State Wildlife & Fisheries agents arrest a Patterson man for illegally taking nutria, to collect bounties for the invasive species. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck (EYE-nk) says 45-year-old Harris DeHart is seen in online “how-to” videos catching nutria by gassing them, cutting off their tails and letting them go; impaired and badly injured. Einck says he faces a long list of charges…:

CUT 07(11)      “…that’s not allowed.”

Einck says the state pays a bounty for the invasive animals, and they pay by how many tails one turns in…but the manner in which the animals are dispatched is laid out in state law. He says DeHart was gaming the bounty system.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor says the City of Westlake fell victim to an email hack that netted thieves over $64-thousand in illegitimately-billed overdue payments. The auditor found the city hadn’t properly vetted the bogus invoices before paying them.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and while you’ll probably witness some last-minute shopping today, overall shoppers are predicted to spend a whopping $25.9-billion in the US this year. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says that’s up from $24-billion spent last year, and the second highest on record…:

CUT 03(11)      “…last year.”

Consumers are expected to spend $4.4-billion on an evening out and more than $5.5-billion on jewelry.

Bad news for the Pelicans as All-Star forward Zion Williamson will miss several more weeks after he re-aggravated his right hamstring. Pelicans’ executive vice president David Griffin says Williamson was set to return soon, but re-injured himself at practice…:

CUT 12(13)      “…to navigate.”

New Orleans is at Oklahoma City tonight.

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. Her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members. La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says her poll to run for governor and TV ad, even though she never announced her candidacy, could continue to haunt her.

Cut 15 (06)  “…discuss.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says the incentive program will offer matching grants to incentivize new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies.

Cut 10 (08)  “…64 parishes” 
Donelon says 12 insurance providers have expressed interest in the program that he believes will decrease the number of home and business owners who rely on Louisiana Citizens.

Want to eat healthy? LSU’s Pennington Center in Baton Rouge says, “consider eating more potatoes.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The third-ranked LSU women’s basketball team saw its undefeated season come to an end yesterday as top-ranked and defending champion South Carolina beat the Lady Tigers 88-64. The Gamecocks took control of the game early by scoring 18 of the first 20 points.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon encourages those with Citizens to seek new quotes. He says they are moving quickly to get new insurers writing residential and commercial policies in the coastal areas…

Cut 12 (05) “…expeditated basis.”

Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. Some members of the party said the ad was self-serving and should have promoted the party, not Bernhardt. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford believes her announcement is indicative of something else.

Cut 14 (09)  “…for governor.”

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson is a possible candidate.

February is American Heart Month and LSU Health New Orleans Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart says to be mindful of recurring symptoms as an indicator of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or exertion. He says to talk to your physician, and if you have a family member who had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60 for men and 65 for women you should also speak to a physician.

Cut 5 (09) “…do something.”

Heart disease in the leading cause of death in Louisiana and the U.S.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study indicates a diet that includes potatoes is good for you. Assistant Professor Candida Rebello says potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels and study participants actually lost weight while eating a potato-rich diet…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…in America.”

A Metairie lawmaker proposes legislation to make convicted car burglars serve at least one year in prison if convicted. Representative Laurie Schlegel, a Republican, says there’s an inherent danger in these crimes…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…trying to do here.”

Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson faces a lawsuit after blocking a Twitter user from commenting on her page. Tulane First Amendment Law Clinic Director Katie Schwartzmann says the courts consider the internet a public forum and when a public official blocks a constituent from commenting it’s a First Amendment violation…:

Cut 7 (09)  “…that conversation.” 

Jackson released a comment that no public official nor any internet user should be subjected to bullying or abusive language.

The LSU Board of Supervisors votes to change the name of the Dale Brown Court at the PMAC to include former women’s basketball coach Sue Gunter. Both coaches won over 400 games. Before their decision, former LSU baseball and basketball player Ben McDonald suggested to the board to name the practice facility or the scoreboard after Gunter…:

Cut  4 (09)  “…another” 

The court will be re-dubbed using both Brown’s and Gunter’s names.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and Minden native, L’Jarius Sneed is expected to play in his second Super Bowl Sunday. Sneed’s Minden High School Coach Spencer Heard says even though Sneed plays professionally he often comes home to visit family and friends and also spends time with elementary students as a role model.

Cut 14 (09)   “…person he is.”

Five former LSU high school football players will play in the Super Bowl Sunday.

The campaign for Lafayette Parish Mayor-President is heating up. Incumbent Josh Guillory now has two declared challengers. One is Republican Monique Blanco Boulet, the daughter of former Governor Kathleen Blanco. The third candidate is Lafayette attorney and podcast host Jan Swift. She says the city needs new leadership.

Cut 8 (09)  “…transparent government.”

All three candidates are Republicans.

Louisiana’s 2022 sugarcane crop produced more than two million tons of raw sugar for the first time ever making it the top sugar-producing state in the nation. General Manager of the American Sugarcane League, Jim Simon (rhymes with mignon) says Louisiana, Florida, and Texas are the only sugar-producing states in the country.

