The Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus’s recent retreat has one lawmaker hopeful they will be able to address issues impacting women and children. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Plans to build a privately-funded toll bridge across the Red River, connecting south Caddo and Bossier parishes, are moving right along. Kevin Gallagher has a report…:

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you live a sedentary lifestyle, you may want to listen up. Experts say sitting a lot is not good for you.  Teiko Foxx explains.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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For the first time in more than a decade, the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus held a weekend retreat. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says it was an opportunity for them to discuss issues they want to address in the upcoming session. Among the topics is the lack of beds for pregnant women who have addiction issues.

Cut 4 (10)  “…children already.”

Barrow says they also discussed the impact of fentanyl on the state and ways to leverage resources for more women to receive treatment.

Another topic they discussed was cybersecurity and children, and how the problem has grown since the pandemic. Barrow says they learned about how children are groomed online and human trafficking.

Cut 5 (05) “…very scary.”

The caucus retreat also allowed lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to work collaboratively in the upcoming session. Barrow says she’s very optimistic about the upcoming session.

Cut 6 (12)  “…and children.” 

The regular legislative session begins on April 10^th.

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A project to build a proposed a new, privately-funded toll bridge across the Red River – connecting Caddo and Bossier parishes – moves forward with permit approval. Attorney William Bradford speaks for Alabama-based infrastructure construction company Tim James, Inc. He says they have already secured cooperative Endeavor Agreements with officials in both parishes, and the next step is approvals and permits from the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers…:

Cut 7 (07) “…environmental assessments.”

Bradford says commerce is growing fast in southern Caddo and Bossier, and the bridge will provide a quick connect option for motorists…:

Cut 8 (10)  “…south Caddo Parish.”

Bradford says the plan includes building roughly 8 miles of public infrastructure to access the bridge, which will also help alleviate traffic woes on either side. He says, if all goes according to plan, construction could begin in 2024 to provide Caddo-Bossier with a new traffic alternative…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…our community.”

Bradford says tolls would be somewhere around $2 for cars and SUVs. Using the bridge would be purely up to the motorist.

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LSU AgCenter health educators say sitting for long periods can contribute to heart disease and long-term health problems. AgCenter Nutrition Specialist, Elizabeth Gollub says the more you sit the less likely you are to increase your life expectancy.

Cut 10 (12)  “…poor health outcomes.”

And even those who exercise and become idle afterward are not better off than those who do not work out.

Cut 11 (09)  “…your circulation.”

A few simple alterations can improve a sedentary lifestyle, Gollub recommends standing during online meetings, and if you’re corresponding with someone in your office walk over to them instead of sending an email. 

Cut 12 (12) “…helpful also.”

She says just move around more during your work hours to improve you circulation and overall health.

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Governor Edwards is proposing $2,000 increases for teachers and $1,000 for support staff in the upcoming legislative session. But he wants to give them even more if the Revenue Estimating Conference finds a surplus. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says the REC will meet in May.

Cut 13 (13)  “…increases in.”

Many lawmakers said they voted against it because they feared the raise would not be substantial.  Posey says for teacher retention, and staff as well, it’s vital that lawmakers invest in education so students have qualified and quality educators.

Cut 14 (11)  “…classes now.”

The legislature has passed pay increases for teachers and staff over the last three years, but Posey says sadly those raises are not going to take home pay, it’s going towards increased health insurance premiums. And she says each year lawmakers require more of teachers with new programs and reporting, but they aren’t rewarded salary-wise.

Cut 15 (05)  “…our educators.”

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For the first time in SEC play, the fifth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers scored 90 points in a game as they defeated Florida on the road on Sunday 90-79. Coach Kim Mulkey is pleased with the win in front of 35 hundred fans…

Cut  16 (23)  “…they had” 

Angel Reese had 25 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists. Jasmine Carson broke out of a scoring slump as she had 25 points and hit a career-high seven three-pointers. Mulkey is glad to see Carson step up…..

