Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024. His first year in office also saw the passage of a bill requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools which is still awaiting a court ruling on its constitutionality. Pinsonat expects Landry to focus more on economic development in the next two years of his term.

Cut 10 (12) “…get involved in.” 

The publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish in naming the Platinum Deal of the Year making Louisiana the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards. Department of Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says now the big challenge is to do it again.

Cut 8 (06) “…looking at it.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish. Bourgeois says the two projects speak to the diversity of the economic development projects happening in the state.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters could legally hunt black bears.

Cut 26 (14) “…that area.”

17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area have had their medical debt erased. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars in debt for struggling families. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

She says it’s the first steel mill built in the U.S. in 60 years and she says they’ll be using the cleanest production methods.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of Governor Jeff Landry’s inauguration as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry has done a good job in getting most of his legislative agenda approved. The Louisiana Senate failed to go along with his idea for a constitutional convention, and Landry has received criticism for getting too involved in LSU athletics, the firing of A-D Scott Woodward and having a live tiger on the field for the 2024 Alabama game. Pinsonat says those missteps have not hurt him too much.

Cut 11 (07) “…been involved in.”

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana is number-one in the nation for road rage incidents, ranging from aggressive driving to dangerous interactions, including gunfire. LSU transportation expert Brian Wolshon says it’s easy, and sometimes natural, to be frustrated on the roadway – but he says people should always expect the unexpected.

Cut 12 (06) “…that’s difficult.”

Speed was the cause of a fatal accident in Lafayette yesterday according to Lafayette Police Sgt Robin Green. 3 people died when a vehicle traveling at high speed struck a stopped vehicle at E. Broussard and Johnson St. pushing it into a vehicle stopped at the intersection on Johnson St.  Green says the driver of the first vehicle 21-year-old Joseph Prejean of Lafayette died at the scene.

Cut 10 (09) “..also died.” 

They are identified as 36-year-old Cherita Washington and 17-year-old Chase Washington of Duson.

Governor Jeff Landry plans to attend a dogsledding event in Greenland. Jeff Palermo reports it’s part of his new part-time job as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland.

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New Orleans is in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl. NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says the city will have to make a strong pitch to the NFL. The Superdome is 50 years old, but Duncan doesn’t think that will be a problem for 2031 but beyond that…

Cut 5 (09) “…trying to fight.”

The three people lost their lives in an early morning crash at the major Lafayette intersection of E. Broussard Rd. and Johnson Street Tuesday have been identified. Lafayette Police Sgt Robin Green says the driver of the first vehicle struck the second causing what she called a domino effect. He is identified as 21-year-old Joseph Prejean of Lafayette. In the second vehicle, a mother and daughter, both of Duson are identified as 36-year-old Cherita Washington and 17-year-old Chase Washington. The occurred around 5 am and the warm winter weather is causing early morning fog, but Sgt Green says fog was not a factor in this crash.

Cut 11 (04) … to occur

The driver of a third vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

By now, we’ve all heard that Louisiana’s moving to closed party primaries this year.  And now the primaries, which were set to happen in April, have been moved to May 16^th. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says she and her office have done a great deal of outreach to get the word out about the change in advance of the primaries.

Cut 12 (08) “…hand out.”

New Orleans is in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says the NFL is seeking high-end hospitality and event space. By the time the 2031 Super Bowl comes around, the Superdome could potentially be the second oldest stadium in the NFL.

Cut 4 (12) “…a new stadium.”

If New Orleans fails to land the 2031 Super Bowl, the city’s next opportunity will not come until 2038, given scheduling conflicts due to major conventions and Mardi Gras.

An audit of 24 restaurants on the Westbank of New Orleans found that eight of them were not complying with a new law that requires disclosure of serving imported shrimp. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting found that of those eight, seven falsely advertised their shrimp to be locally caught, while staff at the eighth said they didn’t know where the shrimp came from. SeaD Consulting Founder David Williams…

Cut 13 (09)  “…serving local shrimp.”

Governor Jeff Landry tells Fox News Radio he will travel to Greenland in a couple of months as part of his new part-time job as special envoy to Greenland. Landry says he wants to talk with the residents of the arctic island about the benefits of having a closer relationship with the United States…

Cut 6 (09) “…I’m going.”

President Trump has said Greenland is important to the United States for national security purposes.

Three people lost their lives in an early morning crash at major intersection of E. Broussard Rd. and Johnson Street in Lafayette Tuesday, Lafayette Police Sgt Robin Green…

Cut 9 (12) …Johnson Street

Both the second and third vehicles were stopped at a traffic light preparing to turn. The driver of the first vehicle was killed along with a mother and daughter who were in the second vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

New Orleans is now back in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl. So what are the city’s chances of landing the game that year? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The CDC announced a revised vaccine schedule for children this week. Under the new schedule, vaccines for polio and measles remain on the list of recommended vaccines. But those for the flu, COVID, Hepatitis A & B and others have been moved to the shared decision-making list.  Senator and physician Bill Cassidy says these vaccinations, which have been proven to be safe, can often make the difference between life and death.

Cut 25 (08) “…is so preventable.”

An early morning crash in Lafayette took the lives of three people. It happened a little after 5:00 am when a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on E. Broussard struck another vehicle stopped at a traffic light and the stopped vehicle was pushed through the intersection into another vehicle while the striking vehicle ran into a utility pole. The driver of the initial crash, 21-year-old Joseph Prejean of Lafayette died at the scene. Two people in the second vehicle, 36-year-old Cherita Washington and 17-year-old Chase Washing of Duson also died as a result of their injuries. The person in the last vehicle struck suffered moderate injuries.

