With the immigration crackdown in New Orleans approaching, an immigration lawyer is reminding you of your rights, should you encounter a Border Patrol agent. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Rapides Parish facility where plastic containers are manufactured for companies around the world announces a major expansion. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Lafayette Police arrest two Vermillion Parish men for allegedly assaulting a man who was walking home from Festivals Acadiens et Creoles last month. Tristan Frederick and Tynes Chaney, who are both 23, are charged with second-degree battery in the October 12th attack on Dustyn Cope. Sergeant Robin Green says important evidence led investigators to the two men.

Cut 3 (09) “…after the festival.”

Cope is half Filipino and says the attack was racially motivated, with his attackers and others with them calling him racial slurs. Sergeant Green says the exact motive at this time, however, remains unclear.

Cut 4 (07) “…not prove that.”

Green says attacks like this one cast a very dark shadow on Lafayette.

Cut 5 (10) “…we have here.”

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A Baton Rouge immigration lawyer is reminding you of your rights should you be approached by a Border Patrol officer during the immigration crackdown operation that will be getting underway soon in and around New Orleans. David Rozas says the right to remain silent extends to everyone in the country, whether they’re citizens or immigrants.

Cut 6 (11) “…to remain silent.”

Rozas says if you do exercise your right to remain silent, you may still be detained, but the grounds for the federal agents to detain you have been playing out in the federal courts. Rozas says especially during the operation, immigrants who are in the country legally need to make an extra effort to have their required identification with them at all times.

Cut 7 (11) “…search and seizure.”

While President Trump, Governor Landry and others maintain that the federal agents are going after the most violent criminals, Rozas says the people they’ll really be going after are other people entirely, and they’ll be targeting them solely based on the color of their skin.

Cut 8 (11) “…last 20 years.”

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The LSU Board of Supervisors has called for a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the lawsuit filed by Brian Kelly against LSU as the former Tigers football coach is seeking his entire 54-million-dollar buyout. Piper Hutchinson with the Louisiana Illuminator says most of the meeting will take place behind closed doors

Cut 9 (10)  “.of the meeting.”

When LSU fired Kelly last month they said negotiations over the size of the buyout would continue. Contractually, Kelly is due 54-million dollars, but according to the lawsuit filed by Kelly’s attorneys, the school is seeking to fire Kelly with cause, which means they would not have to pay any of the buyout. Hutchinson says we will find out tomorrow on how LSU plans to respond to Kelly’s lawsuit…

Cut 10 (09) “…meeting is over.”

Hutchinson says once the board members emerge from executive session, they will announce their next steps in the Kelly buyout dispute…

Cut 11 (11) “…of that meeting.”

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Plastipak Manufacturing announces a major expansion of its Pineville manufacturing facility. The nearly 54-million-dollar plan will add 200-thousand square feet to its facility, and it will create 15 direct jobs and 25 indirect jobs while retaining 340 current positions. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill says Plastipak is one of the global leaders in plastic packaging.

Cut 12 (12) “…supply chain synergy.”

Masingill says as such, if you use a certain brand of detergent, the bottle that it’s contained in was manufactured in Rapides Parish.

Cut 13 (10)  “…from that facility.”

Masingill says the expansion of the facility is a huge economic win for the entire Central Louisiana region.

Cut 14 (12) “…and business climate.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Three former employees at a Lake Charles Christian school are arrested for allegedly covering up sexual assaults involving football players. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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College football reporters had a chance today to ask Lane Kiffin about his coaching future. Jeff Palermo has more on what the Ole Miss coach had to say and didn’t say….

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Three former employees at a Lake Charles Christian school are arrested for allegedly covering up sexual assaults at the school from earlier this year. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says there was a culture on the Hamilton Christian School football team in which older players would haze the younger players.

Cut 3 (07) “…a sexual assault.”

Sheriff Guillory says the principal at the time, Morgan Daugherty, and one of the assistant coaches, Dominique Washington, knew about the incidents and, as school personnel, they were required to report them to law enforcement.

