mike Strain.”

Nungesser says they will also help decorate the float and promote Louisiana through interviews.

Not one, but TWO jail breaks in South Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish leads to the arrest of three people. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says investigators stopped 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles and found narcotics and contraband in the vehicle.

Cut 14 (10) “…more drug paraphernalia.”

Two people who with Touchet were also arrested – 45-year-old Jessica Robinson and 41-year-old Josh Reeves.

An investigation leads to a major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says detectives received a tip about narcotics trafficking in the area. So, they set up surveillance in the area and developed probable cause to stop 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles.

Cut 13 (11)  “…they located narcotics”

Around 85 pounds of meth was found in the vehicle.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is looking at their childhood vaccination schedule including the long-standing recommendation for the Hepatitis B vaccine. This after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked the vaccination to autism. Senator Cassidy, who is a physician, says the B vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

Cut 4 (11) “…time of birth.”

The Hepatitis B vaccine has been universally recommended since 1991

Not one, but two jail breaks in South Louisiana yesterday. In St. Landry Parish, three inmates escaped from the jail there. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped by removing mortar from an aging part of the building and get onto the roof where they found construction materials…

Cut 10 (12) “…the building completely.”

And in Vermilion Parish, a 23-year-old Gavin Garnica escaped that parish jail there. video showed him scaling the jail’s fence after he was believed to have been sleeping in his bunk. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says Garnica is known to be violent, so anyone who sees him should not approach him under any circumstances.

Cut 11 (10) “…drugs and weapons.”

The search continues for three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Jonathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped through one of the cells in an upper corner of the building.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of a hole.”

At that point, they were able to get outside and onto the roof. LeBlanc says due to construction that was happening, they were able to use certain equipment to make their escape.

And in Vermillion Parish a 23-year-old facing drug and firearm charges escaped the parish jail there. The Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies believed they saw Gavin Garnica sleeping covered in his bunk but later discovered video showing Garnica scaling the jail’s fence just after 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night. Authorities say Garnica has a well-documented criminal history and is known to be violent.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its two-day meeting today to discuss possible changes to its recommended childhood vaccination schedule. The most consequential of potential changes involves the Hepatitis B vaccine, which has been universally recommended since 1991. Senator Bill Cassidy says since then, the virus has nearly been eradicated.

Cut 3 (11) “…shortly after birth.”

Cassidy, a physician, says the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

The State of Louisiana will again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the riders including the Oyster and Jambalaya Queens are sponsored by many of the tourism organizations and convention and visitors’ bureaus throughout the state…

Cut 7 (10) “…partnered with us.”