President Joe Biden is pardoning 39 people today, among them, a 46-year-old New Orleans woman, who pled guilty to non-violent offenses she committed at age 23. Trynitha Fulton has since earned a master’s degree, worked in education, volunteered, and founded 2 non-profit organizations to help young people in her community.

Welcome news as crawfish season is underway. Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App, says the App will help find local vendors, sorted by the lowest price per pound.

Cut 7 (09) “…not a huge supply.”

Vendors are offering boiled crawfish and sacks of live crawfish.

The Social Security Act is moving forward in the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Coaching legend Hank Tierney’s career spans separate stents at Archbishop Shaw, his first from1982-2001 and a state title in 1987. He says a second state title this Friday would mean a lot to the school and the community.

Cut 14 (13) “…that will do.”

The Social Security Fairness Act will get a vote in the Senate and Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves who sponsored the act in the house says as long as it’s brought up for a vote, getting it through the Senate is a mere formality.

Cut 4 (11) “…the president’s desk.”

The Social Security Fairness Act would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset.

It’s December, but crawfish season is already underway. While the timing may seem unusual to some Laney King, co-founder of The Crawfish App, explains that an early crawfish season is not out of the ordinary in Louisiana. This year, vendors are off to a strong start.

Cut 8 (14) “…crawfish for Christmas.”

Coach Hank Tierney, ranked the sixth-winningest football coach in LHSAA history, was ready to retire in 2021. Instead, he returned to Archbishop Shaw and now he’s taking the Eagles back to the superdome for a Division II Select State championship. Tierney has produced athletes like Running Back Jasper Parker who has signed with Michigan.

Cut 13 (08)  “…good player.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking deer hunters to be on the lookout for deer exhibiting signs of chronic wasting disease after a deer at a captive deer farm in Jeff Davis Parish tested positive last month. Johnathan Bordelon, the deer program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says

Infected deer undergo behavior changes.

Cut 11 (12) “…test the animals”

No one should take matters into their own hands instead, contact the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The Social Security Fairness Act that would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Penalty will get a vote in the Senate, as the bill has been placed on the legislative calendar. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, who sponsored the House bill, says Senator Chuck Schumer will be bringing it up for a vote as a standalone bill, and that’s the last hurdle before heading to President Biden’s desk.

Cut 3 (09) “…through the Senate.”

And Graves says as long as it’s brought up for a vote, getting it through the Senate is a mere formality.

A deer at a captive deer farm in Jeff Davis Parish tested positive for chronic wasting disease last month and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking deer hunters if they encounter a deer exhibiting signs of the disease to contact them. Johnathan Bordelon, the deer program manager at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says chronic wasting disease is 100-percent fatal and is highly transmissible.

Cut 10 (07) “…to other deer.”

It’s a Christmas miracle…crawfish season has begun in Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hank Tierney believed his coaching days ended in December 2021 after Ponchatoula’s loss in the Class 5A state final at the Superdome. Planning to retire, he instead became Shaw High School’s head coach by January. Now in his third season back at Shaw, Tierney leads the 11-2 Eagles to the E.D. White Division II state final.

Cut 12 (10) “…everyone involved.”

A crash in Concordia Parish took the lives of two pedestrians last night. State Police responded to the crash on Highway 84 near the 84 Quick Stop around 9:00 PM. Investigators says 67-year-old Carleen Smith of Farmerville and Donnie Free of Ferriday were walking in the roadway when they were struck by a Chevrolet Journey traveling east and Dodge Challenger traveling west. Both sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation. Toxicology tests are pending.

It’s almost winter here in Louisiana; and flu and COVID-19 activity is expected to spike. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says you can protect yourself by getting vaccinated. She says while the vaccines won’t prevent you from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Cut 8 (07) “…case scenario, death.”

Small Business optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. Franklinton will face Cecilia on Friday night. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns. They also have a running back in Sy Austin who has rushed for nearly two thousand yards and has 28 touchdowns on the season…

Cut 12 (10) “…offensive line.”

The Division two non-select state title game is at 7 PM.

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.