After his congressional district was completely redrawn to favor electing a Democrat, Republican Garret Graves says he’s still running for office. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Several inches of rain has fallen across most of Louisiana today and more rain is on the way. LRN chief meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports this weather system has already delivered when it comes to producing flooding rains…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin” 

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, whose district was completely redrawn in the newly passed congressional map is criticizing the Republican-controlled state legislature and Governor Landry for their support of the map.  He says it could ultimately hurt the GOP’s status in the US House.

Cut 3 (09) “…boneheaded move.”

Graves, a Republican, says the legislature didn’t have to redraw the map to include a second Majority-Black district, with the potential to elect another Democrat. While he says Judge Shelly Dick made it clear she didn’t like the map passed in 2022, it was still making its way through the courts.

Cut 4 (07) “…existing map.”

Graves says the new map also jeopardizes key committee appointments in DC for Louisiana, like the Chair of Transportation and Infrastructure.  It’s a vital appointment for much-needed projects like the new Calcasieu River and Mississippi River Bridges. And more…

Cut 5 (12) “…and fix.” 

Despite frustration over his district being redrawn Graves says he plans to run for his sixth term in Congress in the fall.

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State Police reminds drivers of large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers that driving through the I-20 construction zone in Bossier City is off limits. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says accidents involving large trucks have increased on that stretch of highway that is down to one lane.

Cut 6 (12) “…begin with.” 

Last month a ban went into effect to keep large trucks from driving through the construction zone.

Buchanan says law enforcement have issued more than 200 warnings and citations. She says there are plenty of signs in the area…

Cut 7 (13) “…and Bossier.” 

Concrete barriers were added as a safety precaution to prevent drivers from leaving the travel lane and entering the area where lanes are actively being removed and reconstructed.

As work continues, Buchanan says drivers of oversize loads should remain vigilant while driving through Bossier between Hamilton Road and Industrial Drive. She encourages truck drivers to use the I-220 detour to help keep everyone safe.

Cut 8 (09) “…for everyone.” 

Travelers can check 511la dot org or download the Louisiana 511 app to monitor road condition.

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We’ve seen flooding rains for certain portions of our state as a half a foot of rain has fallen in some areas. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Doug Cramer says the Natchitoches area go soaked this morning…

Cut 9 (09) “…to the north”

Cramer says they’ve received reports of flooding of homes and businesses in Avoyelles Parish. Several highways across south and central Louisiana are under water…

Cut 10 (10) “…flood waters”

Cramer says the National Weather Service is forecasting additional rainfall for the rest of the day and into tonight…

Cut 11 (12) “…of flooding.”

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Four people were shot during a drive-by shooting in Lafayette this morning. Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says three men were standing outside of a home on Sunset Drive when shots were fired from a passing vehicle that stopped in front of the home

Cut 12 (12)  “..at the vehicle”  

Green says two of the victims are in critical condition and two are in stable condition. She says when officers arrived they found a man on the ground….

Cut 13 (10) “…gunfire” 

Green says they are looking for the person that was standing outside of the home and fired shots at the vehicle.

Mary Bird Perkins is expanding into Central and North Louisiana in a partnership with MD Clinics. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Daybreak Health, the leading provider of school based mental health services, has partnered with Livingston Parish Schools to give students free mental health classes. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he’s planning to run for congress in the newly drawn map that creates a majority-Black 6^th congressional district. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announces their expansion into Central and North Louisiana in a partnership with MD Clinics which serves a large diverse population in cities and rural communities. Mary Bird Perkins Chief Operating Officer, Jodi Conachen (Con uh kin) says they found a like- minded partner to bring quality cancer care close to home in the region…

Cut 4 (08) “…across the state.”

In Baton Rouge, Mary Bird Perkins recently launched First Phase Cancer Research Trials. Conachen says until recently you had to leave the state to find that level of research and availability of clinical trial and they plan to bring the trial to the expanded clinics….

