U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy supports strong economic sanctions against Russia as Vladimir Putin’s forces move into eastern Ukraine. Cassidy says Louisiana can help play a role in weakening Russia financially as that country relies heavily on revenue from natural gas…:

CUT 10         (12)    “…less money.”

Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson says it may be too late to avoid a conflict…:

CUT 12         (10)    “…responds to is strength.”

The state Department of Health reports 1574 new cases of COVID 19, with 701 people in the hospital with the virus. They also confirm 3 deaths of kids under 18; two of them under 5, the third was much older. LDH recommends all kids 5 and older get the shots.

Lake Charles is ready to revitalize its lakefront. 2022 has seen a number of new businesses announce their intentions to open locations on the lakefront, bringing food, entertainment, and recreational activities to the long underdeveloped area. Mayor Nic Hunter says the centerpiece will be called Port Wonder, with family attractions…:

CUT 07         (12)    “…Wildlife & Fisheries.”

He says development should be getting underway soon.

Houma Police are investigating the shooting of an innocent bystander at a Carnival parade Sunday night. Cops says fight broke out between two groups attending the parade, shots rang out, everyone scattered; leaving one person with a wound from a stray bullet. A 15-year-old carrying a pistol was found and arrested for attempted 2nd-degree murder and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation express concern as Russian forces show signs of invading Ukraine. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Lake Charles man is behind bars; accused of sexual contact with a minor. The female victim, who is under 15, came forward to authorities with a complaint about 46-year-old Bobby Treaster, who’s facing 7 counts of sexual battery and one count of rape. His bond was set at just over a half-million dollars.

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain will spend the rest of his life behind bars as a judge sentenced Strain to four life sentences, plus another 30 years on top of that. Strain was convicted in November on aggravated rape and incest charges. A mother of one of Strain’s victims spoke with reporters after the sentencing hearing..:

CUT 13(08)      “…Jack hurting him.”

The 60-year-old Strain served as the top lawman in St. Tammany Parish from 1995 to 2016. He also faces another sentencing on federal bribery charges.

Two Jefferson Parish deputies face manslaughter charges after investigators say their use of lethal force in the February 16^th shooting of Daniel Vallee in Marrero was not justified. Sheriff Joe Lopinto…:

CUT 03(10)      “…point in time.”

The officers spent several minutes trying to get an armed Vallee out of his car. When he sounded the horn suddenly they fired; killing him.

Authorities say no fatalities or major injuries are reported at an explosion at the Marathon Refinery plant in Garyville this morning.  St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says it happened shortly after 9 a.m….:

CUT 09(07)      “…local facility.”

Hotard says Marathon is monitoring air-quality in the area.

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a six-year-old child rescued from a burning mobile home in New Iberia has died. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says two adults and six children were inside the home on Sunday afternoon when the blaze started and the six-year-old was the only one that didn’t get out safely..:

CUT 11(11)      “…later died.”

The boy is the 23^rd person to die by house fire so far this year.

A shooting at a club rental in Alexandria kills a 17-year-old male and injures two others. Alexandria Police spokesperson Lt. Lane Windham says they were called to Club 318 just before midnight Saturday. He says two others – an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were shot and wounded. Windham says they are looking into the nature of the event that was held…:

CUT 04(10)      “…were safe.”

In just six weeks the NCAA men’s Final Four returns to New Orleans. The Superdome has hosted more Final Fours than any other venue, but this is the first since 2012. Governor John Bel Edwards says the event is expected to bring more than 75-thousand visitors to The Crescent City, generating an economic impact of $170-million…:

CUT 07(10)      “…of the pandemic.”

In just six weeks the NCAA men’s Final Four returns to New Orleans. The Superdome has hosted more Final Fours than any other venue, but this one may be the most important yet. David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 01(34)      “…David Grubb.”

The state Department of Health reports COVID numbers continuing to decline. Today’s LDH COVID dashboard shows 2029 new cases, with just 731 in the hospital statewide.

A shooting at a rentable private club in Alexandria kills a 17-year-old male and injures two others. Alexandria Police spokesman Lt. Lane Windham says they were called to Club 318 just before midnight Saturday after shots were fired inside the building…:

CUT 03(07)      “…more than that.”

A 16-year-old male was also shot, he has been treated and released from the hospital and the 19-year-old victim is expected to be released soon.

A six-year-old boy in New Iberia becomes the state’s 23^rd person to die in a house fire so far in 2022. The fire happened Sunday. Ashley Rodrigue, with State Fire Marshal Butch Browning’s office…:

CUT 13(12)      “…need to be.”

The fire is under investigation. Remember to check YOUR smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

New Orleans Police are investigating the mysterious death of a UNO student who died hours after getting into an Uber, after spending Friday night attending parades in Metairie. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A suspected drunk driver ran into parade revelers at Lafayette’s Rio parade Saturday. Police say the vehicle hit barricades and struck two people, who were seriously hurt. 31-year-old Jessica Richard is charged with 2^nd offense DUI & vehicular negligent injuring.

New Iberia mourns the death of a six-year-old child, who died from injuries in a house fire Sunday. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the youngster was the only one that didn’t get out safely. Firefighters got the boy out, but he died later at the hospital. Rodrigue says family members said the kid was at ground zero…:

CUT 12  (11)        “…Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

This is the 23rd death by fire in the state so far this year.  – COPY CORRECTED.

Authorities say no fatalities or major injuries are reported at an explosion at the Marathon Refinery plant in Garyville this morning.  St. John Parish President Jaclyn Hotard says it happened shortly after 9 a.m. She says they’ve received several calls from those in the community that heard the explosion of the unit at the refinery…:

CUT 10(07)      “…our residents.”

Hotard says Marathon is monitoring air-quality in the area.

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.”

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.