A plan to sell Toledo Bend water to Texas is off for now, and a Vernon Parish legislator plans on filing a bill in the next session to ensure that it never happens. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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For mudbug lovers, the holiday season means another crawfish season is right around the corner. Jeff Palermo has an outlook on the upcoming season.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A school in Calcasieu Parish will make history on Friday when the Iowa Yellow Jackets will play in their first state championship football game. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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A plan to sell Toledo Bend water to Texas is off for now, and a Vernon Parish legislator wants to make sure it never happens. The plan would have called for the reservoir to supply 200-thousand acre-feet from Louisiana’s share per year to Texas in order for that state to address potential water shortages in its metro areas. Hornbeck Republican Rodney Schamerhorn says he will be filing a bill that would block any future water sale. He says if Texas wants Louisiana water, it can supply Louisiana with some of its jobs.

Cut 4 (12) “…living in Louisiana.”

Schamerhorn notes that the populations of Texas and Louisiana are going in opposite directions.

Cut 5 (11) “…abundance of water.”

Furthermore, Schamerhorn says if Louisiana gives Texas water from Toledo Bend, people who bought property along the lakefront and paid a premium for it may ultimately not get their money’s worth.

Cut 6 (12) “…a beautiful lake.”

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As if advancing in the College Football Playoff wasn’t enough, Tulane has an extra incentive to beating Ole Miss on December 20th – they would get a virtual home game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Georgia New Year’s Day. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says a Sugar Bowl appearance for the hometown Green Wave would not be unprecedented. But let’s just say it would be a long time coming – a VERY long time coming.

Cut 7 (10) “…be tremendous enthusiasm.”

But in order to play in the Sugar Bowl in front of their home fans, they will have to beat a team that beat them by five touchdowns just four months ago. But Hundley says that’s not stopping overly-ambitious Tulane fans from dreaming.

Cut 8 (10) “…out about tickets.”

Hundley says while it would be cool for Tulane to play the Sugar Bowl in the stadium they called home from 1975 through 2013 until Yulman Stadium opened, he’s not picking sides in Oxford.

Cut 9 (10)  “…best game possible.”

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The holiday season means that the crawfish season is right around the corner. LSU AgCenter crawfish extension agent Todd Fontenot says the 2026 season looks like a normal season.

Cut 10 (10) “…look pretty favorable.”

Fontenot says hot boiled crawfish is available, especially along the coast.

Cut 11 (10) “…our growing region.”

Fontenot says crawfish will become more plentiful in January and February, as long as the state stays away from lengthy periods of below-freezing temperatures.

Cut 12 (11) “…to our crawfish.”

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For the first time ever, the Iowa Yellow Jackets will play in a state championship football game. Iowa head coach Tommy Johns says the team has the Calcasieu Parish town buzzing.

Cut 13 (06)  “…a long time.”

Iowa will play North DeSoto, who’s the top seed in Division Two non-select. Johns says winning the time of possession will be crucial on Friday.

Cut 14 (05) “…a track meet.”

Mangham is looking for its first state championship since 1956 as the Dragons will take on Haynesville on Thursday at noon in the Division Four non-select title game. Mangham Coach Scott Wilcher says they are playing for their Richland Parish town.

Cut 15 (08) “…going to do.”

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UL-Lafayette is set to face Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, on Wednesday, December 17th, at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Hens come into the matchup with the number-six passing offense in the country, averaging 302 passing yards per game. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says the Cajuns’ defense will have to do a couple of things to limit Delaware in the air.

Cut 16 (16) “…things like that.”

After starting the season 2-6, the Cajuns won four straight games to close out the regular season. Desormeaux says he doesn’t want his team to be satisfied with a bowl berth, but he wants to close the year out with a fifth straight win and its first bowl win in three years.

Cut 17 (14)  “…to go do.”

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Louisiana Tech will face Coastal Carolina in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport on Tuesday, December 30th, at 1 p.m. Several high-profile players have already entered the transfer portal, but head coach Sonny Cumbie says there are a few players that want to finish the season out for the Bulldogs.

Cut 18 (14)  “…to their character.”

Cumbie says defensive back Jacob Fields and linebacker Mekhi Mason will not play in the bowl game.

Cumbie will coach against his former defensive coordinator, Jeremiah Johnson, when the Bulldogs and Chanticleers face off. Johnson is the interim head coach for Coastal, and Cumbie says he’s looking forward to the matchup.

Cut 19 (14) “…and swarming around.”

Only one escapee from last week’s twin jailbreaks in South Louisiana remains on the loose – 24-year-old Keith Eli. Major Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says on Friday, deputies captured 24-year-old Johnathan Joseph after tips led detectives to a home in Opelousas.

Cut 11 (09) “…surrendered to officers.”

