The Biden Administration is placing a pause on pending liquefied natural gas export terminals, which puts in jeopardy the construction of the 10-billion dollar Calcasieu Pass 2 terminal project in Cameron Parish. President Biden says they want to examine the impact LNG exports have on energy costs, energy security and the environment. Louisiana Bucket Brigade director Anne Rolfes applauds the decision

Cut 3 (12) “….took action”  

A leading manufacturer of building materials, announces plans to invest $75 million dollars to expand and modernize its Oakdale facility in Allen Parish. Boise Cascade Vice President Mike Brown says the company expects to create 30 new direct jobs and…

Cut 7 (08) “…the other.” 

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Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of manslaughter in the 2016 killing of former Saints star Will Smith. A jury reached the verdict just after midnight last night. Defense attorneys have said they will appeal the conviction.

The LSU Lady Tigers lost to top ranked South Carolina on Thursday night and a king cake was murdered before on national TV before the game. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest today in Sulfur. The 77-year-old collapsed shortly after a performance in Llano, Texas last Saturday. Sonnier was diagnosed with autism as a child and executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says as a way to cope, his physician told him to learn to play an instrument, which led Sonnier to the accordion…

Cut 7 (05) “…that happened.” 
Instead of flowers, donations can be made to AutismSpeaks-dot-org.
Tragic news from the Louisiana Department of Health as officials confirm two winter weather-related deaths. Coroners confirmed a 36-year-old man died in Rapides Parish and a 73 year old woman in Sabine parish died of hypothermia. These are the first deaths related to the severe winter weather conditions that began last Sunday.

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Louisiana lawmakers have wrapped up the special session producing two major pieces of legislation. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Governor Landry says the outcome of the special session is a win for the people of Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “…great state” 
The governor had asked lawmakers to pass a bill that would only allow registered voters of a party to vote in their party primary. But Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in the primaries. He also wanted closed party primaries for federal and state elections. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the author of the legislation…

Cut 5 (08) “…different voices here.” 

10:30 am

The special session is over and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Landry advocated hard for party primary elections…

Cut 13 (11) “…change that.”
Elections for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will also move party primaries in 2026.

Corey Raymond is back in Purple and Gold. The longtime secondary coach is back with the Tigers and he’ll coach the cornerbacks. Raymond’s contract is reportedly for two years, with a school option for a third year. The other two new additions are from Missouri…edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples and safeties coach Jake Olsen.

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Governor Jeff Landry says a new that deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Federal and state dollars, along with tolls will pay for the bridge. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association opposed the financing plan proposed last year by the Edwards administration and they do not like Landry’s plan, even though it reduces the toll for trucks to cross the bridge from $12.50 to $8.25. Director of the L-M-T-A Renee Amar…

Cut 11 (11) “…Louisiana truckers.”
Grammy-winning Cajun musician Jo-EL Sonnier will be laid to rest this afternoon in Sulphur. The 77-year-old collapsed shortly after a performance in Llano, Texas last Saturday. Executive Director of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Mike Shepard says Sonnier died doing what he loved…

Cut 6 (09) “…go out.” 

Two 10-year-old boys are safe at home this morning after going missing in a heavily wooded area south of St. Francisville last night. West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s officials say the boys were reported missing around sunset. Fresh tracks were discovered by K-9 teams and deputies around 11 last night and after being checked out by E-M-s, the boys were reunited with their parents.

A closed party primary bill is heading to Jeff Landry’s desk, but it’s not as expansive as the governor wanted. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that now includes two majority Black districts. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had given the legislature a January 30th deadline to rewrite the map because the old one violated the Voting Rights Act. St. Bernard Parish Representative Michael Bayham voted against the map because of the rushed process.

Cut  14 (08) “…a mess”

Governor Jeff Landry says a new deal has been struck to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Landry says this plan reduces the overall cost of the bridge by 25 percent. He says federal and state dollars will pay for the bridge, plus  there will be tolls, but they won’t be as high as the ones proposed by the Edwards Administration

Cut 9 (10) “…26 percent” 

The Louisiana Legislature has sent a Congressional map to the governor’s desk that has two majority Black districts. This could result in a second Louisiana Democrat being elected to the U-S House. State Representative Beau Beuallieu says the proposed Congressional boundaries also protect four Republican members…

Cut 13 (15) “…Louisiana” 
Meanwhile, state lawmakers have approved a bill that would result in a move to party primary elections for Congress, BESE, PSC and Louisiana Supreme Court starting in 2026. It’s not everything Governor Jeff Landry wanted. Democratic New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis says voters did not ask for this change…

Cut 3 (07) “…are going to be frustrated.”

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Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to finance a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge calls for tolls but at a lower cost than what the Edwards Administration proposed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 
The Louisiana Department of Health confirms two winter weather-related deaths in Sabine and Rapides parishes. Coroners confirmed a 36 year old man and a 73 year old woman both died of hypothermia in separate instances. These are the first deaths related to the severe winter weather conditions that began last Sunday.

