Once again a bill to allow a non-felon over the age of 18 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit has been filed for the regular legislative session.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Democrat from Lake Charles announces he’s running for State Treasurer. 42-year-old Dustin Granger is a professional financial planner and wants to make the state better for future generations…:
Cut 13 (07) “…running for Treasurer.”

The Lafayette-based biotech company – Tides Medical is expanding its corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilit, which produces skin grafts…
cut 4 (11) “….our products”
Tides Medical CEO, Joe Spell, says the expansion will 77 retain jobs and create 40 new ones.

In 2020, Louisiana saw Hurricane Laura and Delta make landfall very close to each other and a few weeks apart. In 2021, it was Hurricane Ida and then 15 days later a weakening Nicholas came through southeast Louisiana. A Princeton study says expect to see more back-to-back storms because of climate change. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the researchers make this prediction because they believe climate change will lead to larger hurricanes….
cut 9 (10) “…going into the future”

A north Louisiana lawmaker has once again filed a bill to allow non-felons over the age of 18 to conceal carry without the need of a permit. Oil City Republican Danny McCormick’s proposal passed the House last year, but died in the Senate. Will the upper chamber seek to kill the bill again this year???
cut 12 (09) “…this year”
McCormick’s House Bill 53 will be heard after the legislature convenes on April 10th.

Are back-to-back hurricanes a phenomenon or are they becoming the norm? A Princeton University study says they are becoming more routine, and the culprit is climate change. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s an interesting study and does make you think, especially in Louisiana…
Cut 7 (11) “…on there.”
Keim says while the back-to-back hurricane patterns used to occur once every few decades, a trend of them happening more often has emerged.

Tides Medical which makes skin graft products announces its expanding its headquarters in Acadiana and hiring 40 more employees
Cut 1 (30) “…Teiko Foxx.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore announces he’s not running governor. Moore, who is a registered Democrat, has served as Baton Rouge’s top prosecutor since 2008. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it appears now that DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will likely be the lone major Democrat in the race to replace outgoing Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards…”

Cut 10 (06) “…John Bel Edwards did.” 

LaSalle Parish school teacher Danny Cole also says he will run for governor as a Democrat. Wilson has not made an official announcement yet. He’s expected to sometime in March.

Internet outages continue to hinder Southeastern University. UL -System President Dr. Jim Henderson says they’ve identified the suspected cyber incident, and while the inability to communicate digitally is a major inconvenience, he says it could be much worse.

Cut 14 (10)   “…we follow.”

In Lake Charles, a ribbon cutting was held today for a 10-point-eight million dollar culinary, gaming and hospitality teaching center. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

And Firmin the crawfish received a pardon today from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Since 2017 the life of one mudbug is spared annually in Louisiana in recognition of the season kickoff. The chosen crawfish is then allowed to retire and live out their remaining days at a state park and avoid a boiling pot of water. Viva la Firmin.

Putting to rest months of speculation, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says he will not run for governor. Moore, who is a registered Democrat, has served as Baton Rouge’s prosecutor for 14 years. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Moore didn’t have much of a chance with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson expected to get in…

Cut 9 (07) “…whatsoever.”

Wilson, a Democratic from Lafayette is expected to his candidacy for Governor soon.

State and local officials were on hand today for the grand opening of SOWELA’s $10.8M State-of-the-art Culinary, Gaming, and Hospitality Training Center in Lake Charles. SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall says with three big casinos in Lake Charles a facility to train the workers is needed…

Cut 3 (10) “…hospitality center.”

Funding for the facility was approved by Governor John Bel Edwards and the state legislature in 2018.

A campus-wide internet outage continues to frustrate students and faculty at SouthEastern University campus. UL -System President Dr. Jim Henderson says the ability to isolate and restore the school’s internet system is a testament to the Information Technology team responsible for their ability to rectify the outage.

Cut 13 (12) “…uncovered.”

A timeline of when the school’s computer system is expected to be restored has not been released.

Talking about the race to be Louisiana’s next governor. One Democrat rules running out, and that’s East Baton Rouge parish District attorney Hillar Moore. He’d likely be competing with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson for the Democrat vote. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he’s not surprised at Moore’s decision to refrain from running, and feels that Wilson may be the Dems best chance at keeping the Governor’s Mansion…:

CUT 11(12)      “…to run.”

So far 8 candidates have announced for governor, but – at this time – Wilson is not one of them, though he is expected to make an announcement soon.

The Governor was at SOWELA in Lake Charles today to cut the ribbon on a new $11-million training facility for the gaming, hospitality and culinary trades. SOWELA Chancellor Neil Aspinwell says the facility is cutting edge…:

CUT 05(09)      “…break area.”

Another quick note on the 2023 Governor’s Race, USA Today reports that House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he will enter the race, but only if Congressman Garret Graves decides not to run. Right now 5 republicans are announced candidates. Schexnayder would be the 6^th. He is term-limited in the House.

Despite a rough beginning for the strawberry growing season weather-wise, the current warming is speeding things up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore announces he’s not running governor. Moore, who is a registered Democrat, has served as Baton Rouge’s top prosecutor since 2008. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it appears now that DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will likely be the lone major Democrat in the race to replace outgoing Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards…”

CUT 10(06)      “…Edwards did.”

