Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul discussed the Nathan Millard case on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” this morning, he’s the Georgia man who vanished last week…:

CUT 01(39)      “…Thorington.”

Leesville Police say a person was hit and killed by a train, while walking on the tracks. This happened Wednesday evening. The victim’s identity is withheld until family are notified.

An active weather day is expected today. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says the greatest risk for severe weather – including possible tornadoes – is for the Shreveport-Ruston area…:

CUT 07(08)      “…egg-shaped.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow wants to give parents legal protections so they can inquire about what their child is being taught in school with the Parents Bill of Rights Act. As a former educator, Letlow says the bill isn’t an attack on teachers, but rather help in building a foundation between teachers, schools, and parents.

…and not today’s commodities…:

With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility…and some could lose their coverage, if they don’t act quickly…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Additional pandemic food stamp benefits also end this month; taking about $100 on average away that households had grown used to for nearly three years. SNAP recipients who feel they won’t be able to make ends meet afterward are encouraged to local food banks and community organizations to see what other aid they can get.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement…:

CUT 06(10)      “…path forward.”

He says he’ll announce his decision within the next ten days or so.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’ll enter the race for Governor, but only if Graves does not. Schexnayder is term-limited in the House and has served as Speaker of the House since 2020. The 54-year-old from Gonzales was also rumored to be a candidate for Lt. Governor, before incumbent Billy Nungesser, decided to run for re-election…:

CUT 10(12)      “…from there.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Good news for Louisiana’s tens of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility, and some may lose coverage. Louisiana Medicaid program Executive Director Tara LeBlanc says no one’s been removed from the program since March 2020 because of the pandemic but annual reviews can now resume…:

CUT 03(10)      “…disenroll them.”

She says watch the mail for a letter that you will need to reply to quickly.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked and she reacted…:

CUT 11(08)      “…love you.”

Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets. A petition to recall Cantrell is having its 49-thousand-plus signatures verified by the Orleans Parish registrar.

With federal pandemic protections ending, a lot of Medicaid recipients in Louisiana could be losing coverage. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Legislation was filed yesterday that would, if passed, remove the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations that own property in Louisiana that is found to be a danger to public health or safety. New Orleans Rep. Jason Hughes is the bill’s author. Three New Orleans apartment complexes, which are owned by a local church, have been deemed to be slums.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. She says she reacted poorly to a float theme she thought was insulting, and she regrets the mistake…:

CUT 13(11)      “…happen again.”

The outcome of the citizens’ petition to recall Cantrell is still unknown.

State House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor, but it will depend on whether congressman Garret Graves is in or out. Schexnayder says he’s also hearing from supporters who would like him to run…:

CUT 09(09)      “…most of ‘em.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

A Princeton University study indicates that climate change is behind the phenomenon of back-to-back major hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more…

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Good news for Louisiana’s te4ns of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Louisiana’s Medicaid executive director Tara LeBlanc says they’ll begin mailing pink letters soon, and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible…:

CUT 04(10)      “…contact information.”

Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. He says the Sunday meeting lasted about 90 minutes, and he is close to ending the suspense…:

CUT 07(07)      “…ten days or so.”

Graves says many have told him they do not want Landry to be the governor.

Talking about the race to be Louisiana’s next governor. One Democrat rules running out, and that’s East Baton Rouge parish District attorney Hillar Moore. He’d likely be competing with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson for the Democrat vote. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he’s not surprised at Moore’s decision to refrain from running, and feels that Wilson may be the Dems best chance at keeping the Governor’s Mansion…:

CUT 11(12)      “…to run.”

So far 8 candidates have announced for governor, but – at this time – Wilson is not one of them, though he is expected to make an announcement soon.

The Governor was at SOWELA in Lake Charles today to cut the ribbon on a new $11-million training facility for the gaming, hospitality and culinary trades. SOWELA Chancellor Neil Aspinwell says the facility is cutting edge…:

CUT 05(09)      “…break area.”