The special session gets underway this afternoon for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional district map after the current one was ruled unconstitutional. LA-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s anybody’s guess what will happen this time around…

Cut 10 (07) “…or not.”
A government watchdog group is concerned the call for this special session is too broad. Collen Crain reports legislators will attempt to approve new Congressional and Supreme Court district maps, make changes to campaign finance laws and switch to a party primary system for all elections.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Grammy award winning Cajun recording artis- Jo-El Sonner has died at the age of 77 while on tour in Texas. The Louisiana legend had competed a show at the Llano county Opry on Saturday night before suffering a major heart attack. Sonnier began playing his brother’s accorion by the age of three, by six he had been on the radio, and by 11, he had recorded his first songs. J0-El Sonnier was known for his many hits like “No Moew One More Time” & “Come on Joe”.

It will be cold for the next few days. Highs for north Louisiana will be in the mid to upper 20s today. Central Louisiana will see highs near the freezing mark. Mid-40s for south Louisiana today. Cameron Kowalski with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says tomorrow will be the coldest day for south Louisiana…

Cut 15 (11) “…the coast”

The special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts gets underway this afternoon, and the governor wants lawmakers to address a dozen other issues too. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lawmakers have until January 23rd to complete their redistricting work. Governor Jeff Landry says after that they’ll turn their attention to a special session that will attempt to lower the crime rate…

Cut 6 (06) “…to work on.”

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The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter storm warning as snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to fall through the afternoon hours. Experts say there’s a chance for freezing rain for entire the state. It will be very light for south Louisiana. Ryan Knapp, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says central Louisiana could see one to two-tenths of an inch of freezing rain…

Cut 14 (11) “..heavier impacts.” 
Tragic news out of Ascension Parish this morning as a mother and one year old child were found shot to death in Gonzales yesterday. According to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the bodies were found inside a trailer home at the Oak Village Mobile Home Park off Airline Highway yesterday evening around 5:30. A person of interest was taken into custody. Authorities suspect the shootings were an act of domestic violence.

This afternoon, Louisiana lawmakers convene a special Legislative session to address the court-ordered redistricting of Louisiana’s congressional map and there are several other complicated issues on the agenda. The special session must conclude on January 23rd. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislators do not have a lot of time…

Cut 7 (12) “…campaign finance.”
Calling a special session so soon wasn’t something Governor Jeff Landry would have done if he’d had his way. But during an appearance on the Moon Griffon show, Landry said a mid-January special session is a must because a federal judge set a January 30th deadline to  redraw a Congressional district map with two majority-minority districts, instead of one..

Cut 4 (12) “..do it”
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The entire I-20 corridor is under a winter storm warning as snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to fall through the afternoon hours. Ryan Knapp is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….

Cut 13 (14) “..sleet accumulations”
DOTD has already announced several road closures due to winter weather conditions. Urban I-49 in Caddo Parish is closed. The closure includes the northbound lanes of I-49 between LA 526 and I-20, as well as the southbound lanes from I-20 to LA 3132. And that’s not all, the southbound lanes of I-49 are also closed between the I-22 interchange in Shreveport and Mira Myrtis Road in Caddo as are the Benton Road Overpass in Bossier And the LA 154 Bridge over Lake Bistineau in Bosier/Bienville Parishes. For the latest information on road closures, you can always visit www.5-11-L-A-dot-org.

One suspect is in custody and another is being sought in the Thursday shooting outside a Bogalusa High Basketball game that left a 14-year-old dead and left a 13 year old hospitalized. According to Nola.com Bogalusa police arresedf 21 year old Jamichael Spikes on counts of obstruction of justice related to the shooting. As for a motive, investigators do not believe the shooting was random.

Cut 7 (05) “…this point.” 

Police are also searching for a 17-year-old in connection with the crime, though they do not believe he was the shooter.

The New Orleans teenager convicted of killing Linda Frickey in March of 2022 was sentenced to life in prison yesterday. John Honore, who was 17 when he committed the crime, could be eligible for parole after 25 years. You’ll recall the murder involved the murder involved Honore carjacking, beating, and dragging Frickey 700 feet with her own car.

It nay be  cold outside now, but Louisiana is just beginning to brace for arctic air and the possibility of winter precipitation. Morehouse, East and West Carroll are under a winter storm watch, starting Sunday night and lasting until Monday afternoon, LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin…

Cut 3 (11) “…Monday night.”
Jaqueman says snow will be a possibility along the Louisiana-Arkansas border.

While we’re all considering our pets, pipes, and plants ahead the hard freeze, don’t forget about your car. Experts say you should have your battery checked and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tripple A spokesman Don Redman says anti-freeze is especially important. And if you find it low, it’s important to remember….

Cut 11 (06) “…fits all.”

Louisiana continues to brace for the arrival of some arctic air and the possibility of winter precipitation on Sunday. Experts say snow will be a possibility along the Louisiana-Arkansas border. The I-20 corridor could see a combination of sleet and freezing rain. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the cold will stick around through Tuesday and into Wednesday morning…

Cut 5 (07) “…at all” 

While we’re all considering our pets and pipes as the temperatures begin to plummet, don’t forget about those plants. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard recommends using mulch as an insulator to protect your perennials.

Cut  14 (08) “..those roots.”
Kirk-Ballard says your shrubs and other trees should be able to weather the deep freeze.

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As Louisiana prepares for the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in years. Colleen Crain has some reminders for preparing your automobile…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

And if your worried about your electric bill, be aware Entergy Louisiana says they are temporarily suspending disconnections for non-payment through next Friday. Beyond January 19^th, Entergy says they will take a day-by-day approach on disconnections.