Seventeen members of the Louisiana Legislature are threatening to pull funding from the Superdome if the Super Bowl halftime show is not “family friendly.” Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the state has spent at least 5 million dollars for economic development initiatives related to the Super Bowl and they do not want children subjected to performers wearing very little clothing or doing sexually suggestive gestures…

Cut 6 (12) “…innocence of children”

Kendrick Lamar is the star of this year’s Halftime performance.

President Donald Trump has suggested it might be time to eliminate FEMA. He’s at least looking at revamping the federal disaster response agency. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says FEMA is far from perfect, but there still needs to be something like FEMA to assist states…

Cut 8 (07) “….could get better”

New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Buc-ee’s has bought the property where they’ll build one of their supersized gas stations and convenience stores in Ruston. Mayor Ronny Walker told the Lincoln Parish Journal that construction will begin in about two months on the roads and infrastructure along the I-20 Tarbutton Road Interchange.

Several legislators are urging the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A big-name candidate for the Saints head coaching job says he doesn’t want the job. Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has pulled his name from consideration.Some say Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as the top candidate to get the job.

Last week’s historic winter storm caused damage to Louisiana’s strawberry crop. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in the Livingston Parish town of Springfield, says they lost 80-percent of the berries and blooms on the plant, but the plants survived. Harris says that means you’ll see fewer Louisiana strawberries at your local grocery store the next few weeks, but they’ll be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival in April. She says this is the second year in a row that strawberry farmers have had to deal with a setback…

Cut 12 (09) “….out of business”

President Trump has floated the idea of abolishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but for now he’s signed an executive order to review FEMA. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government needs some sort of an agency to help states respond to disasters…

Cut 9 (070 “…federal response”

A group of 17 Louisiana lawmakers sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Kendrick Lamar is this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.

Meanwhile, federal resources are making their way to New Orleans to make sure the French Quarter is safe. The Department of Homeland Security is bringing in SWAT teams and K-9 patrols. New Orleans Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier says their presence will be felt everywhere

Cut 14 (10) “…and the CBD.”

Governor Jeff Landry will provide more information about Super Bowl Security at 1 PM press conference today.

The Landry Administration is trying to figure what President Trump’s freeze on federal grants and loans will mean for Louisiana. The state receives millions in federal dollars. In a statement. Governor Landry says they are seeking clarity as to the depth of this action, but they do support Trump’s efforts to cut government waste. A federal judge has temporarily blocked much of the President’s order.

The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Senator Valarie Hodges and other legislators urge the NFL to promote a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The arctic blast has put a temporary freeze on strawberry farmers, including one in Livingston Parish. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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New Orleans Police release their preliminary security plans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana legislators, led by Senator Valarie Hodges, sent a letter to the NFL urging a family-friendly halftime show for the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Hodges says since Louisiana allocated state funds for the event, its programming should reflect wholesome values.

Cut 4 (12) “…watching it on television.”

Hodges advocated for entertainment free of inappropriate content, ensuring all Louisianans could watch without concern. She noted that while many in the state are excited about hosting the Super Bowl, taxpayers and parents are worried about past halftime performances.

Cut 5 (09) “…not be exposed.”

Hodges hopes Louisiana can set a positive example for future Super Bowl hosts by promoting content suitable for viewers of all ages.

Cut 6 (12) “…innocence of children.”

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President Trump proposed dismantling FEMA during visits to disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina and California.  Senator Bill Cassidy says if you don’t have FEMA you need something like it because sometimes disasters are too big for states to handle.

Cut 7 (13) “…currently being done .”

Cassidy says if there is no FEMA there still needs to be something like FEMA.

Cut 8 (07) “…could get better.”

Cassidy says he believes this is a good time to look at the efficiency of FEMA and suspects that is what President Trump is alluding to as well.

Cut 9 (07)  “…federal response.”

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Strawberry farmers across the state, including one in Livingston Parish, are assessing the damage done by last week’s arctic blast. Rachael Harris, the owner of Harris Strawberry Farm in Springfield, says they took proactive measures in advance of the storm, like covering them with cloth. But that only went so far.

Cut 10 (13) “…and protected them.”

Harris says that’s going to set them back about three weeks. They’ll miss out on Valentine’s Day, but they will be ready for Easter and the Strawberry Festival. She says while they will recover, it will still cost the business some money.

Cut 11 (07) “…pick good berries.”

Harris says this is the second year in a row that strawberry farmers have had to deal with a setback.

Cut 12 (09) “…out of business.”

