A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race, he may be assured a runoff position. Couvillon believes support for other GOP candidates will most likely be distributed geographically. For example, in Baton Rouge, it would likely go to Stephen Waguespack because of name recognition…:

CUT 11(10)      “…after Garret Graves.”

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continues to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says 47-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, remaining historically very high…:

CUT 13(05)      “…workforce.”

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will have a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s congressional infrastructure law for the study.

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

JMC Analytics also did a poll on the attorney general’s race, paid for by one of the candidates John Belton, a district attorney in north Louisiana. Belton received 13-percent of the vote, Solicitor General Liz Murrill in the Attorney General’s Office received 10-percent and state representative John Stefanski had seven percent. 68-percent said they were undecided.

The National Hurricane Center says it will give out seven-day forecasts, instead of the traditional five, starting with this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this update in forecasting will be beneficial…
cut 4 (10) “…might be headed”
The National Hurricane Center says they’ve been testing seven-day forecasts in recent years and now feel confident enough in them, to make them public.

The latest national survey of small businesses finds inflation and labor shortages continue to frustrate businesses. State Director of the NFIB Dawn McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can grow again. She says they need the help of the federal and state government, because small business owners are doing what they can to cope with the labor shortage…
cut 14 (07) “…work schedules”

The latest poll for governor has Republican Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Democrat Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon with the two running neck and neck the question is how much traction can the remaining four Republican candidates make before the primary.

Cut 10 (10) “…in the run-off.” 

The poll was conducted March 6-8.

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. N-F-I-B state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…

Cut 12 (09) “…unrelenting inflation”. 

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will take a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian and Dallas-Fort Worth. Southern Rail Commission Chairman, Knox Ross says this has been an ongoing project.

Cut 6 (07)  “…distant service.” 

Canadian Pacific has agreed on the study, but the co-owner of Norfolk Southern Railway would also have to approve.

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race…

Cut 9 (09) “…first in October.”

The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

If you’ve ever fallen victim to a scam the Federal Trade Commission wants you to report it. Emma Fletcher with the FTC encourages you to visit ReportFraud-dot-FTC-dot-gov and even if you haven’t lost money to make them aware of a potential scam.

Cut 11 (10)  “… for investigations.”

More than $8.8 billion was lost to scammers in the US last year.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas and that qualified companies could begin offering competitively priced options to Louisiana home and business owners very soon.

Cut 15 (05)  “…next month”

The legislature appropriated $45-million for insurance incentives to write policies in Louisiana.

A bill filed for the April legislative session would punish fentanyl dealers the same as convicted killers. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent JMC Analytics poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent of the vote followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. The poll was conducted March 6-8 and included Congressman Garret Graves who came in third place with 12 percent.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas. Donelon says the response is more than what they anticipated…

Cut 13 (09) “…that’s available” 

He says some of those companies could begin writing policies as early as April.

The Federal Trade Commission says last year 2.4 million Americans were scammed and or victim to identity theft with a total loss of $8.8 billion. Emma Fletcher with the FTC says they have tips on how to avoid scams on their website and if anyone ever asks you to buy a gift card to fix a problem…

Cut 12 (08) “…that a lot.”

Louisiana residents ranks among the top 5 states who are scammed and/or fall victim to Identity theft.

A south Louisiana lawmaker wants individuals convicted of distributing more than 28 grams of fentanyl to spend the rest of their life behind bars without the possibility of parole or probation. Hundreds die from fentanyl annually in Louisiana and Crowley Representative John Stefanski says Louisiana has dealt with other drug scourges  in similar fashion…
cut 5 (12) “….those penalties”
Stefanski’s bill will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

Northwestern State has broken ground on a new 44-million dollar academic building. The more than 73,000 square foot building will feature laboratories for nursing and anesthesia programs, clinics and 60 offices. NSU President Doctor Marcus Jones says it will become a hub of innovation for students
Cut 9 (05) “…they graduate.”

A new league year begins today for the NFL. Saints analyst Ross Jackson and The Advocate’s Luke Johnson share their insight and look ahead to free agency…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

As part of new McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s contract, he’ll be suspended the first five games of the season. He’s also prohibited from doing any off-campus recruiting until after July 31st. Wade was fired from LSU a year ago over alleged recruiting violations.

