U-S District Judge Shelly Dick ruled the congressional map the Louisiana Legislature approved in 2022 violates the Voting Rights Act, because only one of the six districts provides an avenue for a Black candidate to get elected.

U S House Speaker Mike Johnson says there should be a full blown trial on Louisiana’s current map, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says they have to follow Judge Dick’s order to draw a new map by January 30th…

Cut 10 (10) “…my remedies” 

Nicholls State University has received a $3-million donation, the largest in the school’s history. Nicholls’ spokesperson Jerad David says the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation commitment will be used to construct a new College of Business Administration.

Cut 4 (11) “…Business Administration.”

Louisiana is looking at warmer temperatures up to the mid-60s Thursday but Montra Lockwood with the National Weather Service Lake Charles says another cold snap rolling in Friday will drop temperatures into the 20s again for North Louisiana by Saturday morning but as far as snow and freezing rain, Lockwood says…

Cut 8 (10) “…next week.” 

Lockwood says warmer weather, up into the 60s is coming next week.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson believes Louisiana’s current Congressional map is constitutional and the state legislature should not approve a new map with two Black majority districts. But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the state has exhausted all of its legal avenues…
Cut 9 (10) “…map”
Governor Jeff Landry is backing a map that makes Republican Garret Graves’ sixth district the second Black voting district. Catahoula Parish Senator Glen Womack is the author of the map and he says it protects Speaker Johnson and majority leader Steve Scalise…
cut 13 (09) “….Washington D-C”
The senate is expected to vote on this map this afternoon.

The Bayou State is coming out of a deep freeze but don’t put away your hats and gloves just yet.
cut 6 (09) “….on Friday”
That’s Montra Lockwood with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says who says high temperatures on Saturday will be back in the upper 30s for north Louisiana, and lows will be in the upper 20s for south Louisiana.

Nicholls State University has received a $3-million donation, which is the largest in the school’s history. Nicholls’ spokesperson Jerad David says the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation commitment will be used to construct a new College of Business Administration.
Cut 3 (12) “…State University.”
David says Al Danos was always a big fan and supporter of the university

A Senate committee approves a congressional map backed by Governor Landry that drastically changes Congressman Garret Graves district. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 3 (43) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The senate convenes at 1 PM today and a vote on this proposal could happen this afternoon.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a closed-party primary bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s proposal would shift, federal, statewide, and certain judicial elections from a jungle primary to closed-party primaries. New Orleans Democrat Candace Newell says the Legislature should not rush to do this
Cut 7 (12) “…dedicate to it.”
Governor Jeff Landry wants lawmakers to pass this legislation during the current special session which ends next Tuesday.

Opponents also raised concerns that Independents will be disenfranchised because they can’t vote in the primaries. But Emerson says that’s not accurate…
Cut 8 (12) “…party.”
The proposal was approved by the House Governmental Affairs and the full House could vote on the measure this afternoon.

A proposed Congressional map with two majority black districts could receive a vote on the Senate floor this afternoon. The proposal, which has the support of Governor Jeff Landry, would make Congressman Garret Graves’ sixth district a second majority Black district by stretching it from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Julia Letlow’s district would also stretch from Monroe to Baton Rouge. Graves calls it a crazy proposal, because to be an effective Congressman you have to represent a region…
cut 18 (08) “…these communities”
Cataholua Parish Senator Glen Womack is the author of the map and he says it protects U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson of Bossier Parish and majority leader Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish
cut 13 (09) “….Washington D-C”
But Speaker Johnson is concerned a second Black congressional district will threaten Republicans slim majority in the U-S House. Johnson believes the current map is constitutional and there should be a federal trial on the merits of the current map.

The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael after 18 seasons with the organization, 15 as the offensive coordinator….
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Beau Gaspard”

Louisiana Tech is looking for a new athletics director as Eric Wood is leaving after three plus years for a job with the Ole Miss athletic Department. La Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson will lead the search for a new A-D…
cut 17 (10) “….towards that vision”

It’s the second full day of the special session and some big votes are expected today on the House and Senate floors. The House meets at noon and they could take up a proposal that will shift federal, statewide and some judicial elections to closed party primaries. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says closed party primaries put Republicans and Democrats in control of which candidate appears on the general election ballot…
cut 9 (11) “….nominee”

The full Senate is expected to vote on a new Congressional District map that would make Congressman Garret Graves district a second Black majority district by stretching it from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. Graves believes the state legislature should take the current map and demand a trial in federal court on whether its constitutional…
cut 12 (13) “…..incredibly premature”
U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson agrees, but Governor Jeff Landry believes the map proposed in the Senate should be the state’s new Congressional map.

Big changes went down with the Saints coaching staff yesterday as Pete Carmichael was fired after 15 years as the team’s offensive coordinator. Locked on Saints Podcast host Ross Jackson says quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry could get promoted, but there are also quality candidates outside of the organization
cut 6 (14) “…Minnesota Vikings”
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is expected to speak with reporters today.

