If one member of the Louisiana House of Representatives has his way, private passenger vehicle safety inspection stickers will soon be a thing of the past. Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley plans to file a bill in this year’s session that would do away with them. Bagley disagrees with the notion that safety inspection stickers indicate to police that vehicles are safe, saying officers have scores of modern technology tools at their disposal.

Cut 5 (08) “…from all that.”
Bagley’s bill would not apply to commercial vehicles.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Louisiana Family Forum is once again in search of the state’s longest married couple. L-F-F president Gene Mills …

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”

For more information call the Louisiana Family Forum.

————————————

The LaSalle Parish School District is the first in Louisiana to eliminate homework assignments. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A driver crashed into a marked police unit along Interstate 10 westbound near the Gonzales Burnside exit last night. According to LaDOTD, the crash happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. and blocked all of the westbound lanes.  State Police said that the officer was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

North Louisiana will try to get back to normal after the ice storm this week. As of this morning, there were still more than seven-thousand households without power, close to five thousand of those in Ouachita Parish.  LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatry professor Doctor Smink Sangsura says, cold weather, the loss of power and being cooped up in the house can lead to stress, anxiety, or depression.

Cut 13 (09)  “…really great.”

Vehicle safety inspection stickers could soon be a thing of the past if one member of the Louisiana House of Representatives has his way.  Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley is planning on filing a bill in this year’s session that would do away with them.

Cut 4 (09) “…no particular reason.”

Bagley’s bill would not apply to commercial vehicles.
—————————–

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again seeking nominations for the state’s longest living married couple. Jeff Palermo has the details..

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LaSalle Parish District is the first district in the state to eliminate homework assignments. Superintendent Jonathan Garrett says getting rid of homework will allow both teachers and students to be more effective throughout the school day and enhance classroom performance.

Cut 8 (14) “…that we currently have.”

If one Louisiana lawmaker has his way, inspection stickers will soon be a thing of the past. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three arrests have officially been made after a shooting at a Mardi Gras parade Saturday in Clinton left five people injured, including a six year old.  East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeffrey Travis says two of those arrested are facing multiple charges, including attempted second degree murder.

———————

LaSalle Parish Schools is the first district in the state to eliminate homework assignments. Superintendent Jonathan Garrett says homework has a limited benefit on academic success and believes that no homework gives students a strong reason to come to school excited each day.

Cut 7 (14) “…on our end.”

North Louisiana is trying to get back to normal after the ice storm. The loss of power, the cold weather, and being cooped up in the house can lead to stress, anxiety, or depression. LSU Health Shreveport Psychiatry professor Doctor Smink Sangsura says they winter blues have you down, try to get outside as the temperatures will warm up today…

Cut 14 (11) “…be still.”

The CEO of Entergy addressed his company’s power restoration efforts from this week’s massive ice storm. Phillip May Jr. says crews have been working non-stop for 16 hours a day and have made tremendous progress. But he says the damage was a lot more extensive than anticipated; and due to the icy conditions, the damage seems to be never-ending.

Cut 16 (14) “…to our system.”

In all, the latest numbers show there are more than 25thousand households without power. 15,000  in Ouachita Parish. Earlier this morning, there were more than 12 hundred without power in New Orleans due to high winds.

A Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy was killed Friday in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession on Airline Highway, according to police in New Orleans.  Officials say 41 year old Deputy Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer of River Ridge was stopped in the roadway as part of the procession when he was hit from behind. Ohlmeyer was a 14-year veteran of the department and survived by his wife and two children.
—————————————-

The state has set new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm employment is a little more two-million jobs and private sector employment is nearly 1.7-million jobs. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says over the last year, private education and health services added 15-thousand jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…machinists.”

Over the last month, trade, transportation and utilities, along with construction saw the largest job gains.

The Rockin’ 1000 concert is tonight in New Orleans, with half the 1000 musicians performing coming from 47 other states and 30 countries.  Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says while this may be the first time in New Orleans for some of the musicians and their guests; by putting its best foot forward, it won’t be the last.

Cut 5 (09) “…Rockin’1000 is over.”

Louisiana has set new records for employment in the state, both nonfarm and private at nearly two million jobs and 1.7 million jobs, respectively. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says the state’s unemployment rate has also fallen nearly a half a percent over the last year to 4.2-percent, because employers are constantly hiring.

Cut 6 (11) “…different industries.”

Tonight’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings musicians from around the country and the world to the Crescent City.  While half of the thousand musicians involved are from New Orleans, the other half are from 47 other states and 30 countries. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says an event like this is a golden opportunity for the city to show itself off to its global visitors.

Cut 4 (10) “…of the show.”

——————————

Two middle school students who had just gotten off a school bus are among eight people injured in a crash in Lafourche Parish Thursday afternoon. State Trooper Henry Perez says the driver of a Chevy Impala was going in the wrong lane in a no-passing zone and tried to slow down but lost control.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the bus.”

