Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still not ready to make a decision on whether to run for governor or not. During his weekly appearance on Mornings with Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3, Graves admits the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry has led to a push for him to run for governor…

Cut 8 (12)  “…absurd” 

There’s another big jackpot drawing tonight. Powerball is up to $653 million with a cash value of $351 million. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says this Powerball jackpot has been rolling since November 21^st.

Cut 9 (05) “…right now.” 

Tickets for tonight’s drawing must be purchased by 9:00 PM.

Louisiana loves beef, but new federal data shows we can expect to pay more for the popular protein in the months ahead. Kevin Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch, and new policy is called for going forward…:

CUT 05(09)      “…to address it.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still not ready to make a decision on running for governor this fall. Graves is not happy the state GOP has already endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry in the Louisiana governor’s race. He says voters are upset a group of Republicans are trying to hand pick the next governor…

Cut 07  (08)      “…strongly encouraged.”

Graves is 51-years-old and has served in the U.S. House since 2015.

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’ll observe that by personally handing out over $42-thpusand in checks to over 500 people today. He says you should check for yourself if you have cash coming at “LACashClaim.org”…:

CUT 12(11)      “…in this program.”

The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos reach a deal to send former Saints Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to the Mile High City.  New Orleans will get the Broncos’ first-round pick this year and their second-round pick next year. Saints analyst Mike Detillier thinks it’s a sign that Broncos’ ownership trusts Payton to turn things around…

CUT 09(13)      “…Wilson around.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is still not ready to make a decision on whether to run for governor or not. Graves says he’s received encouragement to run, but his busy schedule in Washington D-C has kept him from examining the race.

Cut 6 (11)  “…you posted” 

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…in a timely manner.”

The 45-million dollar incentive fund bill aimed at bringing more private property insurers to Louisiana is up for a vote in the Louisiana House today.

A report from the state Legislative Auditor shows Black students in Louisiana are over five times more likely to attend a public school with a D or F rating. Daniel Erspamer, with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the report illustrates that basic fundamental change in public education is called for…:

Cut 13 (10)  “…. high-quality schools.”

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day. And here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says Louisiana has a billion dollars on paper in Unclaimed Property and they’ve just launched a pilot program that works with large businesses to find data matches and it’s proving to be successful.

Cut 11 (11)  “…this program.”

He says one in six Louisianans have unclaimed property, visit LAcashclaim.org to see if you do.

The Louisiana House will vote today on a plan to set up a 45-million fund that would distribute grants to insurance companies who start writing private property insurance policies. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins believes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon should take some of the blame for this crisis. He says perhaps a change of leadership at the Department of Insurance is warranted…
cut 6 (09) “…want to keep going”
Donelon is up for re-election this year.

A legislative auditor’s report finds 41-percent of Black students attend a D or F rated school, while only eight-percent of White children are at a school at the bottom of the grading scale. CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy Daniel Erspamer says this should be unacceptable to lawmakers and educators…
cut 14 (06) “…high-Quality school”

For National Unclaimed Property Day State Treasurer John Schroder will hand out more than 500 checks. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A major winter storm is causing problems in several Southern states and here in Louisiana we are seeing mixed precipitation falling north of Interstate 20. The National Weather Service says up to a tenth of an inch of ice could accumulate north of I-20 through six o’ clock today.

The state House Democratic caucus calls for accountability and transparency as lawmakers set up a $45-million insurance incentive fund. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A councilwoman in the town of Rayville has been charged with simple battery of persons with infirmities and public intimidation. State Police took 53-year-old Deborah James into custody last month in reference to an alleged physical altercation. L-S-P says James threatened the troopers with loss of employment if arrested.

Today is National Unclaimed Property Day, and here in the Bayou State, Treasurer John Schroder says he’s celebrating the day by handing out checks.
Cut 10 (08) “… their employees.”
This afternoon he’ll present over 500 checks totaling more than $42,000 to employees at Baton Rouge General Hospital.

Sean Payton is returning to coaching as he’s agreed to become the new head coach of the Broncos. Since Payton is still under contract with the Saints, Denver will reportedly send New Orleans a late first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. Some Saints fans were hoping for multiple first round picks, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says those expectations were unrealistic….
cut 8 (07) “….two seconds”
So at least the Saints have a first round pick this year as they have the 29th overall selection.

A new study shows Louisiana’s black public school kids are five times more likely to attend a failing school. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

An eleven year-old and a 14-year-old have been arrested for stealing a fire truck from the Natchitoches Parish Fire department. Deputies say the juveniles took the truck from a fire house and went on a joy ride before ditching the fire truck behind a home off of Louisiana Highway 3191.

The Louisiana House is set to vote today on establishing a 45-million dollar incentive fund that would provide grants to private insurers who write property insurance policies. Its an effort to reduce the number of homeowners who rely on Citizens Insurance, which is expensive. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins believes Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon should take some of the blame for the current insurance crisis…
cut 5 (09) “…to address it”

The Denver Broncos have addressed their head coaching vacancy by turning to Sean Payton. Since Payton was still under contract with the Saints, New Orleans will reportedly receive a 2023 first round pick from Denver and a 2024 second round pick. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a good deal…
cut 7 (12) “…quarterback dilemma”

Watching for freezing rain in north Louisiana. Radar indicates mixed precipitation is falling in northern Bossier Parish at this hour. Parishes along the I-20 corridor are under a winter weather advisory this morning as ice accumulations of near a tenth of an inch are possible. Much of north Louisiana also remains in a flood watch until tomorrow afternoon.

It’s National Unclaimed Property Day and State Treasurer John Schroder will hand out more than 500 checks. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As lawmakers debate a $45-million incentive fund to help Louisiana’s property insurance crisis, House Democrats call for transparency and accountability from the Department of Insurance. Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins (D – Shreveport) says the state’s insurance problems all came to be under Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon’s watch…:
Cut 4 (08) “…in a timely manner.”
The 45-million dollar incentive fund bill aimed at bringing more private property insurers in Louisiana is up for a vote in the Louisiana House today.

Former Saints Coach Sean Payton is heading to Denver. A trade has reportedly been worked out that will allow Denver to hire Payton as its new head coach and in return New Orleans will get the Broncos first round pick this year and a second round pick next year. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton will try to turn around a franchise that went 5-and-12 last season with a veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson who performed poorly…
cut 9 (13) “…Wilson around”
Detillier made those comments on WWL Radio in New Orleans.