Law enforcement across Louisiana is on high alert for the potential for violent protests as we get closer to the January 20th inauguration day. A joint statement from several different law enforcement agencies said at this time there has not been any specific and substantiated threat to life and property have been identified. Tulane Emergency and Security Studies Professor Becky Rouse says if you are concerned someone you know may get violent at a protest, try to talk them out of going…
cut 6 (08) “…great”

About 50 Louisiana small business owners pitched lawmakers via Zoom on how best to proceed with small business COVID relief. Owner of Lafayette-based IT company Techneaux, Ben Johnson, says they talked to Congressional staff about the need for a liability shield against COVID-infection related lawsuits.
Cut 10 (08) “…around that.”

Work is underway to restore Rabbit Island in Cameron Parish, which is the home to the only Brown Pelican colony in Southwest Louisiana. The island has lost 30-percent of its total acreage since 1955. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Project Manager Todd Baker…
cut 8 (09) “….species”
The project also employs 130 workers and should be done before nesting season begins.

The Mega Millions jackpot for tonight is 750-million dollars and the Powerball drawing for tomorrow has a 640-million dollar jackpot. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says these two jackpots have been rolling over almost simultaneously…
cut 14 (11) “….together”
Chopin says weekly sales for the two multi-state lottery games ahve doubled since the jackpots exceeded 400-million dollars.

Law enforcement is on alert ahead of this weekend’s planned pro-Trump demonstrations at State Capitols across the country. Tulane Emergency and Security Studies Professor Becky Rouse says due to the potentially armed and tense nature of these demonstrations, she does not recommend counter-protests…
Cut 4 (08) “…expect”
Louisiana law enforcement released a joint statement yesterday that said there is not a specific and substantial threat to life or property at this time.

President-elect Joe Biden has released a one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief plan that calls for 15-billion dollars in small business grants. Owner of Lafayette-based I-T company, Techneaux, says he hopes Congress also considers liability protection from COVID-infected related lawsuits and the rising cost of healthcare coverage…
cut 12 (09) “…quickly”

A Lafayette man has been charged for allegedly participating in last week’s riot at the U-S Capitol. 50-year-old Vaughn Gordon made his first court appearance yesterday as federal prosecutors have charged him with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority and one count of demonstrating in the Capitol buildings.

Restoration operations are underway to restore Rabbit Island, the only Brown Pelican colony in Southwest Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Law enforcement officials say they have not identified any substantial threat to life or property on the State Capitol or other government buildings as they prepare for possible protests in the days leading up to Wednesday’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Tulane Emergency and Security Studies Professor Becky Rouse says if someone you know is actively plotting to commit acts of political violence, report it to authorities, but don’t waste law enforcement’s time with false alarms…
Cut 5 (10) “…this.”

Mega Millions is up to 750 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 640 million for Saturday’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says it’s rare to have jackpots this large for both multi-state lottery games.
Cut 13 (07) “….unprecedented”
The 750-million dollar jackpot for Mega Millions is the second-largest for that game.

About 50 Louisiana small business owners had a zoom call this week with staff members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation as they seek a liability shield against COVID-infection related lawsuits and the owner of Lafayette-based I-T company Techneaux, Ben Johnson, says the rising cost of healthcare coverage for employees is another concern…
cut 11 (10) “….safe”
President-elect Joe Biden’s one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief plan calls for 15-million dollars in small business grants.

Efforts are underway in Cameron Parish to restore Rabbit Island to assist population growth for the Brown Pelican in southwest Louisiana. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Project Manager Todd Baker says they are building up the island by using sediment from the Calcasieu Ship Channel…
Cut 7 (11) “…each year.”
The goal is to complete the operation before the nesting season begins this year.

About 50 Louisiana small business owners pitched lawmakers via Zoom on how best to proceed with small business COVID relief. Owner of Lafayette-based IT company Techneaux, Ben Johnson, says they talked to Congressional staff about the need for a liability shield against COVID-infection related lawsuits.
Cut 10 (08) “…around that.”
Staff for all of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation was on hand for the Zoom calls.

The jackpot for Saturday’s Mega Millions drawing is 750-million dollars and tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is 640-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says it’s been a while since a Louisiana player has won the grand prize…
cut 15 (09) “…we’re due”

Social media is abuzz with stories of people reporting family members to the FBI over alleged participation in political violence last week. Matt Doyle spoke with an expert on when to draw the line on reporting…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The wife of late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died days before he was set to be sworn in has decided to run for his vacant seat. Julia Letlow says her motivation is the passion her husband and she shares to better the region for their children and future generations.

The Army Corps of Engineers seeks approval for a two billion dollar levee improvement project in the Upper Barataria Levee system in southeast Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The personal-finance website Wallethub has released a report on the cost of smoking by state and it has found smoking costs the average Louisiana smoker one-point-eight million dollars over a lifetime. She says the financial opportunity cost per smoker is one-point-one million dollars…
cut 7 (07) “….per smoker”
The cost was based on the average pack-a-day smoker beginning at age 21 and ending at 69.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking 16 of their Get out and Fish sites with adult-size rainbow trout, ranging from one to two pounds. L-D-W-F spokesperson Rene Lebreton says it would make a perfect stringer for dinner…
cut 12 (11) “…same way”
Go to L-D-W-F’s website for more information on their Go Out and Fish program.

President Donald Trump was impeached Wednesday over his role in allegedly inciting the deadly mob assault on the U.S. Capitol last week. Matt Doyle has more from Louisiana’s House delegation…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Fifth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against a group of bars in the Lafayette and the New Orleans areas who have asked the courts to block the governor’s coronavirus restrictions that have kept bars from opening during the pandemic. The governor’s office says it’s the ninth time a court has ruled in the favor of the state’s public health orders.

The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing two billion dollars in improvements in southeast Louisiana to a 30 mile stretch of the Upper Barataria levee system. Corps Flood Risk Management Section Chief Travis Creel says a big part of the project involves the existing levee in St. Charles Parish, which is only six to seven feet tall.
Cut 4 (11) “…feet.”
The project needs Congressional approval and if approved construction would begin in 2023.

According to the personal finance website Wallethub, smoking costs a Louisiana smoker one-point-eight billion dollars over a lifetime. The cost was based on the average pack-a-day smoker beginning at age 21 and ending at 69. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says they have figured the health care cost for a lifetime smoker is 113-thousand dollars…
cut 8 (11) “…smoking”

President Donald Trump has been impeached again this time with incitement of insurrection as Democrats claim his actions sparked a deadly riot at the Capitol last week. Louisiana’s House delegation voted along party lines. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond laid out the Democrats case against the President…
cut 16 (13) “…insurrection”
The number two House Republican, Steve Scalise, who was shot in an act of political violence in 2017, called out his colleague’s hypocrisy over not condemning violent protests last year…
cut 15 (11) “….see it”
The soonest the Senate can conduct a trial is on Tuesday.

The Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to make two-billion dollars worth of improvements to the levee system that protects portions of seven parishes in southeast Louisiana against hurricane flooding. The intent is for the 30-mile Upper Barataria levee system to provide 100-year storm level protection. Corps Flood Risk Management Section Chief Travis Creel…
cut 5 (06) “…protected”
Congress would need to approve funding for the project.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking 16 sites that are part of their Get out and Fish initiative with adult-size rainbow trout. L-D-W-F spokesperson Rene LeBreton says with water temperatures in Louisana cool, they are stocking ponds and lakes with this cold-water fish. He hopes anglers of all ages will take advantage…
cut 11 (06) “…doing this”