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. But demographer Greg Rigamer says that growth pales to the population gains seen in neighboring states like Texas, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina.

Cut 8 (08) “…to a place.”

Louisiana had the seventh worst-population growth in the nation in 2025 according to the latest Census data.

A new state tax credit available to businesses is designed to encourage employers to hire interns and have apprenticeships. Leaders for a Better Louisiana CEO Barry Erwin says employers must employ the individual for at least 100 hours in the tax year to qualify….

Cut 6 (11) “….dollars a year”

D-C Mardi Gras festivities pick up today in the nation’s capital. It’s one of the largest political networking events of the year. Lapolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says with this year being an election year, the candidates running for U.S. Senate and the now-open fifth congressional district seat will use this event to secure campaign donations.

Cut 12 (11) “…in touch with.”

The first ever U-S Rockin 1000 concert will take place at the Caesars Superdome on Saturday. It features one-thousand musicians playing iconic rock anthems and there will be musicians from Louisiana involved, including 70-year-old drummer Andy Chetta of Covington…

Cut 13 (06) “…couldn’t pass up”

The musicians begin rehearsals today and the concert is Saturday night.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is at the Senior Bowl this week to showcase his talents to NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. Nussmeier’s father, Doug Nussmeier, is currently the offensive coordinator of the Saints and has coached in the NFL for over eight years. Nussmeier says his father has helped him prepare for the NFL interviewing process.

Cut 19 (13) “…to be asked.”

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and running backs coach Kevin Smith were in the 337 today to do some high school recruiting. Their first stop was in St. Martin Parish at Cecilia High School, likely checking in with four-star athlete Braylon Calais. Calais is rated as the No. 47 player in the country in the Class of 2027. Kiffin and Smith also stopped at Acadiana High School before ending their trip at Billy’s Boudin and Cracklins in Scott.

Saints’ linebacker Demario Davis hinted at testing the NFL free agency market yesterday. Davis appeared on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams’ show yesterday, saying he would be returning to the NFL for a 15^th season in 2026, but didn’t specify that he’d be back in New Orleans. Davis has played for the Saints since 2018.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to avoid their third straight loss tonight as the Tigers host Mississippi State at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball is at UTEP tonight at 8 p.m. as the Bulldogs look to win their second straight.

Last night, McNeese men’s basketball defeated Southeastern 76-66 to improve to 17-4. Freshman guard Larry Johnson led the team in scoring with 20 points. The Cowboys are still second in the Southland, one game behind Stephen F. Austin.

Last night, UNO dominated Nicholls 80-62 in Thibodaux to improve to 8-13 on the year. Junior center Churchill Abass scored 20 points in the Privateers’ win.

The No. 6 LSU women’s basketball team goes for its sixth straight win tomorrow night as the Tigers host Arkansas at 7 p.m.

The state health department has confirmed another winter storm-related death, but the number of deaths connected to the ice storm is still eight. That’s because the death of a 62-year-old man in Sabine Parish is no longer considered storm related. So, the eighth death tied to the storm is a 65-year-old man in Jackson Parish who died from hypothermia after his home lost power.

Red Cross disaster action teams have responded to scores of home fires in the last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Traffic is flowing smoothy once again on I-20 between Shreveport and Monroe.  Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews were able to clear I-20 of all of those stalled 18-wheelers that had traffic halted for multiple days.

Cut 12 (13) “…the sunshine too.”

Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says with help from local police, he went to I-20 on Monday to provide the hundreds of stranded motorists with food and water…

Cut 10 (12) “…that much ice”

Another contributing factor….according to Governor Jeff Landry the brine sprayed on I-20 to prevent ice from forming, actually froze, so it was NOT able to act as an anti-icing agent.

The American Red Cross says over the last seven days they’ve responded to no fewer than 44 single-family home fires and two multi-family home fires throughout the state. Shelby Wells with the Red Cross of Louisiana says they are not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of Americans to perform its mission. Wells says the money that the Red Cross gives to those who are displaced by a fire is never a loan…

Cut 8 (08) “…all-donation funded”

The cold weather is not good for crawfish as mudbugs find warmth by burrowing into the mud. LSU Ag Center crawfish agent Todd Fontenot says that keeps them growing…

Cut 4 (04) “…somewhat”

Another blast of arctic air is expected this weekend, but Fontenot says we are still on pace for a normal peak crawfish season that runs from late February through April.

