A second lawsuit has been filed against New Orleans city officials and the contractors performing construction work in the French Quarter over the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street that left 14 dead and several injured. Plaintiffs attorney Antonio Romanucci says the people celebrating that night believed steps were taken to prevent a terrorist attack

Cut 12 (18) “…never been upended.”

GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux outlined a comprehensive plan to protect the French Quarter from potential threats. By combining technology, law enforcement, and public cooperation, Thibodeaux aims to create a safer, more resilient French Quarter while preserving its cultural and economic vibrancy.

Cut 8 (09) “…will be safe.”

On the second day of confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy, Jr. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy questioned him about his stance on vaccines, and asked if approved to Secretary of HHS and presented with data showing vaccines are safe would he support and recommend those vaccines.

Cut 5 (07) “…to take those vaccines.”

At the end of today’s hearing, Cassidy said he’s struggling with Kennedy’s nomination because he did not publicly come out and say vaccines do not cause autism. Kennedy says he’ll only do so if the evidence proves otherwise.

DOTD is going to repair and replace thousands of road reflectors damaged by snowplows after the region’s heaviest snowfall in over a century. To clear highways, DOTD borrowed 16 snowplows and 70 workers from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Spokesperson Rodney Mallett emphasized reopening roads as the top priority.

Cut 9 (12)  “…very beneficial.”

A second Lawsuit has been brought against the New Orleans city officials and contractors for allegedly failing to protect those injured in the Bourbon Street terror attack in the wee hours of New Year’s morning. A Chicago based firm partnered with a New Orleans firm to represent 14 of the 21 people injured. The negligence suit was announced this morning, alleging that city officials failed in their duty of care. Well known personal injury attorney Morris Bart filed a suit earlier this month.

In preparation for the Superbowl and Mardi Gras, GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux outlined a comprehensive plan to protect the French Quarter from potential threats. The initiative focuses on enhancing public safety through increased law enforcement presence, surveillance upgrades, and improved emergency response coordination.

Cut 6 (13) “…prospective of the public.”

Senator Bill Cassidy questioned Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kenney Jr. about his stance on vaccines in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A 30-year Marine Corps veteran got the surprise of a lifetime – he was told by former LSU star quarterback Jayden Daniels that he was selected by USAA to go to the Super Bowl. Jonathan Knauth (kuh-NOWTH) of Stafford County, Virginia, says he was nominated for the tickets, but had forgotten all about it until he heard the news.

Cut 13 (09)  “…of the blue.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Tawan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested.

Louisiana’s education ranking has skyrocketed in the last two years, moving from 43^rd to 32^nd considering reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades. That’s according to the Nation’s Report Card for 2024. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state soared to new heights in all four metrics that went into the Nation’s Report Card.

Cut 5 (12) “…8^th grade math.” (applause)

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022.

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is the day Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP and to minimize delays in receiving refunds make sure contact information is up to date with the Department of Revenue…

Cut 14 (10) “…contact information.”

Investigators with the Shreveport police with the help of tips from Caddo Crime Stoppers located Larry Lewis but released him after an extensive interview.  They were seeking Lewis for questioning in connection with the robbery and homicide of Billy Lee Jamison in a Walgreens parking lot last week. SPD says they are confident in the arrest of Kelvin Lewis as the person responsible for the heinous crime and the investigation is ongoing particularly regarding the involvement of other individuals.

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place, Louisiana.”

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

It’s that time of year and today Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns and the Department of Revenue is encouraging filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP. Commercially available tax preparation software and paper returns by mail are also acceptable. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says those eligible for a refund will get them faster if they file electronically.

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Twan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested. Anthony was already on probation for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Henry was on parole after a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during his visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something because disasters can be too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Delicious Louisiana Strawberries will be a little late this year. Farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says measures to protect the berries helped the plants but not the berries already on the vine. She says the frigid temps costs them extra and set them back about three weeks.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

She says they will miss out on Valentine’s Day but will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival.

A two-vehicle accident on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Unconfirmed reports say both vehicles went into the water. Rescue divers responded and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not sustain injuries.

Governor Landry is asking Senator Bill Cassidy to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy says he hasn’t decided how he will vote yet and while he agrees with Kennedy on the dangers of ultra processed foods, he expressed concern over Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.

