It’s going to be a spectacular line of fire along the banks of the Mississippi River Christmas Eve. Andre Champagne explains.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Special Envoy to Greenland.  That announcement came over the weekend.  Landry posted on “X” his thanks for the nod to the volunteer position, assuring residents here that the role in no way affects his position as Governor of Louisiana.
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It’s an exciting time for West Feliciana Parish, as construction is now underway on the Hut 8 data center. Even though it won’t be up and running until 2027, Hut 8 has already secured its first tenant in A-I safety and research company Anthropic. Parish President Kenny Havard says the data center will triple the parish’s tax revenue and create lots of jobs.

Cut 8 (08) “…15-hundred construction jobs..”

One of the big concerns about data centers is about the massive energy required to power them. Havard says the Hut 8 data center won’t be pulling any water off the aquifer.

Cut 9 (06)  “…or whatever with.”

Tulane’s rematch against Ole Miss in the first round of the College Football Playoff went nearly identically to their matchup from exactly four months earlier, with the Rebels trouncing the Green Wave, 41-10. The stage is now set for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans as the Rebels will take on the Georgia Bulldogs January 1^st.

It’s a game-changer for West Feliciana Parish, as construction is now underway on the Hut 8 data center. Even though it won’t be up and running until 2027, Hut 8 has already secured its first tenant in A-I safety and research company Anthropic. Parish President Kenny Havard says the data center will triple the parish’s tax revenue.

Cut 7 (07) “…plus the 41.”

Havard says the Hut 8 data center will create one-hundred plus jobs just in the first phase and 15-hundred construction jobs in all.

After Operation Access Denied let to the arrests of 67 people in a month-long sex offender sting in the northern part of Louisiana, Attorney General Liz Murril says her office will try to replicate the successful sting in other parts of the state…and she has a stern warning for child sex predators.

Cut 12 (13) “…violating the law.”

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The Sugar Bowl matchup is now set. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Christmas in parts of Louisiana is unlike no other as dozens of bonfires are set to be lit along the banks of the Mississippi River once again this Christmas Eve.   St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the bonfires are a longstanding tradition and most will take place on the east bank.

Cut 5 (07) “…Paulina area.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development says 2025 was a record-breaking year. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says 2025 saw the largest investment and job creation in Louisiana history.

Cut 3 (09) “…93-hundred direct jobs.”

Bourgeois says those jobs pay an average salary of 91-thousand dollars a year, which is 30-thousand higher than the state’s current average.  She credits several new initiatives for the increased investment in Louisiana.

After a two week manhunt, an escapee from the St. Landry Parish jail was captured yesterday without incident.  That’s the word from Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz.  Keith Eli had been in jail on a charge of second degree murder. Another escapee was captured back on December 5^th, following a brief chase.

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In their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance Tulane will meet Ole Miss or the second time this season, Saturday. The first matchup was in September, and the Green Wave lost by five touchdowns with he Rebels putting up nearly 550 yards of offense. Senior linebacker Sam Howard says the Green Wave’s defense has to do a better job of getting off the field.

Cut 13 (11)  “…make a play.”

Kick off is this afternoon at 2:30.

Kick off is set for 2:30.

With the transfer portal window set to open on January 2nd, ten LSU football players are expected to enter. Among them is redshirt freshman quarterback Colin Hurley, who enrolled at LSU as a 16-year-old. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the move isn’t surprising as head coach Lane Kiffin is expected to shop for multiple quarterbacks in the portal.

Cut 15 (08) “…going to be missed.”

If you have some last-minute Christmas shopping to do, why not do it at a local business? Andre Champagne reports…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

If you’ll be out and about today, you may want to get a Powerball ticket. If the five numbers and the Powerball you choose match the numbers drawn Saturday night, you win one and a half billion dollars! In case you’re wondering, the odds of winning are 292-million-to-one.

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2025 was a record-breaking year for economic development in Louisiana, with 61-billion dollars in capital investment and more than 93-hundred direct new jobs. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says those jobs pay an average salary of 91-thousand dollars a year,and…

Cut 4 (11) “…current state average.”

Today is the big day for Tulane as the road to the national championship begins. It won’t be easy for the Green Wave as they’re in Oxford to take on Ole Miss. Four months ago, they lost to the Rebels by five touchdowns.  Freshman running back Jamauri McClure says the Green Wave will be out for revenge today.

Cut 14 (12) “…ready for this game.”