LaSalle Parish school teacher Danny Cole also says he will run for governor as a Democrat. Wilson has not made an official announcement yet. He’s expected to sometime in March.

This spurt of warm weather ahead of spring has been a boon the state’s strawberry crop; causing something of a growth surge. Berry farmer Trey Harris says, now more than ever, get out and buy real Louisiana strawberries…:

CUT 08(09)      “…farmers left.”

Harris encourages everyone to also support the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival; coming April 14th through 16th.

In Lake Charles, a ribbon cutting was held today for a $10.8-million culinary, gaming and hospitality teaching center. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Foxx.”

The state’s capital is proclaimed among the USA’s most dangerous cities. The website “WalletHub.com” collected data on 180 American cities for safety, and found placed Baton Rouge at Number 5 of its Ten Most Dangerous list. Detroit, St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale were all found to be more dangerous.

Internet outages continue to hinder the campus of Southeastern University after an incident over the weekend. UL -System President Dr. Jim Henderson says the university and state police have identified the suspected cyber incident responsible for the outage…:

CUT 12(10)      “…right now.”

Staff and students are unable to use the school’s email, plus the system students and professors use to communicate and administer tests and assignments is down.

Grand Opening ceremonies today for SOWELA’s $10.8M state-of-the-art Culinary, Gaming, and Hospitality Training Center in Lake Charles. Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall says hospitality accounts for over $18-billion in annual revenue, and there is plenty of demand for people…:

CUT 04(09)      “……a need.”

Funding for the facility was approved by Governor John Bel Edwards in 2018.

Police in Opelousas are investigating a homicide this morning outside a local gym. Officers says two men were arguing, and one shot the other; killing him. The suspect was taken into custody. So far the accused shooter and the victim have not been identified.

Despite a rough beginning for the strawberry growing season weather-wise, the current warming trend is speeding things up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore announces he’s not running for governor. Moore, who is a registered Democrat, has served as Baton Rouge’s top prosecutor since 2008. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Moore didn’t have much of a chance with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson expected to get in…

Cut 9 (07) “…whatsoever.”

Wilson, a Black Democrat from Lafayette, is expected to officially enter the race next month.

As we approach the peak of strawberry season, Springfield strawberry farmer, Trey Harris says production is down from this time last year. But he says the current unseasonably warm temps are speeding things up. And while you might assume strawberry farmers welcome rain, Harris says too much water and fog at this point can affect the taste of strawberries.

Cut 7 (05)  “…like water.” 

He says there are only about 15 strawberry farmers left in Louisiana.

In his final year in office, Governor John Bel Edwards is once again asking Louisiana lawmakers to set a minimum wage higher than the federal rate of $7.25 per hour. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to fulfill a campaign promise in his final year in office and that’s raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour….
cut 11 (09) “…this year”
But the Republican led Legislature has not supported previous efforts as business groups say it will not be good for our economy. But Edwards says it’s immoral to pay a person $7.25 an hour.

As we approach the peak of strawberry season, Springfield strawberry farmer, Trey Harris says production is down from this time last year. But he says the current unseasonably warm temps are speeding things up.
Cut 6 (12) “…berries right now.”
Harris says highs in the 80s and warm nights are causing a growth spurt.

State and local officials were on hand today for the grand opening of SOWELA’s $10.8M State-of-the-art Culinary, Gaming, and Hospitality Training Center in Lake Charles. SOWELA Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall says with three big casinos in Lake Charles a facility to train the workers is needed…
Cut 3 (10) “…hospitality center.”
The 28-thousand foot square building features a top of the line culinary kitchen, gaming tables and model hotel rooms.

Festival International de Louisiane announces the musical acts for its festival in Lafayette from April 26th to the 30th.. Marketing Director, Carly Viator says this year’s headliner includes Lafayette’s Lauren Daigle…
Cut 30 (10) “…zydeco groups.”
Exact dates and times for the various musical performers will be released next month.

Every year he’s been in office, Governor John Bel Edwards has asked legislators to set a minimum wage higher than the federal rate of $7.25 an hour. Edwards has been unsuccessful so far, but he’ll try again for his last year in office.  The governor has also put 33 million dollars in his proposed budget to fund a minimum wage increase for some 47 hundred state workers.

Cut 12 (11) “…ten dollars an hour.”

The session begins on April 10^th.

LSU Health New Orleans reports a majority of their post-op total knee replacement patients recovered just as well with Tylenol and anti-inflammatory medications versus opioids to control pain. Professor of Orthopedics Dr. Vinod Dasa (Va-node Dose-ah)…

Cut 13 (09) “…opioid group.” 

The Red Cross says they’ve installed 42,000 smoke alarms in Louisiana homes over the last nine years. Executive Director of Louisiana Capital Area West Red Cross Ed Bush says while the Red Cross is usually reactive to disasters the Home Fire Campaign allows them to be proactive in preventing home fire deaths.

Cut 8 (11)  “…27 lives.”

If you need a free smoke alarm visit SoundtheAlarm-dot org slash Louisiana.

The 37th annual Festival International de Louisiane will take over downtown Lafayette April 26-30. Marketing Director, Carly Viator says attendance growth adds the perfect ingredients for cultural tourism and economic development.

Cut 6 (09)  “…every year.” 

Lafayette native Lauren Daigle will headline the free event.