If you’ll be drinking this holiday season, be sure you don’t get behind the wheel. “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is happening now through New Year’s day state wide.  Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the holiday season has traditionally is always deadly on Louisiana roadways due to drinking and driving, and last year was no different.

Cut 4 (13) “…alcohol-related crash.”

Fischer says if you plan on having a good time at your holiday gatherings, by all means do so – but have a plan to get home safely.

Cut 5 (06) “…a designated driver.”

Lots of people will be headed to the LHSAA Prep Classic to watch state championship football today.  Ruston is set to take on Ouachita Parish at noon.  . At 3:30 it’s a battle of New Orleans football giants:  Edna Karr versus St. Aug.

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Haynesville claimed its 18th football state championship Thursday after beating Mangham, 39-37.  Haynesville had made it to the state championship game in the last three seasons but came up short.  Head coach David Franklin says the character of his players this season allowed the team to flourish this season

Cut 10 (14) “…on the cake.”

Everyone’s talking about the wild ending of last night’s St. Charles Catholic versus Shaw match up in the Division Two select state title game.  Senior Tyler Milioto overcame a missed extra point with 36 seconds left and thanks to a Shaw penalty, got a second chance to win it for his team.  Our own Jeff Palermo had the call on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 30 (13) “….to hero”

Milioto kicked a 44-yeard game wining field goal to give the Comets the win 23-21

A storybook ending in the Division 2 Select title game for St. Charles Catholic in the Superdome last night!  Senior Tyler Milioto overcame a missed extra point with 36 seconds left in the game when he got a second chance after a Shaw penalty.  Milioto kicked a 44-yeard game wining field goal to give the Comets the win 23-21.

Iowa won its first State Championship in school history . Iowa with its first ever state championship taking out North Desoto 50-43.  . Sterlington won its second title in a row as the Panthers defeated Jena 34-20.

Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance and is looking to capture its ninth state title in school history as they take on Ouachita Parish.  Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says last season’s 42-0 loss to Central is something that’s motivating the players this season.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Kickoff for that game is today at noon.

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Haynesville claimed its 18th football state championship this week after beating Mangham, 39-37. The Golden Tornado have the second-most football state titles in Louisiana, just behind John Curtis. Head coach David Franklin says this year’s team will always be special to him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…they put forth.”

You might want to spend part of your weekend getting ready for some serious cold. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the the winds of change will blow into the state tonight. Bringing temperatures in the mid-20’s to the northern part of the state and near freezing temps in the southern part of the state by Monday morning.

Cut 8 (07) “…long, long duration.”

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.”