The state Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority releases its updated Coastal Master Plan for fighting erosion and wetlands loss. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

So far this year we’ve learned that Senator John Kennedy and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser aren’t running for governor and Treasurer John Schroder is. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

An autism indicator is now available on Louisiana identification cards. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the indicator was added to drivers’ licenses in December 2021 and now it’s an option on ID cards. He says it was added as a public safety measure for law enforcement.

Cut 4 (06)  “…other people.”

Boudreaux says the word Autism will appear below the photograph and a puzzle piece will be next to the word Louisiana on the ID.

Cut 5 (09) “…indicate that.”

To have the indicator added to your driver’s license or ID card Boudreaux says a Medical Examiner’s Certification of Autism Spectrum Disorder form must be completed, along with a statement from a qualified mental health professional.

Cut 6 (11)  “… identification card.” 

_____________________________________________

Available now online, is Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan. The plan is a roadmap for combating the state’s ongoing erosion, land loss, and flood risk problem. Ben Haase is executive director of the state’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA). He says the master plan is updated every six years, to incorporate changes in technology, costs, and logistics…:

Cut 7 (11) “…50 years from now.”

The plan can be viewed online at “coastal.la.gov.” Haase says the Coastal Master Plan has been in existence since 2007 and has been responsible for a lot of progress in fighting coastal land loss…:

Cut 8 (12)  “…by this document.”

The 2023 update of CPRA’s plan includes a new project selection process, improved predictive models, new risk metrics, and other improvements. Haase says you are welcome to go online and read the plan, and your feedback is welcomed. He says the plan encompasses literally ALL of Louisiana’s coastal areas…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…portion of our coast.”

Public hearings on the Coastal Master Plan are scheduled for late January through mid-February in Baton Rouge, Houma, New Orleans, and Lake Charles, before submitting the plan to state lawmakers.

____________________________________________

In 2021 there were 607 confirmed or suspected juvenile victims of human trafficking in Louisiana. On January 1^st, the state launched a hotline for reporting human trafficking. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services says it’s a central point for individuals to report suspected trafficking.

Cut 10 (06) “…started.”

To report trafficking you can call 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) and option 4 will direct you to a live person who’s trained to ask questions to determine if it’s trafficking or not.

Cut 11 (09)  “…or not.”

Tate says they’ve already received calls and the hotline is a vital advancement in the state’s work to protect children.

Cut 12 (03) “…have it here.”

Tate says if you suspect something to call and you can choose to remain anonymous.

___________________________________________________

We are starting to get a better idea of who’s in and who’s out of the governor’s race since Senator John Kennedy announced he’s staying put and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will seek re-election. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says it appears some of the biggest names in state politics are no longer interested in the job.

Cut 13 (05) “…year to go.”

As of today, the two major candidates are Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder, both Republicans. So far, a Democrat hasn’t officially announced but Cross says that could change with neither Kennedy nor Senator Bill Cassidy running for governor.

Cut 14 (08)  “…serious run.”

As for who’s considered a frontrunner in the race, Cross says Landry, who’s been endorsed by the state Republican party, appears to have more working in his favor as opposed to Schroder.

Cut 15 (11)  “…that regard.”

Between the two Cross says it could come down to a competition to see who’s the most conservative.

________________________________________________________

Saints players cleaned out their lockers on Monday after failing to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season. New Orleans Coach Dennis Allen says the 7-and-10 record they posted this season is not the standard

Cut  16 (15)  “…for championships” 

Allen says the indication he’s been given is that he’ll return next season as the head coach. But he says no decisions have been made on offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael or anyone else on the staff…

 Cut 17 (17) “…moving forward” 

2022 was the first losing season for the Saints since 2016. For the second straight, the injury bug hit New Orleans hard. Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Maye missed multiple games as the Black and Gold had to use 75 different players. Allen says at least they didn’t suffer many soft tissue injuries…

Cut 18 (26) “…to play faster.” 

