A four-year-old was killed in an Ouachita Parish fatal crash involving two vehicles. Trooper Ryan Davis says the child was a passenger in a Toyota Corolla that slammed into a Ford pickup truck on Highway 546 yesterday afternoon.

Cut 3 (13) “…serious injuries.”

The child was properly restrained and later died at a hospital early this morning.

The State Supreme Court opts not to hear Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal to keep his one-vote victory in the run-off election.  Political Analyst Scott Hughes says the original trial ruled for a new election in March^, which is also the presidential primary, but that was contingent on any appeals.

Cut 7 (11) “…23rd ballot.” 

Early voting begins March 9^th.

The feds are giving Louisiana the authority to issue permits and provide oversight for carbon dioxide wells. Officials call it a monumental step in advancing the state’s energy future as it looks to become a leader in carbon capture. Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Patrick Courreges says they’ve been waiting on this…

Cut 12 (10)  “…or denial.”  

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, LABI, and Senator Bill Cassidy all released statements saying state oversight of the wells will lead to economic growth.

If you plan to start the New Year with a bang, State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue reminds you to first check the firework restrictions in your parish.

Cut 9 (09) “…our state.” 

She says to always have a water source nearby and the never use them impaired.

The State Supreme Court has opted not to hear Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal to keep his one-vote victory in the run-off election. The 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for another runoff due to irregularities. Political Analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 6 (12) “…new election.”

The election will likely be on March 23^rd with the presidential primary.

The State Fire Marshal encourages you to practice fireworks safety for New Year’s Eve. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says have a water source nearby, don’t be impaired, and never give fireworks to children, even sparklers…

Cut 11 (12) “…and bracelets.”

And make sure it’s allowed where you plan on setting them off.

Gas Buddy’s Head of Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan is predicting gas prices still could fall below a national average of three dollars per gallon this winter before possibly peaking at four dollars around Memorial Day but it’s still uncertain.

Cut 12 (12) “…avoid that.” 

According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.75 today.

One of the biggest stories of 2023 was the unprecedented drought and record heat that sparked hundreds of wildfires which destroyed 62-thousand acres statewide. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says in August alone, there were 550 wildfires…

Cut 15 (14) “…in the archives.”

The biggest story in the Bayou State this year was the election of Governor-Elect Jeff Landry. Landry’s victory was predicted, but winning in October, without the need for a November run-off was a surprise…

Cut 13 (09) “…(cheering).”

Also in 2023, no one could have predicted that Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson would be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Republican from northwest Louisiana won the powerful seat after Kevin McCarthy was ousted and Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan failed to get majority support…

Starting Monday, the asthma inhaler Flovent, made by GSK, will disappear from pharmacy shelves. LSU Health New Orleans Pulmonologist Dr. Kyle Happel encourages asthma users to be proactive about refilling their medication…

Cut 5 (08) “…their asthma.”

Louisiana’s Mardi Gras-themed float featuring a larger-than-life jester will roll in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena California on Monday. More than 90 volunteers from Louisiana and across the country will decorate the massive float. Second-year rider, Assistant Vice President of Communications for the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Kaylie LeBlanc…

Cut 8 (12) “…anything else.” 

The parade will broadcast at 10 am on ABC Network New Year’s Day.

Folks are beginning to crowd fireworks stands to kick off New Year’s with a bang and authorities are offering some simple tips regarding fireworks safety. If you plan to purchase fireworks, Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue suggests…

Cut 10 (13) “…set ablaze.”

Louisiana rings in a new year this weekend. Jeff Palermo reviews the top stories for 2023…

Cut 3 (50) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you have asthma and use the inhaler Flovent you need to know as of Monday, it’s being pulled because its maker GSK will be penalized because of Medicaid rate changes. LSU Health New Orleans Pulmonologist Dr. Kyle Happel says to contact your doctor now so a prescription for an alternative is ready to go…

Cut 6 (12) “…January 1st.”

If you plan to start the New Year with a bang, the State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind you of some simple tips regarding fireworks safety. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says to first check the firework restrictions in your parish.

Cut 9 (09) “…our state.” 

Rodrigue says it’s best to attend a public display where professionals are handling the pyrotechnics.

If you use the asthma inhaler Flovent, you need to know that beginning January 1st it won’t be on the shelves.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance will hold a hearing on February 14th to examine the sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Opponents of the sale are concerned it will result in higher health care costs for patients, while Blue Cross says the deal will benefit its policyholders.

2023 comes to a close on Sunday night and one of the biggest stories of the year was the unprecedented drought and the record heat that sparked hundreds of wildfires that destroyed 62-thousand acres statewide. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says in August alone, there were 550 wildfires…
Cut 15 (14) “…in the archives.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser 2023 was a good year for tourism and wants to make it better in 2024. In Monday mornings Rose Bowl Parade, his office is sponsoring a Mardi Gras themed float that will promote tourism to Louisiana…
cut 7 (12) “…every year”
The float will feature a larger-than-life Mardi Gras jester, second-line inspired umbrellas, fleur de lis, and lots of purple, green, and gold. More than 90 volunteers from Louisiana and across the country will decorate the massive float.

