Ochsner Children’s Hospital is building a massive new facility to grow the pediatrics program and treat critical conditions. That’s thanks to a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson. Chief Medical Officer Doctor Butch Adolph says the placement of departments is easily accessible to speed up time-sensitive procedures.

Cut 4 (12) “…bigger capacity.”

Will there be a special session to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year? Despite an incentive program to bring new carriers to the Bayou State, Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says it’s highly unlikely but property owners won’t see the benefits connected to the initiative immediately…

Cut 11 (09) “…to change.”

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A big announcement regarding a proposed passenger rail service along the I-20 corridor as The Federal Railroad Administration awards the Southern Rail commission a 500-thousand dollar grant to study what it would take to make it happen. Yesterday’s news conference was held in downtown Monroe. Mayor Friday Ellis spoke about what a train station would mean.

Cut  14 (13) “..every day”

A male juror was removed from the jury in a federal trial yesterday as LSU faces wrongful termination and sexual harassment accusations from for employee Sharon Lewis.  According to Tiger Rag editor Todd Horne the juror, had been seen noticeably responding to a thumbs-up gesture from LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward during the trial.

Louisiana’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway this holiday season. With more parties this time of year there are more impaired drivers on the road, especially at night. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says for some because the holidays can be difficult…

Cut 8 (09) “…on the road.”

The campaign runs through New Year’s Day.

Passenger rail service to North Louisiana’s I-20 corridor may be one step closer to reality. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a 500-thousand dollar grant to the Southern Rail Commission to figure out what it would take to get it done. Commissioner Knox Ross says passenger rail service would bring economic development to these cities, especially their downtown areas…

Cut 13 (12) “…all about” 

The proposed rail line would connect Dallas-Fort Worth to Atlanta, with stops in Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

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Number one-ranked Ochsner Children’s Hospital will build a new 343 thousand square foot facility thanks to a historic donation from New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson. Here’s Teiko Foxx
Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 
A federal appeals court yesterday refused to reconsider its ruling setting a January deadline for the Louisiana Legislature to enact a new congressional map after a lower court found that the current political boundaries dilute the power of the state’s Black voters. If lawmakers to not pass a new map by January 30^th, then a lower court judge will likely decide on a plan for the 2024 elections.

North Louisiana mayors are excited about the possibility of passenger rail service along the I-20 corridor. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Ochsner Children’s Hospital is building a massive new facility with a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Butch Adolph on the ever growing need.

Cut 3 (13) “…one facility.”
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The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s Greg Fisher says the annual campaign is making a difference. According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU for every 1,000 hours of impaired driver patrol, there are four fewer fatalities…

Cut 7 (06) “…fewer fatalities.” 

Whether or not there will be a special season to address the state’s property insurance crisis before the regular session is still up in the air. Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Teeple is promising that if and when one is called, he’ll push for legislation that will help property owners get immediate premium relief. But stresses he’s not suggesting mandates for premium changes, because that only drives carriers away.

Cut 10 (12) “…availability.”

An important step has been taken in bringing passenger rail service to north Louisiana. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a 500-thousand dollar planning grant to the Southern Rail Commission. Commissioner Knox Ross says this money will determine what’s needed to bring passenger rail service to the I-20 Corridor…

Cut 12 (06)  “..want to be.”  
The proposed rail line would connect Dallas-Fort Worth to Atlanta, with stops in Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says over the past five Christmas holidays in Louisiana 26 people were killed and 452 injured in vehicle crashes involving alcohol.

Cut 6 (05) “…any means.”

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There’s been plenty of speculation about a special session before the regular one to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year. But at a recent NOLA-dot-com town hall meeting, Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says it’s highly unlikely…

Cut 9 (11) “…timing issue.” 

If and when one is called, Temple says he’ll push to get legislation introduced, that would focus on bringing property owners immediate premium relief.

Meanwhile a federal appeals court refused Friday to reconsider its ruling setting a January deadline for the Louisiana Legislature to enact a new congressional map after a lower court found that the current political boundaries dilute the power of the state’s Black voters.  If lawmakers to not pass a new map by January 30^th, then a lower court judge will likely decide on a plan for the 2024 elections.

Ochsner Children’s Hospital announces plans for The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital made possible through a large donation from New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson.  Chief Medical Officer Dr. Butch Adolph says the placement of departments is easily accessible to speed up time-sensitive procedures.

Cut 4 (12) “…bigger capacity.”

The new pediatric cardiovascular unit will expand from 12 to 20 beds. Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans expects to break ground around the summer of 2024 and open its doors in late 2027.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign kicks off today and runs through New Year’s Day. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission…..

Cut 7 (06) “…fewer fatalities.” 

In the last five years, 26 people were killed and 452 injured in vehicle crashes involving alcohol during the Christmas holidays. According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU for every 1,000 hours of impaired driver patrol, there are four fewer fatalities…

Will there be a special session to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year? Despite an incentive program to bring new carriers to the Bayou State, Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says it’s highly unlikely but property owners won’t see the benefits connected to the initiative immediately…

Cut 11 (09) “…to change.”

When Temple’s lone opponent withdrew from the election in the fall, Temple was named commissioner-elect. He says he’s using the extra time to meet with decision-makers so he can hit the ground running on January 8th.

