Planning for the 2026 legislative session will intensify now that it’s a new year. Jeff Palermo reports on the big issues lawmakers will tackle this year…

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Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan with LSU Health Shreveport has the info you need not to fail your health resolutions for 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

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A statue is unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of a wrongfully enslaved man. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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In three months, state lawmakers will head to Baton Rouge for the regular legislative session. Senate President Cameron Henry anticipates a lengthy discussion about the state’s future energy needs, with construction beginning on two massive data centers, and the possibility of more data centers being built in the Bayou State…

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Lawmakers will not have to worry about budget cuts. That’s because of stronger than expected tax collections could result in a nearly 300-million-dollar surplus when the current fiscal year ends on June 30th. Henry says he’s not looking to go on a spending spree, instead the legislature should practice fiscal restraint…

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Auto insurance reform was a significant issue in last year’s legislative session as lawmakers approved legislation intended to reduce court settlements and frivolous lawsuits that insurance companies say are resulting in the highest rates in the nation. Henry says several of those new laws did not take effect until January 1^st, and they need to see how they impact rates…

Cut 6 (11) “…auto insurance”

The legislative session begins March 9th and ends June 1st.

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If the New Year resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle, LSU Health Shreveport Director of Institutional Wellness Dr. Marie Vasquez Morgan has some advice. She says maintaining any resolution starts with setting S.M.A.R.T goals.

Cut 7 (13) “…time-bound.”

She says we are what we eat, and everything starts with the food you choose to fuel your body. Dr. Morgan says focus on balanced meals with lean protein, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Cut 8 (10) “…and antioxidants.”

If you’re looking to be more active in 2026, she recommends finding exercises you enjoy. If you feel you can’t make time for activity, small changes in your daily life can make a world of impact. Dr. Morgan says consistency is most important.

Cut 9 (14)  “…big difference.”

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A statue was unveiled in Avoyelles Parish to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the liberation of a wrongfully enslaved man. Solomon Northup was born a free man in upstate New York in 1807; Melissa Howell, a direct descendant, says in 1841, two men approached him with what seemed to be a lucrative offer.

Cut 10 (14) “…nearly 12 years.”

That change was not for the better. Howell says the men tricked Northup into slavery.

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Northup’s 12-year slavery journey ultimately led him to Louisiana, where a carpenter named Samuel Bass befriended him and ultimately helped him escape. Howell says the location of the statue of Northup, who was given the name “Platt Hamilton” by his slavemasters, is very significant. 

Cut 12 (11) “…his reclaimed freedom.”

The statue was sculpted by Wesley Wofford. Northup’s story is immortalized in his 1853 autobiography, “12 Years a Slave,” which was adapted in 2014 into an Academy Award-winning picture of the same name. A screening of that film was held over the weekend in Marksville.

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The federal government minted its last penny about two months ago, but it will be decades before the penny becomes a rare coin. Newly confirmed U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis from Mandeville says enough pennies have been minted to stack them to the moon and back.

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In addition to the massive amount already in circulation, the fact that Americans rarely use cash anymore will prolong the penny’s survival. Hollis says consumers are using coins less and less.

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Some stores are already price-rounding to eliminate the need for pennies. Hollis hopes retailers will do so in favor of the consumer.

Cut 15 (06) “…of the customers.”

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The Saints’ season ended with a hard-fought19-17 loss to Atlanta. New Orleans finishes with 6-11, but there’s a lot of optimism about what next year will bring. That’s because of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who led the team to a four-game winning streak that ended with the loss to the Falcons. Linebacker Demario Davis believes the Saints have their Q-B 1…

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Shough threw for 259 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran for a touchdown. But he also threw a critical interception in the fourth quarter when New Orleans had a chance to take the lead. The loss to the Dirty Birds resulted in Carolina winning the NFC South, instead of Tampa Bay. Shough says he wanted to finish the season on a five-game winning streak…

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The Saints went 5-4 in the nine games he started at quarterback.

