Louisiana
Flounder make surprise summer show
Don’t know why this happens, but every summer coastal anglers are blessed with what only can be called “a bonus fish.”
One year it was dolphin, the fish not the mammal, and one year it was black drum. Sheepshead, bull croaker and giant white trout had their turns.
This year it’s flounder.
An abundance of the flat fish was first noticed at the Catholic High Alumni Rodeo in early June. There were years when a single angler with a single fish showed up on that leaderboard. This year the count stopped at 20 weighed flounder.
And, they kept coming.
Grand Isle Rodeo weighmaster Marty Bourgeois said there were more showing up in the granddaddy of all saltwater events this year, but nothing of great size.
Yet, in the Blue Boot Rodeo in Grand Isle last month, a four-pounder took the top prize — that’s a big flounder.
So, why?
Creel limits are relatively new, a 10-fish-per-day limit, along with an Oct. 15-Nov. 30 closed season, and it’s too early to tell if those new regulations have had enough time to affect this year’s catch.
So, when reading up on flounder, it appears a flounder “run” is cyclical, that water temperatures influences the sex of a flounder — the warmer the water the more male flounder in our waters — and since we came through a relatively cold winter maybe we have more female flounder, and more females mean more eggs, which means more little flounder.
No matter the reason, flounder are “in” this summer, and now you just have to be able to afford crabmeat for that stuffed flounder recipe to make tablefare fit for a king — and a queen.
Freezer Day
Hunters for the Hungry director Julie Grunewald is urging hunters to beat last year’s record-setting 21,881-pound collection in the statewide Clean Out Your Freezer campaign. This year’s collection begins next weekend.
While this organization began in the 1990s to urge hunters to clear their freezers to get ready for the upcoming hunting seasons, you don’t have to be a hunter to contribute.
The program’s target is for “…anyone and everyone to drop off properly packaged and labeled frozen goods,” which means packaged meats should be labeled and dated.
That’s because food banks won’t accept the donations that can’t be identified. Vacuum-sealed and those items from professional processor work out best, but they must be frozen.
Volunteers will staff collection sites around the state and will have ice chests to accept donations.
The list of dates, times and locations are listed elsewhere on this page. If you have questions, you can email Grunewald: julie@h4hla.org.
Big reward
State Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have posted a $12,500 reward for information leading to the person or persons responsible for killing an endangered whooping crane found in January this year in Evangeline Parish.
According to these agencies, the juvenile crane was found dead in a pond in Mamou on the south side of Besi Lane. A necropsy found a shot fractured the bird’s spine and led to internal hemorrhaging.
The reward’s total comes from funding by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the International Crane Foundation and the Dallas Zoo.
If you have information, call the Fish and Wildlife Service (985) 882-3756 or Wildlife and Fisheries’ Lake Charles Office (337) 491-2588. Callers can remain anonymous.
No dogs?
Last week the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation filed suit in a Michigan federal court against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with hopes of rescinding a new regulation restricting the importation of dogs into our country.
The two federal agencies cite a need to prevent the spread of rabies to our country as the reason for imposing the new rule.
The foundation says the new rule even applies to countries such as Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy among others are countries “… which the Center for Disease Control classifies as ‘low risk’ or ‘free’ of dog rabies.”
Guess we can be thankful a long-ago waterfowl hunter decided to bring Labrador retrievers into Louisiana.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 27, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
05-20-34-39-62, Powerball: 01, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
0-8-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
9-3-8-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
3-8-4-7-6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Easy 5 numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
14-25-27-30-37
Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto numbers from Dec. 27 drawing
07-22-27-34-38-39
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LSU Tigers offensive lineman Tyree Adams plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after spending three seasons in Baton Rouge, according to On3 Sports.
Adams, a four-star prospect out of Louisiana, signed with the LSU program as a member of the 2023 Recruiting Cycle alongside a myriad of high-profile Bayou State natives.
The former Top-250 prospect played in 17 career games with the LSU Tigers – including eight in each of the last two seasons. Across the 2025 season, he served as the starting left tackle for the program.
Adams also played 38 special teams snaps in 2024 as a redshirt freshman where he will now depart LSU in search of a new home for his final two seasons of eligibility.
LSU has now lost multiple offensive linemen to the Transfer Portal with Lane Kiffin looking to hit the reset button in the trenches.
The Offensive Line Departures:
No. 1: OL Carius Curne
Curne intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after one season in Baton Rouge, according to On3 Sports.
Curne, a five-star prospect in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle, signed with the Bayou Bengals as one of the highest-rated recruits in the most recent class.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder out of Arkansas emerged as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in America with offensive line coach Brad Davis inking the sought-after prospect.
No. 2: OL Coen Echols
Echols, a former four-star prospect out of Texas, signed with the LSU program as a top-five interior offensive lineman in the 2024 Recruiting Cycle.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder chose the Bayou Bengals over the likes of the Texas A&M Aggies, Auburn Tigers, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Oregon Ducks, among other prestigious offers.
The redshirt-freshman interior offensive lineman started in seven games for the Tigers and played 583 snaps across the 2025 season as a key second-year player at the guard positions.
This fall, Echols compiled a 67.8 pass blocking grade and a 51.3 run blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
No. 3: OL DJ Chester
DJ Chester plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons in Baton Rouge, he revealed via social media on Friday.
Chester, a former four-star recruit out of Georgia, signed with the LSU program as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in America with the Bayou Bengals salivating at the potential he attained.
The 6-foot-5, 335-pounder ultimately earned significant playing time as a redshirt-freshman in 2024, but struggled mightily for the program in the trenches.
Across the 2025 season, Chester was utilized as a “sixth man” for Brad Davis as he played both left tackle and center – logging 291 snaps on the year in a reserve role for the Bayou Bengals.
In 2024, Chester started every game at center and played 925 snaps, but struggled throughout the year – especially in SEC competition.
More LSU News:
LSU Football Wide Receiver, Oklahoma Transfer Labeled ‘Biggest Bust’ in Portal
Lane Kiffin Pulls Off Historic Recruiting Feat Amid First Month With LSU Football
Lane Kiffin Reveals How Nick Saban, Pete Carroll Influenced Decision to LSU Football
Join the Community:
Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 26, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
09-19-31-63-64, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
8-2-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
9-1-9-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
2-2-5-2-6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Funeral arrangements announced for slain Delaware state trooper Cpl. Matthew Snook
Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Florida for peace talks after Russia intensifies strikes
Glenn Schumann pinpoints the real reasons for Georgia’s defensive improvement
Teamsters strike ends at Kapi’olani Medical Center | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Pedestrian killed after being struck by pickup in eastern Idaho – East Idaho News
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle
Podcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
Most shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
Investigation after jet carrying Libyan officers crashes in Turkiye
-
Connecticut3 days agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
Entertainment2 days agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Entertainment3 days agoPat Finn, comedy actor known for roles in ‘The Middle’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 60
-
Milwaukee, WI4 days ago16 music and theater performances to see in Milwaukee in January 2026
-
World1 week agoPutin says Russia won’t launch new attacks on other countries ‘if you treat us with respect’
-
Education1 week agoHow Trump’s Policies on Tariffs, Health Care, Immigration and More Impact You
-
Alabama1 week ago4 Takeaways From Alabama’s Comeback, Oklahoma’s Collapse in CFP First-Round Game
-
World2 days agoSnoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, Huntr/x and Andrea Bocelli Deliver Christmas-Themed Halftime Show for Netflix’s NFL Lions-Vikings Telecast