Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the Bayou State has seen seven consecutive years of economic growth. Private companies invested 25 Billion Dollars in the Bayou State in 2023.

Cut 12 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”  

13 homes to get fortified roofs installed in the Bayou State through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program are finished. One of the first to have her roof installed, Homeowner Alicia Craige…

Cut 4 (12) “…new roof.”

Craige says the entire process was seamless and she’s pleased with the results.

There’s potential for some severe weather over the weekend in the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A task force convened by Gov.-elect Jeff Landry met this week to weigh the rollback of 2017 laws aimed at lowering Louisiana’s prison population. Outgoing Governor John Bel Edwards meanwhile warned the incoming administration against the move. Edwards says it would be a kneejerk political reaction unlikely to yield real results.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon stopped by to get a first-hand look at one of the first 13 homes to have a fortified roof installed through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon stopped by a home in Slidell and says it’s exciting to see the first homes finished.

Cut 3 (10) “…an evaluator.”

Louisiana has seen economic growth for the seventh year in a row. Louisiana Economic Development, Don Pierson says Louisiana’s ports give the state a global advantage and he is not the only one who sees a bright future for the Bayou State…

Cut  14 (11) “…2024 and 2025.”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Bayou State may see some severe weather along with rain and much cooler temperatures this weekend.

Cut 6 (10) “…out of five.”

Keim says we could have up to an inch and a half of precipitation, and the heavier rain is more likely in northeast Louisiana.

The Prep Classic will wrap up tomorrow with only three more games. The first matchup starts at noon with St. Thomas More taking on Lafayette Christian in the division two select state title game. S-T-M defeated L-C-A 52-48 in last year’s championship game and Cougars head coach Jim Hightower is expecting another high-scoring affair…

Cut 9 (08) “…we measure up.” 

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The 2020Teacher of the year at Cypress Cove Elementary in Sulfur has been arrested in Texas for possessing child pornography.  Kenneth Espree, who most recently worked as a music teacher in Klein, Texas, taught music in the Calcasieu Parish School system from 2016 to 2020.  Espree resigned after Texas deputies found child pornography on his computer this fall, leading to his arrest and incarceration on a $200,000 bond.

For the 7^th year in a row, Louisiana has seen economic growth and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, Don Pierson says new opportunities in new fields at higher paying positions are increasing in Louisiana and that will mean more growth for the state…

Cut 13 (12) “…the nation.”

There’s a potential for some severe weather Saturday in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program has seen the first 13 upgraded roofs completed. Homeowner Alicia Craige is among one of the first to have hers installed. After getting the green light to move forward, Craige says she selected a contractor and her roof was up. She says the entire process was seamless and she’s pleased with the results.

Cut 5 (08) “ …them enough.”  

For the 7^th year in a row, Louisiana has seen economic growth. Private companies invested 25 Billion Dollars in the Bayou State in 2023. Louisiana Economic Development, Don Pierson…

Cut 12 (09)  “…in Louisiana.”  

Pierson says investments are coming from both established giants like Exxon Mobile and companies like a solar panel company bringing over 700 jobs.

And we’re about to see a significant mercury drop, highs Friday and Saturday will be in the 70s. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says after the rain moves through get ready for a much colder Sunday with highs in the 50s.

Cut 8 (08) “…of the state.” 

It’s a good time to check that your weather alert radio and smartphone apps are up to date so you can receive any severe weather notifications this weekend.

Thirteen Louisiana homes to get a fortified roof are complete under the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Prep Football wraps up tomorrow. Ruston will play for a state title for the second year in a row. Last year the Bearcats lost to Destrehan in the division one non-select title game, on Saturday night they’ll face Zachary. Ruston Coach Jerrod Baugh (baw)…

Cut 11 (11) “…state championship.”

We’re going to need sweaters and raincoats this weekend. A cold front is bringing rain and State Climatologist Barry Keim says, rain will be scattered across the state but with the increased probability of tornadic activity, you want to remain weather-aware. Rain totals shouldn’t be excessive, he says we could have up to an inch and a half of precipitation, and the heavier rain is more likely in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 7 (09) “…drought situation.” 

The first 13 homes to have a fortified roof installed through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program have been completed. Homeowner Alicia Craige is among one of the first to have her roof installed. To comply with insurance requirements, Craige says she needed to get her roof repaired immediately so she applied online.

Cut 4 (12) “…new roof.”

