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.

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

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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.”

Student attendance has become a key focus in Louisiana’s education system. BESE, the Louisiana Department of Education and the state Legislature are working to address rising truancy and chronic absenteeism. BESE Vice President Stacey Melerine (mel-uh-REEN) says in the 2023-24 school year, the truancy rate reached 41-percent, and students were absent an average of 11 days.

Cut 6 (09) “…grow as students.”

Webster Parish Sheriff deputies are continuing to investigate a shooting that injured six people, including two critically at an unpermitted bonfire event in Dubberly on Saturday night. Sheriff Jason Parker says they are still interviewing attendees, and no arrests have been made but he says the organizers are facing fines….

Cut 5 (12) “…situation happen.”

Parker says the people shot are in their 20s and 30s.

A Baton Rouge fixture is moving to Terrebonne Parish. The Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat is being towed to Gibson, as part of a downtown revitalization effort there. The riverboat will be completely gutted and rebuilt on the inside, and it is slated to reopen this fall.

It’s going to warm up this weekend, but by no means should you be putting that winter jacket away just yet. Some parts of South Louisiana will see temperatures in the 70s this weekend.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says then comes a big change.

Cut 9 (07)  “…really cold air.”

And Keim says that brutal cold could be accompanied by a wintery mix.

The investigation into a shooting that injured six people, including two critically at an unpermitted bonfire event in Dubberly on Saturday night continues. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says events in Webster Parish involving more than 250 attendees are required to have a permit and he says at least 350 people were at this bonfire…

Cut 4 (11) “…for everybody.”

The sheriff says the organizers are facing fines.

Federal prosecutors closing the book on their investigation into the 2019 deadly arrest of Ronald Greene near Monroe without bringing any charges. While federal charges appeared imminent when the FBI launched its probe in 2022, Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors ultimately decided that a conviction was no sure thing.

Cut 13 (10)  “…very close one.”

He says prosecutors reached their conclusion only after a very exhaustive investigation.

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. The LDOE’s Success Through Attendance Recovery, or STAR Task Force studied the issue and provided recommendations to BESE in December 2024.  BESE Vice President Stacey Melerine (mel-uh-REEN) says the Task Force will address chronic absenteeism.

Cut 7 (05) “…to the statute.”

Look for warmer weather this weekend but don’t put your winter jacket away just yet. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front moves in Saturday night and the colder temperatures could bring frozen precipitation to some parts of the state.

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Webster Parish Sheriff deputies are continuing to investigate a shooting that injured six people, including two critically at an unpermitted bonfire event in Dubberly on Saturday night. Sheriff Jason Parker says they are still interviewing attendees, and no arrests have been made…

Cut 3 (13) “…those statements.”

Parker says at least 350 people were at the bonfire.

Federal prosecutors will not be pressing 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. While federal charges appeared imminent when the FBI launched its probe in 2022, Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors ultimately decided that a conviction was no sure thing.

Cut 12 (11) “…of Mr. Greene.”

A civil suit against the officers is still pending.

BESE, the Louisiana Department of Education and the state Legislature are working to address rising truancy and chronic absenteeism in K-12 classrooms. Sean Richardson reports.

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Warmer weather is coming and some parts of South Louisiana will see temperatures in the 70s this weekend. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it won’t last long as a cold front moves in Saturday night.

Cut 10 (06) “…in the 30s.”

As New Orleans races to complete infrastructure upgrades ahead of hosing the Superbowl. Repairs continue at the Hard Rock collapse site. Deputy chief administrative officer Joe Threat emphasizes the lasting benefits from the upgrades.

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LSU’s former quarterback and Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels became the NFL’s fourth rookie to win a playoff game on the road in a rookie season. Daniels led the Washington Commanders in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the Playoffs Sunday night in Tampa Bay. It was the Washington Commanders first playoff win in over two decades.

Restaurant Goers can help those affected by the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The United Cajun Navy is heading to California to aid wildfire victims. President Todd Terrell says dealing with fire is a completely different scenario than flooding; but at the end of the day, it comes down to helping people.

Cut 5 (12) “…have a better day.”

Terrell says they are also still helping hurricane victims in Louisiana and North Carolina.

90-percent of New Orleans’ 200 projects that were planned in time to host the Superbowl are finished and hundreds more are nearing completion says City Deputy chief administrative officer Joe Threat. Projects include upgrades residents will also appreciate like the 21-million-dollar lighting upgrade on the Crescent City Connection and colorful murals by local artists like BMIKE.

Cut 13 (09)  “…city of New Orleans.”

A deputy who stopped to help a man walking along Highway 99 in the cold dark night, Friday had his taser turned on him and ended up shooting at the man identified as 44-year-old Mark Buller (BOWL-er) of Iowa (EYE-oh-way).  Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff Kyle Miers says Buller tried stealing Sergeant Josh Clement” (CLAY-mon) patrol car before other deputies arrived and took Buller into custody. He faces multiple charges

Cut 11 (10) “…a motor vehicle.”

Both Clement and Buller were treated for their injuries at hospitals and released.

The United Cajun Navy is mobilizing in response to the California wildfires.  Sean Richardson has more.

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New Orleans restaurants and bars are raising money for those affected by the New Year’s Day terror attack. Fleur du Coeur starts today and runs through Sunday. Wendy Waren (WARE-en) with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says they planned this event in just a week and all money raised from the sales of specific menu items will go to help those who were injured and the families of those killed.

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What started as a deputy trying to help a man ended in a shooting and arrest. Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff Kyle Miers says Sergeant Josh Clement (CLAY-mon) saw a man walking along Highway 99 in the cold Friday night.

Cut 9 (09)  “…discharge his weapon.”

Authorities say 44-year-old Mark Buller (BOWL-er) of Iowa (EYE-oh-way), took Sergeant Clement’s Taser and used it against him and tried stealing his patrol car before other deputies arrived and took Buller into custody. Buller is facing several charges. Both were treated and released from the hospital.

The United Cajun Navy is traveling 30 hours with supplies to aid California wildfire victims. President Todd Terrell says they’re now helping people on 3 coasts…

Cut 4 (10) “…the Gulf Coast.”

New Orleans is racing to complete infrastructure upgrades ahead of Super Bowl LIX (59) in less than a month. Stakeholders set a goal of completing over 500 projects before the end of January. City Deputy chief administrative officer Joe Threat announced that 90-percent of the city’s 200 projects are finished.

Cut 12 (10) “…see the finish line.”

Up to 150,000 visitors are expected.

New Orleans Restaurants and bars are coming together to raise money for those affected by the New Year’s Day terror attack. Fleur du Coeur starts today and runs through Sunday. Wendy Waren (WARE-en) with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says establishments are picking one menu item for the event.

Cut 7 (10) “…most popular cocktail.”