Heads up for asthma patients who use the inhaler, Flovent, it will no longer be available on January 1st. LSU New Orleans Pulmonologist Doctor Kyle Happel encourages users to be proactive about refilling their maintenance medication…
cut 5 (08) “…their asthma”
The manufacturer of Flovent, G-S-K, says a generic version is available and it works just as well as the branded drug.

For the third consecutive year, there will be a Louisiana Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. And the idea behind the Mardi Gras themed float is to promote tourism to Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says their previous floats won awards…
cut 9 (07) “….and this year”
Performing on the float will be Grammy-nominated Zydeco musician Sean Ardoin, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw and legendary guitarist James Burton.

2023 will be remembered for election of Jeff Landry as Louisiana’s next Governor. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson’s unexpected election as House Speaker and an unprecedented drought.

Also, The Louisiana Legislature passed a bill to make it illegal for doctors to perform certain procedures to alter the sex of transgender minors. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation because he said it was unnecessary…
cut 16 (09) “….have to do”
But lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto and the legislation goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

2023 saw LSU athletics win two national championships, Lady Tigers basketball in April, and LSU baseball in June….
Cut 17 (16) “…walk it off.”

2023 is coming to a close and the biggest story in Louisiana was the election of Republican Jeff Landry as the state’s 57th governor. Landry’s victory was predicted, but winning in October, without the need for a November run-off was a surprise…
Cut 13 (09) “…(cheering).”
Landry will be sworn into office on January 8th.

We saw a decline in gas prices in 2023. Gasbuddy says in 2022 the average national price was nearly four-dollars for a gallon of regular gasoline, this year it was around $3.50 a gallon. Gasbuddy’s Patrick DeHaan says in 2024 they are forecasting an average price of $3.38
cut 11 (11) “…year ahead”

Louisiana will once again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day to promote tourism to the Bayou State.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will not hear Caddo Parish sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn’s appeal, so there will be another run-off election between Whitehorn and John Nickelson. Nickelson lost the November 18th election by one vote, but a lower court judge ordered a new election after several questionable votes were counted. The new election will likely take place March 23rd.

If you have asthma and use the inhaler Flovent made by GSK, listen up. LSU Health New Orleans Pulmonologist Dr. Kyle Happel says it’s being removed from the shelves beginning Monday. And while there are other options…
Cut 4 (11) “…called fluticasone.”
Happel says fluticasone, which is also made by GSK, works just as well as Flovent.

According to Gas Buddy’s annual fuel outlook, the national average for gas and diesel will drop from $3.51 this year to $3.38 in 2024. After gas prices surged to nearly six dollars a gallon in 2022, GasBuddy’s Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the global refining picture has improved.
Cut 10 (10) “…price relief.”
DeHaan says average yearly spending on gasoline per household will fall to 24-hundred dollars, down two-percent from 2023 and 12-percent from 2022.

2023 comes to a close tomorrow and one of the biggest stories in Louisiana this year was Congressman Mike Johnson’s sudden rise to power as he was elected House Speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted and Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan failed to get majority support…
cut 14 (14) “….in business”

Louisiana’s third annual Rose Parade float is getting ready to roll along the streets of Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. The float is designed to encourage viewers of the parade to travel to the Bayou State in 2024. Second-year rider, Assistant Vice President of Communications for the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Kaylie LeBlanc…
Cut 8 (12) “…anything else.”
Louisiana’s 2024 Rose Parade float features a larger than life Mardi Gras jester, fleur-de-lis, second-line inspired umbrellas and a lot of purple, green and gold. The float also features the sights and sounds of a Louisiana Mardi Gras parade.

A Chalmette woman has filed a lawsuit seeking to keep former President Donald Trump’s name off of Louisiana’s presidential primary ballot. A similar lawsuit was successful in Colorado, but not in Michigan. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the U-S Supreme Court will eventually have to rule.

Cut 8 (10) “…in Louisiana.” 
The first Buc-cee’s in Louisiana is on track to open in 2025. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says $15 million from the bond commission, $6 million from the state, and an expected $6 million from Congress will fund the construction of service roads, interchanges, etc. for the toothy beaver superstore. He says it’s a good return on investment for the state.

Cut 4 (12) “…two years.”

Return season is underway and President of the Louisiana Better Business Bureau Carmen Million says before you try to return or exchange an unwanted gift, double-check the store’s policy.

Cut 9 (12) “…item back.” 

Stores are not required to accept exchanges or give refunds unless the merchandise was defective or misrepresented.