Amid the ongoing illegal immigration crackdown, New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell stated that Louisiana is an open carry state and has a robust stand-your-ground law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino points out, as Morrell did, that in the event of a stand-your-ground shooting, an officer’s only line of defense is by fully identifying oneself as a law enforcement officer.

Cut 5 (11) “…along those lines.”

Haynesville is looking for its 18th state championship in football, while North DeSoto is looking for its first. Jeff Palermo has more on these two northwest Louisiana schools as they prepare for the Prep Classic.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Documents show that a contractor in Tangipahoa Parish recovered dozens of oil-covered and injured animals in the aftermath of the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. The contractor said it had recovered 74 wild animals – mainly raccoons and opossums – of which 59 were covered in oil. Eight were listed as dead.

One escapee from last week’s South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry has appointed Doctor Evelyn Griffin as the State’s next Surgeon General. Doctor Griffin will replace Doctor Ralph Abraham, who is leaving to take a high-ranking job with the C-D-C. In a news release. Landry lauded Griffin’s work on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. She is known as a vaccine skeptic.

This year’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl matchup will have Louisiana Tech hosting Coastal Carolina. The two teams will face off December 30^th in Shreveport. Because of its placement among the bowl game structure, the Indy Bowl usually get teams that either have a .500 record or barely a winning record. Executive Director Missy Setters has seen the complaints on social media, but she would rather focus on the positive…

Cut 15 (13) “…all the time.”

Haynesville High School, located in Claiborne Parish, is headed to the state football championships for a third consecutive year. The Golden Tornado will play Mangham to kick off the Prep Classic on Thursday. Haynesville is led by four-year starter Isaiah Washington, who has signed to play at LSU. Washington starts at quarterback and defensive back, and Coach David Franklin says he’s their leader…

Cut 9 (05)  “…great personality.”

As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these sweeps. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says if agents have no reasonable grounds to detain you, you’re under no obligation to talk to them. However: 

Cut 4 (14) “…their basic questions.”

One escapee from a pair of South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. 24-year-old Keith Eli escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail last Wednesday, along with two others. Major Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says investigators are going to great lengths to find him.

Cut 10 (14) “…of our agency.”

It’s Prep Classic week in high school football, with 16 teams vying for state titles in eight divisions. North DeSoto is seeking its first title in Division Two non-select as it faces Iowa Friday at noon. The Griffins are a perfect 13-and-0, and Coach Dennis Dunn says a selfless attitude has helped the team get to this point.

Cut 7 (07) “…all of that.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana Tech will make the 70-mile trek to Shreveport to play in the Independence Bowl. But unlike last year, when they were a last-minute stand-in for Marshall, the Bulldogs were the I-Bowl’s first choice to take on Coastal Carolina. Executive Director Missy Setters says there are several fan and community events the night before the December 30th game.

Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane alley.”

Only one escapee from last week’s twin jailbreaks in South Louisiana remains on the loose – 24-year-old Keith Eli, who escaped with two others from the St. Landry Parish Jail. Major Mark LeBlanc with the sheriff’s office says deputies captured 24-year-old Johnathan Joseph Friday after tips and information led detectives to a home in Opelousas.

Cut 11 (09) “…surrendered to officers.”

As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues in the greater New Orleans area, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these enhanced immigration sweeps – what the Border Patrol agents can and can’t do under the law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in order for agents to detain anyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Cut 3 (11) “…the federal government.”

Haynesville is looking for its 18th state championship in football, while North DeSoto is looking for its first. Jeff Palermo has more on these two northwest Louisiana schools as they prepare for the Prep Classic.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Four Louisiana teams are headed to postseason play in college football, headlined by Tulane as the 11 seed in the College Football Playoff. LSU is playing in the Texas Bowl, Louisiana Tech is headed to the Independence Bowl, and UL-Lafayette earned its way to the 68 Ventures Bowl.

One of the three inmates who escaped from the Saint Landry Parish jail remains on the run. Authorities are working to track down 24-year-old Keith Eli. The three inmates were able to escape through a crumbling wall. Major Mark Leblanc with the sheriff’s office says they are beefing up staff…

Cut 12 (11) “….of the facility”

It is week two of Operation Catahoula Crunch, an immigration crackdown in New Orleans. Last week, New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell stated that Louisiana is an open carry state and has a robust stand-your-ground law; and if a masked federal agent tries detaining a U.S. citizen who’s legally carrying a weapon, that citizen can defend him or herself. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino points out, as Morrell did, that the officer’s only line of defense in a stand-your-ground shooting is by fully identifying oneself as a law enforcement officer.

Cut 5 (11) “…along those lines.”

Two public schools in northwest Louisiana are preparing for a trip to New Orleans to play in the Prep Classic. North DeSoto, who is seeking its first state championship in football and will play Iowa on Friday at noon. Griffins coach Dennis Dunn believes his team will be well prepared…

Cut 6 (06) “…for them.”

