The Alliance for Affordable Energy says a new policy that no longer requires utilities providing energy for large data center projects to prove the generation is the cheapest and most reliable, will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket. Public Service Commissioner J.P. Coussan who spearheaded the new policy says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

At this time of year Flu activity is rampant across the country and this year is no exception, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner LSU Health says the number of people testing positive for the flu is staggering.

Cut 11 (05) “…only trending upward.”

The CDC says almost 50-thousand people have been hospitalized with the flu and there have been about two-thousand deaths associated.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing mortality in wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana says the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus can also occasionally transfer to mammals, including domestic cats and dogs, and in rare cases, humans. Health officials consider this strain of the virus to be a minimal threat to humans, but Roberts says if you find sick or dead wild birds, contact the LDWF to remove them safely.

Cut 5 (09) “…to wash that.”

People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last-minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

Leaving animals in cars is cruel and one man is accused of taking it even further. KPLC is reporting that Oakdale Police found an 8-week-old puppy locked in the trunk of a car when they made a traffic stop earlier this month. According to the Humane Society of Louisiana, officers told them that they heard barking sounds which led them to discover the puppy that appeared malnourished. The driver, Dallas Antoine, was cited for animal cruelty. The puppy who has been named Rosie Joe is recovering and will be rehomed.

Flu activity is rampant across the country, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says this is the time of year when flu activity tends to increase.

Cut 12 (08) “…home for Christmas.”

To prevent the flu, avoid sick people, practice good hygiene, and be especially diligent with handwashing.  If you become ill, please stay home and avoid others except to seek medical care.

With the jackpot skyrocketing, Powerball fever is gripping Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Holiday travelers will find the lowest gas prices since 2020 says Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana and he says there are a couple of reasons…

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars a barrel.”

And he says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access energy is defending the policy that removes the requirement for utilities powering the projects to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says the new policy with cause residential customers’ utility bills skyrocket, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says…

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing the death of wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus affects various species differently.

Cut 4 (09) “…disease in geese.”

As you drive to your Christmas destination, Andrew Greenstein reports you can do so without giving too much money to the gasoline companies.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars because the jackpot has rolled over since no one has matched all six numbers since September 6^th. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says while no one has won the big prize, almost 100 people across the country have come close and come.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for two million.”

The LDWF is reporting a resurgence of Avian flu. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not the avian flu, but this year’s flu among people is rampant across the country, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says emergency rooms throughout the state are seeing more people sick with the flu.

Cut 10 (07) “…illness criteria.”

Flu activity tends to increase this is the time of year, so handwashing is especially important.

People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last-minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

A gift many would like to receive is winning numbers, especially since the Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the jackpot has been rolling over for months as no one has matched all the numbers since September 6th.

Cut 8 (11) “…Mega and Powerball.”

Now that Governor Landry has been named special envoy to Greenland, questions about how those duties will impact his gubernatorial duties have arisen. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, but distance may not be the only issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy says a new policy that no longer requires utilities providing energy for large data center projects to prove the generation is the cheapest and most reliable, will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket. Public Service Commissioner J.P. Coussan who spearheaded the new policy says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A home with a child inside was intentionally set on fire Friday night and a LaPlace woman has been arrested says the State Fire Marshal’s office. Spokesperson, Ken Pastorick says the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive where they learned a child had been in the home when the blaze was set and fortunately…

Cut 8 (04) “..out unharmed.”

43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and cruelty to juveniles.

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access the energy is clearing up some misconceptions about the policy. The policy states that utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those projects no longer have to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says residential customers will see their utility bills skyrocket as a result, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

Since Governor Jeff Landry has been named envoy to Greenland, some in Louisiana are wondering how he will handle his job as governor. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says as the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, Landry’s new side hustle may be a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a juvenile still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Eight after the murder of 40-year-old mother of three, Donna Arceneaux, police have made an arrest. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says deputies arrested Scott Jordan for her murder in a case has weighed on the community since October 2017. State Police took over the investigation in 2019. Smith says after he became sheriff, he took the case back and investigators quickly zeroed in on Jordan.

