Louisiana has some brutally cold weather headed our way this weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the weekend will start off mild, but the winds of change will blow into the state Saturday night and on Sunday night, temperatures will drop like a rock across the state

Cut 7 (09) “…the coastal parishes.”

Between now and New Year’s Day, there will be extra police on the roadways looking for drunk drivers, as the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is now underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says there’s traditionally an increase in drinking and driving during the holiday season.

Cut 3 (07) “…and New Year’s.”

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Big week in Louisiana high school football and for the Haynesville Golden Tornado. They captured the program’sr 18th state title on Thursday — Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

On Friday, St. Charles Catholic won in an amazing end of game comeback, taking out Shaw for the title there.  Iowa with its first ever state championship.  Sterlington beat Jena.  And St. Charles Catholic won in an end of game comeback, taking out Shaw for the title.

Ruston takes on Ouachita Parish today at noon. At 3:30 it’s a battle of New Orleans football giants:  Edna Karr versus St. Aug.

If you get behind the wheel after having one too many, you will be caught, and you will be arrested. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Nearly five years after losing her husband to COVID-19 complications, Congresswoman Julia Letlow is getting ready to tie the knot. Letlow announced yesterday her engagement to Baton Rouge lawyer Kevin Ainsworth. President Donald Trump congratulated the couple at a White House event yesterday.

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Iowa won its first state championship in school history as the Yellow Jackets defeated North Desoto 50-43. Sterlington won its second title in a row as the Panthers defeated Jena 34-20.  And St. Charles Catholic with a wild comeback in the final seconds of that game.  They beat Shaw 23-21 in the end.

Ouachita Parish is back in the state title game for the first time since 1994. The Lions take on their in-district rivals in the Ruston Bearcats in the early game Saturday. Ouachita head coach Benjy Lewis says that his team knew it had a chance to be special after losing a close game to Ruston in week six.

Cut 12 (14) “…started it.”

Ouachita Parish is looking for its first state title since 1989.

A star-studded lineup is announced for the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Lane Kiffin will return to Oxford on September 19^th. The Tigers will kick off SEC play by visiting Ole Miss on that day. LSU’s home schedule includes games against Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama and Texas.

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Nike announces a new NIL venture, and has chosen to partner with ten LSU athletes on its first campaign.  Zach Greenwell, LSU’s deputy athletic director for external affairs, says Trey’Dez Green, Derek Curiel and gymnast Kailin Chio are among the athletes. Greenwell says they will promote Nike products

Cut 8 (12) “…place to start.”

At the LHSAA Prep Classic yesterday, Haynesville won its 18th state championship, Riverside and Dunham each won their second. Today, Iowa and Jena will play in their first-ever state championship game.  KNOE-TV sports Aaron Dietrich says the Giants will have a lot of support in the dome today…

Cut 10 (14) “…for Jay Roark.”

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Nike announces a first-of-its-kind partnership with LSU athletes.  Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

At the LHSAA Prep Classic, the Dunham Tigers won their first state championship since 2004 as they took outCalvary Baptist 34-17.  Haynesville won its 18th state championship as they beat Mangham 39-37.  And Riverside took out Ascension Catholic 31-21.

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is expressing concerns about the impact of Operation Catahoula Crunch. Nungesser says the enhanced immigration enforcement operation has immigrant communities on edge, and could hurt tourism in the state, which is why he’d like to see a different approach.

Cut 14 (07) “…the whole community.”

The lineup for next year’s New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been announced.  The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Sewart, and Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson will be among the performers.  Producer and Director Quint Davis says Jazz Fest will five-thousand musicians will be performing on 14 stages during the eight-day festival, and nearly all genres of music are represented.

Cut 5 (06) “…a blues tent.”

As Operation Catahoula Crunch expands from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is expressing concerns about its impact. Nungesser says not only does the enhanced immigration enforcement operation have immigrant communities on edge, but it could have an adverse effect on the biggest sector of New Orleans’ economy.

Cut 13 (09)  “…questioned or harassed.”

Nike has chosen LSU as the first school to partner with on a new NIL venture. Nike and other companies have partnered with schools for years, but Nik’s Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program is the first to partner with the athletes themselves. Zach Greenwell, LSU’s deputy athletic director for external affairs, says the company is partnering with ten athletes on a big campaign to promote Nike products.

Cut 7 (12) “…our roll-out.”

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Ouachita Parish is seeking to avenge its week-four loss to Ruston in the Prep Classic tomorrow. Jeff Palermo is in the Superdome with a preview of the matchup.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Eagles, Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart are among the headliners announced for the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Producer and Director Quint Davis says Jazz Fest will also be a homecoming for Lainey Wilson.

Cut 4 (08) “…real roots Louisiana.”

Tickets go on sale today.

The Louisiana Prep Classic kicks off in the Superdome today. Andre Champagne has a preview of the first two matchups of the day.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury indicted five people yesterday in connection with the alleged hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson.  Wilson was a mechanical engineering major and played the trumpet for the Human jukebox.  He died February 27^th.  His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in September.

