Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says a fire on Christmas Day has resulted in the death of an 11-year-old child. Investigators say an electrical heater may have been the cause of the blaze. The sheriff’s office is asking the public to pray for the family.

When the calendar flips to 2025 next week, new laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says one of those changes has to do with where you can buy those products.

Cut 12 (13) “…to June 2024.”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs, and each 12-ounce beverage will be limited to five milligrams of THC.

The State Fire Marshal says Lowe’s Home Improvement has donated over 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to their Operation Save-A-Life program. State Fire Marshall Bryan Adams says since 2012, over 120-thousand alarms have been installed through the program.

Cut 3 (09) “…working smoke alarm.”

The donation by Lowe’s, valued at more than one-million dollars, is the largest in the Save-A-Life Program’s 12-year history.

Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather today for most of north, central and southwest Louisiana. There’s another slight risk for strong storms on Saturday for most of the state. The Mega Millions jackpot on Friday night is an estimated one-point-15 billion dollars. It would be the fifth largest jackpot in the game’s history.

New THC regulations go into effect on January first. Starting in 2025, the age to purchase hemp-THC products will go up from 18 to 21 and THC products will also no longer be sold in gas stations. Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says the state will also crack down on selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies…

Cut 11 (09) “…rather than ambiguity”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs.

Expect Louisiana lawmakers to look at passing legislation next year to lower auto insurance rates. But executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs, says combating the rising cost to fix vehicles, makes it difficult for legislators to come up with a solution….

Cut 15 (13) “….more to replace”

It remains to be seen if there will be a special session devoted to insurance reform for auto and homeowners.

Strong storms are possible this afternoon for a large portion of Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has a preview of what we can expect…

Cut 28 (13) “…one and two inches”

There’s another good chance for rain on Saturday too.

There’s a good chance Louisiana legislators will pass legislation next year that will seek to reduce auto insurance rates, which are among the highest in the country. Republican Pollock Representative Gabe Firment is the chairman of the House Insurance Committee and says one of the biggest factors in our high premiums is the cost of litigation…

Cut 14 (14) “…than other states”

Firment says transparency is the key, making sure a judge or jury know the exact cost of the medical bills of the injured party.

Earlier this fall, the legislature passed a sweeping package of tax reforms. Next Wednesday, they go into effect. Kace Kieschnick (KEESH-nick) reports.

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U-S Senator John Kennedy says one of the top priorities of the 119^th Congress that convenes for the first time next week is renewing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Cut 9 (10) “….did work”

Looking ahead to 2025, expect the Louisiana Legislature to take another stab at lowering auto insurance rates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Based on a CDC report, COVID and flu vaccination rates are low in Louisiana. About a third of Louisiana adults and children are vaccinated against the flu in Louisiana, when the national average is 42-percent and just ten percent of adults in Louisiana are vaccinated against COVID.

Come next Wednesday, scores of new tax laws will go into effect. The state income tax will be reduced to a flat three-percent following a 12,500-dollar standard deduction, which means everyone will see more money in their paychecks. Manish Bhatt (BOT), the senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, says while that is certainly good, it is offset by higher sales taxes.

Cut 4 (09) “…that rate down.”

New laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect when the calendar flips to 2025. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says starting January 1st, the minimum age to purchase these products goes from 18 to 21, with no grandfather clause for those who are between those ages.

Cut 10 (12) “…doing with alcohol.”

Legier says the state will also be cracking down on companies selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies, so that they are not marketed to children.

A military veteran from Lafayette who scored a black bear hunting permit through the Healing Road Foundation harvested what’s believed to be the biggest bear in state history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

This week, human remains have been discovered at two different locations near the town of Ville Platte. The first discovery was over the weekend in a field located south of the Martin Luther King Junior Center. The second set of human remains was found just north Ville Platte on Monday. Authorities are working to identify the remains.

The Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Mississippi River levee tonight in St. James Parish is a great Louisiana tradition. Parish President Pete Dufresne (du-FRAYN) says the tradition dates to the Cajun settlers, these bonfires serve as a guide to Midnight Mass and light the way for Santa.

Cut 4 (13) “…St. James Parish.”

Saints fans have received a lump of coal from their favorite NFL team this year as New Orleans continued its dreadful season last night with a 34-to-nothing loss to Green Bay. Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi says it was a disappointing performance….

Cut 20 (20) “…disappointing day”

The Saints are 5-and-10 and will host Las Vegas this Sunday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a total of ten bears, eight males and two females were harvested during a black bear hunting season that ended Sunday….

Cut 9 (11) “…almost 40 years”

Military veteran Deron Santiny from Lafayette harvested a 696-pound bear in Tensas Parish. It’s believed to be the largest harvested bear in the state’s history.

Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? Get tickets to the Angola Prison Rodeo, happening Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Department of Corrections spokesperson Ken Pastorick says the rodeo features Angola inmates as cowboys competing in events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, Bull Riding, and the famous Guts-n-Glory.

Cut 10 (08) “…front of everybody”

Arrive early to enjoy live music, delicious food, and unique arts and crafts made by incarcerated individuals.

Rain is in the forecast for Louisiana on Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. But St. James Parish President Pete Dufrense says they believe the rain will come after midnight for southeast Louisiana, which means the weather should be good for their Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River…

Cut 6 (10) “…yet to reschedule”

Lighting of the bonfires starts around 7:00 P-M.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly’s stocking has been stuffed with transfer portal players. The Tigers have signed 13 of them over the last couple of weeks, including Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane, who can also play safety and nickelback….

Cut 15 (10) “…for us”

Rough night for the Saints last night as the Green Bay Packers won in dominating fashion over New Orleans 34 to nothing.

Louisiana’s first black bear hunting season since 1987 ended on Sunday, so how did it go?

Cut 8 (06) “…80-percent males’

That’s John Hanks, who is the manager of the large carnivore program at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Deron Santiny of Lafayette harvested a 696-pound male in Tensas Parish.

President Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 federal death row inmates. Two of the prisoners are from Louisiana.  In 2014 a federal jury Alexandria decided Thomas Sanders should be put to death for the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts in 2010. Ex-New Orleans Police officer Len Davis no longer faces a death sentence for hiring a hitman to murder Kim Groves who filed a complaint against him in the 1990s. Both men will now serve a life sentence, without the possibility of parole.

The Christmas Eve Bonfires on the levee in St. James Parish is a tradition in Southern Louisiana, and they are happening tonight. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU’s Brian Kelly says the fans have helped in the Tigers’ pursuit in attracting the best players.

CUT 13 (15) “…in the portal”

According to 2-4-7 sports, LSU has the second best transfer portal class in the country. Kelly challenged the fanbase earlier this month when he launched the Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Challenge. The Tigers coach would donate up to one million dollars to the Tiger Athletic Foundation for every dollar that’s donated to LSU’s NIL collective.