2:30 LRN Newscast March 06

Retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson kicked off his campaign for governor today with a video announcement on his website, “WilsonForLA.com”.  Seven years ago, Wilson was appointed Secretary of DOTD and says back then the department was short on funds and plans for a majority of the infrastructure projects the state needed were not in the works…:

CUT 07(13)      “…state history.”

Wilson is the first well-known Democrat to enter the race.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon seems unsure if he’ll seek another term in office this fall. On a Baton Rouge radio program today, he says he suspended all campaign fundraising, while sorting out the state’s property insurance crisis…:

CUT 13(06)      “…past three months.”

The 78-year-old Donelon says he’s made up his mind about another run for office, but isn’t ready to make it public just yet.

 

Baton Rouge Police find the remains of a Georgia businessman who went missing almost two weeks ago in the Capital City. United Cajun Navy President Todd Terrell, who assisted in the search for 42-year-old Nathan Millard, says their teams spoke to the homeless population, who were unaware of the case, and that led them to recover the body…:

CUT 11(13)      “…unfortunate outcome.”

Millard’s body was wrapped in plastic and a rug and dumped in a semi-remote area. An autopsy to determine cause of death is pending.

The Saints have a new starting quarterback as multiple reports say the Black and Gold are inking Derek Carr to a four-year contract. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Carr is an upgrade over last season’s starting QB Andy Dalton…:

CUT 04(11)      “…do that.”

Carr spent nine seasons with the Raiders.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 06

Former Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson has made it official; he will run for governor this fall. On his campaign website “WilsonForLA.com” Wilson, the first high-profile Democrat to jump in the race, says he’s a bridge builder, literally and figuratively…:

CUT 06(10)      “…to be.”

Wilson’s worked with four governors and says he has the Right Stuff to lead the state.

One who sounds uncertain about the fall election is Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. He appeared today on Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show and said he suspended all campaign fundraising efforts right before the holidays…:

CUT 12(10)      “…what that is.”

Donelon has been Insurance Commissioner since 2006. He is 78 years old.

 

The body of the Georgia businessman, who went missing nearly two weeks while on a trip to Baton Rouge, was recovered early this morning…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Natchitoches Parish deputies arrest a man they say intentionally set two mobile homes on fire in one day last week. One at around 8:40 last Friday morning; another just 40 minutes later. The yet unnamed male suspect was seen running from the second fire, chased down and arrested for two counts of arson.

5:30 LRN Newscast March 03

The four republican candidates for governor spoke of tax reforms during a forum at the annual meeting the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry in Baton Rouge this week. State Treasurer John Schroder says the state needs to compete with others who’ve lowered or eliminated state income taxes…:

CUT 09  (08)        “…18 years.”

Another candidate, Mandeville state Rep. Richard Nelson, says ending state income tax will help stem the outmigration of people and businesses…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…they’re successful.”

Slidell state Senator Sharon Hewitt and Attorney General Jeff Landry were also there. They too agree that tax reforms are sorely needed. The state’s open primary election comes up October 14th.

 

A St. Gabriel cop is under arrest; accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife’s new man. Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish say 27-year-old Andre Reddit broke into the woman’s home, where he found the victim, 26-year-old Dylan Martin. That’s where the trouble began. When officers arrived they found Martin dying from multiple gunshots. Reddit is now charged with second-degree murder, stalking and obstruction of justice. His Bond is set at $275-thousand.

Have you tried downloading the Crawfish app, to get the latest and lowest prices for mudbugs? That’s what it’s called; simply “the Crawfish App.” Co-founder Laney King says the season is shaping up for a solid supply of good-sized crawfish, and prices are starting to stabilize…:

CUT 08  (06)        “…great news.”

Over 1650 vendors across the state are listed on the Crawfish App, and it’s a free download.

4:30 LRN Newscast March 03

Lawyers for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell are expected to take legal action after the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election of the mayor has been decreased. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reached an agreement with the NoLaToya campaign on a number of signatures after it was determined there are about 25-thousand inactive voters on the Orleans Parish voter rolls. Ardoin explains why keeping an accurate voter count is tough in Orleans…:

CUT 05(09)      “…after them.”

