The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge its customers an additional 10-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for the damage done to the power grid from four hurricanes and a winter storm. PSC member Foster Campbell voted no because he believes Entergy should also pay part of the repair bill…
cut 12 (09) “…on to the people”
But fellow PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge and credited Entergy for getting the power back on as fast as they did.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves predicts another surge in gasoline and electricity prices because of what he calls Russia’s veiled invasion of Ukraine. Graves says Russia is one of the largest net exporters of oil and gas in the world…
cut 6 (11) “….electricity bills”
Graves says the Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the United States, European countries and others will cut of Russian energy supplies. The Congressman says the best way to temper sustained high energy prices is let to American workers produce American energy.

AARP data shows an alarming increase in COVID transmission among Louisiana nursing homes for the month of January. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says staff cases increased from 102 in December to 55-hundred, and for residents, it went from 54 to 36-hundred.
Cut 3 (04) “…nursing homes.”
And while case numbers increased radically with the Omicron variant Bottcher credits the high vaccination and boosted rate of 56-percent among nursing home residents at lowering COVID fatalities.

Governor John Bel Edwards testified today in front of the U-S Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at a field hearing in Delaware to discuss the state’s work on coastal restoration and to implore the federal government to take more expedient action as impacted regions see more and more erosion with each passing year.
Cut 9 (13) “…unnecessary delays.”

A bill for the regular legislative session next month would expand what constitutes “justifiable homicide.” Kevin Gallagher reports on a bill to allow the use of a gun to defend one’s property from rioters.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Entergy is appearing before the Public Service Commission seeking to charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs. If approved, households would see a $10 monthly surcharge added to their bills for the next 15 years. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says Entergy would pay nothing under that plan.

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Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is once again attempting to pass her “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” after last year’s legislative effort forced the first veto session in modern Louisiana history. The bill prohibits a female sports team from allowing students who are not biologically female to participate.

Cut 7 (07) “…of this bill.”

Governor Edwards said he vetoed the bill because it was mean-spirited and searching for a problem that doesn’t exist.

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other elected officials were photographed not wearing facemasks at the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball last Friday evening, drawing some ire from the public. Despite the city’s COVID requirements that face masks must be worn inside public spaces, with the exception of eating and drinking, photos from the event appear to show otherwise. City spokesperson Beau Tidwell says the guidelines will remain in place throughout Mardi Gras.

Cut 14 (08) “…this time.”

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Entergy is planning to ask the Public Service Commission today they can charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs. The PSC sets consumer rates, but companies can seek repair compensation. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says it may be time to revisit policies, especially considering Entergy’s ever-increasing profits.

Cut 6 (12)  “…is troubling.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing criticism after photos surfaced of her mask less at a Mardi Gras ball. New Orleans spokesperson Beau Tidwell says she only removed the mask to eat, drink and pose for photos but the city’s mask mandate remains in place through the Mardi Gras season…

cut 14 (08) “…this time”

Caddo Parish Republican state Representative Danny McCormick has filed a bill to allow individuals to defend their property during a riot by expanding what can be considered justifiable homicide. He says watching the riots of the spring and summer of 2020 caused him to bring the bill…:

Cut  11 (07)  “…up in Oregon.”  

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed her Fairness in Women’s Sports Act again for the March session, the is bill that was vetoed and garnered opposition from the transgender community. Now that some transgender athletes are breaking records previously set by women Mizell says reinforces the need for her bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the debate.”

Her bill was vetoed by Governor Edwards who called it mean-spirited. It prompted a veto session, but lawmakers failed to reach a two-thirds majority in the House to override the veto.

The bill called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” that received pushback from transgender advocates and even sparked the first veto session in modern Louisiana history is going for round two. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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After photos and videos surfaced of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other elected officials not wearing face masks at a Mardi Gras Ball Friday, spokesperson Beau Tidwell had to address the subject at a press conference.

Cut 13 (07) “…going forward.”

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LSU will have its hands full tonight when the men’s basketball team travels to Rupp Arena to face sixth-ranked Kentucky. After going on a three-game win streak the Tigers lost a heartbreaker at South Carolina, dropping them to 2-6 away from home this season. Kentucky is an SEC-best 16-0 on its home floor, and Coach Will Wade has to figure out how to stop possibly the most talented team in the conference.

Cut 16 (13) “…really good pieces.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three more pediatric deaths due to the Omicron surge. Two of the three were under five years old. Twenty-one children under the age of 18 have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana since the start of the pandemic. Of those 21, 19 were not yet eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. The Louisiana Department of Health recommends that every one five years of age and older get vaccinated and that everyone 12 years old and above gets boosted when they are eligible.

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Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell will try again this year to pass a law that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. Mizell’s legislation was vetoed last year as Governor John Bel Edwards called the proposal discriminatory. Mizell says the intention of her bill is to protect women’s sports…
cut 8 (07) “….sports bill’
Ten states have similar laws.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick wants to amend the state’s justified homicide law to include protecting a person’s property during a riot. The Caddo Parish Republican says the legislation he’s proposing is in response to the 2020 riots that saw many businesses burned to the ground..
cut 12 (09) “…guilty of homicide”
McCormick’s measure will be discussed in the upcoming regular session.

