The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new Congressional District map, but not without significant opposition. The map contains just one majority-minority district, despite calls from Black lawmakers a second majority-minority district should be drawn, because the Black population has grown to 33-percent. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…
cut 3 (10) “…fairly”
Supporters of the map that gained final legislative passage say a second majority-minority district would dilute the black vote in both districts. The Congressional map also splits Morgan City in half and Grant Parish. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says he was never consulted…
cut 5 (09) “…ask me”
We now wait to see if the governor will veto the map.

The Krewe of Janus (Janice) rolls Saturday night in Monroe and there’s plenty of excitement for the return of the parade that’s been a staple of the Twin Cities, Monroe, and West Monroe, since 1984. Throws Lieutenant Hailey Kenly says they are prepared with 3.5 million throws for attendees, especially youngsters.
Cut 10 (10) “…super fun.”
The theme of this year’s parade is Janus Goes to Hollywood.

State Police Gaming Division says 40-million dollars was wagered during the first four days of online sports betting in Louisiana. That total beat the per capita of New York’s mobile sports betting launch in early January according to PlayUSA. State Police audit director Jeff Traylor says the six operators spent nearly a third of their yearly credits for promotions…
cut 14 (12) “…significant amount”

On Thursday, House member Barry Ivey blasted GOP colleagues for tabling his state Supreme Court map, to add more minority districts, with zero discussion. So far, NO maps that increase minority voter strength of any kind have passed.  “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the REAL question is: once the session ends, what will the Governor do…?

Cut 6 (11)  “…State Police controversy.”

Alford thinks court challenges of the district maps passed are inevitable.

Attorneys for nursing home operator Bob Dean say he has dementia and can’t sit for depositions. Dean faces numerous lawsuits after his decision to evacuate residents to a warehouse from seven facilities during Hurricane Ida, which killed 15 people. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says a judge will have to make the decision.

Cut 9 (04)  “…found liable.”

Online sportsbooks took in nearly $40 million during the first four days of operation in Louisiana, but gaming auditor for State Police, reports six companies reported collective losses of nearly $9 million as they pushed incentives. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, says you can expect promotions to return with every major sporting event throughout the year.

Cut 15 (12)  “…football season.”

More than 50 parades roll from tonight through Fat Tuesday in Louisiana. After COVID cancelled Mardi Gras last year there’s pent-up demand to let the good times roll and Mardi Gras Guide Publishers Arthur Hardy says they hope it’s going to be a boost the tourism industry.

Cut 12 (07) “…good now.”

Attorneys for nursing home operator Bob Dean say he has dementia and should not have to sit for depositions. Dean is facing numerous lawsuits after evacuating over 800 people from his seven nursing homes before Hurricane Ida. They were taken to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish, where conditions were not fit for people to live. Several died. Now Dean’s lawyers say he has cognitive challenges. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this may excuse him from depositions, but he can still be held liable, but he must be ruled competent to stand trial..:

CUT 08(10)      “…a competent person”

Dean’s nursing home licenses have been revoked. His lawyers are seeking the get them back.

The Coast Guard suspends the search for a woman who jumped over the rail of a cruise ship in the Gulf Wednesday. There is cell phone video of her having some kind of altercation with someone right before leaping overboard. The unidentified woman hit the side of the ship as she fell the ten stories to the water. She was never seen resurfacing.

More than 50 parades will roll between Friday and Fat Tuesday in the New Orleans area and after the pandemic paused parades last year, there’s more than krewe members riding on Mardi Gras this year. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The state legislature is expected wrap up its special session on redistricting today. Lawmakers have been split along party and racial lines on the subject of adding more majority black districts. Whatever maps do come out of the redistricting session will quite likely wind up challenged in court.

Louisiana loves to gamble, and the success of legal sports betting illustrates it. The state Gaming Control Board reports the 13 legal sports book operations in Louisiana took in over $40-million in bets in the last four days of January.  However, Donna Jackson, gaming auditor for the State Police, reported yesterday the six companies doing app-based online betting reported collective losses of nearly $9-million dollars as they pushed out incentives to attract bettors…:

CUT 13(07)      “…for promotional wagers.”

