Baton Rouge Representative Scott McKnight who’s so far the only candidate running for state treasurer addressed the Press Club of Baton Rouge this afternoon. The insurance executive has been in the legislature since 2020…:

CUT 09(10)      “…State Treasurer.”

Current State Treasurer John Schroder is not seeking re-election and is running for governor.

American consumers are expected to spend about $2-billion more on Valentine’s Day than last year. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says the reason for the increase is more consumers showing appreciation for others…:

CUT 04(07)      “…even pets.”

I was going to go with inflation as the reason, but…OK.

A St. Mary Parish man face numerous charges for illegally taking nutria, to profit from the state’s bounty program. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

A Good Samaritan who was witnessing an armed robbery in the New Orleans French Quarter is credited with intervening and wrestling the gun from the assailant’s hands. The would-be thief got away, the intended victim and his rescuer are unharmed.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Patterson man for illegally taking nutria, to collect bounties for the invasive species. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck (EYE-nk) says 45-year-old Harris DeHart is seen in online “how-to” videos catching nutria by gassing them, cutting off their tails and letting them go; impaired and badly injured. Einck says he faces a long list of charges…:

CUT 07(11)      “…that’s not allowed.”

Einck says the state pays a bounty for the invasive animals, and they pay by how many tails one turns in…but the manner in which the animals are dispatched is laid out in state law. He says DeHart was gaming the bounty system.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor says the City of Westlake fell victim to an email hack that netted thieves over $64-thousand in illegitimately-billed overdue payments. The auditor found the city hadn’t properly vetted the bogus invoices before paying them.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and while you’ll probably witness some last-minute shopping today, overall shoppers are predicted to spend a whopping $25.9-billion in the US this year. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says that’s up from $24-billion spent last year, and the second highest on record…:

CUT 03(11)      “…last year.”

Consumers are expected to spend $4.4-billion on an evening out and more than $5.5-billion on jewelry.

Bad news for the Pelicans as All-Star forward Zion Williamson will miss several more weeks after he re-aggravated his right hamstring. Pelicans’ executive vice president David Griffin says Williamson was set to return soon, but re-injured himself at practice…:

CUT 12(13)      “…to navigate.”

New Orleans is at Oklahoma City tonight.

Dense early morning fog is blamed for a 15-vehcile pile-up this morning near Lake Peigneur in Iberia Parish. State Police are investigating what exactly happened, but we are told no one reported seriously hurt.

The National Retail Federation says spending on Valentine’s Day gifts will exceed last year’s $23.9 billion. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Patterson man for illegally taking nutria, to collect bounties for the invasive species. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck (EYE-nk) says their investigation began with them being alerted to videos posted on social media that showed the cruel acts…:

CUT 06(11)      “…who was doing it.”

At that was – allegedly – 45-year-old Harris DeHart. Einck says he was gigging the rodents, cutting their tails off and releasing them; impaled and badly cut. Among his many charges: numerous counts of animal cruelty.

…and now a look at today’s commodities with Don Molino…

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says a similar program after hurricanes Katrina and Rita reduced the number of Citizens policies by 40-thousand…:

CUT 11(08)      “…they’re facing.”

Donelon encourages Louisiana homeowners who have Citizens or are unable to find affordable insurance to contact an insurance agent and ask for as many quotes as possible in the coming months.

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. And while her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members, “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says she never declared her candidacy for any office in the ad, only that help was coming…:

CUT 13(11)      “…to run.”

Sheriff’s deputies in West Baton Rouge Parish found a person dead in a car Sunday, and say the car belongs to 55-year-old Sheila Baker, who’s been missing from Lafayette since Christmas. The remains inside the car haven’t been positively ID’ed yet, but officers suspect it is Baker. An autopsy will determine how she died.

February is American Heart Month and heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana. Do you know what your risk factors are? Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      ”…Thorington.”

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. Her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members. La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says her poll to run for governor and TV ad, even though she never announced her candidacy, could continue to haunt her.

Cut 15 (06)  “…discuss.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says the incentive program will offer matching grants to incentivize new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies.

Cut 10 (08)  “…64 parishes” 
Donelon says 12 insurance providers have expressed interest in the program that he believes will decrease the number of home and business owners who rely on Louisiana Citizens.

Want to eat healthy? LSU’s Pennington Center in Baton Rouge says, “consider eating more potatoes.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The third-ranked LSU women’s basketball team saw its undefeated season come to an end yesterday as top-ranked and defending champion South Carolina beat the Lady Tigers 88-64. The Gamecocks took control of the game early by scoring 18 of the first 20 points.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon encourages those with Citizens to seek new quotes. He says they are moving quickly to get new insurers writing residential and commercial policies in the coastal areas…

Cut 12 (05) “…expeditated basis.”

