One month from today Louisiana is set to complete the first death row execution in 15 years and the first by nitrogen gas.  Jacquelyn Stern with the Jewish Federation of New Orleans was among Jewish leaders in front of Touro Synagogue today. She says while opinions of capital punishment vary among those gathered, they’re all united in the stance that lethal gas should not be used as a method anywhere in the United States.

Cut 8 (12) “…on our communities.”

The grandparents of one of the victims killed in the Bourbon Street terror attack were killed over the weekend by an alleged drunk driver. Gretna Deputy Police Chief Jason DiMarco says  33-year-old Stephan Juarez hit Hubert and Victoria Gauthreaux as they were trying to leave their parked vehicle. He says Juarez is facing a slew of charges, all of which when combined could land him in prison for the rest of his life.

Cut 13 (11)  “…no seatbelt.”

In response to the 300 permanent jobs that are being eliminated in Natchitoches Parish as International Paper shuts down their containerboard plant in Campti, The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team is setting up Mobile Workforce Centers this Thursday and Friday to provide resources to help workers transition to new opportunities. Workers will receive assistance with training grants, resume writing, career counseling, application submission, and work registration in Natchitoches at 716 Second Street and in Campti at 201 Edenborn Street from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Thursday and Friday. Information is available online at laworks.net.

Shreveport Senior Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says another Arctic blast is set to hit Louisiana by Thursday, bringing below-freezing temperatures and possible winter precipitation and the cold front may linger for several days, but should warm up by the end of the week.

Cut 11 (10) “…closer to 60.”

The grandparents of one of the victims of the terror attack on Bourbon Street were killed by an alleged drunk driver over the weekend. Hubert and Victoria Gauthreaux (GO-trow) were the grandparents of 21-year-old Hubert Gauthreaux the Third, Gretna Deputy Police Chief Jason DiMarco says 33-year-old Stephan Juarez hit the couple as they were trying to leave their parked vehicle. Investigators are working to determine exactly how fast Juarez was going.

Cut 14 (09) “…in that area.”

Two Colorado men arrested for attempting to smuggle tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of tobacco and methamphetamine into a federal prison using a compressed air cannon. Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain says 18-year-old Jose Munoz, and 19-year-old Angel Gutierrez are charged with attempting to introduce contraband into a penal institution and attempting to distribute methamphetamine.

Cut 5 (04) “…would have been devastating.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted in the investigation and has placed a detainer on Munoz, as he is in the country illegally.

Louisiana Jewish leaders are urging the state not to execute death row inmates by using lethal gas. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Winter isn’t quite over. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says another Arctic blast is set to hit Louisiana by Wednesday, bringing below-freezing temperatures.

Cut 10 (10) “…potentially at risk.”

He says the cold front may linger for several days, but we should warm up by the end of the week.

The group, Louisiana Families for Vaccines is reeling over the announcement that the Louisiana Department of Health will no longer offer mass vaccination clinics. In a letter on LDH’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman criticized the CDC’s response to COVID especially vaccination mandates, saying things that are good don’t generally have to be pushed by government and COVID vaccines were mandated despite having no third-party benefit in terms of transmission. Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group disagrees…

Cut 10 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

Two Colorado men tried to smuggle contraband into a Federal prison using a cannon. An investigation by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office says Jose Francisco Herrera Munoz and Angel Gonzales Gutierrez planned to launch over $100,000 worth of tobacco and almost $90,000 worth of methamphetamine onto the prison grounds using a compressed air cannon with a range of over 350 feet. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted in the investigation as they have a detainer on Munoz and say he is in the country illegally.

We could be in for some severe weather Saturday. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says most of the state will be at an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Cut 6 (11) “…of itself.”

Thursday’s announcement that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti is expected to have a significant negative impact on the economy of Natchitoches Parish. 300 permanent jobs will go away in April. Economic developer and Natchitoches native, Jon Maynard says Natchitoches Parish’s economy was already suffering an economic decline that began 20 years ago…

Cut 13 (11)  “…high poverty levels.”