The NoLaToya campaign is not saying how many signatures they collected. They now need about 45-thousand. Ardoin believes the verification count will be very close.

State Police open up their website and social media to public comment, complain, praise…general input. Trooper Melissa Matey says you can find that link at “LSP.org”…:

CUT 13(09)      “…those concerns.”

You can also interact on their Facebook or Instagram.

 

A Livingston Parish contractor has been convicted of fraud for taking money from multiple victims of Hurricane Ida, but not completing the agreed-upon work. 30-year-old Jeffry Dale Hebert was sentenced to 20 years in prison for taking tens of thousands of dollars from numerous victims.

Crawfish season is starting to heat up. What can you expect by way of size, price and availability? Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Foxx.”

 

3:30 LRN Newscast March 03

Tax reforms were on the lips of the four Republican candidates for governor at yesterday’s Louisiana Association of Business & Industry event. A.G. Jeff Landry says the state’s tax code is hurting more than helping, and surrounding states have either eliminated, don’t have, or have reduced their state income tax…:

CUT 11(10)      “…about that.”

Another GOP candidate, Slidell state Senator Sharon Hewitt says the state has complicated structures in the tax code, and to level the playing field there are lots of exemptions and credits…:

CUT 12(11)      “…to be successful.”

Also at that meeting Mandeville state Representative Richard Nelson and State Treasurer John Schroder. All agree tax reform is needed.

 

The process of certifying signatures collected in the effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is underway. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

State Police have opened up an area of their website and social media presence to make it easy for you give them feedback. Complaints, compliments…whatever. Trooper Melissa Matey says they want the public’s input..:

Cut 15  (06)      “…contact us.”

LSP.org or on Facebook and Instagram.

2:30 LRN Newscast March 03

Lawyers for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell are expected to take legal action after the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election of the mayor has been decreased. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reached an agreement with the NoLaToya campaign on a number of signatures after it was determined there are about 25-thousand inactive voters on the Orleans Parish voter rolls. Cantrell says recall effort is now an attempt to disenfranchise Black voters. Ardoin says that is not true…:

CUT 04(12)      “…be changed.”

The recall now needs only about 45-thousand confirmed signatures to go to the Governor. Organizers says they have over 49-thousand.

Crawfish season is here, and prices are starting to look favorable for the delicious mudbugs.  Crawfish app co-founder Laney King says you can use the free app to find the best prices on crawdads…:

CUT 07(08)      “…ten friends.”

 

State Police launch a new feature on their website that lets you interact directly, with complaints, praise, feedback or reports of criminal activity. Trooper Melissa Matey says go online to “LSP.org” and look for Compliments/Complaints. You can also get there via social media…:

Cut 14  (10)      “…internal affairs personnel.”

Shreveport Police arrest a man they say was giving tattoos with a license…to minors. 22-year-old Alejandro Reyes is alleged to have tattooed at least three juvenile females without the permission of their parents. Tattooing or piercing a minor is a state crime, and Reyes faces three counts for now. The investigation is ongoing.

Enjoy a day or two of somewhat cooler weather across the state. Afternoon highs should be reaching back into the 80’s by Sunday.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 03

Tax reform was among the topics that Republican candidates for governor addressed at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual meeting. Treasurer John Schroder says the state needs to compete with surrounding states that have either eliminated, don’t have, or have reduced their income tax…:

CUT 09(08)      “…18 years.”

40% of the state budget is from income tax.  Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says it’s vital for the state to eliminate income tax to keep residents and companies from leaving the state…:

CUT 10(11)      “…they’re successful.”

Slidell state Senator Sharon Hewitt says we have a good system of credits and exemptions, but A.G. Jeff Landry agrees tax reform is called for. The primary election is October 14th.

 

Crawfish season is starting to heat up and suppliers are setting trends for consumers. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Foxx.”