The Prep Classic finishes with three more games on Saturday. It starts at noon with St. Thomas More taking on Lafayette Christian in the division two select state title game. St. Charles Catholic goes after its third consecutive state title when they face Calvary Baptist at 3:30. Cougars Coach Wayne Stein credits the players for their consistent performance…

Cut 10 (04) “…blessed.”

Ruston will face Zachary Saturday night but first Tonight, Acadiana faces Catholic High in a battle of 5A powers. Yesterday, Oak Grove won its fourth state title in five years, while Southern Lab took home its second championship in three years.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost to a star studded Los Angeles Lakers team in the Semi-finals of the first ever NBA In-Season tournament last night. The game saw Lebron James return to King James form as the star scored 30 points and 8 assists in a 133 to 89 rout of New Orleans.

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In other basketball news, LSU will face off against Kansas State tomorrow at 12:30pm on the SEC Network and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will host the ULL Ragin Cajuns at 2 pm on ESPN+.

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The 2023 Prep Classic continues today with St.James taking on Union Parish. St.James upset second-seeded Sterlington on the road to earn their spot in the championship and Wildcats head Coach Lavanta Davis says that Union Parish’s offense will be tough to stop.

Cut 13 (14) “ … hands full.”

St.James and Union Parish will kick off at 3:30pm today.

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The 5 and 7 Saints are on a three game losing streak heading into their matchup this Sunday against the 1 and 11 Panthers. New Olreans running back Alvin Kamara knows that any divisional rivalry game will be a tough game, so he says that the Saints need to adopt a must win mindset to beat Carolina on Sunday and also finish this season strong.

Cut 18 (20) “ … work for it.”

The Saints will battle the Panthers at noon on FOX

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LSU Heisman hopeful Jayden Daniels was announced as the second ever Tiger to win the AP College Football Player of the Year Award. In LSU’s magical 2019 season, Joe Burrow was the first to receive the honor and he also won the Heisman that year which is something that Daniels is looking to accomplish tomorrow night at 7 pm.

A cold front approaching the Bayou State from the northwest has the potential to bring some severe weather along with rain and much cooler temperatures this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s potential for some dicey weather Saturday, in the form of high winds and tornados…

Cut 6 (10) “…out of five.”

The first few homes to have a fortified roof installed through the Louisiana Fortified Roof Grant Program are completed. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon visited one of them in Slidell and says it’s exciting to see the homes with strengthened roofs and even more are on the way…

Cut 3 (10) “…an evaluator.”

Qualified homeowners were awarded up to 10 thousand dollars to upgrade their roofs.

The Prep Classic finishes with three more games on Saturday. It starts at noon with St. Thomas More taking on Lafayette Christian in the division two select state title game. S-T-M defeated L-C-A 52-48 in last year’s championship game and Cougars head coach Jim Hightower is expecting another high-scoring affair…

Cut 9 (09) “…we measure up.” 

On Thursday Oak Grove beat Haynesville 62-38 and Southern Lab defeated Riverside 42-36.

It’s been an especially busy few days for LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels leading up to Saturday night’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. And LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says for the winner, Sunday’s schedule is nonstop…

Cut 10 (07) “…exciting weekend.”

The ceremony airs on Saturday at 7 pm.

The University of Louisiana System will adopt the state’s policy to offer employees up to six weeks of paid paternal leave even though the policy does not apply to college employees. University of Louisiana System President Doctor Jim Henderson….

Cut 6 (04) “…our organization.”

Henderson says feedback from employees has been extremely positive. The policy goes into effect on January 1st.

Louisiana State Fire Marshall says there have been 3 fatal house fires in the Bayou State in the last week. A recent kitchen fire claimed the life of a man in his thirties. Spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue …

Cut 9 (09)  “…intended it to.”

If you do encounter a small fire on a stove, turn it off and cover the pot.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is in New York on Saturday night and finalist LSU Tigers Quarterback Jayden Daniels has been busy the last few days. LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says it was after Daniels played his historic game against Florida when they amped up the Heisman campaign for ‘That Kid Jayden.’

Cut 11 (09) “…athletes.” 

St. James Mighty Wildcats will go up against the Union Parish Farmers in the Prep Classic at 3:30 today at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans. Wildcats Coach Lavanta Davis…

Cut 13 (14) “…hands full.”

Oak Grove beat Haynesville 62-36 and Southern Lab defeated Riverside 42-35.