The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

Cut 4 (10) “…step to success.”

DOTD has secured an additional three-million-dollars from the state legislature for litter pickup along major federal highways. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in the coming months, residents statewide will notice litter removal efforts.

Cut 6 (09) “…pick up regularly.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in the history of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says it started when they pulled over a Chevy Yukon SUV on U.S. Highway 11 last week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pressed fentanyl pills.” (Seized 16,000 pressed fentanyl pills, nearly 5 lbs. worth)

Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP

Cut 12 (11) “…account history.”

Louisiana moves up in a big way in the Nation’s Report Card. Andrew Greenstein is in Baton Rouge with details.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities are looking for a 44-year-old inmate who escaped from the Avoyelles Parish Jail last night. Officials say Carl James Ducote Junior of Hessmer fled from the jail after exploiting a structural weakness in the jail’s ceiling. Ducote was incarcerated on trespassing and burglary charges.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they conducted a record-breaking fentanyl bust during a traffic stop on U-S Highway 11 last week. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says they found 16-thousand pressed fentanyl pills in the vehicle….

Cut 10 (12) “…of this Yukon”

Carboni says 21-year-old Tawan Anthony and the passenger in the vehicle, 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River, were arrested.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is receiving an additional three million dollars from the state legislature to pick up litter along interstates. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they started using this money by cleaning up in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 59…

Cut 7 (08) “…our contract”

Mallet says litter pickup is not only costly, but it diverts money from road improvement projects.

Louisiana moves up in a big way in the Nation’s Report Card. Andrew Greenstein is in Baton Rouge with details.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The state will spend an additional three million dollars on litter pickup along major interstates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place — Louisiana.” (applause fades)

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

Cut 4 (10) “…step to success.”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state soared to new heights in all four metrics that went into the Nation’s Report Card.

Cut 5 (12) “…8th grade math.” (applause fades)

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022. Fourth grade math scores have also increased from 50th in 2019 to 38th.

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DOTD has secured an additional three-million-dollars from the state legislature for litter pickup along major federal highways. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in the coming months, residents statewide will notice litter removal efforts.

Cut 6 (09) “…pick up regularly.”

This initiative aims to improve the cleanliness and appearance of key transportation routes. Mallet says the effort recently launched in the New Orleans area, coinciding with the upcoming Super Bowl.

Cut 7 (08) “…of our contract.”

Mallet says litter pickup is not only costly, but it diverts money from road improvement projects…

Cut 8 (07) “…for actual infrastructure.”

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A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in the history of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says it started when they pulled over a Chevy Yukon SUV on U.S. Highway 11 last week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pressed fentanyl pills.” (Seized 16,000 pressed fentanyl pills, nearly 5 lbs. worth)

Carboni says the driver was 21-year-old Tawan Anthony, and the passenger was 41-year-old Regginald Henry, both of Pearl River. She says the two went to great lengths to conceal the fentanyl.

Cut 10 (12) “…of this Yukon.”

Anthony and Henry are both booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on several charges each. Carboni says both were on probation.

Cut 11 (11) “…possession of methamphetamine.”

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Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP

Cut 12 (11) “…account history.”

The La-TAP portal can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Taxpayers may also submit their returns using commercially available tax preparation software. And paper returns that can be mailed in are also available at the department of revenue’s website. Henderson says for those eligible for a refund, you’ll get your money faster if you file electronically

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

Henderson says taxpayers can minimize delays in receiving their refunds by updating their contact information with the Department of Revenue…

Cut 14 (10) “…contact information.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Tawan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested.

Louisiana’s education ranking has skyrocketed in the last two years, moving from 43^rd to 32^nd considering reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades. That’s according to the Nation’s Report Card for 2024. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state soared to new heights in all four metrics that went into the Nation’s Report Card.

Cut 5 (12) “…8^th grade math.” (applause)

The state made the biggest strides in 4th grade reading, moving from 42nd all the way to 16th since 2022.

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is the day Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP and to minimize delays in receiving refunds make sure contact information is up to date with the Department of Revenue…

Cut 14 (10) “…contact information.”

Investigators with the Shreveport police with the help of tips from Caddo Crime Stoppers located Larry Lewis but released him after an extensive interview.  They were seeking Lewis for questioning in connection with the robbery and homicide of Billy Lee Jamison in a Walgreens parking lot last week. SPD says they are confident in the arrest of Kelvin Lewis as the person responsible for the heinous crime and the investigation is ongoing particularly regarding the involvement of other individuals.

