The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring, after Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser decided NOT to run. Schroder now joins A.G. Jeff Landry as the only two declared candidates with statewide name recognition. He says, unlike Landry, he’ll have an open ear to all ideas, if elected…:

CUT 07(10)      “…in this state.”

The Mega Millions jackpot reaches $1.1-billion, with a lump sum cash value of $568-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says this jackpot has been rolling over since October 18^th…:

CUT 12(09)      “…it home.”

He says in the last week alone sales in Louisiana for Mega Millions have been $3.5-million.

New Orleans Police make an arrest in the Christmas night mass shooting that killed 2 and injured 4. A Crimestoppers tip led to the capture of 19-year-old Elijah Williams, who is now charged with murder and attempted murder. No bond has been set.

It’s official. Mega-country store/gas station chain Buc-ee’s is coming to Louisiana. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

State Treasurer John Schroder explains his decision to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State health officials say there’s a new COVID variant going around that seems much more transmissible than Omicron. Called “XBB 1.5” the virus is apparently spreading fast, but has not triggered a significant increase in hospitalizations. They recommend getting vaxxed or boosted soon.

A deal is in place to bring roadside mega-country store/gas station Buc-ee’s to Ruston. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says he looks forward to Buc-ee’s helping his city become a travel destination. When complete in about 2 years, Buc-ee’s will feature 53-thousand square feet of shopping space, have 120 gas pumps and boast the “Cleanest Restrooms in Town.” It will employ over 200 people. Mayor Walker says Buc-ee’s reputation as a place to work is pretty good…:

CUT 11(12)      “…good paying jobs.”

A traffic stop on I-49 in Alexandria turns up a lot of drugs in an unusual form; chocolate bars made with psychoactive mushrooms. Rapides Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says they think the magic mushrooms may be coming in from Colorado…:

CUT 05(12)      “…mushrooms now.”

A traffic stop on I-49 in Rapides Parish turns up drugs, but…not what you’d think. Rapides Sheriff’s spokesman Tommy Carnline says a search of suspect Jacob Boulet’s car found hundreds of chocolate bars made with psycho-active mushrooms; so-called magic mushrooms. They also found dried ‘shrooms and some marijuana. He says their drug dog, Beny, sniffed out the dope. Carnline says Beny is the RPD’s MVP…:

CUT 04 (10)      “…in our community.”

Mega Millions reaches a jackpot of just over a Billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says you may NOT win the big money, but thousands win smaller amounts every week..:

CUT 14 (11)      “…purchase a ticket.”

Ticket sales close at 9 tonight. 10.

In the 2023 Louisiana Governor’s race…Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has opted OUT and decided to run for another term in his current job. However, State Treasurer John Schroder says he is IN, becoming the second republican to declare for the race. He says he wants to change Louisiana’s trajectory…:

CUT 06 (12)      “…three things.”

Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy, an Independent, is also running for governor, along with attorney General Jeff Landry. Others are expected to enter the race soon.

East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s detectives are investigating to deaths of a married couple, found shot to death inside their home. The victims are identified as Coby and Janell Manuel, both 59. Investigators say they were found Monday and had been dead at least 24 hours. An investigation is underway and the sheriff says tips on the crime are most welcome.

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Deputies in Tangipahoa Parish says no charges are planned for a Hammond mom who shot and killed a masked man breaking into her home over the weekend. The woman says she acted to protect her two kids. 51-year-old Robert Rheams was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives say she was exercising her rights under Castle Doctrine.

It’s official. Mega-country store/gas station chain Buc-ee’s is coming to Louisiana. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. This comes after Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser decided to seek re-election to that job, rather than go for the Governor’s Mansion. Nungesser says it was a tough decision, but he’d rather continue his work as the state’s leader for the tourism industry as it battles back from the pandemic…:

CUT 08(09)      “…love what I do.”

The Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.1-Billion for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says be sure to check your tickets, because many win and don’t know it. He says someone won $50K last summer and hasn’t claimed it…:

CUT 13(11)      “…check them all.”

With the Louisiana Lottery app you can scan your tickets and tell right away if you won. Tickets must be purchased by 9 PM to be eligible for tonight’s drawing at 10 PM.

You may have heard, but our State Treasurer John Schroder is officially running for governor next fall. He explains why he’s in…:

CUT 01  (30)        “…Palermo.”

