Another Carnival season has come and gone in Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says it was good to see that the severe weather on Tuesday did not damper the spirits across south Louisiana, even though parade times were moved up and two major parades in New Orleans were shortened.

Cut 3 (12) “…get home safely” 

A man whose remains were discovered back in 1984 is still unidentified, and the coroner in St. Tammany Parish needs your help. Hunters found the remains below the I-59 bridge on the bank of the West Pearl River near the Mississippi state line. Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape says even though only the bones remained, through genetic genealogy, investigators were able to establish some characteristics.

Cut 7 (06) “…when he died.”

It’s unclear how long the remains were there before the hunters found them more than 40 years ago.

Clocks spring forward an hour this weekend, and it’s a great time to check smoke alarms too. Ken Pastorick with the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal says smoke alarms are proven to save lives and that’s what happened last Saturday in Hammond.

Cut 9 (13)  “…minimal damage.”

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the lack of consistency in the department’s messaging.

Cut 15 (08) “…get different answers.”

Donahue says another deficiency identified is the inability to deliver projects on schedule, saying in recent years, a small percentage of them were actually in the Highway Priority Program’s pipeline

Small Business owners are urging lawmakers to focus on tax reform in the upcoming legislative session. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A Pearl Harbor survivor from Louisiana has died at the age of 102. Jessie Alton Mahaffey of Many was stationed on the battleship USS Oklahoma when on December 7^th 1941 when it was attacked by Japanese bombers. Mahaffey was born in Florien and joined the United States Army right out of high school in 1941. Funeral services are this Saturday in Many.

A man whose remains were discovered back in 1984 is still unidentified, and the coroner in St. Tammany Parish needs your help. Hunters found the remains below the I-59 bridge on the bank of the West Pearl River near the Mississippi state line. Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape says exactly when the man died is unclear.

Cut 6 (09) “…your family history.”

Dr. Tape says even though only the bones remained, through genetic genealogy, investigators were able to establish some characteristics. They believe he’s mixed race, but he was anywhere from 18 to 40 when he died.

It’s a reacquaintance of sorts – Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. If Congress seems much more polarized to you now compared to back then, Fields says you’re exactly right.

Cut 12 (08) “…to come back.”

A new poll suggests that Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School mourns the loss of Alaya Christian, a dedicated student and victim of Mamou’s Mardi Gras mass shooting. Christian was involved in many school activities, including softball, student council, and football training. The school community is heartbroken and extends condolences to her family and friends.

Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session starting April 14. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the NFIB supports legislation that would place medical damages in a trust to prevent excessive costs, cap non-economic damages at 750-thousand dollars for predictability, and bar individuals more than 50-percent at fault from recovering damages to reduce frivolous claims.

Cut 8 (11) “…taking the case”

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the inability to deliver projects on schedule.

Cut 13 (13)  “…fall off track.”

If a new poll is any indication, Senator Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. A new poll by JMC Analytics commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says the closed primary could create significant headwinds for Cassidy.

Cut 4 (13) “…Republicans and independents.”

Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs in the upcoming legislative session. According to NFIB State Director Leah Long, lawsuit abuse is a major factor driving up insurance rates, and common sense reforms are necessary to stabilize the market and create a fair legal system.

Cut 7 (11) “…2025 session.”

We’re learning one of the names of the victims in the deadly Mardi Gras concert shooting in Mamou. Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School says Alaya Christian was one of the two kids killed in the shooting. The school says Christian was on the student council, a player on the softball team and an active participant in clubs and organizations. In addition to the two killed, 12 others were hurt, with two in critical condition.

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says among the issues identified is the inability to deliver projects on schedule. He says of the projects completed in recent years, a small percentage were actually in the Highway Priority Program’s pipeline, and that’s something that will change.

Cut 14 (14) “…course of development.”

Donahue says another deficiency identified was the lack of consistency in the department’s messaging.

A new poll suggests that Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign. The poll by JMC Analytics commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says now that the U.S. Senate primary in Louisiana is a closed primary, the challenge for Cassidy is that the electorate will be much more conservative than in years past.

Cut 5 (16) “…on his re-election.”

Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff is accused of driving under the influence. Hayden Haynes was arrested Tuesday following President Trump’s address to Congress. Capitol Police say Haynes backed into a parked vehicle just before midnight Tuesday night. Haynes has been Johnson’s chief of staff since 2023.

Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session. NFIB State Director Long says the organization supports legislation that would place medical damages in a trust to prevent excessive costs, cap non-economic damages at 750-thousand dollars for predictability, and bar individuals more than 50-percent at fault from recovering damages to reduce frivolous claims.

Cut 8 (11) “…taking the case”

It’s a reacquaintance of sorts – Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. If Congress seems much more polarized to you now compared to back then, Fields says you’re exactly right.

Cut 12 (08) “…to come back.”

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s small business owners want lawmakers to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session.  NFIB State Director Leah Long, says lawsuit abuse is a major factor, and needs to be addressed.

Cut 9 (05)  “…small business owners.”

———————
It’s a reacquaintance of sorts – Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. Since the day that Fields left office the first time, only 19 representatives remain, none from Louisiana.  And that’s not the only change for the sixth district Congressman.

Cut 11 (07) “…done through iPhones”

It looks like Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign next year.  That’s according to a new poll by JMC Analytics commissioned by the John Fleming campaign, which shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon says the closed primary will be a tough one, and the campaign will begin in earnest in a few months.

