The Office of the State Fire Marshal is reminding you of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the wake of a pair of deadly house fires this week. A 77-year-old man was killed near Shreveport Sunday afternoon, and a 76-year-old woman was killed in Catahoula Parish Monday night. Ashley Rodrigue with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says neither home had a working smoke alarm.

Cut 9 (09)  “…life and death.”

While cold wasn’t a factor in either of those fires, sub-freezing temperatures are expected tonight for North Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Knapp says we’ll see a brief warm-up on Friday before we get hit with another shot of cold air this weekend.

Cut 14 (09) “…upper 40s.”

LSU coach Lane Kiffin, who Andre Champagne affectionately dubs “The Portal King,” signs another top quarterback.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles registered statewide. Jefferson Parish leads the way with more than 35-hundred. Per capita, Orleans Parish comes out on top, with almost one and a half percent of all vehicles registered being EVs.

Monroe Police are looking for a 14-year-old who they believe shot two 17-year-olds, one of them died at a local hospital. The suspected teenage gunman has been identified Rayveon Lewis. The shooting happened back on December 28^th.

Especially with tax season upon us, the Better Business Bureau is urging you to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. Andrew Greenstein reports they’re becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin has added another quarterback to his roster by signing  Husan Longstreet, who entered the transfer portal after one season at USC. WWL radio pro and college football analyst Mike Detillier says Longstreet provides LSU with good protection in the case Leavitt does not recover fast enough from foot surgery. Like Leavitt, Detillier says Longstreet has good mobility….

Cut 8 (08) “….downfield”

State Fire Marshal investigators are trying to determine if separate fatal fires in the northern half of the state this week were caused by electrical failures. The deadly fires took place in the towns of Sarepta and Jonesville and in both cases, elderly residents died. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue reminds the public not to connect extension cords together…

Cut 11 (10) “…fire hazard there”

According to data from the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in Louisiana has exceeded two-million people for seven consecutive months, which is a record in Louisiana’s economic history. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the next economic record the state can hit is a record for the number of nonfarm jobs, which was set in 2014. Knapp says breaking the all-time jobs record is likely since the state’s economic outlook for this year looks strong.

Cut 15 (10) “…and job expansion”

LSU has added another quarterback to its roster as the Tigers signed former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet, who entered the transfer portal after one season at USC. Longstreet joins a Q-B room that already has Sam Leavitt, the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, and Landen Clark, an FCS All-American at Elon. W-W-L’s college and pro football analyst Mike Detillier…

Cut 7 (04) “…quarterback room.”

Leavitt is expected to start in 2026, but if he’s slow to recover from season-ending foot surgery, Detillier says Longstreet is a solid plan B.

The State Fire Marshal’s office says two elderly residents died in two separate house fires this week. A 77-year-old man died in a house fire in Webster Parish and the other fatal house fire occurred in Catahola Parish, in the town of Jonesville. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the causes of both fires are unclear at this time…

Cut 10 (10) “…potential cause here”

Neither of these homes had working smoke alarms.

The Better Business Bureau says scams in Louisiana are becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says scammers used to mainly target senior citizens; but now, scammers have broadened their potential target base.

Cut 4 (08) “…amount of people”

Million says if the caller says he or she is from the IRS or the Social Security Administration, you should hang up the phone.

We are looking at a cold night, especially in north Louisiana where temperatures are expected to fall below freezing. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Knapp says when you factor in the wind chill, the real feel temperature will be in the mid-20s for much of north Louisiana. He says dry conditions will also continue…

Cut 13 (07) “….your parish”

Vernon, Caddo, Bossier, Winn, Jackson and Union parishes all have outdoor burn bans in effect.

The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says before, you could tell which calls and emails were scams, based on improper or broken English – but not anymore.

Cut 3 (10) “…if it’s legitimate.”

Lane, “The Portal King” Kiffin signs another top quarterback from the transfer portal. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Ragin Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard is heading back to Ole Miss. Howard started this past season as the starting Q-B for U-L Lafayette, but he injured his oblique and did not regain his starting spot. Howard was at Ole Miss during the 2023 and 24 seasons and if Trinidad Chambliss gains another year of eligibility through the court system, Howard will be a backup once again for the Rebels.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is reminding you of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the wake of a pair of deadly house fires this week. The first happened Sunday afternoon near Shreveport, in which a 77-year-old man was killed. The second happened the following evening in Catahoula Parish, in which a 76-year-old woman died. Ashley Rodrigue with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says neither home had a working smoke alarm.

Cut 9 (09)  “…life and death.”

While cold wasn’t a factor in either of those fires, sub-freezing temperatures are expected tonight for Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Knapp says they are expecting temperatures to get below 32 degrees as far south as Natchitoches and Jena…

Cut 12 (06)“…to Monroe”

Especially with tax season upon us, be extra vigilant for scams. The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says regardless of how legitimate these scammers are starting to sound, there are still a few specific things that should immediately indicate that the communication is not legitimate.

