Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says Republicans are unified and will not approve a 110-billion dollar military aid package for Ukraine and Israel unless the legislation addresses southern border security. Cassidy says since President Biden took office there have been eight-million illegal crossings…

Cut 6 (06) “…not done so”

Democratic leadership in the Senate says this funding for Ukraine is desperately needed and the funding bill should not be tied to extreme immigration proposals.

Republican John Nickelson has won his lawsuit challenging the results of the November 18th Caddo Parish sheriff’s election. He lost the race by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn, a judge has ruled for a new election because of 11 questionable votes. Political analyst Scott Hughes expects Whitehorn to appeal the decision.

Cut 5 (12) “…on this.”

Many Louisiana residents have felt the financial squeeze from rising property insurance rates, and it’s also a problem for school systems. Dannie Garrett, lobbyist for the Louisiana School Board Association, says premiums are going up and funding from the state is not matching the increase…

Cut 8 (11) “…school system.” 
Legislators are expected to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year.

State Transportation will give the next Legislature an opportunity to approve a public-private partnership that would result in the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The current House Transportation Committee rejected the plan, because of its reliance on tolls as a source of funding. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give a new group of legislators a say…

cut 11 (07) “….cost anything”
The deadline has been extended from December 3rd to February first.

Judge Joe Bleich has ordered a new runoff election in the Caddo Sheriff’s race after ruling the results void. Republican candidate John Nickelson challenged the November 18^th outcome after he lost to Democrat Henry Whitehorn by one vote. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says the earliest an election can be held is next spring.

Cut 6 (12) “…local race.”

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator’s term ends June 30^th.

Homeowners in the Bayou State are feeling the pinch of increasing property insurance premiums and so are school districts. Louisiana School Boards Association Lobbyist, Dannie Garrett…

Cut 7 (09) “…money somewhere.”

Garret says expenses associated with school buildings are schools’ second largest expense and insurance rates continue to rise.

State Transportation has extended the deadline for the public-private partnership to widen Interstate 10 and construct a new Calcasieu River Bridge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans swamp fire that contributed to the 168-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Saint John the Baptist Parish plie that killed eight people and injured 63 others nearly a month ago has finally been put out. Officials say the fire drilled into the swamp’s dense soil which had become dry and combustible after weeks of drought.

Insuring Louisiana’s school buildings is becoming a struggle with climbing rate increases. Colleen Crain has the story
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

After a tense debate, the Terrebonne Parish School Board made the difficult decision to close three elementary schools, which will send students, teachers and staff to other schools next school year.

ULM will hold a press conference at 11 AM today to introduce Bryant Vincent as its new football coach.

The state transportation department has pushed back the deadline for executing the public-private partnership for widening Interstate 10 in Lake Charles including the construction of a new two-point-one billion dollar bridge. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz…
Cut 10 (08) “…this project.”
The project needs legislative approval and the House Transportation Committee voted against it as several lawmakers objected to use of tolls. The new legislature will have until February 1st to vote on the proposal.

Earlier this year Niagara Bottling announced plans to build a 160-million dollar production facility in Ponchatoula. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Regine Williams says Niagara Bottling is holding a job fair today and tomorrow in Hammond as they plan to create 70 new jobs…
cut 14 (04) “…hiring event”
It takes place today until 3:30 PM at Chappapeela Sports Park in Hammond and then again tomorrow from 8 AM until 1:30 PM.

Judge Joe Bleich has ordered a new election in the Caddo Sheriff’s race. Teiko Foxx reports Republican John Nickelson challenged the election after losing by one vote…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will hear a sexual abuse lawsuit against the Diocese of Lafayette that claims the church knew Reverend Kenneth Morvant acted inappropriately with altar boys. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 by Doug Bienvenu who says he was abused when he was nine years old. Morvant died in 2002.

Property insurance premiums are rising for many homeowners and the same goes for school systems. Louisiana School Board Association lobbyist Dannie Garrett says some districts have seen a 30 to 50-percent increase in year-to-year property insurance costs, but state funding for schools has been relatively flat…
cut 9 (06) “….per pupil”

A plan to use public and private dollars, including toll money, to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is still alive as a new deadline of February first has been set for legislative approval. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give the new administration and Legislature a chance to weigh in…
cut 12 (10) “….path forward”
Southwest Louisiana legislators oppose the idea of using tolls to pay for a new bridge.

Republican John Nickelson has won his lawsuit challenging the results of the November 18th Caddo Parish sheriff’s election. Nickelson lost the race by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn, but a judge has ruled a new election should take place because there were 11 questionable votes counted….
cut 4 (12) “…vote margin”
Political analyst Scott Hughes says unless the ruling is overturned on appeal, the re-do election will take place in March.

The state department of transportation will give the next Legislature an opportunity to approve a public-private partnership that would result in the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The current House Transportation Committee rejected the plan, because of its reliance on tolls as a source of funding. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says they want to give a new group of legislators a say…
cut 11 (07) “….cost anything”
The deadline has been extended from December 3rd to February first.

Many Louisiana residents have felt the financial squeeze from rising property insurance rates, it’s also a growing problem for school systems. Dannie Garrett is a lobbyist for the Louisiana School Board Association and he says premiums are going up and funding from the state is not matching the increase in insurance cost…
cut 8 (11) “…school system”
Legislators are expected to address the state’s property insurance crisis next year.

In partnership with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Niagara Bottling is hosting a two-day hiring event, today and tomorrow in Hammond. Regine Williams with the LWC says they are looking to hire employees for their new water bottling plant in Ponchatoula.
Cut 13 (09) “…and more.”
Last January Niagara Bottling announced plans to invest up to 160-million dollars on a new production facility near Hammond.

