The official start to the campaign season got underway this morning as qualifying began in Baton Rouge. Republican Senator David Vitter was the first gubernatorial candidate to sign up. He says Louisiana is facing serious problems…:
CUT 6 (10) “ahead of us”
Vitter has by far the most money in his campaign warchest, but Republican Scott Angelle says this race is too important to place focus on money…:
CUT 7 (09) “enough money”
Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican Jay Dardenne are also now officially in the race.

Governor Bobby Jindal is going to host a prayer rally on the steps of the state capitol on Monday at 11:30am to commemorate the statewide day of prayer for all law enforcement.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve got two people in custody who are accused of shooting at police officers last week. Sheriff Newell Normand says the cop car was hit five times then the officers fired back 14 times but nobody was struck. He says the suspects, who were part of a large drug-dealing operation, admitted they knew they were shooting at the police…:
cut 14 (07) “cop killers”
21-year-old Malcolm Hall and 20-year-old Terrance Carter were charged in the incident.

LSU dropped two spots to No. 15 in the USA today Coaches’ Poll after Saturday’s severe weather canceled their game against McNeese State. But in the AP the Tigers remained at No. 14. The SEC has a record 10 teams ranked in the AP poll.

The Krewe of Endymion in New Orleans announces Pitbull and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith will be the performers at the krewe’s annual celebration in the Superdome the Saturday before Mardi Gras.