In a somewhat surprising development, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces he will NOT seek another term in office. Ardoin took over the SOS job in 2018, when Tom Schedler resigned. He was elected in 2019 to his own term. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin took a lot of fire in his 5 years, including when he expanded mail-in ballots during the pandemic, which some Republicans said contributed to voter fraud in 2020…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…work environment.”

He says Ardoin may feel the job isn’t worth the grief. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is reportedly interested in running for SOS. PSC member Mike Francis has already declared for the race.

Baton Rouge’s Metro Council will discuss a proposed ban on balloon releases; often done at prayer vigils and memorials. The issue is the balloons rise aloft, burst and fall to earth as litter. Animals can mistake them for food and choke on them. Balloons have even been blamed for power failures. Under the proposal, violators could face fines up to $250.

Former LABI president and candidate for governor Stephen Waguespack, and two political action committees (PACs) that support him are expected to report slightly over $3-million raised to help win his the election. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s a good start, but he’ll need more to edge out Jeff Landry in the October election…:

CUT 08(11)      “…make the runoff.”

The National Council on Aging spreads the word that free resources are there to assist older Americans making ends meet against the current inflation.  NCA’s Aisha Williams says there is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Medicare Savings, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance; all available to assist seniors…:

CUT 14(10)      “…qualify for.

BenefitsCheckUp.org to know more.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces he’s not running for re-election. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

A Jennings man has been arrested for cheating his electric company out of thousands of dollars in power. 61-year-old David Trahan allegedly used an illegal box to bypass his meter; taking power totaling over $5-thousand. He’s been jailed for felony theft. No bond had been set as of news time.

Former LABI president and candidate for governor Stephen Waguespack, and two political action committees (PACs) that support him are expected to report slightly over $3-million raised to help win his the election. Waguespack has raised over $900-k, and the Delta Good Hands and Reboot Louisiana PACs report a combined $2.2-million. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Waguespack is a strong candidate, but his personal warchest is far outstripped by A.G. Jeff Landry’s $5-million…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…you campaign for you.”

He says if Waguespack’s fundrasing continues at this level, he could raise enough for a hard fight to beat Landry and make a November runoff.

The National Council on Aging is getting the word out that they offer free resources to assist older Americans who need a helping hand with financial assistance during current inflation. The council’s Senior Director for Economic Security, Aisha Williams, says 1in 4 seniors depend on Social Security for 90% of their income and in 2021 more people 65 and older battled poverty…:

CUT 13(04)      “…isn’t enough.”

Visit “BenefitsCheckUp.org” to find out more.

A 19-year-old in Slidell faces charges of terrorizing, after posting a social media video suggesting a future school shooting. St. Tammany sheriff’s spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says the suspect, Landon Woodside, confessed his guilt to detectives. She says, even though intended as a joke, such postings can have repercussions…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…be investigated.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not seek re-election this fall, meaning that is now a wide-open race. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Ardoin had poor success getting voters on board with some of his initiatives; like new voting machines…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…out there.”

He’s also drawn criticism for expanding mail-in balloting during the pandemic, which some tie to alleged voter fraud in the 2002 Presidential election.

Deputies in Evangeline Parish say an 85-year-old woman who took a severe beating – allegedly at the hands of her own granddaughter – has died from her injuries. The younger woman, Cecilia Anne Lee, is now charged with murder, battery, cruelty to the infirm and more. Her bond is set at over a million dollars.

The National Council on Aging offers free resources to those needing help fighting the bite of inflation. Teiko Foxx has more…:’

CUT 02(35)      “…Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards opened the 2023 legislative session with his last State of the State address; calling for a raise in minimum wage, equal pay for women, rape & incest exceptions in the state’s abortion ban and LGBT rights. He also wants to see real property insurance reforms, and not legislation making it easier for insurers to wear people down…:

CUT 06(11)      “…for everyone.”

A poll done last week, indicates Louisiana voters are for more pro-choice than one might think. Pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics says that’s especially so on the subject of exceptions in the law for rape incest…:

CUT 10(10)      “…that exception.”

Legislation seeking to triple state legislators’ pay to $60-thousand-a-year will be heard in the legislative session that started today…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Foxx.”

A former Alexandria area Salvation Army major. Who was arrested for home invasion in 2020, pleads guilty to a lesser charge. 66-year-old Glenn Riggs copped to a simpler burglary charge & sentenced to 2 years’ probation. He will also be charged with jumping bail, as he moved to Alabama while on bond in Rapides Parish.

As the state Legislature convenes for a fiscal session…a bill set for debate would give members of the House and Senate hefty pay raises. Right now the base is $16,800 plus $161.00-a-day per diem and $500.00-a-month in discretionary income. That’s a little north of $36-thousand. Gretna Rep. Joe Marino says that’s too law, and only the wealthy or self-employed can afford to hold the seats in the Legislature…:

CUT 04(12)      “…without opposition.”

Marino’s bill would raise that base to about $60-k.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting at a Lafayette nightclub Sunday evening. Trooper Thomas Gossen says shortly before 11 PM Lafayette Police responded to a shots fired call, in which an off-duty officer working a security detail at the club…:

CUT 12(07)      “…his injuries.”

The names of the victim and the officer involved have not been released.

More Louisianans consider themselves pro-choice than pro-life, that’s according to a poll conducted last week…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will once again push for a raise in the state’s minimum wage, plus equal pay for men and women who do the same work. He urges lawmakers to vote for equal pay, NOT because it’s the right thing to do, but because voters want them to.