Cut 4 (05) “…reported to us.”

Guillory says both Daugherty and Washington were arrested and charged with failure to report certain felonies and obstruction of justice; their bonds are set at more than a million dollars apiece.

Cut 5 (04) “…of our investigation.”

In addition, a school cook, 58-year-old Stacy Bargeman, was arrested for allegedly sending threatening messages to other school personnel about the investigation. She’s charged with cyberstalking, and her bond is set at 75-hundred dollars. No football players have been arrested so far; Guillory says the investigation is ongoing.

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Louisiana is the first state in the country to be approved for almost 1.36-billion dollars in federal funding to expand broadband internet access across the state. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect-L-A, says it will allow the state to provide everyone in the state with reliable, cost-effective high-speed internet.

Cut 6 (10) “…get to historically.”

Iyengar says the federal funding is a major milestone for the state’s GUMBO 2.0 program. 

Cut 7 (09) “…next 24 months.”

The announcement by the federal government comes on the heels of Connect-L-A completing a major broadband expansion project in Vernon Parish. Iyengar says despite the scope of that project, it still left out three-thousand locations in the parish, and this federal funding will allow it to finish the job.

Cut 8 (10) “…1.36-billion-dollar announcement.”

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Lincoln Parish is mourning the death of Ruston Fire Department Chief Chris Womack, who died at the age of 54 after a brief battle with cancer.  Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker appointed Womack as fire chief in 2015 and says his leadership of that department is unparalleled…

Cut 9 (10)  “..was fair.”

Walker says during Womack’s time as Fire Chief, the Ruston Fire Department achieved a Class 1 rating for the first time in the city’s history.  The mayor says Chief Womack also played a critical role in the construction of a new fire station and fire tower for training. Walker says Womack started with the Ruston Fire Department in the early 1990s…

Cut 10 (10) “…he did.”

Walker says Womack will be missed…

Cut 11 (11) “…the state.”

Walker says Womack found out months ago he had cancer after the disease was detected because of a new-mandatory state cancer screening for current and former firefighters.

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Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin was grilled by reporters about his future during the SEC football coaches weekly media teleconference, but Kiffin didn’t provide any new insight. Kiffin was asked if Rebels athletics director Keith Carter has given him an ultimatum to decide on where he plans to coach next season…

Cut 12 (10) “…this point.”

Speculation over Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss has been the talk of college football. The rumors really began to swirl after Kiffin’s ex-wife, Layla Kiffin, reportedly visited Gainesville and Baton Rouge this week as Florida and LSU have targeted Kiffin as their top target to be their next head coach.

There have been reports Ole Miss does not want Kiffin coaching the team in the playoffs if he’s planning on staying. So he was asked will he coach in the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on November 28^th…

Cut 13 (09)  “ be at work.”

The early signing period for recruits is in the first week of December, so programs that have vacancies at head coach are really pushing to have a head coach in place before December third. Here’s a direct question to Kiffin about coaching the Rebels in the postseason…

Cut 14 (05) “…other jobs.”

The House has voted nearly unanimously to require the attorney general to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was a guest on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show with rumors swirling he could leave Oxford for LSU. Jeff Palermo has more on what Kiffin said…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The House voted nearly unanimously to require the attorney general to release the Epstein files. The vote was 427-1, with Republican Clay Higgins casting the lone “no” vote. Democrat Troy Carter says no matter who’s named in those files, they need to be held accountable.

Cut 3 (10) “…brought to justice.”

So far about 50-thousand pages of evidence have already been released. Carter says that only scratches the surface.

Cut 4 (09) “…lot of people.”

Carter says the evidence takes on many forms.

Cut 5 (13) “…actual video footage.”

The measure now moves to the Senate, and Carter believes they could vote this week to send it to President Trump’s desk for his signature. Even though he had previously gone to great lengths to prevent the vote from happening, Trump has now said he would sign the measure should it reach his desk.

