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. Hayes was found not guilty of the attempted manslaughter of Smith’s wife Racquel. Defense attorneys have said they will appeal the manslaughter conviction.

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.” 

Brown says the facility will be able to produce up to 400 million square feet of dry veneer every year. He says the construction process will be split into stages and expects it to start later this year.

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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”  

But not everyone agrees.  Economist Loren Scott says this decision jeopardizes the state’s economic growth…

Cut 4 (12) “..pulled the trigger”

Former teacher and coach at St. Thomas More High School, Lafayette, Angel Rafael Cardona pleaded guilty on a child pornography charge Friday.  In a plea deal Cardona pleaded guilty to enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity and will serve at least 10 years in prison.  Information presented in court showed in June of 2023, Cardona began an online conversation with a user identified as a 13-year-old girl but was actually an undercover law enforcement officer.

Former Orleans Parish District Attorney Harry Connick Senior passed away Thursday. He was the longest-serving DA in New Orleans from 1973 to 2003.  Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says some of Connick’s cases went as high as the US Supreme Court and were overturned for violations of not turning over favorable evidence to the defense.

Cut 11 (08) “…handled.”

Harry Connick Senior was 97 years old.
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A leading manufacturer of building materials has announced 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 Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will create 77 new indirect jobs. Brown says the expansion of the Oakdale facility will increase production and upgrading machines and technology will mean increase efficiency.

Cut 8 (11) “…new dryer.” 
Brown says the facility will be able to produce up to 400 million square feet of dry veneer every year. He says the construction process will be split into stages and expects it to start later this year.

Cut 9 (13) “…new equipment.”

A proposed 10 billion dollar Liquefied natural gas export terminal project in Cameron Parish is in jeopardy as a result of a decision by the President. Jeff Palermo explains…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
Governor Jeff Landry has named Susan Bonnett Bourgeois of Covington as the new Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development saying she is exactly what the department needs to move Louisiana’s economy forward. Bourgeois is no stranger to state government as she held multiple roles in the late Governor Mike Foster’s administration.

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Former Orleans Parish District Attorney Harry Connick Senior passed away Thursday. He was the longest-serving DA in New Orleans from 1973 to 2003.  But Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Connick had some ups and downs in his legal career and even faced federal charges himself.

Cut 10 (12) “…evidence.”

Authorities say the bodies of 67 year old John Moss and his wife Christina Moss of the same age were found inside of a burning home in Leesville on Thursday. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says the Moss’s were going through a divorce and were in court earlier that morning. Authorities believe John shot his wife before starting the fire and then turned the gun on himself.

Cut  14 (12) “…and determine.”

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.