Crowley Representative Jonn Stefanski has filed a bill that would make the punishment for distributing more than 28 grams of fentanyl the same as murder, which means life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stefanski says fentanyl is killing too many of our residents and he expects bipartisan support from his colleagues…
cut 6 (07) “….you belong to”
Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine companies have applied for grant dollars from the state that will result in them writing property insurance policies in coastal Louisiana. Donelon says his staff still has to review the applications, but some of these companies could start writing new policies soon…
cut 15 (05) “….next month”
Donelon has also announced he’s not running for re-election this fall.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is suing drug makers and prescription benefit managers over the high cost of insulin. He says 20% of middle-class Americans are unable to take their prescribed dosage of insulin…:
CUT 21(05) “…can’t afford it.”
He hopes the suit will result in them lowering costs for diabetics.

If you’ve ever been scammed or had your identity stolen you’re not alone. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Crowley lawmaker files legislation to raise criminal penalties for distributing fentanyl to make that equivalent to murder. Republican John Stefanski’s bill will be heard in the legislative session that starts April 10th. He says the consequences for dealing the drug should “match the violent damage it causes”…:
Cut 4 (10) “…rest of your life.”
Possessing smaller amounts could get 5 to 40 years in prison and up to $50-thousand in fines.

New data finds Louisiana is among the top five states when it comes to the highest per capita rates of both reported fraud and identity theft. Federal Trade Commission Senior Data Researcher Emma Fletcher says if you’ve been a victim, you can report your case to Report-Fraud-dot-F-T-C-dot-gov. Fletcher says even if you did not lose money, make them aware of the potential scam…
cut 11 (10) “…for investigations”
The FTC also has tips on their website on how to possibly recover your losses.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says nine insurers are seeking 62-million dollars in grant money to write more private property insurance policies in coastal Louisiana. Donelon says they are reviewing the applications…
cut 14 (14) “…on the budget”
But Donelon is optimistic several of these companies will begin writing new policies as soon as next month.

Governor John Bel Edwards and other officials have broken ground on a new 44-million dollar state-of-the-art building on the Northwestern State University campus. NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones says the groundbreaking marks a special moment for the university.
Cut 7 (10) “…sixteenth president.”
Alost was president of the university from 1986 to 1996.

A bill filed for the April legislative session would punish fentanyl dealers the same as convicted killers.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has decided not to run for a fifth term. The 78-year-old Republican from Metairie is the longest-serving commissioner in the state’s history. He’ll use his remaining months in office trying to reduce the number of policyholders covered by the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

Louisiana is among the top five states when it comes to the highest per capita rates of both reported fraud and identity theft. Federal Trade Commission Senior Data Researcher Emma Fletcher says they received fraud reports from 2.4 million Americans last year with a total loss of $8.8 billion to scams.
Cut 10 (06) “…really staggering numbers.”
And that’s up 30 percent from 2021.

Northwestern State has broken ground on a new 44-million dollar academic building that will feature laboratories for nursing and anethesia programs, a social work-psychology clinic and training area and several classrooms and offices. N-S-U President Doctor Marcus Jones thanks the Legislature for appropriating the money for the new building…
cut 8 (10) “…their help”

A bill filed for the April legislative session would punish fentanyl dealers the same as convicted killers. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you’ve ever been scammed or had your identity stolen you’re not alone. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The NFL league year begins today and the Saints got under the salary cap with new one-year deals for quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Michael Thomas. Saints analyst Ross Jackson and The Advocate’s Luke Johnson shared their insight on the moves and look ahead to free agency. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick” 

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A Crowley lawmaker files legislation to raise criminal penalties for distributing fentanyl to make that equivalent to murder. Republican John Stefanski filed the bill for the legislative session that starts April 10^th. He says the consequences for dealing the drug should “match the violent damage it causes”…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…rest of your life.”

Stefanski’s bill would make possession of more than 28 grams of fentanyl (which is considered possession with intent to distribute) punishable with life in prison. Possessing smaller amounts could get 5 to 40 years in prison and up to $50-thousand in fines. Thousands die from fentanyl overdoses yearly in Louisiana. Stefanski says Louisiana has dealt with other drug scourges in similar fashion before…:

Cut 5 (12) “…those penalties.”

