LSU Health in Shreveport says another COVID surge is coming and they say wastewater is the indicator. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03  (32)        “…Thorington.”

Police in New Orleans say a man shot and killed another man yesterday afternoon in the busy French Quarter. The shooting took place at Bourbon & Toulouse Streets and was the result of an argument between two men. The victim died after being taken to the hospital. The shooter has been arrested.

With the New Year comes a significant change in corporate taxes for Louisiana. A tax reform package passed by lawmakers in 2021 reduces the state’s corporate franchise tax; a tax paid on companies’ capital. Tax attorney and consultant Jason Decuir says the difference is relatively little (.025 percent) but there is also a built-in exemption that will benefit smaller businesses…:

CUT 13(09)      “…the franchise tax.”

He says this will also make us more competitive for business with our neighbor states.

Food insecurity is surging in Louisiana because of inflation and the expiration of the child tax credit and free school meals. Hunger Free America CEO, Joel Berg, says more than 470-thousand Louisiana residents are living without enough food and with the cuts to federal aid, their paychecks are not enough to keep food on the table…:

CUT 04(13)      “…for food.”

State Police say speeding was the likely cause of a double fatal crash Tuesday near Golden Meadow, but they haven’t ruled out impairment. Trooper Ross Brennan says a man driving a pickup was going too fast, when he sideswiped a dump truck, then crashed head-on into am sedan. The sedan driver died at the scene. The pickup driver died later at a hospital. Brennan says holidays always mean increases in traffic deaths…:

CUT 14(05)      “…for disaster.”

The man who lit a fire inside the Walmart in Hammond on Christmas Eve has been caught. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says when 43-year-old Terrence Coe saw his picture all over TV and social media, he turned himself in. She says customers aided in keeping damage to the store to a minimum…:

CUT 08(12)      “…put it out.”

Coe reportedly set the fire as a distraction while he stole stuff.

The state Division of Administration has blocked TikTok traffic on networks managed by the state Office of Tech Services. Jacques Berry, with the Division, says it’s a cybersecurity risk…:

CUT 11(12)      “…going forward.”

State workers may have the app on their phone or device, but it won’t work on a state wi-fi.

Another shooting on Bourbon Street, in the New Orleans French Quarter. NOPD says a man was shot and wounded today just before 2pm at Bourbon and Toulouse. He is expected to be OK. Cops are following leads and interviewing possible witnesses.

No Mega Million jackpot winner last night. That means the jackpot for Friday’s drawing will be worth about $640-million to a single winner. A lump-sum cash award would be about $302-million.

Anti-smoking experts say New Year’s is a great time to quit smoking. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A single-vehicle crash in Terrebonne Parish claims the life of a Houma man. State Trooper Ross Brennan says 29 year old Steven English was traveling at a high rate of speed on LA- Highway 15

 Cut 6 (07)  “…Tree.”

A toxicology sample is pending, however, Brennan says investigators believe impairment was a factor.

The Department of Transportation and Development has been awarded a $150 million Mega Grant from the federal government to go towards the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this is welcome news.

Cut 9 (14) “…this project.” 

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (BOO-tee) changes his mind and enters the NFL draft. The New Iberia native made the announcement hours after LSU said Boutte would not play in Monday’s Citrus Bowl but was enrolled for the spring semester. Hunt Palmer of the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge has this reaction…

Cut 12 (07) “…for a championship.”  

Speed is the suspected cause of a double traffic fatality in Lafourche Parish Tuesday. Trooper Ross Brennan says it happened on LA Highway 1 just north of the Leesville toll bridge in Golden Meadow. The preliminary investigation shows a Silverado driven by Archie Duet Jr. was traveling at a high rate of speed, crossed the center line, and sideswiped a Mack dump truck…:

CUT 12(11)      “…at the scene.”

The state Division of Administration has blocked TikTok traffic on networks managed by the state Office of Tech Services. Commissioner of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry says state employees can still have TikTok on their personal devices, but if they tried to load a video it would not work if they were using one of the state’s networks…:

CUT 10(07)      “…gonna be blocked.”

TikTok has been shown to be a cybersecurity risk.

A company owned by Entergy has been ordered to pay about $160-million to Louisiana customers they overcharged. System Energy Resources Inc, also called “SERI”, was ordered to repay customers by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Authorities arrest a Hammond man for allegedly setting a fire inside a packed Walmart on Christmas Eve. His motive? Theft…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

State Police say a fatal wreck in Ascension Parish yesterday killed a passenger in a vehicle whose driver did not cause the accident. Trooper Christian Reed says it happened on US 61 around 3:30 PM…:

CUT 03(07)      “…head-on.”

The victim is 39-year-old Brandi Hall of Darrow. The driver that hit them has been charged with vehicular homicide and more.

Caddo Parish emergency managers got busy distributing water in four communities due to the recent hard freezes. Caddo sheriff’s Sgt. Casey Jones says lots of folks left water running to prevent a freeze-up, so they wanted to be prepared for the worst…:

CUT 07(08)      “…was needed.”

The good news: temperatures are rising again, starting tomorrow afternoon.

A preliminary report from the East Baton Rouge Parish coroner says they cannot determine exactly what caused the death of a 4-year-old boy, who was pulled from the icy waters of the Amite River on Christmas Eve. The child died Sunday in a local hospital. The manner and cause of the child’s death are still under investigation with the coroner and the sheriff’s office. The boy’s father says the boy got lost while the pair were hiking, and must have fallen in the water.

