Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson will soon have a new job. When the calendar flips to 2026, he will become the new president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Nelson says his experience as revenue secretary and his prior experience as a member of the Louisiana legislature makes him the right man to take over leading the 12-campus LCTC system.

Cut 7 (08) “…the biggest problems.”

Four months after being blind-sided by the resignation of John Hartwell, ULM introduces its new athletic director. The university introduced S.J. Tuohy as its new man to lead the Warhawks athletic department. During his introduction, Tuohy said his goal is to send the entire athletics program soaring to new heights.

Cut 10 (09) “…eligibility rules anymore.”

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and you’re in the holiday mood, the 99th Annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches takes place tomorrow. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Two huge matchups in New Orleans highlight tonight’s semifinal action on the select side of the high school football playoffs. Top-seeded Edna Karr, ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps, will host fourth-seeded Catholic. The Cougars beat the Bears in the semis by two points last year, and the LHSAA Network’s Spencer Verrett expects another close game.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the answer”

South Louisiana saw jail breaks in two parishes yesterday. In St. Landry Parish, Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped through one of the cells in an upper corner of the building.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of a hole.”

At that point, they were able to get outside and onto the roof.

In Vermilion Parish, a 23-year-old facing drug and firearm charges escaped that parish’s jail late last night. Deputies believed they saw Gavin Garnica sleeping covered by a blanket in his bunk, but they later discovered video showing him scaling the jail’s fence. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says Garnica is known to be violent, but the big question is how Garnica was able to escape the jail in the first place.

Cut 12 (07) “…have been violated.”

A tip and a traffic stop led to a major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says when 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles stopped, investigators found. Around 85 pounds of methamphetamine the vehicle, along with a weapon and other contraband. Touchet was arrested, along with the two people who were with him – 45-year-old Jessica Robinson of Lake Charles and 41-year-old Josh Reeves of Sulphur.

Cut 15 (10) “…a stolen vehicle.”

Some Louisiana royals will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Joining Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain will be the Oyster Queen, and the Jambalaya Queen and they will be doing more than simply smiling and waving to the crowd.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the state.”

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its two-day meeting today to discuss possible changes to its recommended childhood vaccination schedule. The long-standing recommendation for the Hepatitis B is in question after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked it to autism. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, says it has never been proven that vaccines cause autism, and any changes to the Hepatitis B vaccine recommendation would be very dangerous.

Cut 5 (06) “…of scientific fact.”

He says the vaccine is safe and effective.

Some notable people will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the people onboard are as diverse as the state itself.

Cut 6 (06) “…Commissioner Mike Strain.”

Nungesser says they will also help decorate the float and promote Louisiana through interviews.

Not one, but TWO jail breaks in South Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish leads to the arrest of three people. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says investigators stopped 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles and found narcotics and contraband in the vehicle.

Cut 14 (10) “…more drug paraphernalia.”

Two people who with Touchet were also arrested – 45-year-old Jessica Robinson and 41-year-old Josh Reeves.

An investigation leads to a major meth bust in Calcasieu Parish. State Police Trooper Roy Jones says detectives received a tip about narcotics trafficking in the area. So, they set up surveillance in the area and developed probable cause to stop 48-year-old Brent Touchet of Lake Charles.

Cut 13 (11)  “…they located narcotics”

Around 85 pounds of meth was found in the vehicle.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is looking at their childhood vaccination schedule including the long-standing recommendation for the Hepatitis B vaccine. This after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked the vaccination to autism. Senator Cassidy, who is a physician, says the B vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

Cut 4 (11) “…time of birth.”

The Hepatitis B vaccine has been universally recommended since 1991

Not one, but two jail breaks in South Louisiana yesterday. In St. Landry Parish, three inmates escaped from the jail there. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Johnathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped by removing mortar from an aging part of the building and get onto the roof where they found construction materials…

Cut 10 (12) “…the building completely.”

And in Vermilion Parish, a 23-year-old Gavin Garnica escaped that parish jail there. video showed him scaling the jail’s fence after he was believed to have been sleeping in his bunk. Ashley Adams with the sheriff’s office says Garnica is known to be violent, so anyone who sees him should not approach him under any circumstances.

Cut 11 (10) “…drugs and weapons.”

The search continues for three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Jonathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped through one of the cells in an upper corner of the building.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of a hole.”

At that point, they were able to get outside and onto the roof. LeBlanc says due to construction that was happening, they were able to use certain equipment to make their escape.

And in Vermillion Parish a 23-year-old facing drug and firearm charges escaped the parish jail there. The Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies believed they saw Gavin Garnica sleeping covered in his bunk but later discovered video showing Garnica scaling the jail’s fence just after 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night. Authorities say Garnica has a well-documented criminal history and is known to be violent.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its two-day meeting today to discuss possible changes to its recommended childhood vaccination schedule. The most consequential of potential changes involves the Hepatitis B vaccine, which has been universally recommended since 1991. Senator Bill Cassidy says since then, the virus has nearly been eradicated.

Cut 3 (11) “…shortly after birth.”

Cassidy, a physician, says the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.

The State of Louisiana will again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the riders including the Oyster and Jambalaya Queens are sponsored by many of the tourism organizations and convention and visitors’ bureaus throughout the state…

Cut 7 (10) “…partnered with us.”

