The woman who has been Attorney General Jeff Landry’s 2^nd-in Command for seven years says she wants to be Louisiana’s next attorney general. Solicitor General Liz Murrill says she has worked closely and effectively with Landry, and – if he is elected governor – she expects that will continue…:

CUT 11  (12)        “…it needs to go.”

As Solicitor General, Murrill has argued Louisiana cases before the U.S. Supreme Court five times. She joins other announced A.G. candidates John Stefanski, a GOP state lawmaker from Crowley and John Belton, the D.A. from the Monroe area, who is running under No Party.

Bad weather is expected tomorrow for Louisiana, as a strong low pressure system takes aim on the state. Widespread rain will quickly develop Tuesday morning and then become heavy; possibly severe at times Tuesday afternoon. Behind all that rain another period of cooler temperatures.

Louisiana is assisting California after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides. A four-person recovery team from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness left today. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says Louisiana got word of California’s needs through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which offers assistance during governor-declared states of emergency…:

CUT 13 (13)      “…accept it.”

In a newly released video, Louisiana Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt talk like a candidate for governor, but falls short of actually declaring she will run. So far, no Democrat has made an official announcement. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says several names are being tossed around, like the D.A. in Baton Rouge…:

CUT 05 (08)      “…be Hillar Moore.”

To date, four Republicans and one Independent have announced their candidacy for the October primary.

A Democrat has yet to jump in the governor’s race but there is a new TV ad featuring the state Democrat Party chair. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

How bad is violence and crime in the small Washington Parish town of Bogalusa? Newly elected Mayor Tyrin Troung has asked Governor John Bel Edwards to send him State Police and/or National Guard help to get crime under control. The community of just over 12-thousand has seen a large number of shootings and shooting deaths in the past six months.

The state’s Solicitor General, Liz Murrill – A.G. Jeff Landry’s 2^nd-in-Command – announces she will run to be Louisiana’s next attorney general. Murrill is a 1991 LSU Law School graduate and served the Jindal administration for seven years, including a time as Executive Counsel. She says a high point in her career was arguing for Louisiana in front of the U.S. Supreme Court…:

CUT 10(12)      “…as a lawyer.”

Murrill is a Republican. Also in the race for A.G. are Crowley Republican state Representative John Stefanski and Monroe area District Attorney John Belton, who is running No Party.

The state’s Board of Elementary & Secondary Education has chosen Lafayette area educator Dr. Holly Boffy (pronounced BOE-fee) as its new president. She says she’ll continue to work with the Board to get more teachers in classrooms and keep more students in school…:

CUT 08(06)      “…making that happen.”

Boffy has represented BESE District 7 since 2012.

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s run for Governor this fall will leave his current post open, and so his Solicitor General has announced she will run for Attorney General. Liz Murrill has been Landry’s Second-in-Command for the past 7 years. She says she is ready to level-up…:

CUT 09(12)      “…and Attorney General.”

Murrill, a Republican, has argued Louisiana cases before the Supreme Court five times and says he has the right stuff. Also running Republican Crowley Representative John Stefanski and Monroe area D.A. John Belton, an independent.

State Democrat Party chair Katie Bernhardt, of Lafayette, seems to be running for governor, though her newly released video doesn’t actually declare that. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Baton Rouge firebrand Gary Chambers, who has run for congress and the Senate, says a good many Democrats don’t want her…:

CUT 04(07)      “…for governor.”

So far, NO Democrats have declared in the governor’s race.

Louisiana is assisting California after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides. A four-person recovery team from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness left today. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the team specializes in FEMA public assistance issues…:

CUT 12(04)      “…they can.”

Steele says Louisiana has seen its share of flooding and knows how to battle through the red tape to get federal assistance and other states have provided support to Louisiana during its difficult times, so we could do no less.

…and now it’s time for today’s markets…

So far, no Democrat has announced their candidacy for governor but a new TV ad featuring state party Chair Katie Bernhardt says help is on the way. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says while there’s no mention of the governor’s race in the recently released video, she certainly looks and sounds like a candidate…:

CUT 03(10)      “…difficult to tell.”

But Alford says in-party trouble may be brewing as a number of state Democrats do not approve of Bernhardt as their standard-bearer.

The state’s Board of Elementary & Secondary Education has chosen Lafayette area educator Dr. Holly Boffy (pronounced BOE-fee) as its new president. She has represented BESE District 7 since 2012, and says she wants to lead BESE toward overhauling how the state evaluates school performance…:

CUT 06(09)      “…committed to studying.”

Baton Rouge Police are investigating a Saturday night mass shooting inside a nightclub that injured 12 people, three of them critically. Police Chief Murphy Paul says some one knows who did it and they should call Crimestoppers…:

CUT 27(10)      “…for life.”

Police say the attack was not random; someone was targeted and others were innocent victims.

Across then state in Shreveport, eight people shot and wounded Sunday afternoon, as a hail of gunfire penetrated their home from outside. Among those injured: 4 small kids. Police Chief Wayne Smith says it was likely a drive-by shooting, and a targeted act…:

CUT 11(08)      “…have very well been.”

The search for the gunman or men is ongoing.

The man driving the big rig that went off the road and stuck & killed three members of the Southern University marching band last month has been charged with negligent homicide. 62-year-old Clyde Gay was northbound on I-49 on the night of December 6^th, when he hit the group as they were changing a flat tire on the roadside.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a $45-million fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism from state lawmakers…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Palermo.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expresses his frustration with the Louisiana Republican Party and its chairman, after they rushed to get behind Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor; shutting out any support for other GOP candidates – himself included. On WWL radio in New Orleans, Nungesser also accused party member of taking bribes to support Landry over others…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an embarrassment.”

Nungesser says state GOP chairman Louis Gurvich needs to resign.

