Tourists are once again packing New Orleans to ring in the new year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

National Guard troops have arrived in NOLA to provide security for the New Year’s celebrations. They were also in the city for last year’s Super Bowl and Mardi gras celebrations. The Guard has been deployed to the French Quarter and a New Orleans Police spokesperson says they are not involved in the ongoing immigration crackdown, Operation Catahoula Crunch.

Below freezing temperatures are expected for most of the state tonight and into tomorrow morning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says the wind chill will make it feel even colder…

Cut 10 (05) “….over night tonight”

State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you. Pastorick also reminds you not to leave fires in fireplaces lit overnight.

Cut 7 (09) “…while you’re sleeping.”

84 people have died in house fires this year that’s more than the 73 reported for 2024.

Louisiana Tech is your Independence Bowl champions. The Bulldogs defeated Coastal Carolina 23 to 14 to finish the season 8-5. Tech’s defense forced three turnovers in the second half.

Former Saints stars Drew Brees and Jahri Evans are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Brees is a lock to get in after throwing for 80-thousand yards, the second most in NFL history…

Cut 11 (11) “…before.”

Brees and Evans led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

Detillier says Evans has been a finalist the last three years and this might be his year…

Cut 13 (11)  “…he was.”

New Orleans natives Eli Manning and Reggie Wayne are also finalists. Manning won two Super Bowls as the quarterback of the New York Giants, while Wayne was a great receiver for the Colts and ranks 10th all-time in both receiving yards and receptions.

In their 34-26 win against Tennessee on Sunday, the Saints’ defense allowed the Titans to score 20 points in the first half, but they limited Tennessee to just two field goals in the second half. Head coach Kellen Moore says the team did a much better job of executing in the second half.

Cut 17 (15)  “…much higher level.”

The Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association released its 5A All-State team today. LSU signee and Edna Karr senior Richard Anderson was named as the 5A Outstanding Defensive Player of the year. LSU commit and Evangel Christian junior Peyton (Pop) Houston was named as the 5A Outstanding Offensive Player of the year.

Nicholls men’s basketball is off to a 3-and-0 start in Southland Conference play after defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last night by a score of 76 -71. Sophomore guard Jalik Dunkley and senior guard Jaylen Searles led the Colonels in scoring with 16 points each. Nicholls is now 4-and-8 on the season.

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed 14 people. New Orleans and Company CEO Walt Leger says while the city has learned from that incident and is taking measures to prevent a repeat occurrence, the city is not going to let that define it…

Cut 5 (13) “….dim that light”

It’s a special holiday season for Mandeville resident, former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 41^st director of the U.S. Mint. Hollis has been an avid coin collector since he was a child when he was gifted a Peace Dollar.

Cut 19 (11) “…coins ever since.”

Hollis will oversee the production of nickels, dimes and quarters.

Temperatures will fall below freezing for several hours tonight and into tomorrow morning for areas north of I-10 and I-12. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says cold weather precautions should be taken…

Cut 9 (08)  “…coastal parishes.”

If you are not a fan of the cold, it will be warmer tomorrow afternoon and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

This past weekend a baby in Breaux Bridge died in a house fire and investigators have not determined whether the home had a working smoke alarm. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastrorick says as always, make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home – they often are the difference between life and death.

Cut 8 (07) “…working smoke alarms.”

And Pastorick says on this cold night, do not use the oven or stove to warm your house.

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Sugar Bowl is Thursday night in New Orleans as Lane Kiffin’s old team, the Ole Miss Rebels take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Kiffin, who is now running the LSU Tigers may attend the Sugar Bowl with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. That’s according to a report from Yahoo Sports Senior College Football reporter Ross Dellenger.

As expected former Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a finalist to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Brees led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title in 2009 and is the only player in club history to win the league’s Offensive Player of the Year Award, which he won twice. Brees is trying to become the first Saints player to be elected on the first ballot of his Hall of Fame candidacy and WWL Radio’s Mike Detillier believes it will happen…

Cut 12 (06) “…Drew Brees”

Former Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans is also a finalist.

