A crash in Concordia Parish took the lives of two pedestrians last night. State Police responded to the crash on Highway 84 near the 84 Quick Stop around 9:00 PM. Investigators says 67-year-old Carleen Smith of Farmerville and Donnie Free of Ferriday were walking in the roadway when they were struck by a Chevrolet Journey traveling east and Dodge Challenger traveling west. Both sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation. Toxicology tests are pending.

It’s almost winter here in Louisiana; and flu and COVID-19 activity is expected to spike. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says you can protect yourself by getting vaccinated. She says while the vaccines won’t prevent you from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Cut 8 (07) “…case scenario, death.”

Small Business optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. Franklinton will face Cecilia on Friday night. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns. They also have a running back in Sy Austin who has rushed for nearly two thousand yards and has 28 touchdowns on the season…

Cut 12 (10) “…offensive line.”

The Division two non-select state title game is at 7 PM.

Senator Bill Cassidy breaks his silence on drawing an early primary challenger for his 2026 re-election campaign. State Treasurer John Fleming announced last week that he will run for Cassidy’s seat, saying among other things that he’s not conservative enough for Louisiana. Cassidy told reporters that he has had better things to do than to read Fleming’s announcement, and that he’s baffled over Fleming’s intentions.

Cut 10 (11) “…out of Louisiana.”

Former LSU superstar and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow appears to be the latest target to have his home broken into while at a game. After Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized, the NFL issued a security alert saying organized groups were targeting professional athletes’ homes using their schedules to plan break-ins. The break-in of Burrow’s Anderson Township home happened during the Bengals’ Monday night win over the Dallas Cowboys. Authorities have not confirmed this break-in is connected to the others. Today is Burrow’s 28^th birthday.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says positive changes made here in Louisiana are lowering the personal income tax to 3-percent, and no longer have to pay an inventory tax are great news for small businesses, and says reform was a move in the right direction.

Cut 4 (07) “…in general.”

The holiday season is here; and with that, there will be many celebration gatherings. The holiday season is usually the time when flu and COVID-19 cases tick up. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11) “…or influenza vaccines.”

Former LSU superstar and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow appears to be the latest target to have his home broken into while at a game. Ohio Authorities say the break-in of Burrow’s Anderson Township happened home during the Bengals’ Monday night win over the Dallas Cowboys. 3 weeks ago, the NFL issued a security alert saying organized and skilled groups were targeting professional athletes using their schedules to plan break-ins. This was after Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce’s homes were burglarized. It is not yet clear whether this break-in is connected.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners”

With the holiday season here, make sure you protect yourself from potentially deadly illnesses. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting Thursday. Vermilion Catholic will face Ouachita Christian at noon Thursday. It’s a rematch of the 2022 state title game that saw O-C-S win 28-14. V-C is led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who set a state record for total touchdowns for a career in last week’s shutout win over Kentwood. The four-year starter wants to cap his high school career with a championship…

Cut 10 (11) “…blessed to be back.”

According to the latest national survey of small business owners, optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. NFIB State Director Leah Long says challenges persist, however, as some owners reported unfilled job openings and inflation remains the top concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…of how high inflation is.”

Long says positive changes include lowering the personal income tax and eliminating the inventory tax.

It’s almost winter here in Louisiana; and with that, flu and COVID-19 activity will soon spike. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated. She says while the vaccines won’t prevent you from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Cut 8 (07) “…case scenario, death.”

It’s Prep Classic week as 16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. The division four select title game kicks-off the Prep Classic at noon and Vermilion Catholic head coach Broc Prejean (PRAY-ZHAWN) is hoping to lead the school to its third title…

Cut 9 (11)  “…home for,”

On Friday, the Franklinton Demons square off against Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

The holiday season is here – and so is flu and COVID-19 season. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated. She says the vaccines are in abundant supply and have been updated for this winter.

Cut 7 (08) “…influenza or COVID-19.”

Givens says while neither the flu nor the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent someone from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says this new data center will generate some decent tax revenue for the parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…dollars, et cetera.”

The first of the two buildings could be up and running by the end of next year.

Small Business optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Saints are preparing to face the Commanders Sunday in the Superdome. They’ve won three of their last four games after firing Dennis Allen.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says positive changes made here in Louisiana are lowering the personal income tax to 3-percent, and no longer have to pay an inventory tax are great news for small businesses, and says reform was a move in the right direction.

Cut 4 (07) “…in general.”

The holiday season is here; and with that, there will be many celebration gatherings. The holiday season is usually the time when flu and COVID-19 cases tick up. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11) “…or influenza vaccines.”

Shreveport is getting ready to welcome visitors from New York and West Virginia for the Independence Bowl. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Tickets are now available for Super Bowl LIX (59) in New Orleans. Fans can attend the $20 Opening Night Ceremony on February 3 at Caesars Superdome to see both teams. Starting February 5, the Super Bowl Experience at Morial Convention Center offers player meet-and-greets, autographs, and interactive activities.

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners”

Long says unfilled job openings remain a concern.

A nearly ten-thousand square foot cannabis dispensary has opened in Lake Charles. It’s believed to be the largest cannabis dispensary in the South. Good Day Farm chief retail officer Laurie Gregory says medical marijuana is a growing industry…

Cut 26 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport has its matchup, Army versus Marshall, a battle between two teams that won their respective conferences. The game will take place Saturday December 28^th. Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says there will be several events leading up to the game, especially the day before on the 27^th…

Cut 9 (14) “…concert as well”

Then on game day, the free Coca Cola Fan Fest starts at 3:00, with music, games and fun. Kickoff on December 28th is at 8:15.

The transfer portal opened Monday and hundreds of college football players jumped in. 247 sports is reporting former Oklahoma receiver Nic Anderson has narrowed his choices between LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. Blake Ruffino with Are You Series Sports says Anderson had ten touchdown catches in 2023 for the Sooners, but injuries kept him off the field last season

Cut 17 (12)  “…athleticism.” 

Yet another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says two 450-thousand-square-foot buildings will be put up on a 611-acre parcel off Louisiana Highway 964.

Cut 11 (09) “…were looking for.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is teaming up with the Healing Road Foundation to raffle off a black bear harvest permit to a military veteran. Secretary Madison Sheahan says depending on what happens to the black bear population, there could be more opportunities for military veterans to be able to participate.

Cut 15 (13) “…increase those opportunities.”

The largest medical marijuana dispensary is open in Lake Charles. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27)“…I’m Sean Richardson.”

It’s Army and Marshall in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Erik Evenson (EE-vin-son) with the Independence Bowl says just as it has in the past, the city is rolling out the welcome mat for those visiting from West Point, New York, and from Huntington, West Virginia.

Cut 8 (14) “…they have it.”