For the third year, Louisiana will ride in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” features a giant pelican chef stirring a big pot of gumbo. One of the riders will be Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who says the process of making the float is impressive.

Cut 5 (07) “…100-thousand.”

This year’s musical guest is American Idol runner-up John Foster.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis is named the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint and  will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters at facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and West Point, New York. He says special coins will be produced to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 8 (08) “…mint products”

Hollis expects to be sworn in next month, possibly during Washington, DC, Mardi Gras. His favorite coin is a 1925 U.S. Indian Head Quarter Eagle. He has it in his pocket for every special occasion in his life.

Louisiana Tech plays in its second straight Independence Bowl today. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Now that new LSU Athletic Director, Verge Ausberry has secured a new head football coach in Lane Kiffin, he says a big part of his job in 2026 will be fundraising…

Cut 12 (13) “…in different areas.”

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In just two days, Louisiana will show itself off to the world when it glides its float along the streets of Pasadena, California, for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve been working hard getting the float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” ready for Thursday morning’s big show.

Cut 4 (08) “…on this float.”

Louisiana Tech is playing in its second straight Independence Bowl today, as the Bulldogs take on Coastal Carolina at one p.m. in Shreveport. Head coach Sonny Cumbie will face off against Chanticleers’ interim head coach Jeremiah Johnson, who served as Tech’s defensive coordinator in 2024. Cumbie says this year’s defense is a little bit different than Johnson’s from last year.

Cut 13 (12)  “…they create takeaways.”

LSU’s football season is over and newly hired head coach, Lane Kiffin has a big task in front of him as he must rebuild a roster that went 7-and-6 this season. Kiffin says signing high-caliber players out of the transfer portal will be critical to their success in 2026, and appearing on Talk 107-3 Baton Rouge, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard said LSU officials have all the confidence in Kiffin to get the job done.

Cut 11 (06) “…we hired him.”

The driver of the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run crash causing the death of a cyclist in Lake Charles Saturday evening has been arrested. LCPD says 20-year-old Mathew Vipond called police the night of the crash to report he had been involved in a crash. He faces several charges including first degree vehicular negligent injuring, hit and run with death. Underage operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The cyclist, 64-year-old Jay Borom suffered multiple injuries and was transported to a Baton Rouge hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint. Hollis, who has been involved in million-dollar sales of rare coins, has been an avid coin collector since he was a child when he was gifted a Peace Dollar.

Cut 7 (11) “…coins ever since.”

Just two days until Louisiana shows itself off to the world on the streets of Pasadena, California. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU made headlines several times in 2025. The Tigers Baseball team won an eighth national championship in June, fired head football coach Brian Kelly and hired Lane Kiffin. LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard was a guest on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge. He talked about the hiring of Kiffin saying he emerged quickly as their top choice to replace Kelly.

Cut 10 (08) “…in the world.”

Researchers at Tulane have taken the lead in developing a vaccine to protect against a little-known, yet potentially deadly tropical disease. after ten years of development, Dr. Lisa Morici and her team have taken their melioidosis vaccine from discovery through pre-clinical testing to GMP manufacturing of drug substance. Dr. Morici says while it is little-known, melioidosis could have an impact locally.

Cut 11 (06) “…U.S. Gulf Coast.”

Melioidosis is sometimes known as the great mimicker, since it can look like a lot of different illnesses.

Hundreds of National Guard Troops will be in New Orleans from New Year’s Eve through Mardi Gras in February. After calling the deployment a scare tactic meant to score political points, New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Morena now says she appreciates the support from federal partners, having been assured that it’s designed strictly to increase public safety and comes at no cost to the city. Governor Jeff Landry says the state is always ready to help President Trump with national security.

Cut 9 (09)  “…so much better.”

The beautiful warm weather we’ve been enjoying is coming to an end. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says cold weather is here.

Cut 4 (09) “…Gulf Coast today.”

Highs for the next few days, highs are expected to be in the 50s and 60s with lows as low as the 20s for some northern parishes. Temperatures should return to the 70s for most of the state this weekend.

For the second straight week, Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough threw for more than 300 yards as he threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns in yesterday’s come-from-behind win over the Tennessee Titans. Shough says the team was not down despite trailing by ten-points at half…

Cut 15 (13) “…great team win.”

The final score was 34-26. It was the Saints fourth consecutive win. New Orleans concludes the regular season by visiting Atlanta and they’re looking to finish with a 7-10 record.

A boy who would have turned 18 next month was killed in a Shooting in a Monroe neighborhood, in broad daylight Sunday Morning. Police are investigating the shooting that fatally injured Ryan Gray and injured another 17-year-old. Witness reports say there were three male shooters — two riding bicycles and one on foot. They scattered after firing their weapons. So far no arrests have been made. The Monroe Police Department is asking anyone with information to call them 318-329-2600 or call Crime Stoppers at 318-388-CASH.

President Trump is sending about 350 National Guard Troops to New Orleans at the request of Governor Jeff Landry.

Cut 8 (07) “…we desperately need”

Landry appeared on The Will Cain Show on the Fox News Channel. New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Morena who initially called the deployment plan a scare tactic meant to score political points, now says she appreciates the support since being reassured the it was strictly a public safety plan and will not cost the city.

LSU’s 2025 football season ended with a loss in the Texas Bowl. Andrew Greenstein was there.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The lovely warm weather on Christmas day will not be repeated on New Years Day. The temperatures began dropping Sunday night and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be especially cold.

Cut 6 (08) “…I-10/I-12 corridor.”

Fortunately, Temperatures are expected to return to the 70s this weekend.

As Louisiana gets set to ring in the new year, President Trump is deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to the state. Trump is acting on a request from Governor Landry, who talked about it on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel.

Cut 7 (05) “…elsewhere around Louisiana.”

