Governor Jeff Landry is calling the crime special session a great success, Democrats says it failed to address the root causes of crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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State Fire Marshall deputies are investigating a couple of deadly housefires that happened yesterday. The first happened was a mobile home fire in Desoto parish yesterday morning around four. The second fatal fire happened in Claiborne Parish around 11:30. Fire officials are still investigating, but say neither home had working smoke detectors.

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The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise you still stay home if you’re sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the CDC still encourages you to play it safe for five days, especially if those around you at work or school are vulnerable to the virus or have family members who are.

Cut 14 (09) “…distancing.”

While the new guidelines are welcome news Lopez says COVID still presents a significant threat and remains highly contagious.

Cut 15 (09) “…better phase.”

If you are among the more vulnerable populations, Lopez recommends staying up to date on your booters and along with vaccinations for other respiratory illnesses.

The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise you still stay home if you’re sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says this mirrors other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV.

Cut 13 (09)  “…as well.”

Governor Jeff Landry is speaking out on the success of the special session on crime. Lawmakers approved several tough on crime measures, including expanding the methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, and toughening up restrictions on parole and probation.

Cut 10 (11) “…that process.”

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The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes components for electric vehicle batteries, is coming to with a direct investment of half a BILLION dollars.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says the synergy from Cornerstone Energy Park played a vital role in UBE’s decision to choose Jefferson Parish. He says they also liked the logistics the area provides…

Cut 4 (10) “…their capital.” 

The project intends to bolster the domestic battery components supply chain and reduce the current reliance on Asian imports. Bologna says the plant in Jefferson Parish will manufacture key elements for EV batteries.

Cut 5 (12) “…those batteries.”

Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes workforce development in order to secure the project.

Big news for Jefferson Parish, Japanese Chemical Company UBE to construct the first US facility to manufacture key components for electrical vehicle car batteries there. Brooke Thorington has more.

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An early morning fire at an apartment complex in Shreveport caused quite a scare this morning. It happened around three am. According to reports, everyone was evacuated and Shreveport Firefighters were able to put out the blaze. So far there are no details on whether anyone was injured.

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Governor Jeff Landry is pleased with what state lawmakers were able to accomplish in the special session on crime. They approved measures that take a tough on crime approach.  But House Democratic Causus Chairman Matthew Willard says the bills they passed will make Louisiana’s prison population explode, meaning higher costs for taxpayers.

Cut 12 (11)  “..costs”  

All eyes are on Iowa’s Caitlyn Clark this weekend as she is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record. Maravich scored 3,667 points in three years at LSU, without a three-point line.  Clark is in her fourth season at Iowa, averages 28 points a game. Pistol Pete’s son Jaeson Maravich says apples to oranges comparison….

Cut 7 (09) “…true record”  

Governor Jeff Landry’s special session on crime is over and the legislature approved quite a few measures….expanding methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permitless conceal carry. Governor Landry says what was accomplished will make the state safer.

Cut 9 (07) “…right direction” 

But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says the special session failed to address the root causes of crime. He says the lock them up and throw away the key approach does not work…

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Governor Landry is expected to sign the bills next week.

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The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes components for electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says it’s a significant foreign direct investment of $500 million to the community.

Cut 3 (12) “…supply chain.”  

Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record of 3,667 points. Clark could pass Pistol Pete when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State on Sunday. Maravich’ s eldest son, Jaeson Maravich, doesn’t see it as Clark breaking his dad’s record….

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After announcing his resignation this week, Dr. Joe Kanter reflected on his time as the state’s top doc during the pandemic.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating after a body was found in a burned car last night in St. Gabriel. St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau says firefighters responded to the call about a vehicle fire on Point Clair Road, near the Old White Castle Ferry Landing about 8:45. The body was discovered once the fire was out.

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A new Amazon distribution center is set to be built in the town of Boyce in Rapides Parish and site prep for the 65,000-square-foot facility on Highway 1 is already underway. President and CEO of Louisiana Central Jim Clinton says they’re all excited to have Amazon, one of the most recognized brands in the world coming to Boyce and they hope others follow their lead.

Cut 9 (07)  “…want more.”
The special session ended yesterday, seven days earlier than scheduled and the Republican-controlled legislature approved Governor Jeff Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda. There were bills that received near unanimous approval, the expansion of drug courts, and increased penalties for carjacking and distribution of fentanyl. Will these changes actually lead to less crime? Alford says the state legislature has a history of swinging back and forth between smart on crime and tough on crime…

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Landry is expected to have a bill signing ceremony sometime next week.

The special session ends with Governor Jeff Landry’s tough on crime agenda receiving approval from the Republican-controlled Legislature. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

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One of those bills means that Non-felon adults will soon be able to carry a concealed firearm without a permit and training will no longer be required by law. But Owner of Concealed Carry NOLA, Dave Newman says training is important for everyone.