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The mayor of Vivian, in Caddo Parish, says his tight-knit community is shaken to the core following Friday’s murder of police officer Marc Brock. He was shot to death Friday evening as he was investigating a cyberstalking complaint against 58-year-old Nicolas Alexander. Mayor Ronnie Festavan says this is something that one would never expect to happen in Vivian.

Cut 6 (08) “…a long time.”

Mayor Festavan says Friday’s incident underscores the dangers that police officers face every day, even in what they expect to be the most routine calls.

Cut 7 (11) “…that comes up.”

Festavan says the whole community is coming together to help Brock’s family and loved ones, and you can help too.

Cut 8 (08) “…can donate to.”

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Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin denies he’s been given an ultimatum by Ole Miss to decide by next Friday on where he plans to coach next season. Kiffin was a guest on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show…

Cut 9 (10)  “…I love it here”

Ole Miss has led the Rebels to a 10-1 record this season, but his success in Oxford has led to LSU and Florida both attempting to hire him as their next coach. There are several reports that Kiffin’s family members toured both Gainesville and Baton Rouge this week. Wilson Alexander of the Advocate says if Kiffin is going to leave Ole Miss for LSU, he wants assurances that there will be enough NIL dollars to build a championship roster…

Cut 10 (09) “…in place.”

Alexander says reports out of Oxford suggest that Ole Miss does not want Kiffin coaching the Rebels in the college football playoffs if he plans on leaving for LSU and Florida. He says that’s why we may know soon whether Kiffin will be the next head coach of the Tigers…

Cut 11 (13) “…other jobs.”

Ole Miss has a bye week this this Saturday and its final regular season game is the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on November 28th.

More than 12-thousand drivers who have auto insurance through Allstate will see a decrease in auto insurance premiums next year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A new report finds military spending was up 77-percent during fiscal year 2024 compared to a previous report conducted four years earlier. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Lafourche Parish School Board is coming under very heavy criticism for how it handled an incident involving boys sharing A-I nude photos of female classmates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (42) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 12-thousand drivers who have auto insurance through Allstate will see a decrease on their auto insurance premium next year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the has approved a seven-percent rate decrease for Allstate North American Insurance Company and a 15-percent decrease for Encompass Insurance Company of America’s National General program. Temple says this good news…

Cut 4 (11) “…insurance companies.”

ANAIC and Encompass are both Allstate companies. Temple says the recent tort reform efforts are showing insurance providers that the state is committed to creating a healthier market for both consumers and insurers.

Temple says the insurance industry has told him if Louisiana can decrease the frivolous lawsuits and outrageous settlements it will result in lower auto insurance rates…

Cut 5 (09) “…following year.”

Temple says there are signs auto insurance rates are starting to come down for drivers, but more work is needed to address commercial auto insurance…

Cut 6 (10) “…individual consumer.”

Expect to see more auto insurance reform legislation when lawmakers meet for the regular session in the spring.

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Military-related spending in Louisiana generated more than 17-billion dollars in total economic activity during fiscal year 2024, a 77-percent increase since 2021. That’s according to a new report from Louisiana Economic Development. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says employment has also risen 52-percent with more than 117-thousand jobs that’s contributing to the state and local economy…

Cut 7 (08) “…from it.”

Louisiana has five military installations. Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish, a naval air station in Belle Chasse and Fort Polk in Leesville. Meginley says Fort Polk is a major driver of central Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 8 (13) “…central Louisiana.”

Meginley says the report shows notable expansion in the state’s defense sector since the previous study four years ago…

Cut 9 (10)  “…national security.”

Recently Bollinger Shipyards was awarded a major U-S Navy contract to construct six Arctic Security Cutters at facilities in Lockport. And VRC Metal Systems will build a new maintenance facility at Barksdale that will provide advanced repair capabilities for B-52 aircraft.

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The Lafourche Parish School Board is coming under fire for how it handled an incident in which a group of boys shared A-I nude images of female classmates. One of them had been expelled for hitting a boy on a school bus who had shared an image of her. Her family’s lawyers gave the school board an earful this month. Benjamin Comeaux told the board her school, Sixth Ward Middle School in Thibodaux, prevented her from seeking help.

