On Thursday morning, LSU football picked up its 13th and 14th total transfer portal additions to the 2026 cycle. The first commitment of the day came from sophomore defensive lineman Malik Blocton of Auburn. Blocton was rated as the No. 11 defensive lineman in the portal. The second commitment of the day came from red shirt freshman defensive end Jaylen Brown of South Carolina. Brown is unranked in the portal and was coached by new LSU defensive line coach Sterling Lucas last season.

LSU senior safety Jardin Gilbert and freshman defensive tackle Walter Mathis Jr are entering the transfer portal. Mathis had re-signed with LSU just four days ago.

The 2026 LSU baseball team was ranked as the No. 1 team in the Perfect Game Baseball preseason poll. The Tigers are one of nine SEC teams in the Top-25.

The LSU women’s basketball team looks to win their first SEC game of the season tonight as the Tigers take on Georgia in Athens at 5:30 p.m. Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson is probable after rolling her ankle against Vanderbilt.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis spoke to the media following the team’s 6-and-11 season. New Orleans holds the eighth pick in this year’s draft. After drafting a talented 2025 rookie class, Loomis believes the front office will be able to take a different approach in the draft than they did last year.

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.”

Southern redshirt sophomore running back Trey Holly announced on his social media that he will not enter the transfer portal and will remain at Southern for 2026 to play for new head coach Marshall Faulk.

In men’s basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Liberty at 6 p.m. and UL-Lafayette hosts ULM at 7:30 p.m.

Ole Miss will look to continue its historic season tonight as the Rebels take on Miami in the Fiesta Bowl at 6:30 p.m.

An East Carroll Parish elementary school teacher is missing and hasn’t been seen since just before Christmas and the Sheriff’s office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Carlton Keyon Osborn, a teacher at Lake Providence Elementary. He was last seen on December 23^rd. Osborn is a 5’9”, black male weighing 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities believe he may be the Atlanta, Georgia area. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s office immediately at 318-559-2800.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of Jeff Landry’s inauguration as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024.

Cut 9 (11)  “…did it.”

A flat income tax rate of three percent went into effect on January 1st of last year.

17-thousand people in the 10-parish greater Baton Rouge area had their medical debt wiped out. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars of medical debt. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay) with the foundation says Undue Medical Debt bought the debt, and the foundation chose the beneficiaries based on qualifications.

Cut 4 (08) “…family’s annual income.”

Louisiana is the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards from Business Facilities. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish and Louisiana Department of Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the mill will be innovative in every way.

Cut 7 (10) “…steel that exists.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish.

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024. His first year in office also saw the passage of a bill requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools which is still awaiting a court ruling on its constitutionality. Pinsonat expects Landry to focus more on economic development in the next two years of his term.

Cut 10 (12) “…get involved in.” 

The publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish in naming the Platinum Deal of the Year making Louisiana the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards. Department of Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says now the big challenge is to do it again.

Cut 8 (06) “…looking at it.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish. Bourgeois says the two projects speak to the diversity of the economic development projects happening in the state.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters could legally hunt black bears.

Cut 26 (14) “…that area.”

17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area have had their medical debt erased. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars in debt for struggling families. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

She says it’s the first steel mill built in the U.S. in 60 years and she says they’ll be using the cleanest production methods.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of Governor Jeff Landry’s inauguration as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry has done a good job in getting most of his legislative agenda approved. The Louisiana Senate failed to go along with his idea for a constitutional convention, and Landry has received criticism for getting too involved in LSU athletics, the firing of A-D Scott Woodward and having a live tiger on the field for the 2024 Alabama game. Pinsonat says those missteps have not hurt him too much.

Cut 11 (07) “…been involved in.”

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry officially took office. Jeff Palermo looks back at the first half of his four-term.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

It’s a late Christmas gift for some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase their medical debt, totaling 22-million dollars. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

Charpentier says the foundation researched the people who owed the debts to determine which ones met its qualifications to have those debts wiped out.