It’s another crazy cold weekend in Louisiana, with morning feels-like temperatures ranging from single digits to the teens across the state.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says this second round of extremely cold air is concerning for the thousands who still do not have power…

Cut 14 (14) “…available”

As of this morning, there are still reportedly more than 26-thousand households without power, 7,000  in Ouachita Parish…and 1200 in Orleans due to high winds.

The latest report on jobs in Louisiana saw the state reach new records. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Good news out of East Carroll Parish as state police are reporting that all eight inmates that escaped the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence on Thursday night are back in custody. We’re told the escapees were apprehended thanks to Louisiana State Police CREST mission that was carried out in coordination with the several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

—————————-

It’s going to be another unseasonably cold weekend across Louisiana. And the cold stuff is already here. Though there’s no precipitation, there is a lot of wind which is why State Climatologist Jay Grymes says it feels even colder than it is….and he says that could put a real damper on Mardi Gras parades this weekend.

Cut 13 (11) “…much a repeat.”

Cold or no cold, tonight’s Rockin’1000 concert literally brings the whole world together in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 visionary Fabio Zaffagnini says while half of the thousand musicians hails from Louisiana, the other half represent 47 other states – and 30 countries.

Cut 3 (12) “…North Africans.”

Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says an event like this is a golden opportunity for the city to show itself off to these new visitors from around the world.

A Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy was killed Friday in a motorcycle crash while escorting a funeral procession on Airline Highway, according to police in New Orleans.  Officials say 41 year old Deputy Christopher Paul Ohlmeyer of River Ridge was stopped in the roadway as part of the procession when he was hit from behind. Ohlmeyer was a 14-year veteran of the department and is survived by a wife and two children.

The state has set new records for both total nonfarm employment and total private employment. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm employment is a little more two-million jobs and private sector employment is nearly 1.7-million jobs. Osmar Padilla with Louisiana Works says over the last year, private education and health services added 15-thousand jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…machinists.”

—————————-

If you haven’t been outside just yet, brace yourself for some bone-chillingly cold temperatures.   State Climatologist Jay Grymes says while there’s no precipitation, it is windy, and that  make the cold air feel much colder than the actual temperature

Cut 12 (11) “…like the teens.”

And Grymes says it’ll be just as cold tomorrow morning.

All this while thousands are still without power after the ice storm last weekend.  The CEO of Entergy Phillip May Jr, addressed his company’s power restoration efforts yesterday afternoon saying crews have been working non-stop for 16 hours a day.

Cut 15 (12) “…of 92-thousand.”

It’s a huge political networking event and D-C Mardi Gras is happening this week in our nation’s capital. Events are underway all this week with a dinner dance on Friday and a Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday. But LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says amid all the parties and pageantry, there are big issues and storylines.

Cut 11 (09) “…cycle as well.”

Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. But demographer Greg Rigamer says last year’s growth here still pales compared to the growth seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

———————————-

Rockin’1000 is a gathering of one-thousand musicians on the same stage, and they come from all walks of life and of all ages. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Repair crews are still hard at work in north Louisiana, trying to get utility polies back up and transformers back online.   In a news release yesterday, Entergy officials said restoration crews continue to make progress but they’re performing presision work that cannot be rushed without compromising safety, especially in the extreme cold.  As of this morning, some 53-thousand customers are still without power.

Louisiana had a modest gain in population last year.  But as Andre Champagne reports, our state still has a long way to go.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

More than 53-thousand people in North Louisiana remain without power this morning with more than half of those in Ouachita Parish.  Entergy said yesterday they’d identified damage to 700 utility poles, and 170 transformers. We’re told restoration crews continue to make progress in extreme cold as they perform precision work than cannot be rushed without compromising safety.

———————–

One of Louisiana’s biggest political networking events of the year is underway in the nation’s capital, as it’s D-C Mardi Gras time. LaPolitics publisher and editor Jeremy Alford says there will be a dinner dance on Friday night and a Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, but before that there’s plenty of opportunities to rub elbows.

Cut 10 (11) “…governments to universities.”

When it comes to internships and apprenticeships for high school students, Louisiana trails other Southern states.  But a new state tax credit for employers aims to change that.  Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the credit is available to businesses that make eligible hires this year, and its something they can claim on their state tax returns beginning next year.

Cut 5 (07) “…for that student.”

It’s D-C Mardi Gras weekend in the nation’s capital. Jeff Palermo has more on the big social and political networking event.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves has announced that he will not run for congress in the newly open 5^th Congressional District Race, saying this is not the time nor office that makes sense for him. Current 5^th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced last week she’ll be challenging Senator Bill Cassidy in his run for re-election.

—————————————
Louisiana had a net population gain last year. The U.S. Census Bureau says between July 1st, 2024, and June 30th, 2025, Louisiana added about 33-hundred people to its population total. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that net increase still does not get Louisiana’s population back to the level at the beginning of the decade.

Cut 7 (09) “…40-thousand people.”

Louisiana trails other Southern states in internships and apprenticeships for high school students. That’s why the Leaders for a Better Louisiana are alerting businesses about a new state tax credit employers can take advantage of if they hire interns or have an apprenticeship program. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin…

Cut 4 (09)“…them do that.”