A massive enforcement operation in North Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders nets 67 arrests. It’s one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it happened during a month-long operation last month called Operation Access Denied.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during this operation.”

Connect LA has been working to get high speed internet to all of Louisiana, and they’re expected to achieve it by 2028, two years ahead of schedule. Executive director Veneeth Iyengar says because so many Louisianans already have access, people will be able to choose from multiple service providers.

Cut 7 (12) “…that customer.”

He says that means residents could see prices decrease.

The Public Service Commission approves a new rule to help large projects like data centers access the energy they need. Andrew Greenstein reports not everyone is happy about it.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A gutsy season for the U-L Lafayette football comes to an end with a 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The Cajuns fell behind 20-3 before scoring ten unanswered points to pull to within a touchdown. After the game, head coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) said he’s proud of everything his team accomplished, including winning their last four games to achieve bowl eligibility.

Cut 3 (06) “…it’s just tough.”

The Cajuns finish the season with a record of 6-and-7.

The announcement came today that 67 previously convicted sex offenders have been arrested for additional crimes against children. Attorney General Liz Murrill and the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force along with multiple law enforcement agencies were part of a massive enforcement operation ‘Operation Access Denied.’ Beginning November 1^st, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents identified the offenders and their criminal activities. Some of the offenders were re-arrested for disturbing crimes including rape. Murrill said This is one of the largest operations conducted in the State of Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders in violation of Louisiana law.

In a new rule passed by the Public Service Commission utility providers will no longer have to prove they are providing the most cost-effective and reliable energy for large projects like data centers. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan proposed the rule as a way to accelerate the timelines for these projects. But Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says consumers are no longer guaranteed they’re getting the most affordable electricity.

Cut 10 (08) “…that they want.”

All Louisiana residents are expected to have access to high-speed internet by 2028, two years earlier than initially expected. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

U-L Lafayette football suffered a close 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl yesterday. The Cajuns fell behind 20-3 before scoring ten unanswered points to pull to within a touchdown. The Cajuns had a chance to tie it on the last play of the game, but Quarterback Lunch Winfield’s pass was broken up in the end zone. Windfield says this season has been a learning experience.

Cut 5 (08) “…for next season.”

A new rule approved by the Public Service Commission is aimed at streamlining the process for large projects like data centers to access energy. Under the new policy, utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those massive projects will no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable on the market. Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says the new policy is unfair to residents, who are already in the middle of an affordability crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…enter the state.”

Louisiana is expected to make sure high-speed internet access is available to every Louisiana resident by 2028, which is two years earlier than initially expected. Connect LA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says with the increased access, Louisiana residents could see prices decrease for higher internet speeds.

Cut 8 (13) “…paying before.”

Need inspiration for those last-minute Christmas gifts? Advancing technology can help.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

U-L Lafayette had quite a football season but it came to an end with a 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl yesterday. After the game, head coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) said he was heartbroken for his players after they worked so hard to just miss the victory but…

Cut 4 (12) “…has been unbelievable.”

The Cajuns finish the season with a record of 6-and-7.

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says, last year, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors. She says not only do public libraries offer books to borrow; they also host scores of programs. She says in 2024, Louisiana’s 337 public libraries hosted almost 90 thousand in-person and live virtual programs.

Cut 5 (10) “…are looking for.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools. She says this grant award recognizes the state’s leadership in advancing evidence-based literacy solutions.

Cut 8 (10) “…more about it.”

Chiasson says Louisiana has been a national leader in high-dosage tutoring

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract. She says the state has been litigating with UnitedHealthcare for five years…

Cut 12 (09) “…money back.”

LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders because the original January 1^st target could have caused a lapse in coverage for thousands of Medicaid patients.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Louisiana is awarded a substantial grant to study the impacts of high dosage tutoring on literacy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach of the LSU Tigers through the Texas Bowl and then he’ll leave for an SEC rival. CBS Sports is reporting Wilson will leave his home state to be the running backs coach at Ole Miss. This will be Wilson’s second stint with Ole Miss as he served as the running backs coach for the Rebels when Ed Orgeron was the head coach there. He also has a relationship with new Ole Miss head coach Pete Goulding who was the defensive coordinator of the Roadrunners when Wilson was the head coach at UTSA.

Louisiana lawmakers expressed concern about ending a Medicaid contract with UnitedHealthcare on January 1^st because the short notice could temporarily leave thousands of Medicaid recipients without coverage, so LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein told a legislative committee yesterday that they will give UnitedHealthcare through March to comply with the state’s orders to provide documents proving they are in compliance with the contract. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she’s okay with that…

Cut 11 (07) “…asked for.”

She says UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs.

