$45 million has been awarded to Livingston Parish to build a disaster response rescue center. The 100,000-square-foot Livingston Parish Emergency Response and Evacuation Center will be able to seat 5,000 people. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says he got the idea for a shelter when Hurricane Gustav struck. At the time they were able to use a newly constructed detention center that had 700 beds and no inmates yet. That’s where first responders stayed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this parish.”

Papa Noel will need to get his directions early this year because due to expected inclement weather on Christmas Eve, bonfires on the levee have been moved to Saturday night. With a 90-percent chance of rain and windy weather also expected the decision was made this morning to move it up a day. The Louisiana River Parishes tradition of lighting the way for Papa Noel dates back to the 1700s

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed Madison Sheahan as the new Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Landry is confident the 26-year-old old from Ohio will reshape and rebrand the department…

Cut 7 (10) “…from Louisiana” 

Christmas dinner is right around the corner, and State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says folks shouldn’t bypass having Louisiana homegrown produce on their Christmas dinner table.  He says, in the Strain household, Louisiana-certified food and products are always a part of the holiday feast.

Cut 5 (12) “ …Louisiana first.”  

An eight-person jury deliberated for only three hours before dismissing Sharon Lewis’s 50-million dollar federal lawsuit against LSU. Lewis, who oversaw LSU’s football recruiting department, claims she was wrongfully terminated and retaliated against for reporting sexual misconduct complaints. Lewis’ attorney Larry English says they are disappointed by the outcome…

Cut 7 (09) “…our case” 

English says they will consider their legal options moving forward.

53-year-old Lawrence J. Voisin of Houma faces two counts of first-degree rape in connection with alleged sexual abuse with a 10-year-old student. Terrebonne Parish sheriff Tim Soignet says during the investigation, deputies gathered evidence from the victim that suggested that Voisin was involved in ongoing sexual contact with the student. Soignet says Voisin, who was located at his home, confessed to some of the charges.

Cut 13 (12) “…did occur.” 

Voisin is being held on a 250-thousand dollar bond at the Terrebonne Parish jail.

Former Congressman Ralph Abraham will serve as the next Secretary of Health in Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s administration. Brooke Thorington has more….

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ new campaign is encouraging Louisianans to “Be There” for families in need this holiday season. Secretary Terri Ricks says there were more than 11 hundred unmet needs due to a lack of available resources. She says if you know anyone who needs resources like food, housing, utility assistance, or clothing…

Cut 11 (13) “…need some.”

An eight-person federal jury dismisses a lawsuit filed by former LSU Assistant Athletic Director Sharon Lewis, claiming she was sexually harassed and wrongly terminated. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Governor-elect Jeff Landry announces more appointments. former north Louisiana Congressman and physician Ralph Abraham will be the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. Landry touts Abraham’s knowledge of Medicaid and says under his watch the state will create incentives and supports to help Louisianans move from dependence to independence…

Cut 5 (12) “ …outcomes.”  

53-year-old Lawrence J. Voisin of Houma faces two counts of first-degree rape in connection with alleged sexual abuse of a 10-year-old student. Terrebonne Parish sheriff Tim Soignet says detectives arrived at a local school where the minor reported the abuse.

Cut 12 (10)  “…Mr. Voisin.”  

Voisin is being held on a 250-thousand dollar bond at the Terrebonne Parish jail.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services assists one in four Louisianans every year with food assistance, child support services, and financial assistance. Secretary Terri Ricks says that currently there are more than 41 hundred children in Louisiana’s foster care and with their new “Be There” campaign she encourages everyone to provide help or open their homes to youth who have no place to go.

Cut 10 (08) “…special ways.”

The Federal Jury has dismissed the wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former LSU Assistant Athletic Director, Sharon Lewis. Lewis was let go in February of 2022 and claimed it was retaliation for her reporting claims of sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. Lewis had reported allegations against running backs coach Frank Wilson saying he exposed himself to and forcefully kissed a student intern on the lips. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says Wilson denied the allegations on the witness stand…

Cut 8 situation

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ new campaign is encouraging Louisianans to “Be There” for families in need this holiday season. Secretary Terri Ricks says even a small deed can make a huge impact on a child or family in your community.