Opening in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl was a major reason behind the promotional flurry.

After a year off due to the pandemic Mardi Gras is back, with dozens of statewide parades starting as early as tonight, and running right through Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy says no one knows how big New Orleans crowds will be this year, but hotel bookings ARE up…:

CUT 11(06)      “…solid season.”

The state legislature is expected wrap up its special session on redistricting today. The session officially must end Sunday at 6 p.m. Lawmakers have been split along racial and party lines on the subject of adding more majority-black voting districts to the maps for Congress, legislature, BESE, state courts and more. The House and Senate Republican majorities each passed congressional maps that still have only one majority-minority district, despite blacks making up a third of voters statewide. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says GOP members feel there’s more to making a second majority-black district than simply wanting one…:

CUT 05(15)      “…were maps passed.”

Alford thinks court challenges of the district maps passed are inevitable.

The Coast Guard suspends its search for a woman who jumped over the rail of a cruise ship in the Gulf Wednesday. The unidentified woman made the leap after an altercation of some sort. She hit the side of the ship as she fell and was never seen surfacing. Her husband and family were also aboard the ship.

The Legislature’s very contentious special session on Redistricting could end today. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(35)      “….David Grubb”

State officials warn northeast Louisiana anglers casting a line into the Ouachita River to NOT eat their catch. Officials with the Department of Health and Wildlife & Fisheries say levels of mercury found in fish swimming the river makes them unsafe for human consumption.

Attorneys for nursing home operator Bob Dean, of Baton Rouge, say he has dementia and should not have to sit for depositions. Dean is facing numerous lawsuits after his decision to evacuate 843 residents to a warehouse from seven of his facilities during Hurricane Ida, which led to the deaths of 15 residents. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says his attorneys may be successful in keeping Dean from testifying…:

CUT 07(09)      “…be liable.”

Texts and phone calls between Dean and Health Department officials are rambling and at times make little sense. Dean’s nursing home licenses have been revoked.

More than 50 parades roll from tonight through Fat Tuesday across the state. Revelers seem very ready to party, after COVID cancelled Mardi Gras last year. New Orleans Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy says it’s hoped this year will give tourism a big boost…:

CUT 12(07)      “…good now.”

Attorneys for the owner of the seven nursing homes that evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, says he has dementia and cannot be deposed. Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Sports betting in Louisiana is off to a brisk start. The Gaming Control Board reports the state’s 13 legal sports book operations took in over $49-million in wagers in just the final four days of January. Six companies now operate online app-based sports betting as well.

The state legislature is expected wrap up its special session on redistricting today. The session officially must end Sunday at 6 p.m. Lawmakers have been split along racial and party lines on the subject of adding more majority-black voting districts to the maps for Congress, legislature, BESE, state courts and more. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says it got testy between members several times…:

CUT 04(14)      “…were anticipated.”

Alford says the REAL question is: once the session ends, what will the Governor do…? Veto them? Sign them? Either way he expects them to be challenged in court.

With more than 50 parades set to roll from tonight until Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras 2022 is one of the most anticipated events since COVID forced the beloved pastime to go on hiatus last year. Mardi Gras Guide publisher and carnival aficionado Arthur Hardy says revelers are more excited than ever…:

CUT 10(04)      “…going finally.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey lets his colleagues have it after the Louisiana House votes to table his proposal to add a second majority Black district to the state Supreme Court map. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

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Louisiana will receive approximately $75 million over the next five years to build electric vehicle charging stations. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s critical because car manufacturers will be making more EVs in the future and Louisiana needs to be prepared so citizens can take advantage of their value.

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18-year-old Jaden Michael Ardoin of Port Barre faces first-degree and attempted murder charges after following two brothers in his vehicle and allegedly firing shots Tuesday night near Melville because the two routinely flirted with his girlfriend. St Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says investigators were able to secure video footage from the gas station where the two brothers interacted with Ardoin’s girlfriend.

Cut 7 (12) “…incident happened.”

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The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is giving Pacific Peninsula Entertainment 60 more days to sell the closed Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City. Diamond Jacks shut its doors in May of 2020 and P-2-E attempted to build a new facility in Slidell, but St. Tammany Parish voters shot down that proposal in December. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says this is P-2-E’s last extension…

Cut 12 (07) “..this again.”

