The state is waking up to bitterly cold temperatures this morning and lots of wind. In South Louisiana temperatures are in the low 20s with a wind chill making it feel like 13 degrees. North Louisiana is in the low teens with feels like temps of -4. There will be plenty of sunshine today but temperatures are not slated to get above freezing.

The state Office of Community Development wants homeowners impacted by the hurricanes of 2020 and 2021 to know they can apply for federal aid through the Restore Louisiana Homeowners Assistance Program. O.C.D. director Pat Forbes says this especially applies to folks in southwestern Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (08) “…we do have it now.”
You can apply online at restore.la.gov or call 866-735-2001.

The State’s Tourism Office will bring some Christmas cheer to residents displaced from last week’s tornados. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they offered temporary housing to residents who lost their homes in the form of travel trailers located in state parks…:
Cut 7 (09) “their kids”

US Senator Bill Cassidy is sharing his priorities in Congress for 2023, which include efforts to make the National Flood Insurance Program more affordable…:
CUT 5 (05) “program”
He also says he’ll redouble his efforts to get more money for coastal protection.

LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels announces he will be returning to Death Valley for his redshirt Senior season. The Arizona St. transfer helped lead the Tigers to an SEC West Championship with over 3,500 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns on only 3 interceptions in his first season at LSU. Daniels and Coach Brian Kelly will look to build on their hot starts next season, but first the Tigers have an upcoming date with Purdue in the Citrus Bowl. Kelly says the team has continued preparations amidst the NFL Draft, transfer portal, and recruiting chaos and plans to take the team to Orlando a week early…

Cut 18

LSU signed 25 recruits on the first day of the early signing period yesterday. The Tigers boast the 6th ranked recruiting class in the nation and are one of three finalists to land 5-star cornerback Desmond Ricks. Ricks makes his decision today at 5:30

The Pelicans will host the Spurs tonight as they hope to get out of their 4 game skid. After winning 7 in a row to become the number one team in the West, the Pels have lost their last 4 straight. They’ll look to bounce back against a struggling San Antonio team, but they’ll be without their leading scorers. Zion Williamson was placed in NBA health and safety protocols, and Coach Willie Green announced Wednesday Brandon Ingram’s return won’t be until next week at the earliest. Tip-off in the smoothie King Center is tonight at 7:00

The LSU Men’s Basketball team won a close game against East Tennessee in the P-MAC last night. KJ Williams had an impressive 28-point 12-rebound Double-double, and  the 72-68 victory makes the Tigers 10-1 on the season as they prepare to begin SEC play next week. The men’s 10-1 record and the women’s undefeated 12-0 record give LSU the best combined basketball record in the country at 22-1 ahead of the Christmas break.

UL-Lafayette suffered a 100-72 loss in Austin last night to seventh-ranked Texas. The Cajuns still sit atop the Sun-Belt at 10-2 and will return to action next Thursday against Coastal Carolina.

LSU signed 25 players out of high school on the first day of the early signing period. Ten are from Louisiana and 21 of the 25 are from SEC states. Kelly and his staff are not done. The Tigers are expected to receive a signed national letter of intent today from five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks and then announce 10 transfers on Friday. Kelly says he will only use the transfer portal to supplement his roster…
cut 17 (23) “….have a plan”
Kelly announced during his radio show that Ali Gaye will not play in the Citrus Bowl. So Mekhi Wingo is the only regular starter on the D-Line that will play in the game.
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The Pelicans will look to snap a four-game losing streak tonight without Zion Williamson as he will not play because he’s been placed in health and safety protocols. Zion is averaging 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists a game and has helped New Orleans to an 18-and-12 record.

In college hoops last night, LSU edged out East Tennessee State 72-68. K-J Williams had 28 points and 12 rebounds. The Tigers next game is the SEC opener at home against Arkansas on Wednesday.

Louisiana Tech ended a three-game losing streak with a 108-52 victory over Jarvis Christian. The Bulldogs will host U-T-S-A a week from tonight. 7th ranked Texas trounced the Cajuns 100-72 and third-ranked Houston handled McNeese 83-44.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was selected to the NFC’s Pro Bowl Team Wednesday night, the first time in his outstanding 11-year career he’s earned the honor. The Saints will leave today for Cleveland and will play the Browns on Saturday.

