Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence on drawing an early primary challenger for his 2026 re-election campaign. State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he will run for Cassidy’s seat, saying among other things that he’s not conservative enough for Louisiana. Cassidy told reporters that he has had better things to do than to read Fleming’s announcement, and that he’s baffled over Fleming’s intentions.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of Louisiana.”

Former LSU superstar and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow appears to be the latest target to have his home broken into while at a game. After Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized, the NFL issued a security alert saying organized groups were targeting professional athletes’ homes using their schedules to plan break-ins. The break-in of Burrow’s Anderson Township home happened during the Bengals’ Monday night win over the Dallas Cowboys. Authorities have not confirmed this break-in is connected to the others. Today is Burrow’s 28^th birthday.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says positive changes made here in Louisiana are lowering the personal income tax to 3-percent, and no longer have to pay an inventory tax are great news for small businesses, and says reform was a move in the right direction.

Cut 4 (07) “…in general.”

The holiday season is here; and with that, there will be many celebration gatherings. The holiday season is usually the time when flu and COVID-19 cases tick up. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11) “…or influenza vaccines.”

Former LSU superstar and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow appears to be the latest target to have his home broken into while at a game. Ohio Authorities say the break-in of Burrow’s Anderson Township happened home during the Bengals’ Monday night win over the Dallas Cowboys. 3 weeks ago, the NFL issued a security alert saying organized and skilled groups were targeting professional athletes using their schedules to plan break-ins. This was after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized. It is not yet clear whether this break-in is connected.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners”

With the holiday season here, make sure you protect yourself from potentially deadly illnesses. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting Thursday. Vermilion Catholic will face Ouachita Christian at noon Thursday. It’s a rematch of the 2022 state title game that saw O-C-S win 28-14. V-C is led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who set a state record for total touchdowns for a career in last week’s shutout win over Kentwood. The four-year starter wants to cap his high school career with a championship…

Cut 10 (11) “…blessed to be back.”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says they take treats against schools seriously. This after arresting a 15-year-old Covington Area Boy for terrorizing. The boy posted on social media that he planned to bring a gun to school and shoot someone who was spreading rumors about him. Investigators found he neither had a gun nor access to one, but he will now have to appear in court. The boy was released to his parents when it was determined there were no firearms in his home. Smith urges parents to speak to their children about the serious consequences of making threats.

A shocker in Baton Rouge as political newcomer Sid Edwards unseats two-term incumbent mayor-president Sharon Weston Broome to become the parish’s next mayor-president. John Couvillon, of JMC Analytics, says two factors worked in Edwards’ favor.

Cut 5 (08) “…Coach Sid’s corner.”

Edwards is the first Republican to be elected mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish in 24 years.

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Texas Bowl for the third time. They’ll battle the Baylor Bears on New Year’s Eve in Houston. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

After Saint’s quarterback, Derek Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand and a possible concussion, reports surfaced that Carr would miss the remainder of the season. However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi says it does not appear that Carr will need surgery and could possibly return as early as this Sunday against the Commanders.

Cut 13 (14)  “…type of thing.”

Carr is also in the concussion protocol.

A shocker in Baton Rouge as two-term incumbent mayor Sharon Weston Broome falls to political newcomer Sid Edwards to become the parish’s next mayor-president

John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn), of JMC Analytics says it wasn’t about the money since Edwards was greatly outspent during the campaign.

Cut 4 (10) “…who finished third.”

61-year-old Edwards is the first Republican to be elected mayor-president in East Baton Rouge Parish in 24 years.

More and more people are using public libraries in the state. Last year, more than ten-million people visited public libraries – a double-digit percentage increase from 2022. State Librarian Meg Placke says library usage is almost at pre-pandemic levels.

Cut 9 (07)  “…across the board,”

After Saint’s quarterback, Derrick Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand, reports surfaced that he would miss the remainder of the season. However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi says it does not appear that Carr will need surgery on his non-throwing hand, but they’re taking it day by…

Cut 14 (10) “…dealing with both.” (Carr is in the concussion protocol)

In this year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl Georgia will take on the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says the best part about the new BCS Playoff format, unlike the four-team format, is now the Sugar Bowl will have championship implications every yea.

Cut 7 (13) “…sales at all.”

Kick off is New Years day at 7:45 p.m.

A shocker in Baton Rouge as the two-term incumbent mayor is ousted by a political newcomer. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

More Louisianans are using public libraries and State Librarian Meg Placke says these days, they can be accessed without setting foot on any of them.

Cut 11 (10) “…the library online.”

We now know one of the teams playing in this year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl is Georgia. We won’t know the other until December 20^th, after the Indiana plays Notre Dame in the first round of the BCS playoffs. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says in future years, six possible participants will not be whittled down to two until a little more than a week before gametime.

Cut 8 (08) “…but we’re excited.”

The 2025 Sugar Bowl takes place New Years Day, with kickoff at 7:45 p.m.

Reports that Derek Carr would be out for the rest of the 2024 season have been greatly exaggerated. After Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand, reports surfaced that Carr would miss the remainder of the season. However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi says that’s not true.

Cut 12 (07) “…week plays out.”

