The next Louisiana Gubernatorial race is more than two years away but the top potential candidates are on their way to assembling large campaign war chests. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”
_______________________________________
If you receive unemployment, Medicaid or SNAP you’re also eligible to receive free mobile internet service. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) …I’m Brooke Thorington”
_____________________________
Potential 2023 Gubernatorial Race contenders Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are off to a strong fundraising start with the election more than two years away.
Landry is sitting on two million dollars and Nungesser has a million in a half in the bank. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the two statewide elected Republicans are strong early favorites.
The reported numbers cover the end of the 2020 fundraising period.
Other Republicans rumored to be contemplating a run include Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt and State Treasurer John Schroder, but each is only sitting on six-figure sums…
Hewitt claimed 215,000 dollars cash on hand while Schroder has 550,000 in the bank. Another potential Republican, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, has a federal election war chest that can’t be used in state races.
Pinsonat says with Governor Edwards term-limited there’s no easy answer for Democrats in 2023, but Edwards two wins prove you can’t count the party out…
Pinsonat says two early Democrats being floated are Norco Senator Gary Smith and Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields.
________________________
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking residents to reconsider the use of heat lamps to keep pets and animals following several fires last week, including one in Bossier Parish that claimed the lives of seven horses. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says even outside, heating lamps can be hazardous.
Cut 6 (15) “…over the heat lamp.”
Rodrigue says there was also a fire involving a heating lamp in the Houma area that killed a dog and another one in Livingston Parish. Rodrigue says the fires could be due to the lamps being placed near flammable objects like a blanket…
Rodrigue says that if animals are able to be brought inside, then that’s the best option for warmth.
______________________
A 56-year old Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being allegedly shot multiple times by his daughter in Benton Monday night. Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Bill Davis says they were called to Burt Wich’s home in Benton around 5 pm.
22-year old Kalee (pronounced Kallie) Wich is being held at the Bossier Maximum-Security Facility in Plain Dealing.
Davis says Deputy Wich, who lives alone was getting ready to go assist a friend with storm damage when his daughter Kalee arrived.
Davis says Deputy Wich is in stable condition at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and was up walking around this morning after being shot multiple times.
Davis says the gun used in the shooting was not the deputy’s service revolver. The investigation is ongoing.
_____________________________
Thanks to a COVID Relief bill those receiving unemployment, Medicaid or SNAP Benefits are now eligible to receive free mobile internet service. Q Link Wireless is one of the phone providers participating in the program and CEO Issa Asad (EE-sa Ah-sod) says you can even keep your current phone and number.
Asad says to sign up for the benefit you can visit QLinkWireless.com, He says once approved you’ll receive service in two to three days.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit program passed by Congress begins on February 25th and lasts until the end of the year, after that Asad says you can roll over into the LifeLine program.