February is American Heart Month and heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana. Do you know what your risk factors are? Brooke Thorington has more.

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Want to eat healthy? LSU’s Pennington Center in Baton Rouge says “consider eating more potatoes.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:

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State Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt says she’s not running for governor after a TV spot resembling a campaign ad featured her. Brooke Thorington has more

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February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on how to improve your cardiovascular health. LSU Health New Orleans Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart says the idea that chest and heart pain have to be on your left side and left arm to be considered an attack is not always true.

Cut 4 (06)  “…having a heart attack.”

Smart says to be mindful of recurring symptoms as an indicator of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or exertion. If so, talk to your physician, and if you have a family member who had a heart attack or stroke before the age of 60 for men and 65 for women you should also speak to a physician.

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Smart says for example a 20-something female runner who has chest pain on their left side should mention it to her physician, whereas someone in their 60s who’s overweight with high blood pressure should act immediately.

But for women, Smart says they are more likely to exhibit atypical heart disease symptoms. Instead of complaining about chest pain, he says women are more likely to notice they are fatigued or complain they can’t do what they used to do a few months ago.

Smart says know the risk factors, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and family history.  There are treatments for blood pressure, and cholesterol, and to stop smoking.

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana and the United States.

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If you want to eat healthy, consider eating more potatoes. Many people avoid potatoes because it’s believed the starchy vegetable can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. But scientists at the LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center  say they are largely misunderstood. Assistant Professor Candida Rebello says, when cooked correctly, ‘taters are a great source of potassium and fiber…:

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Rebello says their research study shows that potatoes do not negatively impact blood glucose levels. She says study participants actually lost weight while eating a potato-rich diet…:

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Participants in the study ate meals in which potatoes were used to replace some of the meat content. They reported feeling full faster; often not even cleaning their plate. Rebello says the data suggests that potatoes have been getting a bad dietary reputation…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…like I said: healthy.”

Rebello says – as with any kind of food – moderation is the key to maintaining good health and weight.

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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces a 30-day application period is open for the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program. Donelon says the incentive program will offer matching grants to incentive new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies

Cut 10 (08)  “…64 parishes” 

Donelon says 12 insurance providers have expressed interest in the program that he believes will decrease the number of home and business owners who rely on Louisiana Citizens, which is raising rates by an average of 63 percent this year. Donelon says a similar program after hurricanes Katrina and Rita reduced the number of Citizens policies by 40-thousand…

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Donelon encourages Louisiana homeowners who have Citizens or are unable to find affordable insurance to contact an insurance agent and ask for as many quotes as possible in the coming months. He says they are moving quickly to get new insurers writing residential and commercial policies in the coastal areas…

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Donelon says participating insurance companies must meet solvency standards and the insurers will be also subject to enhanced solvency monitoring.

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Chair of the state Democratic Party, Katie Bernhardt tells The Advocate she’s not running for governor. And while her recent TV ad received widespread criticism from party members, La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says she never declared her candidacy for any office in the ad, only that help was coming.

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Some party members saw Bernhardt’s ad as self-serving instead of promoting the party. Alford believes her announcement is indicative of something else.

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Alford says that could be either Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson or East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore.

But for Bernhardt, Alford says her poll to run for governor and TV ad, even though she never announced her candidacy, could continue to haunt her.

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Alford says chairs of both the state’s Democratic and Republican parties have received pushback from members. Bernhardt for self-promotion and Louis Gervich for endorsing Jeff Landry before any other Republican announced their candidacy.

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The third-ranked LSU Lady Tigers were overmatched in their highly anticipated game against top-ranked South Carolina yesterday. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 16-point lead early in the first quarter and LSU never could recover and lost 88-64 at Colonial Life Arena. Coach Kim Mulkey says the game got off to a rough start…

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It was LSU’s first loss of the season and South Carolina has won 31 in a row. Mulkey now knows how her team stacks up against the best team in women’s basketball…

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LSU is now 23-and-1 and in second place in the SEC. The Lady Tigers have four games left in the regular season and Mulkey doesn’t want Sunday’s loss to impact their game Thursday at home against Ole Miss or any of their remaining games…

Cut 18 (20) “…nothing more” 

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Six-foot-six right-hander Paul Skenes is expected to start on the mound when the top-ranked LSU baseball begins the 2023 season on Friday night. Skenes says one of his biggest strengths is his competitive desire…

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Skenes played the last two seasons at Air Force. Last season he recorded a 2.96 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 85.2 innings in 15 starts. Skenes believes learning from LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson will only make him better

Cut 20 (17)  “… a huge blessing.” 

