3:30 PM Newscast Jan 3

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton was re-elected as House Speaker, but it came with drama. Two Republican Congressmen initially voted for someone else, but switched their support when given another chance, giving Johnson the necessary votes to retain the gavel. Johnson told the House it’s time to get to work and that means putting Americans first again…

Cut 3 (12) “…working people.”

The coldest weather of the season is coming. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be in the 70s on Sunday but then a strong cold front will move in. He says the threat of severe weather exists Sunday for nearly the entire state, starting Sunday morning for northwest Louisiana and moving across the state as the day goes on…

Cut 13 (05)  “…lookout for that.”

High temperatures statewide on Monday will only be in the 40s

Days after the New Year’s Day Terror attack on Bourbon Street there’s an increased security presence around the French Quarter. Russell Desmond owner of Arcadian Books located in the French Quarter says it was on full display for Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl as bomb sniffing dogs checked vehicles at the Dome. Desmond says we need to remember those lost and put security measures in place to prevent attacks like this in the future but moving forward is necessary for the city.

Cut 9 (11)  “…doesn’t happen again.”

Many of the victims of Wednesday’s terror attack on Bourbon Street were brought to University Medical Center in New Orleans. Chief Medical Officer Jeffrey Elder:

Cut 5 (14) “…sister LCMC Hospitals.”

Elder says the majority of the injuries that hospital personnel treated were orthopedic injuries – broken bones, including arms and legs.

2:30 PM Newscast Jan 3

It was close but 2 last minute votes came through to re-elect Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the House of Representatives today Representatives Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas changed their votes to Johnson at the last minute, bringing the votes for Johnson to the needed. 218. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie kept his word to not cast his vote for Johnson. Johnson secured President-elect Donald Trump’s support just before the new year, but many republicans were upset over the way he handled the budget bill just before Christmas.

As they were sworn in today, the Republican controlled House and Senate say they have a mandate from voters to improve the livelihoods of Americans. Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says they have an ambitious agenda to carry out in the first 100 days…

Cut 3 (11) “…America’s economy.”

In the wake of the New Year’s Day Terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, French Quarter businesses are asking what can be done to prevent something like it from happening again.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The mild weather we’ve been experiencing will come to an end on Sunday as the coldest weather of the season will begin to make its way into the Bayou State. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be in the 70s on Sunday, but be prepared for a big change…

Cut 12 (10) “…so far.”

Keim says the threat of severe weather exists Sunday for nearly the entire state

5:30 PM Newscast Jan 2

The F-B-I now says the man who drove a rented pickup truck at a high rate of speed down Bourbon Street killing at least 14 others, acted alone and they no longer believe others were involved in the New Orleans terrorist attack. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says that 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on Monday posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

President Joe Biden says Jabbar lived in Houston and served in the United States Army and in the Army Reserve until a few years ago….

Cut 3 (12) “…desire to kill.”

Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and he will never forget them. He adds measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday. Among those measures is the placement of Heavy-duty metal barricades called Archers along Bourbon Street sidewalks. The portable barricades can withstand vehicle impacts. They temporarily replace the bollards that are usually present but had been removed for repair prior to the attack.

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”

4:30 PM Newscast Jan 2

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he drove at a high rate of speed on Bourbon Street.

Cut 5 (12) “…been briefed on.”

Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30th posting videos to Social Media along the way. In one, Jabbar proclaimed his support of ISIS which he said he joined before this summer.  Raia says FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two IEDs inside coolers.  One at the cross-section of Bourbon and Orleans Avenue and a second one two blocks away.

Cut 7 (14) “…that were functioning.”

After the terrorist attack, authorities wasted no time in beefing up security in the French Quarter. Heavy-duty metal barricades called “Archers” have been installed along Bourbon Street sidewalks. The archer barricades are portable and can withstand vehicle impacts. They temporarily replace the bollards that are usually present but had been removed for repair prior to the attack.