Another quick note on the 2023 Governor’s Race, USA Today reports that House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he will enter the race, but only if Congressman Garret Graves decides not to run. Right now 5 republicans are announced candidates. Schexnayder would be the 6^th. He is term-limited in the House.

Despite a rough beginning for the strawberry growing season weather-wise, the current warming is speeding things up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore announces he’s not running governor. Moore, who is a registered Democrat, has served as Baton Rouge’s top prosecutor since 2008. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it appears now that DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will likely be the lone major Democrat in the race to replace outgoing Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards…”

CUT 10(06)      “…Edwards did.”

LaSalle Parish school teacher Danny Cole also says he will run for governor as a Democrat. Wilson has not made an official announcement yet. He’s expected to sometime in March.

This spurt of warm weather ahead of spring has been a boon the state’s strawberry crop; causing something of a growth surge. Berry farmer Trey Harris says, now more than ever, get out and buy real Louisiana strawberries…:

CUT 08(09)      “…farmers left.”

Harris encourages everyone to also support the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival; coming April 14th through 16th.

In Lake Charles, a ribbon cutting was held today for a $10.8-million culinary, gaming and hospitality teaching center. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Foxx.”

The state’s capital is proclaimed among the USA’s most dangerous cities. The website “WalletHub.com” collected data on 180 American cities for safety, and found placed Baton Rouge at Number 5 of its Ten Most Dangerous list. Detroit, St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale were all found to be more dangerous.

Internet outages continue to hinder the campus of Southeastern University after an incident over the weekend. UL -System President Dr. Jim Henderson says the university and state police have identified the suspected cyber incident responsible for the outage…:

CUT 12(10)      “…right now.”

Staff and students are unable to use the school’s email, plus the system students and professors use to communicate and administer tests and assignments is down.

Grand Opening ceremonies today for SOWELA’s $10.8M state-of-the-art Culinary, Gaming, and Hospitality Training Center in Lake Charles. Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall says hospitality accounts for over $18-billion in annual revenue, and there is plenty of demand for people…:

CUT 04(09)      “……a need.”

Funding for the facility was approved by Governor John Bel Edwards in 2018.

Police in Opelousas are investigating a homicide this morning outside a local gym. Officers says two men were arguing, and one shot the other; killing him. The suspect was taken into custody. So far the accused shooter and the victim have not been identified.

Despite a rough beginning for the strawberry growing season weather-wise, the current warming trend is speeding things up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night, while driving on Interstate 110, and police say it was a targeted attack. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the victim, Nykobia Keller, and her passenger had just left someone’s house….:

CUT 03(11)      “…gunshot injuries.”

He says Keller may not have been the actual target, but rather her car and the passenger, who has not been named. Keller leaves a 4-year-old behind.

Police in Pineville are proud as punch over their latest arsenal weapon: a new state-of-the-art, multifunctional aerial drone. Pineville Police Chief Darrell Basco says using new technologies like the $12-thousand drone helps them, solve crimes faster…:

CUT 15(03)      “…it occurs.”

He says it’ll be very useful in funding missing persons and children.

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. There have been a rash of young people dying of sudden heart attacks across the country. Some say this all began with the COVID vaccine, but experts disagree.

The state’s largest business lobby shares some thoughts on Governor Edwards’ $46-billion state budget proposal. More from Teiko Foxx..:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:

CUT 11(07)      “…over time.”

The regular session of the legislature starts April 10^th.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor, but will not commit one way or the other. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says some see Attorney General Jeff Landry as unbeatable, but a recent chat he had with Senator John Kennedy during DC Mardi Gras indicates that may not be so…:

CUT 09(11)      “…about Garret Graves.”

Qualifying for the fall elections starts in early August.

Pineville Police have added a state-of-the-art, multi-functional aerial drone to their force…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. If passed by legislators, the bill will make AEDs available at all schools and sporting events in the state. It will also ensure that someone trained is on hand if the device must be used.