Julia Letlow has officially qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district, which her late husband won in December before passing away due to Covid-19. 

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp”  

Since hitting a peak all-time high of 2,069 COVID patients in Louisiana hospitals on January 8^th, numbers have since dropped significantly to only 1,800. Other signs that the state’s third wave is starting to subside include a quickly dropping positivity rate on new tests, now down statewide to 6.4 percent.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne warns we will likely face hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the fiscal year beginning in July. Dardenne says it’s tough to see our budget get slammed by the pandemic considering just a year ago it had been stabilized.

Cut 11 (10) “..education”

The Revenue Estimating Conference adopted a forecast drop of 228 million dollars.

Former Baton Rouge news anchor Donna Britt passed away early Thursday morning after losing her battle with ALS.  Britt worked for the CBS affiliate, WAFB, from 1980 all the way until 2018 when the illness forced her to retire.  Britt’s husband Mark Ballard says she was preparing her LSU Journalism Hall of Fame acceptance speech just a few months ago.

Cut 13 (11)“to the event.”

Julia Letlow has qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district of Louisiana, the seat that was won by her late husband Luke Letlow, who passed away from COVID days before he was set to be sworn in. Julia, who is an executive administrator at ULM, has never served in public office, but she says she has always had political aspirations.

Cut 6 (14) “..leap of faith”

According to the most recent COVID-19 dashboard from the Public Affairs Research Council, the state is showing a downward trend of cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says the numbers are encouraging.

Cut 3 (09) “…looking for.”

The most recent dashboard was data from January 7^th through the 20^th. 

The state is facing hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the next fiscal year, barring a significant economic recovery or federal aid.

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Matt Doyle”  

Brittany Brees, wife of Saints Quarter Drew Brees, posted a heartfelt letter of support for her husband on her private Instagram account and said in addition to the QB’s injuries of 11 broken ribs and a collapsed lung, she indicated Brees may have also endured a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder and a torn fascia in his foot this season.

Julia Letlow has qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district, the seat that was won by her late husband Luke Letlow, who died of Covid-19 days before he was set to be sworn in. Republican Allen Guillory, who is also running, stated that Letlow taking office could be harmful to her children, but Julia believes it will be beneficial.

Cut 8 (10) “…serve others”

So far seven candidates have qualified.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne warns we will likely face hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the fiscal year beginning in July. The exact number adopted at the Revenue Estimating Conference was a 228 million dollar drop, but Dardenne says it’s just too early to know what the real number will be given the economy’s volatility, and…

Cut 10 (08) “…enact that”

The most recent Public Affairs Research Council COVID dashboard indicates case numbers are on a downward trend. As for hospitalizations, the third surge well surpassed the second peak over the summer. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says but hospitalizations remain a concern in Lake Charles and Lafayette.

Cut 5  (11) “…facility” 

Former Baton Rouge news anchor Donna Britt passed away early this morning after losing her battle with ALS.  Donna worked for the CBS affiliate, WAFB, from 1980 all the way until 2018 when the illness forced her to retire.  Britt’s husband Mark Ballard…

Cut 12 (11) “…together” 

She was 62.

Julia Letlow, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s widow, has qualified to run in the special election for the 5^th District Congressional seat Luke won in December. He served as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.  Julia says she watched how Luke handled himself and learned a lot.

Cut 7 (11) “…make a difference.”

Luke Letlow died of COVID-19 less than a week before he was set to be sworn in last month.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne warns we will likely face hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the fiscal year that beginning in July. The Revenue Estimating Conference adopted this forecast ahead of the budget that will be presented in February. Dardenne says the budget will have to include cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 9, 7 seconds, hit

According to the most recent COVID-19 dashboard from the Public Affairs Research Council, the state is showing a downward trend in positivity rate for COVI-19 tests. The positivity rate for the state, in the last three days is 6.4 percent according to the PAR dashboard. President Robert Travis Scott says that’s an indicator we are on the downside of the most recent surge.

Cut 4 (12) “….eight weeks.” 

As for hospitalizations, the PAR dashboard shows levels in the third surge well surpassed the second peak over the summer. The peak was 2,069 on January 8^th.

According to the most recent COVID-19 dashboard from the Public Affairs Research Council, the state is showing a downward trend of cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says the numbers are encouraging.

Cut 3 (09)  “…looking for.”

The most recent dashboard looked at data from January 7^th through the 20^th. 

Julia Letlow has qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district the seat that was won by her late husband Luke Letlow, who died of Covid-19 days before he was set to be sworn in. Julia, who is an executive administrator at ULM, has never served in public office, but she says she has always had political aspirations.

Cut 6 (14) “…leap of faith.”

Five other candidates have also qualified.

The regular legislative session begins in April and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says he still plans to bring a proposal to lawmakers to raise the state’s gasoline tax as an effort to improve highways…
cut 14 (07) “…the table”
McFarland says his proposal would call for a ten-cent gas tax increase in the first year and a gradual increase of another 12-cents through 2033.

A Confederate monument in Lafayette was damaged, with several holes punctured from its head to jaw and half of its nose taken off and missing. It’s not clear when the damage happened to the Confederate Gen. Alfred Mouton statue It was first noticed Tuesday night, but The Daily Advertiser reports authorities were unaware when reporters questioned about it. Police are now investigating the incident.