Cut 10 (07) “…she was told.”

Another of the family’s lawyers, Gregory Miller, told the board after the girl’s pleas to the school for help fell on deaf ears, she was placed on the same bus as one of the boys who had been bullying her, and that’s when she took matters into her own hands.

Cut 11 (11) “…okay with that?”

Miller told the school board that it had punished the wrong person.

Cut 12 (06) “…that from her.”

The girl’s father, who Louisiana Radio Network is not naming, told the board that his daughter went through depression so severe that he had to hire a counselor, and that her punishment was way overboard given the circumstances.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in her life.”

The board eventually reduced the girl’s expulsion to a suspension in the length that she had already spent out of the classroom and allowed her to immediately return. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged one boy for sharing those images, and more charges are likely.

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LSU’s three-game losing streak is over, and Frank Wilson gets his first win as the Tigers’ interim head coach. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Tigers maintained their composure and beat Arkansas Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, 23-22. During his postgame news conference, Wilson said he talked to his team before the game about how nothing would come easy, and this game was the epitome of that.

Cut 14 (16) “…that you get.”

Just before the game, Garrett Nussmeier was ruled out, so sophomore Michael Van Buren got his first start, and he completed 21 out of 31 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw any interceptions but was sacked four times. Wilson said Van Buren got off to a shaky start but got more confident as the game went on.

Cut 15 (13) “…times as well.”

Van Buren says this is a win he will not soon forget.

Cut 16 (12) “…just feels amazing.”

With the win, LSU is now bowl eligible. They wrap up their home schedule Saturday against Western Kentucky; kickoff is at 6:45. Their final regular-season game is a week later at Oklahoma.

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Stephen F Austin won the Southland Conference on Saturday, but Southeastern Louisiana is still alive for an at-large FCS playoff spot after beating UIW 10-7. It was a good win for Coach Frank Scelfo’s team after losing the week before to Lamar….

Cut 17 (19)  “…we did.”

The Lions are 8-3 and wrap up the regular season on Thursday by hosting Nicholls in the River Bell Classic.

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Louisiana Tech had just 167 yards of offense in a 28-3 loss to Washington State on Saturday. Coach Sonny Cumbie’s team still needs one more win to become bowl eligible, and they’ll try to get that victory this Saturday at home against Liberty…

Cut 18 (21)  “…next week.”

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ULM jumped out to a 14-0 lead on South Alabama, but ended up losing to the Jaguars 26-14. That’s six straight losses for Coach Bryant Vincent’s team, and they are having a hard time staying away from beating themselves…

Cut 19 (17) “…fourth down.”

The Warhawks are at Texas State this Saturday.

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Nicholls won its final home game of the season, beating rival Northwestern State 26-21. Redshirt freshman running back Shane Lee had a career-high 134 yards rushing and three TDs. Coach Tommy Rybacki will finish Southland play with at least a 500 record after finding a way to get a victory over the Demons…

Cut 20 (17) “…the season.”

The Colonels visit Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday.

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana, and Andrew Greenstein has a couple ways you can save money.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Indicting him is one thing; convicting him may be another story. Jeff Palermo has more on the difficulty of convicting former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder of theft…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana; and if you’re a hockey fan, there’s a special deal for you this weekend. Russell Adams with the State Fair tells KEEL if you go to the fair Friday or Saturday, you can get discounted tickets to the Shreveport Mudbugs game at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.

Cut 3 (11) “…the hockey game.”

And the reverse is true too – if you paid full price to the Mudbugs game either day, you can get into the fair for just five dollars. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day – all veterans and active duty servicemembers get in for free. Adams says on Sunday, there will be a military parade.

Cut 4 (08) “…down our midway.”

Adams says after the parade Sunday will be a special worship service.

Cut 5 (09) “…a good message.”

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A major milestone in St. Tammany Parish as the 56-million-dollar I-12 widening project is completed months ahead of schedule. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the freeway was widened in the Covington-Mandeville area.

Cut 6 (07) “…to LA 1077.”

