Reaction to this weekend’s military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro is predictably split down party lines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Three people were killed this morning in a multi-vehicle wreck at a major intersection in Lafayette. The identities of the victims have not been released and Lafayette Police officers are investigating what led to the crash involving three vehicles at the intersection of Johnston and East Broussard.

For the second year in a row, a major economic development project in Louisiana has been recognized by Business Facilities as the Platinum Deal of the Year. In 2024 it was Meta’s A-I data center in Richland Parish, in 2025 it was the Hyundai Steel mill Ascension Parish. Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana is setting a new standard for economic development…

Cut 12 (04) “…for business”

Landry says Louisiana is the first state to earn back-to-back honors.

Louisiana is experiencing a heat wave during the first full week of January. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be touching the 80s for the rest of this work week…

Cut 9 (10) “…state of Louisiana”

Keim says this is a La Nina winter, so it’s not unusual to have warmer than normal temperatures when a La Nina is in effect.

Reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. troops is, predictably, split down party lines. Republicans like Senator Bill Cassidy are hailing the operation.

Cut 7 (10) “…States for justice.”

But Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says there is no question that Maduro is a bad man and that the people of Venezuela have suffered under his regime. However, that does not change the fact that the U.S. had no right to act unilaterally.

Cut 10 (10) “…the relationships internationally.”

In Lafayette this morning, three people were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck at a major intersection. Lafayette Police say three vehicles were involved in the crash that happened at just after five o’ clock this morning at Johnston and East Broussard. It was foggy at the time of the crash, but police have yet to say if poor visibility contributed to the wreck.

Several bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates went into effect on January 1st. Jeff Palermo spoke with an industry expert on whether they will help.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Today, January Sixth, also known as Twelfth Night, marks the official start of the Carnival Season. Arthur Hardy, the founder of the Mardi Gras Guide, says in Orleans Parish along, there will be 35 parades between now and February 17^th, Fat Tuesday…

Cut 16 (11) “…to each other”

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. Linebacker Demario 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.

Cut 18 (20)  “…Chase Young.”

The Saints finished the season 9^th in the league in total defense, allowing only 300 yards a game.

It was a quiet start to the college football transfer portal for LSU, but Lane Kiffin and company are heating up. On Monday, The Tigers received commitments from Utah freshman running back Raycine Guillory, who was rated as the No. 60 running back in the Class of 2025. LSU also received a commitment from Pittsburgh sophomore tight end Malachi Thomas. Thomas caught 13 passes for 192 yards with two touchdowns for the Panthers this season.

LSU is reportedly hosting Arizona State sophomore transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt for a visit over the next two days. Leavitt is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the transfer portal.

The LSU women’s basketball team is off to an 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. 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 says the stretch may be one of the most difficult in her career.

Cut 20 (12) “…get better.”

The Tigers dropped to No. 12 in the new AP Poll this week.

LSU fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has accepted an invitation to play in the Panini Senior Bowl on January 31st in Mobile, Alabama. Nussmeier played in nine games this season while battling through injuries.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York, trying to lure two major sporting events to New Orleans.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a house fire over the weekend that killed a 75-year-old Coushatta woman. Her 43-year-old son was treated for smoke inhalation and survived. Investigators say the home did not have a working smoke alarm at the time. A cause for the fire is not known.

One of the new laws that went into effect as of January 1^st requires contractors with a residential construction or roofing license as the only ones that can legally perform roofing work. Prior to January 1^st, state law allowed for home improvement contractors to install roofs, but Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert says they do not have the necessary qualifications…

Cut 10 (11) “…control that.” 

Hassert says it’s also now a criminal offense to do contracting without the proper license.

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan just finished his 15^th season and it was a good year for the future hall of famer as he racked up another 10.5 sacks. Jordan says if his wife gives him the blessing to keep playing, he plans to suit up for a 16^th season…

Cut 12 (12) “…always been”

If you need a new roof, a new law went into effect on January 1^st that you should know about. Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert, says only contractors with a residential construction or roofing license can legally perform roofing work…

Cut 8 (09) “…lower them rates”

Hassert says the change in the law will ensure that roofing work is conducted by qualified professionals.

NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan is reporting Governor Landry is in New York along with Saints and Pelicans Owner Gayle Benson. The two have meetings with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Duncan says it’s part of an effort to bring another Super Bowl to New Orleans in 2031 and an NBA All-Star game to the Big easy, but renovations will be needed first to the Smoothie King Center…

Cut 5 (07) “…important revenue streams”

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

Cut 16 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LSU football head coach Brian Kelly is selling his Baton Rouge home that’s next to the LSU lakes. The asking price is 3.5 million.  That’s according to a listing from the W Group Real Estate. The gated property boasts a main house, guest home, pool and an outdoor kitchen. The home was listed for two million in 2022.

A new law that went into effect with the new year requires contractors to have a residential construction or roofing license to legally perform roofing work. Executive Director of the State Licensing Board for Contractors, Brad Hassert, says the change in the law will ensure that roofing work is conducted by qualified professionals who received a license after passing a roofing exam…

Cut 9 (08)  “…install a roof.”

Prior to January 1^st, state law allowed for home improvement contractors to install roofs, but Hassert says they do not have the necessary qualifications.

A new exhibit that’s opened at the Old Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge examines the tenure of nine governors who lived in that building from 1929 to 1962. The time period covers World War Two. Executive Director of the Old Governor’s Mansion, Sinella Aghasi, says  Sam Houston Jones and James Houston Davis were the governor’s during that time and Aghasi says the state took on a major initiative to help fund combat operations…

Cut 7 (07) “…war bonds.”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and Governor Landry are in New York, trying to lure two major sporting events to New Orleans….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

For the first time in the Kim Mulkey era, 12^th ranked LSU is off to an 0-2 start in SEC play after losing to Vanderbilt yesterday. And the Lady Tigers have some challenging games coming as they will play Georgia and then Texas and Oklahoma, who are both ranked in the Top 5….

Cut 20 (12) “…get better”