Baton Rouge native Kareem Badawi was one of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. The recent Episcopal graduate was a freshman at the University of Alabama. Episcopal Head Football Coach Travis Bourgeois coached Badawi all four years.

Cut 14 (14) “…and good times.”

Bourgeois says he watched Badawi grow up and become a man. He says he was a man of integrity on and off the football field.

LRN PM Newscall Jan 2

The FBI has confirmed that the New Orleans terrorist suspect acted alone and he also planted explosive devices on Bourbon Street.  Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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President Joe Biden says the FBI is working non-stop, investigating the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Borbon Street. Biden says the man who carried out the attack is 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Houston resident who served in the United States Army and served in the Army Reserve until a few years ago….

Cut 3 (12) “…desire to kill.”

Biden says his administration will support and offer any resources to the investigation to the city of New Orleans.

Cut 4 (16) “…shine forth.”

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Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he drove at a high rate of speed on Bourbon Street..

Cut 5 (12) “…been briefed on.”

Raia says Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30th posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

In another video, Jabbar proclaimed his support of ISIS which he said he joined before this summer.  Raia says FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two IEDs inside coolers.  One at the cross-section of Bourbon and Orleans Avenue and a second one two blocks away.

Cut 7 (14) “…that were functioning.”

Raia confirmed Jabbar was not wearing a suicide vest and  is one of the 15 confirmed dead.

Anyone with information, photos or video should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged the public to assist in the investigation….

Cut 8 (12) “…to do that.”

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New Orleans is hosting a college football playoff game this afternoon at the Superdome and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says Bourbon Street reopened prior to kick-off…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the French Quarter.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and will never forget them, but it would be a tragedy if we let their losses be snuffed out because of fear…

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”

Landry says in the past 24 hours measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…we were before.”

 

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One of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack is Lafayette native and former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech. The 2015 graduate of STM also played lacrosse and was on the track and field team. He went on to play football at Princeton and was working in New York City. STM Principal Marty Cannon coached Bech

Cut 12 (12) “…really special.”

Bech was 28-years-old. His younger brother played at LSU for two seasons and will play in the NFL next season after having a big year at TCU in 2024. Cannon says Bech visited STM frequently and felt blessed to have seen him over the holidays…

Cut 13 (13)  “…to see him.”

Baton Rouge native Kareem Badawi was another victim of the attack. The recent Episcopal graduate was a freshman at the University of Alabama. Episcopal Head Football Coach Travis Bourgeois coached Badawi all four years.

Cut 14 (14) “…and good times.”

Bourgeois says he watched Badawi grow up and become a man. He says he was a man of integrity on and off the football field…

Cut 15 (10) “…the right thing.”

Episcopal will hold a prayer service at the Lewis Family Memorial Chapel tonight at 6:00 for Badawi and fellow alumni Parker Vidrine who was critically injured in the attack.

3:30 PM Newscast Jan 2

The FBI has confirmed that the New Orleans terrorist suspect acted alone, and he also planted explosive devices on Bourbon Street.  Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…Im Andrew Greenstein.”

Raia says Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30th posting five videos to his Facebook account during this time.

Cut 6 (14) “…end quote.”

One of the victims of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack is Lafayette native and former St. Thomas More football star Tiger Bech. The 2015 graduate of STM also played lacrosse and was on the track and field team. He went on to play football at Princeton and was working in New York City. STM Principal Marty Cannon coached Bech

Cut 12 (12) “…really special.”

Bech was 28 years old.

New Orleans is hosting the Sugar Bowl, a college football playoff game, this afternoon at the Superdome and Governor Jeff Landry says in the past 24 hours measures have already been taken to make Bourbon Street and the French Quarter safer today than yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…we were before.”

2:30 PM Newscast Jan 2

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. The FBI says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he mowed down pedestrians on Bourbon Street. FBI Bomb Technicians recovered two functionable IEDs inside coolers in the French Quarter. 15 people are confirmed dead including Jabbar. The investigation continues and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urges the public to assist.

