Richland Parish is looking forward to a significant catalyst for regional growth with the upcoming Meta AI Data Center in Rayville. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis talks about what the project will do for the entire parish, and he underscores the importance of collaboration between local government, businesses, and residents.

Cut 14 (07) “…working great together.”

The recent arctic blast has done a number on our plants. LSU Ag Center horticulturist Jason Stagg says when assessing damage to your plants, wait a week to get a better idea of the plant’s survival and when cutting back your plants, don’t cut them all the way to the ground, because you’ll leave them more vulnerable in future freezes.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the ground.”

A&E is bringing back Duck Dynasty this summer, and the revival should bring tourism to northeast Louisiana.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Most of America has one top preference to win the Superbowl that will soon be played in New Orleans. David Mason, the sportsbook brand manager for Bet Online-dot-A-G, says based on the number of hashtag mentions for the four remaining teams, America has a clear choice but Louisiana is not among the 33 states pulling for the Buffalo Bills. With former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, Louisiana is one of 10 states rooting for the Washington Commanders.

Cut 16 (09) “…for the Commanders.”

Shreveport police are looking for Larry Lewis and asking for the public’s help. Lewis is wanted for a possible connection to the murder of pharmaceutical rep, Billy Lee Jamison was robbed and shot while walking to his vehicle in the Walgreens parking lot on Line Avenue Wednesday morning. Caddo Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Police warn Lewis is considered armed and dangerous.

Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign announced the U-S Senator raised another million dollars in the fourth quarter of 2024 and now has more than six-point-five million dollars on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy’s goal is ten-million dollars which now seems to be the minimum for a statewide campaign in Louisiana. And he says this is only for Cassidy’s campaign account and PAC’s connected to him can raise money.

Cut 15 (12) “…on his re-election.”

Cassidy already has one challenger for the 2026 Senate race. Former Congressman and current Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming.

Richland Parish is expected to see significant economic growth with the upcoming Meta AI Data Center in Rayville. Nearby Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says Monroe has a rich history as a foundation for future progress. Key efforts include community development, creating a business-friendly environment, and infrastructure improvements.

Cut 13 (12)  “…leader in AI.”

More exciting news for the Monroe area, Duck Dynasty is making a comeback. A&E has announced a new series, Duck Dynasty: The Revival, premiering this summer. The revival is already generating excitement beyond the Robertsons’ lives. Sheila Snow, Vice President of Marketing at the Monroe-West Monroe Visitors Bureau, anticipates a boost in tourism like the surge seen after the original series aired in 2012.

Cut 3 (13) “…Duck Commander warehouse.”

The original Duck Dynasty was the most-watched nonfiction series in cable history.

During Oral arguments in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals over the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms Thursday, Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argued for the state that the law constitutional because the Ten Commandments are placed amid other historical context on specially-designed posters.

Cut 9 (11)  “…important historical documents.”

Jonathan Youngwood followed with a 20-minute argument for the plaintiffs. He read directly from the posters, and argued that the law is about promoting Christianity in public schools.

Cut 12 (10) “…Gods before me.”

The three judge panel will issue their ruling at a later date and it’s expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court no matter the outcome.

Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says who would have ever thought that 50-degrees would feel so good…

Cut 14 (10) “…and tomorrow.”

Jacquemin says temperatures will get below freezing again tomorrow morning and Saturday for much of the state

And as the state thaws out, we are getting a look at how crops fared. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Dr. Mike Strain says fortunately most sugarcane was under snow but for winter pastures rye grass is likely lost. He says the cold is a double-edged sword for crops and pests.

Cut 5 (12) “…natural control mechanism.”

The I-10 Horace Wilkinson Bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge has reopened. East Bound I-10 Lanes between West Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes reopened Thursday afternoon but remains closed at US 61 in Ascension. Work continues on the reopening of other major highways. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they’ve been chipping away at six inches of ice on elevated portions of our highway system, and they expect more progress.

Cut 6 (13) “…the sun.”

Louisiana is beginning to thaw out. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says temperatures will get below freezing again tomorrow morning and Saturday for much of the state and then we warm-up.

Cut 15 (11) “…lower 60s”

A three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments this morning over the state’s Ten Commandments law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all Louisiana public school classrooms. During Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-ga) argument for the state, Judge Catharina Haynes expressed skepticism that posting the Ten Commandments is about teaching American history.

Cut 11 (16) “…the First Amendment.”

The three judges will issue their ruling at a later date and no matter the outcome is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Fans of Duck Dynasty welcome news that Duck Dynasty: The Revival is coming to A&E this summer. The updated series will feature Willie and Korie Robertson and their growing family including now adult children and grandchildren and the expansion of Duck Commander. Miss Kay and Uncle Si will also rejoin the show. A&E has ordered 2 seasons of the updated series. The original Duck Dynasty was the most-watched nonfiction series in cable history.

Crews are working to reopen major highways closed because of snow and ice. Large portions of I-10 and I-55 are closed as well as U-S 90 in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes but DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett praised crews from Arkansas for their ongoing help.

Cut 8 (11) “…had worked.”

The Arkansas Department of Transportation brought with them 16 snowplows that also had salt spreaders.

As the state thaws out we are getting a look at the damages caused by the freezing temperature to Louisiana crops. The sugarcane industry can breathe a sigh of relief as Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Dr. Mike Strain says fortunately most sugarcane was under snow.

Cut 3 (11) “…the cold weather.”

