Winning the national championship results in a big payday for LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The New Orleans Saints are going to court to keep hundreds of emails from being unearthed showing the team’s executives advised the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans in doing PR damage control, as they are accused of helping the in the church’s “pattern and practice of concealing” evidence of sex abuse.  The team has responded saying the advice was simple and never wavering. Be direct, open and fully transparent, while making sure that all law enforcement agencies were alerted.

Holden Matthews, the man suspected of setting fire to three African American Churches in St Landry Parish last spring, will have a change of plea hearing next month. The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the prosecution has a lot of evidence.
Cut 9 (10) “…the arson.”
Matthew’s next federal court appearance is February 10th.
The hunt for the killer of a gay black teen who was found near a lake in Angie two weeks ago continues, and the Southern Poverty Law Center is concerned it may have been a hate crime.  17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor was found shot in the head only an hour after being reported missing by his mother. Staff Attorney Tyler Clemons say the SPLC is demanding no stone be left unturned in the case given what they say is the history of failure by law enforcement agencies in the Deep South to solve, or even investigate anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.
Cut 13 (10) “…particular”

After guiding LSU to a national title, head coach Ed Orgeron has agreed to a six-year contract extension worth 42-million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgens says Orgeron is now among the Top 10 highest-paid coaches in college football…

Cut 6 (11) “…his worth”

The contract extension is pending approval of the LSU Board of Supervisors.

New Orleanians frustrated with the handling of the Hard Rock Hotel situation are planning a 3PM march near the site demanding justice for the three victims of the collapse, and more transparency from city officials. March organizer Trey Monaghan says the city’s delay in retrieving Jose Ponce Arreola and Quinnyon Wimberly’s bodies is disgraceful.

Cut 9 (11) “…days ago.”

Two Super Bowls later the younger Manning, Eli, is retiring from the NFL. Manning attended Newman High School in New Orleans.  Newman coach and longtime family friend Nelson Stewart says the 16 year vet got those rings because he was cool and collected when it mattered most.

Cut 14 (11) “…he’d work late.”

Eli’s brother Peyton played 18 seasons and their father Archie played 13 seasons, much of that time as QB for the Saints.

A paper published by an LSU Marketing Professor shows companies can seriously influence the kind of food people purchase at restaurants and groceries by adjusting the level of background music or ambiance. While the music is self-explanatory, Professor Courtney Szocs says they had to get creative when testing the effects of ambient noise.

Cut 12 (09) “…played.”

A march against the handling of the Hard Rock Hotel situation in New Orleans is scheduled for 3 PM today. Matt Doyle spoke with the organizer.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________________

An LSU Marketing Professor co-authors a paper showing ambient sound or music can have a serious effect on your food selection at restaurants. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________________________

New York Giants QB and New Orleans native Eli Manning announces his retirement following 16 seasons in the NFL. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________________________

Louisiana is making the grade when it comes to having crucial safety laws according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Some of the laws the organization analyze include occupant protection, teen driving, and impaired driving. Advocate President Cathy Chase explains the criteria for Louisiana receiving high marks.

Cut 4 (09) “…helmet law”

With technology everchanging, Chase says safety laws need to be revised, especially when it refers to distracted drivers and cellphone use.

Cut 5 (11) “…the wheel.”

Another recommendation the organization has for Louisiana is implementing a Graduated Driver Licensing program for teens.

Cut 6 (08) “…their experience”

Their research is based on information from the NTSB and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that such enacted laws will save lives on the roadways.

_____________________________

A protest march demanding accountability from New Orleans officials for the handling of the Hard Rock collapse, and justice for the victims of the collapse is gathering today in the French Quarter at 3 PM.

The city’s frustration over the incident came to a boil when one of the victims of the collapse’s body was publicly exposed. March organizer Trey Monaghan says the situation is disgraceful.

Cut 7 (09) “…for that.”

The remains of two victims, 63-year-old Jose Ponce Arreola and 36-year-old Quinnyon Wimberly still remain in the building. City officials say it’s too dangerous to remove them at the moment.

The protesters have three demands, one of them being that the City stop using language indicating that they are collaborating with the construction firm responsible, and start taking them to task.

Cut 8 (12) “…the door.”

The other demands are the City hold a public hearing on the incident, and that the City adopt a Responsible Bidder Ordinance that would potentially prevent another collapse from happening.

Monaghan says the failure of the city to retrieve the victim’s bodies and to take down the site in a timely manner is insulting to the victim’s families and everyone who lives in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (11) “…days ago.”

The march is set to start on North Rampart up the street from the collapse.

____________________

An LSU Marketing Professor finds playing low volume music or ambient sound in restaurants can help influence customers to pick healthier food options.

Professor Courtney Szocs says while low music can help people eat healthily, the inverse is also true, and playing loud music or background noise can help juice the sales of not-so-healthy options.

Cut 10 (10) “…sense.”

