Authorities arrest a Baton Rouge man accused of shooting a two-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve, leaving her in critical condition. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The new year is here, and that means some new laws are now in effect. Many are in the realm of insurance reform. Among them – those who are determined to be at least 51-percent at fault for a crash can no longer collect damages in a civil suit, and companies must give discounts on liability premiums for commercial vehicles with dashcams.

Ole Miss is headed to the Fiesta Bowl to face Miami with a trip to the national championship game on the line, but there’s now uncertainty about whether the six incoming LSU assistant coaches currently on the Rebels’ staff will continue coaching. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says any hesitation is on the Ole Miss side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…Charlie Weis.”

Lane Kiffin was not at last night’s Sugar Bowl. Instead, he was at P-MAC watching the LSU women’s basketball team lose its first game of the season, 80-78, to Kentucky. The Lady Tigers have a quick turnaround, as they visit 12th-ranked Vanderbilt Sunday. Coach Kim Mulkey says she needs to see more from her young, talented team.

Cut 13 (12)  “…pity party.”

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man is under arrest in connection with the shooting of a two-year-old girl inside a car. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon after police tracked down the suspect vehicle. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely urges residents to contact police if they locate their stolen vehicle.

Cut 5 (11) “…that are following.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning next season. It will be his ninth in New Orleans – and his 15th in the NFL. Davis says advances in medical science allows players to enjoy longer careers in the NFL.

Cut 7 (13) “…to regenerate faster.”

The Lady Tigers lost their first game of the season after 11th-ranked Kentucky hit a last second three pointer to win 80-78 in LSU’s SEC opener last night. The Lady Tigers were outrebounded 17-to-4 on the offensive glass, and coach Kim Mulkey says that was the difference in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…fix that.”

The men, meanwhile, will face Texas A&M tomorrow in their first SEC game of the season. The 12-and-1 Tigers are off to maybe their strongest start under head coach Matt McMahon, with their only loss coming to 12th-ranked Texas Tech. McMahon says conference play will be another level of competition.

Cut 14 (14) “…great atmoshperes.”

Ole Miss is one win away from the national championship game after taking down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl last night, but which coaches make the trip to the Fiesta Bowl is still up in the air. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…Kace Kieschnick.”

Police in Natchitoches are looking for a man in connection with a stabbing that happened late yesterday morning. They say 52-year-old Lloyd Paillett stabbed two people; they’re hospitalized in stable condition.

As a Baton Rouge toddler continues fighting for her life after being shot in the head, a 27-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting. Landrick Ruffin Jr. is facing six counts of attempted first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says the little girl remains in critical condition.

Cut 4 (09) “…Baton Rouge community.”

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced he will return for his 15th NFL season, his ninth in New Orleans. While this season got off to a rough start, with the Saints losing eight of their first nine games, they’ve seemed to have turned the corner with Tyler Shough at quarterback, winning four in a row. Davis says this late season surge has him excited for 2026.

Cut 8 (11) “…momentum of this?”

Yesterday, authorities began enforcing the ban on holding a phone while driving. The new law went into effect last August but until now, officers only issued verbal warnings. The grace period ended with 2025. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says a previous ban has been in place for some time but this new law takes it one step further.

Cut 21 (08) “…hands-free manner.”

The 2026 legislative session begins in March. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects a quiet session after lawmakers in 2025 approved a package of auto insurance reform laws. Some of those measures didn’t go into effect until January 1st, so Pinsonat doesn’t expect Governor Landry to be pushing more insurance reform bills..

Cut 12 (10) “…reforming insurance.”

The Ole Miss Rebels won a thrilling football game in the Caesars Superdome last night, beating Georgia 39-34 to advance to the semifinals of the college football playoffs. Hammond native and Rebels head coach Pete Golding on what he told his team at halftime…

Cut 16 (14) “…all year”

Ole Miss will play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl next Thursday.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis has announced that he will be returning for a 15th NFL season next season. Davis says today’s game allows for longevity that the game of years past didn’t allow for.