Oral arguments today before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing lawsuit over the state’s Ten Commandments law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A pharmaceutical rep was shot and killed while walking to his vehicle in the Walgreens parking lot across from Byrd High School in Shreveport Wednesday morning. Police say 67-year-old Billy Lee Jamison, was delivering medicine when someone robbed and shot him then stole the victim’s white van. Police immediately began tracking the van using the van’s tracking capabilities and found it in the Riverwood Apartments in Bossier City. The search for the suspect continues.

South Louisiana Braces for a winter storm that is expected to start tonight and end tomorrow night.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency as the historic winter weather is expected for much of central and south Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…to travel.”

Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the winter storm for the last several days. Trooper Shelby Mayfield…

Cut 12 (12) “…or any emergencies”

He is urging everyone to stay off the roadways unless they absolutely must drive. He says the troopers and other emergency personnel will be responding to emergencies in the same hazardous road conditions.

Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads. And since there are no snowplows anywhere in the State of Louisiana, DOTD is bringing in help from Arkansas. A 14-mile stretch of I-49 in Rapides Parish is closed due to the incoming storm, and conditions may force additional Interstates closures, but Mallett says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Cut 8 (09) “…during this storm.”

Louisiana is bracing for historic winter weather for this region. Snow and ice are not things that Louisiana is accustomed to and Rodney Mallett with DOTD says crews have been busy prepping the roads for severe driving conditions in anticipation of this historic weather event for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (14) “…across the state.”

He says crews from Arkansas will be coming to Louisiana to help with things like plowing roadways.

LSU Public Health Climatologist, Barry Keim says the snowfall will end tomorrow night, but Wednesday will be brutally cold, and the snow will stick around. He advises residents to stay off the roads if possible and take necessary precautions to stay warm and safe.

Cut 11 (12) “…hang around in your neighborhood.”

With Louisiana expecting a historic snowfall Tuesday, Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency and is urging outdoorsmen not to hunt during the snowstorm and frigid temperatures.

Cut 4 (13) “…proper shelter.”

Louisiana State Police are getting ready for the winter storm. Trooper Shelby Mayfield says they’re doubling patrols to be ready for any emergency. He says when the snow starts falling, if you do not have to be out on the roadways, stay off them.

Cut 13 (14)  “…have to be.”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency as two to six inches of snow is expected in much of central and south Louisiana and temperatures will be dropping into the teens Tuesday night into Wednesday. Earlier this month when temperatures fell, a homeless man died from hypothermia. Landry is encouraging local governments to open warming shelters.

Cut 5 (14) “…safe as well.”

For the last several days, Louisiana State Police have been preparing for the rare winter conditions for the region. And with snow coming, Trooper Shelby Mayfield asks drivers to stay off the roads but says if you absolutely have to be on the roadways, use common sense.

Cut 14 (06) “…cruise control on.”

DOTD is prepping roadways for tomorrow’s snowstorm. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim, this is a generational storm for South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (18)  “…major snow here.”

Governor Jeff Landry has been traveling Louisiana in a five-point-five-million-dollar airplane unlike previous governors who used helicopters. State Police say the 20-year-old helicopters are difficult to maintain. Flight records show the plane traveling between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, near the governor’s home and several trips between Baton Rouge and New Orleans after the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. WRKF Capitol Access Reporter Brooke Thorington says the plane was purchased last September….

Cut 10 (07) “…turbo prop plane.”

The University of New Orleans (UNO) will furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members as part of ongoing efforts to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit driven by low enrollment. This follows previous cost-cutting steps, including layoffs, administrative reductions, consolidating five colleges into two, and closing facilities. President Kathy Johnson says the decision was hard but necessary to secure UNO’s future.

Cut 6 (09) “…gut-wrenching.”

You’ll need a warm coat, gloves, hats and boots next week as Louisiana could see a significant winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans into a transitional shelter. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says the sweep is not city-wide.

Cut 12 (12) “…for Mardi Gras.”

Governor Jeff Landry issued a proclamation requesting Louisianans join him in flying their U.S. Flag and their Make America Great Again flag on January 20^th in honor of the Inauguration of President Donald Trump saying President Trump resoundingly won the 2024 election. The Louisiana Democratic Party quickly responded to the proclamation saying flying the MAGA flag at the Governor’s mansion is completely inappropriate and reckless and stating that the MAGA campaign slogan should not be displayed at the state-owned Governor’s mansion.

Many schools and all state offices will be closed on Tuesday as artic cold weather is expected to grip the state and there’s a chance we’ll see snow on Tuesday. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re looking at the possibility of a widespread snow event in the Bayou State…

Cut 3 (11) “…very, very closely.”

There’s a possibility we could even see snow south of I-10 and I-12.

The University of New Orleans is looking to close a 10-million-dollar budget deficit as they furlough approximately 290 staff and faculty members. Efforts to restructure UNO last year yielded limited savings, contributing to the current crisis, as the university faces additional debt obligations and potential revenue shortfalls. UNO CFO Edwin Litoff says UNO also plans stricter tuition collection.

Cut 8 (09) “…classes for next semister.”

The state has moved almost 160 homeless people in New Orleans, who were living in encampments around the Superdome, into a transitional shelter in Gentilly. Scott Adams, the chief of staff at GOHSEP, says they’re doing a lot more than simply giving the homeless people shelter, food, showers and laundry.

Cut 13 (07)  “…get to work.”

The shelter will be open through Mardi Gras and later if needed.