Severe weather has hammered northwest Louisiana and is responsible for thousands of customers being without power. And SWEPCO spokesperson Michelle Marcotte says estimated restoration times have changed due to the latest round of weather…

Cut 11 (06) ” …here in Louisiana.”

Weather permitting, she says crews will continue restoration efforts.

Political consultant Mary Patricia Wray says Governor Landry’s first regular legislative session was a successful one. Despite some of his bills being watered down or not passing, for example, the Education Savings Account and constitutional convention, respectively. But she gives the governor credit for taking on several big issues.

Cut 13 (09) “…pretty notable.” 

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office. Gonzales Senator Ed Price questioned River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot who said reporters outside of Louisiana can work with in-state media to make requests.

Cut 3 (15) “..that information.” 

In preparations for Super Bowl 59 that will be played at the Superdome on February 9, 2025, Governor Landry says he wants to tackle public safety for New Orleans…

Cut 8 (06)  “…in the country.” 

The governor also says DOTD infrastructure projects to be completed for the big game will last far beyond the NFL Championship and benefit the Crescent City.

The 2024 legislative session yielded some big wins for social conservatives. Legislation requiring classrooms to post the Ten Commandments and reclassifying two abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances are among the major bills to pass. But political consultant Mary Patricia Wray says both measures will likely face court challenges

Cut 12 (02) “…litigated.” 

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot who carried this bill for the governor on the Senate floor says other states also have a similar law.

Cut 4 (12) “…seen it.” 

During discussion on the Senate floor, it was pointed out that the governor’s office is receiving an additional one million dollars to hire more lawyers to work on public records requests.

Estimated restoration times for SWEPCO customers have changed due to the latest weather. Some areas are expected to be restored today if weather permits. Spokesperson Michelle Marcotte

Cut 9 (12) “…flooding.” 

Residents are urged to stay away from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards.

Governor Jeff Landry is in New Orleans as the city gears up for Super Bowl 59 that will be played in the Superdome February 9^th, 2025. In anticipation of the event, Landry says the city will be improving infrastructure that will have benefits reaching years into the future.

Cut 7 (11) “…post Superbowl.”  

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office. Gonzales Senator Ed Price questioned River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot

Cut 3 (15) “..that information.” 

Damaging Severe weather in Northwest Louisiana has wreaked havoc on SWEPCO’s energy delivery system. SWEPCO spokesperson Michelle Marcotte…

Cut 10 (10) “…with our lines.”

Crews are working as fast as they can, but more storms are forecast for the area.

Governor Jeff Landry is in New Orleans today with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser to talk about getting the state ready for Super Bowl LIX (59) on February 9, 2025 for a record tying 11th time with Miami, Florida.  Landry says New Orleans is ready.

Cut 6  (07) “…city of New Orleans. ” 

LSU baseball comes up short in its bid to repeat as national champions. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

In the final hours of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill that only allows Louisiana residents to make a public records request with the governor’s office.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In preparations for Super Bowl 59 that will be played at the Superdome on February 9, 2025.Governor Landry says he wants to tackle public safety for the city…

Cut 8 (06)  “…in the country.” 

Severe weather in Northwest Louisiana caused additional damage to SWEPCO’s energy delivery system. They are reporting more than 13,000 without power. SWEPCO spokesperson Michelle Marcotte.

Cut 9 (12) “…flooding.” 

LSU’s season ended last night with a crushing four-to-three loss in ten innings to North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional. Coach Jay Johnson didn’t want to see the season end…
Cut 16 (11) “…Super Regional at home.”
The Tar Heels scored the tying run in the ninth inning and UNC took the lead in the tenth inning after right fielder Jake Brown dropped a fly ball to let the go-ahead run get on second base.

Governor Jeff Landry says New Orleans is gearing up for Super Bowl 59 that will be played in the Superdome February 9^th, 2025. In anticipation of the event, Landry says the city will be improving infrastructure that will have benefits reaching years into the future.

Cut 7 (11) “…post Superbowl.”  

A 90-day regular legislative session ended last night. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers approved property insurance reform legislation, Governor Jeff Landry got more control, but his push to hold a constitutional convention this year failed…
Cut 24 (12) “…going anywhere.”

But he says a special session could be called to hold a Constitutional Convention.

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office. During discussion on the Senate floor, it was pointed out that the governor’s office is receiving an additional one million dollars to hire more lawyers to work on public records requests. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says the office is getting inundated with public records requests and many ask for an enormous amount of detail…

Cut 5 (13)  “… Louisiana citizens.”

Talbot says other states also have a similar law

Governor Jeff Landry is in New Orleans talking about the state preparing for Super Bowl LIX (59).

Cut 6  (07) “…city of New Orleans. ” 

That game will be played on February 9, 2025.

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says other states also have a similar law and he carried this bill for the governor on the Senate floor…

Cut 4 (12) “…seen it.” 