Last year in Louisiana, five law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, compared to three in 2024. That’s the fifth highest in the country and second highest per capita. Nationwide in 2025, the number of line-of-duty deaths reached historic lows says Bill Alexander, the CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Cut 8 (09) “…to be going.”

Across the country, 44 officers were killed in firearm-related incidents, down from 52 in 2024 and 34 officers were killed in traffic-related incidents, down from 44 from the year before.

2026 is going to be a big year for elections in Louisiana, including the U.S. Senate race and several special elections to fill vacancies in the legislature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is Epiphany, the day Christians around the world eat King Cake and celebrate the worship of baby Jesus by the Wisemen. Here in Louisiana January 6^th marks the beginning of Carnival season. Dave Haydel of Haydel Bakery says Mardi Gras comes earlier this year with two fewer weeks in the season but he says last year, we had two weeks of snow and he says king cake prices are the same as last year too.

Cut 13 (02)  “…for everybody.”

Did Governor Jeff Landry call for the execution of Nicolas Maduro? In an opinion piece on Breitbart (Bratebart) News Landry wrote “Personally, I’d like to see Maduro executed for the crimes he has committed against the people of the United States and the families left to mourn,” “However, I would be well satisfied to see him and his wife spend the rest of their days at Camp 57 in Angola.” He said Maduro’s capture will save tens of thousands of American lives because it interrupts the fentanyl pipeline from China.

2026 was shaping up to be a busy election year with the new closed party primary and new voting equipment. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the state goes to great lengths to secure its elections, including greatly limiting who can and cannot handle the voting equipment.

Cut 5 (10) “…touch our machines.”

And the machines are never connected to the internet.

Temperatures are running about 15-degrees above normal right now says LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim and he says that’s typical when a La Nina climate pattern is active and when we have warm temperatures in the winter, expect foggy conditions in the morning….

Cut 11 (11) “…lots of fog.”

Today is Epiphany and that means it’s time to take the Christmas tree down and enjoy some king cake. Dave Haydel of Haydel Bakery says they had a line of people outside their store this morning and business has been steady all day. Haydel says the goal is to sell just as many king cakes as they did last year

Cut 12 (11) “…hard to say.”

All charges against LSU running back JT Lindsey have been dropped. He was arrested in August and charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. At that time Lindsey reportedly allowed two men to stay in his dorm room unaware they had committed any crime and were wanted for questioning. At the time Lindsey was suspended from the team but allowed to attend class and to use athletic facilities on his own. He made the Fall semester Dean’s list and is now eligible to return to play.

Louisiana is looking to some big elections in 2026 perhaps the biggest is for U.S. Senate, where incumbent Bill Cassidy faces strong opposition in the Republican nomination in the newly closed party primary. Several other elections will also keep the polls busy. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says what the state really needs for all these elections is elections commissioners, who are paid to help run the polling places.

Cut 4 (11) “…do our elections.”

While the number of line of duty deaths ticked up slightly in Louisiana in 2025, they dipped to historic lows nationwide. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Louisiana is experiencing a heat wave during this first full week of January. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be touching the 80s for the rest of this work week

Cut 9 (10)  “…state of Louisiana.”

Lawmakers are making plans for the session that begins in March. Last year, auto insurance reform was a significant issue Senate President Cameron Henry says several of those new laws did not take effect until January 1^st and they need to see how they impact rates…

Cut 6 (11) “…auto insurance”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st. Lawmakers are expected to discuss the energy needs of the data centers being built in the state. Henry says he hopes they will cut taxes since the budget is supposed to have a 300-million-dollar surplus.

The federal government stopped minting pennies about two months ago and some stores are already price-rounding to eliminate the need for pennies. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says…

Cut 15 (06) “…of the customers.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup, a free man who kidnapped and enslaved for 12 years in 1841. During the ordeal, he reached Louisiana, where a carpenter named Samuel Bass befriended him and helped him escape. Melissa Howell, a direct descendant says Northup was given the name “Platt Hamilton” by his enslavers and the location of the statue is where he stood when he was declared free at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse.

Cut 12 (11) “…his reclaimed freedom.”

Northup’s 1853 autobiography, “12 Years a Slave,” was adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie in 2014.

If you’re looking to be more active in 2026, Dr. Marie Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport recommends finding exercises you enjoy. She says small changes in your daily life can make a world of impact. Consistency is most important.

Cut 9 (14)  “…big difference.”

When the legislative session begins in March, Louisiana lawmakers should not have to worry about budget cuts. That’s because stronger than expected tax collections could result in a nearly 300-million dollar surplus when the current fiscal year ends on June 30th. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s not looking to go on a spending spree.

Cut 5 (08) “…to have.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup. You may have read his autobiography, 12 Years a Slave or have seen the movie. His descendant, Melissa Howell, says in 1841, two men approached him about being part of their traveling show.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the Capitol.”

A Louisiana carpenter named Samuel Bass befriended Northup and helped him escape.

For those with health resolutions for 2026, Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport has some information to help you succeed. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnck.”

About two months ago the federal government minted its last penny and Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says in addition to the massive amount already in circulation, the fact that Americans rarely use cash anymore will prolong the penny’s survival. Hollis says consumers are using coins less and less.

Cut 14 (09) “…or coin.”