Officials cut the ribbon today on the first of three phases in the 183 million dollar I-10 widening project. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they widened a stretch from LA 347 at the intersection of I-10 all the way to the Atchafalaya Basin to three lanes.

Cut 6 (11) “..stretch”

The project also included two roundabouts and drainage improvements on LA 347.

New Iberia Police are investigating a double homicide that claimed the lives of two 16-year-olds. Sgt Daesha Hughes says when police arrived, they found the two males lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds on Sunday night.

Cut 3 (09)  “…for both.”

Both were pronounced dead on the scene and their identities have not been released.

Republicans are asking Senate Democrats to cancel President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, citing the fact it isn’t set to happen until after Trump leaves office. House Minority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise voted against impeachment in the House and says the trial would be a distraction…

Cut 11 (09) “.country”

If the trial is held Trump will be the first President to ever be taken to an impeachment trial after he leaves office, and the only President to be impeached twice.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has completed repair work and upgrades to one and a quarter miles of levee and beach in Grand Isle that was destroyed last year by hurricanes. CPRA Chief Engineer Rudy Simoneaux says the work created 30 acres of beach that sits 4.5 feet above sea level…

Cut 15 (11)“…today.”

Drew Brees likely threw his last NFL pass last night as the Saints playoff journey ends after a 30-20 loss in the Dome to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. It was a rough year for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer, who missed four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he has no regrets.

Cut 8 (12) “…absolutely”

Brees threw three picks on the night.

25,000 Guardsmen will be in D.C. for Joe Biden’s inauguration, among them 174 Louisiana soldiers and airmen who volunteered for the deployment. Sargent Denis Ricou says the Guard flew out of Alexandria airport Saturday and they are scheduled to return Thursday, assuming nothing happens between now and then.

Cut 13 (06)“.support”

State Senator Troy Carter receives an endorsement from outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond as his replacement in the 2^nd congressional district, while Carter’s primary opponent State Senator Karen Carter Peterson was endorsed by Democratic Party celebrity Stacy Abrams last week. Despite the big national names wading into this contest Political Analyst Clancy Dubos expects voter turnout will still be quite low…

Cut 5  (12) “…March 20th” 

The 2^nd covers most of New Orleans, the River Parishes, and north Baton Rouge.

 Louisiana received 308 million dollars for rental assistance as part of a new round of COVID relief passed in late December. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it’s a good start, but not enough…

Cut 9 (10) “..since then”

A second person from Louisiana has been arrested for their alleged participation in the January 6^th storming of the US Capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

A Vivian man has been taken into custody for his alleged participation in the January 6^th raid on the Capitol. The US Department of Justice arrested Cody Connell Friday. He was taken into custody after investigators received a screenshot of Connell’s social media posts bragging about being at the Capitol and his plans to return and quote “it will be a lot worse.”

State Senator Troy Carter, the second person to announce their run for Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District receives an endorsement from outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond. Last week State Senator Karen Carter Peterson secured star Democrat Stacy Abram’s endorsement and Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says at the moment it appears as if it’s a two-person race for the 2^nd Congressional District.

Cut 4 (11) “….who’s not.” 

Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers has also announced he will be running.

174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen have been sent to Washington D.C. to help bolster security for President-elect Joe Biden’s Wednesday inauguration. Sargent Denis Ricou says they are there at the request of the National Guard Bureau to augment the D.C. National Guard’s forces…

Cut 12 (10) “…state” 

174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen have been sent to Washington D.C. to help bolster security for President-elect Joe Biden’s Wednesday inauguration. Sargent Denis Ricou says the Guard is proud to send Louisianans to help manage such an important event, and it should be a rewarding experience for those who are there.

Cut 14 (07) “area.” 

25,000 Guard from across the country are being flown in.

The incoming Biden Administration announces the federal eviction moratorium will be extended through the end of September. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says the moratorium is set to expire at the end of the month and without an extension…

Cut 11 (11) “… landlords”

A second person from Louisiana has been arrested for their alleged participation in the January 6^th storming of the US Capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Only 961 new COVID-19 cases were reported today on the usually slow Monday update. We did see a major dip in the number of COVID patients in hospitals though over the past few days, we’re now back down under 1,900 after spending a week over 2,000. That likely is correlating with the fact that another 50 Louisianans are reported dead from the disease.

We probably saw the last of future Hall of Famer Black and Gold legend Drew Brees last night after the Saint’s playoff run ends two games in, in a heartbreaking 30 to 20 loss in the Dome to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. Brees has been contemplating retirement after the last couple of seasons and once again plans to think it over

Cut 6 (09) “..make a decision”

Brees looked off in his likely last game, throwing three picks.

25,000 Guardsmen will be in D.C. for Joe Biden’s inauguration, among them 174 Louisiana soldiers and airmen who volunteered for the deployment. Sargent Denis Ricou says the Guard flew out of Alexandria airport Saturday and they are scheduled to return Thursday, assuming nothing happens between now and then.

