Four Republican gubernatorial candidates addressed members of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and what they each would prioritize as governor.
Cut 2 (44) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, are returning to their pre-COVID benefit amount as the additional assistance has expired. This will impact about 462-thousand Louisiana households. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Children and Family Services, Monica Brown, says additional resources are available for families in need…
cut 5 (08) “…..help them”
Again that number is 2-1-1.

Trina Edwards, the 44-year-old widow of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards, has announced a wedding date for her and her fiancé, 79-year-old former legislative leader John Alario. She says they plan to marry June 1st at the State Supreme Court Building in New Orleans…
Cut 7 (09) “…30 or 40 people.”
Trina Edwards was married to Edwin Edwards for ten years before he died in July 2021.

Four Republican gubernatorial candidates addressed members of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry at their annual meeting yesterday and outlined what their priorities would be if elected. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt told business leaders she wants to grow the state’s economy and pass tax reforms that respect hard-spent tax dollars.
Cut 10 (07) “…woke ideology.”
Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who’s the youngest candidate says the state needs to make drastic changes to keep Louisiana from the bottom of every list. He says his priorities when elected to represent District 89 will be the same as governor.
Cut 11 (10) “…have to do.”
Attorney General Jeff Landry says he would fix a broken education system, while Treasurer John Schroder says Louisiana has to restore trust in government.

Households receiving extra benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program return to their pre-COVID regular allotments this month. Deputy Assistant Secretary for DCFS, Monica Brown, says SNAP households should review their regular benefit amount and ensure their information with D-C-F-S is up to to date, because there are factors that could lead to an increase in benefits.
Cut 4 (08) “…benefit amount.”

Drugmaker Eli Lily caps the patient insulin out-of-pocket costs at 35-dollars per month. The American Diabetes Association says over a half-million Louisianans suffer with diabetes. That’s over 14 percent of the population. Doctor Daniel Hsia (SHAH) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center hopes to see Eli Lilly’s example become an industry standard…:
Cut 16 (11) “…that really need it.”
Eli Lilly says they will also make savings cards available to diabetics who do not have health coverage.

The widow of ex-Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina, has announced she and her fiancé, 79-year-old former state Senate president John Alario will get married on June 1st. Michelle Southern reports

Cut 1 (28)  “…Michelle Southern reporting.”

_______________________________________________

Four Republican gubernatorial candidates addressed members of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and what they each would prioritize as governor.

Cut 2 (44)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Drug manufacturer Eli Lilly drastically reduces the cost of many types of insulin. What will this mean for the half-million diabetics in Louisiana…?

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________________

Many households across the state receiving extra benefits through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will return to regular allotments in March. The pandemic-related emergency funds increased benefits with a minimum allotment of $95 each month for three years. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Monica Brown, says some household adjustments may result in an increase.

Cut 4 (08)  “…benefit amount.”

In 2022, more than 800k Louisiana residents received SNAP to help feed their families. Brown says additional resources are available to families we are in need.

Cut 5 (08) “…help them.”

The continuation of COVID emergency allotments had a major impact on the state’s economy. However, the expiration of allotments is expected to result in an estimated $1.2 billion decline in the state’s GDP and a loss of more than SNAP-associated 16k jobs.

Cut 6 (10)  “…be temporary.” 

Recipients can contact 211 to get information on additional resources.

_____________________________________________

Trina Edwards, the 44-year-old widow of former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards, has announced a wedding date for her and her fiancé, 79-year-old former legislative leader John Alario. She says they plan to marry June 1st at the State Supreme Court Building in New Orleans and make it a small affair…:

Cut 7 (09) “…30 or 40 people.”

Edwards says Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer will officiate the private ceremony. She says she’s very lucky to have such a wonderful man in her life…:

Cut 8 “…couldn’t be luckier.”

The couple was engaged on August 19th of last year. She says she is very much looking forward to this next chapter in her life, and to be with another man who has such a loving spirit…

Cut 9 (11)  “…compassionate.”

_______________________________________________

Four Republican gubernatorial candidates addressed members of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry at their annual meeting and outlined what their priorities would be if elected. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt told business leaders she wants to grow the state’s economy and make tax reforms that work and respect hard-spent tax dollars.