Below freezing temperatures are expected for most of the state tonight and into tomorrow morning. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemine says the wind chill will make it feel even colder…

Cut 10 (05) “….over night tonight”

Jacquemine says we’ll start to warm up tomorrow and New Year’s Day looks like a nice day.

Tourists are once again packing New Orleans to ring in the new year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several new laws go into effect on January 1^st . New insurance reform measures go into effect, there are also unemployment benefit changes that will require an unemployed person to perform at least five work search related activities a week, up from the current three.

We are looking at cold temperatures tonight and into tomorrow morning. Temperatures will fall into the 20s for most of the state and areas north of I-10 and I-12 will be below freezing for several hours. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says never resort to creative methods to heat your home, like running a gas stove. That will produce carbon monoxide, which will kill you. Pastorick also reminds you not to leave fires in fireplaces lit overnight.

Cut 7 (09) “…while you’re sleeping.”

Former Saints stars Drew Brees and Jahri Evans are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says is a lock to get in as changed the direction of the Saints franchise for ever….

Cut 11 (11) “…before”

Brees and Evans led the Saints to the franchise’s only Super Bowl in the 2009 season.

Just two days until Louisiana shows itself off to the world on the streets of Pasadena, California. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In Shreveport, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl will kick-off next hour. Louisiana Tech is facing Coastal Carolina. The Bulldogs are 7-5 on the season and they are 3-2- and 1 all time in the Independence Bowl and this marks the 85^th football game La Tech has played in Shreveport.

Visitors have started flowing into New Orleans to celebrate the New Year’s Holiday. Walt Leger, president and CEO of New Orleans and Company, says there are plenty of activities to choose from….

Cut 4 (12) “…fireworks show”

Leger says hotel occupancy is between 90 to 95-percent.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has a big task in front of him as he must rebuild a roster that went 7-and-6 this season. Kiffin says signing high-caliber players out of the transfer portal will be critical to their success in 2026, and appearing on Talk 107-3 Baton Rouge, LSU Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard says LSU officials have confidence Kiffin will get the job done.

Cut 11 (06) “…we hired him.”

Former state lawmaker and BESE member Paul Hollis now has his dream job, as he’s been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the U.S. Mint. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In just two days, Louisiana will show itself off to the world when it glides its float along the streets of Pasadena, California, for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve been working hard getting the float, titled “Gulf to Gumbo,” ready for Thursday morning’s big show.

Cut 4 (08) “…on this float.”

Louisiana Tech plays in its second straight Independence Bowl today. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Now that new LSU Athletic Director, Verge Ausberry has secured a new head football coach in Lane Kiffin, he says a big part of his job in 2026 will be fundraising…

Cut 12 (13) “…in different areas.”

The 2025 LSU Tigers football season has mercifully come to an end. The Tigers ended what was for all intents and purposes a disappointing season with a 38-35 loss to the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl in Houston. What started with dreams of the College Football Playoff ended with a record of 7-and-6. Interim head coach Frank Wilson said he really wanted the win for his team, who had to deal with a lot this season.

Cut 16 (12) “…was love LSU.”

Wilson, who was hired as the new Ole Miss Associate Head Coach and Running Backs Coach, said he will be with the Rebels this week in New Orleans for their Sugar Bowl matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs.

LSU men’s basketball rounds out its non-conference schedule tonight as the Tigers host Southern Miss at 7 p.m.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball begins its final season in Conference USA tonight by hosting UTEP at 6:30 in the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs are 7-4-, while the Miners are 4-and-7.

McNeese State is at second-ranked Michigan tonight at 6 p.m.

The Saints are finishing 2025 on a high note as the Black and Gold won their fourth straight yesterday, rallying to beat Tennessee 34-26 in Nashville. New Orleans fell behind 13-0 and trailed by ten points at halftime but completed the comeback with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Coach Kellen Moore says it was their most impressive win of the year…

Cut 5 (13) “…second half.”

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is now 5-and-3 as an NFL starter as he completed 22-of-his-27 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Shough is now one of the favorites to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Former LSU and current Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase became the first NFL receiver in history to start his career with five consecutive seasons of 80 plus catches, 1,000 plus receiving yards and 7 plus touchdowns.