The start of the 2022 regular legislative session is still two months away, but today lawmakers can begin filing bills to be heard in the three-month-long session. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some of the controversial bills that failed to pass last year, will be back this year
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine mandates.”

58 parishes have applied for grants to bring broadband internet to their areas. Large portions of Louisiana are underserved when it comes to Internet access and connection speeds. Avoyelles Representative Daryl Deshotel was an architect of the so-called GUMBO Fund grants…:
Cut 7 (12) “…round of applications.”
Deshotel award amounts will be announced in March.

U-S Senate Democratic candidate Gary Chambers, who is one of two announced challengers to Republican John Kennedy, launched a campaign ad today that shows him smoking marijuana. Chambers says the goal of the ad is to destigmatize the drug and support legalization and decriminalization.

A beloved Louisiana staple is adding another Cajun classic to its array of products. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session starting today. Kevin Gallagher on the bills that will come up for debate when the three-month-long session begins in March…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference in Baton Rouge this afternoon to kick off his statewide Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force. He’ll be joined by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. They will hold the press conference near Ward’s Creek, where a lot of trash has gathered.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports his re-election campaign has raised 18-million dollars and he has about $11-million in cash-on-hand. U-L-M political science professor Joshua Stockley says that is considerably more than Kennedy raised for his campaign in 2016…:
Cut 13 (11) “…have that in 2022.”
So far there are only two announced candidates, political newcomer Luke Mixon and community activist Gary Chambers who is pushing to decriminalize marijuana possession in a new TV commercial.

Avoyelles Representative Dary Deshotel says 58 parishes have applied for funds to expand broadband in their areas. Deshotel says it’s a 90-million dollar program, but there are other ways the available funds could grow…
cut 8 (14) “….in Louisiana”
Deshotel says awards will be announced in March.

The bill hopper for the 2022 regular session opens today as state lawmakers can begin filing legislation that will be heard in the session that begins in March. La-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says after two consecutive years of destructive hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are pushing insurance reform…
Cut 6 (12) “…governor.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy announces he has 11-million dollars in campaign cash on hand as he seeks re-election this year. Kennedy’s campaign says the state’s junior senator has raised 18-million dollars and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 15 (09) “…your next re-election”

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers created a 90-million dollar grant program that would allow parishes to partner with private companies to improve broadband in their areas. Avoyelles Representative Daryl Deshotel authored the legislation and says they’ve received applications from 58 parishes and this March the awards will be announced. Deshotel says this is one of the largest economic development opportunities in Louisiana history…
cut 9 (13) “….change our state”

Tony’s Chachere’s is famous for its seasonings and the family-owned business in Opelousas is now rolling out a chili seasoning mix. Director of Marketing Celeste Chachere says there’s an original chili seasoning mix and a mild chili seasoning mix…
cut 12 (10) “…about this one”
The new chili mixes are currently rolling out to grocery stores, and you can also find them at TonyChachere.com.

Today, state lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session that will begin in March. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a non-fiscal session, so bills to raise taxes can not be introduced, but legislators will discuss state finances as they have to determine how to spend over a billion dollars in surplus money…
cut 5 (11) “…last forever”
The session begins on March 14.

In honor of their 50th anniversary, Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Director of Marketing Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they pulled from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.
Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”
Tony’s new Orginal Chili Seasoning Mix and Mild Chili Season Mix are rolling out to select grocery stores or go to tony chachere-dot-com.

Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session starting today.  Kevin Gallagher on the bills that will come up for debate when the three-month-long session begins in March…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A beloved Louisiana staple is adding another Cajun classic to its array of products. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The start of the 2022 regular legislative session is still two months away, but today lawmakers can begin filing bills to be heard in the three-month-long session. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some of the controversial bills that failed to pass last year, will be back this year

Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine mandates.” 

Alford says it’s a non-fiscal session, so bills to raise taxes can not be filed, but legislators will still discuss state finances as they have to pass a budget and determine how to spend over a billion dollars in surplus money…

Cut 5 (11) “…last forever.”

Alford says after two years of getting battered by hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are eager to pass insurance reform legislation…

Cut 6 (12) “…governor.”

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58 parishes have applied for grants to bring broadband internet to their areas. It’s no secret that large portions of Louisiana are underserved when it comes to Internet access and connection speeds. Avoyelles state Rep. Daryl Deshotel was an architect of the so-called GUMBO Fund grants…:

Cut 7 (12) “…round of applications.”

GUMBO is an acronym for Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities. The program was proposed by Deshotel and others and was passed in 2021. 58 parishes have applied for the money and the first-round candidates will be announced in March. Deshotel says the GUMBO Fund will get a boost from federal Infrastructure Bill money, and there are other ways the available funds could grow…:

Cut 8 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Deshotel says actual work to install broadband infrastructure in the state’s more remote areas can begin as early as May. He says there is some concern about the supply chain and any potential labor shortage due to the pandemic. Deshotel says it is high time that broadband Internet was available to every part of Louisiana…:

Cut 9 (13)  “…change our state.”

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In honor of their 50^th anniversary, Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Spokesperson Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they decided to pull from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.

Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”

The recipe is called “He-Man Chilli” and Chachere says it’s bold, hearty, and filling.

There are two versions of the chili seasonings, mild and original. Chachere says they definitely have a little personality in them and are created with fresh herbs and spices.

Cut  11 (10)  “…smoked sausage.”  

Chachere says the mixes are affordable at just under two dollars and the mixes are designed to be used with two pounds of ground beef or venison, enough to feed a whole family.

