Our Lady of the Lake and Louisiana Children’s Medical Center are investing 245-million dollars into LSU, the largest philanthropic gift in the university’s history. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has introduced legislation that would permanently classify illicit fentanyl as a Schedule 1 narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act. Johnson believes his CEASE Overdose Act would help law enforcement to control the fentanyl crisis. Fentanyl overdoses recently became the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.

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Due to extremely dry conditions, the Fire Marshal’s Office along with Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban. Fire Marshal Office Spokesperson Ashely Rodrigue says the ban goes into effect Tuesday morning and remains until rescinded.

Cut 12 (11) “…their property.”

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Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals came up a little bit short in winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl as the Los Angeles Rams scored a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to beat the Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56. Burrow threw for 263 yards and one touchdown and hopes to have another chance at winning a championship…

Cut 16 (16) “…just short”

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And former LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr, who scored the first touchdown of the game, is reported to have torn his left ACL for the second time in two years.

A Gonzales state Representative files two bills addressing vaccination policies for school children. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Next week cameras will begin rolling in the capital city, featuring Baton Rouge in the Disney Plus series of National Treasure. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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It has been an unusually dry winter as Louisiana experiences drought conditions throughout the state. David Grubb has more on how long we can expect this weather to last.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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If you’re working on your menu for the big game, perhaps you should include Waitr’s Top Ten food orders for the Super Bowl in Louisiana. Dean Turcol with Waitr says this year’s list has a new number one with French Fries.

Cut 4 (07)  “…always popular.” 

Wings fell to number two this year, followed by Mozzarella Sticks, Cheeseburgers and Donut Holes round out the top five. Turcol says finger foods usually top the list for the marathon four-hour event, so fans tend to graze throughout the game.

Cut 5 (09) “…each year.”

Spinach & Artichoke Dip ranked 6^th, followed by Onion Rigs, and in 8^th place quite the oddity for a Top Ten List. Turcol says Fried Pickles make the list in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10)  “…for the Super Bowl. “

In 9^th and 10^th places are Chicken Nuggets and Nachos.

Turcol says Waitr is even offering $20 off any order of $50 or more by using the code BIGGAME20 at checkout this Sunday.

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More bills filed for the Legislative Session that starts in March address COVID vaccines policies for school children. House Bills 47 & 48 are from Gonzales Republican Representative Kathy Edmonston. Her HB47 would require more open communication between schools and parents on immunization requirements. She says current state law has provisions for parents to opt out of vaccines, but most parents don’t know that…:

Cut 7 (12) “…to opt out.”

State statutes currently allow parents to opt out of a required immunization. Edmonston’s bill would amend the law to require parents be notified AND that they do, in fact, have a right to refuse. Her second bill in that vein is House Bill 48, which would make it unlawful to perform immunizations on a school campus. She says a Jefferson Parish family is suing their school giving a student a COVID shot without parental approval…:

Cut 8 (10)  “….want to see that happen.”

Edmonston feels doctors’ offices and clinics are the places to give out shots; not schools. She says our children’s schools should not get involved in a family health issue…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…in charge of education.”

Edmonston’s two bills will be introduced for committee discussion in the Regular Legislative Session, which starts in March.

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It will be lights, camera, hunt next week in Baton Rouge as Disney Plus begins filming the TV series, National Treasure. Executive director of The Baton Rouge Film Commission Katie Pryor says the series will be in the same spirit of the movie franchise but set in the capital city.

Cut 10 (11) “…incredible.”

Lisette Alexis will play the lead character who’s got a knack for solving puzzles and is on an adventure to save a lost Pan-American treasure in Baton Rouge. Pryor says you’ll see plenty of the Red Stick on the screen.

Cut  11 (10)  “…in the city.”  

Also attached is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who will portray the villain, a shrewd antique dealer, and fellow treasure hunter. Pryor says the Disney feature film Crater was also shot in Baton Rouge and they are extremely pleased they’ve chosen to return for a series.

Pryor says the National Treasure series will have an immediate impact on the city’s economy and is spending $17 million on Louisiana payroll alone.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s fast.”

Filming for season one is expected to wrap up in July.

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Since December, temperatures have been dropping in Louisiana but the rain hasn’t. Eighty-three percent of the state is experiencing a drought with the remaining 17 percent listed as “extremely dry.” Fifty-six percent of Louisiana is in extreme drought or worse says climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 13 (10) “…across the state.”

Shreveport and Baton Rouge have seen their expected rainfall for this time of year decrease by more than half, with Lake Charles down by 61 percent. Keim says the weather pattern known as La Nina is responsible…

Cut 14 (13)  “…high and dry.”