Cut 8 (12) “…to do that.”

Anyone with information, photos or video should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

President Joe Biden says his administration will support and offer any resources to the investigation to the city of New Orleans.

Cut 4 (16) “…shine forth.”

Two former Louisiana high school football players were among the 15 killed in the New Year’s bourbon Street terrorist attack. Kace Kieschnick has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry says the victims are in his thoughts and prayers and will never forget them, but it would be a tragedy if we let their losses be snuffed out because of fear…

Cut 10 (08) “…pressure of life.”

4:30 PM Newscast Dec 31

Louisiana Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson wants to remain Speaker of the U-S House and his chances of being re-elected improved with President elect Donald Trump’s endorsement.  A new Congress will be sworn in on Friday and that’s when the U-S House will vote on the Speaker. A serious challenger to Johnson has not emerged…

Cut 11 (08) “…get the votes.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is departing Congress after nearly a decade. He focused on practical infrastructure and disaster recovery projects rather than high-profile legislation. His accomplishments include the Red Snapper regulation returned to the state, using technology to comply with the Privacy Act, and upgrades to Baton Rouge-area highways like the Washington Street exit.

Cut 13 (08)  “…new terrace exit.”

Louisiana steps onto the worldwide stage tomorrow with a float at the Tournament of Roses Parade. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight, New Year’s revelers will fire off fireworks to ring in the new year. State Fire Marshal Deputy Chief Nick Heinen says to ensure a safe celebration, set up a Safety Zone.  Use stakes, twine, or decorations to mark a safe area away from the fireworks display.

Cut 5 (09) “…like that.”

3:30 PM Newscast Dec 31

After nearly a decade, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is departing Congress and he recently reflected on accomplishments including the Red Snapper regulation returned to the state, using technology to comply with the Privacy Act, and relieving interstate traffic coming off the Mississippi River Bridge by upgrading interstate roadways like the I-10 Washington Street exit.

Cut 14 (11) “…truly deserves.”

In a social media post, President Elect Donald Trump said Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man who will do the right thing. Johnson told News Radio 710 KEEL in Shreveport that Trump’s complete and total endorsement will certainly help his chances to be re-elected  as Speaker of the House.

Cut 10 (13) “…the line.”

Louisiana rides in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. And what better way to showcase the float, “Louisiana Saturday Night” than with a rendition of a song by that same title! Timothy Wayne, who’s currently studying at LSU released his version of the hit earlier this month, and he will be on the float performing that song in front of a worldwide television audience. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says it will be a very proud moment for Wayne, for LSU and for the State of Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…this young man.”

The Parade airs at ten a.m. on NBC and ABC and Timothy Wayne will be featured in the first hour.

Fireworks are part of many New Year’s celebrations and a recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that fireworks-related injuries are on the rise across the U.S. Nick Heinen with the State Fire Marshall’s office says only buy fireworks from certified fireworks retailers.

Cut 4 (15) “…passed successfully.”

2:30 PM Newscast Dec 31

Backed with an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is confident he will be re-elected as House Speaker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is departing Congress after nearly a decade, choosing not to run for reelection due to redistricting that significantly altered his constituency.

Cut 12 (09) “…that we have.”

Just one more day before Louisiana steps onto the worldwide stage at the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been hands-on in the design and construction of the float, which ties in beautifully with this year’s theme.

Cut 6 (09) “…is Saturday night.”

The Tournament of Roses Parade airs tomorrow morning at ten on NBC and ABC. Tune in early, the float and Timothy Wayne will be featured sometime in the first hour.

Tonight is a big night for fireworks and the State Fire Marshal’s office is urging everyone to enjoy them in the safest way possible. That means detonating devices 200 feet away from structures and vehicles. Never allowing children to light fireworks, lighting devices one at time and Deputy Chief Nick Heinen says never use fireworks while impaired…

Cut 3 (09) “…Happy New Year.”

A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that fireworks-related injuries are on the rise across the country.