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. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Julia Letlow, wife of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died of COVID last month, is expected to qualify today to run for the now vacant 5^th Congressional District seat. Matt Doyle spoke to two of her challengers…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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 One Republican lawmaker plans to propose a gas tax when the legislature convenes in April. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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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 2020′s competition after staying hitched for 81 years.

Mills says every year the stories behind the winner’s longevity provide some truths that people need to learn.

Cut 5 (08) “…marriages.”

Mills says they get a lot of applications and every year the contest is highly competitive. 

Cut 6 (12) “…champs”

To send in an application yourself, or on behalf of a loved one, visit the Family Forum’s website and fill out some information about the couple’s lives and story.

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Early crops of the state fruit are off to a bright start for 2021, even with the recent cold snaps. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says with the different varieties of strawberries, some Louisiana growers are already harvesting.

Cut 7 (09)  “…temperatures.”

If temperatures drop below sixteen degrees it could potentially put farmers behind four to six weeks.

Ferguson says because of the state’s generally milder temps during the growing season and preferred soil, the harvesting season can begin earlier in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “…April”

Another reason for the earlier harvest in Louisiana is the variety of strawberries grown here. Ferguson says farmers in the Bayou State are very progressive by growing multiple varieties to extend the season.

Cut 9 (12) “…production.”

Louisiana strawberry farmers start planting their crop in late September early October and are at the height of production from March to May.

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Wednesday Five candidates signed up to run for the 5^th Congressional District seat left vacant after the shocking death of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow last month from COVID.

The only Democrat in the race so far is a social worker and small businessperson Candy Christophe. She says she’s got the life experience to fight for what working families need.

Cut 10 (11) “…fight”

Christophe nearly made the runoff for the 5^th last year with 16 percent of the vote coming less than a point behind last year’s second-place finisher State Lawmaker Lance Harris, who’s been non-committal about a second run. Democratic candidates combined to win 30 percent of the total vote.

Allen Guillory was one of four Republicans to sign up Wednesday. He says he’s not afraid to speak the truth and says the Capitol Hill Riot shouldn’t have happened, but…

Cut 11 (13) “.direction”

Guillory won seven percent of the vote in the 2020 primary for the 5^th District seat. If elected Guillory vowed to support term limits for Congress.

Letlow’s widow, Julia Letlow, is expected to qualify Thursday and become the instant frontrunner. Christophe says that isn’t changing her plans.

Cut 12 (11) “.lightly.”

Guillory endorsed Luke Letlow last year in the runoff but says he’s concerned Julia Letlow winning would deprive Julia’s two children of both of their parents. He says he told her…

Cut 13 (09) “….a job”

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A Republican lawmaker is proposing a gasoline tax and sweeping reforms in the operation of the DOTD  so more funds can be directed towards repairing state roads and bridges. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland, Government Reform in Transportation Act also known as GRIT, adds a ten-cent gas tax the first year, raising $300 million in potential revenue and…

Cut 14 (07) “…the table.” 

After the first year, an additional two cents would be added on gasoline every other year until 2033, it would then total 22 cents higher than the current 20 cents.

The bill also requires an initial DOTD forensic audit and annual oversight of how the department spends its existing funds to ensure compliance.

McFarland says in the past he’s voted against a gas tax increase but as a businessman who’s losing money in transportation costs, he’s added reform and audit measures to the proposal, so spending is more transparent.

Cut 15 (08)“…longer.”

McFarland says the Bayou State has the seventh-lowest gas tax in the nation and once the additional full 22-cents is added…

Cut 16 (11) “…gas tax”

The GRIT Act earmarks 60-percent of revenue for maintenance of existing state roads and bridges and 40-percent towards capacity projects including a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge.

The race is officially on to replace the outgoing Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s second district Congressional member. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Mindy McConnell a Libertarian and Jenette Porter a Democrat, both of New Orleans have also qualified for the second district.

The state reported 2,536 new COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities today.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the overnight hours.