After three-plus years as Louisiana Tech’s athletic director, Eric Wood, is leaving Ruston for a position in Ole Miss’s athletic department. Louisiana Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson says Wood was instrumental in the post-tornado recovery and reconstruction and oversaw championships in baseball, softball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. He says student-athletes also broke several academic records too…
cut 16 (10) “…proud of them”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that will shift federal, statewide and some judicial elections from open primaries to closed party primaries. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio spoke against the proposal. He says voters didn’t like closed party primaries for federal elections in 2008 and 2010 and state legislators did away with it…
cut 10 (07) “….rid of it”
Opponents also say independents will be disenfranchised, because they can not vote in a closed party primary. But Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says they will be able to vote in the general election…
cut 8 (12) “….party”
The measure was approved on 11 to 4 vote and heads to the House floor for another key vote.

The congressional map redesign Governor Jeff Landry supports in the special session, Senate Bill 8, makes drastic changes to Congressman Garret Graves’s district and the Baton Rouge Republican is not happy about it. The proposal would make the sixth district the second Black majority district and it extends from Baton Rouge to Caddo Parish. Graves says…
Cut 11 (10) “…State of Louisiana.”
U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson also opposes the map, but it received the approval of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and the full Senate could take up the proposal this afternoon.

The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, change felt inevitable according to the host of the Locked On Saints podcast Ross Jackson…
Cut 4 (12) “…offensive system.”

We’re waking up to some cold temperatures. In Oak Grove it’s eight degrees, temperatures are in the low teens along I-20 and into Alexandria and upper teens along I-10. But we will see temperatures get above freezing today.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill to move Louisiana from a jungle primary system to a closed party primaries. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves a Congressional district map that has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. Catahoula Parish Senator Glen Womack says his proposed map creates two majority minority districts, protects Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who serves on the Appropriations and Ag Committees and…
cut 14 (11) “…of Louisiana”
Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves’s district would turn into the second majority minority district. The full Senate takes up the proposal next.

Pete Carmichael is out as Saints offensive coordinator. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says a change had to happen, after two consecutive inconsistent seasons on offense…
cut 5 (13) “…improve here”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a closed party primary bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s proposal would shift, federal, statewide and certain judicial elections from a jungle primary system to a closed party primary. New Orleans Democrat Candace Newell says this is a big change and legislators should not rush this…
Cut 7 (12) “…dedicate to it”
Opponents also raised concerns that Independents will be disenfranchised because they can’t vote in the primaries. But Emerson says that’s not accurate…
Cut 8 (12) “…party.”
The proposal passed on an 11-to-4 vote and heads to the House floor.

The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Carmichael was the offensive coordinator for the last 15 seasons and he’s been with the franchise for 18 years. After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, change felt inevitable according to the host of the Locked On Saints podcast Ross Jackson.
Cut 4 (12) “.. offensive system”

Louisiana Tech’s Athletic Director is heading to Ole Miss. After serving the university for three years marked by some major challenges, Dr. Eric Wood will become a Senior Deputy AD at Ole Miss. Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson says Wood will be missed
Cut 15 (11) “…in the classroom”
A search for a new A-D at Tech is underway.

Saints long time offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael was let go today after spending 18 years with the Black and Gold. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says that the Saints are spending most of their time looking outside of the organization for his replacement.

Cut 6 (11) “… in the NFL.”

The Saints have also let go of Senior Offensive Assistant Bob Bicknell and Wide Receivers Coach Kodi Burns.

—

In the 2024 NFL playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be moving on as Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes in the Buccaneers 32-9 win over the fifth seeded Eagles. One of those touchdown passes went to former Kentwood star Trey Palmer.

—

And in LSU baseball news, the Tigers are 4th in the opening 2024 D1 Baseball Preseason Poll. The Tigers are only behind Wake Forest, Florida, and Arkansas and are scheduled to play 19 games in the 2024 regular season against Preseason top 25 teams.

—

An influential factor in the Mavericks 125 to 120 win against New Orleans yesterday was the play of Dallas Center Dereck Lively II who had a big night with 12 rebounds. Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green says that most of Lively’s rebounds were during big moments and created key opportunities for the Mavs.

Cut 18 (23) “ … back out.”

The Pelicans will host the Hornets tomorrow with tipoff at 7pm.

—

McNeese is now in first place in the Southland conference after their 88 to 69 win over Lamar last night and with the success of this season the university is now receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in program history. Nicholls also defeated their Southland opponent, UNO, 78 to 75 last night.

At the special session, the first map to receive approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee is a redesign of the seven-district Louisiana Supreme Court district map. Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeal John Michael Gray spoke in favor of the map

Cut  14 (14) “..re-election”

There is also a proposal to add two more districts to the Louisiana Supreme Court map to increase voting power in the Shreveport-Bossier area.

The frigid temperatures are causing problems with some water treatment facilities and several communities across Louisiana are under boil advisories. The town of Vivian, the Village of Elizabeth, Junction community and all customers served by Beauregard Parish Waterworks District 6, Basile, and Oberlin are currently advised to boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for a full one minute then allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. Authorities recommend boiling water before consuming it, making ice, brushing teeth and rinsing anything that will be consumed. If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, check with water provider.

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says Because elevated roads and bridges ice over first, DOTD crews in conjunction with State Police worked throughout the day and overnight…

Cut 4 (10) “…US-51.”

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge…

Cut 9 (12) “…events yesterday.”