One Republican lawmaker is pushing plans for an increase to the state’s gasoline tax when the state legislature convenes in April. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

President Joe Biden is receiving criticism for revoking the permit for the Keystone Pipeline extension. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the President is starting his administration by killing a project in which thousands are employed. Clean energy advocates are celebrating the news.

Qualifying continues for candidates who want their names on the March 20th ballot for the 2nd and 5th district Congressional races. In the fifth district, the only Democrat in the race so far is a social worker and businessperson Candy Christophe. She says she’s got the life experience to fight for what working families need…
cut 10 (10) “….fight”
Christophe nearly made the run-off in the election last year that was eventually won by the late Luke Letlow. Luke’s wife Julia Letlow qualified first thing this morning.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking for the state’s longest-known married couple, which they will honor on Valentine’s Day. The couples who finish in the top ten for longevity will also be recognized. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills…
ctu 6 (12) “…champs” (2x)
The Louisiana Family Forum is accepting applications on its website.

Julia Letlow, the wife of the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, is expected to qualify for the fifth district Congressional race today. Julia’s husband was supposed to occupy the seat, but he died from COVID-19. Five candidates have already qualified including Allen Guillory of Opelousas who said he’s concerned Julia Letlow winning would deprive Julia’s two young children of both of their parents, He says he told her that…
cut 13 (09) “…a job” (2x)
The election is March 20th and qualifying ends tomorrow.

The regular legislative session begins in April and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says he still plans to bring a proposal to lawmakers to raise the state’s gasoline tax as an effort to improve highways…
cut 14 (07) “…the table”
McFarland says his proposal would call for a ten-cent gas tax increase in the first year and a gradual increase of another 12-cents through 2033.

We are looking at mild temperatures for the rest of the week and rain is in the forecast today and tomorrow. So far we’ve avoided bitterly cold temperatures this winter and that’s good news for strawberry producers on the north shore. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says some growers started harvesting last month…
cut 8 (09) “…April”

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting applications for this year’s Longest Married Couple in Louisiana award. Family Forum President Gene Mills says they’re looking for couples who’ve been married 60 or more years…
Cut 4 (10) “…other.”
Gladys and Wallace Menard of Duson won the 2020 competition as they’ve been married for 81 years.

The regular legislative session is in April and a Republican state lawmaker is pushing his plan to increase the state’s gasoline tax. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland’s proposal calls for the state’s gasoline tax to grow 22-cents through 2033. McFarland says the Bayou State has the seventh-lowest gas tax in the nation…
Cut 16 (11) “…gas tax”
Previous attempts to raise the gasoline tax have failed in recent years.

The state’s strawberry crop is showing signs that it will be a good one this year. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says with the different varieties of strawberries, some Louisiana growers are already harvesting…
cut 7 (09) “…temperatures”

Qualifying continues today for the two Congressional races that will take place in March. Five people have signed up for the 5th district race. Republican Julia Letlow, the widow of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is expected to qualify today. Democrat Candy Christophe says Julia Letlow’s entrance into the race didn’t keep her from qualifying…
cut 12 (10) “…lightly”
Allen Guillory of Opelousas is one of four Republicans to sign up. Guillory received seven-percent of the vote in the November primary and says the Capitol Hill riot should not have happened, but…
cut 11 (13) “…direction”
Retired U-S Air Force Colonel Chad Conerly, Horace Melton of Ruston and Sancha Smith of Opelousas have also qualified for the fifth district race.

If you’ve been married for 60 or more years the Louisiana Family Forum wants to hear your story for this year’s Longest Married Couple award. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

Julia Letlow, wife of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died of COVID last month, is expected to qualify today to run for the now vacant 5^th Congressional District seat. Matt Doyle spoke to two of her challengers…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

 One Republican lawmaker plans to propose a gas tax when the legislature convenes in April. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

__________________________

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting applications for this year’s Longest Married Couple in Louisiana award.

Family Forum President Gene Mills says they’re looking for couples who’ve been married 60 or more years…

Cut 4 (10) “…other”

Gladys and Wallace Menard of Duson won 2020′s competition after staying hitched for 81 years.

Mills says every year the stories behind the winner’s longevity provide some truths that people need to learn.

Cut 5 (08) “…marriages.”

Mills says they get a lot of applications and every year the contest is highly competitive. 

Cut 6 (12) “…champs”

To send in an application yourself, or on behalf of a loved one, visit the Family Forum’s website and fill out some information about the couple’s lives and story.

________________________

Early crops of the state fruit are off to a bright start for 2021, even with the recent cold snaps. LSU AgCenter Agent Mary Helen Ferguson says with the different varieties of strawberries, some Louisiana growers are already harvesting.

Cut 7 (09)  “…temperatures.”

If temperatures drop below sixteen degrees it could potentially put farmers behind four to six weeks.

Ferguson says because of the state’s generally milder temps during the growing season and preferred soil, the harvesting season can begin earlier in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “…April”

Another reason for the earlier harvest in Louisiana is the variety of strawberries grown here. Ferguson says farmers in the Bayou State are very progressive by growing multiple varieties to extend the season.