Natchitoches Parish is reeling over Thursday’s announcement that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti. 300 permanent jobs will go away when the facility ceases operations in April. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says closure of the mill will increase unemployment and reduce local spending…

Cut 12 (13) “…people themselves.”

More severe weather is expected for Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the northern half of the state could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and tornados but the southern half should also prepare…

Cut 8 (11) “…to the coast.”

If you plan to enjoy some boiled crawfish with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, The Crawfish App released some welcome news saying mudbugs are down another fifty cents per pound this week. If you’re going out you’ll probably pay around $7.99 per pound and if you plan to boil them yourself, expect to pay a little over four dollars per pound or around $150 for a 35 pound sack.

For the third year in a row, Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans are being recognized as Louisiana’s longest married couple by the Louisiana Family Forum. Married 83 years the couple are being inducted into LFF’s 2025 Marriage Hall of Fame and along with nine other long married couples.

Cut 4 (11) “…very competitive division.”

You can see the full list of couples at la-family-forum-dot-org

A Colorado man and woman planned to smuggle contraband into a Federal prison using a cannon. An investigation by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office says Jose Francisco Herrera Munoz and Angel Gonzales Gutierrez planned to launch over $100,000 worth of tobacco and almost $90,000 worth of methamphetamine onto the prison grounds using a compressed air cannon with a range of over 350 feet. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted in the investigation as they have a detainer on Munoz and say he is in the country illegally.

We had a round of severe weather earlier in the week and State Climatologist Jay Grymes says Saturday’s weather could top that.

Cut 7 (13) “…fuel the storms.”

A local advocacy group is speaking out against the Department of Health’s new approach to vaccines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Family Forum has named Mr. Ira Milan and Mrs. Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills says they will be inducted into LFF’s 2025 Marriage Hall of Fame alongside nine other honored couples.

Cut 5 (10) “…and a successful marriage.”

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the average wholesale price for medium sized eggs is seven dollars a dozen; and until they get the bird flu under control, those prices will continue to go up.

Cut 11 (10) “…to meet demand.”

Some grocery stores are putting limits on how many eggs you can buy, because of a shortage of eggs.

LDWF confirmed new captive Chronic Wasting Disease cases, raising concerns about the potential spread to wild deer.  Surveillance of harvested deer is essential for early detection and disease control.  LDWF Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Roberts cited a recent case where two mule deer were illegally harvested and transported from Colorado to Louisiana.

Cut 5 (09) “…imported tested positive.”

Hunters can contact their local LDWF field offices for sample testing.

The Saints officially introduce their new head coach. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Disappointing economic development news for Louisiana as International Paper announces the closure of its containerboard mill in Natchitoches Parish. It’s one of four facilities International Paper is closing across the country and here in Louisiana it means the loss of 300 permanent jobs. State Representative Jack MacFarland says the Louisiana Workforce Commission will help the impacted workers find a new job…

Cut 7 (09) “…left without jobs.”

International Paper says it needs to streamline its footprint to focus investments on facilities that will best serve customers.

A report of a student in possession of a vape on a school bus led to the discovery of alleged organized crime activity. During an investigation, Detectives with DeRitter Police Department and the Beauregard Sheriff’s office, with the school resource officer discovered a firearm that was to be delivered to another student and a plan to fight another juvenile group outside school.  Eight students aged 13 to 18 have been arrested and more are expected. While searching for a home reported to be a hangout for the juveniles, authorities found 27 firearms. The owner of that home has an outstanding warrant for possession of firearms for persons convicted of domestic abuse battery.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it has found three more positive captive cases of chronic wasting disease in deer. The recent detections were in Concordia, St. Landry and Tangipahoa Parishes and they are linked to a CWD positive deer pen in Jefferson Davis Parish. LDWF Veterinarian Doctor Jonathan Roberts says CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans…

Cut 4 (05) “…CWD in humans.”