Cut 5 (09) “…to think otherwise.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder.

A home with a child inside was intentionally set on fire Friday night and a LaPlace woman has been arrested says the State Fire Marshal’s office. Spokesperson, Ken Pastorick says the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive; and while on the scene, they discovered a child had been in the home when the blaze was set.

Cut 7 (04) “…to juveniles.”

43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested. Thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

An arrest has finally been made eight years after the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says while there had been talk back then about Arceneaux’s death being a suicide, but law enforcement never reached that conclusion.

Cut 4 (11) “…an unsolved murder.”

Smith says Jordan has been a person of interest from the beginning.

Community leaders gather in Baton Rouge to demand an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry was tapped by President Trump to serve as envoy to Greenland this week, and some are asking how that impacts his job as governor. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the same time, those refer to state position and a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A LaPlace woman was arrested for setting fire to a home with a minor still inside Friday night. State Fire Marshal spokesman Ken Pastorick says investigators determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

Many details of the incident have not been made public but thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

Now that Governor Landry has been named special envoy to Greenland, questions about how those duties will impact his gubernatorial duties have arisen. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, but distance may not be the only issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

Last year Louisiana lawmakers passed a legislative package aimed at improving the insurance market for Louisiana homeowners and a year into the changes only one company has taken advantage of the repeal of the “three-year rule” that had prohibited insurance companies from dropping policyholders who had been with them for at least three years. Representative Gabe Firment, who authored the 2024 bill, says one of the goals of his bill was to help stabilize the market.

Cut 26 (06) “…or two carriers.”

President Trump is enlisting the help of Governor Landry in escalating his quest for Greenland. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was accused of DUI over the weekend. According to State Police, Lewis was pulled over because he was driving without headlights on Saturday. Lewis was issued a citation for driving under the influence but was not taken into custody since West Baton Rouge does not book those accused of first offence DWI. Lewis serves as public service commissioner for District 3 which includes New Orleans, the River Parishes, and part of Baton Rouge.

In what could be their final game in the Superdome, Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and tight end Taysom Hill both posted stellar, emotional performances yesterday. Hill, an x-factor for the Saints offense for nearly a decade, became the only player in the Super Bowl era to total over 1,000 yards rushing, receiving and passing. He says he reflected on his time in New Orleans on his drive to the stadium.

Cut 9 (14)  “…special day.”

Day 2 of winter is here and this season, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be strapping on ice skates to play a pickup game of shinny or building a snowman like last January. LSU Health Climatologist, Barry Keim…

Cut 14 (10) “…warm air.”

By naming Governor Landry special envoy to Greenland, President Trump is again ramping up efforts to wrest the island from Denmark. In a social media post thanking Trump, Landry said, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.” Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics-dot-com, says the choice of Landry is an interesting one.

Cut 3 (10) “…least very entertaining.”

But Alford says by tapping Landry as special envoy, Trump is telling the world he’s  serious in his quest to capture Greenland.

The last of the three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail earlier this month has been captured. Major Mark LeBlanc says narcotics detectives and SWAT officers acted very quickly on a tip received late last week and found 24-year-old Keith Eli.

Cut 6 (11) “…coming to anybody.”

The winter solstice arrived yesterday and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says “La Nina,” is bringing us a mild winter but because it will cause the jet stream to be displaced to the north, areas north of Louisiana won’t have it as pleasant as we do.

Cut 13 (11)  “…here in Louisiana.”

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and tight end Taysom Hill both posted stellar, emotional performances in what could have been their last game in the Superdome yesterday. Both remain focused on the final two weeks of the season and have yet to make any public decisions about their futures, but both remain dedicated to the team, franchise, and city they’ve made home. Jordan says

Cut 11 (13) “…let’s go.”