The increase in Louisiana food stamp benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up for the reductions…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

A long-time popular food staple at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is going away. Many visitors to Jazz fest make it a point to get the yummy crawfish bread, but John Ed Laborde, who created the dish says he’s retiring and won’t be at the festival this year. It’s the first time since 1987 there’s been no crawfish bread at Jazz Fest.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…it’s a broken system”

Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis.

An eleven-year-old boy was killed last night in Baton Rouge while sitting in a car and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the teen had a personal beef with another person in the car with the victim…:

CUT 13(08)      “…he was.”

The teen is charged with First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, and Illegal discharge of a Firearm.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a home invasion that killed a local business owner Tuesday night. 71-year-old, Mark Hailey, owner of Fat Daddy’s Crawfish in Shreveport was found unresponsive in his home on Jim Bell Road north of Campti. Captain Tony Moran says Hailey’s body was initially discovered by a relative who went to do a wellness check…:

CUT 03(09)      “…the residence.”

Hailey was apparently beaten and stabbed to death. Moran says tips on the crime are most welcome.

Northern Louisiana is at some risk for rough weather this evening, with cooler temperatures coming in behind. That trend will shift southward for Friday, and LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says all the rain will be gone by Saturday, but you’ll need a jacket…:

CUT 11(06)      “…festivities.”

Crude oil has dropped below $70-a-barrel for the first time in over a year. What does that mean for you and I at the gas pump? AAA fuel guy Don Redman says a bit of a break, keep budgeting about $3.00 a gallon for gas for the near future. He says typically, prices go up in spring, but this year isn’t typical…:

Cut 08  (11)      “…uptick in demand.”

The statewide average price of regular gas today is $3.09. It can be found for $2.75 in many cities.

There are only 150 dental robots in the country and the ONLY one in Louisiana is found in Pineville. That’s right. Pineville, where Dr. Jonas Gauthier (with Today’s Dental) says the cutting edge technology helps dentists avoid nerves, sinuses, and blood vessels during procedures…:

CUT 13(09)      “…some challenges.”

Dental robots have only been a thing since 2017.

A Tangipahoa Parish man is sentenced to 35 years for raping a juvenile and will undergo chemical castration. Tangipahoa D.A. Scott Perrilloux says 34-year-old Ryan Clark pleaded guilty earlier this month. Clark must serve at least 25 years of his sentence and undergo the procedure if or when he is released. The state law allowing chemical (and in some cases physical) castration has been around since 2008.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a home invasion that killed a local business owner. Sheriff’s Captain Tony Moran says 71-year-old Mark Hailey – who owns a popular Shreveport crawfish shop – was discovered Tuesday night. The coroner says his death was due to blunt and sharp force trauma. Moran says detectives are working to identify the person or persons responsible for this senseless act of violence…:

CUT 05(08)      “…three zero.”

Robotic surgery is revolutionizing medicine, and did you know the state’s only dental robot is in Pineville…?

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

Northern Louisiana could get some rough weather this evening. Rain, thunderstorms and even hail. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says all that will shift tomorrow to Southeast Louisiana…:

CUT 10(09)      “…Friday evening.”

Pretty cool weather is coming in behind.

The owner of Fat Daddy’s Crawfish in Shreveport was killed in what authorities are calling a home invasion at his Natchitoches Parish residence…:
CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”
Most of the northern half of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and tonight as a result of strong cold front that will kick up spring storms. L-R-N Meteorologist John Wetherbee says watch for hail…:

CUT 09(07)      “…through the state.”

Crude oil dropped below $70 a barrel in trading Wednesday, for the first time in more than a year. So, what does that mean for consumers at the pump? AAA fuels analyst Don Redman says demand for crude is down, due to two bank collapses, the ongoing Ukraine conflict…:

CUT 07(10)      “…on politics.”

He says budget for gas at around $3.00 through the spring.

If you were told one of only 150 dental robots in the world was in Louisiana, the city of Pineville most likely wouldn’t be your first guess. Dr. Jonas Gauthier of Today’s Dental says since January they’ve performed dozens of dental implant surgeries with the Yomi Robotic Dental System and it drastically reduces recovery time…:

CUT 12(12)      “…for the patients.”

A recent governor’s poll has Jeff Landry and Shawn Wilson running neck and neck. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers football team will begin their next season with a Sunday night game against USC. that will be nationally televised. ABC Sports will carry the game; kickoff is at 6:30 Central on Sunday September 1^st. It will be the first game between LSU and USC since 1984, when the Tigers beat the Trojans, 23-3, in Los Angeles.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s federal infrastructure law for the study. Southern Rail’s chairman Knox Ross says last year the cities of Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport…and Vicksburg, Mississippi began the process of applying for federal-state partnership grants for this purpose…:

CUT 08(09)      “…those cities.”

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says keep in mind that even state-of-the-art forecast can be mistaken occasionally…:

CUT 05(09)      “…these hurricanes.”

What will it mean for you? Quite possibly more advance notice of an approaching storm.

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continue to prevent full economic recovery from the pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inflation has driven up prices and there’s a lack of qualified job applicants…:

CUT 12(09)      “…unrelenting inflation.”

McVea says the workforce issue needs to be resolved soon so the economy can begin to recover.