Cut 5 (11) “…of research.” 

Conachen expects the expansion across Louisiana’s diverse culture and population to attract more cancer research and services to the area…

Cut 6 (12) “…to our area.”

Beginning April 2024 MD Clinics will become Mary Bird Perkins locations.

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New data released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Louisiana added 33-hundred non-farm jobs from November to December. Louisiana Workforce Commission Chief Economist Emily DiPalma says the number of non-farm jobs was just under two-million….

Cut 7 (10) “…over the year gain.”

Dipalma says the state’s unemployment rate for December was 3.7 percent…

Cut 8 (09) “…overall.” 

Over the year, private education and health services gained 11-thousand jobs, 82-hundred construction jobs were added and the government added 71-hundred jobs.

Dipalma says New Orleans added 800 jobs from November to December, while the Shreveport metro area added 700. She thought it was significant that Shreveport added that many jobs…

Cut 9 (09)  “…700.”

Baton Rouge added 400 jobs from November to December, Monroe added 300, while Alexandria lost 300.

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The Livingston Parish School system is offering its high school students struggling with anxiety, depression or any mental illness 12 weeks of free teletherapy through a program called Daybreak. Federal Program Coordinator at Livingston Schools, Charlene Lilly, says they are the first school district in the state to offer free mental health support for students.

Cut 10 (12) “…perfect storm.”

Students can enroll by scanning a QR code or reaching out to their school counselors. Parental consent is required before Daybreak can connect students with a licensed counselor.

Lilly says the program gives the students what they need at their leisure at no cost.

Cut 11 (11) “…on Saturday.” 

Lilly says 62 percent of students in Louisiana who had mental depression didn’t receive any care over the last two years. She believes Daybreak will have a positive impact on the students and help to fill a gap.

Cut 12 (12) “…all digital.” 

Lilly says instead of being placed on a waiting list for six months to see a private doctor, through the Daybreak program, students will begin their first session in one to two weeks.

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Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says he will run for the newly created 6^th congressional seat currently held by Congressman Garret Graves. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he’s not surprised considering the new map perfectly caters to the Black Democrat.

Cut 13 (08) “…wouldn’t he run?”

And it wouldn’t be Fields first congressional campaign. From 1993 to 1997 Fields represented the state’s then 4^th district which was then redrawn after the courts ruled it was gerrymandered. Pinsonat says with the map redrawn again, Fields’ congressional career could come full circle.

Cut 14 (09) “…the apple.” 

District 6 now spans from East Baton Rouge Parish north to Caddo Parish and Pinsonat says it’s around 54 percent majority-Black. He says Fields running for the seat is a no-brainer.

Cut 15 (06) …strongest candidate.“

Fields released a statement on Tuesday that he will formally announce his candidacy in the next few weeks.

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LSU is expected to announce the promotion of Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton as co-offensive coordinators for the 2024 season. Both have been assistants at LSU since Brian Kelly arrived. Hankton has coached the receivers and has been the passing game coordinator, while Sloan has been the quarterbacks coach and reports say Sloan will be the play caller. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne the move makes sense…

Cut 16 (17) “…in public’s eyes.” 

Sloan has previous play-calling experience at Louisiana Tech. He’ll have big shoes to fill as former offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock helped guide one of the most explosive offenses in LSU football history. Horne believes Sloan is up to the challenge…

Cut 17 (10) “…himself with.” 

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ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has the Washington Commanders with the second over pick taking Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL draft. Daniels says he’s not paying attention to the mock drafts…

Cut 18 (20)  “…get better.” 

Some football analysts compare Daniels’ quarterback style to Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who has won one MVP and has Baltimore in this Sunday’s AFC Championship game. Daniels says he’s just trying to be me…

Cut 19 (16) “…came before me.” 

Daniels was a dynamic quarterback last season. He believes his speed will be a big asset…

Cut 20 (15) “…over to the NFL.”