The Edwards administration and state legislative leaders will meet tomorrow to discuss a February special session that will be devoted towards addressing the loss of private insurance companies. An incentive fund was used after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to attract new companies to the state and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants to try that approach again. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 9 (10) “….a call will be issued”
Dardenne believes a proposed special session would last a few days in early February.

Tomorrow is the next threat for severe weather in Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee has the details…
cut 16 (14) “…later in the day”

Low income students close to completing manufacturing and skilled trade programs can receive a grant to complete that work at River Parishes Community College….
cut 11 (12) “…St. Charles Parish”
That’s Dow Chemical spokesperson Stacy Gautreaux who says to learn more about the Dow Last Mile Fund go to lastmile-hyphen-ed-dot-org-slash-dowfund.

LSU AgCenter researchers are looking to see if it’s possible to grow raspberries in the deep South. Horticulturist David Picha says most raspberries are produced in other countries, primarily Mexico. Picha says they are looking at varieties and production methods that would work in the southeast
Cut 13 (13) “…healthier foods”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is one of many Republicans seeking answers on why President Biden had classified documents from his time as Vice President at his private homes and an office he used in Washington. Johnson says the public has the right to know if the President broke federal law…:
Cut 6 (09) “…comply automatically.”
It’s publicly unknown what information the documents contained.

More talk of a special session occurring next month in Baton Rouge to address the state’s property insurance crisis. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants to establish a fund of at least 45-million dollars that can be used to attract more private insurance companies to Louisiana and insurance companies are busy making their business plans now…
cut 8 (07) “…these policies”

The Last Mile Education Fund and Dow Chemical Company have created a fund to assist low-income students nearing completion of their skilled trades program so they can get certified. Dow spokesperson Stacey Gautreaux says all too often students face financial burdens that keep them from finishing school.
Cut 10 (12) “…can apply.”
Grants are available at lastmile-ed-dot-org/slash-dowfund.

LSU AgCenter researchers are looking to see if it’s possible to grow raspberries in the Deep South. Horticulturist David Picha says demand has increased for raspberries with more consumers eating at home and looking to eat a healthy diet. He says raspberries are very high in vitamin C
Cut 14 (10) “…anti-oxidants”
Picha says most raspberries consumed in the U-S are imported in from other countries.

State Government is considering a special session for lawmakers to create an incentive pool to attract new property insurance companies to the state.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich does not want Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves to enter the governor’s race. Gurvich says unity is the party’s path to victory and if Graves gets in, he’ll divide the party. The state GOP has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says new U.S. House leadership will actively seek answers as to why President Joe Biden had classified federal documents stashed at his private office and his home. Johnson says, as chairman of the House Judiciary’s Sub-Committee on Constitutional matters, he and fellow lawmakers are demanding answers from the Department of Justice…:
Cut 4 (12) “…classified documents.”
The documents are from Biden’s time as Vice-President.

The LSU AgCenter is looking into whether raspberries can be grown in Louisiana and across the southeast. Horticulturist David Pica says in order to make raspberries a success for Louisiana growers, there has to be multiple harvests during a year…
cut 15 (10) “….fresh market raspberries”
Picha says the demand for raspberries has grown since the pandemic and right now most of the raspberries we eat are from other countries.

The field of candidates for governor grew last week, with State Treasurer John Schroder, Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt all getting into the race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry is the front-runner as he has the support of the Louisiana Republican Party…
cut 14 (10) “…for governor”
Pinsonat says if Congressman Garret Graves enters the race, he could possibly keep up with Landry financially.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana will receive more than one-point-six billion dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ACT that will help pay for transportation projects, including a new Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles….
cut 5 (10) “…road and highways”

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has granted permission to four teams to talk with Sean Payton about their head coaching vacancies. Payton is still under contract with the Saints. Loomis says these teams are aware of the type of draft pick compensation they would have to give up in order to hire Payton…
cut 21 (05) “…to em”
The Saints are without a first round pick in the draft, so many expect the Saints will be looking to acquire a first round pick for Payton’s services.

The crawfish season is about to ramp and the price for a pound of mudbugs is two-dollars higher than a year ago. Co-founder of the crawfish app Laney King…
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.

There are now four announced candidates running for Governor this fall, how is the race stacking up so far? Kevin Gallagher has that…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting a special session is likely to take place next month that would be devoted to the state’s homeowners insurance crisis. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon would like to see a special fund established that can be used to attract private property insurance providers.

As we get closer to Mardi Gras, the appetite grows for crawfish. Co-founder of the Crawfish App Laney King says prices this past weekend were two-dollars higher than a year ago. King hopes prices will decline once the weather warms…
cut 12 (09) “….down a little”
King says farmers are incurring extra costs as a result of inflation and high fuel prices.

According to AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 dashboard, 2,626 nursing home residents in Louisiana have died from COVID, including 13 more during a four-week period ending in December…
cut 8 (14) “….staying safe”
That’s Andrew Muhl, the director of Advocacy for the AARP, who says rates of COVID-19 cases continue to go up because nursing home residents and staff are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging among nursing home residents and staff nationwide including 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 Louisiana nursing home residents increased from 460 to just over one-thousand, while staff cases went up from 245 to 533 during the same period in December.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he achieved in 2022. The senator says he pushed through legislation that advocates 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.”

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.”

LSU unveiled a statue of women’s basketball player Seimone Augustus yesterday and then went out and defeated Auburn 84-54.

State Police is investigating an overnight officer involved shooting that occurred during a pursuit in Lafayette. The Lafayette Police officer was not injured, while the male suspect has non-life-threatening injuries.