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We’re getting details of the preliminary security plan for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police have placed wedges and barriers on Bourbon Street to keep vehicles out, and they’re beefing up security along cross streets and around the perimeter. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the NFL is also bringing in barriers of their own for the Super Bowl.

Cut 13 (09)  “…harden target.”

State Police are bringing in additional wedges and barriers, and the Department of Homeland Security is bringing in SWAT teams and K-9 patrols. New Orleans Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Hans Ganthier says their presence will be felt everywhere – in the Superdome and beyond.

Cut 14 (10) “…and the CBD.”

As for Mardi Gras, Kirkpatrick says there’s one thing that will not change.

Cut 15 (14) “…make things safer.” (Parade routes will not change)

Kirkpatrick urges people to speak up if they see anything suspicious.

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A struggling LSU men’s basketball team has a big test tonight as they host top ranked Auburn. Auburn leads the SEC in field goal percentage at 49-percent and Coach Matt McMahon says their ability to shoot makes them tough to beat…

Cut 16 (17) “…offensive glass.”

Meanwhile, LSU is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the country. The Tigers are 320^th in the country in three-point shooting at 31-percent. McMahon says the guys are working on their outside shot…

Cut 17 (16)  “…games.”

LSU has added Trey’Dez Green. In his first game since catching two touchdown passes in the bowl game victory over Baylor, Green had two points, which was a thunderous dunk after a blocked shot, and also had three rebounds in eight minutes. McMahon says it was a nice debut for the tight end, who is now a power forward…

Cut 18 (18)   “…offensive glass.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. Compared to December of 2023, the total number of jobs increased by more than 20-thousand.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.4-percent, but DiPalma says that’s still low.

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Cut 5 (09) “…kinds of conditions.”

Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane. He says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Governor Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A two-vehicle crash on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Rescue divers responded, and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not suffer any injuries.

A two-vehicle accident on the west bound side of the I-10 Twin Span between Slidell and New Orleans sent a commercial vehicle and driver into Lake Pontchartrain. Unconfirmed reports say both vehicles went into the water. Rescue divers responded and one driver was rescued and transported to a hospital. That driver reportedly did not sustain injuries.

Governor Landry is asking Senator Bill Cassidy to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy says he hasn’t decided how he will vote yet and while he agrees with Kennedy on the dangers of ultra processed foods, he expressed concern over Kennedy’s stance on vaccines.

Cut 10 (15) “…data we accumulated .”

Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

An abundance of trees in Louisiana’s forests is creating an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month.

Cut 12 (06) “…series of data.”

The Baton Rouge area gained 11-hundred jobs in the last month to lead the state. The New Orleans area, on the other hand, lost 11-hundred jobs in the last month but still showed a year-over-year gain of 64-hundred jobs.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking for support from Senator Bill Cassidy to confirm RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Farmers say despite the single-digit temperatures that gripped the state last week, sugarcane appears to have held up quite well, but LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the full extent of damage will remain unclear for weeks.

Cut 4 (09) “…crop starts emerging.”

Gravois says the timing of the freeze helped avoid disaster.

Louisiana is reporting job growth again. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month with some select industries leading the way.

Cut 13 (12)  “…year as well.”

The Louisiana Forestry Association is encouraging industry to utilize the overabundance of trees in the state’s forests. Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says with trees growing at a much faster rate than those being harvested, that creates an opening for the biofuel industry to thrive.

And he says biofuels produced by forestry are entirely renewable.

Cut 8 (14) “…many different ways.”

Vandersteen says harvesting trees in forests will also reduce the threat of wildfires.

Governor Jeff Landry has called on the U.S. Senate, specifically Senator Bill Cassidy, to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy, who is up for re-election in 2026, faces political pressure from within his own party and RFK’s confirmation could play a role in his re-election.  Cassidy says he will wait until after the confirmation hearing to make his decision on Kennedy.

Cut 11 (10) “…focus on the campaign.”

Louisiana’s streak of job growth continues. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state gained 25-hundred non-farm jobs last month. And she says while the unemployment rate ticked up very slightly, the state is still in good shape in that regard.

Cut 14 (06) “…still relatively low.”

Farmers say sugarcane held up well in last week’s winter storm, despite record-breaking single-digit temperatures. LSU AgCenter sugarcane expert Kenneth Gravois says the snow acted as insulation for the cane

Cut 3 (12) “…underground buds.”

Gravois says farmers are also planting cane varieties that are better at surviving cold temperatures.

Louisiana is looking at an abundance of trees. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says many industries that use forest products, like the paper industry, are declining while large numbers of trees are planted annually.

Cut 7 (09) “…in this state.”

He says the abundance creates an opening for the biofuel industry to use them and thrive.