Cut 5 (12) “…would already have.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has signed another quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is a Tiger after spending one season at USC. College and pro football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Longstreet threw for 85-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his high school career in California…

Cut 6 (04) “…biggest strength.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has signed another quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is a Tiger after spending one season at USC. College and pro football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Longstreet threw for 85-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his high school career in California…

Cut 6 (04) “…biggest strength”

Detillier says Longstreet is also an accurate downfield passer.

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields announced he’ll visit 52 schools this year –kindergarten through college…all in the Sixth District he represents. Fields says he’s using the opportunity to highlight the education initiatives he’s working on in Congress.

Cut 12 (12) “…to address it.”

Especially with tax season upon us, the Better Business Bureau is urging you to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. Andrew Greenstein reports they’re becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Better Business Bureau says scams in Louisiana are becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says scammers used to mainly target senior citizens; but now, scammers have broadened their potential target base.

Cut 4 (08) “…amount of people”

Several people who have made living a healthier lifestyle a new year’s resolution are participating in Dry January – laying off alcohol for the month. But here in Louisiana, with Carnival in full swing, that’s understandably a tad difficult. That’s where Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge comes in. Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says think of it as a second chance. 

Cut 13 (08)  “…during lent season.”

Louisiana has set an economic performance record with seven consecutive months of more than two-million people employed in the state. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Police in Iberia Parish are looking for a woman who escaped court while being sentenced. Jada Landry had been convicted of aggravated battery. But prior to sentencing, she exited the courthouse and left the area in a vehicle. The vehicle has been located, but Landry has not.

Especially with tax season upon us, be extra vigilant for scams. The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says before, you could tell which calls and emails were scams, based on improper or broken English – but not anymore.

Cut 3 (10) “…if it’s legitimate.”

Congressman Cleo Fields launches Congress to the Classroom. Fields says through this year-long initiative, he will visit 52 schools from kindergarten through college throughout the Sixth District that he represents.

Cut 10 (06) “…to that interaction.”

Congress to the Classroom is designed to strengthen the students’ understanding of government, highlight the importance of education and encourage civic engagement.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says more than two-million people in Louisiana were employed for a record-extending seventh consecutive month. In 2015, Louisiana had a four-month stretch where the number of people employed exceeded two million, but the number slipped below two-million for a decade. But Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says it appears two-million is now the new normal, and the whole state is seeing higher employment numbers..

Cut 5 (08) “…state right now.”

If you ruined your Dry January, you can try again next month with Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge! Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says among other things, it’s meant to demonstrate that you can actually enjoy yourself without drinking alcohol.

Cut 15 (09) “…society as well.”

According to data from the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in Louisiana has exceeded two-million people for seven consecutive months, which is a record in Louisiana’s economic history. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the next economic record the state can hit is a record for the number of nonfarm jobs, which was set in 2014. Knapp says breaking the all-time jobs record is likely since the state’s economic outlook for this year looks strong.

Cut 6 (10) “…and job expansion”

On Capitol Hill this morning, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is holding a hearing on chemical abortion drugs. The hearing is focusing on mifepristone, one of two abortion pills approved by the F-D-A. Cassidy is advocating for stronger restrictions to prevent the mail order of mifepristone…

Cut 9 (12) “….associated with it”

Democrats argue mifepristone is a safe, effective and essential form of healthcare.

Ochsner is urging people looking to live a healthier lifestyle to participate in their Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge. Nutrition specialist Allie Foreman says the challenge starts Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18th, and runs through Easter. She says people who have participated in previous years have really seen the results.

Cut 14 (13) “…the better sleep.”

If you’d like to participate, it only costs 59 dollars, and you get metrics and support valued at more than 450. For more information, go to alcoholfreefor40.com.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill will be testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today on mail-order abortion drugs. Murrill says they’re dangerous and committee chair Dr. Bill Cassidy agrees.  Senator Cassidy there are essential things that doctors cannot determine about a patient when prescribing an abortion drug through mail-order.

Cut 8 (12) “…by someone else.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno has launched a new initiative to repair damaged streetlights in the Crescent City.  “Operation Lights On” aims to make people in higher crime neighborhoods feel safer by making sure streetlights are in working order.  City officials have said they’re hiring more electricians to make it happen…despite recent layoffs…to help improve public safety. “Operation Lights On” is just one of 13 Executive Orders the new mayor signed in her first day in office.

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If you’ve already broken your new year’s resolution for Dry January, Ochsner Health offers a second chance.  Andrew Greenstein has details.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields announced he’ll visit 52 schools this year –kindergarten through college this year…all in the Sixth District he represents. Fields says he’s using the opportunity to highlight the education initiatives he’s working on in Congress.

Cut 12 (12) “…to address it.”