He said about 350 of those troops will be deployed to New Orleans, and they will stay through Mardi Gras in February.

The Saints were down by 13 points but came from behind to beat Tennessee 34-26 Sunday improving to 6 – 10. Defensive end Chase Young started the rally in the second quarter by stripping the ball away from Titans quarterback Cam Ward and returning the fumble 33 yards for a T-D. Young is playing at a high level, and so are the Saints…

Cut 14 (14) “…keep fighting.”

Researchers at Tulane University are taking the lead on a vaccine to combat a little-known, potentially deadly illness. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

The temperature swings of Louisiana winters have begun and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the latest drop starts today.

Cut 5 (07) “…along the coast.”

For most of the state, temperatures return to the 70s this weekend.

Researchers at Tulane have taken the lead in developing a vaccine to protect against a little-known, yet potentially deadly tropical disease. Dr. Lisa Morici with the Tulane University School of Medicine says after ten years of development, she and her team have taken their meliodosis vaccine from discovery through pre-clinical testing to GMP manufacturing of drug substance.

Cut 10 (08) “…perhaps in Europe.”

Morici and her team’s findings are published in the journal “Nature Communications.”

The beautiful warm weather we’ve been enjoying is coming to an end. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says cold weather is here.

Cut 4 (09) “…Gulf Coast today.”

Highs for the next few days, highs are expected to be in the 50s and 60s with lows as low as the 20s for some northern parishes. Temperatures should return to the 70s for most of the state this weekend.

Hundreds of National Guard troops are set to deploy to cities throughout Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints fell behind 13-0, but rallied to take the lead in the fourth quarter and went on to beat Tennessee 34-26 for their fourth win in a row. Coach Kellen Moore has orchestrated the team’s longest winning streak in five years, but Moore gives credit to the players…

Cut 13 (09)  “…really special.”

The Saints conclude the regular season by visiting Atlanta and are looking to finish with a 7-10 record.

The big news this week is Governor Jeff Landry’s new volunteer job as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland. The president says Greenland is critical to the United States’ national security interests. Governor Landry was on Fox News this week. He says Greenland, the arctic island owned by Denmark, could become a better country if owned by the U-S…

Cut 8 (08) “…they actually deserve?”

Greenland’s Prime Minister says they are not interested in being acquired by the United States.

A tragic Christmas morning domestic incident ended with deadly force resulting in the death of a man who was holding a victim hostage at knifepoint. Calwell Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call and found Forrest Nelson with a large knife pressed against the victim’s abdomen demanding to leave a residence with his victim. When the victim struggled to get away, Nelson reportedly drew back the knife to stab the victim and deputies shot him. There were three children in the home at the time of the incident.

The insurance commissioner says auto premiums turned the corner in 2025 and expects the momentum to continue in 2026. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The LSU Tigers’ 2025 football season wraps up Saturday when the Tigers take on 21st-ranked Houston in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl. Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says some of LSU’s best players have also opted out of the bowl game as they begin preparations for the NFL draft.

Cut 14 (05) “…the offensive line.”

Eleven players on the 2025 team have announced they plan on transferring, including two starting offensive linemen — Carrius Curne and Coen Echols.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple expects insurance rates to continue to improve in 2026 because of legislation passed this year. He says 30 auto insurance carriers filed for premium decreases in 2025 but he says while premiums are going in the right direction, they’re still considerably higher than those in neighboring states like Mississippi and Alabama. He says there’s one key to getting to those lower levels.

Cut 10 (08) “…it should be.”

Temple says he’s focused on making Louisiana a great place for all parties when it comes to insurance.

A member of the LSU’s 2025 national championship baseball team has signed with the Kansas City Royals organization. Michael Braswell was a third baseman and shortstop for the Tigers, but he’s signed with K-C as a pitcher. He features a fastball in the mid-90s.

Denmark is not happy with President Trump’s talk of acquiring Greenland from them to increase U.S. national security, nor are they happy with the president’s appointment of Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. During an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel, Landry says Denmark has neglected the country and other countries have taken advantage…

Cut 7 (08) “…the Western Hemisphere.”

There are only 57-thousand people in Greenland, but the territory has a vast supply of minerals and rare earths. Landry says he wants to use his role to take the U.S. message directly to the people of Greenland.

2025 has been tough for Louisiana farmers because of low commodity prices. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says corn acreage increased by over 60-percent because the soybean price was so low. Now corn prices have fallen below the cost of production.

Cut 4 (04) “…of the situation.”

He says there is a bright spot for ranchers. Beef prices are near record levels creating profitable conditions for the first time in a while.

Governor Landry appears to be walking back earlier social media comments about making Greenland a part of the U.S. after he was named special envoy to the island that President Trump wants to wrest from Denmark. Landry appeared on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel.

Cut 6 (12) “…we represent protection.”

He says he wants to use his role to take the U.S. message directly to the people of Greenland.

Christmas morning was tragic for the families of 4 people who died in an early morning crash in St. James Parish. The two-vehicle accident happened just before 4:00 am on Highway 641. Four of the five people in a Honda Accord that lost control and struck a GMC Sierra were unrestrained and died as a result of their injuries. A 13-year-old in the back seat was improperly restrained and survived but was transported to a hospital with moderate injuries. The driver of the GMC also was properly restrained and was transported to the hospital with moderate injuries.

LSU puts a wrap on the 2025 season by playing Houston in the Texas Bowl tomorrow night. Jeff Palermo has a preview.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says 2025 was the year when Louisianans started seeing their insurance rates go down, and he’s looking forward to the trend continuing in 2026. Temple says 30 auto insurance carriers filed for premium decreases in 2025. And in 2026, rates will continue to go down because of legislation passed earlier this year.

Cut 9 (09)  “…impact next year.”