Cut 9 (12) “…production.”

Louisiana strawberry farmers start planting their crop in late September early October and are at the height of production from March to May.

.________________________________________________

Wednesday Five candidates signed up to run for the 5^th Congressional District seat left vacant after the shocking death of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow last month from COVID.

The only Democrat in the race so far is a social worker and small businessperson Candy Christophe. She says she’s got the life experience to fight for what working families need.

Cut 10 (11) “…fight”

Christophe nearly made the runoff for the 5^th last year with 16 percent of the vote coming less than a point behind last year’s second-place finisher State Lawmaker Lance Harris, who’s been non-committal about a second run. Democratic candidates combined to win 30 percent of the total vote.

Allen Guillory was one of four Republicans to sign up Wednesday. He says he’s not afraid to speak the truth and says the Capitol Hill Riot shouldn’t have happened, but…

Cut 11 (13) “.direction”

Guillory won seven percent of the vote in the 2020 primary for the 5^th District seat. If elected Guillory vowed to support term limits for Congress.

Letlow’s widow, Julia Letlow, is expected to qualify Thursday and become the instant frontrunner. Christophe says that isn’t changing her plans.

Cut 12 (11) “.lightly.”

Guillory endorsed Luke Letlow last year in the runoff but says he’s concerned Julia Letlow winning would deprive Julia’s two children of both of their parents. He says he told her…

Cut 13 (09) “….a job”

______________________

A Republican lawmaker is proposing a gasoline tax and sweeping reforms in the operation of the DOTD  so more funds can be directed towards repairing state roads and bridges. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland, Government Reform in Transportation Act also known as GRIT, adds a ten-cent gas tax the first year, raising $300 million in potential revenue and…

Cut 14 (07) “…the table.” 

After the first year, an additional two cents would be added on gasoline every other year until 2033, it would then total 22 cents higher than the current 20 cents.

The bill also requires an initial DOTD forensic audit and annual oversight of how the department spends its existing funds to ensure compliance.

McFarland says in the past he’s voted against a gas tax increase but as a businessman who’s losing money in transportation costs, he’s added reform and audit measures to the proposal, so spending is more transparent.

Cut 15 (08)“…longer.”

McFarland says the Bayou State has the seventh-lowest gas tax in the nation and once the additional full 22-cents is added…

Cut 16 (11) “…gas tax”

The GRIT Act earmarks 60-percent of revenue for maintenance of existing state roads and bridges and 40-percent towards capacity projects including a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge.

The race is officially on to replace the outgoing Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s second district Congressional member. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Mindy McConnell a Libertarian and Jenette Porter a Democrat, both of New Orleans have also qualified for the second district.

The state reported 2,536 new COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities today.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the overnight hours.

Cut 15 (10) “…Opelousas” 

Thibodaux says the investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released.

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball, the longest-running in history with 36 draws reaches the fourth-largest jackpot in the game’s history at 730 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says even though no one’s hit the Jackpot since last fall, always check your numbers, while it might not be the jackpot it could still be a winning ticket.

Cut 8 (12) “…one number”

Chopin recommends the Louisiana Lottery App to check your numbers.

The two biggest names in the race for the 2^nd Congressional District visited the Secretary of State’s office today to qualify. New Orleans Democratic state senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter have been racking up the endorsements so far and Peterson, The former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party, vowed to fight for an increase in the minimum wage if elected.

Cut 12 (10) “…done it before” 

Carter also pushed for an increase during his time in the Legislature, one of the many issues he’s gone to the mat over…

Cut 11 (10) “..for it”

Gary Cater Jr. and Jenette Porter also joined the race. Libertarian Mindy McConnell is the only non-democrat in the running.

The three billion dollar Morganza to the Gulf Hurricane Protection Project gets a small boost from the feds in the form of 12.5 million dollars in funding. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says state and local government has already pumped 600 million into the structure but it is nice to see the Corps of Engineers pitch in…

Cut 3 (06)  “…system.”

The system, once fully built, would protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the overnight hours and the victim was shot in the 200 block of Guilno Street in Opelousas…

Cut 16 (10) “…later died” 

Four Democrats have officially qualified to run for the 2^nd Congressional District seat to replace Cedric Richmond on the March 20th ballot. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter found it significant that he qualified for this race on the same day a new president was sworn in…

Cut 9 (08) “..being better”

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson also qualified she’s the former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party and has served in the state legislature since 1999.

Cut 10 (07) “…has experience.”

Baton Rouge community activist and small business owner Gary Chambers, Jr and Jeanette Porter of New Orleans round out the democrats that have qualified so far. Mindy McConnell, a Libertarian from New Orleans, also joined the race. Qualifying ends on Friday.

The state reported 2,536 new COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities today.

The feds are pitching in 12.5 million dollars to help fund the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball is historic, according to Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin it’s the fourth largest in the game’s history with a jackpot of 730 million.

Cut 6 (07) “..its history”