Mallett says with the growth in St. Tammany Parish, coupled with I-12 being a major freight corridor for trucks going coast to coast, the volume along that stretch of roadway has increased significantly in just the last few years.

Cut 7 (11) “…20-thousand since 2018.”

Mallett says the widening of I-12 will have many more benefits beyond simply being able to more easily get from point A to point B.

Cut 8 (07) “…in that area.”

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Louisiana’s former House Speaker, Clay Schexnayder, is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing a rare Louisiana artifact. A 20-foot-long cypress board that used to hang in the halls of the Louisiana State Capitol is missing. It was last seen 18 months ago in Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says this will be a tough case to prosecute…

Cut 9 (13)  “…problematic.”

Schexnayder says when he left the office in January 2024, it was still there and he didn’t steal the board. The leasing manager for his office says they did not remove the board.

The Attorney General’s office is prosecuting Schexnayder. A-G Liz Murrill said public officials do not get to keep Louisiana property. Borghardt hopes Murrill spoke with Schexnayder before seeking the indictment…

Cut 10 (09) “…instance.”

Bordhardt says the indictment doesn’t mean anything right now…

Cut 11 (08) “…for her.”

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LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated an abdominal injury he sustained in preseason camp, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. Nussmeier is listed as probable, but Wilson says if Nussmeier’s injury is more problematic than what they thought, Michael Van Buren will make his first start in a Tiger uniform…

Cut 12 (11) “…his progress.”

Saturday’s game could be high scoring. The Razorbacks have one of the worst defenses in college football, but Arkansas QB Taylan Green leads the country in total offense. Wilson on the matchup with the 2-7 Hogs…

Cut 13 (09)  “…can score.”

The former Louisiana House speaker is indicted on a pair of charges related to the disappearance of an ancient artifact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The longest government shutdown in American history is over.  President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill last night, ending 43 days of no pay and uncertainty for thousands of Americans.  President Trump blamed the shutdown on Democrats, saying the American people should not forget this come mid-term elections next year.

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The American Society of Civil Engineers is out with its quadrennial report card for Louisiana’s infrastructure. Grading ten metrics, it gives Louisiana an overall grade of a C-minus, which is just below the national grade of a C. Report Card Chairman Kirk Lowery says Louisiana’s bridges got a D-plus.

Cut 4 (11) “…and capital improvement.”

The State Bond Commission has approved the City of New Orleans’ request to secure a 125-million-dollar loan to cover payroll costs into January. Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack will oversee the dedicated fund for the loan.  Waguespack says improper budgeting practices, no oversight of overtime spending and the loss of federal COVID recovery dollars contributed to the Crescent City’s crisis.

Cut 8 (13) “…your biggest issue.”

A state representative is rolling out the welcome mat for New York City business owners anxious over that city’s election results. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Former LSU football coach Brian Kelly has filed a lawsuit so he can receive every cent of the 54-million-dollar buyout he is owed. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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On the heels of announcing the installation of ten-thousand fortified roofs in Louisiana, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announces another round of fortified roof grants. Temple says the application period opens tomorrow morning and will be open for one week.

Cut 3 (05) “…applicants on that.”

Temple says the procedure is the same as the previous one – it’s a lottery; and if you had registered for a previous lottery, your registration is still active for this next drawing.

Cut 4 (03) “…for the grant.”

The grant program is limited to those who live in the coastal zone, as well as in Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake. Temple says this will by no means be the last grant period for Louisiana’s fortified roof program.

Cut 5 (11) “…in coastal Louisiana.”

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Representative Julie Emerson is rolling out the welcome mat for New York City businesses looking to relocate from the city in the wake of that city’s mayoral election. The Carencro Republican, who chairs the state House Ways and Means Committee, says even though the effects are not yet known since Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has not yet taken office, businesses anxious over his policies are more than welcome to set up shop in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…to do that.”

Emerson put out the invitation on her U.S. Senate campaign Facebook page. She says her post is intended primarily to promote Louisiana as a business-friendly state.

