The race for the governor’s mansion is now just eight months away, with incumbent Democrat John Bel Edwards currently set to face off in a jungle primary against Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the race has been quiet so far, but that will change soon…
Cut 10 (08) “…they’re spending”
Qualifying for the race is in early August.

The state department of environmental quality has posted an interactive map on its website that will let the public know about which bodies of water are safe to swim in and whether it’s safe to eat the fish. DEQ Scientist Al Hindrichs says a vast majority of the warnings are for mercury…
cut 9 (09) “….for mercury”
Hindrichs notes the majority of the mercury poisoning is not from one source, but from general atmospheric contamination.

Governor John Bel Edwards seven-day trip to Israel last fall cost 100-thousand dollars in taxpayer money according to a NOLA-dot-com report. Edwards met with Israeli government leaders, cyber-security experts and participated in other activities.

The National Retail Federation is forecasting record-setting spending for Valentine’s Day. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Eight months from today is Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary as Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards faces two republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a big part of the debate will discuss state issues and how to move the state forward, but the national climate will bleed over and mix with local issues…
cut 11 (10) “….healthcare”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has responded to Governor John Bel Edwards letter that expressed disappointment with the blown pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. Goodell says the game could not be re-played, but the league will look at whether expanding instant replay to include judgement calls on penalties. Goodell also says the league treasures its relationship with New Orleans as they gear up to host an 11th Super Bowl in 2024.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has an online, interactive map on it’s website that lets anglers see the fish consumption and swimming advisories for rivers, lakes, and bayous in Louisiana. DEQ Scientist Al Hindrichs…
Cut 7 (11) “…advisories.”
Two of the advisories warn against both swimming and fishing and two other warn only against swimming, but the majority are warnings about contaminants in the fish.

Adult fans attending baseball games at Alex Box Stadium can purchase beer and win in a new section called the Yard, which is a tented area in the right and left field corners. Senior Associate Athletics Director Robert Munson says the Yard will have television sets, so you can still watch the game, plus…
cut 15 (10) “….in the season”

You couldn’t tell from how quiet the campaigns have been, but we’re only eight months away for Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

House Republican leadership has once again rejected a recommendation to increase the amount of money the state is projected to receive from tax revenue. House Speaker Taylor Barras’ no vote at yesterday’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting means Governor John Bel Edwards can’t use the extra revenue to help pay for a proposed pay raise for teachers.

The National Retail Federation estimates Americans will spend a record amount of money on Valentine’s Day, with the average person spending 161-dollars…
cut 5 (08) “…planning to spend”
That’s N-R-F spokesperson Katherine Cullen, who says only 51-percent of Americans plan to celebrate the holiday, which is down from 63-percent in 2007.

LSU will sell beer and wine during home baseball games this season in a new section called the Yard. They will be tented areas located in the left and right outfield corners and senior associate athletics director Robert Munson says fans do not have to worry about missing any of the action on the diamond…
cut 14 (08) “…second of it”
To consume beer and wine in the Yard, fans will have to buy a wristband for 20-dollars and that includes two beverages. Additional beverages will cost six dollars.

Eight months from today, Louisiana voters will head to the polls to vote on who will be Louisiana’s governor for the next four years. In 2015, the race centered around former US Senator David Vitter’s ties to a prostitution scandal, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this year’s race will focus more on policy issues…
cut 12 (11) “….a governor”
Qualifying for all of the statewide races is in early August.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend nearly 21-billion for Valentine’s Day. Fewer Americans are spending money on Valentine’s Day compared to other years, but NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says those that are making purchases are spending enough money to make it a record-breaking year.
Cut 4 (04) “…and spending more.”
The average person will spend 162-dollars on their sweetheart this year.

The state department of environmental quality’s website has a new interactive map that shows swim and fish advisories for 58 bodies of water statewide…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Lawmakers have until Friday to cut a deal to avoid another government shutdown.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Lafayette native Lauren Daigle was one of the big winners at last night’s Grammys as she won for best contemporary Christian Music Performance for her song, “You Say” and also won best contemporary Christian music album, “Look Up Child.” New Orleans native PJ Morton tied with Leon Bridges for best traditional R-and-B performance for his song “How Deep is Your Love.”