Haynesville is also headed back to the Dome as the Golden Tornado will play Mangham on Thursday at noon.

The Saints went on the road and beat the top team in the NFC South yesterday for their third win of the season. New Orleans upset Tampa Bay 24-20. Rookie Quarterback Tyler Shough only threw for 144 yards in the rain, but he had two rushing touchdowns, including a 13-yard run to give the Saints the lead for good in the fourth quarter…

Cut 17 (08) “…get those wins”

The Saints are back at home this Sunday to take on Carolina.

One escapee from a pair of South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. 24-year-old Keith Eli escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail last Wednesday, along with two others. Major Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says investigators are going to great lengths to find him.

Cut 10 (14) “…of our agency.”

As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these sweeps. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says if agents have no reasonable grounds to detain you, you’re under no obligation to talk to them. However: 

Cut 4 (14) “…their basic questions.”

Haynesville is looking for its 18th state championship in football Thursday when it takes on Mangham in the Division Four non-select title game. This is the third year in a row Coach David Franklin and the Golden Tornado have made it to the state title game, but the last two years they came up short.

Cut 8 (07) “…go and win.”

Haynesville is led by four-year starter Isaiah Washington, who signed with LSU last week.

Louisiana Tech is heading back to Shreveport, as the Bulldogs will play Coastal Carolina in the 49th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. I-Bowl Executive Director Missy Setter on what the game means for northwest Louisiana.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during December.”

The Bulldogs played in the Independence Bowl last year after Marshall pulled out and lost to Army.

A Louisiana college football team has a chance later this month to shock the world. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A disappointing LSU season will end in Houston as the Tigers will play the University of Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27^th. Louisiana Tech will play in the Independence Bowl on December 30^th against future Sun Belt rival Coastal Carolina. The Ragin Cajuns are in the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile and will face Delaware on December 17^th.

As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues in the greater New Orleans area, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these enhanced immigration sweeps – what the Border Patrol agents can and can’t do under the law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in order for agents to detain anyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Cut 3 (11) “…the federal government.”

As such, Ciolino says if there are no reasonable grounds, you’re under no obligation to talk to any federal agent.

Physical Therapy education is coming to Lafayette this spring. LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is adding a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette. Department Chairman Dr. Daniel Flowers on why this is so important.

Cut 8 (12) “…so to speak.”

Operation Catahoula Crunch has New Orleans on edge. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette. Department Chair, Dr. Daniel Flowers says interviews are happening soon.

Cut 9 (10)  “…three Mays later.”

After winning the American Conference, the Tulane Green Wave go word they will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels in the first round of the college football playoffs. This is not the first time they’ll play at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium this season – on September 20th, Ole Miss pounded Tulane, 45-10. Head Coach Jon Sumrall says things will be different four months later.

Cut 5 (06) “…a better game.”

The game will be played Saturday, December 20th; kickoff is at 2:30.

The biggest rodeo ever is coming to Louisiana as the Hondo Rodeo Fest will make its New Orleans debut at the Caesars Superdome April 10 to 12, 2026.  Co-Founder Blake Cody says the Hondo Rodeo Fest is a three-day premium rodeo competition with a one-million-dollar prize purse.

Cut 13 (07)  “…for the fans.”

The rodeo takes place during the day and at night big-name musical performers take the stage.

The Department of Homeland Security says it has released the identities of about a half dozen immigrants in the country illegally with violent criminal histories who have been arrested by Border Patrol agents in Operation Catahoula Crunch. New Orleans Council person J.P. Morrell says, however, that the department is not being transparent, because the big picture tells a very different story.

Cut 12 (06) “…here not illegally.”

The advocacy group Union Migrante says so far, Border Patrol agents have arrested several people with no criminal records, including at least three U.S. citizens.

Tulane is in the college football playoff as the 11 seed and will take on the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford. The Green Wave traveled to Oxford earlier this season and Coach Jon Sumrall says ending his two-year tenure at Tulane in the College Football Playoff will be really cool, as long as one thing does not happen.

Cut 6 (05) “…our ass beat.”

The game will be played Saturday, December 20th; kickoff is at 2:30.

LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette this spring. Department Chairman Dr. Daniel Flowers says it will expand access to physical therapy education in Southwest Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…year in Lafayette.”

The program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical education through partnerships with Ochsner (Ox ner) Lafayette General and other healthcare providers.

It’s the biggest rodeo ever and it’s coming to Louisiana.  The Hondo Rodeo Fest will be at the Caesars Superdome April 10 to 12 .  Co-Founder Blake Cody says the Hondo Rodeo Fest is a three-day premium rodeo competition with a one-million-dollar prize purse and there’s also Western-themed Street Fest.

Cut 14 (09) “…with the sheep.”

Pre-sale tickets go on sale on Wednesday and with general on-sale tickets going on sale Friday. Tickets start at 40 dollars.