_______________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing streak tonight when they host Florida. The Tigers are 1-and-2 in SEC play. After upsetting Arkansas, Coach Matt McMahon’s team has lost back-to-back games to Kentucky and Texas A&M on Saturday…

Cut 19 (18) “…on Saturday.”

Florida enters today’s game with an 8-and-7 overall record, 1-and-2 in the SEC. McMahon says they have a veteran group led by their leading scorer and fifth-year forward Colin Castleton…

Cut 20 (20)  “…the floor.” 

Tip-off is at 6 PM.

State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second major candidate to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

A ruling clears up what type of visit a physician can recommend medical marijuana in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder tells supporters he plans to run for governor and will officially launch his campaign next month. Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is not expected to enter the race. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says another major candidate left to decide is Congressman Garret Graves…

Cut 3 (11) “…what the heck” 

Graves has not given an indication on when he’ll announce his intentions on running for governor. The Baton Rouge native is beginning his fifth term representing the state’s 6th Congressional District, which covers Baton Rouge and a portion of the Bayou Parishes, including Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes.

Waguespack says Senator John Kennedy’s decision not to run was the first big domino to fall, Graves’ announcement would be the next….

Cut 4 (10)  “…in D-C” 

Republican state lawmakers Richard Nelson and Sharon Hewitt are other possible candidates. Waguespack says on the Democrat side, State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is seriously considering running…

Cut 5 (11) “…in a poll”

_______________________________________________

According to an opinion from Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, physicians can recommend medical marijuana to patients via a telemedicine visit. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says while doctors can’t prescribe schedule 2 medication like narcotics without an in-person visit, marijuana is not in the same classification.

Cut 6 (10)  “…legally different” 

Both Landry and Marino interpreted the law regarding doctor visits and access to medical marijuana to allow telemedicine visits. Medical marijuana can only legally be recommended by physicians who participate in the program. Marino says the ruling also helps those in rural areas who have difficulty seeing physicians in general.

Cut 7 (07)  “…that reason.”

Marino says the legislature passed the law to allow access to those who can benefit from medical marijuana and the law removed such hurdles it wasn’t intended to create more. Marino says a telemedicine visit is appropriate for someone who’s in hospice or….

Cut 8 (10)  “..no sense.” 

Marino says the state’s medical marijuana program continues to need revisions so it’s more accessible and affordable.

___________________________________________

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a lawsuit filed against him by longtime State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton is possibly politically motivated. Hamilton alleges Nungesser fired her and had her marched out of her office after she reported him to the FBI and other investigators over what she calls “questionable contracts.” On Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show, Nungesser says he had nothing to do with Hamilton being placed on administrative leave…:

Cut 9 (09) “…employees made complaints.” 

Nungesser was questioned by the FBI about some contracts awarded by his agency, but no charges were ever filed. Hamilton’s lawsuit asks the judge to prevent Nungesser from taking enforcement action against her related to her being placed in leave in September. Nungesser says he suspects the lawsuit was intended to hurt him politically..:

Cut 10 (10) “…some type of an election.” 

Nungesser says he did not hire Hamilton and he cannot fire her either. She is currently on leave and collecting her state salary. He says the actions taken against her were because of library employee grievances and the state Library Board will deal with the matter….:

Cut 11 (12)  “…to do with it.”

Nungesser says the lawsuit is an attempt to discredit him as he runs for either higher office or re-election. His decision on that is expected tomorrow morning.

_________________________________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder tells his supporters he’s running for governor and that makes him the second major candidate to declare his candidacy. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says now that Senator John Kennedy is no longer a factor expect to see more candidates jump in the race.

Cut 12 (07) “…is running.”

Pinsonat believes over the next two months, rumored candidates will make it known if they are in or out of the governor’s race.

Cut 13 (o7) “…you can raise.” 

When it comes to fundraising, Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage with the backing of the state Republican party. He says gubernatorial candidates have to raise a minimum of five million to be considered a viable contenders.

Cut 14 (07)   “…your time.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is expected to officially announce tomorrow he’s not running for governor.