Cut 15 (10) “…Opelousas” 

Thibodaux says the investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released.

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball, the longest-running in history with 36 draws reaches the fourth-largest jackpot in the game’s history at 730 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says even though no one’s hit the Jackpot since last fall, always check your numbers, while it might not be the jackpot it could still be a winning ticket.

Cut 8 (12) “…one number”

Chopin recommends the Louisiana Lottery App to check your numbers.

The two biggest names in the race for the 2^nd Congressional District visited the Secretary of State’s office today to qualify. New Orleans Democratic state senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter have been racking up the endorsements so far and Peterson, The former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party, vowed to fight for an increase in the minimum wage if elected.

Cut 12 (10) “…done it before” 

Carter also pushed for an increase during his time in the Legislature, one of the many issues he’s gone to the mat over…

Cut 11 (10) “..for it”

Gary Cater Jr. and Jenette Porter also joined the race. Libertarian Mindy McConnell is the only non-democrat in the running.

The three billion dollar Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project gets a small boost from the feds in the form of 12.5 million dollars in funding. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says state and local government has already pumped 600 million into the structure but it is nice to see the Corps of Engineers pitch in…

Cut 3 (06)  “…system.”

The system, once fully built, would protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the overnight hours and the victim was shot in the 200 block of Guilno Street in Opelousas…

Cut 16 (10) “…later died” 

Four Democrats have officially qualified to run for the 2^nd Congressional District seat to replace Cedric Richmond on the March 20th ballot. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter found it significant that he qualified for this race on the same day a new president was sworn in…

Cut 9 (08) “..being better”

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson also qualified she’s the former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party and has served in the state legislature since 1999.

Cut 10 (07) “…has experience.”

Baton Rouge community activist and small business owner Gary Chambers, Jr and Jeanette Porter of New Orleans round out the democrats that have qualified so far. Mindy McConnell, a Libertarian from New Orleans, also joined the race. Qualifying ends on Friday.

The state reported 2,536 new COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities today.

The feds are pitching in 12.5 million dollars to help fund the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball is historic, according to Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin it’s the fourth largest in the game’s history with a jackpot of 730 million.

Cut 6 (07) “..its history”

Candidates filed into the Secretary of State’s Office today for the first day of qualifying for both the special elections in the 2^nd and 5^th Congressional District. In the 2^nd State Senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter signed on the line along with Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers. Chambers plans to run as the progressive in the race, backing Medicare for All and the Green New Deal…

Cut 14 (09) ” last 100 years.” 

Mindy McConnell, a Libertarian from New Orleans, also qualified today. 

Tonight’s 730 million dollar jackpot drawing for the Powerball is the 4^th largest in game history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says there’s lots of money up for grabs.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars.”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the over night hours

Cut 15 (10) “…Opelousas” 

Thibodaux says the investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released.

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project, which will protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, is awarded 12.5 million dollars by the Corps of Engineers. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says  it’s great to see this system, which protects tens of thousands of homes, get some attention after watching the New Orleans Levee System get fully funded.

Cut 5  (07) “..2005″ 

The full project will cost three billion dollars.

The race is officially on to replace the outgoing Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s second district Congressional member. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

And for the 5^th Congressional District, Julia Letlow said she’ll run the seat won by her late husband who died of COVID last month before he was sworn-in. So far Candy Christophe, Chad Conerly, Allen Guillory, and Horace Melton III have officially qualified.

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball, the longest-running in history with 36 draws reaches the fourth-largest jackpot in the game’s history at 730 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says even though no one’s hit the Jackpot since last fall, always check your numbers, while it might not be the jackpot it could still be a winning ticket.

Cut 8 (12) “…one number”

The Powerball drawing is tonight at 10.

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project, which will protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, is awarded 12.5 million dollars by the Corps of Engineers. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says because the feds have taken so long to appreciate the project’s significance the state has already moved ahead with constructing parts of it.

Cut 4 (08) “….system.” 

