After an investigation that began in October, authorities announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana. The U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, whose office will prosecute many of these cases, highlighted one of the cases out of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (14) “…mandatory minimum.”

Authorities recovered large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

Governor Landry has formally requested a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana from President Trump following the recent winter storm with 11-million dollars in costs related to the storm so far.  And Senator Bill Cassidy is requesting tax relief for individuals and small business owners.

Cut 8 (09) “…filing their taxes.”

The nine parishes Landry’s request covers are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.

Louisiana’s film industry is seeing an uptick in activity. Andre Champagne reports that after a couple of slow years, movie production is picking back up…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A new exhibit celebrating the life and career of the late former Governor Kathleen Blanco opened this past weekend at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. And statue that will be permanently displayed outside the museum was unveiled. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was among those who attended the event; he said Blanco was passionate about Louisiana and its people.

Cut 13 (06)  “…around the state.”

Blanco served a single term as governor from 2004 to 2008 weathering the difficult period surrounding Hurricane Katrina. She did not seek re-election. She died in 2019 at the age of 76.

Authorities have announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana as part of an effort to crackdown on drugs that enter Louisiana that are tied to Mexican cartels. State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges says this announcement should serve as a strong message…

Cut 3 (06) “…you to justice” 

The crackdown began in October and led to the recovery of 176 firearms, more than 15 kilograms of fentanyl, more than two-thousand fentanyl pills, 44 kilograms of meth and 20 kilograms of cocaine.

District 39 will need to elect a new state representative as Governor Landry has called upon current Representative Julie Emerson to be his new chief of staff. Landry called Emerson a proven leader with a deep understanding of Louisiana’s people, the state legislature, and the work that needs to be done to move the state forward. Emerson will begin her new role taking over for Kyle Ruckert next week. No word yet on when a special election can be held to fill seat in the legislature.

Governor Landry has sent President Trump a letter, formally requesting a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana following the recent winter storm, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is urging him to approve it. And Senator Bill Cassidy made another request

Cut 7 (10) “…in on time.”

Cassidy says that tax relief would not only apply to individuals, but also to small business owners.

Filmmakers are busy with six productions either shooting or in preparation to shoot here in Louisiana. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios, says the Netflix produced movie “A Christmas Kind of Love” working with Second Line Stages in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans is one of two feature films in the works and he expects Hollywood South activity will remain strong through the year…

Cut 10 (10) “…U-S.”

Gunfire was reported at another Mardi Gras parade over the weekend. Jeanerette Police chief Terrence Moore says no one was injured by the gunshots at the parade Saturday afternoon. Authorities immediately arrested a man who was reportedly firing randomly into the air. A child did sustain minor injuries when an officer riding an ATV, responding to the shots fired call was unable to avoid hitting the child who had stepped into the street to retrieve Mardi Gras throws. That incident is under investigation. On January 31^st, gunfire at a Clinton parade put several people in the hospital some with probable life-altering injuries.

As of this month, all public and charter school special education classrooms in Louisiana are required to have cameras inside them. Act 479, signed into law last year, is designed to help parents get involved when incidents occur, says bill author, Representative Shane Mack, and he says nearly all cameras have been installed.

Cut 10 (05) “…getting it completed.”

The bill also called for crisis intervention training to help faculty and school staff.

When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, horses are be put up for adoption. Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson says since they launched the program in 2017, every horse that it has taken in has been adopted into permanent homes.

Cut 14 (10) “…be part of.”

Some horses have already been adopted; Dorson says he hopes to have all of this year’s horses adopted by March 4th.

A new travel series beginning tonight on LPB will feature the uniqueness of each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Lt Gov. Billy Nungesser says every parish has a story worth telling. The first episode features Vermilion Parish and the show has already set new records on LPB’s YouTube Channel. He says L-A 64 will air new episodes over five seasons to cover all 64 parishes…

Cut 8 (11) “…didn’t know about.”

As required by a new law, cameras are being installed inside every public and charter school special education classroom. Bill author, Representative Shane Mack, says it’s to help everyone when incidents occur but the cameras are only part of what the law does to help parents and school faculty and staff.

Cut 12 (07) “…handle the situation.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his department is working to establish a property insurance discount for homeowners with fortified roofs. He says information on the discount benchmarks will soon be available, but he says, if you have a fortified roof and if you believe your homeowners insurance premium should be lower, shop around

Cut 6 (07) “…say a lot.”

When the Mardi Gras parades are over, participating horses will again be put up for adoption. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Every parish in Louisiana will be showcased in a new travel series that debuts tonight at 8 PM on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the L-A 64 series will take viewers off the beaten path to experience local traditions and all things make each community distinctive…

Cut 7 (11) “…in each parish.”

Public broadcasting stations in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas plan to air the series this summer.

At the beginning of this month, all public and charter school special education classrooms in Louisiana are required to have cameras installed inside them. Author of the bill signed into law last year, Livingston Representative Shane Mack, says the purpose is to help parents or guardians get involved if there’s an incident.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the classrooms.”