The Revenue Estimating Conference determined that stronger than expected income tax revenue is one of the main drivers behind an estimated 293-million-dollar budget surplus for the current fiscal year. State Treasurer John Fleming is suggesting giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts and says the ultimate goal is to make income taxes in Louisiana a thing of the past.

Cut 15 (06) “…in this state.”

The state’s libraries are growing in popularity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Department of Education is awarding Louisiana a 15-million-dollar grant to lead a five-year study on the impact of high-dosage tutoring on first and second graders. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says the project will serve about 45-hundred students in both traditional public schools and charter schools.

Cut 7 (12) “…around literacy instruction.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill told lawmakers on Tuesday that UnitedHealthcare potentially owes the state between $380 million and $768 million in overpayments for pharmacy costs, which is why her office instructed L-D-H to cancel its contract with the state, forcing thousands of Medicaid patients to switch insurance providers.

Cut 10 (13) “…this much money.”

She says UnitedHealthcare has also failed to turn over documents that prove they are complying with the contract.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 14 (09) “…cuts over time.”

A former New Iberia police officer has been arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in New Orleans. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Libraries throughout the state are becoming more popular. The latest report shows that in 2024, libraries welcomed more than 11-million visitors – up eight and a half percent from 2023. State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says the trend is very encouraging.

Cut 6 (09) “…workforce development classes.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident where a neighbor used lethal force to end a domestic dispute. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The application period for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ 38th enforcement academy is open through December 22nd. It open to those with and without law enforcement experience. Division Superintendent Stephen Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy

Cut 5 (08) “…to 24 weeks.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has determined that the legislature will end the current fiscal year with a 293-million-dollar budget surplus. State Treasurer John Fleming suggests giving that money back to the taxpayers in the form of tax cuts.

Cut 13 (08)  “…therefore more revenue”

Though the legislature cut income taxes last year, stronger than expected income tax revenue is said to be one of the main reasons for the surplus. Fleming points out that the economies of Texas, Tennessee and Florida are doing the best in the country, and none of them have a state income tax.

LSU moves one step closer to launching the School of Construction. It would build on the current construction management program. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the earliest graduates are paying it forward in creating the new School of Construction.

Cut 7 (11) “…possible for us.”

Over three hundred people have been detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Louisiana since Operation Catahoula Crunch began over two weeks ago. That’s according to a social media post by Commander Gregory Bovino. The Department of Homeland Security said their goal was to detain 5,000 “worst of the worst” violent illegal immigrants targeting those with criminal records. Bovino said an aggravated felon drug trafficker who had previously been deported has been arrested. Some detainees have charges for violent crimes and others have traffic violations.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man was attacking his girlfriend with a knife when her neighbor fatally shot him. The Mandeville area woman attempted to flee her attacker by going through a window and frantically knocking on a neighbors’ door. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says one of the neighbors went outside to help her and commanded the attacker to stop and when he refused, the neighbor shot the attacker. Carboni says no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation continues

Cut 11 (04) “..the facts”

LSU is about to lead a building revolution. The Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the School of Construction within its College of Engineering, last week. College of Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin says the school would build on the current construction management program.

Cut 6 (07) “…two-thousand students.”

She says construction is a vital part of the U.S. economy. The Board of Regents will vote on the program’s approval sometime next year.

LDWF is looking to train new Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officers. Stephen Clark, the superintendent of the enforcement division of LDWF, says applications are now being accepted for the department’s 38th enforcement academy.

Cut 4 (06) “…end of March.”

He says the academy is a hybrid academy, open to both POST-certified police officers and non-POST-certified officers. Clark says POST-certified officers chosen will have a slightly accelerated academy.

The Louisiana law that requires social media companies to verify users’ ages and provide parental controls including parental consent has been blocked by a federal judge. In his ruling that granted a permanent injunction, Judge John deGravelles said, the Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation Act passed in 2023 violates the First Amendment. He cited a ruling on a California law that attempted to restrict violent video games and said legal speech is protected on social media even for minors. Attorney Liz Murrill called the ruling unfortunate, saying the ruling protects corporations that facilitate child exploitation over the legislative policy to require simple age verification mechanisms.

A man attacking his girlfriend with a knife was fatally shot by the woman’s neighbor while he was attacking her says the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the victim escaped her Mandeville area home through a window and knocked on neighbors’ doors. The neighbor commanded the attacker to stop and when he refused, the neighbor fired his gun

Cut 10 (07) “…the scene.”

Carboni says no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation continues

LSU is on the cusp of creating the School of Construction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you’ve ever thought of becoming a Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officer, now’s your chance. Stephen Clark, the superintendent of the enforcement division of LDWF, says applications are now being accepted for the department’s 38th enforcement academy.

Cut 3 (06) “…through December 22nd.”

He says when the application window closes, they will choose the best applicants to take part in the academy.