There were two shooting incidents in Louisiana on Sunday making national headlines. In Baton Rouge, gunfire rang out at a nightclub early in the morning in a mass shooting that left 12 people injured. It happened inside The Dior Bar and Lounge on Bennington Avenue near College Drive. Baton Rouge Police Lt. Bryan Ballard:
CUT 13 (13) “of Baton Rouge”
He says 9 of the victims have injuries considered non life threatening while 3 others are in critical condition. The shooter or shooters remain at large.

In Shreveport, 5 adults and 3 children were shot at a residence Sunday afternoon leaving 4 in critical condition including a 3 year old boy. Police chief Wayne Smith says they believe this was a drive by shooting…:
CUT 11 (08) “have been”
The search for the shooter is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a special session to address the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis. It will start a week from today and adjourn Sunday, February 5th. State leaders are hoping to have an intermediate fix to the issues before the regular session in April.

You can begin filing your 2022 taxes today and your refund may be smaller this year due to some changes from 2021. Connor Brown, with LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, says incentives from the pandemic are no longer in effect like the CARES Act which allowed up to $600 of charitable contributions for married filing joint on top of a standard deduction even if you didn’t itemize
CUT 4 (06) “be itemizing”
The enhanced child tax credit and the child and dependent care credit also expired in 2021.

The man driving the big rig that went off the road and stuck & killed three members of the Southern University marching band last month has been charged with negligent homicide. 62-year-old Clyde Gay was northbound on I-49 on the night of December 6^th, when he hit the group as they were changing a flat tire on the roadside.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a $45-million fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism from state lawmakers…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Palermo.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expresses his frustration with the Louisiana Republican Party and its chairman, after they rushed to get behind Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor; shutting out any support for other GOP candidates – himself included. On WWL radio in New Orleans, Nungesser also accused party member of taking bribes to support Landry over others…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an embarrassment.”

Nungesser says state GOP chairman Louis Gurvich needs to resign.

A five-year-old was killed in Jennings Thursday evening, after police say his six-year-old cousin got a hold of a gun and it went off. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they received a call from a neighbor who was approached by the 26-year-old male babysitter of the five children…:

CUT 09(11)      “…his cousin”

The baby sitter and the child’s aunt, who possessed the gun are charged with negligent homicide and more.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addresses the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP and its endorsement of Jeff Landry for governor…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrest a Kentwood school cafeteria worker for allegedly selling edible marijuana to a student. 45-year-old Tymetrica Cohn was a contract substitute worker at Sumner High school in Kentwood. Among charges against her, distributing drugs in a designated drug-free zone.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon went to state lawmakers Friday to ask for a special session to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. He wants $45-million in surplus cash used as an incentive fund to attract new private insurers and help de-populate the state-run last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens (which costs significantly more money)…:

CUT 13(10)      “…rate increase.”

But lawmakers were not so keen. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says Donelon’s plan contains zero assurances of success…:

CUT 14(08)      “…it’s a maybe.”

Donelon says the plan worked years ago, after Katrina & Rita sent insurance companies running…and he says it’ll work again. Donelon says the sooner the incentive fund is set up the better.

Police in Jennings say a negligent babysitter is largely to blame for Thursday’s fatal shooting of a 5-year-old child. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says 26-year-old Desome Daniels was watching the children in the home, but left the house for a few minutes to go smoke marijuana. During that time, one of the five kids in the house found a loaded handgun left lying in plain view and shot the other toddler in the chest. Semmes says Daniels and the victim’s aunt were arrested and taken to the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail…:

CUT 11(11)      “…back stolen.”

Semmes says they waited at least 10 minutes after the child was shot to call 911.

In Baton Rouge, another person has been struck and killed by traffic while walking on the city’s often-darkened Burbank Drive near LSU. Police says the victim was hit by multiple vehicles. We don’t know how many. She died in a nearby hospital. An LSU sophomore was hit & killed by traffic less than a week ago on the same street.

On a New Orleans radio program, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser had some choice words about the Louisiana Republican Party’s decision to come out early with full backing for Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor, despite other GOP candidates (himself included) interested in running. He is especially angry with GOP Central Committee chairman Louis Gurvich…:

CUT 03(10)      “…endorse.”

Nungesser decided instead to run for another term in his current post, rather than fight the GOP machine.

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:

CUT 06(08)      “…higher side of things.”

Gonzales says job burnout is the prime factor making people quit. Better opportunities are also behind many resignations, but a great many simply re-evaluated how and where they want to work…and check out.

A five-year-old was killed by his six-year-old cousin Thursday night after the child found a gun in the home. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says the victim’s mother and his aunt, Kursten Richard, live at the home along with four other children. The babysitter Desome Daniels and the aunt were arrested and taken to the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail.

Cut 11 (11)  “…back stolen.”

Richard is charged with principal negligent homicide, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and cruelty to a juvenile.