Cut 6 (11) “…and this fall.”

Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session. According to NFIB State Director Leah Long, lawsuit abuse is a major factor driving up insurance rates, and common sense reforms are necessary to stabilize the market and create a fair legal system.

Cut 7 (11) “…2025 session.”

The session is set to begin April 14^th.

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the inability to deliver projects on schedule.

Cut 13 (13)  “…fall off track.”

——————————-

A new poll suggests that Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

They’ve been faced with delays and cost overruns, but city officials in New Orleans say they have a plan to get repairs to hundreds of New Orleans streets faster. The city has hired a Boston-based consulting firm to make it happen.  Among other things, the goal is to have contractors  finish the work that still needs to be done in the 1.7 billion dollar FEMA funded  program by May.

If a new poll by JMC Analytics is any indication, Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign. The poll, commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says closed primary will play a big role.
Cut 4 (13) “…Republicans and independents.”

Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. Since the day that Fields left office the first time, only 19 representatives remain, none from Louisiana, so he’s getting reacquainted.

Cut 10 (09) “…across the aisle.”

The sixth district Congressman says in terms of the House floor, the biggest difference is the use of modern technology.

——————————————-

Small Business owners are urging lawmakers to focus on tax reform in the upcoming legislative session. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation, including an inability to deliver projects on schedule and lack of consistency in the messaging.

Cut 15 (08) “…get different answers.”

A new poll suggests that Bill Cassidy’s re-election bid could be a tough one. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

Small Business owners are urging lawmakers to focus on tax reform in the upcoming legislative session. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

If a new poll is any indication, Senator Bill Cassidy could be in for a tough re-election campaign. A new poll by JMC Analytics commissioned by the John Fleming campaign shows the current state treasurer leading Cassidy by 13 points in a head to head matchup. JMC Analytics Founder and President John Couvillon (KOO-ve-ahn) says the fact that Cassidy will be participating in a closed primary could create significant headwinds for his re-election bid.

Cut 4 (13) “…Republicans and independents.”

And as such, Couvillon says the primary electorate in April of 2026 will be much more conservative than in the open primaries that Cassidy had previously ran in.

Cut 5 (16) “…on his re-election.”

Couvillon says this will be a hotly-contested primary, and the campaign will begin in earnest in a few months.

Cut 6 (11) “…and this fall.”

Couvillon says Fleming’s standing among Republican voters greatly improved when they consider his background. Like Cassidy, Fleming is a medical doctor by trade. Prior to becoming state treasurer, he served as deputy White House chief of staff during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

______________________________________________________

Louisiana’s small business owners are urging legislators to address rising insurance costs through legal reforms in the upcoming legislative session starting April 14. According to NFIB State Director Long, lawsuit abuse is a major factor driving up insurance rates, and common sense reforms are necessary to stabilize the market and create a fair legal system.

Cut 7 (11) “…2025 session.”

Long says the NFIB supports legislation that would place medical damages in a trust to prevent excessive costs, cap non-economic damages at 750-thousand dollars for predictability, and bar individuals more than 50-percent at fault from recovering damages to reduce frivolous claims.

Cut 8 (11) “…taking the case”

Long argues that lawsuit abuse stifles business growth and hiring while increasing costs. Passing these reforms would ensure fairness and give small businesses the stability they need to support Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 9 (05)  “…small business owners.”

______________________________________________________

It’s a reacquaintance of sorts – Cleo Fields is back on Capitol Hill as a congressman for the first time in 28 years. Since the day that Fields left office the first time, only 19 representatives remain, none from Louisiana.

Cut 10 (09) “…across the aisle.”

The sixth district Congressman says in terms of the House floor, the biggest difference is the use of modern technology.

Cut 11 (07) “…done through iPhones”

And if Congress seems much more polarized to you these days, Fields will tell you you’re exactly right.

Cut 12 (08) “…to come back.”

______________________________________________________

DOTD is working to implement its strategic improvement plan. Secretary Joe Donahue says the department identified a few deficiencies in its operation – among them is the inability to deliver projects on schedule.

Cut 13 (13)  “…fall off track.”

Donahue says of the projects completed in recent years, a small percentage were actually in the Highway Priority Program’s pipeline, and that’s something that will change in the strategic improvement plan.

Cut 14 (14) “…course of development.”

Donahue says another deficiency identified was the lack of consistency in the department’s messaging.

Cut 15 (08) “…get different answers.”

Donahue says as a result, what the department was telling people was not the same as what it was reporting to the federal government each year.

After a successful Super Bowl, New Orleans can now boast about a successful Mardi Gras. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell credits a strong partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Cut 4 (20) “…of Mardi Gras”

A recent online solicitation sting by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office nets 11 arrests. The sheriff’s office partnered with Chris Hansen, who once hosted a segment on Dateline NBC called “To Catch A Predator.” Hansen says he thought people would catch on after the first couple segments, but nope.

Cut 8 (10) “…exploit a child.”

A Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou turns into a mass shooting that left two people dead. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton last weekend is leading some to question the future of that city’s parade. As such, Keneshia Neal has started a petition on Change-dot-org to preserve the event. She says the actions of a few should not overshadow a tradition that has united the community for over 50 years.