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LSU’s Gulf Coast Energy Outlook predicts oil and gas production will continue to expand, and the state will continue to see investment in petrochemicals, LNG projects and energy-intensive manufacturing. Greg Upton, the interim director of the Energy Institute says natural gas prices continue to remain low, which continues to drive investment in refined products.

Cut 8 (11) “…investment that’s happening.”

A new professional football team is coming to Monroe this summer….an addition to the Arena League.  League owner Jeff Holmes, who also owns the Iowa Woo, says The Arena League plays a unique brand of indoor football, including seven players on the field per side. And despite the name of the sport, there is no kicking.

Cut 14 (07) “…receive the ball.”

The league is holding a name the team contest for Monroe’s newest professional sports franchise.

LSU’s Gulf Coast Energy Outlook predicts the oil and gas sector will continue grow, thanks to technological improvements and low natural gas prices. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In case you’re wondering, there were no jackpot winners in last night’s Powerball drawing…so Powerball fever is likely to go even higher.  The estimated jackpot for the next drawing is already up to 1 Billion dollars.

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It looks like having Lane Kiffin as LSU’s new head football coach could mean big earnings potential for both the school and the capitol city.  Since the announcement, there have been more than 15-thousand new season ticket requests, and an increase in interest from donors and corporate partners.  LSU economics professor Dek Terrell

Cut 11 (08) “…due to that.”

The LHSAA Prep Classic in the Superdome kicks off today. Game one will feature a Division Four non-select matchup between the undefeated Haynesville Golden Tornado and Mangham Dragons.  The second game of the day is a Division Four select matchup between the Riverside Rebels and the Ascension Catholic Bulldogs. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says the Rebels have an advantage at the line of scrimmage.

Cut 5 (12) “…defensive line operate.”

The final game of the day features a Division Three select matchup between the Dunham Tigers and Calvary Baptist Cavaliers.

LSU’s hiring of Lane Kiffin as its new head football coach is poised to yield a big economic impact for both the school and the City of Baton Rouge. Since LSU poached Kiffin from Ole Miss, the team has had more than 15-thousand new season ticket requests, as interest from donors and corporate partners has seen a big uptick.LSU economics professor Dek Terrell says the real impact is still to come.

Cut 10 (09) “…of that nature.”

LSU’s Gulf Coast Energy Outlook predicts oil and gas production will continue to expand, and the state will see more investments in petrochemicals, LNG projects, and energy-intensive manufacturing. Greg Upton, interim director of the Energy Institute, says with advancements in technology, the oil and gas economy can expand without the need more drilling.

Cut 7 (07) “…to do that.”

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Professional football arrives in Monroe this summer. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LHSAA Prep Classic in the Superdome starts today. Game one of the day features a Division Four non-select matchup between the undefeated Haynesville Golden Tornado and Mangham Dragons. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Haynesville may be undefeated, but Mangham is battle-tested.

Cut 4 (09) “…Haynesville team again.”

The massive Lake Borgne Marsh Creation Project in St. Bernard Parish is finished. Michael Hare, the executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, says the five-year construction project restored almost 32-hundred acres of marsh along the lake’s south shore.

Cut 3 (11) “…New Orleans area.”

Jon Sumrall will coach at least one more game at Tulane before heading to coach Florida.  The Green Wave defense forced five turnovers last night against an explosive North Texas offense, and the Tulane offense reeled off 24 straight points after going down in a 7-0 hole to win the American Conference Championship at Yulman Stadium, 34-21.  Tulane making its fourth consecutive appearance in the conference title game….winning its first American championship since 2022.
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After speculation that he’d leave for the Tulane job, LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker is staying on Lane Kiffin’s staff.  The head coach confirmed that late yesterday.

Netflix has announced that it has purchased Warner Brothers. Haggai Davis, the host of the radio show TechGumbo, says with that purchase, Netflix is also acquiring HBO and the streaming service HBO Max, but HBO Max won’t be going away entirely.

Cut 7 (13) “…your Netflix subscription.”

In high school football playoff news, Gina who’s never been to a state championship, has punched its ticket to the big game.  The Giants beat the Union Parish Farmers 30-6.  They’ll take on defending State Champs Sterlington, who trounced St. James 63-24.

A proposed 2.8 million square foot data center was denied this week by the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission after getting major backlash from the community. Earlier in the week, people showed up in large numbers to speak out against the project.  The plan was denied after a tie vote from the planning commission.  Bohler Engineering, the company behind the data center, could still appeal the decision to the city council.

The biggest rodeo ever is coming to Louisiana in New Orleans next year.  Set for April 10^th-12^th at the Caesars Superdome, the Hondo Rodeo Fest will feature big-name musical performers at night. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jason Aldean will perform, as will CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award winner Cody Johnson and rock band Creed. Hondo Rodeo Fest Co-Founder Blake Cody says there’s also Western-themed Street Fest.

Cut 14 (09) “…with the sheep.”

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A 13-year-old is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 21-year-old family member. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Big news for high school football fans in Iowa.  The Yellow Jakets are headed to the state championship for the very first time.  That after defeating Belle Chase 28-21 last night.  Iowa will play North Desoto. The Griffons got a scare from Plaquemine last night, but in the end beat the green devils 58-44.