Ochsner Lafayette General has launched a one-million-dollar initiative to combat Louisiana’s rural opioid addiction crisis. The project is made possible by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.

LSU has three potential first-round picks in Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr. WWL sports talk show host and draft analyst Mike Detillier says that Daniels has always been a first-round pick and his draft stock is rapidly increasing.

Cut 16 (08) “… as high as two.”

The NFL draft will take place next year on April 25th through the 27th in Detroit.

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The ULL Rajin Cajuns will face Jacksonville State Gamecocks tomorrow in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. ULL Head coach Michael Desormeaux has his team prepared for the matchup and he says that motivation is a key factor in who will be crowned the New Orleans Bowl champion.

Cut 20 (13) “… problem.”

The game will kick off tomorrow at 1:15 pm on ESPN.

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The Pelicans will travel to face the Charolette Hornets tonight, but even with the home crowd advantage New Orleans is still favored to beat Charolette by six and a half points. Zion Williamson is not expected to play for the Pelicans, but Brandon Ingram will be on the court for New Orleans and he is expected to be a key part of their offense, after his 40-point performance against Washington.

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In hunting news, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says that 14 positive cases for chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been confirmed in Tensas Parish and that the LDWF has set up 13 free CWD collection sites throughout the region. Bordelon says that the process is free and relatively simple.

Cut 8 (12) “… off site.”

The process normally takes about two to three weeks and hunters must match their sample I-D number to data online to receive test results.

To mitigate future impacts of future wildfires in the Bayou State, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says he’s already taking proactive measures. Strain says the 2023 wildfires placed many lives at risk. Though forces of nature like lightning can’t be controlled…

Cut 6 (10) “…human behavior.”

This year alone, wildfires in the Bayou State destroyed $71 million in forestland from August through October.

After cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been confirmed in the Bayou State, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries urges deer hunters in northeast Louisiana to bring the head of any deer they harvest to be tested. State Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon…

Cut 9 (12)  “…of caution.”

The testing process typically takes two to three weeks. 14 positive cases have been detected all in Tensas Parish.

The Board of Regents just improved the road to a bachelor’s degree for students transferring from a two-year college with the approval of Universal Transfer Pathways. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A 34-year-old Chauvin man is facing sex crimes involving a victim under the age of six this morning.  Terrebonne Parish investigators say they conducted an extensive investigation into James Paul Naquin after learning of allegations that he committed “sexually motivated crimes.”  Authorities say when questioned by authorities, Naquin admitted to the abuse.

On Louisiana Public Broadcasting tonight a documentary about human sex trafficking, Turning the Tide: A Story of Hell, Hope, and Healing profiles three survivors, and will feature First Lady Donna Edwards, who’s championed the cause since learning of autistic woman who was held captive for a year in Amite.

Cut 14 (11) “…(x2) the light switch.” 

The documentary airs tonight at 8 on LPB..

A 34-year-old Chauvin man is facing for sex crimes involving a victim under the age of six this morning. Terrebonne Parish investigators say they conducted an extensive investigation into James Paul Naquin after learning of the allegations.  Deputies arrested Naquin, and authorities say when questioned, he admitted to the abuse.

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After the state’s worst wildfire season in history, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s already taking proactive measures to mitigate future impacts of future. Strain says he’ll ask lawmakers next year to approve 43 million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel, and that’s not all.

Cut 5 (12) “…be trained.”

The Ragin Cajuns will face Jacksonville State in tomorrow’s R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Kick-off is set for 1:15. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says his team has been preparing to play a good team…

Cut 19 (14) “…moving forward.” 

The Board of Regents has approved Statewide Universal Transfer Pathways to reduce the time and money needed to complete a bachelor’s degree when transferring from one of the state’s two-year colleges. Tristan Denley, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation…

Cut 10 (10) “…towards their degree.”
14 positive cases of Chronic Wasting Disease have been detected in deer harvested in Tensas Parish this season. That’s why the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has set up 13 free collection sites throughout the region. L-D-W-F State Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon…

Cut 8 (12) “…off site.” 

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After the worst wildfire season on record, proactive steps are being taken to help reduce the impact of future wildfires in the Bayou State. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

On Louisiana Public Broadcasting tonight a documentary about human sex trafficking.  It profiles three survivors, along with First Lady Donna Edwards who’s helping raise awareness…

Cut 13 (08) “…100% our business.”

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s already taking proactive measures to mitigate future impacts of wildfires in the Bayou State.  After the state’s worst wildfire season in history, he plans to hire a Director of Meteorology to keep accurate and informed fire weather conditions.

Cut 4 (12) “…(x2) soil conditions.”

Deer hunters in northeast Louisiana are urged to bring the head of any deer they harvest to one of 13 collection points after 14 cases of chronic wasting disease were confirmed in Tensas Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon .

Cut 7 (11) “…new areas.”

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A documentary about human sex trafficking in Louisiana  is set to air tonight on LPB. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 34-year-old Chauvin man is facing for sex crimes involving a victim under the age of six this morning.  Terrebonne Parish investigators say they conducted an extensive investigation into James Paul Naquin after learning of allegations that he committed “sexually motivated crimes.” Deputies arrested Naquin, and authorities say when questioned by authorities, he admitted to the abuse.