Tulane is set to play in its first-ever College Football Playoff game today as it faces Ole Miss for the second time this season. Head coach Jon Sumrall says his team is one that’s led by the players.

Cut 12 (14) “…and their approach.”

Kick off is scheduled for 2:30

The City of Shreveport is looking to be the next Louisiana city to build a large data center. After two hours of intense debate, the City Council unanimously on Thursday voted to overturn a decision by the Metropolitan Planning Commission and approve the building of a center there. Councilman Jim Taliaferro explained that he understood everyone’s concerns but…

Cut 11 (11) “…safeguards in place.”

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2025 was a big year for economic development in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

If you still have Christmas shopping to do this Super Saturday, you might want to consider shopping local. Leah Long, the director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business says even if you prefer to shop online, shopping local is a benefit to your community. .

Cut 8 (08) “…it to you.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development says 2025 was a record-breaking year. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says 2025 saw Louisiana’s the largest investment and job creation in state history.

Cut 3 (09) “…93-hundred direct jobs.”

Those jobs pay an average salary of 90-thousand dollars a year.

Another Louisiana city is building another large data center. Following two hours of passionate debate Thursday, the Shreveport City Council unanimously voted to overturn a decision by the Metropolitan Planning Commission and approve the building of the center. Supporters spoke about increased tax revenue and more education and training for the future. Others voiced concerns…

Cut 10 (10) “…of this project?”

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In their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance Tulane will meet Ole Miss or the second time this season, Saturday. The first matchup was in September, and the Green Wave lost by five touchdowns. The Rebels totaled nearly 550 yards of offense. Senior linebacker Sam Howard says the Green Wave’s defense has to do a better job of getting off the field this time around.

Cut 13 (11)  “…make a play.”

Kick off is this afternoon at 2:30.

With the transfer portal set to open January 2nd, ten LSU football players are expected to enter. One of the most surprising names expected to enter the portal is freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne. Curne played in seven games and had starts at both left and right tackle. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau…

Cut 16 (09) “…are significant.”

Christmas is next week, and that a very busy time for travel. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Retail Federation expects 160 million people to hit stores on the last Saturday before Christmas…that includes 41-million online shoppers.

Cut 8 (12) “…to your car.”

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67 sex offenders are in custody in Louisiana this morning after one of the biggest child predator busts in state history.  The month-long Operation Access Denied, focused on catching offenders who were breaking the law and exploiting children online.  Attorney General Liz Murrill says agents from 26 sheriff’s offices, three police departments, the Department of Public Safety and the Bossier Marshal’s Office found those engaging in illegal online activity, and that led to the discovery of other crimes.

Cut 14 (12) “…of an animal.”

The New Orleans City Council voted unanimously yesterday to move forward with an override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto of the 2026 budget.  The $1.6 billion budget includes several cost-saving efforts, including layoffs, a hiring freeze, and $150 million in spending cuts.

A massive enforcement operation in North Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders nets 67 arrests. It’s one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it happened during a month-long operation last month called Operation Access Denied.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during this operation.”

The American Tort Reform Foundation is out with its ranking of its worst judicial hellholes of 2025. President Tiger Joyce says one long-running state case rose to close to the top of the list.

Cut 10 (10) “…at number four.”

The foundation says lawsuit abuse forces Louisiana residents to pay what is effectively a tort tax of more than a thousand dollars a year.

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We’re heading into the last weekend before Christmas and as Andre Champagne reports, if you’ll be shopping, expect lots of company.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

This Christmas will also be another record-breaker when it comes to travel, with more than 122-million Americans heading out of town for the holidays. But unlike Thanksgiving, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana, says not everyone will be traveling at once.

Cut 5 (06) “…everyone heading out.”

It’s being called one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans City Council voted unanimously yesterday to move forward with an override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto of the 2026 budget.  The $1.6 billion budget includes several cost-saving efforts, including layoffs, a hiring freeze, and $150 million in spending cuts.

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Christmas is next week, and that means another busy travel week. Triple-A says this one will be another record-breaker, with more than 122-million Americans heading out of town for the holidays, the majority on the roadways. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the closer we get to Christmas Day, the busier the roads will be.

Cut 4 (09) “…the highest number.”

The National Retail Federation is expecting almost 160-million shoppers to hit the stores on the last Saturday before Christmas. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says even though there are more shoppers than ever, the most money is being spent by one group more than the others.

Cut 7 (11) “…to spend more.”