Cut 17 (09) “..hitting them” 

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The top-ranked LSU baseball team opened the 2023 season with a three-game sweep over Western Michigan. The Tigers allowed five runs in the series and Coach Jay Johnson says his pitchers executed well…

Cut 18 (14) “..three ball count.” 

Campaign fundraising totals are in for the candidates running for governor and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has a big lead over his opponents. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It’s the height of carnival season and record-breaking crowds are anticipated this Mardi Gras. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Candidates for governor had to turn in a campaign finance report this week and Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage over his opponents. Landry has slightly more than five-million dollars, plus a PAC supporting him has another one-point-five million dollars. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 3 (08) “…for governor.” 

Trial lawyer Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles loaned his campaign one-point-four million dollars and has one-point-six million dollars on hand. But Pinsonat says Lundy’s “no party” designation on the ballot can only take him so far

Cut  4 (04)  “…in Louisiana” 

State Treasurer John Schroder has two-point-four million dollars on hand. State lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson have raised less than a million dollars. Pinsonat says all three candidates are from St. Tammany and Schroder would have a better chance if Hewitt and Nelson were not in the race….

Cut 5 (09) “…his strength”

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It’s the last weekend of carnival season and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. Nungesser says before COVID Louisiana had five record-breaking tourism years in a row and he’s grateful that parades are back to their pre-pandemic routes and krewes.

Cut 6 (10)  “…festival season.” 

Nungesser says 250,000 families in the Bayou State rely on the hospitality industry as their livelihood and it’s vital for the state to return to pre-COVID visitors.

And while the temperatures have dropped Nungesser doesn’t believe it will be a deterrent whatsoever. He says last Saturday, in the rainy and cold weather when he was Grand Marshal in the Madhatter’s parade, the streets were still lined with revelers.

Cut 7 (07)  “…into Mardi Gras day.” 

This year parades have returned to their previous routes which Nungesser says has revelers even more jazzed. He also says it’s safer and allows the crowds to spread out and it decreases traffic jams.

The New Orleans native says when he was elected Lt. Governor his goal was to see Mardi Gras grow in every corner of the state and in between.

Cut 8 (09)  “…international visitors.” 

Weather-wise Fat Tuesday rain is not in the forecast and the temps should warm up considerably.

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Governor Edwards presented state lawmakers with his proposed $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. That figure represents a $460-million reduction from the current fiscal year, due to federal pandemic money expiring. Edwards proposes investing millions in additional pay for firefighters, police officers and – especially – teachers…:

Cut 9 (11) “…budget reflects that.”

Edwards’ budget proposes teachers receive a $3000-a-year salary bump; not just a one-time bonus as lawmakers gave them last year. Though his actually budget calls for $2000, Edwards says Joint Budget Committee members they can find the additional $74-million needed to accommodate $3000 raises for all public school teachers…:

Cut 10 (12) “…more than sufficient.” 

Edwards also proposes permanent salary increases for school support staff. He tells lawmakers education has always been a priority of his administration…:

Cut 11 (14)  “…in that direction.”

You can view the entire Executive Budget proposal at “doa.la.gov.media”

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A West Monroe couple faces aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and insurance fraud after allegedly setting their mobile home on fire in December of 2021. State Fire Marshal Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was originally believed to be accidental, but a tip sparked further investigation.

Cut 12 (12) “…insurance money.”

She says 54-year-old Charles Robertson and 33-year-old Tonya Scott were arrested on Valentine’s Day.

Rodrigue says only did the couple put first responders at risk but they also endangered the lives of those nearby.

Cut 13 (08) “…inside of it.” 

With the assistance of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department and members of the community, Rodrigue says the State Fire Marshal’s Office was able to close the case.

Cut 14 (10)   “…know something.”

Rodrigue says if you have information about a fire investigation you can report it anonymously by calling their tip line or online at lasfm.org.