State lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session starting today. Kevin Gallagher on the bills that will come up for debate when the three-month-long session begins in March…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A beloved Louisiana staple is adding another Cajun classic to its array of products. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The start of the 2022 regular legislative session is still two months away, but today lawmakers can begin filing bills to be heard in the three-month-long session. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some of the controversial bills that failed to pass last year, will be back this year
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine mandates.”
Alford says it’s a non-fiscal session, so bills to raise taxes can not be filed, but legislators will still discuss state finances as they have to pass a budget and determine how to spend over a billion dollars in surplus money…
Cut 5 (11) “…last forever.”
Alford says after two years of getting battered by hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are eager to pass insurance reform legislation…
Cut 6 (12) “…governor.”
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58 parishes have applied for grants to bring broadband internet to their areas. It’s no secret that large portions of Louisiana are underserved when it comes to Internet access and connection speeds. Avoyelles state Rep. Daryl Deshotel was an architect of the so-called GUMBO Fund grants…:
Cut 7 (12) “…round of applications.”
GUMBO is an acronym for Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities. The program was proposed by Deshotel and others and was passed in 2021. 58 parishes have applied for the money and the first-round candidates will be announced in March. Deshotel says the GUMBO Fund will get a boost from federal Infrastructure Bill money, and there are other ways the available funds could grow…:
Cut 8 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”
Deshotel says actual work to install broadband infrastructure in the state’s more remote areas can begin as early as May. He says there is some concern about the supply chain and any potential labor shortage due to the pandemic. Deshotel says it is high time that broadband Internet was available to every part of Louisiana…:
Cut 9 (13) “…change our state.”
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In honor of their 50th anniversary, Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Spokesperson Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they decided to pull from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.
Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”
The recipe is called “He-Man Chilli” and Chachere says it’s bold, hearty, and filling.
There are two versions of the chili seasonings, mild and original. Chachere says they definitely have a little personality in them and are created with fresh herbs and spices.
Cut 11 (10) “…smoked sausage.”
Chachere says the mixes are affordable at just under two dollars and the mixes are designed to be used with two pounds of ground beef or venison, enough to feed a whole family.
Cut 12 (10) “…about this one.”
The new chili mixes are currently rolling out to grocery stores, and you can also find them at TonyChachere.com.
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U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports he raised just over $3-million for his re-election campaign, during the last months of 2021. That brings his total campaign funds to a little over $18-million, with about $11-million cash on-hand. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says that is considerably more than Kennedy raised for his campaign in 2016…:
Cut 13 (11) “…have that in 2022.”
So far, only Bunkie airline pilot Luke Mixon and Baton Rouge activist and blogger Gary Chambers – both Democrats – have announced they’ll challenge Kennedy. Dr. Stockley says $11-million cash on-hand is a huge sum of money to have, when facing what he calls “a token Democrat”….:
Cut 14 (07) “…his re-election bid.”
Kennedy has been raising campaign funds for – pretty much – the last five years of his first term. Stockley says it’s been ever thus in D.C. politics…:
Cut 15 (09) “…your next re-election.”
Stockley says Kennedy has a real knack for gathering big campaign donations. He says the size of his campaign “warchest” gives him a clear and strong advantage in the fall election.
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The Pelicans dropped their second straight ballgame yesterday afternoon, a 104-92 loss to the Celtics. Willie Green says that his team struggled to meet Boston’s intensity on defense.
Cut 16 (14) “…get into stuff.”
Green says that there are nights like this over the course of the NBA season, but his team will bounce back.
Cut 17 (08) “ …their physicality.”
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LSU coach Brian Kelly has assembled his coaching staff as he prepares for his first season in Baton Rouge. Adam Hunsucker from Tiger Rag Magazine says that the makeup of Kelly’s staff should help him make the adjustment to the SEC.
Cut 18 (13) “ …familiar with.”
The addition of New Orleans native Cortez Hankton should give the Tigers a boost when it comes to building a fence around some of the state’s most talented players.
Cut 19 (21)_“…other places.”
With the mix of familiar faces and up and comers on the sidelines for Coach Kelly, the Tigers staff should once again be one to be reckoned with.
Cut 20 (10) “…national title.”