Cut 7 (09) “…for our people.”

Emerson says many businesses are relocating to Southern states, which she says have tax policies that are more favorable to businesses; and with the tax reform that the legislature passed last year, Louisiana is ready to join that trend.

Cut 8 (07) “…create jobs here.”

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Brian Kelly’s legal team has filed a lawsuit against LSU in an effort to get the school to pay the former Tigers football coach the full buyout of 54-million dollars. Wilson Alexander is covering the story for the The Advocate Newspaper and says the suit claims that LSU is telling Kelly he has not been formally terminated, and they will seek to fire him for cause…

Cut 9 (11)  “…formally terminated.”

If LSU can prove they fired Kelly for cause, then they would not owe Kelly the full 54-million-dollar buyout.

Alexander says according to Kelly’s contract, they must inform him that he was fired for caused within seven days after his firing

Cut 10 (08) “…cause.”

Kelly’s contract says the school can fire him for cause due to various behavioral issues, including NCAA rule violations, crimes or “serious misconduct” that “constitutes moral turpitude.”

Alexander says it’s unknown what reasons LSU has for firing Kelly with cause, but those reasons would have to be spelled out, if this case goes to trial

Cut 11 (11) “…messy indeed.”

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The suspensions of seven U-L Lafayette football players for their roles in Saturday’s postgame brawl with Texas State players are not sitting well with Dave Schultz, the host of the Locked On Sun Belt podcast. Schultz notes that it was the Texas State players who started the fight, but the Cajuns got the brunt of the suspensions – including senior safety Tyree Skipper, who was suspended for the rest of the season, in effect ending his collegiate career.

Cut 12 (06) “…for the season.”

When the Sun Belt announced the suspensions, which included six Texas State Bobcat players in addition to the seven Cajun players, the conference said it considered the matter closed and would have no further comment. That last line did not sit well with Schultz.

Cut 13 (08)  “…deal with it (2x).”

Schultz says Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill gave no explanation in how he decided which players to suspend and for how long, including Skipper’s suspension for the rest of the season, and he says Gill owes the players, the coaches, the schools and the fans more details.

Cut 14 (09) “…we’re doing it.”

The end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history could be in sight. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Don Molino.”

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Louisiana celebrates a milestone with its fortified roofs grant program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The end of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history could be in sight. Last night, there were enough votes in the U.S. Senate to break the logjam and invoke cloture on a spending bill that would fund the government until January 30th. House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared on KEEL radio in Shreveport this morning to say that the Senate is fast-forwarding the bill today.

Cut 3 (08) “…early as today.”

The House has been in recess since the start of the shutdown. Johnson says he has called all House members back, and the House will take up the spending package once everyone is back in Washington.

Cut 4 (12) “…government back opened.”

Even though Democrats had been adamant that there would be no deal without a guarantee to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats, however, got no such guarantees; only a guarantee of a vote on them once the government reopens. Johnson says there are certain things that the spending bill will do once passed.

Cut 5 (15) “…in operation again.”

It’s unknown if Congress will extend health care subsidies that help Americans pay for health care plans  purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. This debate led to the government shutdown.

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A freeze warning is in effect tonight and into tomorrow morning for all of south Louisiana and the Delta parishes in northeast Louisiana as low temperatures could drop into the upper 20s for some locations. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says below freezing temperatures are possible as far south as the I-10-12 corridor….

Cut 6 (06) “…this before.”

Grymes says make sure pets have warm shelter and you’ll need warm layers if you plan on being outside…

Cut 7 (11) “…in the morning”

Grymes this cold snap will not last long, as temperatures will begin to warm up tomorrow afternoon. But north Louisiana should prepare for several hours of below freezing weather starting tonight…

Cut 8 (09) “..ten hours or more.”

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The Louisiana fortified roof program celebrates a significant milestone – ten-thousand fortified roofs installed. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the state reached that milestone very quickly.

Cut 9 (08)  “…we’re at ten-thousand.”

Parish Construction and Roofing co-founder Ryan Theriot says there are many benefits to a fortified roof.