A transformative partnership with Entergy Louisiana and Meta has been announced. Meta’s largest AI data center in the country will be built in Richland Parish. Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May says Entergy plans to build three advanced generation units, substations, and nearly 100 miles of transmission lines to support the project, which will create thousands of construction jobs and 44 permanent positions, and he emphasized Entergy’s investment offsets costs for existing customers by over 300-million-dolars, while Meta contributes to community support programs.

Cut 15 (13) “…for that region.”

Saturday is Election Day in Louisiana. There are four constitutional amendments and several local races on the ballot. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says it’s easy to see what’s on your ballot…

Cut 9 (12)  “…never see that.”

Polls are open from seven a-m to eight p-m Saturday. Anyone who’s in line at eight p-m will be able to vote.

In a ceremony at the State Capitol, Governor Landry signs the tax reform package He says the changes will allow the people in Louisiana to keep more of their hard-earned money with a reduction of the income tax to a flat three-percent across the board.

Cut 5 (15) “…in this state.”

Tonight it’s the semifinals of the high school football playoffs. In Division one select, Alexandria Senior High hosts John Curtis. The Patriots as a 19 seed are seeking a 29^th state title. Host of the Sports Scouting Report Podcast Lee Brecheen has the Trojans winning tonight…

In Division one non-select, Neville is hosting Central, while Destrehan is at Ruston.

Governor Landry signs the tax reform package in a ceremony at the State Capitol. He said the ultimate goals include spurring new business and investment in the state and to get people to stay in the state and not go to neighboring states like Florida and Texas which do not have any state income tax.

Cut 6 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

Louisiana Citizens head to the polls tomorrow to vote on four constitutional amendments and several local races including the run-off for East Baton Rouge Mayor President. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says it’s easy to find out about the items on your ballot.

Cut 8 (11) “…this Saturday’s election.”

That app can be accessed on your phone while in the voting booth to make voting quicker.

A transformative partnership with Entergy Louisiana and Meta was announced for the largest AI data center in the country to be built in Richland Parish.  Sean Richardosn has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

There are three Louisiana teams playing in conference championships this weekend, starting with tonight’s game between Tulane and Army in the American Athletic Conference. Tomorrow afternoon, Southern battles Jackson State in the SWAC title game. Tomorrow night in Lafayette, it’s the Sun Belt title game between the Cajuns and Marshall. The Thundering Herd have the Sun Belt Player of the Year in Mike Green.

Signed, sealed, delivered – Governor Landry signs the tax reform package in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Landry said the changes in the tax code mark a new day in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (08) “…a better tomorrow.”

Landry said the changes will allow the people in Louisiana to keep more of their hard-earned money

After nearly two decades of declining enrollment UNO is planning to consolidate its five degree granting colleges into two in order to cut administrative costs. The university has already made significant cuts this year and hope to save two million dollars per year with the consolidation which will eliminate 2 Vice President positions. The University of Louisiana System Board approved the plan in an effort to help solve UNO’s budget crisis.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Meta is putting their largest data center in Richland Parish. Entergy Louisiana will partner with them. Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May says Entergy plans to build three advanced generation units, substations, and nearly 100 miles of transmission lines to support the project, which will create thousands of construction jobs and 44 permanent positions.

Cut 14 (13) “…to that area.”

Meta’s data center will be located on the 1,400-acre Franklin Farm mega site

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. Everyone across the state will be voting on four constitutional amendments. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says several voters will also have some local races to decide.

Cut 7 (07) “…Baton Rouge Parish.”

…that race is between Democratic incumbent Sharon Weston Broome and Republican Challenger Sid Edwards.

Entergy Louisiana has announced a transformative partnership with Meta to construct Meta’s largest data center in Richland Parish, part of a 10-billion-dollar investment. Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May says the 4-million-square-foot facility will anchor significant infrastructure development and economic revitalization in Northeast Louisiana.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the state.”

May says Entergy plans to build three advanced generation units, substations, and nearly 100 miles of transmission lines to support the project, which will create thousands of construction jobs and 44 permanent positions.

Governor Landry’s quest to rewrite the state’s tax code has reached the finish line. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight, it’s the semifinals of the high school football playoffs and for Ouachita Chrisitan to win its ninth state championship, the Eagles will fly south today to Donaldsonville to take on second-seeded Ascension Catholic. Host of the Sports Scouting Report Podcast Lee Brecheen believes O-C-S can pull off the upset…

Cut 10 (10) “…state title.”

In a ceremony at the Capital today, Governor Landry signed his recently passed tax reform package. He says thanks to this overhaul of the tax code, Louisiana can now bridge the gap with neighboring states and keep its home-grown talent here.

Cut 14 (10) “…it’s frustrated us.”

The bill didn’t include everything Landry hoped for. There is no broadening of the sales tax base. Instead, the tax package calls for an increase in the state sales tax rate to five-percent.

Senator Bill Cassidy will face a primary challenge by State Treasurer John Fleming and possibly others in 2026. Fleming served in the first Trump administration, and ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s likely he has gotten assurances that Trump will endorse him…

Cut 7 (05) “…consider him loyal.”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says National Signing Day felt more like Tax Day instead as money is becoming more of a factor in getting players to sign with a school. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Sean Richardson” 

There are four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before a vote on budget-related legislation and 3 would permit limited extensions of legislative sessions if needed for budget legislation. Author of the bills, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the two are designed to work together…

Cut 5 (05) “…both passed together.”