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana, connecting Dallas-Fort Worth and Meridian, Mississippi. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the application is the first step in determining the soundness of the concept…:

CUT 07(09)      “…train operation.”

Monroe, Ruston & Shreveport have applied for federal-state partnership grants for the study as well.

National Hurricane Center officials are extending forecasts for the upcoming hurricane season – instead of the traditional five-day forecast, they will give a seven-day forecast. The recent modifications come after years of testing long-range predictions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s a great step forward for the Emergency Management Community…:

CUT 03(07)      “…their region.”

The changes take place May 15^th.

Deputies in St. James Parish say they had to fish a man out of the Mississippi River yesterday, after he crashed his car then set it on fire. The unnamed motorist was driving recklessly and fled when officers hit the lights & siren. He crashed in a cane field, got out, set his car aflame, then ran across the nearby levee and jumped into the river. He was rescued and taken into custody. His mental health will be evaluated.

A recent poll for governor has Attorney General Jeff Landry leading with 29 percent followed by Shawn Wilson with 28 percent. JMC Analytics Veteran pollster John Couvillon says with Wilson as the only major Democrat in the race, he may be assured a runoff position. Couvillon believes support for other GOP candidates will most likely be distributed geographically. For example, in Baton Rouge, it would likely go to Stephen Waguespack because of name recognition…:

CUT 11(10)      “…after Garret Graves.”

The latest national survey of small business owners shows inflation and labor shortages continues to prevent full economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says 47-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, remaining historically very high…:

CUT 13(05)      “…workforce.”

After years of testing, tropical storm predictions will have a different spin from weather experts. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission are seeking federal funding to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail service across North Louisiana. The corridor along Interstate 20 would serve cities between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Amtrak will seek funding from last year’s congressional infrastructure law for the study.

Baton Rouge Police say they have arrested a Person Of Interest in the mysterious death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard last month. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McNeely says 45 -year-old Derrick Perkins was with Millard the night he died, and officers took him into custody early this morning for charges unrelated to the Millard case. Millard’s body was found several days ago, wrapped in an old rug, but the preliminary autopsy says he did not meet a violent end. McKneely says Perkins is not necessarily a suspect in Millard’s death, but the manner in which they found the 2003 Toyota sedan Perkins was driving that night is a matter of concern…:

CUT 14(06)      “…had been burned.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is NOT seeking re-election this fall. Among his reasons, he says he doesn’t want a campaign to hanging over insurance reform debates before the state legislature..:

CUT 05(09)      “…legislative session.”

Donelon says he has no successor in mind.

March is Women’s History Month and despite women being the majority of the state’s population – they are the minority in the state Legislature; only 28 women serve in either House or Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she hopes to see many more women run for office this fall…:

CUT 07(11)      “…the Senate side.”

Louisiana ranks 45^th of 50 states for the percentage of female representation in state government.

Are your youngsters headed for the beaches for Spring Break? You may want pas this along: officials warn potential swimmers of an infestation of thousands of Portugese Man o’ War; which are like jellyfish, but with a much more serious sting. Their venom can send you to the hospital and some have even died. They advise beachgoers to look out for purple flags posted to warn of dangerous marine life and stay out of the water.

Louisiana’s longest serving Insurance Commissioner, Jim Donelon, announces he’s not running for re-election. He’s run the Department of Insurance since 2006, and has been in state government for about 50 years…but he says the time has come to step away…:

CUT 04(10)      “…new hobbies.”

Donelon is 78 years old. Tim Temple is now the only declared candidate for Insurance Commissioner.

Because the cost of insulin has risen from $20 a vial to anywhere between $300 and $700 since the 90s, Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking on manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers. He says the price of insulin has forced many diabetics to either forego or ration their medication, resulting in other complications…:

CUT 10(11)      “…their supplies.
Some drug makers are already reducing insulin costs.

Female lawmakers believe the state would be better served with a larger presence in the Capitol. Teiko Foxx has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Foxx”

Two schools in St. Martin Parish had to suspend classes to deal with security threats today. Bomb threats were made to Breaux Bridge High and Cecilia High school. Building were evacuated while a search was conducted. LEOs found no explosive devices. Now investigators are tracking down who made the threats.

Baton Rouge Police say they have in custody a person of interest in the February disappearance and death of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins is someone they know was with Millard the night he died, and was wanted for questioning. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McNeely says officers spotted Perkins, pulled him over and took him into custody early this morning without incident. They arrested him because they determined he had outstanding warrants…:

CUT 13(13)      “…a motor vehicle.”

Police will question him about the death of Nathan Millard on February 23^rd. Millard’s body was found several days ago, wrapped in an old rug, but the preliminary autopsy says he did not meet a violent end.

A.G. Jeff Landry is suing drug makers and prescription benefit managers over the high cost of insulin. He says 20% of middle-class Americans are unable to take their prescribed dosage of insulin…:

CUT 11(05)      “…can’t afford it.”

He hopes the suit will result in them lowering costs for diabetics.

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces he’s not running for re-election this fall…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Quarterback Jameis Winston reportedly has agreed to stay with the New Orleans Saints for another season, as a backup to newly signed starter Derek Carr. The deal is reportedly worth up to $8 million; likely depending on playing time and incentives. Winston has a 34-46 record as a starting quarterback with the Saints and with Tampa bay before that.