Louisiana

Duck hunters hope cold fronts will save first split

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2024

Duck hunters hope cold fronts will save first split

Last week’s midweek cold front, and another even colder front predicted this week, could save Louisiana’s first split of the 60-day duck season.

With the West Zone — it covers our state’s entire coast — entering its second full week and East Zone’s wild waterfowlers getting their first shots this weekend, two cold fronts are a blessing.

A double stroke of good luck is both fronts brought and are predicted to bring much-needed rain, maybe too much in some places, but water to quench what was left of that October drought.

From the first West Zone reports, it appears only a handful of isolated spots held enough migrating birds to give hunters enough opportunity after that Nov. 9 opening day.

The first day’s take was good enough for most coastal hunters, but the second and third days left them wanting. Only a few, and somewhat small, locations in Grand Chenier and Little Chenier in the southwestern parishes and spots on the eastern side of the Mississippi River south of Buras held enough bluewing teal, pintails and gray ducks for hunters after opening day.

The southwestern marshes had to wait for rice-field hunters to chase birds their way, which meant seeing a few birds near sunrise and more birds later in the morning for those willing to wait out the lull in the action.

The take more than verified Wildlife and Fisheries’ Waterfowl Study Group survey, an aerial counting that showed Louisiana was holding a record low number of ducks for a November survey — ever!

The 510,000 ducks spread among 11 species is, according to study leader Jason Olszak, “12.7% lower than last November’s record low of 584,000 and is 37% lower than the most recent five-year average (809,000), and 58% lower than the most recent 10-year average (1.2 million).”

The survey showed increases only in bluewing teal and pintail from 12 months ago, but did not show a count of 107,000 black-bellied whistling ducks, a species that’s increased its numbers dramatically during the past four years in our state.

All it not lost. Midwest states like Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri have temperatures dipping below freezing for the first time this year, and that’s usually enough to chase south the last remaining teal, grays, pintail, shovelers and ringneck ducks to increase the number of birds pushing south into Louisiana.

One surprising number in November’s survey was the number of ducks in the Little River Basin, a place identified as Catahoula Lake in past years. The 119,000 ducks seen in the basin is big uptick from past years and gives East Zone hunters a leg up on what usually is a sparse first split.

A reminder: The East Zone’s first split runs through Dec. 1. West Zone hunters have a Dec. 8 first-split final day.

Red snapper

Charterboat operations with federal for-hire permits will get another chance to take red snapper this year.

Federal fisheries folks announced charters in all five Gulf States will open a second season Monday and remain open through Dec. 31.

That’s because during the federal charters’ special 88-day season (it closed Aug. 28) the feds estimated landings to be 2,193,710 pounds in an annual allotment of 3,076,322 pounds whole weight. That leaves 882,612 pounds on the table, enough federal fisheries managers say can extend a season through the end of the year.

Private recreational anglers and charterboats under state permits continue to have a closed or limited seasons under each of the five state’s allowed red snapper frameworks.

Louisiana private and state-chartered fishermen continue to have a closed season on the take of red snapper.

Closures

Recent heavy rains forced Wildlife and Fisheries to close the deer season in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, and the closure of Blount Road on the Richard Yancey WMA.

Both are popular deer and small-game hunting areas. Maurepas Swamp (112,615 acres) is between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and takes in parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes.

Richard Yancey is located 35 miles south of Ferriday. The agency said Blount Road, a major access route, will have to be inspected and repaired before it can be reopened to hunters.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball results for Feb. 14, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 14, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 14 drawing

23-43-58-60-64, Powerball: 24, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball 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.

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Louisiana

LDWF Agents Seize Live Alligator on Bourbon Street

Published

14 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

LDWF Agents Seize Live Alligator on Bourbon Street

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents seized a live alligator from a subject on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of Feb. 14.

Agents arrested Eurell D. Johnson, 25, of New Roads, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and a possession of a live alligator.

Agents patrolling the French Quarter Enhanced Safety Zone observed Johnson walking down the 400 block of Bourbon St. carrying an approximately three to four foot live alligator around 1:30 a.m. Agents made contact with Johnson and also found him in possession of a firearm and marijuana. Agents also learned that Johnson was a convicted felon and could not possess a firearm.

Agents seized the live alligator and turned it over to the on call LDWF biologist. Agents also seized a pistol and marijuana. Agents booked Johnson into the Orleans Parish Jail.

A convicted felon in possession of a firearm brings a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years in jail. Illegal possession of a live alligator carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Illegal possession of marijuana brings up to a $100 fine.

Agents participating in the case are Senior Agent Grayson Parker, Sgt. James Bruce, Sgt. Emily Sexton and Sgt. Josh Harris.

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Louisiana

Louisiana achieves record 88.4% seatbelt usage rate

Published

1 day ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Louisiana achieves record 88.4% seatbelt usage rate

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Louisiana has achieved its highest-ever seatbelt usage rate at 88.4%, with officials crediting a remix of Lafayette music artist Cupid’s hit song “Cupid Shuffle” for helping drive the numbers.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission partnered with Cupid on a Valentine’s Day video promoting seatbelt safety to celebrate the record-high usage rate. The collaboration features a remix of Cupid’s international hit with new lyrics emphasizing the importance of wearing seatbelts.

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ more than, ‘I want you to wear your seat belt,’” said LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman. “And no one has ever expressed that more musically than Cupid.”

Jingle credited with driving usage rates

At LHSC’s request, Cupid remixed “Cupid Shuffle” with new words for a 2018 public service announcement called “Now Click.” The jingle has gained momentum and is credited with helping Louisiana achieve the record usage rate, according to an LHSC 2025 observational survey.

“I mean, every time the commercial comes on the radio, I get a call or a text from somebody saying, ‘I just heard you on the radio,’” Cupid said. “I’m like, ‘What song?’ They say, ‘The Click It song.’”

Freeman said the jingle is “catchy and fun, and I’d give Cupid another gold record if it were up to me.”

“There’s absolutely no doubt that this jingle has gotten into the heads of young drivers, reminding them to buckle up, and I’m certain it has saved lives,” Freeman said.

The video is available on YouTube and LHSC’s social media pages.

Personal connection drives artist’s involvement

Cupid said he decided to create the jingle for LHSC because seatbelt safety is a cause close to his heart.

“I had a cousin who I played football with who passed away in a car accident, and I just felt that it was something that needed to be done,” he said. “He was one of my closest friends, and (he and some friends) were leaving a football game, had a car accident, car flipped over, and everybody in the car was OK except him.”

Cupid also has a son who recently started driving.

“You’ve got to know every time he gets in that car, I’m nervous,” he said. Cupid’s son knows the jingle, “so that lets me know that we’re doing the right thing.”

Cupid said he felt it was right to give back to the community using his successful music career.

“Sometimes you’ve got to step out and help the community out and use your power and music to be able to touch people all over,” Cupid said. “At the end of the day, you have lessons, and you have blessings, and you take those lessons to try to create blessings for other people.”

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