A judge calls for a new sheriff’s election in Caddo Parish after Republican John Nickelson challenged the results when he lost the run-off and recount by one vote to Democrat Henry Whitehorn. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says the judge identified at least 11 illegal votes.

Cut 4 (13) “…vote margin.”

The election, if not appealed, will be held in March.

State Police have arrested 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen after the fatal hit-and-run crash that killed 66-year-old cyclist Henry Savoie of Larose last week. Trooper Ross Brennan says the crash happened on LA Highway 1 in Lafourche Parish. Nguyen is charged with hit and run driving with serious injury or death…

Cut 10 (06) “…of the crash”  

Savoie died over the weekend.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says a decision has yet to be made if quarterback Jayden Daniels will play in the Tigers bowl game on New Year’s Day in Tampa against Wisconsin. Daniels is a likely top-ten pick in the 2024 NFL draft and Kelly says the Heisman finalist understands the pros and cons of playing in one more college game…

Cut 15 (15) “…both sides of it.”

=The University of Louisiana Monroe has named Bryant Vincent as their new head football coach. Vincent most recently served as Offensive Coordinator at the University of New Mexico and before that he was the interim head coach at UAB in 2022. ULL will hold a press conference Wednesday at 11 AM to officially welcome him to the Warhawk family.

Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice E. Joseph Bleich has declared the November Caddo Parish sheriff’s run-off election void and ordered a new run-off. Bleich’s ruling in the Lawsuit filed by candidate, John Nickelson who lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote states, “it was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted” and it is “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.” Whitehorn’s team is expected to appeal they have has until 9:56 AM Friday.

Three separate house fires have claimed the lives of three people in 2 different Louisiana parishes in the last 2 days. The State Fire Marshall spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are investigating the 3, one in St. Tammany.

Cut 14 …accident there

For fire safety tips and information about the Fire Marshall’s Operation Save a Live program visit lasfm.org

The Louisiana Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews are assembling a trestle bridge to be used during construction of the new Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. She says it’s a design-build project so larger parts of the development may not be seen for some time…

Cut 8 (08) “…great sign.” 

The entire project is expected to be completed in around five years.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a more than $13 million grant to help fight childhood obesity among minorities and those in rural communities. Associate Professor Amanda Staiano says the grant will allow them to find the best approach to deliver their 26-hour evidence-based obesity program.

Cut 3 (09) “…time period.”

There will be a new run-off election for Caddo Parish sheriff as the November 18 run-off election has been declared void. Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice E. Joseph Bleich made the ruling in the election lawsuit filed by Caddo Parish sheriff candidate, John Nickelson who lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote. The ruling states, “it was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted” and it is “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.” Whitehorn’s team is expected to appeal this decision.

State Police have arrested a teenager driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash that occurred last week involving a bicyclist in Lafourche Parish. Trooper Ross Brennan says while Troopers were at the scene of the crash, 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen went to a sheriff’s sub station where she was interviewed about her involvement in the crash. Brennan says Nguyen should have contacted authorities immediately

Cut 11 (07) “…here”

Drivers who travel across the Jimmie Davis Bridge in Shreveport connecting Caddo and Bossier Parishes will notice activity at the base of the bridge. Teiko Foxx explains….

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Three people have died in three separate house fires in Louisiana over the last two days. Two of the fatal fires were in Avoyelles Parish. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first fatal fire that occurred in Avoyelles occurred in the southern part of the parish…

Cut 12 (08)  “…inside”  

State Police have arrested a teenager driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash that occurred last week involving a bicyclist in Lafourche Parish. Trooper Ross Brennan says 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen was traveling north on LA Highway one when she struck 66-year-old Henry Savoie of Larose

Cut 9 (10) “…that vehicle” 

Savoie died over the weekend from his injuries.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has started preliminary site work for the new $361 million dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers may notice workers clearing debris and vegetation near the foot of the bridge.

Cut 6 (08) “…extensive.”

Buchanan says major construction on the four-lane bridge is still about a year away as design work continues

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a grant of more than $13 million to find the best way to help childhood obesity in minority and rural communities.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thoringotn.” 

The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating 2 fires in the last 12 hours involving fatalities. Firefighters battled a house fire in Cottonport around 8:30 Monday evening and later found a male victim inside. Around 8:30 Tuesday morning, firefighters responded to another house fire in Marksville and later found a male victim inside the house.

State Transportation has started preliminary site work for the $361 million project to build a new Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the design phase also includes transforming the existing structure into a linear park.

Cut 7 (10) “…each side.” 

Major construction on the four-lane bridge is still about a year away.

It’s official as LSU’s Jayden Daniels was named a Heisman Finalist last night. The biggest argument against Daniels receiving the award is the three losses suffered by the Tigers this season. But Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says….
cut 15 (09) “…out there”
The other finalists are Oregon’s Bo Nix, Washington’s Michael Penix Junior, and Ohio State s Marvin Harrison Junior. The award will be handed out on Saturday.

Concordia Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested seven people involved in the beating of a woman who was held against her will for a night inside a residence. Authorities say the victim escaped and got help at a pharmacy in Vidalia. Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Brandy Spears, says authorities are still searching for one person, 23-year-old Dustin Wright of Vidalia…
cut 9 (03) “….white male”

The woman escaped the next day and was able to identify the suspects ranging in ages from 23 to 43.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a more than $13 million grant to help fight childhood obesity among minorities and those in rural communities. Associate Professor Amanda Staiano says the grant will allow them to find the best approach to deliver their 26-hour evidence-based obesity program.

Cut 5 (11) “ …of families.”