Entergy Louisiana is expected to ask the Louisiana Public Service Commission today if it can place a 10-dollar surcharge on customers’ bills over the next 15 years in order to pay for the costs to turn the lights back on after four hurricanes and a winter storm the last two years. P-S-C Commissioner Foster Campbell says north Louisiana customers were spared from many of these storms…
cut 5 (09) “….of the damage”

The spokesperson for the city of New Orleans says an indoor mask mandate remains in place even though Mayor LaToya Cantrell was photographed at a Mardi Gras ball maskless. Beau Tidwell says guests were required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, which is part of the city’s requirements for indoor venues…
cut 15 (12) “….more safe”
Tidwell says Cantrell took the mask off to eat, drink and take pictures.

Entergy is prepared to ask the Public Service Commission today if it can charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs over the last two years…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Delaware this morning as he’s set to testify before the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The governor’s office says Edwards will discuss the importance of coastal restoration in the face of climate change.

A bill filed for the regular legislative session seeks to aid those who use a gun to defend their property during a riot or other social disorder. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is the bill sponsor. The Caddo Parish Republican says his bill expands on what can be considered a “justifiable homicide”…:
Cut 10 (09) “…or burn down your home.”
He says watching the riots in 2020 caused him to bring the bill.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing criticism after photos surfaced of a maskless mayor at a Mardi Gras ball, even though Cantrell has imposed an indoor mask mandate. New Orleans spokesperson Beau Tidwell says Cantrell only removed the mask while eating and drinking and taking pictures and the city’s mask mandate remains in place through the Mardi Gras season…
cut 14 (08) “…this time”

Entergy is prepared to ask the Public Service Commission today if it can charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs over the last two years. If Entergy’s request is approved, households would see a surcharge of $10 per month added to their bills for the next 15 years. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell plans to vote no.
Cut 4 (09) “…pay it all.”
Today’s P-S-C meeting begins at 10 AM in Metairie

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is once again attempting to pass her “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” after last year’s legislative effort forced the first veto session in modern history. The bill prohibits a female sports team from allowing athletes who are not biologically female to participate.
Cut 7 (07) “…of this bill.”
Governor Edwards vetoed the bill because he called it mean-spirited and searching for a problem that doesn’t exist. The override attempt fell two votes short of a two-thirds majority in the House.

A bill for the regular legislative session next month would expand what constitutes “justifiable homicide.” Kevin Gallagher reports on a bill to allow the use of a gun to defend one’s property from rioters…:
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation express concern as Russian forces show signs of invading Ukraine. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies face manslaughter charges after Sheriff Joe Lopinto says lethal force was not justified in the fatal shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero last week. The two deputies turned themselves in Monday night and were booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility.

Cut 5 (06) “…defense here.”

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Lake Charles is ready to revitalize its lakefront. 2022 has seen a number of new businesses announce their intentions to open locations on the lakefront, bringing food, entertainment, and recreational activities to the long underdeveloped area. It’s been 17 years since talks began on how to bring it back, and Mayor Nic Hunter is glad that things are finally in motion.

Cut 6 (12) “…on our lakefront.”

Hunter says that many of the businesses are expected to be up and running by early next year.

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Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain will spend the rest of his life behind bars as a judge sentenced Strain to four life sentences, plus another 30 years on top of that. Strain was convicted in November on aggravated rape and incest charges. A mother of one of the victims blames herself for not doing more

Cut 14 (13) “…thought.”

Strain also faces sentencing in federal court on a bribery charge.

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Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff deputies are charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Marrero man last week. Brooke Thorington reports the shooting came as deputies surrounded Daniel Vallee’s SUV…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Lafayette Police are investigating a fatal crash yesterday that claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy. It happened Monday afternoon, and closed down a busy intersection on Louisiana Avenue for quite some time. The boy died from injuries sustained in the wreck. The investigation of the crash is ongoing.

Louisiana’s delegates in Congress are speaking up, as Russia appears to be invading eastern Ukraine. Senator Bill Cassidy says economic sanctions backed Russia down when Reagan was in office…:

CUT 09(12)      “…you name it.”

Congressman Mike Johnson, from Shreveport, says the Biden White House has done too little, too late…:

CUT 11(11)      “…this dilemma.”

Johnson believes the U.S. should have supplied Ukraine with anti-tank missiles and defense systems.

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain has been sentenced to four life sentences, plus another 30 years; his punishment after being found guilty of aggravated rape and incest. The 60-year-old Strain served as St. Tammany Parish’s top LEO from 1995 to 2016.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy supports strong economic sanctions against Russia as Vladimir Putin’s forces move into eastern Ukraine. Cassidy says Louisiana can help play a role in weakening Russia financially as that country relies heavily on revenue from natural gas…:

CUT 10         (12)    “…less money.”

Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson says it may be too late to avoid a conflict…:

CUT 12         (10)    “…responds to is strength.”

The state Department of Health reports 1574 new cases of COVID 19, with 701 people in the hospital with the virus. They also confirm 3 deaths of kids under 18; two of them under 5, the third was much older. LDH recommends all kids 5 and older get the shots.

Lake Charles is ready to revitalize its lakefront. 2022 has seen a number of new businesses announce their intentions to open locations on the lakefront, bringing food, entertainment, and recreational activities to the long underdeveloped area. Mayor Nic Hunter says the centerpiece will be called Port Wonder, with family attractions…:

CUT 07         (12)    “…Wildlife & Fisheries.”

He says development should be getting underway soon.

Houma Police are investigating the shooting of an innocent bystander at a Carnival parade Sunday night. Cops says fight broke out between two groups attending the parade, shots rang out, everyone scattered; leaving one person with a wound from a stray bullet. A 15-year-old carrying a pistol was found and arrested for attempted 2nd-degree murder and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.