Avoyelles Parish deputies arrest a man for impersonating a law enforcement officer. 45-year-old Patrick P. Miller allegedly wore a uniform and badge while intimidating a neighbor over a dispute. Officers found and took his uniforms away, plus they arrested him on outstanding warrants for obscenity, contempt of court & tampering with a surveillance or monitoring system. His bond is set at $ 100 thousand.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers Friday on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon wants to give insurance companies a financial incentive to write policies in coastal areas…

Cut 12 (08) “…incentive program.”

Louisiana ranks 4^th among states with the highest percentage of people leaving their jobs. WalletHub Analyst Jill Gonzales says 3.4 percent of workers in Louisiana are part of the great resignation. She says burnout is the main reason people leave their jobs and the pandemic caused many to re-evaluate their careers. She says employers are also re-evaluating things like pay scales, benefit packages, and more…and if they can get that done…:

Cut 8 (04)  “…slowly but surely.” 

A five-year-old was killed in Jennings Thursday evening after police say his six-year-old cousin got hold of a gun and it went off. According to American Press the victim’s name is Auden Gaines. Police Chief Danny Semmes says it’s one of the most tragic cases he’s ever seen in his career

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody involved.” 

The child’s aunt Kursten Richard and the 26-year-old babysitter, Desome Daniels face multiple charges including principal negligent homicide.

It ruffled some feathers when the state Republican Party endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor before any other GOP candidates announced their intentions. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser, who’s opted to seek re-election had some harsh words for party leader Luis Gurvich.

Cut 3 (10) “…endorse.” 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers Friday on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon says a similar incentive program worked after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed thousands to the state-owned last-resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens…:

CUT 13(09)      “…rate increase.”

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation “the great resignation” is having a negative effect on employers…:

Cut 7 (10)  “…of high inflation.” 

She says burnout the most common reason people quit their jobs.

Police in Jennings say a 5-year-old child was shot and killed Thursday night, after his cousin got hold of a gun and it went off. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they received a call from a neighbor who was approached by the babysitter of the five children, asking them for help…:

CUT 09(11)      “…his cousin.”

The child later died at the hospital. The babysitter along with the child’s aunt have been arrested. The other kids in the home are with Child Protection.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon got a chilly reception from lawmakers today, as he pitched a $45-million incentive fund; aimed at drawing new private property insurers to the state. The same plan worked moderately when companies exited Louisiana after the wallop of Katrina and Rita. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue asks if there aren’t better uses for hat money…:

CUT 15(13)      “…Citizens.”

Donelon wants a special session right away to allot the incentive fund.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser minced no words in a recent interview, when asked his thoughts on the state Republican Party and its chairman…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Avoyelles Parish deputies arrest a man for impersonating a law enforcement officer. 45-year-old Patrick P. Miller allegedly wore a uniform and badge while intimidating a neighbor over a dispute. Officers found and took his uniforms away, plus they arrested him on outstanding warrants for obscenity, contempt of court & tampering with a surveillance or monitoring system. His bond is set at $100-thousand.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for allegedly murdering a woman, stuffing her body in a plastic barrel then setting it on fire. 24-year-old Roderick Castle is charged with 2^nd-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:

CUT 06(08)      “…higher side of things.”

Alaska ranks highest with over 4-percent quitting over the past 12 months. New York state ranks 50^th with under 1-percent.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is spitting mad at the state Republican Party, and its leader Louis Gurvich, for how they handled the endorsement of Jeff Landry for Governor. Here he is during an interview on WWL radio in New Orleans…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an embarrassment.”

Nungesser called for Gurvich to resign, accused some party members of taking kickbacks to endorse the Attorney General Landry. Nungesser will seek re-election instead of running for governor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is mourning the loss of his mother, Dora Jean Edwards, who passed away this morning at age 87. Here is Edwards, during his first election night victory speech in 2015, giving his mom credit for his success…:

CUT 19  (08)        “…very much”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon asks state lawmakers to use $45-million in surplus money to make an incentive fund to attract new private insurance companies to write coverage for some of the thousands force to go to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. By law, Citizens’ rates are substantially higher than the private market, and homeowners are struggling to make ends meet. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder seems worried the plan may not work as Donelon intends…:

CUT 14(08)      “…it’s a maybe.”

Donelon says it worked after Katrina and Rita and it will work again, but the state must act fast so prospective companies know they mean business.

Demolition will start soon on the old Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City. Yesterday, the state’s Gaming Control Board approved the sale of the property, paving the way for a nearly $200-million renovation that will revitalize the area and the city, developers say.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers today on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon says a similar incentive program worked after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita pushed thousands to the state-owned last resort insurer, Louisiana Citizens…:

CUT 13(09)      “…rate increase.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is irked with the state Republican Party for their early, early endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry. On Newell Normand’s show on WWL radio in New Orleans, Nungesser says party leadership bullied committee members into endorsing Landry and it’s upset GOP members both in and out of the state…:

CUT 04(13)      “…from the party.”

Nungesser decided to run for another term in his current job instead of swimming against the GOP current.

The use of Glock or auto switches in firearms is a growing danger, and law enforcement want legislation prohibiting their use…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

And now time for today’s markets…