Louisiana saw a population increase for 2024 according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_____________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry’s first year in office was eventful with major legislation getting approved. Jeanne Burns looks back….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

_____________________________________________

New voting machines will soon be coming to Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

Looking for something to do New Year’s Day? The climate here in Louisiana is a little too warm for the Polar Bear Plunge, so why not take a hike? Louisiana State Parks Director Brandon Burris says all state parks are taking part in conjunction with America’s State Parks’ First Day Hikes, which started in Massachusetts in 1992.

Cut 4 (05) “…has to offer.”

Burris says it’s a way for the state to introduce its state parks to those either new to the state or to those who don’t regularly use them.

Cut 5 (09) “…marshes and byways.” 

Burris says many hikes are led by rangers.

Cut 6 (11) “…great animals here.”

For more information, visit the Louisiana State Parks First Day Hikes webpage.

______________________________________________________

Louisiana’s population grew slightly in 2024 according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The state’s estimated population on July first was over 4.59-million up nearly 10-thousand from 2023. Demographer Greg Rigamer says this a small increase after three straight years of decline.

Cut 7 (13) “…lot of pepeople.”

Population losses have been widespread, particularly in central and northeast Louisiana. Caddo and Plaquemines parishes have also seen declines, but Rigamer says southeastern parishes like East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston are growing.

Cut 8 (08) “…significant factors.”

Governor Landry says his tax reform package will help end migration out of the state and bring more people to Louisiana. Rigamer says we’ll have to wait and see if that happens

Cut 9 (09)  “…within our region.” 

______________________________________________________

It was a busy first year in office for Governor Jeff Landry. Landry got lawmakers to pass legislation that seeks to reduce crime, he also got lawmakers on board with a school choice bill, and he capped off 2024 by getting lawmakers to approve a major overhaul of the state’s tax code…

Cut 10 (13) “…health care.”

Landry says the tax reform legislation will lower everyone’s income taxes on January 1^st, but it will also increase the state sales tax to five percent. He says the tax reform plan will also eliminate the corporate franchise tax and help lure new businesses to the state, while also helping the ones currently here…

Cut 11 (09) “…for us.”

Part of the tax reform plan still needs voter approval and a Constitutional Amendment revising Article Seven of the state constitution will go before voters in March. Landry says there’s a lot packed into that amendment, including a permanent increase to teacher salaries…

Cut 12 (15) “…our businesses.”

______________________________________________________

New voting machines will soon be coming in Louisiana. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while the new model has not yet been selected, one thing that’s for certain is that in accordance with a new state law, there will be a paper component.

Cut 13 (11)  “…a locked box.”

Landry says having the paper ballot will allow the state to easily verify the machine vote tally.

Cut 14 (11) “…recount is necessary.”

Landry says the state has not yet issued a request for proposals and there’s a lengthy approval process. Therefore, it will be a few years before voters will start casting their ballots on the new machines.

Cut 15 (08) “…testing it out.”

Landry says the current machines are 30 years old and as such, there are no replacement parts available for them.

______________________________________________________

It was a great season for U-L Lafayette football, but the Cajuns had a couple of ugly postseason games. U-L Lafayette followed up a blowout loss in the Sun Belt Championship game with another blowout loss on Saturday. T-C-U trounced the Cajuns 34 to 3 in the New Mexico Bowl. Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team was playing without several starters who left the program for the transfer portal…

Cut 16 (20) “…going to compete.”

Desormeaux also feels good about the future and is eager to develop the chemistry needed for another winning season in 2025….

Cut 17 (17)  “…going to do.” 

The Cajuns finished 2024, 10-and-4.

_____________________________________________________

The Saints wanted to give their fans something to cheer about, but other than a nice trick play that resulted in a touchdown, there was not much to cheer about Sunday in a 25 to 10 loss to the Raiders. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says the third down stat tells the story, the Saints only converted once on third down, while Las Vegas was 10-of-18 on third down…

Cut 18 (12)   “…like turnovers.”

Rookie Spencer Rattler got the start and looked sharp in the first half, but New Orleans could do nothing in the second half. Rattler finished 20 of 36 for 219 yards. He threw one touchdown pass, but he was intercepted twice and sacked three times…

Cut 19 (17) “…in the second half.”