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. Some members of the party said the ad was self-serving and should have promoted the party, not Bernhardt. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford believes her announcement is indicative of something else.

Cut 14 (09)  “…for governor.”

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson is a possible candidate.

February is American Heart Month and LSU Health New Orleans Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart says to be mindful of recurring symptoms as an indicator of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or exertion. He says to talk to your physician, and if you have a family member who had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60 for men and 65 for women you should also speak to a physician.

Cut 5 (09) “…do something.”

Heart disease in the leading cause of death in Louisiana and the U.S.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study indicates a diet that includes potatoes is good for you. Assistant Professor Candida Rebello says potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels and study participants actually lost weight while eating a potato-rich diet…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…in America.”

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. And while her recent TV ad received criticism from party members, La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says she never declared her candidacy for any office in the ad, only that help was coming.
Cut 13 (11) “…to run.”
There’s a belief Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson will be the lone major Democrat to enter the race.

The third ranked LSU women’s’ basketball team suffered its first loss of the season yesterday as they fell to top ranked and defending national champion South Carolina 88-64. Coach Kim Mulkey says her team needs to put that loss behind them..
cut 26 (03) “…told that”

If you want to eat healthy, consider eating more potatoes. Many people avoid potatoes because it’s believed the starchy vegetable can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. But scientists at the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center say they are largely misunderstood. Assistant Professor Candida Rebello says, when cooked correctly, ‘taters are a great source of potassium and fiber…:
Cut 7 (12) “…starch component.”
Rebello says they conducted a study in which participants lost weight while eating a potato-rich diet.

It’s American Heart Month. LSU New Orleans Cardiologist Doctor Frank Smart says the risk factors for heart disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and family history. He says there are treatments for blood pressure, cholesterol and smokers can stop smoking…
cut 6 (05) “…your doctor”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana and the United States.

Insurers can now apply for grants from the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program which was funded in the special session to incentivize new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies in coastal areas. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the goal is to reduce the number of Citizens policyholders, who are seeing a 63-percent increase in premiums. Donelon says a similar program after hurricanes Katrina and Rita reduced the number of Citizens policies by 40-thousand…
cut 11 (08) “…they’re facing”

Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Katie Bernhardt has told the Advocate she will not run for governor. She produced a campaign ad suggested she might, but it did not sit well with many Democrats. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford…
cut 15 (06) “…discuss”

February is American Heart Month and heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana. Do you know what your risk factors are? Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Alonzo Bagley’s family has filed a civil lawsuit against the Shreveport Police Department. He was fatally shot by a Shreveport officer on February third.

Baton Rouge Police arrest two 19-year-olds from St. James Parish for their involvement in a nightclub shooting last month that wounded 12 people.

State Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt says she’s not running for governor after producing a TV spot resembling a campaign ad. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The third ranked LSU women’s basketball team saw its undefeated season come to an end yesterday as top ranked and defending champion South Carolina beat the Lady Tigers 88-64. The Gamecocks took control of the game early by scoring 18 of the first 20 points.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says the incentive program will offer matching grants to incentivize new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies
Cut 10 (08) “…64 parishes”
Donelon says 12 insurance providers have expressed interest in the program that he believes will decrease the number of home and business owners who rely on Louisiana Citizens.

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on how to improve your cardiovascular health. LSU Health New Orleans Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart says the idea that chest and heart pain have to be on your left side and left arm to be considered an attack is not always true.
Cut 4 (06) “…having a heart attack.”
Smart says to be mindful of recurring symptoms as an indicator of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or exertion.

Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson faces a lawsuit after blocking a Twitter user from commenting on her page. Tulane First Amendment Law Clinic Director Katie Schwartzmann says Jackson signed up for debate and dialogue when she ran for office, yet she blocked the plaintiff for disagreeing. Jackson says she blocked the plaintiff on Twitter for using foul and abusive language.

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. And while her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members, La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says she never declared her candidacy for any office in the ad, only that help was coming.
Cut 13 (11) “…to run.”
DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson could be the Democrat who enters the race.

February is American Heart Month and heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana. Do you know what your risk factors are?
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

The third ranked LSU women’s basketball team leaves for South Carolina today to take on the top ranked Gamecocks tomorrow. LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says Carolina’s height is a concern…
cut 18 (19) “…down here”
Tip off is at 1 PM.