Cut 10 (07)  “…woke ideology.”

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who’s the youngest candidate says the state needs to make drastic changes to keep Louisiana from the bottom of every list. He says his priorities when elected to represent District 89 will be the same as governor.

Cut 11 (10)  “…have to do.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry opened his remarks with stories of individuals leaving the state for better opportunities, education, and employment. Landry says he’s the best candidate to create a better business environment because he’s been a business owner.

Cut 12 (10) “…seven years.”

Treasurer John Schroder says if Louisiana is going to truly prosper, we have to restore faith in our government and earn the public’s trust. As governor, he says he will earn that trust by addressing crime.

Cut 13 (09) “…more and more brazen.” 

As for Democrats a major candidate has not entered the race but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson, who retires this weekend is expected to run for governor.

______________________________________________

Drugmaker Eli Lilly announces it will greatly reduce the cost of many older types of insulin used to treat diabetes. Lilly says for those with health insurance or Medicare, their monthly cost should be no more than $35. Dr. Daniel Hsia (pronounce: SHAH), with the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge says this is tremendous news; especially for Type 1 diabetics…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…another huge victory.”

Louisiana has one of the nation’s highest rates of diabetes by state. Dr. Hsai says the disease is especially high among lower-income households. He says Lilly’s move comes at a good time, as inflation makes it tougher to make ends meet…:

Cut 15 (10)  “…don’t have insurance.”

The American Diabetes Association says over a half-million Louisianans suffered with diabetes. That’s over 14 percent of the population. Hsia says he hopes to see Eli Lilly’s example become an industry standard…:

Cut  16 (11)  “…that really need it.” 

Eli Lilly says they will also make savings cards available to diabetics who do not have health coverage.

______________________________________________

The LSU Baseball team returns home tonight after winning the 3rd annual Round Rock Baseball classic last weekend and beating Texas on Tuesday night. The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season to Iowa and it took late-game heroics from Gavin Dugas to get past Texas, but  Johnson says those games were much-needed preparation for SEC play…

Cut 17 (15) “…match that.” 

The Tigers will host Butler and Central Connecticut this weekend. LSU will face the Bulldogs tonight and Monday and the Blue Devils Saturday and Sunday. Johnson says this weekend should be another good test for his top-ranked squad…

Cut 18 (19) “…for us.”

______________________________________________________

The UL-Lafayette basketball team earned the second seed in the Sun-Belt Conference tournament and will open their tournament in the quarterfinals tomorrow night. The Cajuns made it to the finals as the 8 seed last year but fell short of the Championship. They were preseason favorites to win the conference this year and a Sun-Belt win will get them automatic qualification for the NCAA tournament. Coach Bob Marlin says the double bye will be a big help but it all starts with tomorrow night…

Cut 19 (20) “…that building.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns are led by Junior forward Jordan Brown who’s a Sun-Belt player of the year candidate. Brown leads the Cajuns in points, rebounds, and blocks averaging almost 20 points and more than 8 boards and a block a game. Brown played well in last year’s tournament run and Marlin thinks he’s easily the Sun-Belts’ best talent…

Cut 20 (18)  “…this tournament.” 

Tip-off Saturday night is at 7:30

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says they are actively chasing leads as they search for a Georgia man who was in the state’s capitol city on a business trip but has been missing for more than a week.
cut 1 (39) “…Brooke Thorington”

A St. Gabriel police officer has been arrested in Livingston Parish on murder charges. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says 27-year-old Andre Redditt fatally shot his estranged partner.

The state department of education has started a new program to help K-through-fifth graders who are not reading at grade level. Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says families can register at read-L-A-dot-scholastic-dot-com and receive free books and resources that can improve a child’s reading ability…
cut 11 (08) “….new resource”
An estimated 150-thousand students are eligible.

Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat plans on filing legislation that would put a moratorium on the drilling of carbon capture wells below Lake Maurepas. Wheat says residents who care about Lake Maurepas are concerned about the long-term impacts of burying carbon that is sequestered under the lake…
cut 14 (12) “….what’s happening there”
Wheat says he’ll file a second bill that would assure that any future carbon drilling projects must pass environmental impact studies.

