U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers, of Baton Rouge, has made a name for himself with his campaign ads, and donations to his campaign are picking up. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

What was your favorite Super Bowl ad? Google Trends Expert Gina Shalavi says a lot of car ads made their Top Ten, like the Nissan spot with Eugene Levy…:

CUT 04(10)      “…his own premiere”

Due to extremely dry conditions, the Fire Marshal’s Office along with Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban. Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the ban goes into effect Tuesday morning, and we should all stop burning trash, be careful with cigarette butts and flammable materials..:

CUT 13(07)      “…that burning.”

There was a 10-acre grass fire over the weekend in Livingston Parish.

Caddo Parish Sheriff Deputies arrested a 20-year-old man after he climbed into the window of a teenage girl whom he had previously threatened with bodily harm. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Rolden says a K-9 found 20-year-old Gaven Coon-Crowley hiding in the attic…

CUT 15(05)      “…front porch.”

Coon-Crowley was brought to the hospital for treatment and later booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on a charge of unauthorized entry, entering and remaining and resisting a deputy.

The Louisiana House has joined the Senate in passing a Congressional district map that has one majority-minority district, despite claims it’s illegal. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The wife of a Greenwood police officer died early Friday morning in a house in Bossier City. Bossier firefighters say they arrived around 1:30 AM to find the home fully engulfed in flame. The house belongs to Greenwood cop Laun Harris Jr. His wife and the family pets all died in the fire. A 14-year-old grandson made it out alive. The fire is under investigation.

With the big game on Sunday and online sports wagering now available in approved parishes in Louisiana, Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana wants to remind novice gamblers to investigate an online betting app before you place a bet. She says watch for pop-ups and make sure any website is secure. Million says if it sounds too good to be true…:

CUT 13(10)      “…get money.”

Former LSU and current Rams lineman Andrew Whitworth has been named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. Lifelong friend Rick Guillot serves as president of Whitworth’s Big Whit 77 Foundation. He says trying to make communities better is what Andrew is all about..:

CUT 10(11)      “…so proud of him.”

Plenty of people are making bets on Sunday’s Big Game, now that sports book is legal … but the Better Business Bureau in Baton Rouge says scammers are still seeking to take advantage and get your money. BBB spokesperson Carmen Million says the thing to watch out for are pop-ups on sites you may THINK are legit..:

CUT 12(08)      “…an investigation.”

More fireworks between lawmakers today, as the state House votes approval of a U.S. Congressional district map that does not have two majority black voting districts. 2020 Census data shows the state has 33-percent black voters, so there’s call for a 2^nd black voting district, which New Orleans Rep. Royce Duplessis emphasizes…:

CUT 08(14)      “…state of Louisiana.”

Marksville Republican State Representative Daryl Deshotel just deposited $1 million of his own money into his campaign account; sending up smoke signals he might have his eye on a higher office. So far, the state Attorney General and the Lt. Governor have signaled they’d run – meaning their offices would be open. For his part, Deshotel is keeping his own counsel on future plans…:

CUT 04(09)      “…going to be.”

State Police issue a Level Two Endangered Missing Child Advisory. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office says 14-year-old Destiny Pope was last seen in Holden, wearing a green John Deere T-shirt and black leggings. She’s considered to be in danger, due to her medical condition. If you know anything call Detective Aaron Bond with LPSO at 225-686-2241.

The Louisiana House has approved a new map for the state’s six congressional districts. And just like the Senate, the House version has a single majority-Black district. In an exchange with Houma Representative Tanner Magee, New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says, because Louisiana has 32-percent black voters, the second black district should be created…:

CUT 07(12)      “…blah blah blah”

It’s unclear if the Governor will sign either the House or Senate-approved congressional maps.

Marksville state Representative Daryl Deshotel just pumped a million bucks of his own cash into his campaign account; fueling speculation he may run for a higher office. The 43-year-old sophomore lawmaker talks like a candidate; saying the state needs major investment on more than just road & bridges..:

CUT 05(12)      “…to build.”

A Bossier City house fire claims the life of a woman and her pets. Firefighters were alerted just after 1:30 early this morning, and arrived to a home engulfed in flame. A teen boy managed to escape, but his grandmother and the family pets perished. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Former LSU Tiger Andrew Whitworth receives the NFL’s most prestigious honor, and one of his best friends says no one deserves it more. Here’s David Grubb…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder creates a special 8-person legislative committee to look into the death of Ronald Greene, a black man who died in 2019 after he was beaten by State Troopers following a high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. Houma Representative Tanner Magee will chair the panel of 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats. He says it will not be a witch hunt, but he hopes they can help bring closure for Greene’s family…:

CUT 10(07)      “…this committee”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he made no attempt to impede or interfere with any investigation into Greene’s death.

New Orleans cops shoot and kill a murder suspect during a gun battle. NOPD spokesman Chris Goodly says officers and federal marshals were serving a warrant for a wanted suspect, who proved to be armed with a long gun…:

CUT 06(10)      “…now deceased.”

It’s reported the suspect fired at officers first, from an upstairs window.

Economic development in Natchitoches Parish. Alliance Compressors is expanding its Natchitoches facility with a $45-million investment. Alliance Chairman Brent Schroder says due to the increasing demand from partners, Emerson, Trane and Lennox Industries, they need to add to their 400-thousand square-foot facility…:

CUT 04(11)      “assembly line.”

When done, productivity is expected to increase by a third and nearly 80 new decent income jobs will be created.

Amid falling numbers of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, LSU will lift its mask mandates starting Monday. The University had been requiring masks of everyone while indoors. They will continue to encourage students and staff to mask, but no longer require it.

