Medical experts say CPR most likely saved Damar Hamlin’s life moments after he collapsed on the field Monday. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can be trained to perform this life-saving procedure.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with payroll fraud after attending only one meeting in 2022. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin continues to show remarkable improvement after collapsing on the field Monday and medical experts say CPR most likely saved his life. Executive Director of Louisiana Capital Area West Red Cross Ed Bush says it was actually a trainer who administered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Hamlin,

Cut 3 (06) “…gentleman alive.” 

The situation proved just how important it is that individuals are properly trained in the procedure because at any time you could encounter someone in need. Bush says since the early 1900s the Red Cross has been the leading expert on CPR instruction…

Cut 4 (09)  “…super easy.” 

Bush says you can find a listing of CPR classes by visiting RedCross.org/CPR.  And while it’s a skill you hope you never have to use; Bush says hopefully awareness of just how important it is will prompt more individuals to get trained.

Cut 5 (12) “…uptick in classes”

Bush says basic training for CPR averages a few hours versus certification classes that are more in-depth.

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Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with public payroll fraud for only attending one of the 12 meetings the board held last year. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says Spears has committed a crime…

Cut 6 (07)  “…with it” 

Based on the charge, Spears could face a fine of up to one-thousand and up to two years in prison. D’Aquilla says Spears was compensated for the eleven meetings he missed…

Cut 7 (07)  “…that’s a crime”

D’Aquilla says they had a similar incident with former school board member Edward Brooks, who missed numerous meetings from 2016 to 2020 and it was pled down to a misdemeanor theft charge after he reimbursed the school system.

Spears attorney says Spears could not attend the meetings because he works at a chemical plant in Ascension Parish. But D’Aquilla says if a job gets in the way of holding public office, then you have to make a decision..

Cut 8 (08)  “..needs to resign” 

Spears term ended in December. He did not seek re-election after serving two terms. His case is set to go to trial in June.

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Louisiana is letting the good times roll by kicking off Carnival season with King’s Day. Publisher of New Orleans’ “Mardi Gras Guide”, Arthur Hardy says the celebration is just getting started.

Cut 9 (09) “…in New Orleans” 

King cake is eaten on January 6th in honor of the Epiphany, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus. Hardy says this tradition holds something special and memorable.

Cut 10 (09) “…for everybody” 

Typically, King cake is made with a rich, brioche dough and a wide array of fillings, such as cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. Each cake is topped with the traditional green, gold, and purple sprinkles. Hardy says there is no right or wrong way to enjoy King cake.

Cut 11 (12)  “…fun desert.”

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As of today, Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry is the only major declared candidate for Louisiana Governor in 2023. A few candidates have decided NOT to run, and a handful of fellow GOP members are thinking about it. Landry Campaign spokesman Brent Littlefield says fundraising is running full-speed ahead; anticipating a large field of fellow candidates…:

Cut 12 (07) “…get our message out.”

Senator Bill Cassidy announced he’s a “no” weeks ago. Senator John Kennedy said he’s not running this week. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will announce HIS decision next Tuesday. Also reportedly mulling it over: Congressman Garret Graves, Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Littlefield say the Landry Campaign has a good head start on challengers…:

Cut 13 (o9) “…in our Leadership PAC.” 

Perhaps the biggest gun in Landry’s arsenal: the endorsement of the state Republican Party and the support that comes with that…:

Cut 14 (11)   “…named Jeff Landry.”

Fans attending Pelicans and Saints games in recent weeks are returning to their vehicles to find their windows busted and items stolen. A spokesperson for the two teams say they are on radar of the NFL and NBA because of the rampant car burglaries. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says they plan to put a stop to it…
cut 15 (08) “…delete it”
The Pelicans host the Nets at the Blender tonight.

Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with public payroll fraud for only attending one of the 12 meetings the board held last year. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says Spears has committed a crime…
Cut 6 (07) “…with it”
Spears attorney says his client was at work when the meetings were held.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin continues to show remarkable improvement after collapsing on the field Monday and medical experts say CPR most likely saved his life. Executive Director of Louisiana Capital West Red Cross Ed Bush says it was actually a trainer who administered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Hamlin,
Cut 3 (06) “…gentleman alive.”
Bush says since the early 1900s the Red Cross has been the leading expert on CPR instruction.

Dry January is an opportunity for individuals to give up alcohol for a month and see how it affects their mental and physical health. Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Jennifer Creedon says many realize they’ve been drinking more than they thought.
Cut 10 (11) “…maybe thought.”
Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli announced she’s doing Dry January.

The U-S House Convenes again today and a for fourth straight day they will try to elect a new Speaker of the House. GOP leader Kevin McCarthy is facing opposition from members of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise could be an alternative choice, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says McCarthy and Scalise are political allies and friends…
cut 9 (10) “….of Representative McCarthy”

Fans attending Pelicans and Saints games in recent weeks are returning to their vehicles to find their windows busted and items stolen. A spokesperson for the two teams say they are on radar of the NFL and NBA because of the rampant car burglaries. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says they plan to put a stop to it…
cut 15 (08) “…delete it”
The Pelicans host the Nets at the Blender tonight.

Several Republican names have been mentioned for the 2023 governor’s race but who are the possible Democrats running?
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former East Feliciana School Board member Derald Spears has been charged with public payroll fraud for only attending one of the 12 meetings the board held last year. Spears attorney says Spears could not attend the meetings because he works at a chemical plant in Ascension Parish. If convicted, Spears could face a fine of up to one-thousand dollars and up to two years in prison.

After eleven rounds of voting, the U-S House still does not have a Speaker of the House. Members of the conservative Freedom Caucus continue to oppose GOP leader Kevin McCarthy. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it IS possible House members would nominate Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise as an alternative to McCarthy. He feels, if that happens, Scalise is a shoo-in…:
Cut 8 (11) “…the votes necessary.”

The Pelicans are 17-and-4 at home this season, but many fans are returning to their vehicles to find windows busted out and their belongings stolen. Saints and Pelicans spokesperson Greg Bensel says they are concerned about the break-ins and need to see action. Interim NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork says they will have more officers patrolling the parking lots around the Dome and Smoothie King Center
Cut 13 (08) “…won’t happen again.”

You may have heard the phrase “Dry January” being discussed. Brooke Thorington has more on what it is and benefits.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they arrested a man who wanted to be arrested so he could go back to jail to have a place to sleep and eat. Deputies say 39-year-old Kenneth Hunt of Lake Charles broke the glass on the front door of the correctional center. He allegedly committed the property damage five hours after he was released from jail after he was booked on November 1st on other charges.

With Senator John Kennedy out of the governor’s race, it’s expected those who are running will make their intentions known by the end of the month. We’ve heard of several Republicans considering the office, but is there a clear frontrunner for Democrats? LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says one possibility is a current cabinet member of Governor John Bel Edwards.
Cut 4 (06) “…the governor.”
In addition to Wilson, Alford says current state Democratic Party chair Katie Bernhardt has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli announced she’s doing Dry January. It’s where people give up alcohol for the first month of the year. Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Doctor Jennifer Creedon says among the benefits are improved sleep, weight loss, thinking more clearly, and fewer negative thoughts. Creedon says alcohol is also a depressant.
Cut 11 (05) “…on mood.”

The U.S. House will try again today to elect a House Speaker, but could Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise be a possible alternate candidate to lead the House? More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”