Szocs co-authored a paper in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science on the topic.

So why does background music have that much of an impact on purchasing choices? Szocs says it’s because low volume music is soothing.

Cut 11 (10) “…decision.”

The study took place in a lab setting, and the results were then replicated in a café and a supermarket, and while the music is self-explanatory, Szocs says they had to get creative with the ambient noise.

Cut 12 (09) “…played.”

_____________________________________

Louisiana native and longtime New York Giants QB Eli Manning announces his retirement today after 16 seasons in the NFL.  Manning attended Newman High School in New Orleans.  Newman coach and longtime family friend Nelson Stewart says the accolades Manning has received is on brand with the young Eli.

Cut 13 (10) “…level of character.”

Manning has two Super Bowl rings for his time in the league.  Stewart says Manning was calm under pressure and a hard worker.

Cut 14 (11) “…he’d work late.”

Stewart has no doubt that Manning is a future Hall of Famer.

Cut 15 (11) “…up in Canton.”

Eli’s brother Peyton played 18 seasons in the league before retiring in 2016 and their father Archie played 13 seasons, much of that time as QB for the Saints.

__________________________________________

It’s been a tough season for the Warhawks and Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball teams. They are tied for last in the Sun Belt, each team is two and seven in league play and they face each other Saturday in Lafayette. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin’s team has been hit with injuries and only seven healthy scholarship players..

Cut 16  (25)  …they do” 

ULM Coach Keith Richard says they would have a much better conference record, if they had not lost three home games by a combined four points

Cut 17  (13) ” little bit” 

The Warhawks are getting another good season from Michael Ertel, who is averaging 15 points a game. Richard says the junior from Indianapolis gets a lot of attention from opposing teams

cut 18  (20) ” season”   

________________________

LSU brings a seven-game winning streak to Austin tomorrow where they’ll face Texas in a game that’s part of the SEC-Big 12 matchup. Tigers Coach Will Wade is looking forward to adding a nonconference road win to their tournament resume…

cut 19 (21)  resume  

Texas is 12-and-6 and just two and four in conference play. Wade says the Longhorns will be ready for the Tigers

cut 20 (25) “ to go”    

A new tarp is up covering the remains of a worker at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans. Pictures of the victim’s legs dangling from the debris made the rounds on social media Wednesday after wind shifted the original tarp. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell urges the public to not share the images…
Cut 4 (09) “…reprehensible.”
McConnell says they hope the remains of two of the victims will be recovered after a scheduled implosion in March.
Zion Williamson electrified the Smoothie King Center last night with 22 points in his debut, a 121-117 loss to the Spurs. Williamson had a rough start to the game before blasting the Spurs with a 17 point 4^th quarter that sent the crowd, and sidelines into a frenzy. Guard Jrue Holiday says it was an incredible show, but…

Cut 6 (07) “…surprise”

A miniature goat is found shot to death in Lafayette, leaving the family of the pet seeking answers.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says it appears that the goat, known has Uncle Baby Billy Goat, was shot in the neck by either a .22 or pellet rifle and bled to death. Dorson adds that such acts of violence can have a lasting negative impact.

Cut 13 (12) “…kills a pet.”

The reward is currently set at $1300 for information that leads to an arrest.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is one of twenty-one Republican AGs filing a letter condemning the impeachment trial, urging the Senate to reject the articles of impeachment.  Landry says there are grave concerns about what he and other AGs have deemed a politically motivated impeachment process.

Cut 9 (12) “…very rare circumstances.”

In Shreveport, a man is now in custody after the Sex Crimes Unit launched an investigation into the alleged rape of a juvenile victim. Police have arrested 91-year old Otis Allen on first-degree rape. He was taken into custody by the US Marshal’s Office on January 17^th

A new tarp has been hung at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans after wind blew away the other tarp exposing the legs of a dead worker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A miniature goat is found shot to death in Lafayette, leaving the family of the pet seeking answers.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says it appears that the goat, known has Uncle Baby Billy Goat, was shot in the neck by either a .22 or pellet rifle and bled to death.

Cut 12 (11) “…is just heartbroken.”

At the Smoothie King Center last night Zion Williamson electrified the crowd with 22 points in his debut. But ultimately the Pelicans lost the Spurs 121 to 117. Zion’s sensational three minutes, 17 points 4^th quarter outburst put the Pelicans up by three before he was yanked by the medical team as a precaution. He wasn’t happy about that…

Cut 8 (08) “…tough.”

The Pelicans play the Nuggets Friday in New Orleans

Zion Williamson’s barrage of three pointers in the 4^th quarter of last night’s 121-117 loss to the Spurs very nearly won the game for the Pelicans despite a brutal first three quarters. The outburst had the entire arena on it’s feet, and his 12 points from deep helped the sensation nab 22 points in just 18 minutes for his debut game. It’s a surprise given he didn’t have a reputation for range coming into the NBA, but Zion says the injury that took him out for most of the season gave him time to work on his spot up game…

Cut 7 (08) “…of that.”

