One of the goals of the Landry administration in year two is making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts.

Cut 6 (08) “…our government’s budget.”

McFarland says more red tape placed on business and industry will also cost more money to enforce.

Thanks to a new initiative, Louisiana State Parks and cultural sites will become more accessible to foster families. State Parks Director Brandon Burris says eligible families will receive a DCRT Foster Caregiver annual day-use pass, granting free entry to Louisiana’s 21 state parks, 14 historic sites, and nine museums for the pass-holder and their guests.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Louisiana has to offer,”

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Scary moments for a New Orleans tour group as its tour bus catches fire in the city’s Treme neighborhood. Two Canadian tourists say they were about 20 minutes into the tour when smoke started coming in from above the driver. The driver let everyone out at the I-10 underpass, just before the bus became engulfed in flames. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

One of the goals in year two of the Landry administration is to make state government run more efficiently. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A man is dead following an argument outside a Convenience Store in Kentwood on Christmas night. Kentwood Police say around 11:00 p.m. Deshawn Roberts and Demarcus Blount argued then Blount allegedly shot Roberts. Roberts was transported to a hospital and later died. Blount has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder.

There’s a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says residents in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles should be weather aware today

Cut 12 (10) “…heavy rain.”

A free pass to visit any of the state’s 21 state parks, 14 historical sites or nine state museums is available to foster care families. Director of the Louisiana Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says the Louisiana State Parks Caregiver pass encourages foster families to enjoy recreational and educational opportunities together.

Cut 11 (08) “…this particular situation.”

According to the latest data, there were fewer than two thousand licensed foster homes in Louisiana in 2023 and on average there are 41-hundred children in the state’s foster care system each day.

A Christmas morning tragedy in in Richland Parish as a house fire claimed the life of an 11-year-old child. When the Rayville Fire Department responded around 9:00 a.m. two people were outside of the house saying a third occupant was still inside. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the victim did not survive. State Fire Marshal deputies say the fire started in the bedroom where the victim was found. The Cause is under investigation.

As year two of the Landry administration begins Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says Louisiana will be trying to do what President-elect Donald Trump is trying to do with the creation of his Department of Government Efficiency, at the state level and one of the issues is licensing and permits

Cut 8 (11) “…more hurdles.”

He says more red tape placed on business and industry will cost more money to enforce.

The State Fire Marshal (SFM) says Lowe’s Home Improvement has donated over 34-thousand 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to their Operation Save-A-Life program. Slidell Store Manager John LeMaster expressed gratitude to the St. Tammany Fire Protection Department for their commitment to community safety.

Cut 5 (14) “…really good day.”

Foster care families can apply for a free pass to visit any of the state’s 21 state parks, 14 historical sites or nine state museums. Director of the Louisiana Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says this was the brainchild of Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

Cut 10 (11) “…we have.”

A hunter was shot this week when another hunter thought they were shooting at a deer. The shooter immediately called for help. East Baton Rouge Parish authorities responded, and the injured person was airlifted to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating the incident and says Both hunters were on private property in Zachary with permission but neither knew the other was there and neither were wearing orange vests as required. The shooter has been charged with not wearing the orange vest and hunting without deer tags.

Foster care families can apply for a free pass to visit any of the state’s 21 state parks, 14 historical sites or nine state museums. Director of the Louisiana Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says they want to give thanks to foster caregivers for their time and extra expenses they put into helping foster care children. He says this imitative also provides foster families with something they can do together…

Cut 9 (07)  “…Louisiana has to offer,”

One of the goals in year two of the Landry administration is to make state government run more efficiently. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Some severe weather could be coming to parts of Louisiana this afternoon and tonight. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says residents in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles should be on the lookout

Cut 13 (12)  “…tomorrow.”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says residents in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles should be weather aware today

Cut 12 (10) “…heavy rain.”

Jacquemin says showers and storms may produce intense rainfall over short durations, potentially causing localized flash flooding.

As it gets set to begin year number two, the Landry administration will focus on making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts. He says contrary to popular belief, the legislature does not get to approve contracts; it only gets to review them. 

Cut 7 (08) “…to fund them.”

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Thanks to a new initiative, Louisiana State Parks and cultural sites will become more accessible to foster families. Eligible families will receive a DCRT Foster Caregiver annual day-use pass, granting free entry to Louisiana’s 21 state parks, 14 historic sites, and nine museums for the pass-holder and his or her guests.

One of the goals of the Landry administration in year two is making state government run more efficiently. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, says one way to accomplish that is by reining in government contracts.

Cut 6 (08) “…our government’s budget.”

McFarland says more red tape placed on business and industry will also cost more money to enforce.

Lowe’s Home Improvement donates more than 34-thousand 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life program. State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams praised the partnership, emphasizing the life-saving impact of smoke alarms.