You can now contact State Police directly via their website with reports, complaints or just feedback. Trooper Melissa Matey says just log on to “LSP.org”…:

CUT 13(09)      “…those concerns.”

4:30 LRN Newscast March 02

The Chief of Police in Baton Rouge talks publicly about the disappearance of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard, who went missing just over a week ago. He was last seen walking from a downtown pub in the Capital City to his hotel just a block away. Paul says – at this time – there is a limit to what he can say to media…:

CUT 04(10)      “…going on.”

Millard was in town on business. His wallet and phone have been found, but so far there’s no sign of him.

Be prepared for some possible heavy weather this evening across parts of the state. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says chances of severe weather are good for northwestern Louisiana and some areas closer to Interstate 10…:

CUT 08(06)      “…the evening tonight.”

 

A Hammond woman faces serious charges for allegedly racking up thousands of dollars in charges on an elderly relative’s bank card. 31-year-old Maili Morris reportedly used her aging aunt’s card to spend $12-thousand on restaurant deliveries and store purchases over a four-month span. She faces over 130 counts of identity theft and dozens of others. A judge set her bail at $18-million dollars.

Access to new resources to improve reading levels among students in the state are now available. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Foxx.”

2:30 LRN Newscast March 02

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul spoke today about the disappearance of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard a week ago. The 42-year-old man was last seen walking towards his downtown hotel at around 11:30 PM on February 23th after being cut by the bartender at a local pub. Paul says he’s limited as to what details he can share with the public…:

CUT 04(10)      “…going on.”

Paul appeared on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” on WRKF in Baton Rouge. He says they are still retrieving and reviewing security camera footage from downtown businesses to help fill in the gaps on Millard’s activities.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces his new DOTD Secretary. Eric Kalivoda, a veteran of the Department of Transportation, will succeed the retiring Dr. Shawn Wilson. Kalivoda has been a Deputy Secretary for 13 years. Wilson is stepping down, effective tomorrow. He is expected to announce he will run for Governor soon.

 

A new Louisiana-funded literacy program designed to help pre-K through 5th-grade students is available. The state collaborated with Scholastic – for Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables to provide books to students reading below grade level. Deputy Superintendent for the Department of Education, Jenna Chiasson, says the process is quite simple to get started…:

CUT 09(09)      “…scholastic.com.”

READ is the result of an Act passed in the 2022 legislative session.

Northwestern Louisiana should prepare for the chance of come severe weather this evening. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says the area from Shreveport to Ruston could get some rough stuff…:

CUT 06(15)      “…severe thunderstorms.”

He says somewhat cooler temperatures are expected behind the front for a few days.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 02

A Tangipahoa Parish lawmaker wants to suspend drilling of carbon capture wells in Lake Maurepas. Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat (R – Dist.73) says he’ll file a bill for the regular legislative session in April that would impose a moratorium on carbon sequestration, until certain environmental concerns are addressed. Wheat says the technology is somewhat new and there are a lot of questions…:

CUT 12(14)      “…on the lake.”

His bill would impose a moratorium until the safety of the lake can be assured.

There’s severe weather in the forecast, especially in northwestern Louisiana. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says cities along I-20 should be ready for the rough stuff…:

CUT 08(06)      “…evening tonight.”

A cool front will arrive in behind the system.

 

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul spoke publicly today for the first time about a missing Georgia businessman; not seen for over a week after leaving a downtown bar on February 22nd. Paul says they’ve had training cadets canvas the area for Nathan Millard and they’ve been reviewing camera footage…:

CUT 03(10)      “…Mr. Millard.”

If you have any information about Millard, you are encouraged to contact BRPD or Crimestoppers.

A Hammond woman faces serious charges for allegedly racking up thousands of dollars in charges on an elderly relative’s bank card. 31-year-old Maili Morris reportedly used her aging aunt’s card to seond $12-thousand on restaurant deliveries and store purchases over a four-month span. She faces over 130 counts of identity theft and dozens of others. A judge set her bail at $18-million dollars.