Cut 10 (12) “…strengthens our economy.”

In the two years since the grant program launched, many homeowners across the state have taken advantage of it to get a fortified roof installed. Among them is Stephen Curtis, who says the program has given him and his family, both of whom are teachers, peace of mind.

Cut 11 (13) “…without any worries.”

Temple also announced that another round of grants will open Wednesday. There will be one-thousand grants available, and those selected will be chosen by lottery.

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LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren will both play this Saturday against Arkansas. Wilson said both signal callers did some good things in the Tigers 20 to 9 loss to Alabama….

Cut 12 (07) “…moving forward.”

Wilson did not name a starter for Saturday’s 11:45 AM kick off against the Razorbacks. Nussmeier has started the last 23 games for the Tigers. Wilson says both quarterbacks bring something to the table to help the team win….

Cut 13 (13)  “…in this game”

LSU and the Saints both have tough games on the road this weekend. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As the Renaissance Festival continues in Hammond this weekend, Andrew Greenstein tells you of one performance that you definitely should never try at home.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Enjoy the mild weather this weekend; we’re going to be in for a rude awakening Monday morning. When we wake up Monday morning, temperatures will be in the upper 30s in the northern parishes and in the 40s closer to the coast. And Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service out of Lake Charles, says temperatures will stay cool all day long.

Cut 3 (08) “…Louisiana you are.”

And if you think Monday morning will be cold, Stigger says it’s going to be even colder Tuesday morning, with the possibility of temperatures dipping below freezing in some areas.

Cut 4 (11) “…of Central Louisiana.”

If you think that weather is unusual for Louisiana, especially for this time of year, Stigger says you’re absolutely right.

Cut 5 (08) “…the lower 50s.”

But if you can survive those two mornings, temperatures will begin their climb back to normal during the day Tuesday, returning to the 70s by the middle of the week.

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The 1-and-8 Saints are back on the road this Sunday to face an improving Carolina Panthers team that just beat the Packers in Green Bay. Rookie Tyler Shough will start again at quarterback for the Saints and defensive end Cameron Jordan says the Black and Gold’s defense has to set the tone

Cut 6 (11) “…three turnovers.”

Kick off on Sunday is at noon.

LSU looks to upset fourth ranked Alabama on Saturday night. Cornerback Mansoor Delane (MAHN-soor duh-LANE) is eager to face one of the best passing offenses in the country…

Cut 7 (07) “…first punch”

LSU is a 10.5 point underdog to Alabama on Saturday night. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne has this prediction…

Cut 8 (16) “..than LSU.”

Kick off is at 6:30.

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This may be a lost season for the LSU football team, but it’s a memorable one for a certain freshman on the marching band. After retiring as an accountant, 66-year-old Kent Broussard pursued – and fulfilled – his lifelong dream of playing in the LSU marching band. Broussard appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show this week and said he was nearly a half-century out of practice when he hatched his plan to join the LSU marching band.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in Los Angeles.”

So now that he had his Sousaphone and was practicing, he had to apply for admission like anyone else, most of whom are high school seniors. And when he made it through the tedious admissions process, he had to submit a YouTube video just to be invited to preseason camp.

Cut 10 (09) “…how they march.”

Broussard says all 12 freshman Sousaphone players, including himself, made the team – and after the rest of the Sousaphonists and drummers celebrated with him, it was time to tell his family.

Cut 11 (07) “…back to school.”

Broussard and the rest of the Golden Band from Tigerland will be in Tuscaloosa as the Tigers take on the Crimson Tide Saturday night.

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The Louisiana Renaissance Festival continues this weekend in Hammond; and this weekend, fairgoers are in for a very special – and death-defying – performance from Cy the Sword Swallower. Cyrus Penn says he got the inspiration to take up sword swallowing when he needed something to do with his life upon graduating from college with a theater arts degree.

Cut 12 (06) “…being the option.”

Penn says it should go without saying that his performance is something that no one should even think of trying at home!

Cut 13 (11)  “…not do that!”

