Governor Jeff Landry has been traveling Louisiana in a five-point-five-million-dollar airplane unlike previous governors who used helicopters. State Police say the 20-year-old helicopters are difficult to maintain. Flight records show the plane traveling between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, near the governor’s home and several trips between Baton Rouge and New Orleans after the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. WRKF Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington says the plane was purchased last September….

Cut 10 (07) “…turbo prop plane.”

The University of New Orleans (UNO) will furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members as part of ongoing efforts to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit driven by low enrollment. This follows previous cost-cutting steps, including layoffs, administrative reductions, consolidating five colleges into two, and closing facilities. President Kathy Johnson says the decision was hard but necessary to secure UNO’s future.

Cut 6 (09) “…gut-wrenching.”

You’ll need a warm coat, gloves, hats and boots next week as Louisiana could see a significant winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans into a transitional shelter. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says the sweep is not city-wide.

Cut 12 (12) “…for Mardi Gras.”

Governor Jeff Landry issued a proclamation requesting Louisianans join him in flying their U.S. Flag and their Make America Great Again flag on January 20^th in honor of the Inauguration of President Donald Trump saying President Trump resoundingly won the 2024 election. The Louisiana Democratic Party quickly responded to the proclamation saying flying the MAGA flag at the Governor’s mansion is completely inappropriate and reckless and stating that the MAGA campaign slogan should not be displayed at the state-owned Governor’s mansion.

Many schools and all state offices will be closed on Tuesday as artic cold weather is expected to grip the state and there’s a chance we’ll see snow on Tuesday. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re looking at the possibility of a widespread snow event in the Bayou State…

Cut 3 (11) “…very, very closely.”

There’s a possibility we could even see snow south of I-10 and I-12.

The University of New Orleans is looking to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit as they furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members. Efforts to restructure UNO last year yielded limited savings, contributing to the current crisis, as the university faces additional debt obligations and potential revenue shortfalls. UNO CFO Edwin Litoff says UNO also plans stricter tuition collection.

Cut 8 (09) “…classes for next semister.”

The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans, who were living in encampments around the Superdome, into a transitional shelter in Gentilly. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says they’re doing a lot more than simply giving the homeless people shelter, food, showers and laundry.

Cut 13 (07)  “…get to work.”

The shelter will be open through Mardi Gras and later if needed.

The governor and attorney general reacted angrily to a Justice Department report saying Louisiana State Police troopers routinely use excessive force during drug arrests and vehicle pursuits. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many schools and all state offices will be closed on Tuesday due to the possibility of a memorable winter storm. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim models are indicating that moisture from the Gulf, combined with cold temperatures will help produce snow, possibly multiple inches…

Cut 5 (08) “…I-10, I-12.”

Governor Jeff Landry has been flying in a five-point-five-million-dollar airplane to travel the state. Previous governors used helicopters but according to State Police the helicopters were 20 years old and difficult to maintain. WRKF Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington broke the story along with Julie O’ Donoghue from the Louisiana Illuminator…

Cut 9 (09)  “…traveling on it.”

The University of New Orleans will furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members as they look to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit driven by low enrollment. UNO CFO Edwin Litoff says the furloughs aim to save 1.7-million-dollars, with a hiring freeze projected to reduce the deficit by an additional 2.5-million-dollars. However, Litoff acknowledges that further cuts, layoffs, and retirement incentives will be needed.

Cut 7 (09) “…end of the year.”

Lockport basted Bollinger Shipyard has agreed to pay over a million dollars to resolve allegations that they knowingly billed the U.S. Coast Guard for vessels built using illegal workers. The Coast Guard paid Bollinger for their Fast Response Cutters built from 2015 to 2020 without confirming employee’s legal status to work in the U.S. resulting in several ineligible employees working on the contract that provided the vessels say authorities. Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari with the Department of Homeland Security says, “Today’s settlement sends a clear message that contractors providing services to DHS programs will be held accountable for breaking the law.”

Louisiana is expected to have nice warm temperatures before brutal cold moves in. National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Slaughter says it’s still too early to determine whether any area will have wintry precipitation.

Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”

The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana are merging. CABL president Barry Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 can do great things for the state under the new moniker of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Cut 11 (07) “…so to speak.”

Louisiana U-S Representative Clay Higgins blasted the former head of Social Security Administration, Martin O’ Malley for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees saying it caused extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline. O’Malley blamed Congress for reducing staffing levels to 50-year lows. Higgins wants to reverse the current telework union agreement that runs through October 2029…

Cut 14 (10) “…watch us do it.”

17-year-old LSU backup quarterback Colin Hurley was found in his Dodge Charger unresponsive but breathing around 2:45 this morning after LSU Police say he crashed into a tree near the south gates of LSU. The cause of the crash has not been released and may be unknown, but investigators say they do not believe Hurley was impaired. Emergency personnel removed Hurley from the vehicle and transported him to an area hospital. Hurley is the third string QB behind Garrett Nussmeier and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren.

Louisiana is bracing for brutally cold temperatures next week.   National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Cut 7 (08) “…single digits.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customers service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says Louisiana is the first state in the country to secure federal approval of broadband funds.