The Nation’s Report Card for 2024 shows that Louisiana students are improving tremendously. In the overall ranking, which considers reading and math scores in 4th and 8th grades, Louisiana has moved from 43rd in the nation to 32nd in just two years. In making the announcement at Magnolia Woods Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry said struggling students made strides that no others anywhere else in the country did.

Cut 3 (10) “…one place, Louisiana.”

Governor Landry said it’s a testament to the leaders who aren’t afraid to try new things to turn Louisiana’s academic achievement around.

It’s that time of year and today Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns and the Department of Revenue is encouraging filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, La-TAP. Commercially available tax preparation software and paper returns by mail are also acceptable. Spokesperson Byron Henderson says those eligible for a refund will get them faster if they file electronically.

Cut 13 (12)  “…eight weeks.”

A traffic stop led to the largest fentanyl pill seizure in St. Tammany Parish last week. STPSO says after observing multiple traffic violations, they pulled an SUV over and found nearly 5 pounds of pressed fentanyl pills concealed in the sunroof area of the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Twan Anthony and passenger 41-year-old Regginald Henry were arrested. Anthony was already on probation for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and Henry was on parole after a conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during his visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something because disasters can be too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Delicious Louisiana Strawberries will be a little late this year. Farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says measures to protect the berries helped the plants but not the berries already on the vine. She says the frigid temps costs them extra and set them back about three weeks.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

She says they will miss out on Valentine’s Day but will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival.

A group of 17 Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Kendrick Lamar is this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.

Tens of thousands of visitors will be coming to New Orleans for the Super Bowl and then Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick had this announcement regarding Mardi Gras parades…

Cut 15 (14) “….make things safer”

Kirkpatrick is confident in their security plan for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

Strawberry farmers are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says they took proactive measures like covering them with cloth. But that only went so far.

Cut 10 (13) “…and protected them.”

But Harris says because they lost a majority of their berries and blooms, it will result in a low supply of Louisiana Strawberries for at least the next three weeks.

Louisiana taxpayers can begin filing their state income tax returns today. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says this year they are asking filers to submit their returns electronically through L-D-R’s Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, also known as La-TAP…

Cut 12 (11) “…account history”

The La-TAP portal can be found on the Department of Revenue’s website.

Seventeen Louisiana legislators are calling for a family friendly Super Bowl halftime show. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges is excited the Super Bowl is in New Orleans but past Super Bowl halftime performances have not been appropriate for children

Cut 5 (09) “…exposed”

The Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and Louisiana Stadium Expo District calling on them to urge the NFL to ensure Super Bowl halftime shows reflect family-friendly values.

Steel wedge barriers have been installed in the French Quarter ahead of the Super Bowl. It’s too keep vehicles off Bourbon Street. NOPD Superintendent Anee Kirkpatrick says the NFL is also bringing in barriers of their own…

Cut 13 (09) “…harden target”

The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There’s the potential for severe thunderstorms tomorrow in Louisiana. The National Weather Service says a cold front will have the potential to produce strong to severe storms across a large portion of our state. The primary threats will be damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.

Seventeen members of the Louisiana Legislature are threatening to pull funding from the Superdome if the Super Bowl halftime show is not “family friendly.” Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the state has spent at least 5 million dollars for economic development initiatives related to the Super Bowl and they do not want children subjected to performers wearing very little clothing or doing sexually suggestive gestures…

Cut 6 (12) “…innocence of children”

Kendrick Lamar is the star of this year’s Halftime performance.

President Donald Trump has suggested it might be time to eliminate FEMA. He’s at least looking at revamping the federal disaster response agency. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says FEMA is far from perfect, but there still needs to be something like FEMA to assist states…

Cut 8 (07) “….could get better”

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Buc-ee’s has bought the property where they’ll build one of their supersized gas stations and convenience stores in Ruston. Mayor Ronny Walker told the Lincoln Parish Journal that construction will begin in about two months on the roads and infrastructure along the I-20 Tarbutton Road Interchange.

Several legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A big-name candidate for the Saints head coaching job says he doesn’t want the job. Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has pulled his name from consideration.Some say Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as the top candidate to get the job.

Last week’s historic winter storm caused damage to Louisiana’s strawberry crop. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in the Livingston Parish town of Springfield, says they lost 80-percent of the berries and blooms on the plant, but the plants survived. Harris says that means you’ll see fewer Louisiana strawberries at your local grocery store the next few weeks, but they’ll be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival in April. She says this is the second year in a row that strawberry farmers have had to deal with a setback…

Cut 12 (09) “….out of business”

President Trump has floated the idea of abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but for now he’s signed an executive order to review FEMA. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government needs some sort of an agency to help states respond to disasters…

Cut 9 (070 “…federal response”