LSU signed 25 new recruits during the first day of the early signing period yesterday. LSU commit four-star cornerback Daylen Austin flipped his commitment to Oregon, but the Tigers were able to flip Vanderbilt-commit tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton giving LSU a much-needed three tight ends in the 2023 class. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says recruiting takes a village…:
Cut 16 (16) “graduate champions”
According to 247Sports, LSU’s impressive hunt of players ranks No. 6 in the nation.

Coach Brian Kelly announced on his radio show last night that senior defensive end Ali Gaye will not play in the Citrus Bowl on January 2nd. Kelly also confirmed junior defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy will not play in the game as he declared for the NFL draft.

The LSU Men’s Basketball team was able to hold off an East Tennessee State second half rally to win 72-68 Wednesday night in the PMAC. The Tigers are now 11-1 on the season and open SEC play on Wednesday, December 28th against Arkansas.

Also in men’s hoops, Louisiana Tech clobbered Jarvis Christian Wednesday 108-52. Tulane prevailed over Mississippi Valley State 84-63. Southeastern beat Southern 80-62. McNeese State fell to Houston 83-42. UL-Lafayette lost to Texas 100-72.

The New Orleans Pelicans will face San Antonio tonight and they’ll do it without forward Zion Williamson who ESPN reports has been placed in the league’s health and safety protocols. The Pels are 18-12 and in third place in the Western Conference. New Orleans will also be without forward Brandon Ingram for at least two more games, coach Willie Green said earlier Wednesday.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was selected to the NFC’s Pro Bowl Team Wednesday night, the first time in his outstanding 11-year career he’s earned the honor.

A three-day early signing period for high school recruits began today. LSU is already on the verge of a top 5 signing class. On3.com ranks the tiger’s class featuring defensive backs cornerback Daylen Austin and safeties Javien Toviano and Kylie Jackson 7th in the nation. On3.com’s Shea Dixon says LSU has a shot at signing five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks…

Cut 16

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team celebrates a massive 108-52 victory over Jarvis Christian earlier today. With the win, the Bulldogs advance to 7-5 on the season.

The LSU men’s basketball team will return to action tonight against East Tennessee in their final game before the Christmas break and SEC play. Tiger’s coach Matt McMahon wants better perimeter defense from a team that’s allowed 18 threes over the last two games…

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The Tigers are currently 10- on the season and Joe Lunardi’s bracketology has them on the bubble for making this year’s NCAA tournament. Tip-off in the P-MAC is set for 7:00 tonight

UL-Lafayette will visit 7th-ranked Texas tonight as the Sun-Belt leading Cajuns look to establish themselves on the national stage.

UNO faces number-one-ranked Purdue in West Lafayette at 8:00 tonight.

Today is the first day of the early signing period for college football recruits. Recruiting analyst Shea Dixon with on3-dot-com says the Tigers head into today with the seventh best recruiting class…
cut 18 (17) “….up well”
The class features one five-star prospect, Neville offensive tackle Zalance Heard.

LSU is also busy in the transfer portal as three defensive linemen have announced their commitment to the Tigers. Arizona defensive end Paris Shand, Oregon edge rusher Bradyn Swinson and Florida nose tackle Jalen Lee, who is from Live Oak High School in Livingston Parish.

Meanwhile, LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy announces his intentions to enter the NFL draft after recording a career-high 49 tackles this season.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts East Tennessee State in its final game before taking few days off for Christmas Break. Coach Matt McMahon’s team is 10-and-1 and he’s looking for his guys to be mentally locked in tonight…
Cut 19 (27) “…take of business”
The Buccaneers are four and eight. Tip off is at 7 PM.

In other action, Jacksonville defeated ULM 66-55. Northwestern State lost to 12th ranked Baylor 58-48.

LSU baseball is ranked number one in Collegiate Baseball’s Preseason poll and the Saints place guard Cesar Ruiz on injured reserve.

Weather will be a factor in the Saints-Browns game in Cleveland on Saturday. Not much snow, maybe less than an inch, but the forecast calls winds at 30-miles per hour and a high temperature around 13-degrees. Coach Dennis Allen says both teams have to play in it….
cut 28 (28) “…about the elements”
Kick-off is at noon.