There’s a $50-thousand Powerball prize that’s yet to be claimed and the ticket was sold in Ascension Parish for the July 30^th drawing. Louisiana Lottery’s Kim Chopin says they get that money if no one ever claims it, but they’d rather have the winner come forward before the January 26^th deadline and collect their 50 grand…:

CUT 13(12)      “…under his bed.”

The weather continues to cause several travel delays and flight cancellations across the country. Nick Chabarria with Triple-A says Southwest Airlines has had the most cancellations compared to other airlines. He says, if you’re flying in the next few days, check ahead before driving to the airport so you aren’t stranded…:

CUT 11(13)      “…last minute.”

There’s a $50,000 Powerball prize that’s yet to be claimed and the ticket was sold in Ascension Parish for the July 30^th drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says ticket holders have 180 days to claim a draw-style game prize and for this ticket, the deadline is January 26^th…:

CUT 12(14)      “…on you.”

State Police say a fatal crash in Ascension Parish Monday serves as another tragic reminder of the importance of seat belt use…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Golsby”

The driver of the pickup has been arrested for vehicular homicide and careless operation.

Viral video of a Baton Rouge convenience store clerk dousing a homeless person with cold water in the recent freeze has resulted in that person’s arrest. The incident happened at Triple S Food Mart; the same store where Alton Sterling was shot and killed by a cop while resisting arrest in 2016.

In Caddo Parish, four towns are taking precautions due to low water pressure after the extended freeze. Pallets of water have been distributed to Belcher, Gilliam, Greenwood, and Blanchard. Sargent Casey Jones with the Caddo Sheriff’s Office says public works distributed water…:

CUT 06(09)      “…parish towns.”

They ask everyone to conserve water as much as possible.

State Police say a woman passenger died in a crash in Ascension Parish yesterday, but the driver was not to blame. Troopers say a pickup crossed the center line and hit the SUV head-on. Trooper Christian Reed says neither in the SUV were wearing seatbelts, and NOT wearing one is NOT wise…:

CUT 05(07)      “…seat belt use.”

The victim is identified as 39-year-old Brandi Hall, of Darrow. The driver of the pickup is charged with negligent homicide and more.

A former teacher at Destrehan High is arrested for alleged sexual conduct with students that spanned several years; 2017 to quite recently. At least one male student is involved; possibly more. 32-year-old Kyle Aucoin-Melohn was fired subsequent to his arrest. St. Charles Sheriff’s investigators are still investigating.

If you purchased a Powerball ticket in Ascension Parish for the July 30^th drawing you might want to go check your numbers. Brooke Thorington has more on an unclaimed prize of $50,000…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

With the coming New Year for Louisiana comes big elections, including who will the next Governor. Will Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser be in that race? Or seek re-election? More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

State Police say a man out for a Christmas Day ride on his motorcycle was killed in a crash on Highway 425 near Vidalia. Troopers say 63-year-old Tom Pritchard of Vidalia went off the roadway for reason unknown and was thrown from his bike. He was wearing a helmet, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Louisiana will, again this year, have a float in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and a host of beauty queens will be onboard. One of the riders is reigning Miss Louisiana association of Fairs & festivals Jordan Fuqua. She says the float’s theme of “Turning a Corner” is appropriate…:

CUT 05  (14)        “…better than ever.”

The parade airs on MONDAY morning; not on New Year’s Day. Check your local listings.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the blast of cold weather Louisiana has been under is about to change; moving out of here by Thursday. By then, he says, look for lows in the 50’s and highs in the 70’s…:

CUT 12  (08)        “…big, big shift.”

We might see rain on Friday, and some on New Year’s Eve, but Sunday should be sunny and 70-something.

So many of us are still dealing with the effects of the Christmas weekend freeze. Broken pipes and water outages are reported all over the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we have one more day of cold, but then comes a shift…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…parts of the state.”

We could be seeing afternoon highs around 70 by week’s end.

A number of LSU fans got their Christmas wish when quarterback Jayden Daniels tweeted he will stay another year with the Fighting Tigers. Tiger Rag Magazine’s William Weathers says Daniels forgoing the NFL draft is a credit to LSU head coach Brian Kelly and it’s significant how Daniels grew over the season…:

CUT 14  (10)        “…year’s team.”

Louisiana will be featured on national TV again this year, with its “Turning a Corner” float in the Tournament of Roses Parade the day after New Year’s. Brooke Thorington talked with one of the float riders…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

Your loved ones who traveled for the holiday may be late getting home. Airports across the state have announced dozens of flights to and from cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh and more were cancelled Monday due to the extreme cold and blizzard conditions up north. It’s hoped some of those flights may resume today.

We’ve all heard the expression if you don’t like the weather just wait a day, it appears that mantra is right on cue. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Thorington.”

Police in New Iberia seek the man suspected of shooting and killing another man Monday. Witnesses say 36-year-old Stevie Vital shot the 49-year-old victim during a domestic dispute, and fled the area. He’s now wanted for 2^nd-degree murder and other charges. Police say Vital should be considered armed and dangerous.

So…will Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser run for governor in 2023? Or will he seek another term as head of Culture, Recreation and Tourism? He says folks in the tourism industry are supportive of his run, but he says many also want him to stay and run for re-election. He says he will have an answer for all concerned by January 10^th…:

CUT 08(05)      “…tough decisions.”

Nungesser says he owes it to others who may want to run for Lt. Governor to make up his mind quickly.

Louisiana will again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, when it rolls next Monday morning. Among the float riders will be 22-year-old Pineville native Jordan Fuqua, the reigning Miss Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals…:

CUT 06(11)      “…our Lt. Governor.”

Also on the float, country star Lainey Wilson, who’s from Baskin.