Davis says he plans to return for year 15 in the NFL. He believes the Black and Gold have a good nucleus of players on defense…

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The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is off to a 0-2 start in SEC play for the first time under head coach Kim Mulkey. The Lady Tigers followed up a two-point loss to 11th-ranked Kentucky with a 65-61 loss to 12th-ranked Vanderbilt. In both games, LSU could not hold on to a seven-point fourth-quarter lead. Coach Kim Mulkey has questioned her team’s toughness after both losses…

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LSU’s next game is Thursday against 15-1 Georgia. Following the trip to Athens, the Lady Tigers face two teams ranked in the Top 10, Texas and Oklahoma. Mulkey on the difficult schedule her team faces…

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Authorities arrest a Baton Rouge man accused of shooting a two-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve, leaving her in critical condition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, but what coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

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A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 2-year-old girl inside a car yesterday afternoon. BRPD Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the incident occurred when a woman spotted what she believed was her relative’s stolen vehicle and began following it.

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Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon after police tracked down the suspect vehicle. McKneely says the child was struck in the head and brought to a local hospital where she is in critical condition.

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Ruffin has a prior arrest history including possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, resisting, possession with intent to distribute schedule I narcotics and illegal carrying of weapons

McKneely says this is not the first incident like this he’s seen. He reminds residents to contact police if they locate their stolen vehicle.

Cut 5 (11) “…that are following.”

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Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning for a 15th NFL season next season. Davis says today’s game allows for longevity that the game of years past didn’t allow for.

Cut 6 (14) “…you maximize it.”

Davis says advances in medical science allows players to enjoy longer careers in the NFL.

Cut 7 (13) “…to regenerate faster.”

Not only will 2026 be Davis’ 15th season in the NFL, but it will be his ninth season with the Saints. While this season got off to a rough start, with the team losing eight of its first nine games, the team seems to have turned the corner with Tyler Shough at quarterback, winning four in a row and five of its last seven. Davis says this late season surge has him excited for 2026.

Cut 8 (11) “…momentum of this?”

This season, Davis has a career-high 137 tackles, including 63 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. For him to return to New Orleans, he’ll need a new contract with the Saints. 

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Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship on the line, but there’s been uncertainty about whether the six LSU assistant coaches on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

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LSU head coach Lane Kiffin was not allowed to lead the Rebels playoff run after taking the job in Baton Rouge. He was very vocal about wanting to coach his team, and Guilbeau says he’s stayed involved in Oxford while prepping LSU for the transfer window.

Cut 10 (13) “….kind of unified.” 

LSU is on the books for any playoff bonuses in Kiffin’s Ole Miss contract and owe him another five-hundred-thousand dollars after the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl win. Guilbeau says the hostility between the two schools is really only from the fanbases.

Cut 11 (13) “…that’s clear.”

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The Lady Tigers lost their first game of the season after 11^th-ranked Kentucky hit a last second three pointer to win 80-78 in LSU’s SEC opener last night. The Lady Tigers were outrebounded 17-to-4 on the offensive glass and coach Kim Mulkey says that was the difference in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…fix that.”

Fifth-ranked LSU will have a quick turnaround as they visit No. 12 Vanderbilt Sunday. Mulkey says she needs to see more from her young, talented team as they prepare for a tough beginning to conference play.

Cut 13 (12)  “…pity party.”

LSU will be on the road at Georgia next week before back-to-back top ten matchups with Texas and Oklahoma.

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LSU will face Texas A&M tomorrow in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon with a marquee win over SMU and their only loss coming to 12^th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

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The 10-and-3 Aggies are favored at home against LSU thanks to an explosive offense ranked second in the SEC in points and three point percentage. McMahon says their defense is no slouch either.

Cut 15 (10) “…a premium.”

A&M is second in the conference with over 16 turnovers forced per game. Tip-off is at 3 p.m.