The man who shot & killed former NFL player Joe McKnight during a 2016 road rage incident in Jefferson Parish changed his plea to guilty of manslaughter today and received a ten-year prison sentence. 61-year-old Ronald Gasser was awaiting a retrial after his 2018 conviction was tossed out because it was a non-unanimous jury verdict.

The 10-and-1 LSU Tigers will host East Tennessee State tomorrow in their final game before a Christmas Break. Coach Matt McMahon talked today about how his team has improved….
cut 29 (35) “….defensive glass”
Tip off tomorrow is at 7 PM.

In college hoops today, ULM lost to Jacksonville 66-55 after scoring just 17 points in the first half. Tonight Northwestern State is at 12th ranked Baylor. NBA, the Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as they fell to Milwaukee 128 to 119.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as the Milwaukee Bucks dribbled past New Orleans 128 to 119. Center Jonas Valanciunas had a season-high 37 points, but Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points to lead the way for Milwaukee. Valanciunas on trying to defend the two-time MVP….
cut 29 (29) “…back on track”
The Pels return to action Thursday night when they host San Antonio.

Today in college hoops…ULM hosts Jacksonville, while Northwestern State is at 12th ranked Baylor.

Weather will be a factor in Saturday’s Saints-Browns game. About an inch of snow is expected to fall in northeastern Ohio that day and winds will be about 30-miles per hour out of the southwest. Winds could actually gust over 50 miles per hour. Coach Dennis Allen says kicking and passing games will be effected…
cut 16 (16) “….pay attention too”
Kick-off is at noon on Christmas Eve.

The Ragin Cajuns and the Houston Cougars are in Shreveport preparing for Friday’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Kick-off is at 2 PM and temperatures are expected to be in the mid to upper 20s, with a cold wind out of the northwest at ten to 20 miles per hour.

Former Louisiana Tech tackling machine Tyler Grubbs has announced he’s transferring to Tulane. Grubbs played at Holy Cross High School.

The Pelicans lost their fourth straight last night as the Milwaukee Bucks dribbled past New Orleans 128 to 119. Center Jonas Valanciunas had a season-high 37 points, but two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and Bucks Center Brooke Lopez added another 30 points. The four-game losing streak is the longest one of the season, but Coach Willie Green says his team will be fine…
cut 28 (28) “…back on track”
The Pels host San Antonio on Thursday night and then travel to Oklahoma City before taking a couple of days off for Christmas.

With three games left in the regular season, the four teams in the N-F-C South are within one game of each other. Tampa Bay leads the division at 6-and-8, while New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta are all 5-and-9. The Black and Gold could be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to Cleveland on Sunday and the Buccaneers beat Arizona on Sunday night.

In college football news, former Louisiana Tech tackling machine Tyler Grubbs has committed to Tulane. Former Bulldogs coach Sonny Dykes has been named A-P Coach of the Year after leading T-C-U to the College Football Playoffs.

LSU women’s basketball player Angel Reese has been named ESPN”s National Player of the Week after recording three more double-doubles last week. Reese had 25 points and 20 rebounds in a blowout win over Oregon State in Hawaii on Sunday night.

Tonight, Northwestern State looks to upset 12th ranked Baylor in Waco, Texas. Both teams have eight wins on the year.

It’s been a disappointing Saints season, but at least they beat the Falcons twice. New Orleans took care of the Dirty Birds yesterday as they held on for a 21-18 win over Atlanta. The Saints entered the game with slim playoff hopes, but Coach Dennis Allen expected his team would play hard….
Cut 19 (25) “…did it again here today”
With three games left in the season, the Saints are just one game back of Tampa for first place in the NFC South. New Orleans will visit the Browns on Saturday. The forecast calls for high temperatures in the teens and an inch of snow in Cleveland on that day.

Two weeks from today, LSU will face Purdue in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Bowl practices give teams a chance to play some young guys who didn’t play during the regular season. Coach Brian Kelly says several guys have stood out…
Cut 18 (28) “…few more guys”

The Ragin Cajuns and Houston both arrived in Shreveport today as they’ll face each other in the Independence Bowl on Friday. Looking at a cold game on Friday with high temperatures only in the upper 20s.

Tonight. The Pelicans host the Bucks at the Smoothie King Center as New Orleans looks to snap a three-game losing streak. Tip off is at 7:00.