P-2-E has two months to sell Diamond Jacks or they lose the license.

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An 18-year old in St. Landry Parish man faces first-degree murder charges, after allegedly shooting two men who’d flirted with his girlfriend in a jealous rage. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02         (34)   “…Brooke Thorington.”
Legal experts and auditors tell WBRZ TV in Baton Rouge that Louisiana State Police violated laws when the agency allowed top officials to get their cell phones wiped in the wake of Ronald Greene’s death. Law requires public records be preserved at least 3 years. The Number Two man at LSP reportedly had his phone wiped within a year of the Greene incident.

Baton Rouge Republican House member Barry Ivey went on a tear against GOP colleagues in the House, after his state Supreme Court map – which included an additional majority black district – was tabled without any discussion or debate. Ivey says it’s indicative of why then state ranks near the bottom so often. He says lawmakers are too stupid to work together…:

CUT 05         (10)   “…don’t want to solve them.”

Covington republican Representative Mark Wright made the motion to table Ivey’s bill. He says Ivey calling them stupid, lazy, corrupt and racist is just unacceptable. Alexandria GOP Member Lance Harris says (quote) “life does not give you what you want, it gives you what you deserve.”

COVID number continue to fall. The state Department of health reports 1872 new cases of the virus, but fewer than 1000 people in the hospital statewide. 49 new deaths are reported; mostly among people with one or more co-morbidities that made them more vulnerable.

Baton Rouge state Representative Barry Ivey unloads on colleagues, after they table his state Supreme Court map without discussion. It would have added a majority black district. Ivey says he’s learned if legislation doesn’t have the backing of deep-pocketed special interest groups it will not pass…:

CUT 03(10)      “…all the time.”

GOP Covington Representative Mark Wright moved to table Ivey’s bill. Alexandria Republican Lance Harris says of the matter, “life does not give you what you want, it gives you what you deserve.” The Redistricting session ends Sunday, but lawmakers may be finished by tomorrow evening.

Shreveport Police are investigating the city’s 11^th homicide of the year; a man found shot and dying outside a home on Mansfield Road Wednesday. The victim is identified as 30-year-old Tomel Henry. Cops are seeking a suspect, 27-year-old Archille Holmes Jr. for the crime. Shreveport Crimestoppers offers a reward for help in catching Holmes.

Deputies in St, Landry Parish say jealous rage led a Port Barre man to commit murder. SLPSO Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says 18-year-old Jaden Ardoin fired on two men who’d been flirting with his girlfriend. Wade Smith was shot and killed – allegedly by Ardoin – Tuesday night. He also shot and wounded James Preston Vaughn. Thibodaux says it’s sad that a rage could affect so many lives…:

CUT 08(10)      “…for a murder.”

Another arrest in the case is expected.

The state will get $75-million federal dollars to help build an electric vehicle charging infrastructure. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will flow over a five-year period, and the stations will likely go in where existing fuel pumps are found…:

CUT 10(08)      …an opportunity.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey blasts House colleagues who voted to table his proposal to for a second majority black district to the state Supreme Court map. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “….Michelle Southern.”

The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch for parishes in Northeast Louisiana until 6 tonight. Strong showers and thunderstorms are moving through the area; bringing the possibility of damaging winds and twisters. Remember a “watch” means decent odds of a tornado; “warning” means twisters are imminent.

Louisiana will receive approximately $75 million over the next five years to build electric vehicle charging stations. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s critical because car manufacturers will be making more EVs in the future and Louisiana needs to be prepared so citizens can buy with confidence, knowing they can recharge somewhere other than home…:

CUT 09(09)      “…alternative fuel stations.”

Wilson says the cost to operate an EV will be more affordable than current automobiles and will also help reduce carbon emissions.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board is giving Pacific Peninsula Entertainment 60 days to find a buyer. Diamond Jacks closed last May and attempted to move their license to Slidell, but St. Tammany Parish voters rejected that. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says Foundation Gaming is in talks to buy the facility and he hopes that happens…:

CUT 13(13)      “…local government.”