Cut 9 (11) “…every day.” 

DCFS assists one in four Louisianans every year including food assistance, child support services, and financial assistance.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed former north Louisiana Congressman and physician Ralph Abraham as the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Abraham served three terms in DC representing the state’s 5^th congressional district. Landry said it was hard convincing Abraham, who’s a family physician in Richland Parish to take the post but he’s pleased he’s accepted because…

Cut 4 (08) “…facing Louisiana.”

Landry says all Louisianans deserve access to high-quality healthcare including those who live in rural areas and says Abraham is the most qualified person to represent their needs. Also appointed, Madison Sheehan, who most recently helmed the Republican Party in South Dakota. She will be the first female to oversee State Wildlife and Retired Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Judge David Matlock will be the next Secretary of DCFS.

Former LSU Assistant Athletic Director Sharon Lewis’s 50 million dollar wrongful termination lawsuit against the university is close to wrapping up. Lewis’s claims she was terminated as retaliation for reporting sexual misconduct complaints. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says Lewis claims she was fired because she would not back down from the power-based male-dominated culture of the football department…

Cut 7 (10) “…be fired” 

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has appointed former north Louisiana Congressman and physician Ralph Abraham as the next Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Cut 3 (06) “…great service.”

Abraham served three terms in DC representing the state’s 5^th congressional district.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services’ is encouraging Louisianans to “Be There” for families in need this holiday season with their new campaign. Secretary Terri Ricks says there were more than 11 hundred unmet needs due to a lack of available resources. She says if you know anyone who needs resources like food, housing, utility assistance, or clothing…

Cut 11 (13) “…need some.”

Visit BeThere dot Louisiana dot gov to learn more about programs and resources

Angel Reese will have the opportunity to play in her hometown tonight as the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers visit Coppin State in Baltimore. Reese, who played her two years of college baseball at Maryland University, is looking forward to the homecoming…

Cut 19 (19) “…big thing.” 

A busy January for Louisiana lawmakers. An organization session begins January 8^th. A Special Session to redraw the Congressional boundaries will take place January 15^th through 23th. Lawmakers get a break for Mardi Gras. Then right back for a session to address crime from February 19^th through March 6th.  LAPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 10 (12) “…on this”

State Police have reinstated Trooper Lt. John Clary after criminal charges for withholding bodycam footage of the death of Ronald Greene were dropped. Greene’s mother Mona Hardin told the Associated Press she was surprised and disgusted Clary has been restored to duty. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says while Hardin is understandably upset…

Cut 5 (09) “ …(x2) evidence there.”  

LSU’s women’s basketball star Angel Reese receives a huge honor as she’s named as the Sporting News Athlete of the Year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

2023 was a tough year for Louisiana cattle and hay producers because of extreme heat and drought conditions. LSU AgCenter Area Beef Specialist Ashley Edwards says the hot temperatures also stressed cattle and led to much lower weights when they went to sale barns…

Cut 13 (09) “being sold.”

Criminal charges for withholding body cam footage in the death of Ronald Greene were recently dropped against trooper Lt. John Clary and now his position with State Police has been reinstated. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says while it looks bad that Clary has gotten his job back he points out that it’s easier to prosecute someone who destroyed evidence versus withholding it. He says terminating a civil employee is much different than a private one…

Cut 4 (05) …firing someone

Authorities arrested a Columbia Louisiana man for allegedly intentionally setting a fire inside Rapides Regional Medical Center over the weekend. Johnny Cubbit, 67, was arrested by the Alexandria Fire Prevention Bureau for aggravated arson and aggravated criminal damage. He allegedly set his bedsheets on fire in his hospital room. The fire was contained quickly and no one was injured.

