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.”

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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.

Tis the season to be jolly but many Americans suffer from stress, depression, and sadness during the holidays. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Psychiatry Dr. Rahn Bailey says holiday depression can stem from numerous causes.

Cut 10 (12) “…that year.”

Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden Daniels’ spent his 23^rd birthday helping Raising Canes founder Todd Graves give away 100 bikes at the Boys and Girls Club and Baton Rouge Big Buddy program on Monday. Graves says he remembers how special it was when he got his first bike as a child…

Cut 13 (08) “…that joy.”

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Pope Francis released an official Papal declaration permitting Catholic priests to bless members of same-sex couples. LSU professor of religious studies Michael Pasquier (PassKay) says this doesn’t mean the Church has changed its position on marriage…

Cut 4 (10) “…one woman.”

At his end-of-the-year press conference, Governor John Bel Edwards said never say never on a possible return to politics. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
 

Big news from the Vatican today as Pope Francis has formally approved to allow Catholic priests to bless same-sex married couples. Loyola Professor of Theology Tom Ryan says it’s not necessarily a blessing of the relationship, but the people in the relationship.

Cut 12 (12)  “…permitted.”  

Louisiana is the first state to receive approval for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal to bring high-speed, affordable, and reliable internet to residents. State Broadband Office Director Veneeth Iyengar says this will give the state first access to key resources to eliminate the digital divide…

Cut 3 (09) “…for Louisianans..”

The state can request access to more than 42 billion dollars from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

On his last radio show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards talked about his attempts to close the gender pay gap in Louisiana so women who are doing the same job as men are paid equally.

Cut 7 (05) “…the country.”

Edwards also presented legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage every year he was governor.

Grambling State has named former LSU and Nebraska assistant Mickey Joseph as its new head football coach. Joseph is from Marerro and was a wide receivers coach and special teams assistant at Grambling in 2014 and 2015. He’s also spent time as an assistant at Nicholls and Louisiana Tech, so he knows the state well and plans to bring in Louisiana’s best prep stars…

Cut 10 (12) “…these kids”

From the Vatican, Pope Francis has formally made a declaration allowing Catholic Priests to bless couples in same-sex relationships or irregular relationships without blessing their union or relationship. Loyola Professor of Theology Tom Ryan says Pope Francis is a very pastoral Pope and the declaration released from the Vatican ends with what the Pope wants to convey.

Cut  14 (11) “…always blessed.”

On his last radio show “Ask the Governor” Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about his biggest regrets in office. The outgoing two-term governor says he has two, not raising the minimum wage and not closing the gender pay gap.

Cut 6 (12) “…so forth.”

Louisiana is the first of 49 states and six territories in the nation to have its broadband grant proposal approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Garrett Nussmeier will get the startin the ReliaQuest Bowl as Jayden Daniels announces his decision to opt out. Daniels says he’ll always have a special place in his heart for Baton Rouge…

Cut  16 (07)   “…California bayou boy”

Speaking at a recent NOLA-dot-com town hall meeting, Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says it’s unlikely we’ll have a special session to address the property insurance crisis before the regular one next year but when we do, he’ll push to get legislation introduced focusing on bringing immediate premium relief but he’s not suggesting mandates for premium changes, because he says that drives carriers away.

Cut 10 (12) “…availability.”

Ochsner Children’s Hospital is building a new 343 thousand square foot facility with a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Butch Adolph says this will help advance the growing need to help children throughout the region.

Cut 3 (13) “…one facility.”

The donation will come from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, a private foundation founded in 2007 to make a positive impact.

North Louisiana mayors are excited about the possibility of passenger rail service along the I-20 corridor. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says over the past five Christmas holidays in Louisiana 26 people were killed and 452 injured in vehicle crashes involving alcohol.

Cut 6 (05) “…any means.”

There’s been plenty of speculation about a special session before the regular one to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year. But at a recent NOLA-dot-com town hall meeting, Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says it’s highly unlikely…

Cut 9 (11) “…timing issue.” 

An important step has occurred in bringing passenger rail service to north Louisiana. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a 500-thousand dollar planning grant to the Southern Rail Commission. Commissioner Knox Ross says this money will determine what’s needed to bring passenger rail service to the I-20 Corridor…

Cut 12 (06)  “..want to be.”  

Number one-ranked Ochsner Children’s Hospital will build a new 343 thousand square foot facility thanks to a historic donation from New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

With more parties this time of year there are more impaired drivers on the road, especially at night. And Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says for some the holidays can be difficult…

Cut 8 (09) “…on the road.” 

After the worst wildfire season on record, proactive steps are being taken to help reduce the impact of future wildfires in the Bayou State. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign runs through New Year’s Day and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says it’s making a difference.  According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU for every 1,000 hours of impaired driver patrol, there are four fewer fatalities…

Cut 7 (06) “…fewer fatalities.” 

The LHSC helps pay for overtime so more law enforcement officers can stop impaired drivers.

The Ragin Cajuns will face Jacksonville State in tomorrow’s R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Kick-off is set for 1:15. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says Motivation is a big part of who wins bowl games and he says his guys should be excited to play…

Cut 20 (13) “…problem.”

This is the Cajuns seventh appearance in the New Orleans Bowl and they are five and one in this game.

Ochsner Children’s Hospital is Ranked the number one hospital for kids in Louisiana, and their plans to build a new 343 thousand square foot facility with a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson will expand the new pediatric cardiovascular unit from 12 to 20 beds. The 14-bed intensive care unit will expand to 20 beds.

Cut 5 (00) “ …and region.”  

Ochsner Children’s Hospital is building a new 343 thousand square foot facility with a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Butch Adolph says the new five-story structure helps support its commitment to the pediatrics program and treat critical conditions such as pediatric heart and liver transplants.

Cut 4 (12) “…bigger capacity.”

It’s likely LSU will have three players from the NFL draft selected in the first round. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Junior. WWL sports talk show host and draft analyst Mike Detillier says Daniels is one of the top players this draft….

 Cut 16 (08) “…as high as two.”

Detillier says Nabers should hear his name called in the 2024 draft a few names after Daniels gets picked…

A documentary about the reality of human sex trafficking in Louisiana airs tonight on LPB. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”