Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence on drawing an early primary challenger for his 2026 re-election campaign. State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he will run for Cassidy’s seat, saying among other things that he’s not conservative enough for Louisiana. Cassidy told reporters that he has had better things to do than to read Fleming’s announcement, and that he’s baffled over Fleming’s intentions.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of Louisiana.”

A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old boy in what investigators in Baton Rouge describe as a targeted attack. Kendrick Profit faces several charges including first-degree murder for the November 27^th drive-by shooting. Sergeant L’Jean (“ell jeen”) McKneely says tips from the public helped lead to the arrest.

Cut 13 (07)  “…vital to this arrest.”

Authorities say Profit shot at the wrong car on Thanksgiving Eve killing eight year old Diellon Daniels.

The American Tort Reform Association ranks Louisiana tenth in the nation for worst Judicial Hellholes. President Tiger Joyce says lawsuit abuse is one reason why we pay some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country….

Cut 5 (10) “….availability of insurance”

Joyce says Louisiana’s Judicial Hellhole status costs residents 965-dollars annually in a tort tax.

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo announced the birth of a jaguar cub, the first at the zoo in over three decades and the first in the U.S. since 2022. This milestone highlights the zoo’s dedication to wildlife conservation, and director Jim Fleshman says it’s a symbol of hope for the species.

Cut 7 (10) “…Jaguar S-S-P.”

The new cub won’t be seen by the public for the next two months. Meanwhile, the zoo is taking submissions for the young female cub on its Facebook page.

When State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he would look to unseat U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in 2026, Fleming said that Cassidy has failed the people of Louisiana. Cassidy responded to that comment during a conference call with reporters yesterday, pointing to his work in helping to bring billions of dollars to Louisiana…

Cut 11 (13) “…roads and bridges”

But Fleming says Cassidy was one of several Republicans who walked away from President elect-Trump when he voted to convict Trump for his role in the January 6^th 2021 attack at the U-S Capitol.

The American Tort Reform Foundation ranks Louisiana as its tenth biggest Judicial Hellhole in the country. President Tiger Joyce points to the lawsuits filed by several coastal parishes against energy companies alleging their work has exacerbated coastal land loss…

Cut 4 (10) “…the energy industry”

For the first time in over 30 years a jaguar cub was born at the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says H-5-N-1, also known as Bird Flu, is causing an increase in deaths of wild birds. Geese and other waterfowl are particularly susceptible to bird flu. LDWF says Bird Flu is a minimal threat to humans, but sick birds should not be handled.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners”

Long says unfilled job openings remain a concern.

A nearly ten-thousand square foot cannabis dispensary has opened in Lake Charles. It’s believed to be the largest cannabis dispensary in the South. Good Day Farm chief retail officer Laurie Gregory says medical marijuana is a growing industry…

Cut 26 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport has its matchup, Army versus Marshall, a battle between two teams that won their respective conferences. The game will take place Saturday December 28^th. Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says there will be several events leading up to the game, especially the day before on the 27^th…

Cut 9 (14) “…concert as well”

Then on game day, the free Coca Cola Fan Fest starts at 3:00, with music, games and fun. Kickoff on December 28th is at 8:15.

The transfer portal opened Monday and hundreds of college football players jumped in. 247 sports is reporting former Oklahoma receiver Nic Anderson has narrowed his choices between LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. Blake Ruffino with Are You Series Sports says Anderson had ten touchdown catches in 2023 for the Sooners, but injuries kept him off the field last season

Cut 17 (12)  “…athleticism.” 

There’s news of another artificial data center coming to Louisiana, bringing hundreds of permanent jobs. This one would be in West Feliciana built by Hut 8. Hut 8 mines Bitcoin and operates energy infrastructure in North America. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says this A-I data center would contain ten-billion dollars’ worth of computers and equipment and will be a major tax revenue generator …

Cut 12 (08) “…dollars et cetera”

The first of two buildings could be operational by the end of next year.

A nearly ten-thousand square foot cannabis dispensary has opened in Lake Charles. It’s believed to be the largest cannabis dispensary in the South. Good Day Farm chief retail officer Laurie Gregory says medical marijuana is a growing industry in the state…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The matchup for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport is set – Marshall against Army. Erik Evenson (EE-vin-son) with the Independence Bowl says this is one of the best matchups in the bowl’s long history.

Cut 7 (10) “…a ranked team.”

Army is ranked 22^nd and will play this Saturday against Navy. The Independence Bowl is set for Saturday night on December 28th.

The state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987 is underway in a section of northeast Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan says it’s a remarkable milestone in the state’s conservation efforts of the black bear….

Cut 14 (14) “…have a season”

Ten black bear hunting tags were allocated through a lottery, but the state made sure the first tag went to a Louisiana military veteran through a partnership with Healing Road Foundation.

Yet another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says this is a good time for businesses to set up shop in Louisiana

Cut 10 (08) “…to be working.”

The data center is expected to create several hundred permanent jobs in West Feliciana Parish.

The largest medical cannabis store in the South has opened in Lake Charles. Good Day Farm Chief Retail Officer Laurie Gregory says the ten-thousand square foot facility is located near Golden Nugget and L’Auberge casinos…

Cut 6 (10) “….cannabis products”

State law does not say you have to be a Louisiana resident to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. And in Texas, it’s harder to qualify for a medical marijuana prescription than in Louisiana.

Shreveport is getting ready to welcome visitors from New York and West Virginia for the Independence Bowl. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Voters in Monroe approved the renewal of the one-percent Capital Infrastructure Sales Tax. The tax has been around since 1994 and it helps pay for better streets, sewers, drainage, waterworks, bridges and public facilities. Mayor Friday Ellis says the vote reflects the community’s commitment to long-term planning and efficient use of tax dollars.