Northwest Louisiana is losing hundreds of jobs as International Paper announces it’s closing its containerboard mill in Natchitoches Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

36-year-old Kellen Moore is the Saints 19th head coach. He will be the youngest head coach in the NFL next season, but he’s already had success in the Superdome as the Eagles Offensive coordinator for their win of Super Bowl 59 this past Sunday. As for the team’s quarterback going forward, Moore also a former quarterback had great praise for the team’s current quarterback, Derek Carr.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league (2x).”

LDWF confirmed new captive Chronic Wasting Disease cases, raising concerns about the potential spread to wild deer. LDWF Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Roberts says five additional positives were detected this season.

Cut 3 (10) “…detected in 2022.”

CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting animals in the deer family. Hunters can contact their local LDWF field offices for sample testing.

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says one reason for the high price of eggs is bird flu. He says that’s because there are fewer hens laying eggs.

Cut 9 (09)  “…bird flu issues.”

Strain says to keep egg prices from spiraling out of control, they have to stop the spread of bird flu.

The Saints officially introduce their new head coach. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A large employer in northwest Louisiana is closing, resulting in hundreds of people losing their jobs. International Paper announced this morning it’s closing three of its plants, including the containerboard mill in the Natchitoches Parish town of Campti. State Representative Jack McFarland says the mill will cease operations by the end of April…

Cut 6 (08) “…so abruptly.”

International Paper is one of the largest employers in Natchitoches Parish as it employs 300 people.

The cause of Adan Manzano’s death has not yet been determined but the police found the Kansas City Sports reporter’s phone and credit cards in Danette Colbert’s Slidell residence. She is being held in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and now Investigators are trying to determine if she might be connected other deaths that occurred under similar circumstances. Colbert was seen on surveillance entering Manzano’s hotel room with him and later leaving alone. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley referenced a December unsolved death on Dauphine Street. Currently Colbert is only accused of stealing Manzano’s phone and credit cards.

A Flood Watch is in effect for northern Louisiana. The National Weather Service says Monroe, Jonesboro and Natchitoches could see as much as six inches of rain. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim has advice…

Cut 10 (09) “…risks out there.”

The Saints have a new head coach! 36-year-old Kellen Moore will have his challenges as a first-time head coach and he takes over a team where the better players are older, and it’s unclear who the long-term quarterback will be. Luke Johnson, who covers the Saints for NOLA.com, expects the Saints to be patient…

Cut 13 (11)  “…they are.”

The Port of Iberia will soon host a major development, bringing nearly 600 jobs to the region. Baton Rouge-based Cajun Industries has chosen the port for its new 60-acre assembly yard, Port Executive Director Craig Romero highlighted the importance of the local workforce, praising their skill, ingenuity, and tenacity.

Cut 5 (13) “…to draw from.”

We’re getting local reaction to President Trump’s executive order halting new development of wind energy. LaRose Republican Representative Joseph Orgeron says Trump’s order does not affect any current wind farms.

Cut 6 (12) “…their construction plans.”

Orgeron adds, Trump is a longtime critic of wind farms, and it may be personal because a wind farm was put up near a golf course that he had purchased in Scotland.

A Flood Watch is in effect for northern Louisiana due to heavy rainfall expected through Wednesday afternoon. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the watch area will see 2-4 inches of rain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the whole area.”

Baton Rouge-based Cajun Industries is bringing 600 jobs to the Port of Iberia with a new assembly yard. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Saints have named Kellen Moore as the team’s new head coach. Moore just helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl as the team’s offensive coordinator. Luke Johnson who covers the Saints for NOLA.com says Moore could be bringing Eagles quarterback coach Doug Nussmeier with him to New Orleans and of course Nussmeier has Louisiana connections…

Cut 14 (08) “…pretty solid.”

Johnson says it’s expected former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley will be the Saints new defensive coordinator.