Niagara Bottling announced its plans to invest $160 million in a state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. The company – headquartered in Diamond Bar, California – operates more than 40 production facilities with over 7,000 employees worldwide. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, says this is a great company to work for.

Cut 3

The first person who officially declared candidacy is Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. He’s an independent, who says the fact that he is not aligned with either big political party makes him the best choice for voters. After years in the courtroom, he’s ready to look toward the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrest a Gray teen in connection with a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to HL Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Blake Tabor says The juvenile’s name and age have not been revealed, but more information will be released once it’s available. He says the investigation is ongoing.

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Freshman LSU quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. The Lafayette native guided St. Thomas More to a state championship in 2020 and this past season appeared in two games for the Tigers. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says it’s hard for Tiger fans to see Walker leave after one season…

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The Louisiana State Police Commission is stripping two troopers who were involved in the Ronald Greene arrest of their pay at the request of State Police. Trooper’s Kory York and Lt. John Clary were already ordered to take paid leave in December of 2022. The commission’s decision today means the troopers will no longer receive a check.

Independent Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy makes his candidacy for Governor this fall official. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrest a Gray teen after a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to HL Bourgeois High School. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Blake Tabor says the patrol division quickly identified the teen and he’s being held without bond at the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Justice Complex.

Cut 10 (10) “…nor should we.” 

Niagara Bottling announced its plans to invest $160 million in a state-of-the art production facility near Hammond. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller.

Cut 4 (12)  “…really excited.” 

Amid talk of who is and is not running for governor this fall, the first person who officially declared candidacy is Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. Lundy is an independent, who says the fact that he is not aligned with either big political party makes him the best choice for voters…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…sides of the aisle”

Lundy is joined by GOP Attorney General Jeff Landry, and fellow Republican State Treasurer John Schroder. Others are expected to enter the race, including some well-known Democrats.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says a teen in the town of Gray posted a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to H.L. Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Sheriff’s spokesman Blake Tabor says the teen was arrested and is being held without bond for now…:

CUT 10(10)      “…nor should we.”

The investigation is ongoing.

A lot of cops and deputies were seen today at two Ouachita Parish schools – Ouachita High and East Ouachita Middle. We’re told they were looking into alleged threats made against the schools but no credible threats were determined. They are still investigating.

Freshman quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal after just one season at LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrest a Gray teen in connection with a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to HL Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Blake Tabor says they received an anonymous tip Wednesday afternoon and soon after took him into custody.

Cut 9 (11) “…of terrorizing.” 

The suspect is being held without bond at the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Justice Complex.

Freshman LSU quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says Howard was third string on the depth chart behind starter Jayden Daniels and back-up Garrett Nussmeier…

Cut 12 (09) “…number two guy”

.

Today marks the seven-year anniversary of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana, Whitney Thomas reports what this means for the state.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Seven years ago today, Governor John Bel Edwards expanded the state’s Medicaid program on his first full day in office which gave more than 500-thousand working Louisianans access to health care. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist says having more people with health insurance played a critical role in the state’s battle against COVID…

Cut 5 (11) “…from COVID.”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we are seeing another uptick in COVID cases as a result of a new variant that the World Health Organization says is the most transmissible to date.

Cut 8 (10) “…available to us.”
Protections in the form of previous COVID infection antibodies, vaccines, boosters, and oral therapeutics.
The National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism for the near future has dropped again, for a 12th straight month…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

California-based Niagara Bottling announces plans to build a 160-million-dollar state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. Niagara has more than 40 production facilities worldwide and the Tangipahoa Parish facility will be the first location in the state. Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and the production facility will employ 70 individuals with an average annual salary of 55-thousand dollars.

The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5 (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is rapidly spreading. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says currently it accounts for about 18 percent of cases in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11) “…would imagine.”
Kanter says at this point the new variant is not producing a large increase in severe cases and hospitalizations are manageable.

Optimism for the future continues to drop among Louisiana’s small businesses. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says 51-percent of member businesses say their outlook for the next six months has gotten wors with inflation as their biggest obstacle in meeting costs and making a profit…:

Cut 11 (11)  “…is not great.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will begin the first phase of repairs a week from tomorrow on Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in Lafayette after a truck driving under the overpass caused extensive damage. DOTD spokesperson, Deidra Druilhet says the second phase will begin after Mardi Gras…

Cut 15 (13)  “…all finished up.”

31-year-old Terrance Robinson of LaPlace faces cruelty charges after the one-year-old he was babysitting suffered a suspected drug overdose. St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office says Robinson was arrested after he took the child to the hospital for treatment on January 5^th. Robinson is the boyfriend of the child’s mother, and he was babysitting while she was at work. What the child ingested was not disclosed. The child was listed in stable but critical condition according to the Sheriff’s Office.

It was seven years ago today Governor John Bel Edwards expanded the state’s Medicaid program which provided an additional 500-thousand working Louisianans with health insurance. The governor’s office says during that time hundreds of thousands of Louisianans received treatment for cancer, hypertension and mental health. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist says it was the best decision the governor has made during his time in office…
cut 6 (10) “…at home”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says we are seeing another uptick in COVID cases as a result of a new variant that’s considered highly transmissible.
cut 8 (10) “….to us”
Protections in the form of previous COVID infection antibodies, vaccines, boosters, and oral therapeutics.

Optimism for the near-future continues to drop among Louisiana’s small businesses. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says a recent national survey resulted in a 12th straight month of member businesses who feel the next 3-to-6 months will be rough…:
Cut 10 (07) “…growing their business.”
51-percent of NFIB member businesses say their outlook for the next six months has gotten worse.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation announces plans to repair the Interstate 10 eastbound overpass at I-49 in Lafayette after a truck driving under the overpass caused extensive damage to three of the eight grinders on the eastbound bridge. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says the repairs will come in two phases, with the first phase taking place a week from Friday…
Cut 13 (14) “…on I-10.”
Expect interstate closures when the work takes place January 20th to 22nd.

The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. (XBB-dot-1-dot-5) is rapidly spreading. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says currently it accounts for about 18 percent of cases in Louisiana.
Cut 7 (11) “…would imagine.”
Kanter says at this point the new variant is not producing a large increase in severe cases.

Seven years ago today, Governor John Bel Edwards expanded the state’s Medicaid program on his first full day in office which gave more than 500-thousand working Louisianans access to health care. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist says having more people with health insurance played a critical role in the state’s battle against COVID…
cut 5 (11) “…from COVID”

The National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism for the near-future has dropped again, for a 12th straight month…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

California-based Niagara Bottling announces plans to build a 160-million dollar state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. Niagara has more than 40 production facilities worldwide and the Tangipahoa Parish facility will be the first location in the state. Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and the production facility will employ 70 individuals with an average annual salary of 55-thousand dollars.