Louisiana is using the occasion of hosting the Super Bowl to tell its story to companies and future residents. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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North Louisiana is getting a new area code later this year. Sean Richardson has more.
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A cat near New Orleans is confirmed to have been infected with bird flu. Colleen Crain reports.
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Louisiana is using the occasion of hosting the Super Bowl to showcase itself to companies and prospective newcomers. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says they are setting up the “Louisiana NOW” pavilion to tell the state’s story through interactive exhibits, theater and meeting spaces.
Cut 4 (10) “…of life perspective.”
Bourgeois says one of the main objectives is to convince business and industry to come to Louisiana.
Bourgeois says the Louisiana NOW pavilion will showcase all the unique things that the whole state has to offer.
Cut 6 (10) “…the Louisiana opportunity.”
The Louisiana NOW pavilion will be up and running throughout Super Bowl week. The location has not yet been released.
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North and central Louisiana is getting a new area code, but it will be several months before phone numbers are assigned with a new 457 area code in the current 318 area code territory. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says if you currently have a phone number with a 318 area code, it won’t change.
Cut 7 (06) “…as I understand it.”
Campbell says the reason for the new area code is that they simply ran out of numbers.
Starting on February 24th, AT&T and other carriers would like phone users to use all ten numbers to make a call within the 318 area code territory, because after August 25th the call will not go through if you dial a number using just seven digits.
Numbers with the new 457 area code will be assigned beginning on September 25th. So anyone in the 318 area code who gets a new phone number on September 25th and beyond will have a 457 area code attached to their phone number. Campbell says one way to look at the change is that the region is growing.
Cut 9 (05) “…look at it that way.”
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A cat near New Orleans is confirmed to have been infected with bird flu. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says a domestic breed feral cat was picked up from a colony in Plaquemines Parish and was neutered.
Cut 10 (12) “…for preliminary testing.”
That testing confirmed that the cat was infected with bird flu. Strain says it’s unclear which type of bird flu that the cat was infected with.
Strain says this was an isolated case, and there’s no risk to humans at this point. He urges you to stay away from any feral or wild animal showing signs of illness.
Cut 12 (10) “…leave it alone.”
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Jayden Daniels’ magical rookie season with the Washington Commanders has come to an end. The Commanders were blown out by the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, 55-23. After the game, Daniels said he and his team accomplished a lot this season.
Along with the one interception, the Commanders also lost three fumbles. Daniels says it’s a tough way to end the season.
The loss denied the Heisman Trophy-winning former LSU quarterback the chance to be the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl. As for the Eagles, they’re back in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years and the fifth time overall. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said after the game that he’s going to use the Eagles’ loss in Super Bowl 57 as a motivational tool.
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As was the case two years ago, the Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. The Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, 32-29. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said after the game that the team has shown a lot of perseverance throughout the season with many close wins.
The Chiefs will try to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls. The Chiefs and Eagles have each played one Super Bowl in New Orleans. The Chiefs beat the Vikings in Super Bowl 4 at Tulane Stadium, 23-7. The Eagles lost to the Raiders in Super Bowl 15 at the Superdome, 27-10.
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One of the LSU baseball team’s top performers in 2024 will likely play a different position in 2025. Steven Milam was a first-team freshman All-American last season, hitting .326 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. Milam was also excellent with the glove at second base, but coach Jay Johnson wants to move Milam to the left side of the infield…
Michael Braswell started at shortstop last season for LSU, but he could move to third base if Johnson believes it’s important for Milam to start at short.
LSU has four catchers on its roster; at least three are expected to share playing time. Indiana State transfer Luis Hernandez hit 23 home runs in the Missouri Valley Conference last year and Johnson likes what he has shown behind the plate…
Johnson is also high on freshman Cade Arrambide from Tomball, Texas, who has a big-time arm behind the plate…
There’s also a lot of competition to be a weekend starter. Chase Shores, who missed last season as he recovered from Tommy John Surgery, could be a Friday night starter and was certainly missed last year….