Candidates for the 2^nd Congressional District special election race signed up to run at the Secretary of State’s office today on the first day of qualifying. The two favorites in the race so far, New Orleans State Senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter officially qualified, alongside Baton Rouge community activist and small business owner Gary Chambers. Chambers says not being a career politician will be benefit him…

Cut 13 (07)“.being honest”

The 2^nd covers most of New Orleans along with the River Parishes and parts of north Baton Rouge.

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball is historic, according to Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin it’s the fourth largest in the game’s history with a cash value of 546 million.

Cut 6 (07) “..its history”

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project, which will protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, is awarded 12.5 million dollars by the Corps of Engineers. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says the project as a whole will cost three billion dollars, but it’s a good start…

Cut 3 (06)  “…system.”

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf project was initially forecasted to cost 10 billion dollars, but that price has come down to three billion after the cost was updated in 2019. The state has already pumped 600 million into the project.

The two main candidates seeking to replace outgoing U.S Representative Cedric Richmond as the state’s 2nd District Congressman officially put their names on the March 20th ballot today. New Orleans Senator Troy His main opponent will be New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson.

Carter says during his time in the legislature and away from public office, he’s worked to change lives.

Cut 11 (10) “..for it”

Both legislators have fought to raise the minimum wage and pushed to pass equal pay legislation at the state capitol. Peterson plans to take that fight up to Washington.

Cut 12 (10) “…done it before” 

Qualifying ends on Friday.

Qualifying began this morning at the Secretary of State’s Office and the other Congressional seat voters will choose representation for is in the 5^th District, left vacant after the death of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow in December from COVID. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Julia Letlow is the favorite to win the race. She’s the wife of late Congressman-elect Letlow.

Cut 4 (11) “…gone through”

As Kamala Harris made history being sworn in as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president today she did so decked out in a purple coat designed by a Louisiana native. Harris donned a long purple coat designed by Christopher John Rogers, a Brooklyn based designer, and Baton Rouge native.  Rogers is a graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High School. He also went on to earn the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s prestigious American Emerging Designer of the Year award in 2020.

The two main candidates seeking to replace outgoing U.S Representative Cedric Richmond as the state’s 2nd District Congressman officially put their names on the March 20th ballot today. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter found it significant that he qualified for this race on the same day a new president was sworn in…

Cut 9 (08) “..being better”

Carter previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives, the New Orleans City Council and he’s currently a state senator. His main opponent will be New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson. The former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party has served in the state legislature since 1999.

Cut 10 (07) “…has experience”

Qualifying ends on Friday.

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office suspends the head of the criminal division Pat Magee after an investigation found he engaged in inappropriate conversations that included sexual and unprofessional comments. Magee is suspended for 38 days — but must still report to work. He will not receive a salary during that period Magee will lose more than $20-thousand and take training courses to develop better workplace skills.

LSU remains without a defensive coordinator after Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen receives a promotion and a new contract to stay in New Orleans.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

25,000 National Guardsmen and numerous other security forces are on the ground in D.C. ahead of today’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. The nation’s capital city and Capitol Building are heavily militarized amidst accusations that security was not tight enough in D.C. on January 6^th. Congressman Steve Scalise says that failure must be investigated, and…

Cut 9 (08) “..should be.”

Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris are expected to be sworn in sometime just after 11 AM.

The State Office of Public Health is looking for retired medical providers who’d be interested in volunteering to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Bureau of Community Preparedness interim director Dr. Sundee Winder says they are offering flexible schedules for volunteers and offer mornings, afternoons, and evenings for training and eventually participation.

Cut 15 (08)“…paid.”

Qualifying has begun in the race for both the second and fifth Congressional district special elections. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m matt Doyle”

The White House announced several early morning pardons from President Donald Trump, among the 143 today wrapper and New Orleans Native Dwayne Michael Carter Jr better known as Lil Wayne.   The rapper was charged in Florida on Nov. 17 with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.