In three months, state lawmakers will head to Baton Rouge for the regular legislative session. Senate President Cameron Henry anticipates a lengthy discussion about the state’s future energy needs with construction beginning on two massive data centers and the possibility of more data centers begin built in the Bayou State…

Cut 4 (10) “…long run”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st.

If you’ve made healthy eating your new year’s resolution, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan says everything starts with the food chosen to fuel the body. She recommends focusing on balanced meals with lean protein, whole grains and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Cut 8 (10) “…and antioxidants.”

A statue is unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of a man who was tricked into slavery. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northup’ autobiography, 12 Years a Slave, was adapted into an Academy Award winning move in 2014. A screening of it was held over the weekend in Marksville.

Planning for the 2026 legislative session will intensify now that it’s a new year. Jeff Palermo reports on the big issues lawmakers will tackle this year…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The federal government minted its last penny about two months ago, but it will be decades before the penny becomes a rare coin. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says enough pennies have been minted to stack them to the moon and back.

Cut 13 (08)  “…I hope.”

A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of Solomon Northup a wrongfully enslaved man born a free man in upstate New York in 1807 whose Autobiography “12 Years a Slave,” you may know. His direct descendant, Melissa Howell, recounts that in 1841, two men approached him with what seemed to be a lucrative offer.

Cut 10 (14) “…nearly 12 years.”

He escaped slavery with the help of a Louisiana carpenter.

For those who made healthy lifestyle resolutions for the new year, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan has some helpful advice. She says maintaining any resolution starts with setting S.M.A.R.T goals.

Cut 7 (13) “…time-bound.”

The big political story for 2026 will be the U-S Senate race as Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy faces several challengers from his own party including State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez, state representative Julie Emerson and PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy has one big advantage…

Cut 10 (07) “…really tough re-election.”

Cassidy angered many Republicans when he voted to impeach President Trump in 2021.

Police began enforcing the ban on holding a phone while driving yesterday. When the new law was being debated, some said it would be discriminatory for those who drive older vehicles without Bluetooth capability to allow conversations through the car stereo speakers. State Police Trooper Shelby advises.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the steering wheel.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program, established when Congress approved President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says this funding will improve healthcare access in rural communities…

Cut 4 (15) “…live longer.”

Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are expected to be active as the college football transfer portal opens today. In addition to targeting quarterbacks Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects Kiffin to target the position groups that helped build Ole Miss’s playoff roster: defensive line and wide receiver.

Cut 15 (09) “…system is.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says the goal is to increase access to care and help rural residents with chronic or complex health conditions. He says the funds will help sustain operations and upgrade infrastructure at rural healthcare facilities.

Cut 6 (11) “…bigger cities.”

Yesterday, authorities began enforcing the ban on holding a phone while driving. The new law went into effect last August but until now, officers have been handing out warnings. The grace period ended with 2025. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says a previous ban has been in place for some time but this new law takes it one step further.

Cut 8 (08) “…hands-free manner.”

The college football transfer portal opens today and Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects Lane Kiffin and LSU to be active. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The primary election for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat is in May and this year certain races including the senate race will have a closed party primary. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says registered no party voters can vote in the closed primaries, but the Secretary of State’s office and the campaigns will need to educate voters…

Cut 11 (11) “..to declare.”

With the new year comes enforcement of a newer law. From now on, if you’re caught holding a phone while driving it will now cost you. The ban officially went into effect last August 1st; but until January 1^st, officers were only issuing warnings. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says the purpose of the ban on hand-held cell phones while driving is to increase everyone’s safety.

Cut 7 (12) “…result of that.”

The 2026 legislative session begins in March. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects a quiet session after lawmakers in 2025 approved a package of property insurance reform laws. Some of those measures didn’t go into effect until this new year, so Pinsonat doesn’t expect Governor Landry to be pushing more insurance reform bills..

Cut 12 (10) “…reforming insurance.”

The state is receiving 208 million dollars from the federal government that’s intended to improve healthcare in rural Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An arrest has been made in the shooting of a 2-year-old little girl Wednesday afternoon in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says the child was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her mother who saw and began following a car that she believed was stolen from a family member. The suspect driver fired several shots at the mother’s vehicle striking it several times and the 2-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to her head. Thursday, EBR Sheriff’s deputies located the suspect vehicle, made a traffic stop, and arrested Landrick Ruffin, Jr. Ruffin faces several charges including six counts of attempted first degree murder. The 2-year-old is hospitalized in critical condition.

The 2026 political scene will be engaged in the U.S. Senate race, and several Republicans would like to occupy the seat currently held by fellow Republican Bill Cassidy, among them are State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez, state representative Julie Emerson and PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy has one big advantage…

Cut 10 (07) “…really tough re-election.”

Cassidy angered many Republicans when he voted to impeach President Trump in 2021.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state is getting one of the largest allocations of federal funding through the Rural Health Transportation Program – 208 million dollars. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says this funding will improve healthcare access in rural communities, strengthen local healthcare systems and expand the number of available healthcare professionals

Cut 5 (08) “…are qualified.”