Penn says every swallow of the sword has to be done with the utmost of precision – one false move could be the difference between life and death.

Cut 14 (05) “…to my stomach.”

The fair is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9:45 until five through December 7th.

Sources say LSU will remove the interim tag from Verge Ausberry and the New Iberia native will be the permanent athletics director at LSU. Jeanne Burns has more

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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A 46-year-old preschool teacher receives a Good Samaritan Award from the Slidell Police Department for helping cops chase down a suspected shoplifter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (39) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Not only does LSU have a new president, but the Baton Rouge campus also has a new chancellor again. The positions of president and chancellor were combined in 2012, but it was new president Wayde Rousse’s desire to separate the roles again…

Cut 3 (10) “…the search.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors appointed Rousse as president and one of the other three finalists, Alabama provost James Dalton has been named chancellor of the flagship campus. Dalton will also oversee the AgCenter, two health science centers and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

Rousse says there is a lot that needs to be done, especially with the LSU System adding the UNO campus. He says it makes sense to have two people at the top of the organizational chart….

Cut 4 (10) “…in my mind.”

Rousse says he first approached Dalton about being the executive vice president of LSU after Dalton interviewed for the president’s job on Friday…

Cut 5 (12) “…would it be.”

It’s to be determined on when these two men will officially take on their new roles.

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New Iberia native Verge Ausberry is expected to be formally named the permanent athletics director at LSU. Last week, the former Tigers linebacker and longtime athletics administrator was named the interim A-D, but LSU’s new leadership wants Ausberry to have the job going forward. Ausberry says he has already hit the ground running.

Cut 6 (10) “…this position.”

Ausberry says he has not established a timeline for hiring a new coach. He said on Tiger Rag Radio that they will let the process work itself out, meaning it is not necessary to have a coach in place before the December early signing period for high school recruits or the January transfer portal window.

He says until a new coach is in place, interim Frank Wilson has full control over the program.

Cut 7 (09) “…chips lay.”

LSU is looking for a new coach after Brian Kelly was fired last week. A reason why it did not work out for Kelly is that he was not heavily involved in every aspect of the program.

Ausberry says the next head coach at LSU must fit in with what they do, be a leader, and manage NIL, recruiting, and practices.

Cut 8 (09) “…buy in.”

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A 46-year-old preschool teacher has received the Slidell Police Department’s Citizen Award for helping officers catch a suspected shoplifter. Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau says Lesli Smith offered a ride to Sergeant Jeff Kahrs after the suspect fled a department store in a getaway car…

Cut 9 (13)  “…Slidell Police Department.”

Officer Kahrs accepted the ride and coached Smith during the police chase. At the same time, Kahrs was telling other patrol units, where the suspects were headed and they were eventually caught. Seuzeneau says once Smith committed her good deed, she returned to her role as private citizen

Cut 10 (11) “…Ms Lesli.”

Smith is a life long Slidell resident and the mother of three says she was glad to help her town’s police department that works so hard to keep their community safe…

Cut 11 (12) “…went shopping.”

A 34-year-old woman from Florida is accused of taking items from Dillard’s store and her boyfriend, a 43-year-old man in Biloxi, was arrested for assisting in the theft as he was the getaway driver. The female was also charged for being in possession of meth.

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Even though Democrats were expected to do well in last night’s elections, the way they dominated will certainly set off alarm bells in the Republican Party. Shreveport-based political analyst Scott Hughes says in Virginia, not only did Democrat Abigail Spanberger win by almost 15 points, but Democrats made gains throughout the entire state.

Cut 12 (12) “…to the left.”

Hughes says Democrats also did well in a pair of states that traditionally vote Republican, including a couple races in Georgia in which Democrats not only won, but won in blowout fashion.

Cut 13 (09)  “…public service commission.”

Hughes says Democrats also gained state senate seats in the state just to the east of us.

Cut 14 (10) “…broke the supermajority.”

It will mark the first time in 13 years in which Republicans will not have at least a two-thirds majority in the Mississippi state senate.