With 11,000 installed, Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his department is working to establish a benchmark range on discounts for homeowners’ property insurance when they have a fortified roof. He says this regulation would require Louisiana insurance companies to either meet the minimum benchmark or provide justification for not doing so.

Cut 5 (11) “…our state.”

Louisiana residents can learn what makes each parish unique in a new original travel series that debuts tonight on L-P-B. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program to keep horses from being sold for slaughter after the parades are over. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says since they launched the program in 2017, every horse that it has taken in has been adopted into permanent homes. He says they’re careful with their application process.

Cut 15 (09) “…a good fit.”

Gunfire was reported at another small-town Mardi Gras parade over the weekend. Jeanerette Police chief Terrence Moore says no one was injured by the gunshots at the parade Saturday afternoon. Authorities immediately arrested a man who was reportedly firing randomly into the air. A child did sustain minor injuries when an officer riding an ATV, responding to the shots fired call was unable to avoid hitting the child who had stepped into the street to retrieve Mardi Gras throws. That incident is under investigation. On January 31^st, gunfire at a Clinton parade put several people in the hospital some with probable life-altering injuries.

When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will be put up for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana is again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they launched the program to break the cycle of uncertainty.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sold for slaughter.”

Some horses have already been adopted; Dorson says he hopes to have all of this year’s horses adopted by March 4th.

A law passed last year, requiring special education classrooms be equipped with cameras, is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his department is working to establish a benchmark range on the discount a homeowner should receive on their property insurance for having a fortified roof. Temple says these benchmarks are being thoughtfully developed to help consumers receive the discounts they deserve for fortifying their homes…

Cut 4 (07) “…mandatory discount.”

Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America with over 11-thousand Fortified roofs installed.

Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Bress said it was a privilege to play and he was honored.

Cut 22 (05) “…everyday”

He said the honor was still surreal.

State Treasurer John Fleming presented the largest unclaimed property checks in Louisiana history to a Shreveport native and his son Tuesday at a Logansport Chamber of Commerce meeting. It was two checks totaling more than 400 thousand dollars and Fleming said he wanted to present them publicly to increase public awareness of the state’s unclaimed property fun which currently stands at about 1.2 billion dollars.

Cut 9 (09)  “…not the legislature.”

He says one in six people in Louisiana has unclaimed property, averaging about 900 dollars

Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie. Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says 155-thousand dollars will go towards revenue sharing deals with the players, which will help with recruiting efforts and roster retention.

Cut 14 (12) “…character as well.”

Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today and runs through Mardi Gras, February 17^th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is on of four times per year that the state receives federal funding to pay law enforcement overtime to look for impaired drivers.

Cut 5 (09) “…enforcement units available.”

Primaries in Louisiana’s federal elections are quickly approaching with qualifying happening next week. President Trump has endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez to represent the 5^th Congressional district though Miguez does not live in the 5^th district. La Politic editor Jeremy Alford says it remains to be seen whether the president’s endorsement can overcome the issue of the Acadiana lawmaker wants to represent a district that’s based in northeast Louisiana and stretches to Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (06) “…of that chatter.”

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has agreed to a three-year reconstructed contract. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Power has been restored to all 130,000 North and Central Louisiana Entergy Customers who can safely receive it after the widespread damage from the recent ice storms.  Entergy says many customers had to have their power restored multiple times as the ongoing ice damage continued to cause outages and delay assessments. Rural and heavily wooded areas were hardest hit.

Qualifying is next week and the Republican primary for the fifth district congressional race has announced candidates as they look to replace U.S. Senate candidate, Julia Letlow, who currently represents a district that stretches from northeast Louisiana to Baton Rouge. State Senator Blake Miguez is running, though he doesn’t live in the district. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says we’ve seen this before.

Cut 11 (10) “…anchored House district.”

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Brees was elected on his first ballot, and says it’s an absolute honor…

Cut 19 (11) “…I would say”

Another enhanced drunk driving enforcement operation begins today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Treasurer John Fleming presented two unclaimed property checks totaling more than $400,000 to Shreveport native James Willett and his son Tuesday – for the largest unclaimed property award in state history. Fleming says he was simply returning their unclaimed property

Cut 7 (10) “…he passed away.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s federal elections will take place next week, and there are two interesting races to watch. Incumbent Bill Cassidy could face three well-known challengers in the Republican U.S. Senate primary — John Fleming, Julia Letlow and Eric Skrmetta. LaPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow will help with fundraising.

Cut 10 (12) “…to Julia Letlow.”

Another enhanced statewide drunk driving enforcement operation gets underway today. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over goes from now through Mardi Gras, February 17th. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Carnival is traditionally one of the deadliest periods in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…an impaired driver.”

State Treasurer John Fleming was in a giving mood this week. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech and head football coach Sonny Cumbie have agreed on a new three-year contract worth 760-thousand dollars a year. It’s a 155-thousand dollar annual pay cut for Cumbie, but Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie could earn more per year if he reaches several different performance-based incentives.

Cut 13 (10)  “…that moving forward.”