Cut 10 (15) “…data we accumulated .”

Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

An abundance of trees in Louisiana’s forests is creating an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The Baton Rouge area gained 11-hundred jobs in the last month to lead the state. The New Orleans area, on the other hand, lost 11-hundred jobs in the last month but still showed a year-over-year gain of 64-hundred jobs.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Farmers say despite the single-digit temperatures that gripped the state last week, sugarcane appears to have held up quite well, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Cut 4 (09) “…crop starts emerging.”

Gravois says the timing of the freeze helped avoid disaster.

Louisiana is reporting job growth again. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month with some select industries leading the way.

Cut 13 (12)  “…year as well.”

The Louisiana Forestry Association is encouraging industry to utilize the overabundance of trees in the state’s forests. Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says with trees growing at a much faster rate than those being harvested, that creates an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive.

And he says biofuels produced by forestry are entirely renewable.

Cut 8 (14) “…many different ways.”

Vandersteen says harvesting trees in forests will also reduce the threat of wildfires.

Governor Jeff Landry has called on the U.S. Senate, specifically Senator Bill Cassidy, to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy, who is up for re-election in 2026, faces political pressure from within his own party and RFK’s confirmation could play a role in his re-election.  Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

Cut 11 (10) “…focus on the campaign.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. And she says while the unemployment rate ticked up very slightly, the state is still in good shape in that regard.

Cut 14 (06) “…still relatively low.”

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane

Cut 3 (12) “…underground buds.”

Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Louisiana is looking at an abundance of trees. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says many industries that use forest products, like the paper industry, are declining while large numbers of trees are planted annually.

Cut 7 (09) “…in this state.”

He says the abundance creates an opening for the biofuel industry to use them and thrive.

A man wanted in the deadly shooting of a delivery driver outside a Shreveport Walgreens store is under arrest. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Tech has partnered with Archem, a Shreveport-based leader in advanced aerospace fuel solutions, to advance aerospace innovation. La Tech Chief Innovation Officer Donna Johnson says this collaboration unites academic research and industry expertise.

Cut 3 (08) “…get things set up.”

Last week’s historic snowstorm forced the closure of most of Interstate 10 through Louisiana, causing significant challenges. Louisiana Motor Transportation Association Executive Director Renee Amar says many drivers were stuck waiting for conditions to improve.

Cut 9 (07)  “…where you are.”

Amar says the lack of safe truck parking further complicated matters, as trucks resorted to parking on interstate shoulders, creating safety hazards.

Last week’s weather-related road closures across the state prevented many hunters from engaging in recreational hunting opportunities for several days during open season so the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced they are extending the season in some areas. The extension only applies to season dates and does not increase or otherwise affect the annual bag limit. For a list of the extensions check the website at wlf dot louisiana dot gov.

A St. Tammany Parish man is trouble for repeated incidents of animal cruelty. While Sheriff’s deputies were at the home of 36-year-old Steven Sims to arrest him on charges Saturday, they found eight more sick puppies in very poor conditions on a screened in porch. Authorities arrested Sims at a nearby gas station and Animal Services took possession of the puppies.

Shreveport Police say the man they believe shot and killed pharmaceutical delivery driver Billy Jamison in a Walgreens parking lot last Wednesday has been arrested in Texas. Corporal Chris Bordelon says Kelvin Lewis was arrested late last week on an unrelated charge. Larry Lewis is still being sought for his suspected involvement. Bordelon says this crime has shaken the community to the core. They believe Jamison was targeted, possibly because he had prescription drugs in his delivery vehicle.

Cut 7 (12) “…heinous crime responsible.”

Last week’s historic snowstorm forced the closure of most of I-10 through Louisiana, causing significant challenges for the trucking industry. Louisiana Motor Transportation Association Executive Director Renee Amar says many drivers were stuck waiting for conditions to improve.

Cut 11 (08) “…greatly appreciated that.”

Amar views the event as an opportunity to improve preparedness for future extreme weather impacts on transportation.

Louisiana State Police graduates its newest cadet class which was completely comprised of former law enforcement officers and because of that, Trooper Shelby Mayfield says they were able to put the cadets through an accelerated class

Cut 14 (07) “…in the agency.”

56 cadets began Cadet Class 105, and 51 graduated.