Senator Bill Cassidy is urging you to get vaccinated against measles. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Veterinarians and animal welfare professionals have come out in opposition of using nitrogen hypoxia, or gas suffocation, in executing humans. The industry has long opposed gassing for animals as it led to seizures and bleeding from the mouth and eyes.

Cut 6 (11) “…by the state.”

The first human execution using nitrogen gas is set for March 18th.

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Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice.  Higgins asked Iraq to complete its commitment by purchasing the remaining 70-thousand metric tons of rice under the MOU. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says Iraq did just that.

Cut 15 (08) “…2025 MOU year.”

Moran says this agreement is  a win-win for Louisiana farmers and Iraq.

At this point, you can call former State Treasurer John Schroder a professional parade rider. The man who ran for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades.  And now that he’s retired, the 63 year old is doing even more of them.  He’s ridden in the parades of more that 50 different organizations.

Cut 9 (10)  “…different female parades.”

Schroder says his ultimate goal is to ride in every Carnival parade, including the King of Carnival

Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice.  Higgins says Iraq’s rice purchases have a significant impact on South Louisiana’s economy.  Earlier this month, Higgins met with Iraqi Ambassador H.E. Nizar Al-Khairallah to discuss strengthening U.S.-Iraq trade relations. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says the latest agreement is a win-win for Louisiana farmers and Iraq.

Cut 14 (14) “…with one another.”

There’s an outbreak of the measles right now in West Texas.  Senator Bill Cassidy says the disease is headed for Louisiana and he’s urging all of us to be prepared by getting your measles vaccine recommended by State Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham.

Cut 11 (09) “…of Louisiana protected.”

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Veterinarians and Animal Welfare professionals speak out against executing death row inmates with nitrogen gas.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former state treasurer John Schroder is what you might call a professional parade rider now.  The former state representative from St. Tammany Parish who made a run for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades and says by the time this Carnival season ends, that number will be higher.

Cut 8 (08) “…fully participate in.”

Veterinarians and animal welfare professionals oppose nitrogen hypoxia, or gas suffocation, as a method of execution of humans. They are urging Governor Landry to reconsider its use as the state plans to use this method in its first execution in 15 years. Veterinarian Dr. Mike Greenberg says only two states are still using nitrogen gas.

Cut 4 (11) “…in those animals.”

Measles may be a very rare disease today, but it is highly contagious and can be potentially deadly. There’s currently an outbreak in West Texas, and Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s headed for Louisiana.

Cut 10 (11) “…moving to us.”

Symptoms include cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, fever and rash.
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Congressman Clay Higgins announced that Iraq is purchasing an additional 88-thousand metric tons of U.S. long-grain milled rice. The purchase is being made under the 2024-2025 Memorandum of Understanding, bringing the total to 220-thousand metric tons, exceeding the original 200-thousand metric ton agreement. U-S Rice COO Sarah Moran says Iraq has been a very import market for the U-S rice industry.

Cut 13 (08)  “…export market.”

At this point, you can call John Schroder a professional parade rider. The former state representative from St. Tammany Parish and former state treasurer who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2023 has ridden in more than 130 parades, by his best estimation.

Cut 7 (11) “…through Mardi Gras.”

The 63-year-old Schroder says his ultimate goal is to ride in every Carnival parade, including the King of Carnival.

Governor Jeff Landry’s new budget will look to double funding for the state’s new voucher program known as the LA Gator scholarship program. 55-hundred students are currently able to attend private schools thanks to 46-million dollars in funding. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio says Landry is proposing to increase that funding to 100-million dollars, after he me made a nine-million dollar cut to early childhood education last year….

Cut 15 (12) “…test scores.”

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says an investigation of one complaint against 60 year old Herman Dupre led them to several additional victims. Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

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Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Lawmakers will start making changes to the governor’s proposed budget when the regular session begins April 14^th. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says there are unanswered questions about state and federal financing sources which brings murkiness to this budget cycle…

Cut 14 (14) “…disrupted.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound almost half the price it was this time last year.  And King says crawfish prices are on track to be under three-dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims. And Matherne says these assaults had been going on for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.  The overall murder numbers are down 141 since 2022.  Kirkpatrick said the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

There is some good news when it comes to crime in the Crescent City.  New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

Cut 10 (08) “…decrease in murders.”

In 2022, when New Orleans was known as the murder capital of America, there were 265 murders. In 2023, that number dropped to 192; and last year, it dropped even further to 124

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. ..

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.”

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

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New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

Natchitoches Parish is reeling over Thursday’s announcement that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti. 300 permanent jobs will go away when the facility ceases operations in April. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says closure of the mill will increase unemployment and reduce local spending…

Cut 12 (13) “…people themselves.”

The Louisiana Family Forum has named Mr. Ira Milan and Mrs. Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills says it’s tough staying at the top of the leaderboard.

Cut 3 (14) “…on a daily basis.”

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No matter where you’re at in the state, you will want to be weather aware. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the northern half of the state could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes. He says the southern half of the state could also see some severe weather.

Cut 8 (11) “…to the coast.”

An advocacy group is speaking out against the Louisiana Department of Health over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines, says the department is taking a dangerous approach.

Cut 9 (12)  “…misrepresent basic facts.”

A local advocacy group is speaking out against the Department of Health’s new approach to vaccines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana saw a round severe weather earlier in the week. But hold onto your hats.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says what Mother Nature has in store this weekend could top that.

Cut 7 (13) “…fuel the storms.”

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The Louisiana Family Forum has named Ira and Margery Milan of New Orleans as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple for the third straight year, celebrating 83 years of marriage. LFF President Gene Mills praised the couple’s dedication, emphasizing that lifelong marriage remains a source of joy, health, and community strength.

Cut 5 (10) “…and a successful marriage.”

Natchitoches Parish will be losing 300 permanent jobs when International Paper’s Red River Containerboard mill in Campti clososes it’s doors for good and local residents are worried it could spell doom for the local economy.  Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says in order for Natchitoches to reverse a downward trent, it’ll have to embrace being a college town and attract more students…
Cut 14 (13) “…or another”

The Louisiana Department of Health is getting some backlash over its ending of mass vaccination clinics and its directive that staffers not promote seasonal vaccines. In a letter posted onto the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Wyche Coleman took aim at the rollout of COVID vaccines, saying they were mandated despite having no third-party benefit in terms of reduced transmission. Dr. . Dr. Jennifer Herricks with the group Louisiana Families for Vaccines says that’s misleading.

Cut 10 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

People in Natchitoches Parish are still in shock over the news that International Paper is closing its Red River containerboard mill in Campti, meanng the loss of 300 jobs. Economic developer Jon Maynard, who is a Natchitoches native, says it’ll be a big blow to an already suffering parish economy.

Cut 13 (11)  “…high poverty levels.”

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For the third straight Valentine’s Day, the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing a New Orleans husband and wife as the state’s longest known married couple. Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana  could be in for some severe weather today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says most of the state will be at an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Cut 6 (11) “…of itself.”