The National Bar Association calls for Governor Edwards to resign over the Ronald Greene case and how he handled it. In a written statement, the group says (quote) “Justice was traded for political capital and survival.” Governor Edwards has not responded.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder forms a committee to investigate the 2019 fatal State Police arrest of Ronald Greene and if there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01         (31)    “….Jeff Palermo.”

A former Baton Rouge assistant school principal gets life in prison for the 2016 murder of his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn baby. Robert Marks was convicted back in December of the murder of Lyntell Washington, with whom he was having an extra-marital affair.

The mother of Ronald Greene, the motorist who was killed while in the custody of the Louisiana State Police, held an emotional press conference today to address the latest developments in this case. Mona Hardin had harsh words for the troopers involved, and everyone else right up the line to the top…:

CUT 13         (12)    “…but we’re not.”

She restated her claim that Governor Edwards allowed Greene’s killing to be characterized as an accident, when he knew otherwise.

A former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy faces battery charges following an incident at the parish jail last month. Daniel Boyet was charged this morning with simple battery. He’s alleged to have roughed up an inmate on January 30^th. Details of that “incident” have not been provided by the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office.

The number of folks in the hospital with COVID keeps dropping. Today LDH reports 1350 hospitalizations, and just over 2700 new cases.

The mother of Ronald Greene, the Black motorist who was killed while in the custody of the Louisiana State Police, held a press conference today to address last week’s comments by the Governor and more. Here’s David Grubb…:

CUT 02(31)      “…I’m David Grubb.”

A Shreveport lawyer is in jail; charged with over 200 counts of child pornography. State agents arrested 68-year-old Brian D. Smith Wednesday. Acting on a tip, officers found images allegedly downloaded by smith to a cloud server. Smith had been an attorney with the Casten & Pearce firm in Shreveport.

Cops in New Orleans say a murder suspect was killed early this morning in a shootout. NOPD spokesman Christopher Goodly says the deceased suspect was a 22-year-old male, who was wanted for the murder of a 35-year-old male and attempted murder of another person who was injured in a car. He says the action started as they were serving a warrant..:

CUT 07(09)      “…of Piety Street.”

Goodly says the suspect had a rifle and fired on officers.

Alliance Compressors, in Natchitoches, will invest $45-million on a big expansion. Alliance Chairman Brent Schroder says this will allow them to add a third assembly line; creating nearly 80 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $47-thousand…:

CUT 03(06)      “…in the area.”

Alliance Compressors has been a part of the Natchitoches business world since 1998.

The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map that maintains the status quo and that’s just one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment that created a second-majority Black voting district, but Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says Fields’ proposal would actually dilute the black vote in both districts…:

CUT 13(10)      “…minority representation whatsoever.”

Black lawmakers argue that 33-percent of the state’s population is African-American, therefore two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority-minority, if not it violates the Voting Rights Act. A federal consent decree from decades ago, mandates the state have “at least one” majority black district.

COVID hospitalizations keep dropping in Louisiana. The state Department of Health today reports 1435 patients under care; a drop of over 100 in just one day.

In a new 60-second online ad, U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a Confederate flag on fire, while talking about systemic inequalities in criminal justice, economics, and voting rights. The ad is getting attention, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances at winning…:

CUT 06(13)      “move the needle too much.”

Stockley says unless Chambers can raise a lot of cash AND appeal to at least SOME non-black voters, he doesn’t stand a chance.

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson is suing a neighbor over the death of one of her dogs. Benson’s lawyer says the neighbor’s dogs got out unrestrained and left the Yorkie “literally torn apart.” Another dog was badly injured, but lived. The neighbor’s dogs have been euthanized. Benson says, if she wins the suit, she’ll give the money to a pet charity, and match it out-of-pocket.

At the State Capitol redistricting session, A House committee advances a state House district map that keeps the number of majority black districts At its current number; 29. Opponents of the proposed map, says it is gerrymandered to assure no MORE blacks get elected to the legislature. One of those was Shreveport high school student Autumn Summers…:

CUT 03  (14)        “…remove you from office.”

Despite that, the bill was approved by a 13-to-4 vote, and goes next to the House floor.

U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a rebel flag on fire in his latest campaign video, while talking of systemic racism, race-based voter rights infringement and more. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says those are good issues to talk up, but he must also show he can raise money AND appeal to more than just black democrats…:

CUT 08  (04)        “…very Republican state.”

The man accused of killing a Slidell mom and stuffing her dismembered body in a cooler will remain in jail until his trial. An Orleans Parish magistrate ruled this morning there was probable cause the Benjamin Beale might be a flight risk, if let out on bond. He’s accused of murdering 36-year-old Julia Dardar AND with running a meth lab.

He’s a poli-sci student at LSU and winner of the second quarter-finals in Jeopardy’s College Champions. Brooke Thorington has more on Steven Privat…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional map that does NOT contain a second Black-majority Congressional district. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new state House map that keeps the number of majority-minority districts at 29. Opponents say the map is gerrymandered to prevent more blacks from being elected. Approved by a 13-to-4 vote, the map moves next to the House floor for debate and vote.

U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers knows how to get attention and online views. In his most recent campaign ad message, Chambers sets a rebel flag on fire while decrying inequities in voting rights, criminal justice and more. UL-M Political Science professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances at winning. Stockley says he’ll have to really pull out the stops…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in his case, incendiary.”

Doesn’t get much more incendiary than setting a flag on fire.

LSU poli-sci major Steven Privat wowed audiences watching the College Jeopardy quarter-finals. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge Tuesday, Privat said being a contestant is a long process before you get behind the buzzer…:

CUT 10(12)      “…that long ago.”

The Jeopardy College Championship continues tonight at 7, on ABC TV.