Parts of the state were under a cold weather advisory Friday morning. Andrew Greenstein explains what that means…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Saturday is Election Day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo recaps the four amendments that all voters will be deciding.

Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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With Old Man Winter bearing down on Louisiana, there’s some new terminology from the National Weather Service to get used to.

Cut 3 (08) “…wind chill warnings.” 

Danielle Manning, the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in New Orleans, says that’s all changed. Now, the service issues “cold weather advisories” and “extreme cold warnings.” Manning says the thresholds depend on where in the state you’re at.

Cut 4 (14) “…the northern area.”

Manning says they made the change, because people didn’t care whether it was the temperature or the wind chill factor that’s causing conditions to be brutally cold outside.

Cut 5 (06) “…you go outside.”

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The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office has broken ground on a three-million dollar training facility designed to benefit law enforcement agencies across Louisiana.  Major Ginny Higgins says the facility will provide critical training—much of it at no cost—for agencies that cannot afford similar resources.

Cut 6 (11) “…that will be there.”

Higgins highlighted the regional impact, stating the facility would not only enhance law enforcement capabilities in Acadiana but also strengthen community and inter-agency collaboration. “It’s good for the community and for other agencies to come here and learn,” he said.

Cut 7 (07) “…things like that.”

Higgins says its crucial for law enforcement to be well rounded and this facility aims to train all aspects of law enforcement.

Cut 8 (12) “…really exciting.”

The facility is set to open next October.

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A 30-year-old Lafayette man is facing charges for killing a black bear in Concordia Parish. Wildlife and Fisheries Lt. Chad Watts says over the Thanksgiving weekend Christopher Buck, a convicted felon, was booked into jail because he was in possession of a shotgun on the Richard Yancey Wildlife Management Area. Last Sunday a dead black bear was found at that same W-M-A, so investigators went back and spoke to Buck

Cut 9 (08)  “…black bear”

Watts says Buck told agents he thought he shot a pig, but investigators didn’t buy that story…

Cut 10 (08) “…he thought it was a pig.”

Watts says the bear was shot in buckshot, which was a critical piece of evidence in their investigation…

Cut 11 (11) “…containing buckshot.”

Taking a bear during a closed season carries up to a 950-dollar fine and up to 120 days in jail. Buck faces several years in prison because he was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Sgt. Cole Cupit and agent Andrew Lemoine were also involved in the investigation. LDWF Veterinarian Rusty Berry performed the necropsy on the bear.

The first legal black bear season in Louisiana since 1987 begins Saturday and runs through December 22nd. Only ten hunters have been awarded tags and each hunter can only harvest one bear.

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Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana, and every voter in the state will be deciding on four constitutional amendments. Amendment 1 would increase the number of people on the state Judiciary Commissions from nine to 14. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says the purpose is to speed up investigations of judges.

Cut 12 (07) “…citizens on there.”

Procopio says the argument against is that it would politicize the process, with the five additional members being appointed by the legislature – two each by the House and Senate and one by the governor.

Cut 13 (05)  “…at the case.”

Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before the legislature can vote on budget-related bills. Amendment 3 would allow for up to three, two-day extensions of the session to finish budget work. And Amendment 4, which Procopio says is the most complex of them all, would establish a tax lien system for delinquent properties, in which investors would only be purchasing the debt and not the property itself. Procopio says it would take many aspects out of the constitution and into statute.

Cut 14 (12) “…be against this.”

Two of the four amendments on Saturday’s ballot have to do with passing budgets in the legislature. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU Coach Brian Kelly says National Signing Day felt more like Tax Day instead as money is becoming more of a factor in getting players to sign with a school. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Sean Richardson” 

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Two of the amendments you’ll be voting on on Saturday have to do with passing budgets in the legislature. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala (BAH-ka-lah) authored amendments 2 and 3. Amendment 2 would require a 48-hour waiting period before voting on budget-related legislation. Bacala says a situation arose in the 2023 regular session that prompted this amendment.

Cut 3 (09) “…even review them.” 

Amendment 3 would allow a session to be extended by two days to finish work on the budget if necessary, and it would permit up to three such extensions. Bacala says under the current law, failing to pass a budget bill on time would trigger a lengthy – and costly – special session.

Cut 4 (10) “…as we could.”

Bacala says the two amendments are designed to work hand-in-hand.

Cut 5 (05) “…both passed together.”

The legislature passed both amendments nearly unanimously, clearing the way for their placement on the ballot.

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Republican Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming announced his 2026 U.S. Senate candidacy, challenging incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. Fleming, a former naval officer and senior Trump advisor, emphasized his dedication to America First principles, highlighting his service in Trump’s administration. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Pearson Cross says it will be an interesting race.

Cut 6 (12) “…come after him.”

Fleming, who served as a U.S. Representative from 2009 to 2017 and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, criticized Cassidy for voting to convict Trump during his impeachment trial, arguing Cassidy betrayed Louisiana conservatives. Cross says its likely Flemmings has gotten assurances Trump will endorse Flemming…

Cut 7 (05) “…consider him loyal.”

Congressman Clay Higgins may be another challenger to Cassidy for his Senate seat in 2026. Cross suggests Trump’s endorsement will likely determine the race’s outcome among Republican contenders.

Cut 8 (05) “…Clay Higgins.”

Cassidy’s spokesperson questioned Fleming’s motives, citing his brief tenure as state treasurer and alleging his eagerness to leave Louisiana for Washington.

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LSU football coach Brian Kelly sounded off on the NIL landscape that’s dominating recruiting. The veteran head coach says recruiting used about relationships, now it’s about the dollars…

Cut 9 (07)  “…live in”

The Tigers signed 23 players to start the early signing period. Recruiting services rank LSU’s class anywhere between sixth and eighth. Kelly is pleased with the class he brought in, but it will take more financial support from Tiger fans to remain competitive…

Cut 10 (08) “…one or two guys.”

LSU lost out on a few elite prospects in the final two weeks leading up to the early signing period. LSU can make up for those losses by signing players out of the transfer portal, but again it will take money….

Cut 11 (12) “…live in.”

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Governor Landry signs the tax reform bill this afternoon in a ceremony at the Capitol. Standing before lawmakers, Landry said passing the complex was a true team effort.

Cut 12 (15) “…our job creators.”

The package that Landry signed includes an across-the-board tax cut to a flat three-percent and the elimination of the corporate franchise tax. Landry says this tax reform package is the dawn of a new era.

Cut 13 (11)  “…pro-business environment.”

Landry says thanks to this overhaul of the tax code, Louisiana can now bridge the gap with neighboring states and keep its home-grown talent here.

Cut 14 (10) “…it’s frustrated us.”

Landry, however, did not get the broadening of the sales tax base he had been seeking. Instead, the tax package calls for an increase in the state sales tax rate to five-percent.