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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
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.
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.
Recipients can contact 211 to get information on additional resources.
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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…:
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…
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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…
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…
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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…
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