Number one missed most of the season due to a meniscus tear suffered in the preseason.

A family is offering 1,300 dollars for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for shooting a pet miniature goat to death with a .22 in Lafayette. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson…

Cut 14 (10) “…more than $25,000.”

A new tarp is up so the remains of a worker at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans are no longer visible. Strong winds pushed the previous tarp away, briefly exposing the legs of a dead man. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says it is not safe to pull the victim from the wreckage…

Cut 3 (10)  “…industry experts” 

The victim is either 63-year-old Jose Ponce Arreola or 36-year-old Quionnyon Wimberly.

21 GOP attorneys general sign a letter condemning the impeachment trial in the Senate of President Donald Trump. Louisiana AG Jeff Landry was one of those signees and says the use of impeachment as a politically motivated retaliation will likely damage the American system of government for decades…

Cut 11 (09) “…that is troubling.”

A new tarp is up so the remains of a worker at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans are no longer visible. Strong winds pushed the previous tarp away. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says it’s unsafe to move bodies from the wreckage, but they hope the remains of two of the victims can be recovered after a scheduled implosion in March…

Cut 5 (09) “…right now.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is one of twenty-one Republican AGs filing a letter condemning the impeachment trial, urging the Senate to reject the articles of impeachment.  Landry says there is a complete erosion in the rule of law in the US Senate, adding that the articles of impeachment would not hold up in any court of law.

Cut 10 (10) “…justice and fairness.” 

Zion Williamson puts on what’s being called the three most exciting minutes of basketball this season in a 121-117 loss to the Spurs. Guard Jrue Holiday sat courtside as the rookie sensation started raining threes in the 4^th quarter…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

In Lafayette, a candlelight vigil will be held in honor of 17-year old Matthew Carter who was killed in an attempted armed robbery over the weekend. It will be held at 4 pm today at Comeaux High School’s football stadium.

A new tarp has been hung at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans after wind blew away the other tarp exposing the legs of a dead worker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

In Shreveport, a man is now in custody after the Sex Crimes Unit launched an investigation into the alleged rape of a juvenile victim. Police have arrested 91-year old Otis Allen on first-degree rape. He was taken into custody by the US Marshal’s Office on January 17^th and booked into the Shreveport City Jail bond was set at $250-thousand.

A miniature goat is found shot to death in Lafayette, leaving the family of the pet seeking answers.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says it appears that the goat, known has Uncle Baby Billy Goat, was shot in the neck by either a .22 or pellet rifle and bled to death.

Cut 12 (11) “…is just heartbroken.”

Zion Williamson electrified the Smoothie King Center last night with 22 points in his debut. But ultimately the Pelicans lost the Spurs 121 to 117. Zion’s sensational three minutes, 17 points 4^th quarter outburst put the Pelicans up by three before he was yanked by the medical team as a precaution. He wasn’t happy about that…

Cut 8 (08) “…tough.”

Zion Williamson electrified the Smoothie King Center last night with 22 points in his debut, a 121-117 loss to the Spurs. Williamson had a rough start to the game before blasting the Spurs with a 17 point 4^th quarter that sent the crowd, and sidelines into a frenzy. Guard Jrue Holliday says it was an incredible show, but…

Cut 6, 7 seconds, surprise

Williamson had 22 points and 7 rebounds in just 18 minutes. He did also have five turnovers.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is one of twenty-one Republican AGs filing a letter condemning the impeachment trial, urging the Senate to reject the articles of impeachment.  Landry says there are grave concerns about what he and other AGs have deemed a politically motivated impeachment process.

Cut 9 (12) “…very rare circumstances.”

If you’ve been married for seventy years or longer you’re eligible for the Louisiana Marriage Hall of Fame. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  AM

A new tarp is up so the remains of a worker at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans are no longer visible. Pictures of the victim’s legs dangling from the debris made the rounds on social media Wednesday after the original tarp shifted. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell urges the public to not distribute the graphic images…
Cut 4 (09) “…reprehensible.”
Strong winds pushed the previous tarp away, exposing the legs of a collapse victim. McConnell says they hope the remains of two of the victims will be recovered after a scheduled implosion in March.
Know someone that has been married for a long time?   The Louisiana Family Forum is looking to honor the state’s longest known married couple on Valentine’s Day. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills…
Cut 9 (11) “…of Louisiana.”
Nominations are due February fifth.

The biggest names in Louisiana politics and business are flying north to D.C. today for Washington Mardi Gras. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The human remains discovered in November by a hunter in Franklin Parish have been positively identified as Joshua Charles Berry, a Richland Parish man who was last seen in September 2012. The remains were found about a half-mile away from where Berry’s truck was originally found in 2012. No details have been released about the cause of death.