Cut 11 (09)  “…in America.”

One in five Americans will wager on the Super Bowl and this is the second “big game” that you can wager legally online in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns expects even more gamblers in the Bayou State to wager this year because they’re more familiar with online betting.

Cut 5 (08) “…Eagles favor.”

While we don’t know if the Eagles or Chiefs will come out on top Sunday, one bird has already been crowned champion. Boneless wings return to their top spot-on ASAP’s top 10 most-delivered food orders for Super Bowl Sunday in Louisiana. ASAP spokesperson Dean Turcol says wings are expected to be in high demand across the country…

Cut 14 (14)  “…to last year.”

The campaign for Lafayette Parish Mayor-President is heating up. Incumbent Josh Guillory now has two declared challengers. One is Republican Monique Blanco Boulet, the daughter of former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Boulet says Lafayette needs to be led in a new direction, and she shares her priorities if elected…:

Cut 7 (11) “…financial situation.”

Republican Josh Guillory is seeking another term as Mayor-President of Lafayette, and he says he is proud of what was accomplished during his first term…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…pay raises.”

The third candidate is Lafayette attorney and podcast host Jan Swift. Guillory, Swift, and Boulet are all republicans. So far, no Democrat has voiced interest in the race.

It’s Super Bowl weekend and an estimated one-in-five Americans will bet on the game, and it’s the second one in Louisiana with mobile sports betting online. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says historically the Super Bowl is the single largest sports betting event in the country.

Cut 4 (09)  “…this year.”

If you’re curious about which food group wins the Super Bowl well, you’re in luck. According to ASAP (formerly Waitr) has released the most delivered food orders. ASAP spokesperson Dean Turcol says an oddity makes the list again for Louisiana.

Cut 15 (12)  “…in the day.”

Donuts are number seven on the list, the top five are boneless wings, traditional wings, burgers, pizza, and dip. French fries, Mozzarella sticks, Nachos, and Tacos round out the top 10.

Edit

A family of four in Jefferson Parish is dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a 9-1-1- call early this morning, with a Harvey address gave dispatch a dire message…:

Cut 9 (09) “…we found, unfortunately.”

Inside they found the bodies of an adult male, an adult female, and two young men ages 14 and 20.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF-2 tornado struck Tangipahoa Wednesday night. Officials are surveying damage and as many homes were damaged or destroyed last night. Parish President Robby Miller says since the light of day they’ve come across even more homes in the town of Tangipahoa that were impacted by the twister.

Cut 15 (10) “…they shouldn’t”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Lake Charles this afternoon to officially announce the $150 million federal grant to go towards the Calcasieu River Bridge. Buttigieg says he understands southwest Louisiana has heard several promises over the years for the bridge that never developed.

Cut 12 (07) “…funding does.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again helping horses purchased to ride in Mardi Gras parades find homes, so Carnival season isn’t their last. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says when they learned that many of the horses were often sold for slaughter, they created the Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

Cut 6 (12)  “…really well.” 

You can find more information on their Facebook page at Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program.

A New Orleans lawmaker files a bill to help legalize recreational marijuana….:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 
The National Weather Service is surveying damage today in Tangipahoa Parish which was hit by a tornado on Wednesday. Multiple mobile homes were reportedly hit, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says a family was able to escape one of the homes without serious injury. Entergy says about 300 residents are without power as nine poles were downed and 20 spans of wire were damaged.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (Buddha-judge) will be in Lake Charles this afternoon to celebrate the $150 million grant to help replace the Calcasieu River Bridge. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it was almost two years ago when President Biden visited to promote his infrastructure bill.

Cut 15 (11)  “…exists today.”

Treasurer John Schroder officially launches his gubernatorial campaign tonight with a fundraiser in his home parish of St. Tammany. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with Attorney General Jeff Landry already having the support of the state GOP Schroder and others will need to raise big money and fast.

Cut 8 (11)  “…up to do.”

In addition to Schroder and Landry, two other Republicans, two independents, and one Democrat have announced their candidacy for governor.

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’ll try again this year to pass a bill that would hold back third graders who fail a literacy test. Nelson has filed House Bill 12 again this year, and says it almost passed in the last regular session, it passed the House but was shy of votes in the Senate…:

Cut 3 (10) “…educate people more.” 

Once again, Louisiana leads the nation for the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent. New Mexico is the only state to reduce its state sales tax rate in the last five years and Janelle Fritts with the Tax Foundation explains why state lawmakers are not willing to reduce sales tax rates…

Cut 13 (10) “…in the past.” 
Louisiana’s state sales tax rate is set to lower to four percent in 2025.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso announces he will not seek a sixth term in office and will retire in 2024. Mancuso has been the sheriff of Calcasieu since 2004…

Cut 10 (12) “…whole time.” 

An LSU pitcher has decided to use the money he’s received from a NIL to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (25)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”