Cut 4 (08) “…family’s annual income.”

Charpentier says in the ten-parish Capitol area, there are many people who could use the assistance when faced with medical expenses.

Cut 5 (11) “…month to month.”

While the endowed foundation has donated more than 90-million dollars to increase access to healthcare in the region over the last 25 years, this is the first time it has done a medical debt relief program.

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

Bourgeois says the Hyundai Steel mill will be innovative in every way.

Cut 7 (10) “…steel that exists.”

Louisiana has become the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards from Business Facilities. Bourgeois says now the big challenge is to do it again.

Cut 8 (06) “…looking at it.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish. Bourgeois says the two projects speak to the diversity of the economic development projects going on in the state.

____________________________________________

Today marks the two-year anniversary of when Jeff Landry was sworn in as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024.

Cut 9 (11)  “…did it.”

A flat income tax rate of three percent went into effect on January 1st, 2025.

One month after he took office in January 2024, Landry called a special session that resulted in several tough on crime bills being passed, including legislation that rolled back reforms approved in 2017.

His first year in office also saw the passage of a bill that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The courts have yet to rule if that legislation is constitutional, but the governor also signed bills that prohibits public school teachers from discussing sexual orientation, and a transgender bathroom ban was enacted. Pinsonat says Landry will focus more on economic development in the next two years of his term.

Cut 10 (12) “…get involved in.” 

Pinsonat says Landry has done a good job in getting most of his legislative agenda approved. The Louisiana Senate failed to go along with his idea for a constitutional convention, and Landry has received criticism for getting too involved in LSU athletics, the firing of A-D Scott Woodward and having a live tiger on the field for the 2024 Alabama game. Pinsonat says those missteps have not hurt him too much.

Cut 11 (07) “…been involved in.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is hailing the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish, which Secretary Susan Bourgeois says will be innovative in every way.

Cut 7 (10) “…steel that exists.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish.

Two groups team up to wipe out 22-million dollars worth of medical debt for some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Undue Medical Debt bought the debt, and Tristi Charpentier the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation chose the beneficiaries based on certain qualifications.

Cut 5 (11) “…month to month.”

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry officially took office. Jeff Palermo looks back at the first half of his four-term.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says a child has died from the flu. It is not releasing any details about the patient due to privacy concerns. Flu activity is in the very high category in all but two states in the country. The CDC says there are about 11-million flu cases across the country, including about five-thousand deaths.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of when Jeff Landry was sworn in as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024.

Cut 9 (11)  “…did it.”

A flat income tax rate of three percent went into effect on January 1st of last year.

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

Some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area had their medical debt wiped out. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars of medical debt. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay) with the foundation says Undue Medical Debt bought the debt, and the foundation chose the beneficiaries based on qualifications.

Cut 4 (08) “…family’s annual income.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 black bears were harvested during bear hunting season.  Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years while the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Cut 23 (10) “…was 341 pounds.”

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.

Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”

Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, says a player from Baton Rouge won one-point-one million dollars on a penny slot machine. The Wheel of Fortune game on the main casino floor at Beau Rivage is a statewide progression. It’s linked to other Mississippi casinos and each spin increases the total jackpot.

It’s a late Christmas gift for some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase their medical debt. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

Work is underway to replace the Tech Drive bridge over I-20 in Ruston. State transportation officials say the bridge was originally built in 1963 and has outlived its usefulness. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says they will try to keep traffic disruptions to a minimum during the project.

Cut 6 (09) “…it typically does.”

The project is four years at a cost of 39-million dollars.

Local nutrition experts are expressing concerns about some parts of the new federal nutrition guidelines, including the one that places no limitations on the consumption of red meat. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, points out that the fat in red meat is saturated fat. She says eating red meat in moderation is okay, and she urges you to choose the cut of meat wisely.

Cut 15 (10) “…for cardiovascular disease.”

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. Because of that, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says a CWD sample drop-off site is located along Highway 15 near the Richard K Yancey WMA.

Cut 11 (09) “…to diagnostic testing.”