From now on, holding a cell phone to your ear while driving could cost you a few bucks. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The college football transfer window officially opens today, and Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects an eventful cycle with all of the coaching moves across the nation. Bromberg says Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin is one of the best at adapting to the portal, but he’s in for a tough task as he’s only been at LSU for a month.

Cut 13 (06)  “…right away.”

The Saints will be without Chris Olave in their final game of the season as they face the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday. Olave is being treated for blood clot in his lungs. The condition was fortunately caught early. He is reportedly doing well and expected to go home from the hospital today. This season Olave achieved career highs — 100 receptions, over 1,100 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns.

As the college football transfer portal opens tomorrow, LSU Linebacker Whit Weeks made it clear he’s not going anywhere. In a social media post, he said, “College Football is too hard to leave, and there is no better place in the country to be right now than Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All I want to do is ball in the purple and gold. See you in September.” 17 Tigers are planning to enter the portal and Geaux 247 writer Glen West says…

Cut 11 (14) “…line as well.”

New Orleans is looking to continue a three-year trend in 2026. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser are suggesting ten resolutions aimed at helping keep Louisiana clean in 2026 and Nungesser says you can report litter bugs to the litter hotline at 855-LA-LITTER, and those who are confirmed to be littering will get a ticket, which Nungesser says has been an effective way to prevent them from littering in the future.

Cut 5 (05) “…to litter again.”

A 2-year-old little girl is hospitalized in critical condition after she was shot in the head yesterday afternoon in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge.  Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse says the child was in a vehicle being driven by her mother who saw and began following a car that she believed was stolen from a family member. Police say the shooter got out of the vehicle and fired several shots toward the mother’s vehicle. The 2-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and the mother drove to the Scenic Highway BRPD precinct to seek help. The child was the only person injured. Police are seeking the suspect.

New Orleans saw a decrease in violent crime in 2025. According to figures from the Real-Time Crime Index and the Metropolitan Crime Commission, it’s the third year in a row overall violent crime rates fell. Jeff Asher, who analyzed the numbers for the Real-Time Crime Index, says murders were way down.

Cut 6 (11) “…had in 2022.”

The college football transfer portal opens tomorrow. Geaux 247 senior writer Glen West expects coach Lane Kiffin to a large number of players.

Cut 9 (12)  “…way for LSU.”

LSU has 17 players planning to enter the portal but Whit Weeks isn’t going anywhere. The star linebacker posted on social media “College Football is too hard to leave, and there is no better place in the country to be right now than Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All I want to do is ball in the purple and gold. See you in September.”

LSU Women’s Basketball enters SEC play tonight with the number one scoring offense in the country, averaging 108 points per game. The Lady Tigers have seven players averaging 10 or more points. Though the team is putting up historic offensive numbers, Coach Kim Mulkey says to remain successful, the team has to do two specific things well.

Cut 13 (14)  “…the defensive end.”

For the third year in a row New Orleans saw less violent crime in 2025. That’s according to figures from the Real-Time Crime Index and the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Jeff Asher, who analyzed the numbers for the Real-Time Crime Index, credits post-pandemic federal investment and says it’s paying off.

Cut 8 (13) “…places seeing decreases.”

He says the number of murders are down dramatically and other violent crimes were down between 60 and 80-percent compared to 2022.

It’s not too late to make a 2026 new year’s resolution to help keep our state beautiful and Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser have suggested ten resolutions. Nungesser says a few should be simple.

Cut 3 (10) “…tarps and straps.”

He asks businesses to keep their parking lots clean, make garbage cans available and be sure to empty them.

The college football transfer portal opens tomorrow and runs through the 16th, and LSU will be shopping for its next starting quarterback. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team opens conference play tonight against 11th-ranked Kentucky. In their 14 non-conference games, the Tigers’ average margin of victory was more than 55 points. On WWL radio, Head Coach Kim Mulkey said…

Cut 12 (10) “…about them.”

A baby died as a result of a house fire over the weekend in Breaux Bridge. The fire department responded to the fire just after 2:00 a.m. Sunday. Two of the child’s siblings suffered from smoke inhalation and the baby’s mother sustained burn injuries. The State Fire Marshalls office has not determined weather there was a working smoke detector in the home but during this tragedy, they are reminding Louisiana residents of the importance of making sure homes have working smoke alarms.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis is a coin expert and when he’s sworn-in next month will be the first U.S. Mint director from Louisiana. He says it’s his dream job…

Cut 9 (10)  “…afforded to me.”

In two days, Louisiana will again ride in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The float is titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” and features a giant pelican chef stirring a big pot of gumbo. One of the riders, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, says this year’s float is intended to promote Louisiana’s rich agriculture and seafood industries.

Cut 6 (11) “…all coming together.”

For the second straight year, Louisiana Tech is playing in the Independence Bowl today. As the Bulldogs take on Coastal Carolina in Shreveport, Senior defensive back Cedrick Woods wraps up his six-year college career with the Bulldogs. It’s his 58th game with the Bulldogs, which is the most played by a single player in program history. Woods says he is blessed to have been able to play for so many years.

Cut 14 (13) “…got this opportunity.”