Louisiana lawmakers are preparing for four legislative sessions in the first half of 2024. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

LSU announced the commitment of transfer quarterback AJ Swann. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is expected to take over for the Tigers as Jayden Daniels leaves for the NFL, but Shea Dixon of On3.com  says Swann will bring exactly what the Tigers need to the young QB room…

Cut 6 (09) “…heir apparent.”

State Police have reinstated Trooper Lt. John Clary after criminal charges in the Ronald Greene case were dropped for withholding bodycam footage. In exchange, Clary will testify in the case against two officers. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt believes what’s happening is…

Cut 3 (13) “…being terminated.”

Graphic bodycam footage shows Black motorist Ronald Greene being beaten by officers in 2019. He died while in police custody.

Governor Edwards’ Justice Reinvestment Initiative to lower the state’s prison population may be on the legislature’s crime-fighting agenda says LA Politics Dot Com Publisher, Jeremy Alford. While the agenda on crime remains unknown, he says the GOP super-majority legislature will have to tackle the criminal justice reform pendulum.

Cut 11 (13) “…council reports.”

Regular session begins March 11th and ends June 3rd.

Authorities arrested a Columbia Louisiana man for allegedly, intentionally setting a fire inside Rapides Regional Medical Center over the weekend. Johnny Cubbit, 67, was arrested by the Alexandria Fire and Prevention Bureau for aggravated arson and aggravated criminal damage. He allegedly set his bedsheets on fire in his hospital room. Rapides Regional Medical Center saysa small fire occurred on the seventh floor. The fire was contained and quickly extinguished. No one was injured.

LSU announced the commitment of transfer quarterback AJ Swann. Swann will join Nussmeier, Freshman Rickie Collins, and incoming four-star 2024 recruit Collin Hurley in the LSU quarterback room. Shea Dixon of On3.com  says Nussmeier, who is getting his first start in the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 1^st, will still have the inside track at the starting spot after waiting behind Daniels for two seasons but there could be a competition this offseason…

Cut 8 (07) “…SEC games.” 

State Police have reinstated Trooper Lt. John Clary after criminal charges for withholding bodycam footage of the death of Ronald Greene were dropped. Greene’s mother Mona Hardin told the Associated Press she was surprised and disgusted Clary has been restored to duty. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says while Hardin is understandably upset…

Cut 5 (09) “ …(x2) evidence there.”  

A busy January for Louisiana lawmakers. An organization session begins January 8^th. A Special Session to redraw the Congressional boundaries will take place January 15^th through 23th. Lawmakers get a break for Mardi Gras. Then right back for a session to address crime from February 19^th through March 6th.  LAPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 10 (12) “…on this”

LSU’s women’s basketball star Angel Reese receives a huge honor as she’s named as the Sporting News Athlete of the Year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

LSU announced the commitment of transfer quarterback AJ Swann. Shea Dixon of On3.com says the former four-star recruit wanted to go somewhere he could compete for a national championship…

Cut 7 (13) “…and develop.” 

Catholic Priests now have the Pope’s permission to give blessings to individuals in same-sex relationships.  Colleen Crain has details on the papal declaration.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Raising Canes’s founder Todd Graves gave away 100 bikes at the Boys and Girls Club and Baton Rouge Big Buddy program yesterday. And he had help from Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

Cut 15 (11) “… role model.”

——–

If you’re feeling down this holiday season, you’re not alone.  Many people experience symptoms of holiday blues like loneliness, irritability, changes in eating or sleeping habits, fatigue, and poor concentration. . LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Baily recommends acknowledging your feelings and being more open when it comes to taking care of your mental health.

Cut 11 (13) “…speak emotionally.” 

Louisiana State Police have reinstated a veteran trooper who had been accused of withholding body cam video that showed another officer dragging a black motorist by his ankles during a deadly 2019 arrest in North Louisiana. Officials say Lt. John Clary will return to active duty this week.  This comes weeks after prosecutors dismissed obstruction charges against Clary after agreeing to testify at trial in the death of Ronald Greene.