During discussion on the Senate floor, it was pointed out that the governor’s office is receiving an additional one million dollars to hire more lawyers to work on public records requests.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill banning unauthorized cell phones on school grounds heads to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk to be signed after unanimous approval by the State Senate. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

The state senate confirmed Kenneth Loftin as Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice. Loftin, who previously helmed the Ware Youth Center, came under fire after accusations that staff at Ware abused children. “The New York Times” published an article about it in 2022.

Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislative session ended last night. Council for a Better Louisiana President, Barry Erwin says a big win for the governor was the passage of the Gator Scholarship Program. Erwin says the program will be smaller in scale and…

Cut 6 (11) “…accounts.”

It’s set to begin for the 25-26 school year.

A bill to prohibit out-of-state journalists from requesting public records from the governor’s office passed. Gonzales Senator Ed Price questioned River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot who said reporters outside of Louisiana can work with in-state media to make the request

Cut 3 (15) “..that information.” 

Talbot says other states also have a similar law.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill that would ban cell phones from classrooms heads to Governor Jeff Landry’s desk to be signed. Mizell says there are options for schools to determine how phones will be stored but no matter the method used, positive results will be achieved.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their hand.”

If signed the bill would go into effect in the 2024-2025 school year.

Judges in Louisiana will have the option to sentence those who commit sex crimes against children to surgical castration, in addition to prison time. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow told Denham Spring Senator Valerie Hodges that far too often perpetrators are repeat offenders.

Cut 13 (10)  “…doing it again.”

The surgical castration option would apply if the victim is under the age of 13.

State Police is investigating a shooting in Crowley yesterday afternoon where two Acadia Parish Sheriff deputies sustained non-life-threatening injuries and a subject also sustained a non-life-threatening injury. No other information has been released at this time.

Judges in Louisiana will soon have the option to sentence those who commit sexual crimes against a child under the age of 13 to surgical castration in addition to prison time. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Hundreds of bills from the regular legislative session made to the governor’s desk, including a bill that prohibits students using their cell phone while in the classroom. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says they will leave it up to school systems to determine where the children will store their phones when they are in the classroom…
cut 11 (12) “…really cool system”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state will not have a float in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New Orleans. Nungesser says the appearance is not worth the cost, but the state saw a 28-million dollar return on a one-million dollar investment to have a float in the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Nungesser says they are also looking for volunteers to decorate the float in the Rose Parade…
cut 8 (12) “…all volunteers”
Go to explore-Louisiana-dot com for more information on decorating the float.

LSU’s season ended last night with a crushing four-to-three loss in ten innings to North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional. Coach Jay Johnson didn’t want to see the season end…
Cut 16 (11) “…Super Regional at home.”
The Tar Heels scored the tying run in the ninth inning and UNC took the lead in the tenth inning after right fielder Jake Brown dropped a fly ball to let the go-ahead run get on second base.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state will not have a float in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float is designed to promote tourism in Louisiana, but Nungesser says the float went by so quick during the television broadcast, it’s not worth it. But Nungesser says they will continue to have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California…
cut 9 (05) “…this float”

The 2024 regular legislative session came to a close last night. Lawmakers approved hundreds of bills, including property insurance reform legislation. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it remains to be seen if less regulations on insurers will lead to more companies writing policies in Louisiana….
cut 5 (11) “…pretty significant’

On the final day of the regular session, legislators approved a bill that would give judges the option of a sentence that includes surgical castration to a person convicted of sexually abusing a person under the age of 13. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, says such crimes against children are inexcusable…
cut 14 (12) “…a baby”
If signed into law, the bill would take effect on August first.

A 90-day regular legislative session ended last night. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers approved property insurance reform legislation, Governor Jeff Landry got more control, but his push to hold a constitutional convention this year failed…
Cut 4 (12) “…going anywhere.”
Legislators also approved the Gator Scholarship Program that could one day lead to families of many different income levels accessing public dollars to pay for private school tuition.

The LSU baseball season also ended last night with a four to three defeat to North Carolina in ten innings. A dropped fly ball by Jake Brown in the tenth inning led to the go ahead run scoring. Senior right-hander Will Hellmers threw 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball in the best outing of his LSU career…
cut 17 (17) “…absolutely”
A win for the Tigers last night and they would have hosted a super regional series against West Virginia this weekend.

On the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers approved legislation that would give judges the option to order surgical castration of a convicted sex offender who sexually abuses someone under the age of 13. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says when someone violates a child, it’s something that child must deal with for the rest of their life and she believes surgical castration should be an option, because…
Cut 15 (03) “…very severe.”
If signed by the governor, the bill would take effect August 1st.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to ban cell phones in the classroom will go into effect this year if signed by the governor. Mizell says teachers have said their students are distracted by their cell phone…
cut 12 (06) “…their phone”
Mizell says school districts will develop their own rules on where the cell phone will be stored during instructional time.

More severe weather is possible today for north Louisiana after a round of storms knocked out power to thousands last night. A flash flood watch is posted for most of the northern half of the state.