The Owner of Mac’s Fresh Market, Reggy McDonald, says the message on his latest circular ad is one about faith not racism. The message says Heaven has a wall, a gate, and a strict immigration policy. Hell has open borders, let that sink in. McDaniel says religion has always been a part of his business…
cut 8 (11) “….me and him”
McDaniel says he’ll continue to put religious messages on his ad mailers in the future.

Alexandria Police Department Sergeant Keith Mouliere is being called a hero after pulling a woman out of a burning home early Sunday morning. Corpoal Wade Bourgeois says Mouliere was on patrol when he saw a house on fire and learned from a man that there were people inside…
cut 12 (11) “…of the window”
Bourgeois says once Mouliere rescued the woman, he clled for additional units to arrive, because there was still someone inside.

Lafayette native Lauren Daigle was one of the big winners at last night’s Grammys as she won for best contemporary Christian Music Performance for her song, “You Say” and also won best contemporary Christian music album, “Look Up Child.”
cut 30 (09) “…part of this”
New Orleans native PJ Morton tied with Leon Bridges for best traditional R-and-B performance for his song “How Deep is Your Love.” Buddy Guy won for best traditional blues album.

Baton Rouge and New Orleans rank in the top 10 for adults who go more than 90 days without making a payment on their student loan. But Student Loan Hero analyst Kali McFadden says most of the individuals who become delinquent are able to stay away from defaulting…
cut 6 (08) “…90 day point”
McFadden says Louisiana households make far less than the national average, which is a main reason why people fall behind on their student loans.

The state department of environmental quality has ordered the Drax Biomass Plant in Morehouse Parish to install pollution control systems to reduce smog-forming emissions. Environmental Integrity Project Attorney Keri Powell says this good news for the community and it should lead to better health…
cut 14 (10) “…respiratory issues”

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins has filed legislation that creates the crime of aggressive driving and a motorist could be charged with this crime when committing three or more different offenses that are associated with aggressive driving. Jenkins says his proposed law would punish drivers who commit this offense with hundreds of dollars in fines, possibly a prison sentence and the offender would have to participate in a court-approved driver improvement program…
cut 8 (06) “….involved”
The bill will be heard in the legislative session that begins in April.

Baton Rouge and New Orleans are in the top ten most likely cities for adults to be more than 90 days late on student loan payments, as more than 20 percent of borrowers have been delinquent. Student Loan Hero analyst Kali McFadden says that’s largely due to the fact that Louisiana households make 11,000 dollars less per year than the national average….
cut 4 (10) “…huge difference”

The state department of environmental quality has ordered Drax Biomass in Morehouse Parish to reduce its smog-forming pollutants that’s being released from its wood pellett manufacturing plant. Environmental Intergrity Project attorney Keri Powell says the state is requiring Drax to submit their preconstruction permit applications withing three months…
cut 15 (12) “….required pollution control”

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins has filed legislation for the upcoming session that targets motorists who engage in aggressive driving…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Conner Ferrill”

An Alexandria grocery store is facing backlash on social media for what they printed on an ad mailer. Mac’s Fresh Market put on the mailer in bold letters that Heaven has a wall, a gate and a strict immigrant policy, hell has open borders. Let that sink in. One Facebook post says how about we build a wall around your store.

Three Louisiana based artists took home Grammy’s last night. Lafayette native Lauren Daigle won in two categories, best contemporary Christian music album and best contemporary Christian music performance for “Look up Child” and “You Say” respectively. New Orleans native PJ Morton tied with Leon Bridges for best traditional R-and-B performance for his song “How Deep is Your Love.” Pointe Coupee Parish native Buddy Guy won for best traditional blues album.

State Representative Sam Jenkins, a democrat from Shreveport, has filed a bill for the upcoming session that creates the crime of aggressive driving. Jenkins says the penalty for careless operation is minimal, while vehicular injury or homicide carries heavy penalties, but he wants something in the middle…
Cut 7 (12) “…offenses.”
Under the proposal, offenders would have to participate in a driver improvement program.

Sudent loan borrowers in Louisiana’s two biggest cities have some of the highest rates of late payments in the nation…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office knows who committed a recent burglary at home in St. Martinville, because the suspect left his own vehicle in the victim’s driveway…
cut 11 (07) “….in it”
That’s Major Ginny Higgins who says 21-year-old Brayton Galentine of Lafayette is wanted for breaking into a victim’s home and stealing their Ford Fusion.