State senator Blake Miguez trades in one campaign for another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with Rainbow Trout. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The report gives Louisiana Cs in smokefree air and access to cessation services. Weinzettle says low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered under insurance for those who are considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

Weinzettle says based on the low number of those people who get those scans, the state needs to do a much better job in informing them that it’s covered by insurance.

Cut 5 (06) “…low-dose CT scans.”

The American Lung Association is calling on the state to, among other things, increase tobacco prevention and quit tobacco funding to compensate for any uncertainty at the federal level and to strengthen the existing smoke-free law to include bars and casinos.

____________________________________________

A campaign detour for Blake Miguez just before the start of qualifying. The state senator from New Iberia announced on social media today that he’s ending his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

Like the race for U.S. Senate, Miguez will face a crowded field in that congressional race as well, with Rick Edmonds, Misti Cordell and Dixon McMakin officially announcing runs for that seat, with several more expected to also enter. Pinsonat says this underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been for Louisiana. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

Miguez is the second candidate to drop out of the race for the Republican Senate nomination in the wake of Trump’s endorsement, following Julie Emerson’s withdrawal, and Pinsonat says he doubts Miguez will be the last.

Cut 8 (11) “…the president’s lead.”

What’s notable is that Miguez doesn’t even live in the fifth district. Pinsonat says when it comes to the U.S. House, that doesn’t matter – the only thing that matters is that the candidate lives in the state.

______________________________________

LDWF plans to complete this week the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state. Joshua Porter, who is a fisheries outreach biologist, says they stock ponds with Rainbow Trout, where anglers can fish along the bank…

Cut 9 (09)  “…time of the year.”

LDWF stocks Rainbow Trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive. Porter says Rainbow Trout are native to rivers and lakes of western North America, their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country…

Cut 10 (06) “…from anglers.”

Porter says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise…

Cut 11 (11) “…reproduce.”

Go to LDWF’s Get out and Fish Facebook page for more information and you can also find this information on LDWF’s main website, just search for Get Out and Fish.

Entergy continues making progress in restoring power in Northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana’s bond with France dates to the 17^th century, so it’s fitting the Saints will host a “home game” in Paris next season. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Entergy crews made significant progress in northeast Louisiana over the weekend. Entergy says it has now restored power to 90-percent of customers affected by last week’s ice storm, accounting for more than 118-thousand customers. Nyka (NIGH-kah) Scott, the vice president of customer service at Entergy, says this is just one component to the recovery process.

Cut 3 (12) “…they’re fully recovered.”

Scott there’s widespread damage to the electricity grid, including almost one-thousand utility poles. She says more than 500 miles of wire and 210 transformers need to be repaired or replaced.

Scott says as crews restore power to the last remaining customers still in the dark, they’re still running into vegetation issues, which is making the process much, much longer.

Cut 4 (09) “…or fourth time.”

Scott says many of the customers still without power are in areas which are not easily accessible.

Cut 5 (06) “…getting bogged down.”

Scott says she expects the last customer to be restored by Wednesday.

____________________________________________

A 15-year-old involved in Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras parade in East Feliciana Parish will be charged as an adult. That’s according to district attorney Sam D’Aquilla. Sheriff Jeff Travis says Malik Liggins is one of four people to be arrested and more arrests are likely…

Cut 6 (10) “…other stuff.”

Six people were injured in the shooting including Liggins. Travis says no one was killed, but lives have been changed…

Cut 7 (12) “…we can.”

Liggins is facing an attempted murder charge to go along with the reckless discharge of a firearm and obstruction charges. Travis says authorities have also arrested 25-year-old Phillip Williams. He’s one of four people facing charges in connection with the shooting in Clinton that Travis says was gang-related…

Cut 8 (14) “..horrified.”

______________________________________

Five people are arrested following a joint investigation into child exploitation by State Police, the Coving Police Department and the FBI. Trooper Marc Gremillion says State Police arrested two men – 26-year-old Kevin Pierre of Folsom and 44-year-old Mayfield Lee of Metairie.

Cut 9 (07)  “…St. Tammany Parish.”

The other three were arrested by the Covington Police Department. Trooper Gremillion says Pierre and Folsom are facing identical charges.

Cut 10 (07) “…with a juvenile.”

Gremillion says these arrests underscore the fact that keeping kids safe on the internet is a never-ending process.

Cut 11 (08) “…of Louisiana children.”

_______________________________________________________

The Saints announce they will play in the first ever NFL regular season game in France. Saints Owner Gayle Benson says the game in Paris will be significant as there is a strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France that dates back to the 17^th century. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detilllier…

Cut 12 (07) “…and France.”

In 2023, the NFL awarded the Saints international marketing rights in France, making the Saints the first and only team to hold those rights in France. Last summer, a contingent of SAints team officials, led by Mrs Benson, visited France in an effort to strength the connection between the team and its French fans. Detillier expects a lot of the Saints fans will make the trip overseas…

Cut 13 (07) “…heritage.”

Nothing official from the Saints, but a French outlet reports the game will be played on October 26^th against the Browns. With the game France that means the Saints will play eight regular season games in the Dome next season, instead of nine. The Saints announce this will mean a 10-percent reduction in ticket prices for season ticket holders.