One thing the drought hasn’t affected, at least not yet, is Louisiana’s agricultural industry. However, the weather won’t be changing anytime soon, meaning the state’s farmers could be dealing with arid conditions when planting season begins. Keim hopes that isn’t the case.

Cut 15 (12)  “…little bit better.”

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LSU receivers dominating in the NFL is nothing new. Not with names like Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr., and Justin Jefferson all being counted among the league’s very best. Now, you can Ja’Marr Chase to the list after the rookie went out and broke the Bengals single-season receiving record. Now Chase is on the biggest stage, ready to play in Super Bowl 56, and he says that what he learned competing in the SEC has paid off in the NFL.

Cut 16 (13)  “…year went by.”

Reaching the Super Bowl as a rookie, especially with the Bengals who hadn’t been to the big game since 1989, wasn’t something Chase could have predicted. He says he kept his focus on getting better and enjoying the ride that has brought him to this point.

Cut 17 (17) “ …try to do.” 

Odell Beckham Jr’s route to the Super Bowl has been much different. He broke on the scene with the New York Giants before being traded to and released by the Browns. Since joining the Rams, he’s been back to his explosive self, scoring five touchdowns in 10 games including the postseason. A younger Beckham might have gloated about his return to the top, but not today’s OBJ.

Cut 18 (14) “ …for this team.” 

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Alliance Compressors is expanding its Natchitoches facility with a $45-million investment. Chairman of Alliance Compressors, Brent Schroder says the investment allows them to add a third assembly line to the plant, which will create 78 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $47,000.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the area.”

Schroder says due to the increasing demand from partners, Emerson, Trane Technologies, and Lennox Industries they need to add to their 400,000 square-foot facility.

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A man wanted for murder was fatally wounded during a shoot-out with New Orleans Police officers in Central City this morning. NOPD Chief Deputy Superintendent Christopher Goodly says officers and U-S Marshals were serving a “high-risk” warrant on a subject at an apartment complex. Goodly identifies the deceased individual as a 22-year-old male, who was wanted for the murder of a 35-year-old male and attempted murder of another person who was injured in a car…

Cut 7 (09) “…Piety Street.”

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House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has created a special legislative committee to look into the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died in 2019 after he was beaten by State Troopers following a high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. There are accusations of a cover-up involving the governor.

Schexnayder says the Legislature’s investigation will review the handling of the Greene incident on all levels. He says the truth must come out and no cover-up will be tolerated. Committee chair Tanner Magee of Houma hopes to bring some closure to Greene’s family…

Cut 10 (07) “…this committee.”

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Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, held a press conference today to address the latest developments in this tragedy. She restated her claim that Governor Edwards allowed Greene’s killing to be characterized as an accident, knowing he was killed by troopers. Hardin says she will not rest until all responsible are held accountable for their roles in the death of her son.

Cut 14 (13) “…will get results.”

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CJ McCollum will make his debut for the New Orleans Pelicans tonight as they host the Miami Heat. McCollum has been anxious to join the Pels, who have needed a major upgrade in the backcourt. McCollum, who has averaged better than 20 points per game in each of the last seven seasons, says there are a number of reasons that he’s excited to continue his career in New Orleans.

Cut 21 (21) “…me to evolve.”

The Pelicans will be trying to earn their first five-game win streak since the 2017-18 season.

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Attorneys for Saints running back Alvin Kamara have begun their own investigation into the Las Vegas brawl that led to his arrest last Sunday. Lawyer Drew Findling says the allegations made against Kamara aren’t consistent with the player’s conduct throughout his career. Kamara was charged with suspicion of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison with a fine of $10,000.

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It’s a top 20 showdown at the P-MAC tonight as the 14^th-ranked LSU women host number 17 Georgia. LSU is coming off a tough road win against Ole Miss while Georgia is looking to bounce back from a home loss to Florida. The Tigers are one-up on the season series, having beaten the Dawgs in Athens on Dec. 30, 68-62. Coach Kim Mulkey expects a tough battle in the race to catch South Carolina in the SEC standings.

Cut 22 (12) “…hard-fought game.”

Tip-off is set for 7:30.

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LSU’s Tari Eason and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Lofton Jr. have both been named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Team. LSU’s Khayla Pointer was selected for the Women’s Team.

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In other college hoops action around the state tonight, the UL Cajuns will try to stay in the top 4 of the Sun Belt women’s standings on the road versus Texas State. Louisiana Tech’s men are at Charlotte, Southland leader UNO hosts Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, ULM welcomes Texas-Arlington, and Southeastern and McNeese will go at it in Hammond.