Stefanski says he has consulted with fellow lawmakers, sheriffs and district attorneys before filing his bill and they support the idea. He says he also expects bipartisan support from colleagues…:

Cut 6 (07)  “…you belong to.” 

Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.

_____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards and elected officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art building on the Northwestern State University campus yesterday. NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones says the groundbreaking marks a special moment for the university.

Cut 7 (10) “…sixteenth president.”

NSU was awarded $44 million for the new building which will become the university’s main academic building. Jones says education is the engine for economic growth and diversification.

Cut 8 (10) “…their help.”

The more than 73,000 square feet building will feature laboratories for nursing and anesthesia programs, clinics, a cafe, 60 offices, and an administrative office suite that could include space for staff. Jones says it will become a hub of innovation for students

Cut 9 (05)  “…they graduate.”

The building will replace John S. Kyser Hall – the largest building on NSU’s campus.

_______________________________________________

Louisiana is among the top five states when it comes to the highest per capita rates of both reported fraud and identity theft. Federal Trade Commission Senior Data Researcher Emma Fletcher says they received fraud reports from 2.4 million Americans last year with a total loss of $8.8 billion to scams.

Cut 10 (06)  “…really staggering numbers.”

And that’s up 30 percent from 2021.

The FTC says the most popular scams last year included Imposter or Romance Scams. Followed by Online Shopping Scams, Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams. The fourth most popular is Investment Scams like cryptocurrency and then Job Scams.

If you’ve been a victim Fletcher encourages you to report it by going to ReportFraud-dot-FTC-dot-gov and even if you haven’t lost money to make them aware of a potential scam.

Cut 11 (10)  “… for investigations.”

The FTC also has tips on their website on how to possibly recover your losses if you’ve been scammed along with a description of ongoing scams. Fletcher says to be on guard and if anyone ever asks you to buy gift cards to fix a problem…

Cut 12 (08) “…that a lot.”

And to receive tips and updates about the latest scams visit FTC-dot-gov-slash-consumer alerts and enter your email address.

You can visit the article posted on LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com for those websites.

______________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces nine companies have applied for grant money that would result in them offering residential and commercial policies in coastal areas. Donelon says the response is more than what they anticipated…

Cut 13 (09) “…that’s available” 

Earlier this year, lawmakers appropriated 45-million dollars for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says since they have nine companies seeking 62-million dollars, they’ll look to appropriate more dollars for the fund when the legislative session begins next month.

Donelon says in the meantime they will review the applications from the nine insurance companies seeking grant funding…

Cut 14 (14)  “..the budget”

Donelon says once their review is complete they will ask the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for approval as early as this Friday. He says the companies that qualify could begin offering competitively priced options to Louisiana home and business owners soon

Cut 15 (05)  “…next month”

____________________________________________

The Saints are expected to sign former All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas to a one-year incentive-based deal. The new deal avoids the over $60 million dollars Thomas would have been guaranteed had he played just 4 games in 2023 and allows Thomas to return to New Orleans now with new quarterback Derek Carr. Saints analyst Ross Jackson says it’s a good deal for both sides…

Cut  16 (16)  “…or else wise.” 

Thomas won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after a record-setting 2019 season but has played in only three games since then. The deal will allow Thomas to return to an offensive scheme he’s thrived in and an opportunity to earn $15 million with incentives. Luke Johnson of The Advocate says that the deal protects the Saints and will be more than worth it if even a fraction of the old Michael Thomas returns…

Cut 17 (19) “…of the cost.” 

The Saints have also resigned quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year contract in an effort to free up more cap space. The move comes as a surprise for some as Winston is not expected to compete for the starting spot, but many teams with availability are expected to address the position in the draft or elsewhere. Winston chose to return to a familiar system in what Jackson says was a great move for the Saints…

Cut 18 (19) “…salary cap relief.”

As free agency kicks off and New Orleans fights yet again to get under the cap, they’ve had to watch many young talents find contracts elsewhere. Most notably defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle have all left for division opponents. After recent moves the Saints are only a few million under the salary cap, but with more cap-saving opportunities and how the front office structures their deals, Johnson says the Saints will still be active in free agency…

Cut 19 (18) “…in there”

_________________________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (22)  “…of schedule”