Cut 4 (05) “…several people’s lives.”

At more than 1-million-dollars, that makes it the largest donation in its history. It was initiated by a Lowe’s store in Slidell.

New laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will be going into effect next Wednesday, when the calendar flips to 2025. For starters, the minimum age to purchase these products goes from 18 to 21, with no grandfather clause for those who are between those ages. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says the state will also be cracking down on companies selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies, so that they are not marketed to children.

Cut 11 (09) “…rather than ambiguity.”

CBD or THC products will also no longer be available at gas stations, except for truck stops.

Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says a fire on Christmas Day has resulted in the death of an 11-year-old child. Investigators say an electrical heater may have been the cause of the blaze. The sheriff’s office is asking the public to pray for the family.

When the calendar flips to 2025 next week, new laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says one of those changes has to do with where you can buy those products.

Cut 12 (13) “…to June 2024.”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs, and each 12-ounce beverage will be limited to five milligrams of THC.

The State Fire Marshal says Lowe’s Home Improvement has donated over 34-thousand, 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms to their Operation Save-A-Life program. State Fire Marshall Bryan Adams says since 2012, over 120-thousand alarms have been installed through the program.

Cut 3 (09) “…working smoke alarm.”

The donation by Lowe’s, valued at more than one-million dollars, is the largest in the Save-A-Life Program’s 12-year history.

Scores of new tax laws go into effect next Wednesday. The state income tax will be reduced to a flat three-percent following a 12,500-dollar standard deduction. Manish Bhatt (BOT), the senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, says a major goal is to reverse the trend of the state having a net loss in population.

Cut 5 (07) “…economic growth.”

The legislature will once again try to rein in soaring auto insurance premiums in their next regular session. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says one of the biggest factors is the cost of litigation.

Cut 14 (14) “…than other states.”

Real Reform Louisiana says limiting drivers’ ability to sue will only benefit the insurance companies and will hurt victims.

New laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will be going into effect next Wednesday, when the calendar flips to 2025. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says starting January 1st, the minimum age to purchase these products goes from 18 to 21, with no grandfather clause for those who are between those ages.

Cut 10 (12) “…doing with alcohol.”

A week from tomorrow, we say goodbye to the 118th Congress and inaugurate the 119th Congress. Senator John Kennedy says one of his priorities in the new session is securing the southern border, restoring policies set forth by former and future President Donald Trump.

Cut 8 (14) “…where they are.”

Next year, the legislature will take another stab at reining in soaring auto insurance premiums. Pollack Representative Gabe Firment, the chairman of the House Insurance Committee, says two things that are NOT factors in our large auto insurance premiums are natural disasters and the conditions of our roads.

Cut 13 (08)  “…not the case.”

Firment points out that Louisiana litigates bodily injury claims at a much higher rate than the national average. Ben Riggs, the executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says limiting drivers’ ability to sue is not the answer. He says a bigger factor is auto insurance companies basing their premiums on credit scores, which he says have nothing to do with whether someone is a good driver or not.

Cut 16 (13) “…premiums in Louisiana.”

Lawmakers either returning to Capitol Hill for the 119th Congress or going there for the first time are honing their agendas for the session that starts a week from tomorrow. That includes Senator John Kennedy, who says one of his priorities is energy independence, saying he thinks Congress will move quickly on policies so that America won’t have to rely on other countries for energy.

Cut 7 (05) “…with our friends.”

Kennedy says he also wants to secure the southern border and to renew the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire.

When the calendar flips to 2025 next week, new laws governing the sale of CBD and THC products will go into effect. Ernest Legier (le-ZHAY), the commissioner of Louisiana alcohol and tobacco control, says one of those changes has to do with where you can buy those products.

Cut 12 (13) “…to June 2024.”

Lawmakers are honing their agendas in advance of the 119th Congress that gets underway a week from tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather today for most of north, central and southwest Louisiana. There’s another slight risk for strong storms on Saturday for most of the state. The Mega Millions jackpot on Friday night is an estimated one-point-15 billion dollars. It would be the fifth largest jackpot in the game’s history.

New THC regulations go into effect on January first. Starting in 2025, the age to purchase hemp-THC products will go up from 18 to 21 and THC products will also no longer be sold in gas stations. Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says the state will also crack down on selling THC-laced gummies in packages that resemble those of popular candies…

Cut 11 (09) “…rather than ambiguity”

Also, THC-laced beverages will only be allowed to be sold in no more than four-packs.

Expect Louisiana lawmakers to look at passing legislation next year to lower auto insurance rates. But executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, Ben Riggs, says combating the rising cost to fix vehicles, makes it difficult for legislators to come up with a solution….

Cut 15 (13) “….more to replace”

It remains to be seen if there will be a special session devoted to insurance reform for auto and homeowners.