CDC advisors open a two-day meeting, during which they could make changes to recommended childhood vaccinations, and Senator Bill Cassidy has something to say about that. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The search is ongoing for three inmates who escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail. One is facing murder charges and Two are convicted felons. Authorities say 24-year-olds Keith Eli and Jonathan Joseph and 26-year-old Joseph Harrington escaped by removing a section of decaying concrete blocks.

Some Louisiana royals will be aboard Louisiana’s float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, New Year’s Day. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Joining Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain will be the Oyster Queen, and the Jambalaya Queen and they will be doing more than simply smiling and waving to the crowd.

Cut 8 (11) “…of the state.”

The previously announced musical guest aboard the float, named “Gulf to Gumbo,” is Louisiana’s own “American Idol” runner up John Foster.

As part of Operation Swamp Sweep comes Operation Catahoula Crunch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The IRS Math Act cosponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy has been passed and signed.

Under the new law, when the IRS notifies a taxpayer of an adjustment to his or her tax return, it must now specify the line number, a clear explanation of the error and the reason for the adjustment. Cassidy says if it results in the taxpayer owing additional money, he or she now has 60 days to make the payment without penalty.

Cut 13 (06)  “…all is clear.”

The three-day early signing period when Louisiana’s best high school football players sign with colleges began today. Lafayette Christian Academy star Brayden Allen was one of LSU’s first signees. Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine says the Tigers are getting a good one in Allen.

Cut 6 (09) “…slot corners.”

Two-time former LSU president, Dr. William Jenkins passed away last week. Dr. Jenkins is credited with shaping LSU for decades. He’s been called a “consummate Tiger”. Former head of the LSU Foundation, Stephen Moret (More ray) remembered his leadership and mentorship. He says Jenkins had a deep love for LSU and expressed deep care for everyone who made up the university from star professors to students and those who kept the university going.

Cut 5 (10) “…the future.”

Dr. Jenkins was 88 years old.

Senator Bill Cassidy is hailing the signing of the bipartisan IRS Math Act that he had helped sponsor. Cassidy says the bill improves fairness, transparency and clarity when the IRS notifies taxpayers of errors in their tax returns.

Cut 12 (08) “…This addresses that.”

As part of Operation Swamp Sweep, the two-month immigration enforcement operation underway in New Orleans, Operation Catahoula Crunch is targeting those with violent crime arrests and they could be sent to Louisiana Lock up at the State Penitentiary in Angola which Governor Landry says will help secure America.

Cut 11 (10) “…criminal civil population.”

Louisiana’s best high school football players are signing with colleges today as a three-day early signing period began today. And after reports surfaced that he was going to hold off on signing, the nation’s number one defensive tackle, Richard Anderson from Edna Karr High School, has indeed signed with LSU. Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine says Anderson’s teammate, four-star safety Aiden Hall, had signed with LSU earlier in the day.

Cut 7 (12) “…and hit”

Former LSU president, Dr. William Jenkins passed away last week at the age of 88 and former head of the LSU Foundation, Stephen Moret remembered him on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster. Dr. Jenkins also served as dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. And when he served as Chancellor of LSU, Moret says Dr. Jenkins took over at a time when there had been a loss of confidence in the university.

Cut 4 (11) “…trust in him”

As part of the two-month immigration enforcement operation in the New Orleans area, Operation Swamp Sweep, the Department of Homeland Security is launching Operation Catahoula Crunch. targeting undocumented aliens with violent crime arrests. They could be sent to Camp J at the State Penitentiary in Angola. In September Governor Landry said it would house what he called the “worst of the worst” criminal undocumented aliens.

Cut 10 (07) “…in this country.”

Remembrances and tributes are pouring in for former LSU System president, Dr. William Jenkins who passed away last week. Former head of the LSU Foundation, Stephen Moret spoke with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana and remembered not only the leadership and mentorship of Dr. Jenkins but the man whom he said was the same caring man in private as he was in public.

Cut 3 (10) “…the same way.”

Dr. Jenkins was 88.

Some of the state’s best high school football prospects are signing with LSU today. Jeff Palermo has more on the first day of the early signing period…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

As part of Operation Swamp Sweep comes Operation Catahoula Crunch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s Largest ever marsh creation project is complete. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority celebrated the completion of the over 3000-acre Lake Borgne Marsh project in St. Bernard Parish with a ribbon cutting yesterday. Governor Landry called it a victory in the effort to protect Louisiana’s coast. The project which began in 2021 reinforces the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System around the Greater New Orleans area.

Entergy Louisiana broke ground this week on two new power plants in Rayville that will support Meta’s A-I data center. Entergy says Meta is paying for the state-of-the-art generation facilities, but environmental groups have raised concerns that the data centers will lead to higher energy costs for everyone. Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry says that’s what they want to find out with a new task force has begun meeting to make sure Louisiana has enough power to provide electricity for everyone.

Cut 25 (12) “…with that”

The three-day early signing period when Louisiana’s best high school football players sign with colleges begins today. LSU’s first signee of the day was Destrehan receiver Jabari Mack. Lee Brecheen of Louisiana Football Magazine says Mack reminds him of former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase…

Cut 8 (05) “..strong kid.”

The nation’s number one defensive tackle Richard Anderson from Edna Karr is holding off on signing at LSU but remains committed. He is reportedly waiting to see who Lane Kiffin will name as his new defensive line coach.