A Baton Rouge man, accused of sexually trafficking two teen girls who’d run away from DCFS custody, has been arrested. 29-year-old Chad Armstead is charged with two counts of human trafficking and one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. One of the two girls reportedly met him online, before an in-person rendezvous, which led to him victimizing both.

A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

New research by the Life Extension Foundation finds the average Louisianan dies sooner than those in many other states. The group’s education director, Dr. Michael Smith, says the life expectancy in Louisiana is lower than other southern states as well…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…very well.”

He says eating right and getting some movement in will literally add years to your life.

Look forward to Easter Sunday, because the weather is expected to be much better than the rainy conditions we’re experiencing now. State Climatologist Barry Keim says all this rain and clouds will hang around until Saturday night…:

CUT 09(11)      “…already occurred.”

However Easter Sunday should be partly cloudy and quite pleasant.

A new research study by the Life Extension Foundation found Louisiana among the worst state for life expectancy; ranking 48^th of 50 states Life Extension Director of Education, Dr. Michael Smith says for two years in a row the overall average life span has declined and lifestyle is a major component…:

CUT 12(06)      “…as well.”

He says we not only rank poorly among all states, we are lower than most other southern states.

We have to get through some dicey wet weather for Good Friday and Holy Saturday before we see more sunshine on Easter Day. state Climatologist Barry Keim says, if there is an upside to all the rain, it’s that temperatures are lower, especially at night…:

CUT 11  (06)        “…60’s range.”

Easter should be fairly pretty with afternoon temperatures in the 70’s.

Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis has filed legislation to require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. At the request of a constituent last year, Davis presented legislation to require health insurance to pay for in-vitro fertility treatments…:

CUT 07(08)      “…IVF bill.”

That bill failed last year. This year she’s bringing back a version require your insurer cover having eggs or sperm preserved prior to chemo and/or radiation treatments.

Police in Eunice are investigating a murder; something you don’t hear about often in the Acadiana town. Police say a 32-year-old man was found around 10:30 last night, on the street, suffering gunshots. He died sometime later at a local hospital. Officers believe the killer used a rifle. They ask anyone with information to call St. Landry Crimestoppers at 337-948-TIPS.

The weather is not so good this Good Friday, but Easter Sunday should be a different matter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says all this rain and cloudiness should hang around through tomorrow night, and some areas could see excessive rainfall…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…south Louisiana.”

Right now virtually all the state is under a flood watch until 7 pm Saturday. Easter Sunday should be clearing and nice. High in the 70’s.

Planning on giving one of the little ones a bunny, chick or even a puppy for Easter? Jeff Dorson, with the state Humane Society says give it more thought. He says we often think kids will take care of a pet, but sometimes it doesn’t work out…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…please reconsider.”

Shreveport Police are seeking a local man, 53-year-old Tremell Thomas, for the alleged murder of another man in mid-March. 58-year-old Steven Graham was found shot dead inside his home, and the investigation led to Thomas. Call SPD if you have any info. This is the city’s 20^th homicide of the year.

LSU say its national champion women’s basketball team will go to the White House once they receive an invitation, despite some hurt feelings from a statement made by First Lady Jill Biden. LRN Sports Director & Tiger Rag Radio host Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”

You’ll need to keep an umbrella handy as we go into Easter weekend, as a stationary front keeps rain over the state for another couple days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says, because the front is such a slow-mover, it brings less chance of severe weather with it, but it will be a big rainmaker. The good news, is it should move on by Easter Sunday…:

CUT 05(11)      “…big surprise.”

A Sulphur man is under arrest for allegedly burglarizing an Acadia Parish home, while disguised as a Calcasieu Parish deputy. Acadia Sheriff K.P. Gibson says 33-year-old Adam Creel detained the homeowner with cuffs, then rummaged through his stuff. He credits the help of residents in making the bust…:

CUT 08(13)      “…always have.”

Creel faces a list of charges.

Three young adults were killed in a single vehicle wreck in West Monroe during the overnight hours. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says deputies responded to the scene on Old Highway 15 in West Monroe…:

CUT 14(10)      “…into a tree.”

Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene; all between 22 and 24 years of age.

An arrest is made in Sunday’s vehicular homicide death of a Lafourche Parish sheriff’s deputy, Sgt. Nick Pepper. State Police Trooper Tom Gossen says 33-year-old Anthony Savoie rammed Pepper’s vehicle while trying to escape lawmen…and now faces many charges…:

CUT 13  (05)        “…police officer.”

Pepper was buried Wednesday. He leaves behind a wife and 3 kids.

We have some wet weather ahead, as we head into Easter weekend, as a stationary front keeps showers from moving OUT of the area. A flash flood watch is now in effect until 7 Friday night for western and northwestern Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the chance for severe weather for us has lessened…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…south Louisiana.”

The rain should move out for Easter Sunday.

Three young adults were killed in a single vehicle crash in West Monroe last night. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesman Glenn Springfield says the vehicle went off the road and crashed into a tree. He says the weather may have been a factor…:

CUT 15(05)      “…of the investigation.”

The victims are identified as 23-year-old Keiara McCraw, 24-year-old Annesha Coleman and 22-year-old Anija Coleman.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a woman and accused her of beating up her 85-year-old grandmother. 20-year-old Cecile Anne Lee allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a heavy duty wooden back scratcher and a picture frame, then vandalized the residence and damaged the victim’s phone in order to keep her from contacting first responders. Lee faces charges of battery, cruelty to the infirm and more.

Public support for coastal restoration projects is growing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”