Cut 3 (08) “…our federal funds.”

During a Congressional hearing, Louisiana U-S Representative Clay Higgins blasted the former head of the Social Security Administration, Martin O’ Malley, for agreeing to a telework arrangement with the Social Security Administration union, blaming a telework agreement for slow service. He called the SSA helpline during the hearing and was on hold for an hour and a half without speaking to an employee.

Cut 13 (12) “…nobody (phone thrown down).”

O’Malley blamed Congress for reducing staffing levels to 50-year lows.

The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana are merging to become Leaders for a Better Louisiana. CABL president Barry Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.

Cut 10 (12) “…state as well.”

He says they can do great things for the state under the new moniker of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Louisiana takes a huge step towards launching broadband internet statewide. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Much of Louisiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow, starting Monday night and into Tuesday. National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says artic air will move in on Sunday and it will get very cold a couple of days later.

Cut 6 (05) “…Tuesday and Wednesday.”

He says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night

The Lineup for New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is out.  The two weekends beginning April 24^th will feature just about every style of American music  including Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne, Lenny Kravitz, Kacy Musgraves, Santana, John Fogerty, Burna Boy, Cage the Elephant, Gladys Knight, Pattie LaBelle, Harry Connick Jr. and hundreds more. “Locals Thursday” advance tickets for only $50 will go on sale soon for Louisiana residents. Weekend passes and VIP packages are available now at nojazzfest.com.

The Louisiana Department of Education launches its new website today. Department spokesman Ted Beasley says the old website was ten years old and was getting to be a tad cumbersome to use. Beasley says the new website is easier to navigate.

Cut 6 (10) “…they’re looking for.”

President Biden delivers his farewell address at seven tonight. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We’ll have to wait a few more days before forecasters can accurately predict the possibility for snow but LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says there’s a chance a large portion of the state could see snow and ice on Tuesday, and what we know for sure is that it will be cold.

Cut 9 (11)  “…freezing mark.”

Two arrests have been made in Saturday’s Dubberly bon fire shooting that left six wounded, two critically. 23-year-old Zyan Adominick-Jaire Stanley is charged with six counts of attempted first degree murder and 22-year-old- Jacolby Tyrone Snell was booked as accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says the investigation continues and more arrests are expected. The two critically wounded victims are improving and expected to recover.

President Biden delivers his farewell address tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Biden will tout his accomplishments in his four years in office.

Cut 3 (09) “…massive infrastructure investment.”

All in all, Cross expects this farewell address to be a traditional one.

The Louisiana Department of Education launches its new website today. Department spokesman Ted Beasley says the new website is easier to navigate and more aesthetically pleasing.

Cut 8 (10) “…they’re looking for”

The website also has a new web address – doe.louisiana.gov. Anyone using louisianabelieves.com will be redirected to the new URL.

President Biden delivers his farewell address tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Biden’s address to be a traditional one.

Cut 5 (13) “…some looking ahead.”

Biden’s address is seven Central time.

The Best Nursing School in these United States is right here in Louisiana. For the first time since the program was founded almost 40 years ago, Southern University’s School of Nursing has been named the Best Nursing School in the United States by nurse.org. Southern Nursing School Dean Sandra Brown says Southern didn’t get this honor on their own…

Cut 15 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

Train service between New Orleans and Mobile is a step closer to reality. Amtrak has received another 21 million dollars from the Federal Railroad Administration to restart the line that was suspended after Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the service could help underprivileged areas along the line.

Cut 9 (09)  “…by vehicle.”

Louisiana loves our King Cakes but many are unable to enjoy the traditional sweet but there is an alternative. The Eat Fit King Cake developed by Ochsner’s Eat Fit initiative has 93% fewer carbs, zero sugar, no artificial dyes, and four times more protein. It is also certified gluten-free and clean-label and Eat Fit Founder Molly Kimball says this year they’re adding Eat Fit King Cake Cupcakes.

Cut 11 (07) “…stuff like that.”

The investigation continues into Saturday’s mass shooting in Webster Parish that injured six people, two of them critically. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A student at Livonia High School in Pointe Coupee Parish is under arrest for allegedly stabbing a classmate. The alleged stabber was taken into custody immediately after the incident at eight this morning. The student is hospitalized in stable condition. All students were dismissed for the day shortly after the stabbing.

There will be no Federal charges against the white police officers involved in the 2019 deadly arrest of Black driver Ronald Greene near Monroe. The Justice Department informed Greene’s family of its decision today. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors reached their conclusion after a very exhaustive investigation.

Cut 14 (11) “…by the FBI.”

A Louisiana grand jury indicted five officers on state charges. One of them, Chris Hollingsworth, died in a car crash in 2020. A civil suit against the officers is still pending.

With Truancy rates reaching 41% in Louisiana last school year, BESE, the Louisiana Department of Education and the state Legislature are working to address the issue.  BESE Vice President Stacey Melerine (mel-uh-REEN) says a 2024 report by the Success Through Attendance Recovery task force proposes several solutions, including requiring schools to monitor attendance data, creating a discretionary referral process for truancy cases, and formally defining chronic absenteeism

Cut 8 (10) “…address those.”