Cut 12 (10) “…about this one.”

The new chili mixes are currently rolling out to grocery stores, and you can also find them at TonyChachere.com.

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports he raised just over $3-million for his re-election campaign, during the last months of 2021. That brings his total campaign funds to a little over $18-million, with about $11-million cash on-hand. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says that is considerably more than Kennedy raised for his campaign in 2016…:

Cut 13 (11) “…have that in 2022.”

So far, only Bunkie airline pilot Luke Mixon and Baton Rouge activist and blogger Gary Chambers – both Democrats – have announced they’ll challenge Kennedy. Dr. Stockley says $11-million cash on-hand is a huge sum of money to have, when facing what he calls “a token Democrat”….:

Cut 14 (07)  “…his re-election bid.”

Kennedy has been raising campaign funds for – pretty much – the last five years of his first term. Stockley says it’s been ever thus in D.C. politics…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…your next re-election.”

Stockley says Kennedy has a real knack for gathering big campaign donations. He says the size of his campaign “warchest” gives him a clear and strong advantage in the fall election.

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The Pelicans dropped their second straight ballgame yesterday afternoon, a 104-92 loss to the Celtics. Willie Green says that his team struggled to meet Boston’s intensity on defense.

Cut  16 (14) “…get into stuff.”

Green says that there are nights like this over the course of the NBA season, but his team will bounce back.

Cut 17 (08) “ …their physicality.” 

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LSU coach Brian Kelly has assembled his coaching staff as he prepares for his first season in Baton Rouge. Adam Hunsucker from Tiger Rag Magazine says that the makeup of Kelly’s staff should help him make the adjustment to the SEC.

Cut 18 (13) “ …familiar with.” 

The addition of New Orleans native Cortez Hankton should give the Tigers a boost when it comes to building a fence around some of the state’s most talented players.

Cut 19 (21)_“…other places.” 

With the mix of familiar faces and up and comers on the sidelines for Coach Kelly, the Tigers staff should once again be one to be reckoned with.

Cut 20 (10) “…national title.”  

A Dr. Martin Luther King exhibit is traveling this month and next through the University of Louisiana system campuses. The “Carrying on the Dream” exhibit is on display today and tomorrow on the campus of Louisiana Tech in Ruston. La Tech spokesperson Tonya Oaks Smith says they are fortunate to host the display today.

Cut 3 (08) “…and moving.”

Governor John Bel Edwards sent his message to Louisiana in honor of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s national holiday this morning. The governor focused his words on continuing the fight for equality, specifically within our criminal justice system.

 Cut 6 (12) “…change happen” 

Edwards cited the recent pardon of Homer Plessy as an example of Louisianans working together to right a historic wrong.

Power has finally been restored to the coastal town of Grand Isle four and half months after Hurricane Ida. Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle says the electricity has arrived just in time for the cold weather and credits Entergy for its non-stop efforts…

Cut 9 (06) “…the island”

Camardelle says after Ida’s landfall state agencies and Entergy worked together to put most of the power infrastructure underground

A fatal hit and run crash Sunday night in Lafayette placed investigators in danger when a woman drove through barricades surrounding the crime scene. Lafayette PD Sgt Robin Green says police were on the scene of a pedestrian hit and run when Dominique Mills almost hit officers. Green urges motorists to pay attention.

Cut 14 (10)  “…when driving.” 

Mills was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and operating while intoxicated.

The entire coastal town of Grand Isle finally has electricity again, after Hurricane Ida caused massive damage to the barrier island’s infrastructure. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 02(27)      “….Palermo.”

It’s no secret that New Orleans has been plagued with a slew of carjackings in recent weeks; some at gunpoint. NOPD says they’ve arrested four people they believe are connected with five carjackings that happened in broad daylight this past Saturday. Police are thankful no one was hurt, and say more such arrests are coming.

Lafayette Police say a fatal hit-and-run crash Sunday night led to another traffic crash, when a woman drove through a police barricade where officers were investigating the hit-and-run. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says Dominique Mills, of Scott, was stopped and arrested. As for the original hit-and-run? Green says no arrests there yet…:

CUT 13(09)      “…been made.”

Governor John Bel Edwards sent his message to Louisiana in honor of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s national holiday this morning. The governor focused his words on continuing the fight for equality, specifically within our criminal justice system…:

CUT 06(12)      “…change happen.”

The Governor acknowledges progress made in race relations, but says there is still ground to be covered.

Lafayette Police say a fatal hit and run crash response Sunday night led to another traffic crash, when a woman drove through a police barricade where officers were investigating the hit and run. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says the woman was driving erratically…:

CUT 12(09)      “…nick of time.”

The woman has been identified as 29-year-old Dominique Mills of Scott. She’s been charged with second-offense Operating While Intoxicated. The pedestrian hit-and-run victim is identified as 57-year old Donald Jackson of Scott.

A Baton Rouge Judicial Court Judge was found dead inside his home Sunday. 19^th JDC Judge Christopher Dassau was found unresponsive by police, after a relative asked them to go check on him. Dassau was just 36 years old, but loved ones say he had a medical condition. Foul play is not suspected.

A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exhibit entitled “Carrying on the Dream” is traveling through the University of Louisiana System campuses. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

The identities of the two men killed Friday when their helicopter crashed into a swamp in Lafourche Parish have been released. They are 30-year-old Dylan Horn and 51-year-old Dana Burt. The chopper went down at about 10 Friday morning, and became lodge in fairly deep water. Horn and Burt were the only ones aboard. The crash is under investigation.