The Saints are now 5-and-11 and wrap up the regular season on Sunday at Tampa Bay.

______________________________________________________

The LSU Tigers will play Baylor tomorrow in the Texas Bowl to close out the 2024 season. The Bayou Bengals received good news for the 2025 season as star linebacker Harold Perkins announced he’s returning for his senior season. Perkins played only four games in 2024 because of a season-ending knee injury. Coach Brian Kelly is happy Perkins is coming back

Cut 20 (20) “…to write.”

State Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at year one in office and looks ahead to year two. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________

The Independence Bowl is Saturday night and Louisiana Tech is looking to upset 22^nd ranked Army. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

No matter where in the state you’re at, you will want to be weather aware tomorrow. LSU Public Health climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming through, and that’s going to bring heavy rains. 

Cut 3 (09) “…even heavier rainfall.” 

Keim says while there’s potential for severe weather everywhere across the state, some parts of the state will be at higher risk of severe storms than others.

Cut 4 (13) “…else in Louisiana.”

Keim says those in the northern and eastern portions of the state should also be prepared for the potential of tornadoes.

Cut 5 (07) “…very strong tornadoes.”

______________________________________

Attorney General Liz Murrill looks back at her first year in office and looks ahead to year two. Murrill says one of her biggest accomplishments is addressing crime in New Orleans through the creation of Troop NOLA within the State Police, saying it’s a force multiplier.

Cut 6 (10) “…have a need.”

As for her priorities in year two, Murrill said she would like to focus on the fentanyl crisis.

Cut 7 (15) “…opioid settlement money.”

Murrill says it’s an idea that the office of Arizona’s Democratic attorney general is implementing.

Cut 8 (16) “…the long-term.”

______________________________________

The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to 1.22-billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery Communications Director Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) says it has a lump sum cash value of 549-million dollars.

Cut 9 (15)  “…September 11th,”

Chopin says there has never been a Mega Millions jackpot winner in Louisiana; but since the last time the jackpot was won, three players in Louisiana have won over one-million dollars.

Cut 10 (13) “…winning jackpot roll.”

Chopin says check your numbers as soon as possible; because if someone does win big, the clock starts ticking for that person to claim his or her winnings.

Cut 11 (13) “…claim their winnings.”

Tonight’s winning numbers will be drawn just before 10 p.m. Central time.

__________________________________________________________

A 13-year-old boy is hit and killed while riding a bicycle on a dark country roadway in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police say Benjamin Mixon of Kentwood was riding with another juvenile on State Highway 1061 at around 6:30 yesterday evening when an SUV hit them from behind. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion (GREM-ee-on) says with a speed limit of 55 miles an hour and no shoulder, there was no way the driver could have seen the two boys until it was too late.

Cut 12 (03) “…at a hillcrest.”

Gremillion says Benjamin and the other rider did not help matters with the clothing they were wearing.

Cut 13 (05)  “…on the roadway.”

Also, Gremillion says neither bike had any lights on it. Troopers took a toxicology sample from the driver, as per standard procedure.

_______________________________________________________________

For the sixth time in the program’s history, Louisiana Tech will play in the Independence Bowl. The Bulldogs will battle 22^nd ranked Army at 8:15 on Saturday night. The Black Knights are led by quarterback Bryson Dailey, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Tech Coach Sonny Cumbie says not only does Army have a great quarterback, but their offensive line is outstanding…

Cut 14 (07) “…offensive line.”

Louisiana Tech enters the game with a five and seven record, but statistically they have one of the best defenses in the country, allowing just over 300 yards a game. Linebacker Zach Zimos says they will be challenged by Army

Cut 15 (12) “…how to play.”

Tech is missing several key players from its defense, because they entered the transfer portal.

_________________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns will face TCU in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Saturday at 1:15 central time. U-L Lafayette is in a bowl game for a seventh straight year and they are 10-and-3 on the season, while the Horned Frogs are 8-and-4. Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win….

Cut 16 (12) “…going to win.”

It’s the first ever meeting between the two schools on the football field.