Julia Letlow has qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district of Louisiana, a seat that was won by her late husband Luke Letlow. Julia says that she has watched how her husband handled himself and learned what it takes to make a difference while in office.

Cut 7 (07) “…public servant.”

Five others have also qualified.

If you’ve been married for 60 or more years, the Louisiana Family Forum wants to hear your story for this year’s Longest Married Couple award

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Qualifying continues today for the two Congressional races that will take place in March. six people have signed up for the 5th district race. Republican Julia Letlow, officially qualified this morning, Democrat Candy Christophe says Julia Letlow’s entrance into the race didn’t deter her from qualifying…

Cut 12 (10) “…lightly.”
Allen Guillory of Opelousas who said he’s concerned Julia Letlow winning would deprive her two young children of both of their parents, He says he told her that…

Cut 13 (09) “….a job.” (2x)
Chad Conerly, Horace Melton III and Sancha Smith have also qualified for the 5^th Congressional District. Christophe is the only Democrat so far.

The election is March 20th and qualifying ends tomorrow.

Julia Letlow, wife of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died of COVID last month, qualified today to run for the now vacant 5th Congressional District seat. Matt Doyle spoke to two of her challengers…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Five candidates have qualified for the second district, New Orleans Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers, who has been able to raise some money. Jenette Porter is another Democrat who has qualified, while Libertarian Mindy McConnell is also on the March 20th ballot.
Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland is looking forward to the legislative session in April and he’s pushing for an increase in gasoline taxes. McFarland says in the past he’s voted against a gas tax increase but as a businessman, he’s losing money in transportation costs…
Cut 15 (08)“…longer.”
McFarland’s proposed gas tax proposal would increase the state’s tax on gasoline by 10 cents in the first year and additional 12 cents until 2033.

The state’s strawberry crop for 2021 appears to be a good one and some producers began harvesting last month. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says farmers in the Bayou State are very progressive by growing multiple varieties to extend the season…
cut 9 (11) “…production”

One Republican lawmaker is pushing plans for an increase to the state’s gasoline tax when the state legislature convenes in April. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

President Joe Biden is receiving criticism for revoking the permit for the Keystone Pipeline extension. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the President is starting his administration by killing a project in which thousands are employed. Clean energy advocates are celebrating the news.

Qualifying continues for candidates who want their names on the March 20th ballot for the 2nd and 5th district Congressional races. In the fifth district, the only Democrat in the race so far is a social worker and businessperson Candy Christophe. She says she’s got the life experience to fight for what working families need…
cut 10 (10) “….fight”
Christophe nearly made the run-off in the election last year that was eventually won by the late Luke Letlow. Luke’s wife Julia Letlow qualified first thing this morning.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking for the state’s longest-known married couple, which they will honor on Valentine’s Day. The couples who finish in the top ten for longevity will also be recognized. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills…
ctu 6 (12) “…champs” (2x)
The Louisiana Family Forum is accepting applications on its website.

Julia Letlow, the wife of the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, is expected to qualify for the fifth district Congressional race today. Julia’s husband was supposed to occupy the seat, but he died from COVID-19. Five candidates have already qualified including Allen Guillory of Opelousas who said he’s concerned Julia Letlow winning would deprive Julia’s two young children of both of their parents, He says he told her that…
cut 13 (09) “…a job” (2x)
The election is March 20th and qualifying ends tomorrow.

The regular legislative session begins in April and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says he still plans to bring a proposal to lawmakers to raise the state’s gasoline tax as an effort to improve highways…
cut 14 (07) “…the table”
McFarland says his proposal would call for a ten-cent gas tax increase in the first year and a gradual increase of another 12-cents through 2033.

We are looking at mild temperatures for the rest of the week and rain is in the forecast today and tomorrow. So far we’ve avoided bitterly cold temperatures this winter and that’s good news for strawberry producers on the north shore. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says some growers started harvesting last month…
cut 8 (09) “…April”

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting applications for this year’s Longest Married Couple in Louisiana award. Family Forum President Gene Mills says they’re looking for couples who’ve been married 60 or more years…
Cut 4 (10) “…other.”
Gladys and Wallace Menard of Duson won the 2020 competition as they’ve been married for 81 years.

The regular legislative session is in April and a Republican state lawmaker is pushing his plan to increase the state’s gasoline tax. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland’s proposal calls for the state’s gasoline tax to grow 22-cents through 2033. McFarland says the Bayou State has the seventh-lowest gas tax in the nation…
Cut 16 (11) “…gas tax”
Previous attempts to raise the gasoline tax have failed in recent years.

The state’s strawberry crop is showing signs that it will be a good one this year. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says with the different varieties of strawberries, some Louisiana growers are already harvesting…
cut 7 (09) “…temperatures”

Qualifying continues today for the two Congressional races that will take place in March. Five people have signed up for the 5th district race. Republican Julia Letlow, the widow of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is expected to qualify today. Democrat Candy Christophe says Julia Letlow’s entrance into the race didn’t keep her from qualifying…
cut 12 (10) “…lightly”
Allen Guillory of Opelousas is one of four Republicans to sign up. Guillory received seven-percent of the vote in the November primary and says the Capitol Hill riot should not have happened, but…
cut 11 (13) “…direction”
Retired U-S Air Force Colonel Chad Conerly, Horace Melton of Ruston and Sancha Smith of Opelousas have also qualified for the fifth district race.