Louisiana Action Network (LAAN54) - Statewide Coverage

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana ( LAAN 54 ) — Film Louisiana is set to roll out the red carpet this week as the 4th Annual Listening Room Film Festival returns to the capital city, running December 12–13 at 2733 North Street. The two-day showcase will open each afternoon at 3 p.m. and run through midnight, bringing filmmakers, producers, students, and film-lovers together for one of the state’s more intimate and creative industry gatherings. The Listening Room Film Festival has built its identity on a simple idea: give storytellers space not just to screen their work, but to discuss it openly with the audience in a relaxed, community-driven environment. Rather than the traditional theater setup, the festival leans heavily into conversation. Attendees can watch films, hear directly from directors about their process, and participate in question-and-answer sessions that stretch late into the night. This year’s lineup features a mix of Louisiana-shot shorts, regional documentaries, rising-talent...

  Rating: 8.1/10 SHREVEPORT, Louisiana ( LAAN 54 ) — “The Black Spot” doesn’t waste a second easing you in — it opens with tension, fire, and chaos, setting the tone for one of the series’ most emotionally charged episodes so far. From a filmmaking standpoint, it’s easily one of the strongest entries. The pacing is sharp, the visuals are cinematic, and the acting lands every beat. But even with all that, there’s a lingering frustration that’s hard to shake. Hollywood has leaned on Black trauma as a narrative engine for decades, and this episode taps into that well again. The execution is high-level, but the reliance on Black suffering to move the plot forward feels overused and, at times, exhausting. Still, the episode delivers some heavy revelations, including the death of a key character that hits hard. More importantly, it gives us a clear picture of how Pennywise came to be. It’s unsettling, it’s tragic, and it sets up a wide runway for where the show can go in future seasons. ...

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana ( LAAN 54 ) — Below is full LHSAA State Football Championship Slate set to take place this weekend at the Caesar’s New Orleans Superdome: NON-SELECT Division I Ruston Bearcats vs. Ouachita Parish Dec. 13 — 12:00 PM Division II Iowa Yellowjackets vs. North DeSoto Griffins Dec. 12 — 12:00 PM Division III Sterlington Panthers vs. Jena Giants Dec. 12 — 3:30 PM Division IV Mangham Dragons vs. Haynesville Golden Tornado Dec. 11 — 12:00 PM SELECT Division I St. Augustine Purple Knights vs. Edna Karr Cougars Dec. 13 — 3:30 PM Division II Shaw Eagles vs. St. Charles Comets Dec. 12 — 7:00 PM Division III Calvary Baptist Cavaliers vs. Dunham Tigers Dec. 11 — 7:00 PM Division IV Ascension Catholic Bulldogs vs. Riverside Academy Rebels Dec. 11 — 3:30 PM Photo credit: AXIOS New Orleans

  NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, ( LAAN 54 ) -- Louisiana’s Catholic community is facing an unusual and emotional moment as Bishop Michael G. Duca temporarily suspended the Sunday Mass obligation for Catholics who fear being detained during the ongoing federal immigration crackdown in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge regions. The decision comes after a surge of enforcement actions under the federal “Catahoula Crunch” operation, which has included mass arrests, roadside checkpoints and heightened patrols in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Church officials say many families have been afraid to leave their homes — even for essential needs — out of concern they may be stopped or questioned. In a statement, Bishop Duca said the suspension is meant to “protect the dignity and safety of every family,” acknowledging how fear has disrupted daily life across immigrant communities. Pastors in several parishes have reported empty pews, canceled gatherings and a wave of parishioners seeking gui...

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana ( LAAN 54 ) —  In one of the biggest surprises of the postseason, the Tulane Green Wave, ranked No. 20, have earned a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, setting up a high-stakes first-round showdown against Ole Miss. Tulane becomes one of the lowest-ranked teams ever to reach the CFP, benefiting from the new format that guarantees a path for top-performing Group of Five programs. Behind a resilient season, a late surge, and key wins that elevated their strength-of-record, the Green Wave slid into the bracket and now face a daunting road matchup in Oxford. Their reward: a chance to advance into the quarterfinals for a shot at Georgia, the powerhouse program waiting on the opposite side of the bracket. For Tulane, it’s the type of underdog storyline that defines the expanded playoff — a program outside the traditional power structure earning a legitimate opportunity to compete for a national title. Ole Miss enters the game favored, but Tul...