A five-year-old was killed in Jennings Thursday evening, after police say his six-year-old cousin got a hold of a gun and it went off. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they received a call from a neighbor who was approached by the 26-year-old male babysitter of the five children…:

CUT 09(11)      “…his cousin”

The baby sitter and the child’s aunt, who possessed the gun are charged with negligent homicide and more.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addresses the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP and its endorsement of Jeff Landry for governor…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrest a Kentwood school cafeteria worker for allegedly selling edible marijuana to a student. 45-year-old Tymetrica Cohn was a contract substitute worker at Sumner High school in Kentwood. Among charges against her, distributing drugs in a designated drug-free zone.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon went to state lawmakers Friday to ask for a special session to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. He wants $45-million in surplus cash used as an incentive fund to attract new private insurers and help de-populate the state-run last-resort insurer Louisiana Citizens (which costs significantly more money)…:

CUT 13(10)      “…rate increase.”

But lawmakers were not so keen. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says Donelon’s plan contains zero assurances of success…:

CUT 14(08)      “…it’s a maybe.”

Donelon says the plan worked years ago, after Katrina & Rita sent insurance companies running…and he says it’ll work again. Donelon says the sooner the incentive fund is set up the better.

Police in Jennings say a negligent babysitter is largely to blame for Thursday’s fatal shooting of a 5-year-old child. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says 26-year-old Desome Daniels was watching the children in the home, but left the house for a few minutes to go smoke marijuana. During that time, one of the five kids in the house found a loaded handgun left lying in plain view and shot the other toddler in the chest. Semmes says Daniels and the victim’s aunt were arrested and taken to the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail…:

CUT 11(11)      “…back stolen.”

Semmes says they waited at least 10 minutes after the child was shot to call 911.

In Baton Rouge, another person has been struck and killed by traffic while walking on the city’s often-darkened Burbank Drive near LSU. Police says the victim was hit by multiple vehicles. We don’t know how many. She died in a nearby hospital. An LSU sophomore was hit & killed by traffic less than a week ago on the same street.

On a New Orleans radio program, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser had some choice words about the Louisiana Republican Party’s decision to come out early with full backing for Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor, despite other GOP candidates (himself included) interested in running. He is especially angry with GOP Central Committee chairman Louis Gurvich…:

CUT 03(10)      “…endorse.”

Nungesser decided instead to run for another term in his current post, rather than fight the GOP machine.

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:

CUT 06(08)      “…higher side of things.”

Gonzales says job burnout is the prime factor making people quit. Better opportunities are also behind many resignations, but a great many simply re-evaluated how and where they want to work…and check out.

Police in Jennings say a 5-year-old child was shot and killed Thursday night, after his cousin got hold of a gun and it went off. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they received a call from a neighbor who was approached by the babysitter of the five children, asking them for help…:

CUT 09(11)      “…his cousin.”

The child later died at the hospital. The babysitter along with the child’s aunt have been arrested. The other kids in the home are with Child Protection.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon got a chilly reception from lawmakers today, as he pitched a $45-million incentive fund; aimed at drawing new private property insurers to the state. The same plan worked moderately when companies exited Louisiana after the wallop of Katrina and Rita. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue asks if there aren’t better uses for hat money…:

CUT 15(13)      “…Citizens.”

Donelon wants a special session right away to allot the incentive fund.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser minced no words in a recent interview, when asked his thoughts on the state Republican Party and its chairman…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Avoyelles Parish deputies arrest a man for impersonating a law enforcement officer. 45-year-old Patrick P. Miller allegedly wore a uniform and badge while intimidating a neighbor over a dispute. Officers found and took his uniforms away, plus they arrested him on outstanding warrants for obscenity, contempt of court & tampering with a surveillance or monitoring system. His bond is set at $100-thousand.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s proposal to create a 45-million dollar fund that would be used to attract additional private insurance companies to Louisiana is met with skepticism. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for allegedly murdering a woman, stuffing her body in a plastic barrel then setting it on fire. 24-year-old Roderick Castle is charged with 2^nd-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

An ongoing labor study by fiscal website “WalletHub” ranks Louisiana among the top states for people leaving their jobs. Wallethub.com analyst Jill Gonzales says, even in the face of record high inflation, folks are choosing to just quit work…:

CUT 06(08)      “…higher side of things.”

Alaska ranks highest with over 4-percent quitting over the past 12 months. New York state ranks 50^th with under 1-percent.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is spitting mad at the state Republican Party, and its leader Louis Gurvich, for how they handled the endorsement of Jeff Landry for Governor. Here he is during an interview on WWL radio in New Orleans…:

CUT 05(08)      “…an embarrassment.”

Nungesser called for Gurvich to resign, accused some party members of taking kickbacks to endorse the Attorney General Landry. Nungesser will seek re-election instead of running for governor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is mourning the loss of his mother, Dora Jean Edwards, who passed away this morning at age 87. Here is Edwards, during his first election night victory speech in 2015, giving his mom credit for his success…:

CUT 19  (08)        “…very much”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed the elephant in the room when asked his thoughts on the state GOP…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon asks state lawmakers to use $45-million in surplus money to make an incentive fund to attract new private insurance companies to write coverage for some of the thousands force to go to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. By law, Citizens’ rates are substantially higher than the private market, and homeowners are struggling to make ends meet. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder seems worried the plan may not work as Donelon intends…:

CUT 14(08)      “…it’s a maybe.”

Donelon says it worked after Katrina and Rita and it will work again, but the state must act fast so prospective companies know they mean business.

Demolition will start soon on the old Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City. Yesterday, the state’s Gaming Control Board approved the sale of the property, paving the way for a nearly $200-million renovation that will revitalize the area and the city, developers say.