Senator Bill Cassidy has a primary challenger for 2026. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (31)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Governor Landry says Facebook and Instagram parent company, Meta, is making the largest investment ever in north Louisiana with construction of a ten-billion dollar artificial intelligence data center in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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197 million people shopped online and in stores from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Senator Bill Cassidy has a primary challenger for his seat in 2026. State Treasurer John Fleming announced that he will be running for Cassidy’s seat. Fleming said one of his main priorities should he be elected to the Senate in 2026 is the southern border.
Cut 4 (10) “…and the like.”
Fleming previously represented Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District from 2009 to 2017. During this time, he and eight other Republicans founded the House Freedom Caucus. After leaving the U.S. House, Fleming served as a Trump advisor before becoming Louisiana state treasurer last year. Fleming says he would bring a new voice to the Senate.
Cut 5 (13) “…senator like me.”
Fleming said while Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in 2021 was one of the overriding factors leading to his decision to challenge him, that’s not the only reason. Fleming said Cassidy is out of touch with Louisiana voters.
Cut 6 (15) “…none of that.”
A spokesman for the Cassidy campaign released a statement, saying that he thought that Fleming wanted to be state treasurer, but apparently that’s not the case. The spokesman said Fleming wants to get out of Louisiana; and since he couldn’t get a job in the Trump administration, he’s looking for another job in Washington.
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Facebook and Instagram parent company, Meta, will build a massive 10-ten billion dollar artificial intelligence data center in Rayville in Richland Parish. A project expected to create 500 or more direct jobs. So how did it happen? Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says initial conversations with Meta began soon after Governor Landry took office and ten months later Louisiana won the project…
Cut 7 (11) “…solved the problem.”
Bourgeois says a project of this magnitude usually takes years of negotiations before construction can begin, but talks with Meta only took months to get done. She says to support both the construction and eventual operation of the data center, Louisiana Community and Technical College System has committed 250-thousand dollars in Workforce Rapid Response….
Cut 8 (12) “…executing on that.”
Bourgeois says Louisiana’s Legislature also played a major role in attracting this data center to northeast Louisiana by approving a sales tax rebate bill…
Cut 9 (09) “…announcements.”
Bourgeois says construction begins immediately and Meta would like to see the facility completely built out in the next three to four years.
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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is elected first vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the upcoming 119th Congress. Carter says he’s honored to be tapped for the second-most senior position in caucus leadership.
Cut 10 (06) “…opportunity to serve.”
Carter says he looks forward to being the voice of people who have historically been marginalized.
Cut 11 (08) “…and left behind.”
Carter says while America has come a long way in providing opportunity for minorities, there’s still a long way to go.
Cut 12 (12) “…a fair shake.”
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The five-day shopping period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday delivered promising results for retailers, particularly in e-commerce. U.S. online sales reached 41-billion-dollars. The National Retail Federation (NRF) highlighted a higher-than-expected 197 million shoppers, surpassing initial forecasts by over 13.6 million. LSU Associate Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says the number of shoppers was lower from last year…
Cut 13 (10) “…197 million this year.”
Rice says online shopping saw significant growth, with Cyber Monday sales hitting 13-billion dollars, up 7-percent year-over-year, and mobile purchases comprising 57-percent of those sales, reflecting a steady shift toward mobile commerce.
Cut 14 (08) “…another errand.”
In-store shopping traffic declined by 2-percent compared to last year, though it outperformed average year-to-date figures. Rice says in-store retailers are making changes to keep up with online shopping trends…
Cut 15 (12) “…instead of Black Friday.”
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McNeese introduces – makes that RE-introduces – Matt Viator (VEE-uh-tore) as its new head football coach. During his introductory news conference, Viator said McNeese is very special to him and to his family.
Cut 16 (09) “…in our heart.”
Viator previously coached the team from 2006 to 2015, racking up 78 wins, four Southland Conference titles and five playoff appearances. But Viator has turned the page from his first stint.
Cut 17 (24) “…the game’s changed.”
Viator replaces Gary Goff, who was fired after the team finished 6-and-6 this season.
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The LSU football team has brought in a top-ten recruiting class, but it could have been a top-five class if five-star recruits Bryce Underwood and Kade Phillips had not decommitted leading up to national signing day. Kelly says money was the factor in why they chose to play elsewhere…
Cut 18 (16) “…we live in.”
Kelly did not mention the players by name, but basically they received an offer that they couldn’t refuse.
The strength of the class is all of the homegrown talent, like linebacker Dylan Moses from University High in Baton Rouge. Kelly says Moses will have a great experience at LSU and will be awarded financially.
Cut 19 (18) “…financially.”
LSU signed two wide receivers, Phillip Wright from Destrehan and TaRon Francis from Edna Karr. Kelly is excited about Francis’ potential…
Cut 20 (20) “..at LSU.”