The LSU Board of Supervisors votes to add former women’s basketball coach Sue Gunter’s name to Dale Brown court at the PMAC. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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After blocking a Twitter user from her account, Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson faces a lawsuit. Brooke Thorington explains.

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The LSU Board of Supervisors voted today to rename the Dale Brown Court at the Maravich Assembly Center; adding former women’s basketball coach Sue Gunter’s name. Both coaches won over 400 games at LSU. Former Lady Tiger Delia Taylor urged the Board members to vote for the name change

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Critics of the vote say by adding Gunter’s name to the court, they are taking away an honor from Coach Brown, who led the Tigers to two Finals Fours. Former LSU baseball and basketball player Ben McDonald suggested to the board to name the practice facility or the scoreboard after Gunter

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Freelance writer Jeffrey Marx of Baton Rouge based on his own investigating reporting, political pressure has resulted in several Board members changing their minds and now wanting to add Gunter’s name to the court…

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In September 2021, the LSU Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to have the court named after both Brown and Gunter.

No one at the Board spoke on why there’s been a change of heart, but board member James Williams rejected the idea that someone is twisting their arm

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Governor John Bel Edwards told the USA Today Network that Gunter’s accomplishments are worthy enough to have her name on the court too.

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Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson faces a lawsuit after blocking a Twitter user from commenting on her page. Tulane First Amendment Law Clinic Director Katie Schwartzmann says the courts consider the internet a public forum and when a public official blocks a constituent from commenting it’s a First Amendment violation.

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Schwartzmann says the goal of the lawsuit is the prevent censorship of these types of discussions in the future.

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In addition to the plaintiff, Schwartzmann says other users have also claimed that Senator Jackson has blocked them.

As a public official, Scwartzmann says Jackson signed up for debate and dialogue when she ran for office and over the past five years in similar cases, the precedent has been set that social media is a public forum and blocking a user from a public official’s page is a First Amendment violation.

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Jackson released a comment that free speech is not a blank check and that no public official nor any internet user should be subjected to bullying or abusive language. She also said her Twitter account shows no record of the plaintiff by name.

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A Jefferson Parish lawmaker has filed legislation that would crack down on thieves who break into people’s cars, by stiffening their minimum sentence. Metairie Republican state Representative Laurie Schlegel says her House Bill 16 would impose stiffer penalties on persons who commit a string of burglaries or any burglary within a mile of any fair, festival, entertainment or sports event or parade…:

Cut 10 (06) “…for this behavior.” 

Schlegel brings the bill as the number of motor vehicle burglaries grows statewide, but especially in cities like New Orleans. At a recent Pelicans game, as many as 30 cars and trucks were broken into while folks were watching the event. She says there’s a real danger involved in such cases…:

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Current law calls for sentencing of zero-to-12 years. Schlegel says her bill would add mandatory jail time with a conviction…:

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Schlegel says convicted auto burglars would be assured of at least a year behind bars, which may be a sufficient deterrent. Her bill will be debated in the regular legislation session, which begins April 10^th.

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Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and Minden native, L’Jarius Sneed is expected to play in his second Super Bowl Sunday. Sneed’s Minden High School Coach Spencer Heard says watching the big game is even more fun when you have a personal connection.

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The former  LA Tech star has a knee injury but is expected to play.

Despite playing in the professional ranks, Heard says Sneed visits the Webster Parish city often to see family and friends and also spends time with elementary students in Minden.

Cut 14 (09)   “…person he is.”

Heard remembers Sneed fondly and says he started coaching at Minden during Sneed’s sophomore year. He says Sneed’s talent was clear and that he played both defense and offense in high school.

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Sneed is one of five former Louisiana high school players playing in Super Bowl LVII (57). Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid played for Dutchtown High in Geismer, and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire went to Catholic High in Baton Rouge. Eagles running back Boston Scott played at Zachary High and wide receiver DeVonta Smith attended Amite High School