A judge has ordered LSU to immediately reinstate law professor Ken Levy after suspending him for alleged inappropriate classroom statements. A court hearing is set for Feb. 10.  Levy’s Attorney Jill Craft called the case a crucial free speech issue, while LSU vowed to continue its investigation, emphasizing respect and professionalism in the classroom.

Cut 8 (11) “…feelings hurt.”

High schools who sue the LHSAA over sanctions the association has imposed on them will no longer be allowed to participate in postseason play in the sport in which the lawsuit is filed. It’s a reaction to what happened this fall when University High filed a lawsuit against the LHSAA who stripped most of their wins away from them for using ineligible players. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says the suit threatened to push back the playoffs for every school…

Cut 14 (07) “…cleans that up” .”

The vote was 180 to 159 in favor.

The City of New Orleans is in global spotlight it hosts Super Bowl 59 next Sunday. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Nation’s Report Card shows Louisiana 4th graders led the nation in reading improvement moving from 42^nd to 16^th place in the last two years. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says it helped that Louisiana students were back in the classroom faster than other states following the pandemic.

Cut 9 (12)  “…wrong direction.”

The findings of a survey by Tulane’s Newcomb Institute point to an epidemic in Louisianans’ mental health. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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This week we learned that Louisiana made a huge jump in the national rankings in the area of fourth grade reading, from 46 in 2022 to 16 in 2024. Sean Richardson on how that may have happen…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s struggling with Robert F Kennedy’s nomination for U-S Health Secretary. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Tulane’s Newcomb Institute uncovered some alarming mental health concerns with a recently released 2023 statewide survey. Executive Director, Anita Raj calls it a mental health crisis of epidemic proportions with one in nine Louisiana adults living with severe depression and/or anxiety – many contemplating self-harm.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the past year.”

Raj says in Louisiana, an alarming number of men especially have contemplated suicide – greater than one in ten have thought about suicide in the past year. She says risks of non-intervention are substantial so if you see alarming behaviors, seek help

Cut 5 (11) “…against themselves or others.”

Raj says Louisiana has a shortage of mental health providers, but help is available. If someone is struggling, even if they don’t have a plan to harm themselves, they could still be in a difficult or dire circumstance that needs intervention.

Cut 6 (11) “…they are concerned about.”

9-8-8 can help connect those needing support with resources in their area. The survey is available at newcomb.tulane.edu

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Louisiana made significant progress on the Nation’s Report Card with 4th graders leading the nation in reading improvement. Fourth graders advanced from 42nd to 16th place in reading, while 8th graders moved up 10 spots to 29.  Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says a few years ago, public schools decided to go back to the basics when teaching reading and math.

Cut 7 (12) “…negative trends.”

Erwin credited policies focused on the “science of reading” and expanded tutoring. He says there was also more of a focus on early intervention as a key to improving literacy.

Cut 8 (08) “…earliest ages.”

Erwin says improvement started in 2021 and because Louisiana students were back in the classroom faster than other states following the pandemic, it played a factor in the improvement of reading.

Cut 9 (12)  “…wrong direction.”

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy admits he’s struggling with the confirmation vote for Robert F Kennedy Jr as Secretary for the U-S Health Department. Kennedy is known as a vaccine skeptic and that bothers Cassidy, who is a physician. The Baton Rouge Republican is concerned Kennedy will never accept evidence that shows vaccines do not cause autism……

Cut 10 (16) “…United States.”

Cassidy made the comments after participating in two different confirmation hearings for Kennedy. Cassidy is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which will vote on advancing Kennedy’s nomination to the floor.

The senior Senator, who is up for re-election next year, will likely face backlash from fellow Republicans if he doesn’t vote to confirm Kennedy.

But Cassidy says if Kennedy tells the public as the Health Secretary that vaccines are harmful, but a person actually dies from a vaccine-preventable disease, it will come back against the Trump administration

Cut 11 (12) “…it can be.”

Cassidy says if Kennedy would admit that vaccines do not cause autism, this would be an easy vote and a powerful message for Americans…

Cut 12 (10) “…is your power.”

During his two days of confirmation hearings, Kennedy said he would follow the science on vaccines and he’ll publicly apologize if he’s wrong about his previous anti-vaccine statements. Kennedy will likely need 51 votes in the U.S. Senate to become the next HHS secretary.

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A longtime high school football coach in northwest Louisiana has been nominated for the Don Shula High School Coach of the Year Award. The New Orleans Saints nominated Calvary Baptist head coach Rodney Guin for the award that’s named after the NFL’s winningest coach. Guin has won 205 games as a head coach and calls it an honor to be recognized…

Cut 13 (11)  “…huh.”

Guin led Calvary Baptist to a state championship in 2023 and 2020. He also had a lot of success at Haughton High School, where he helped mold current Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Guin says the nomination came out of the blue…

Cut 14 (11) “…for us.”

Guin did not win the Don Shula National Coach of the Year Award. That went to Bill Jacklin of Wisconsin. But Guin says the nomination came with two tickets to next week’s Super Bowl and he’s taking his better half…

Cut 15 (07) “…wife.”

A second lawsuit has been filed against New Orleans city officials and the contractors working in the French Quarter over the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street. The suit claims 40-million dollars in security upgrades were mismanaged and Plaintiffs attorney Antonio Romanucci says the city of New Orleans has no problem inviting tourists to the French Quarter, but they failed in their duty to care for them by allowing a truck to drive around a police car and unleash terror

Cut 14 (13) “…be shocked.”

A similar lawsuit was filed earlier this month by well-known New Orleans personal injury attorney Morris Bart.

Thousands of road reflectors damaged by snowplows brought in to clear major highways after last week’s rare and significant snowfall. Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD is hiring a contractor for the work, though no cost estimate or timeline has been provided. Mallet says the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined.

Cut 11 (05) “…right now.”

He says the added safety benefit the reflectors provide is worth the cost to replace the damaged ones.

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.”

Ahead of the Superbowl, 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.”

Today was the second day of confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy, Jr. Kennedy appeared in front of the Senate Health Committee, chaired by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Cassidy questioned Kennedy about his stance on vaccines, asking him if he thought measles and Hepatitis B vaccines caused autism…

Cut 3 (14) “…that really is a yes or no.”

In preparation for the Superbowl and Mardi Gras, GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux outlined a comprehensive plan to protect the French Quarter from potential threats. He says increased law enforcement presence, surveillance upgrades, and infrastructure improvements, including reinforced barriers and upgraded lighting, are part of the strategy to deter criminal activity and ensure a secure environment for residents and tourists.

Cut 7 (09) “…entertainment venue.”

DOTD is planning to replace road reflectors damaged by out of state snowplows brought in to clear major highways after the heaviest snowfall in over a century. Louisiana borrowed 16 snowplows and 70 workers from the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says reflectors are not federally required but the added safety benefit is worth the cost to replace them.

Cut 10 (14) “…money on reflectors.”

A full assessment is still pending, but thousands likely need repairs or replacement.

New Orleans city officials and the contractors performing construction work in the French Quarter are facing a second lawsuit over the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street that left 14 dead and several injured. The lawsuit claims the 40-million dollars in security upgrades were mismanaged leaving Bourbon Street unprotected from a vehicle-based attack. Plaintiffs’ attorney Antonio Romanucci…

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

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.