Cut 6 (14) “…you maximize it.”

Davis has recorded a career-high in tackles with 137. For him to return to New Orleans, he’ll need a new contract with the Saints. The Black and Gold conclude the 2025 season on Sunday at Atlanta.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says the goal is to increase access to care and help rural residents with chronic or complex health conditions. He says the funds will help sustain operations and upgrade infrastructure at rural healthcare facilities.

Cut 6 (11) “…bigger cities.”

Great game last night in the Superdome as Ole Miss rallied back from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Georgia 39 to 34 to advance to the semifinals of College Football Playoffs. Rebels quarterback Trindidad Chambliss had an outstanding game, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns…

Cut 17 (12) “…executed”

Ole Miss will play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl next Thursday.

Baton Rouge police arrest a 27-year-old man who shot a two-year-old on New Year’s Eve. Lt. L’Jean McKneely says Landrick Ruffin fired multiple rounds at a vehicle after he was approached by a woman in that vehicle, because the victim suspected that Ruffin was driving a stolen car…

Cut 3 (08) “…of the vehicle’

The two-year-old is in critical condition and Ruffin was later arrested and charged with six counts of attempted first degree murder.

The primary election for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat is in May and this year certain races including the senate race will have a closed party primary. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says registered no party voters can vote in the closed primaries, but the Secretary of State’s office and the campaigns will need to educate voters…

Cut 11 (11) “..to declare.”

From now on, holding a cell phone to your ear while driving could cost you a few bucks. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Several new laws went into effect with the new year that are designed to help lower auto insurance rates. One of the new laws will prohibit drivers that are considered 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck from receiving damages in a  civil lawsuit.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state is getting one of the largest allocations of federal funding through the Rural Health Transportation Program – 208 million dollars. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says this funding will improve healthcare access in rural communities, strengthen local healthcare systems and expand the number of available healthcare professionals

Cut 5 (08) “…entire state”

The transfer portal window is open in college football, and at the top of LSU’s shopping list is quarterback. There are some talented signal callers available, including Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, Brendan Sorsby, and Dylan Raiola. Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects LSU to sign at least two QBs….

Cut 14 (12) “…2026 season”

The big political story for 2026 will be the U-S Senate race as Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy faces several challengers from his own party including State Treasurer John Fleming, state senator Blake Miguez, state representative Julie Emerson and PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy has one big advantage…

Cut 10 (07) “…really tough re-election.”

Cassidy angered many Republicans when he voted to impeach President Trump in 2021.

Police began enforcing the ban on holding a phone while driving yesterday. When the new law was being debated, some said it would be discriminatory for those who drive older vehicles without Bluetooth capability to allow conversations through the car stereo speakers. State Police Trooper Shelby advises.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the steering wheel.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program, established when Congress approved President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says this funding will improve healthcare access in rural communities…

Cut 4 (15) “…live longer.”

Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are expected to be active as the college football transfer portal opens today. In addition to targeting quarterbacks Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects Kiffin to target the position groups that helped build Ole Miss’s playoff roster: defensive line and wide receiver.

Cut 15 (09) “…system is.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says the state will receive 208-million dollars through the Rural Health Transportation Program. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein (Green-steen) says the goal is to increase access to care and help rural residents with chronic or complex health conditions. He says the funds will help sustain operations and upgrade infrastructure at rural healthcare facilities.

Cut 6 (11) “…bigger cities.”

Yesterday, authorities began enforcing the ban on holding a phone while driving. The new law went into effect last August but until now, officers have been handing out warnings. The grace period ended with 2025. State Police Trooper Shelby Mayfield says a previous ban has been in place for some time but this new law takes it one step further.

Cut 8 (08) “…hands-free manner.”

The college football transfer portal opens today and Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg expects Lane Kiffin and LSU to be active. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The primary election for Louisiana’s U.S. Senate seat is in May and this year certain races including the senate race will have a closed party primary. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says registered no party voters can vote in the closed primaries, but the Secretary of State’s office and the campaigns will need to educate voters…

Cut 11 (11) “..to declare.”