The Chief of Police in Baton Rouge talks publicly about the disappearance of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard, who went missing just over a week ago. He was last seen walking from a downtown pub in the Capital City to his hotel just a block away. Paul says – at this time – there is a limit to what he can say to media…:

CUT 04(10)      “…going on.”

Millard was in town on business. His wallet and phone have been found, but so far there’s no sign of him.

Be prepared for some possible heavy weather this evening across parts of the state. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says chances of severe weather are good for northwestern Louisiana and some areas closer to Interstate 10…:

CUT 08(06)      “…the evening tonight.”

A Hammond woman faces serious charges for allegedly racking up thousands of dollars in charges on an elderly relative’s bank card. 31-year-old Maili Morris reportedly used her aging aunt’s card to spend $12-thousand on restaurant deliveries and store purchases over a four-month span. She faces over 130 counts of identity theft and dozens of others. A judge set her bail at $18-million dollars.

Access to new resources to improve reading levels among students in the state are now available. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Foxx.”

Nearly two weeks after Georgia business exec, Nathan Millard went missing from a downtown bar in Baton Rouge, Police Chief Murphy Paul discussed the case earlier today on Jim Engster’s – Talk Louisiana radio show. Millard was in town for business and disappeared after leaving Happy’s Irish Pub last week.  Paul says they’re utilizing all resources to find out what happened to Millard. 

Cut 5 (08) “…tell us.”

If you have any information about Millard, you are encouraged to contact BRPD or Crimestoppers. 

 Expect an active weather pattern across the state today. The greatest risk for severe weather is for the Shreveport-Ruston area. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says severe weather with a tornado threat is expected in northwest Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08)  “…egg shaped” 

The entire state is under a wind advisory.

A new literacy program funded by the state is currently available to help pre-K4 through 5th-grade students who are reading below grade level. The state collaborated with Scholastic – for Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables will deliver free books to students. Deputy Superintendent for the Department of Education, Jenna Chiasson, says the READ initiative offers engagement for students and parents.

Cut 10 (10) “…what they’re reading.”  

READ is the result of an Act passed in the 2022 legislative session.

Representative Bill Wheat – a Republican from Ponchatoula – would like to cease drilling of carbon capture wells in Lake Maurepas. It’s only one of about $ 20 billion projects in carbon planned or under consideration in south Louisiana. Wheat plans to file a bill in the regular legislative session in April that would impose a moratorium on carbon sequestration until certain environmental concerns are addressed.

Cut 13 (11) “…wildlife management area.” 

Wheat says his bill is not an anti-carbon drilling crusade but aimed at defending a fragile ecosystem.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul spoke today about the disappearance of Georgia businessman Nathan Millard a week ago. The 42-year-old man was last seen walking towards his downtown hotel at around 11:30 PM on February 23th after being cut by the bartender at a local pub. Paul says he’s limited as to what details he can share with the public…:

CUT 04(10)      “…going on.”

Paul appeared on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” on WRKF in Baton Rouge. He says they are still retrieving and reviewing security camera footage from downtown businesses to help fill in the gaps on Millard’s activities.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces his new DOTD Secretary. Eric Kalivoda, a veteran of the Department of Transportation, will succeed the retiring Dr. Shawn Wilson. Kalivoda has been a Deputy Secretary for 13 years. Wilson is stepping down, effective tomorrow. He is expected to announce he will run for Governor soon.

A new Louisiana-funded literacy program designed to help pre-K through 5th-grade students is available. The state collaborated with Scholastic – for Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables to provide books to students reading below grade level. Deputy Superintendent for the Department of Education, Jenna Chiasson, says the process is quite simple to get started…:

CUT 09(09)      “…scholastic.com.”

READ is the result of an Act passed in the 2022 legislative session.

Northwestern Louisiana should prepare for the chance of come severe weather this evening. LRN meteorologist John Wetherbee says the area from Shreveport to Ruston could get some rough stuff…:

CUT 06(15)      “…severe thunderstorms.”

He says somewhat cooler temperatures are expected behind the front for a few days.