The Edwards administration will release a budget proposal today for the fiscal year that begins in July. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

I-10 Eastbound is closed at the I-49 interchange because of the crash on the Basin Bridge near Henderson. Authorities say the highway will be closed through the morning commute as crews are having to make repairs to the barriers. Police are reporting the crash only produced minor injuries.

We’re about a month away from the start of the 2020 legislative session and auto insurance reform is expected to be a big topic. House Insurance Chairman Chad Brown says legislation has already been filed to prevent insurance providers from setting rates based on credit score or whether a person has been widowed…
cut 5 (10) “…before they died”
The legislative session begins on March 9th.

State health officials are investigating a norovirus outbreak in Lake Charles. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says upwards to 100 people have been suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, symptoms that last for about 24 to 48 hours and the norovirus spreads easily…
cut 15 (11) “…three days”
Welch says they believe the norovirus outbreak began at a Mardi Gras ball at LAuberge Casino in Lake Charles.

An investigation is underway into yesterday’s fatal plane crash in Jackson Parish that killed three people. The victims have been identified as Chris Mudd and Wade Williams of Shreveport-Bossier, and the pilot was Robert Gilliam of Minden. They took off from Jackson, Mississippi and they were heading to Shreveport when their small Cessna crashed into a logging business north of Chathman.

A Mardi Gras ball at the L’auberge Casino in Lake Charles is thought to be the epicenter of a norovirus outbreak that’s infected dozens…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle

Plaquemine Democrat Chad Brown will serve as the chairman of the House insurance committee, a committee expected to be very busy during the session with bills aimed at lowering auto insurance rates. Brown expects to tackle insurance companies’ consideration of a driver’s credit.
Cut 4 (13) “…the rate making.”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau has filed legislation that would prevent insurance companies from calculating insurance rates based on credit score.

Three suspects tied to a double fatal shooting in Natchitoches last week are now behind bars. Natchitoches Police Officer John Greely says 22-year-old Jaleel Tousant was the final suspect apprehended on Wednesday night…
cut 10 (08) “…to us”
The other two men facing first-degree murder charges are 17-year-old Daerion Latchie and 21-year-old Jessie James Petite.

About two-dozen Louisiana state fire marshal employees left for Puerto Rico today to assist with earthquake recovery efforts. They’ll help inspect thousands of damaged buildings and what repairs are needed so they can be safely reoccupied. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the Caribbean Island has seen its share of natural disasters…
cut 5 (10) “….caused significant damage”
The mission is expected to last 16 days.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the rollout of the Small Business Protection Act, helping business owners stay aware of proposed regulations that could impact their business operations. Ardoin says the goal is to protect businesses from overregulation.
Cut 9 (08) “…down the pike.”
Ardoin says businesses that sign up at smallbiz.sos.la.gov will get updated so they are not blindsided by regulation changes.

A new organization headed up by a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer says Republican TORT reform efforts will not lead to lower insurance rates. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards is warning local governments to protect themselves from a cyberattack and have important data behind a firewall…
cut 15 (09) “….successfully attack”
Edwards made the comments at a Louisiana Municipal Association meeting.

A new group consisting of Louisiana conservatives is raising concerns about the death penalty. It’s been 10 years since the state executed a convicted murderer and Hannah Cox says it’s costly to have someone sit on death row and it might be time for Louisiana to abolish the death penalty…
cut 9 (10) “….the nation’s attention”
State Representative Kyle Green, a Democrat from Marrero, has filed a bill for the upcoming session to abolish the death penalty.

As expected, Louisiana Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy voted to acquit President Donald Trump of two charges that would have led to his impeachment. Kennedy says the impeachment process was driven by partisan rage…
cut 12 (11) “….squad”
Democrats allege the President threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son.

An LSU researcher is beginning a two-year study on the impacts of vaping on non-smokers. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Over 20 Louisiana state fire marshal employees left for Puerto Rico today to assist with earthquake recovery efforts. They’ll help inspect thousands of damaged buildings and what repairs are needed so they can be safely reoccupied. The mission is expected to last 16 days. Puerto Rico has been dealing with continuing quakes for over a month.

A group of Republicans has formed a group called Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Colonel Rob Maness says the death penalty doesn’t go with the pro-life or fiscal perspective of the G-O-P…
cut 8 (13) “….they do well”
Maness says it costs much more to have an inmate living on death row than just serving a life sentence without parole.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting and had this warning for local officials…
Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”
A recent cyberattack on New Orleans government cost the city more than seven million dollars.

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy vote to acquit President Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle

Natchitoches Police say the three suspects charged in the January 27th fatal shooting of 41-year-old Larry Batiste and 35-year-old Hiram Phillips are now in custody. 22-year-old Jaleel Tousant and 21-year-old Jessie Petite and 17-year-old Daerieon Latchie are facing two counts of first-degree murder. A woman was also shot at the scene and at last report was said to be in severe condition.

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. National manager Hannah Cox says a recent study indicates the death penalty cost the state’s taxpayers nearly $16 million more annually than life without parole.
Cut 7 (13) “…other government programs.”
Marrero Democrat Kyle Green has filed legislation for the upcoming session to abolish the death penalty.

Governor John Bel Edwards told local government leaders at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting that it’s a matter of when and not if their town or city will be hit with a cyberattack. Edwards says do not pay ransom to hackers…
cut 14 (05) “…over and over”
Edwards has established a cybersecurity emergency response team to respond to ransomware hits.

The U-S Senate has rejected both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted to acquit the president. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to normalize impeachment was reckless…
cut 11 (10) “…rage’
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for impeachment.

As vaping rates soar, LSU Biomedical Sciences researcher Alexandra Noel is looking into how vaping impacts the lungs of non-smokers. Noel says previous vaping related studies looked at the effects on cigarette smokers, but the craze is beginning to impact a large number of previous non-smokers.
Cut 4 (09) “…concerns.”
Noel says her study will measure to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.