Cut 13 (06)“.support”

Last week State Senator Karen Carter Peterson grabbed an endorsement from Democratic star Stacy Abrams in the special election race to fill the 2^nd District vacancy created when Congressman Cedric Richmond joined the Biden Administration. This week Peterson’s primary rival, State Senator Troy Carter may have one-upped her with an endorsement from Richmond himself. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos…

Cut 3 (09)  “..influence.”

Louisiana received 308 million dollars for rental assistance as part of a new round of COVID relief passed in late December. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says the state has had trouble during the pandemic dispersing rental assistance in a timely manner, and that can’t happen again…

Cut 10 (07) “…gunna work”

Drew Brees likely threw his last NFL pass last night as the Saints playoff journey ends after a 30-20 loss in the Dome to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. It was a rough year for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer, who missed four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he has no regrets…

Cut 8 (12) “…absolutely”

Brees threw three picks on the night.

Outgoing 2^nd District Congressman Cedric Richmond endorses State Senator Troy Carter in the March special election to fill the seat. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos calls it a big deal…

Cut 3 (12)  “..influence.”

Carter’s primary opposition, State Senator Karen Carter Peterson, grabbed Stacy Abram’s endorsement last week.

Pointe Coupee Parish native Lieutenant General Russel Honore will oversee the investigation of  Capitol security after the January 6^th riot where protesters stormed the building. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves’ father passed away Saturday afternoon from complications related to COVID-19. John Graves was a prolific engineer who is member of the LSU College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction. Graves graduated from the school in 1965. A time and place for a service has not yet been announced.

The Saints are preparing to take down the Tom Brady led Bucs for the 3^rd time this year Sunday at 5:40 PM.

The Saints defense suffocated Brady in the previous two regular-season contests, holding the Bucs to 13 points a game and picking the future Hall of Famer off five times.  Brady has a lot of respect for the New Orleans defense.

Cut 12 (11) “…long time” 

Happy birthday Drew Brees, the Saints legend turned 42 today and looking forward to playing against the 43-year-old Brady. He says he expected they’d be facing off in a win or go home game…

Cut 19 (16) “…the Bucs.”

Also playing this weekend: the Rams and Packers, Browns and Chiefs, and the Ravens and Bills.

La Tech men’s basketball will host UTSA for two games beginning tonight. The Bulldogs are 9-4, 2-2 in Conference USA after splitting a pair of games at Western Kentucky last week. The Roadrunners are 5-and-6, 1-and-3 in Conference USA, and snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over North Texas last Saturday. Bulldogs Coach Eric Konkol says the Texas San Antonio is getting better

Cut 16 (16) “…other end.”

Elsewhere in college hoops action this evening we’ve got ULM heading up north to take on Arkansas State and the Cajuns driving west to take on Texas Arlington.

The Pelicans hope to snap a four-game losing streak tonight in Los Angeles against the reigning champion Lakers.

50-year-old Vaughn Gordon of Lafayette is facing misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the attack on Capitol Hill last week. Gordon told the Advocate that he was able to wander the Capitol for nearly two hours, but says he didn’t vandalize anything and remained peaceful, but legal analyst Tim Meche says because a cop lost their life that day everyone even remotely involved will be facing charges…

Cut 3 (12)  “..accountable”

Governor Edwards blasted those who took part in last week’s mob riot…

Cut 10 (10) “…The United States.”

Federal prosecutors also allege some involved in the riot were actively plotting to assassinate elected officials. Because of that law enforcement is on alert ahead of this weekend’s expected protests at the Louisiana State Capitol. Edwards says if you’re going, stay peaceful and wear a mask.

The Saints and Buccaneers will meet for a third time on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. Tampa Bay finished the regular season with the N-F-L’s number one rush defense. Saints Offensive tackle Terron Armstead on what the Buccaneers do well….

Cut 13 (12)“..run game”

The Saints swept the regular-season series only allowing 13 points a game along with five interceptions.

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign and exceeded its goal and raised more than $171 million for the University.  LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice says the campaign which began November 2018 originally set out to raise $125 million.

Cut 6 (10) “..raise funds”

A Lafayette man faces charges for participating in the January 6^th storming of the US Capitol building. 50-year-old Vaughn Gordon faces the rough equivalent of some trespassing misdemeanors for being in the Capitol that day and got caught after describing his participation to the Advocate and talking about it on a social media video. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Gordon may not be the only Bayou State native who gets arrested…

Cut 5  (12) “…event” 

Gordon told the Advocate that he was able to wander the Capitol for nearly two hours, but says he didn’t vandalize anything and remained peaceful.

Governor Edwards is asking anyone going to the election protest at the State Capitol to not resort to the kinds of violence we saw in D.C. last week…

Cut 9 (10) “…law”

The Saints and Buccaneers will meet for a third time on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. In the two regular-season meetings, the Saints allowed just 13 points a game and they’ve intercepted Bucs Quarterback Tom Brady five times. Brady has a lot of respect for the New Orleans defense

Cut 12 (11) “…long time” 

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign and exceeded its goal and raised more than $171 million for the University.  LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice says the funds have already been used to assist students and they have other infrastructure projects are the works.

Cut 7 (11) “…needs.”

More than 23,500 donors made more than 100-thousand individuals donations.