Vehicles are finally moving at a normal speed on I-20 as the interstate that crosses north Louisiana is finally free of the dangerous ice that had traffic at a standstill for multiple days. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers on I-20 still need to be careful…

Cut 13 (10) “….the most part”

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says hundreds of vehicles were stranded on I-20 in very cold temperatures…

Cut 11 (10) “…or whatever”

You may have heard about a private jet crash in Maine that killed six people last Sunday. One of the victims is Sabine Parish native and Tulane graduate Tara Arnold. Arnold was a personal injury attorney in Houston. The plane was on its way to France and it stopped in Maine. The aircraft crashed shortly after take off in snowy conditions in Maine.

Senator Bill Cassidy is calling for a full joint federal and state investigation into the events in Minneapolis that he described as “disturbing.” In a conference call with reporters, Cassidy said things in Minneapolis have gotten out of hand.

Cut 7 (09) “…make an adaptation.”

On social media, Cassidy said the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are at stake. He says it seems that they may have lost sight of the purpose of the enhanced immigration enforcement operation, and that could have a profound effect on President Trump’s legacy.

Back home in Louisiana, I-20 is now flowing smoothly again after the ice storm left some motorists stranded on the interstate for up to 20 hours. Captain Kenneth Balkom says LDWF agents also conducted welfare checks on the drivers who were stranded. He says winter weather and Louisiana do not mix well.

Cut 6 (04) “…don’t have to.”

Good news…the ice will continue to melt away

Saturday’s Rockin’1000 concert in the Superdome will be like none other – and to accomplish that, organizers sought out a local heavy-hitter. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Update on the power situation…according to power-outage-dot-us….75-thousand customers in north Louisiana remain without power. Entergy is reporting 66-thousand outages.

The Buffalo Bills are promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach on a five-year deal, making Brady the youngest active head coach in the NFL at 36 years old. Brady played a major role in LSU’s historic 2019 championship season as the pass game coordinator.

The Washington Commanders are hiring former LSU defensive coordinator and Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator. Jones served as the Tigers’ D-C in 2021.

Last night, the sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team defeated Florida 89-60 to win its fifth straight game. Sophomore guard Jada Richard led the team in scoring with 20 points. Richard also held Florida’s Liv McGill, who was ranked No. 5 in scoring in the nation, to just 14 points. Head coach Kim Mulkey says Richard’s defense has been impressive.

Cut 22 (13): “never gets tired.”

The 2026 LSU baseball team returns its entire starting outfield from last year’s 2025 College World Series championship team. Over the offseason, sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel put on 20 pounds of muscle to add more power and speed to his swing. Curiel says he wants to make sure he’s a difficult at-bat for opposing pitchers this season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…do this year.”

The Pelicans will have a chance to finish their three-game road trip undefeated tonight as New Orleans takes on the Thunder at 7 p.m. Teurlings Catholic senior quarterback Alex Munoz is staying in Lafayette for his college career. Munoz announced his commitment to UL-Lafayette, where he will join his father, George Munoz, who serves as the Cajuns’ Associate Head Coach and Tight Ends Coach. Munoz led Teurlings to an 11-1 season this year.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back in action tomorrow as the Tigers host Mississippi State at 6 p.m.

About 90-thousand people in north Louisiana are still without power. Governor Landry says getting their power turned back on is a major priority. Landry says the number of linemen and crews have doubled as they’ve been able to shift personnel from south to north Louisiana. He says he’s hopeful 90-percent of customers will have power restored by Thursday.

Cut 11 (12) “…cold air.”

Once the power is restored, an extensive cleanup will need to take place. There is a lot of debris that needs to be hauled away. Monroe Representative Michael Echols says many businesses impacted by the ice storm will need some federal assistance…

Cut 14 (12) “…recovery here”

Echols has called the damage done to Ouachita Parish as catastrophic.

The ice and snow has made travel difficult on I-20. According to social media reports, some motorists sat on the interstate, with no way to move for up to 20 hours. Department of Transportation spokesperson Erin Buchanan….

Cut 4 (11) “…out of there”

Governor Jeff Landry said at a press briefing that the brine sprayed on I-20 before the winter storm, actually froze.

When Mother Nature wreaks havoc the United Cajun Navy is on the scene helping people affected – and this ice storm is no different. Founder and president Todd Terrell says he and his crew are delivering supplies to shelters throughout north Louisiana and Mississippi – not just essentials to stay warm, but also everyday essentials for the whole family.

Cut 6 (09) “…what they need.”

If you want to help go to United Cajun Navy’s Facebook page.