The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17^th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is on of four times per year that the state receives federal funding to pay law enforcement overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

Primaries in Louisiana’s federal elections are quickly approaching with qualifying happening next week. President Trump has endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez to represent the 5^th Congressional district though Miguez does not live in the 5^th district. La Politic editor Jeremy Alford says it remains to be seen whether the president’s endorsement can overcome the issue of the Acadiana lawmaker wants to represent a district that’s based in northeast Louisiana and stretches to Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (06) “…of that chatter.”

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has agreed to a three-year reconstructed contract. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Power has been restored to all 130,000 North and Central Louisiana Entergy Customers who can safely receive it after the widespread damage from the recent ice storms.  Entergy says many customers had to have their power restored multiple times as the ongoing ice damage continued to cause outages and delay assessments. Rural and heavily wooded areas were hardest hit.

Qualifying is next week and the Republican primary for the fifth district congressional race has announced candidates as they look to replace U.S. Senate candidate, Julia Letlow, who currently represents a district that stretches from northeast Louisiana to Baton Rouge. State Senator Blake Miguez is running, though he doesn’t live in the district. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says we’ve seen this before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Brees was elected on his first ballot, and says it’s an absolute honor…

Cut 19 (11) “…I would say”

Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Treasurer John Fleming presented two unclaimed property checks totaling more than $400,000 to Shreveport native James Willett and his son Tuesday – for the largest unclaimed property award in state history. Fleming says he was simply returning their unclaimed property

Cut 7 (10) “…he passed away.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week, and there are two interesting races to watch. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

Another enhanced statewide drunk driving enforcement operation gets underway today. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over goes from now through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is traditionally one of the deadliest periods in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…an impaired driver.”

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie, but Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that moving forward.”

Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has agreed to a three-year reconstructed contract. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Another enhanced statewide drunk driving enforcement operation gets underway today. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over goes from now through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is traditionally one of the deadliest periods in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…an impaired driver.”

Fischer says Carnival is one of four times a year the state does a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, in which it gets federal funding to pay law enforcement officers overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

Fischer says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

______________________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. On Tuesday, while speaking to members of the Logansport Chamber of Commerce, Fleming presented a pair of checks totaling more than 400-thousand dollars to Shreveport native James Willett and his son. Fleming says he was simply returning their unclaimed property — presenting the largest unclaimed property checks in state history.

Cut 7 (10) “…he passed away.”

Fleming says after the family member passed away, the money went untouched for a few years.

Cut 8 (09) “…to the state.”

Fleming says he wanted to present it publicly to create public awareness of the state’s unclaimed property fund, which currently stands at about 1.2-billion dollars. He says one in six people in Louisiana has unclaimed property, averaging about 900 dollars – and he says that money always belongs to its rightful owner.

Cut 9 (09)  “…not the legislature.”

______________________________________________________________

Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week, and there are two interesting races to watch. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

The Republican primary for the fifth district congressional race has announced candidates as they are looking to replace Letlow, who represents a district that stretches from northeast Louisiana to Baton Rouge. State Senator Blake Miguez is running, even though he doesn’t live in the fifth district. Alford says we’ve seen that before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Miguez also has President Trump’s endorsement. Alford says it remains to be seen if the endorsement of the President trumps the issue of an Acadiana lawmaker representing a district that’s based in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 12 (06) “…of that chatter.”

______________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie, but Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that moving forward.”

Some of Cumbie’s notable incentives include 50-thousand dollars for five conference wins, which increases by 25-thousand with each conference win. Cumbie could also make 50-thousand dollars for a conference title game appearance or 100-thousand dollars for a conference title game win.

Ivey says the 155-thousand dollars that are no longer part of Cumbie’s annual salary will go towards revenue sharing deals with the players, which will help with recruiting efforts and roster retention.

Cut 14 (12) “…character as well.”

Cumbie is 19-and-31 at Tech and is coming off an 8-5 season with an Independence Bowl victory. Ivey says Cumbie’s reconstructed contract is more than just a financial move.

Cut 15 (08) “…to do that.”

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There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Boutte averages 18 yards a catch and has a touchdown in the postseason. The New Iberia native has the utmost confidence in second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Cut 16 (13) “…of the day” 

Campbell never played for a championship at Neville High School or at LSU. But as a rookie in the NFL, he gets his opportunity after the Patriots used the fourth overall pick to select him.

Cut 17 (17)  “…it’s been awesome.”

Super Bowl 60 is on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Santa Clara, California. Campbell says he will certainly take a moment to take it all in before kickoff.

Cut 18 (09)  “…ready to go.”

The Patriots also have former Louisiana Tech standout Milton Williams. The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season.

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

More than a week and a half after an ice storm ravaged northeast Louisiana, there are still hundreds without power. The storm had knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis says once the power is fully restored, they’ll begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid.

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Another Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over begins tomorrow and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says with so many options for you to get home safely, there is simply no excuse for you to ever get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 6 (06) “…designated driver option.”

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is in Austin tonight for a top-five matchup against fourth-ranked Texas. It’s a rematch of the game played in the PMAC on January 11th, won by LSU 70 to 65.  Cory Diaz covers LSU women’s hoops for the USA Today Network, and he expects Texas coach Vic Schaefer to instruct his team to get the ball to six-foot-six center Kyla Oldacre.

Cut 17 (14)  “…in this game.”

Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading point guard Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks in exchange for guard Dalen Terry and two second-round picks.

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has been selected as the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, which is voted on by the fans. Shough looks to bring home another trophy tonight as he awaits the announcement of the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

When it comes to recruiting, LSU football coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane in an effort to secure a pledge from both. Kiffin says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”

Louisiana Tech announced a reconstructed three-year contract for head football coach Sonny Cumbie today. Cumbie’s original five-year contract signed in January of 2022 was worth 1 million dollars per year. Cumbie’s reconstructed deal will be worth $760,000 per year, which also includes performance-based incentives. The remaining salary of $150,000 per year will be reallocated towards revenue-sharing and assistant coaches’ salary pools.

The Brooklyn Nets are waiving former LSU guard Cam Thomas, allowing him to find a new home.

State Senator Blake Miguez of New Iberia has received President Trump’s endorsement in the race for the District Five U.S. House seat. Miguez is running to represent a Congressional district in which he does not live in, which current law allows. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says this will be a major issue in the race…

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

One of Miguez’s opponents, Misti Cordell of Ouachita Parish, says she lives in the district and understands the needs of the district.

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place tomorrow in Ascension Parish on the River Parish Community College’s Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this 30-million dollar facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that’s being built nearby…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer”

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is expected to be announced tonight as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Cut 14  (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech has announced a new three-year contract for football coach Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie’s base salary is reduced, freeing up 155-thousand dollars a year that can be used to pay the players more money as part of revenue sharing deals. Cumbie can make that money back by reaching several different on and off field performance-based incentives.

The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11)  “…designation.”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

Tomorrow afternoon officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville….

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

Construction on the Hyundai Steel Mill is expected to be completed by 2029. It will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

When it comes to recruiting, LSU Football Coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane. Kiffin told the media yesterday that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”