Freezing temperatures are in the forecast tonight down to the I-10 corridor. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the forecasted low for Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria is around 30-degrees and some areas could see temperatures even lower than that…

Cut 12 (12)  “.. 25-degrees”  

If you use the asthma inhaler Flovent, you need to know that beginning January 1^st it won’t be on the shelves. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Louisiana’s float will be on display to the world on Monday in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana rings in a new year this weekend. Jeff Palermo reviews the top stories for 2023…

Cut 3 (50) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

____________________________________________________________________

If you have asthma and use the inhaler Flovent made by GSK, listen up. LSU Health New Orleans Pulmonologist Dr. Kyle Happel says they just learned it’s being removed from the shelves beginning Monday. And while there are other options…

Cut 4 (11) “…called fluticasone.”

Happel unfortunately says many insurance companies do not cover the alternatives for Flovent so he’s encouraging users to be proactive about refilling their maintenance medication…

Cut 5 (08) “…their asthma.”

GSK is reportedly discontinuing Flovent due to Medicaid rate changes that would force the company to pay larger penalties for hiking prices. Happel says you might want to get in touch with your doctor now so a prescription for an alternative is ready to go…

Cut 6 (12) “…January 1st.”

Happel says ironically the generic fluticasone, which is also made by GSK, works just as well as Flovent.

____________________________________________________________________

The Bayou State’s Mardi Gras-inspired float will cruise the streets of Pasadena on Monday in the 135^th Rose Parade. This year’s theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: Universal Language.” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this is an opportunity to put Louisiana on the front line and drive tourism.

Cut 7 (12) “…every year.”

The float will feature a larger-than-life Mardi Gras jester, second-line inspired umbrellas, fleur de lis, and lots of purple, green, and gold. More than 90 volunteers from Louisiana and across the country will decorate the massive float.

Second-year rider, Assistant Vice President of Communications for the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Kaylie LeBlanc…

Cut 8 (12) “…anything else.” 

Grammy-nominated zydeco musician Sean Ardoin, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw, and legendary guitarist James Burton will render a musical performance along the parade route. And Lafayette musician Sydney “Sid” Williams will be representing Lafayette Parish on this year’s float.

Nungesser says this year’s riders highlight the celebratory spirit of great musicians from Louisiana. He hopes this will be another award-winning float that exposes all that the Bayou State has to offer.

Cut 9 (09)  “…and this year.”

View photos and videos of the decorating process at explorelouisiana.com. The parade will broadcast at 10 am on ABC New Year’s Day.

_____________________________________________

According to Gas Buddy’s annual fuel outlook, the national average for gas and diesel will drop from 3.51 this year to 3.38 in 2024. After gas prices surged to nearly six dollars a gallon in 2022, Head of Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the global refining picture has continued to improve.

Cut 10 (10) “…price relief.”

The average yearly spending per household will fall to an estimated $2407, down two percent from this year and over 12 percent from last year.

DeHaan says there’s also been continued improvement in the balance of supply and demand. He says several factors contribute to less of a pinch at the pump for consumers including…

Cut 11 (13) “…year ahead.” 

DeHaan says gas prices still could fall below a national average of three dollars per gallon this winter before rising again. He says gas prices may peak to around four dollars a gallon around Memorial Day but it’s still uncertain.

Cut 12 (12) “…avoid that.” 

_____________________________________________

2023 is coming to a close and the biggest story in Louisiana was the election of Republican Jeff Landry as the state’s 57th governor. Landry’s victory was predicted, but for him to win in October, without the need for a November run-off was a surprise…

Cut 13 (09) “…(cheering).”

A year ago, no one could have predicted that Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson would be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Republican from northwest Louisiana won the powerful seat after Kevin McCarthy was ousted and Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan failed to get majority support…

Cut 14 (14) “…in business.” 

It was a busy summer and early fall for firefighters as record-breaking hit and drought led to wildfires that destroyed 62-thousand acres statewide. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says in August alone, there were 550 wildfires…

Cut 15 (14) “…in the archives.”

The most controversial bill during the 2023 legislative session was a bill that makes it illegal for doctors to perform certain procedures to alter the sex of transgender minors. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation because it said it was unnecessary…

Cut 16 (09) “…have to do.” 

But lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto and the legislation goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

2023 saw LSU athletic programs win not one, but two national championships, the Lady Tigers basketball team won in April, and LSU baseball won the College World Series in June….

Cut 17 (16) “…walk it off.” 

(Sound courtesy of the LSU Sports Radio Network.)

____________________________________________________________________

The LSU Tigers will take the field on New Year’s Day with a new quarterback as Garrett Nussmeier will get the start. Nussmeier replaces Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels who opted out. Nussmeier will have the opportunity to throw to star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas…

Cut 18 (21)  “…been awesome.” 

Monday’s game against Wisconsin will mark Nussmeier’s first start at quarterback since December 4, 2020. He can’t wait…

Cut 19 (19) “…playing good” 

Nussmeier and the Tigers will try to rack up points against a Wisconsin defense that’s only allowing 19 points a game. He says it will be a challenge…

Cut 20 (19) “…excited for it”