Is there a rift in the Louisiana Republican Party? State Party Chairman Louis Gurvich had made it clear the party should get behind Attorney General Jeff Landry as the state’s next governor. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says not all Republicans are willing to fall in line…
cut 8 (10) “…different candidates”
Hogan doesn’t see these in-party grievances airing this early into the election year keeping a Republican from winning the governor’s race in the fall.

Law enforcement says the use of Glock switches, or auto switches, has grown exponentially. What looks like a harmless piece of plastic, can turn a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though they’re already illegal in Louisiana…
Cut 4 (09) “…is crazy.”

Reports say Pete Carmichael will return as the Saints’ Offensive Coordinator in 2023. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

WBRZ-TV is reporting the Department of Children and Family Services held a big going away party for former Secretary Marketa Garner Walters, who resigned after two children died from fentanyl overdoses, despite the state agency receiving warnings about the toddler’s well-being. Employees told the Baton Rouge TV station the party was held during work hours and it was tone-deaf.

Despite having the Louisiana Republican Party’s official endorsement to be the state’s next governor, Attorney General Jeff Landry currently has four challengers; three from within his own party and Congressman Garret Graves could still get in. Does this signal a serious rift within the state GOP? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says at the very least, it shows there is not a consensus candidate among Republican voters…:
Cut 7 (11) “…to a candidate.”

Law enforcement officials will ask the state legislature to pass a law to crack down on glock switches. It’s a small device that can turn any handgun into an automatic weapon. New Orleans ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Marlin Ford says the glock switches pose a danger to the public…
cut 6 (06) “…how they function”
Ford says Glock switches allow a firearm to unleash up to 12-hundred rounds per minute and they can be made at home with a 3D printer.

Gasoline prices are back above three-dollars a gallon. The statewide average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.08, two cents higher than yesterday. AAA’s Don Redman says where prices go from here is in OPEC’s hands…:
CUT 25(10) “…the summer.”
He says, price-wise, we are about where we were a year ago.

The University of Louisiana Monroe unveils a new virtual campus tour compel prospective students. ULM’s Director of Digital Recruitment and Analytics Trey Wilson says the Take Flight link can be found on the school’s homepage and it features two components. First a general information area, where visitors can link to all ULM departments and degree programs, and a feature video about them…
Cut 10 (07) “…graduated from here.”
The new virtual campus tour was developed by Student-Bridge, a higher education recruiting services and solutions company.

The use of a Glock or auto switches in firearms is a growing danger and law enforcement want legislation prohibiting their use. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A five-year-old In Jennings died as a result of a gunshot wound yesterday. Jennings Police say the gunshot was not self-inflicted and a firearm was recovered at the scene. There were a total of five children in the home and an adult. More details are expected to be released later today.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has a new interactive recruitment tool that gives prospective students an easy way to access the campus without physically visit the school. Director of Digital Recruitment Trey Wilson says to access the virtual tour, click on the Take Flight link on the website of the school’s homepage and there’s also an interactive map that can be useful for current students…
cut 11 (09) “…on campus”

Reports say the Saints are keeping Pete Carmichael as the team’s offensive coordinator. Host of the Locked On Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says the news comes as a surprise after the team averaged just 19 points per game, but the franchise must believe better play at quarterback will lead to better results….
cut 14 (12) “…..that box”

The state Republican Party says A.G. Jeff Landry is their choice to be the next Governor, yet three other GOP candidates are challenging him and more may enter the race. Is there a problem brewing among the Louisiana GOP…?
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

New Orleans police officer Jeffrey Vappie denies a claim made in a court filing that he admitted to his wife of an extramartial affair with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. That’s according to a statement released by Vappie’s attorney. Cantrell also says allegations of an extra martial affair are false. Vappie’s wife filed for divorce earlier this month.

Law enforcement would like to see legislation passed at the state capitol this year that would crack down on glock switches. Glock switches can turn a handgun into an automatic weapon. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says glock switches are illegal on the federal level, but Louisiana law does not target them directly…
cut 5 (06) “….there now”
Moore says state law is out of line with the type of guns that are on the streets.

Sources say the Saints are keeping offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Many Saints fans expected the team to move on from one or both of head coach Dennis Allen and Carmichael after a disappointing season offensively. Host of the Lockdown Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says he didn’t expect this decision…
Cut 13 (14) “…Saints franchise.”

The Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s request to add another surchage on your bill to cover the costs of the repairs needed after Hurricane Ida in 2021. The surchage is $5.50 for the next 23 years. New PSC member Davante Lewis voted no…
cut 6 (08) “…them greatly”
Entergy customers are already paying a 10-dollar surcharge for recovery costs after a super active 2020 hurricane season.

Four Republicans and one Independent have entered the governor’s race, but we are still waiting on a major Democrat to throw their hat into the ring. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says time is running out…
cut 9 (13) “….very difficult”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Thibodaux man after things took a sharp turn during a dinner date that ended in an assault Whitney Thomas Reports.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Louisiana Tech may have found a starting quarterback. ESPN is reporting former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier is transferring to La Tech. Bachmeier has two full years of eligibility after starting 29 games at Boise State, going 20-and-9, throwing for 66 hundred yards, 41 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

Entergy customers will soon see an extra $5.50 tacked on their bill as the utility company recovers the cost for the repairs needed after Hurricane Ida hit southeast Louisiana in 2021. Entergy CEO Phillip May says a tax maneuver reduced rate payers’ immediate obligation by about 180-million dollars…
cut 5 (10) “….this securitiziation”
The Public Service Commission approved this plan on a three to two vote.

Discussions continue on whether to hold a special session next month or wait until the regular session begins in April to create an incentive fund to lure more private homeowner insurance companies to the state. Governor Edwards says there does not seem to be opposition to the incentive program, but disagreement on whether a special session is needed…
cut 11 (12) “…basic determination”

To date, there are five candidates running for governor, four Republicans and one Independent, and no Democrats. ULM-Political Science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says it would be disappointing if a Democrat doesn’t get in the race because all spectrums and perspectives wouldn’t be represented.
Cut 7 (10) “…be represented.”
There are a few Democrats looking at running at entering the race.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering dating tips after they arrested 30-year-old Shane Chelette of Thibodaux on allegations he committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on a date he met on Tinder. Captain Brennan Matherne…
cut 15 (14) “…..never met”

There are five candidates who’ve declared their candidacy for governor and not one is a Democrat. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There is still a possibility another major Republican will enter the race. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is a rumored candidate, but Graves told the Louisiana Illuminator he doesn’t know if he’ll run and doesn’t know when he’ll announce a decision. State Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich is urging Graves to stay out of the race.

The Public Service Commission approves a plan to let Entergy recover over a billion dollars in Hurricane Ida repair costs from its customers. A compromise deal proposed by outgoing PSC chairman Craig Greene would have Entergy take on a higher tax liability for the recovery expense; reducing the cost to ratepayers by nearly $200-million…:
Cut 4 (11) “…dirt on their jersey.”
The deal will mean Entergy customers will see an additional $5.50 on their monthly bill for the next 23 years.

A Thibodaux man faces serious charges after he allegedly committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on a woman he met on an online dating app. Captain Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Shane Chellette was taken into custody last week…
cut 14 (11) “…this case”