Deputies in St. Mary Parish hope the public can help them find 14-year-old Alexis Horton of Amelia; last seen Monday night around dinner time. She is white, 5’3”, 120 pounds and has brownish hair. Call the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office at (337)-828-1960.

A traffic stop in Rapides Parish on I-49, seizes 70 pounds of mushroom chocolate bars. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine dog, Beny, made an interesting find; nearly 500 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars…:

CUT 03(11)      “…at the top.”

He says they believe the ‘shrooms come if from Colorado.

A deal is in place to bring roadside mega-country store/gas station Buc-ee’s to Ruston. People drive from all around to visit Buc-ee’s locations across Texas and the South. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says the proposal is for Buc-ee’s to be just north of I-20, across from Ruston High at Tarbutton Road…:

CUT 10(11)      “…coming to our city.”

A $50-million project; Buc-ee’s hopes to open within two years and employ over 200.

A traffic stop in Rapides Parish on I-49, seizes 70 pounds of mushroom chocolate bars. And while seizing mushrooms sounds odd Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says they are seeing more of the psychoactive fungus, and they believe this particular stash is from Colorado.

Cut 5 (12) “…mushrooms now.”

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has decided to run for re-election instead. Nungesser says it was a tough decision, but he rather continue his work as the state’s leader for tourism as it battles back from the pandemic…

Cut 8 (09)  “..I love what I do” 

The city of Ruston will be the site of the first Buc-ee’s in Louisiana. The city council approved plans last night for the popular Texas chain. Mayor Ronnie Walker says it will make Ruston a trip destination.

Cut 9 (11) “…even more often.” 

The travel center is expected to open in 2025.

The Megamillions Jackpot reaches $1.1 billion, with a cash value of $568 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says this jackpot has been turning over since October 18^th.

Cut 12 (09) “…it home.”

Louisiana ticket sales in the last week alone for Megamillions have been $3.5 million. Tickets must be purchased by 9 PM to be eligible for tonight’s drawing at 10 PM.

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Schroder is a former state representative who has been Louisiana’s treasurer since 2017. Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lake Charles Independent Hunter Lundy are the only others to yet declare for the race. Schroder says he’ll have an open ear to all ideas if elected…:

CUT 07(10)      “…in this state.”

Other to watch are Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross still says Landry is the guy to beat…:

CUT 15(11)      “…in that regard.”

Big and weird drug bust in Alexandria. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers doing a traffic stop smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine dog, Benny, alerted on 487 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars. Plus some weed, ecstasy and gear. Carnline says “who’s a good boy?!?”

CUT 04(10)      “…in our community.”

Boulet faces a list a charges.

Available now online, is Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan. The plan is a roadmap for combating the state’s ongoing erosion, land loss, and flood risk problem. Ben Haase is executive director of the state’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA). He says the plan encompasses literally ALL of Louisiana’s coastal areas…:

CUT 09(10)      “…of our coast.”

See it online at “coast.la.gov.”

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Schroder is a former state representative who has been Louisiana’s treasurer since 2017 and wants to be governor to change the state’s direction
cut 6 (12) “…three things”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has decided against a run for governor and will run for re-election.

We know U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy will not run and U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that opens the door for a major Democrat to get in the race…
cut 14 (08) “…serious run”
DOTD secretary Shawn Wilson and Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt are two possible Democrats who may run.

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Authorities seize 70 pounds of mushroom chocolate bars during a traffic stop on Interstate 49. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine made an interesting find, 487 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars.
Cut 3 (11) “…at the top”

State Treasurer John Schroder is the second republican to announce his candidacy for governor. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Attorney General Jeff Landry is considered a frontrunner in the race, because Landry’s been endorsed by the state Republican party, appears to have more working in his favor as opposed to Schroder.

Cut 15 (11)  “…that regard.”

The state has launched a hotline number to report suspected child trafficking. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services says you’ll speak with a person who’s trained to ask questions to determine if it’s trafficking or not.

Cut 11 (09)  “…or not.”

The number is 1-855-4LA-KIDS

The state Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority releases its updated Coastal Master Plan for fighting erosion and wetlands loss. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Ruston will be the first Louisiana city to have a Buc-ee’s. The Texas-based company will build a travel center in Ruston that will be 53,000 square feet, 120 gas pumps and a minimum of 200 full-time jobs. The city council approved the project last night. It’s expected to open in 2025.