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He was a fierce proponent of vaccines and led Louisiana during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Joe Kanter stepped down from his role as Louisiana’s Health Officer on Monday.  He made an appearance on WWL Radio’s Newell Normand to reflect on his time as the state’s top doc at a time when they were counting down hospital beds and ventilators to the single digits…

Cut 6 (07) “…unpack that.”

Kanter remains on staff at University Medical Center and is a faculty member at LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane School of Medicine.

A man hit by a vehicle in New Orleans last night died of his injuries.  New Orleans Police say the man was walking at France Road Parkway and alvar Street when he was hit around 8:25 last night.  We’re told the victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver who hit him did not wait for authorities.

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill allowing non-felon adults to carry a concealed firearm without a permit which means training required to receive those permits will no longer be required. Colleen Crain has more…

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A jury in New Orleans yesterday found a man guilty of murder in the shooting death of a handyman last year. 56 year old Tracy Wright was convicted in the second-degree murder of Ferdinand Alexander. Prosecutors argued wright shot Alexander in a rage after the handyman failed to fix his car.  Jurors deliberated for more than five hours before returning their verdict.

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The special session ended yesterday and lawmakers approved Governor Jeff Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda, including bills that will expand the methods Louisiana can use to administer the death penalty and change restrictions to parole and probation. Democrats argued against some of the changes, but LA-politics.com’s Jeremy Alford says they never had a chance to stop them from passing…

Cut 11 (07) “…in this process.” 

A new Amazon distribution center headed to the town of Boyce in Rapides Parish. President and CEO of Central Louisiana Jim Clinton says says site prep for the 65,000-square-foot facility located along Highway 1 off Rapides Station Road is already underway.

Cut 8 (11) “… part-time jobs.” 

The special session ended yesterday, seven days earlier than scheduled and the Republican-controlled legislature approved Governor Jeff Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda. Landry is expected to have a bill signing ceremony next week and La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s a big political victory for the new governor

Cut 10 (07) “…we’ll see.”

Non-felon adults will soon be able to carry a concealed firearm without a permit as Governor Landry is expected to sign the bill that passed in the special session. Owner of Concealed Carry NOLA, Dave Newman believes the training that will no longer be required is still important to protect the gun owner and he hopes they will still seek training.

Cut 13 (10)  “…clean it.”

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Dr. Joe Kanter, who led Louisiana during the COVID-19 pandemic stepped down from his role as state health officer Monday. On WWL Radio Newell Normand’s show, Kanter reflected on his tenure as the state’s top doc and said he’s looking forward to the next step in his career.

Cut 4 (13) “…need it.”

A new Amazon distribution center will be constructed in the town of Boyce in Rapides Parish. President and CEO of Central Louisiana Jim Clinton says while many companies tend to set up distribution hubs along Interstates 10 and 20, they are beginning to see breakthroughs in the past year with Lowes and now Amazon for Central Louisiana.

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Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Louisiana is at the top of another list and it’s not a good one. A new study based on FBI data shows we’re among the top states in the nation when it comes to the number of aggravated assaults. Louisiana ranked fifth on the list, behind only Tennessee, Arkansas, Alaska and New Mexico.

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is making plans for the upcoming regular session. Temple wants lawmakers’ help to give insurance companies more freedom to adjust their rates and he also wants to see new guidelines for the appraisal process in an effort to reduce lawsuits. He says these measures will not immediately lower rates, but it will keep them from spiking…

Cut 6 (08) “…affordability.”

State officials are urging residents to be extremely cautious about lighting anything on fire after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over four days. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Srain says if you plan to burn any brush piles anywhere in Louisiana with the current conditions, do not leave them unattended.

Cut 15 (11) “…on fire.”

There are burn bans in affect in parts of Louisiana this morning after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over the weekend. State Ag and Forestry officials say there were 124 fires in Louisiana from Friday to Monday. Commissioner Mike Strain says dry vegetation and high winds allowed brush piles that were being burned to quickly get out of control and others who were burning timber.

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As rural hospitals across the country struggle to maintain services and some even to survive, Louisiana is right there as one in four here are at risk.   But Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says Louisiana has taken some steps that may put us in a better position than other states.

Cut 11 (08) “…expanded Medicaid.” 

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple will push for fewer regulations as part of his agenda for the regular legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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The number are in on Mardi Gras and law enforcement is reporting they made 383 arrests in New \Orleans and removed 143 guns from the French Quarter and Downtown Development District during a twelve day period leading up to Fat Tuesday. That’s a slight increase over last year. Meanwhile New Orleans Emergency Medical Services saw a 41 percent increase in calls this year over the same time last year.