Legislation to require each public school classroom to display “In God, We Trust” in Louisiana has been filed for the regular session in April. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

LSU’s spring semester began on a somber note as a student was killed in a traffic accident near the campus early Sunday morning. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A new study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates if Louisiana updates its building energy codes, energy use in new buildings could be cut by as much as 20% in residential and 32 percent in commercial structures. Mike Waite, is a senior manager with ACEEE…

Cut 3 (08) “…electric grid.” 

Waite says the benefits of the new building energy codes are immediate. He says Louisiana is still operating under 2009 national guidelines that are updated every three years, which means Louisiana is four versions behind.

Cut 4 (12)  “…of this year.” 

The annual savings on energy costs for the average Louisiana home built under the newest guidelines, Waite says is significant.

Cut 5 (07) “…in utility bills.”

ACEEE says Louisiana is among the top ten states that would see the biggest impact upon the adoption of the newest building codes.

_______________________________________________

Among the bills filed for the upcoming legislative session in April is one requiring every public school classroom and even postsecondary institutions, to display the national motto “In God We Trust,” Haughton Representative Dodie Horton authored the bill.

Cut 6 (11)  “…must trust in God.” 

Horton says the current law requires it to be displayed in each building but when she asked her grandchildren if they’ve ever seen such a sign, they said they haven’t. Horton says the bill merely amends a current law.

Cut 7 (10)  “…every school.” 

The bill also does not require public funds to purchase the displays. Horton says she did not want to burden the schools with an unfunded mandate.

Cut 8 (07)  “..these posters.” 

Horton expects the legislation will reach the governor’s desk for signature.

___________________________________________

A statue of LSU legend Seimone Augustus shooting a basketball was unveiled in front of a large crowd outside of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday. Augustus is considered the greatest women’s basketball player ever from Louisiana and is humbled by the honor…

Cut 9 (12) “…for everyone.” 

Augustus led LSU to three straight final four appearances from 2004 to 2006 and was the consensus national player of the year her final two seasons. The legend of Augustus grew before she arrived at LSU, after standout seasons at Capitol High School in Baton Rouge. Associate Head Coach Bob Starkey was on LSU’s staff when Augustus signed…

Cut 10 (09) “…it’s true.” 

Augustus is the first female athlete with a statue on LSU’s campus…

Cut 11 (09)  “…proof of that.”

_________________________________________________________

Today is Martin Luther King Junior Day, which is a National Day of Service. Volunteers around the state this week are packing together 200-thousand meals for food banks statewide. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a co-sponsor . CEO Michael Tipton says food insecurity is a critical issue in Louisiana

Cut 12 (12) “…important issue”

A food packing event will take place tomorrow in New Orleans. On Wednesday, Monroe and Thibodaux. Lafayette and Lake Charles and Thursday. Entergy is part of this effort. Spokesperson Jody Montelaro says food banks need the help after the holidays…

Cut 13 (12) “…holiday season” 

Montelaro says it makes the heart feel good to help out people who struggle to find quality meals every day…

Cut 14 (06)   “…feel great”

Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he’s accomplished for Louisiana over the past year. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

The state’s favorite crustacean is not immune to inflation, and you should expect to pay $2.00 a pound more than last year. Brooke Thorington has more on an app that tracks prices.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

There are now four announced candidates running for governor this fall, so how is the race stacking up so far? Kevin Gallagher has that…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________________

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he achieved in 2022. The senator says he pushed through a law advocating for pregnant moms in the workplace, to help veterans to better transition to civilian life and to assure you get no unexpected medical bills. He says he also worked to assure Louisiana received sufficient disaster recovery aid…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…go down the list.”

Cassidy says he’s worked to bring federal flood insurance back to a reasonable cost, introduced legislation to get illegal immigration under control and supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act, which will bring millions to Louisiana for road and bridge improvements, including $150-million for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…:

Cut 5 (10) “…road and highways.”

Cassidy says Louisiana sent him to D.C. to deliver solutions and that’s what he has tried to do. He says he is particularly proud of passing his “No Surprises Act” last January which prevents patients from receiving medical bills they were not expecting for from procedures they thought insurance covered…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…of this legislation.” 

Cassidy says he looks forward to bringing home more for Louisiana in the year ahead.

_____________________________________________

Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths surge among nursing home residents and staff nationwide including here in Louisiana, because most residents and staff are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. That’s according to the Director of Advocacy for the AARP, Andrew Muhl….

Cut 7 (10) “…the booster.”

According to AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard, cases among residents nationwide increased 57% towards the end of December. In Louisiana, resident cases went from 460 to just over one-thousand, while staff cases went up from 245 to 533 during the same period. Muhl says it’s unfortunate

Cut 8 (14)  “.staying safe..”

Nursing home deaths nationwide increased by 14% during the end of December. Since the beginning of the pandemic 3,626 nursing home residents have died from the virus, and 13 more died at the end of December. Muhl says they’ll continue to advocate for better safety measures.

Cut 9 (14)  “… They’ve been taking .”

____________________________________________

You’ll want to budget accordingly for crawfish boils this year, with prices up $2.00 a pound compared to this time last year.  Crawfish App averages data from more than 16 hundred businesses and app co-founder Laney King says while she tries to remain optimistic…

Cut 10 (12)  “…this year.”

King says inflation has caused base prices for crawfish farmers to double in the last few years along with an increase in fuel prices.  It’s not just customers that are upset, King says retailers are equally frustrated about the increase in prices. While your favorite store to pick up mudbugs is getting the blame for the higher prices, she says they’re just paying what farmers and wholesalers are charging them.

Cut 11 (10)  “…no denying.”

With prices up, King says you might want to compare prices by using the Crawfish App to see if you can find a better price somewhere else besides your usual stop.  She says as the weather warms up, hopefully, prices will go down. decline.

Cut 12 (09) “…down a little.”

The Crawfish App compares prices for both boiled and live crawfish.

___________________________________________________

There are now four announced candidates running for Louisiana Governor this fall. Slidell state Senator Sharon Hewitt officially entered the race Friday; joining A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder and Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:

Cut 13 (10)  “…typical Louisiana race.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry leads those candidates in fundraising for the race. His campaign reports over $5-million cash on hand, with well over a million in Political action Committee money, plus the backing and resources of the state Republican Party.   Pinsonat says it was a brilliant strategy and fellow candidates are now forced to try and catch up…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…to run for governor.”

At this point, Pinsonat gives Landry a clear advantage in the race. He says perhaps Congressman Garret Graves could be a formidable challenge, but has doubts Graves will run. So far there are no declared Democrat candidates. Pinsonat says the Party of The Left is running behind at this time…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…two different worlds.”

Democrat DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson may run, as may New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno and state Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt…but so far none have made it official.

________________________________________________________

Former Saints coach Sean Payton will interview with teams this week as he decides whether he wants to return to coaching. Payton is still under contract with the Saints and so if a team hires him, they will have to send draft picks to New Orleans. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they wish the best for Payton, but they also want to be compensated well…

Cut  16 (19)  “…maximize that” 

Four teams have received permission to speak with Payton, the Broncos, Cardinals, Texans, and the Panthers.

The Saints are coming off a 7-and-10 campaign and a second straight non-playoff appearance. But Loomis says he has no plans to tear down the roster and build it back up…

Cut 17 (16) “…in my mind'” 

Injuries have been a big problem for the Saints for two years in a row. Loomis says they are looking into it…

Cut 18 (19) “…knee injuries”