Louisiana’s Department of Children & Family Services says emergency additional food stamp benefits for the pandemic end next month. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Former state lawmaker and chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Carter Peterson is set be sentenced today on a federal wire fraud charge. Peterson faces up to 20 years in prison for using campaign funds to fuel her gambling addiction.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking 17 sites across the state with adult-size Rainbow Trout as part of the department’s Get Out & Fish Program. Fish will be stocked at sites designed for bank fishing and Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Danica Williams says the program provides a unique opportunity…
Cut 4 (08) “…starts to rise.”
Rainbow Trout are native to rivers and lakes in Western North America, but their rise in popularity as a sport fish has increased stocking programs across the U.S.

LSU gymnastics will have security travel with the team after dozens of teenage boys crowded the exit of an arena in Utah hoping to get a glimpse of gymnast and social media star Olivia Dunne. Dunne is one of the most profitable college atheltes when it comes to NIL because of her following on social media. Coach Jay Clark says name, image, and likeness deals helps promote athletes the public might not know about, it also has disadvantages.
Cut 11 (07) “…with Olivia.”
LSU is at Kentucky on Friday.

Emergency additional food stamp benefits for the COVID pandemic are about to end. The USDA says February will be the final month…
cut 13 (11) “…as we can”
That’s Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard who says the benefits can run from an extra $95 a month for food, to over $300 extra; depending on how many are in the home.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is in the process of stocking 17 sites across the state with Rainbow Trout. LDWF biologist Danica Williams says they stock the fish during the winter months when water temperatures are cool …
cut 5 (06) “…..winter months”
Williams says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch so the trout are harvested before the temperatures rise.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issues its first comprehensive guidelines in 15 years on the treatment of childhood obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-on-oh) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says the watchful waiting approach to see if a child matures to an appropriate weight has been revised.
Cut 7 (10) “…to lose weight.”
Tools like nutritional counseling, a healthy sleep program, and more physical activity. And for some children that includes medication and weight loss surgery.

The LSU gymnastics team is increasing their security after a large group of teenage boys swarmed to see 20-year-old junior and social media star Olivia Dunne at a meet in Utah Friday night. Gymnastics coach Jay Clark fears the situation will only get worse after a reporter covering the competition posted a video of the incident.
Cut 10 (08) “…we go.”
Dunne issued a statement on social media afterward asking fans to be respectful of gymnasts and the gymnastics community.

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Schroder is a former state representative who has been Louisiana’s treasurer since 2017 and wants to be governor to change the state’s direction
cut 6 (12) “…three things”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has decided against a run for governor and will run for re-election.

We know U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy will not run and U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that opens the door for a major Democrat to get in the race…
cut 14 (08) “…serious run”
DOTD secretary Shawn Wilson and Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt are two possible Democrats who may run.

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Authorities seize 70 pounds of mushroom chocolate bars during a traffic stop on Interstate 49. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine made an interesting find, 487 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars.
Cut 3 (11) “…at the top”

We are getting a better idea of who’s in and who’s out of the governor’s race since Senator John Kennedy announced he’s staying in Washington D.C. and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will seek re-election. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says two 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 announced candidates are Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder, both Republicans. A Democrat has yet to officially announce.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has released a revised coastal master plan which is a roadmap to addressing coastal landloss and chronic flooding. Executive Director of the CPRA Ben Haase says the plan encompasses all of Louisiana’s coastal areas…
cut 9 (10) “….portion of our coast”
Public comments can be submitted through March 25th.

A person with autism can now have an autism indictor on a Louisiana I-D card. Matthew Boudreaux with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles says the autism indicator will appear under a person’s picture on the I-D card…
cut 5 (09) “….indicate that”
The Autism designation can also be displayed on any class driver’s license.

The state has launched a human trafficking hotline that allows anyone to report suspicious human trafficking activity. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services, says the phone number is the same hotline to report child abuse and neglect cases, 1 -855-the number 4-L-A–KIDS…
cut 12 (03) “….have it here”
All cases reported will be forwarded to State Police.

Louisiana’s Governor’s race is starting to take shape with State Treasurer John Schroder telling supporters he will officially launch his campaign next month. It’s been long rumored Billy Nungesser will run for governor, but Nungesser has decided to seek re-election for Lt. Governor. Congressman Garret Graves is the next big domino to fall.

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has released a draft version of the 2023 Coastal Master Plan, which is a roadmap for combating coastal land loss and flooding. C-P-R-A executive director Ben Haase says the master plan is updated every six years to incorporate changes in technology, costs and logistics
cut 7 (11) “…50 years from now”
Public hearings on the plan will begin January 31st and public comment will be accepted through March 25th.

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 serves as a public safety measure for law enforcement.
Cut 4 (05) “…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.

So far this year we’ve learned that Senator John Kennedy and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are not running for governor and Treasurer John Schroder is.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Republicans Garret Graves, Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson could still enter the race, while Shawn Wilson and Katie Bernhardt seem like the most likely Democratic candidates.

The Ruston City Council has approved a sales tax incentive package to bring the first Buc-ee’s to Louisiana. The travel center would be located off the Tarbutton Road Exit along I-20.

In 2021 there were 607 confirmed or suspected juvenile victims of human trafficking in Louisiana. On January 1st, 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).

The state has released a draft of Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan. Executive director of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Ben Haase says the first Coastal Master Plan was in 2007 and it’s updated every six years, providing a road map to fighting coastal land loss..
cut 8 (12) “…this document”
To see the 2023 plan go to coastal-dot-la-dot-gov.