Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths surge among nursing home residents and staff nationwide including here 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 07(10)      “…includes the booster.”

During December in Louisiana, resident cases went from 460 to just over one-thousand, while staff cases went up from 245 to 533 during the same period.

A new study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates if Louisiana updates its building energy codes, energy use in new buildings could be cut by as much as 20% in residential and 32 percent in commercial structures. Mike Waite, is a senior manager with ACEEE:

CUT 03(08)      “…electric grid.”

An LSU student has died, after being hit by a car early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge. Madison Brooks was a sophomore and a sorority member. Sheriff’s deputies say she was standing in the middle of the roadway at 3am for unknown reasons when she was hit by traffic. The crash is under investigation.

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 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

Add another name to the list of candidates who are running for governor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt made her candidacy official today. Hewitt says, if elected, she’ll put her business experience to work growing the economy, cutting taxes and creating more opportunity across Louisiana…:

CUT 05 (13)      “…in Louisiana.”

She joins fellow republicans AG Jeff Landry & Treasurer John Schroder in the race, along with Lake Charles independent Hunter Lundy. No Democrats have officially entered the race so far.

LSU unveils a statue honoring for Lady Tigers superstar Seimone Augustus Sunday. Coach Kim Mulkey says she was one of the greatest shooters…:

CUT 13 (12)      “…jump shot.”

The statue will stand outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The lineup for Jazz Fest is out, and organizers say this year they are back in their full glory. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02 (34)      “…Thorington.”

The Mega Millions jackpot is up to $1.35-billion, with a lump-sum cash option of nearly $708-million; making tonight’s jackpot the 2nd largest in Mega Millions history. Ticket sell until 9 tonight. The drawing is at 10.

Big economic development news for St. Mary Parish; South Korean tire giant Kumho (KOO-moe) will invest millions in a 350-thousand square foot distribution center in Franklin. Port of New Orleans President Brandy Christian says Kumho’s commitment helps St. Mary and the state’s largest port…:

CUT 08(11)      “…the Midwest.”

When complete the Kumho facility will employ up to 200 people.

The 2023 New Orleans Jazz Festival lineup is out, and it features big names like Lizzo, Ed Sheeran, Dead & Company, Santana and many more. Festival organizer Quint Davis says some artists are finally coming after the pandemic prevented it in years past…:

CUT 10(11)      “…put them on.”

The festival kicks off on April 28^th and runs through May 7th. For tickets and the full line-up visit NOjazzfest.com

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt announces she’s running for governor. Jeff Palermo has more on her candidacy…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge man is under arrest for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl back in late November. The victim says 20-year-old Johnathan David was at a friend’s house when he told her and a friend he was 17, before plying her with alcohol and then taking advantage. David has been booked with 3^rd degree rape. If convicted he could get up to 25 years in prison.

The lineup for New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is out, and organizers say this year they are back in their full glory. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Senator John Kennedy suggests there may have been a months-long “cover-up” to conceal the classified documents in President Biden’s possession, after another batch was uncovered in the garage of his Delaware home. Kennedy says the whole thing has played out “like a Quentin Tarantino movie.”

Add state Senator Sharon Hewitt to the list of those running for Governor this fall. Hewitt is chair of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee and says – in her private professional life – she has acquired the business savvy to run the state…:

CUT 04(09)      “…our state.”

Seimone Augustus…considered the greatest women’s basketball player from Louisiana… will be honored Sunday as LSU unveils a statue of the former All-American. It will be located near the Maravich Center. Lady Tigers Coach Kim Mulkey says Augustus is very deserving…:

CUT 12(12)      “…in the Olympics.”

Augustus scored 27-hundred points at LSU, led the Lady Tigers to three Final Fours, won four WNBA titles and won Olympic gold three times.

Big economic development news for St. Mary Parish; South Korean tire giant Kumho (Koo-moe) will invest millions in a 350-thousand square foot distribution center in Franklin. Port of New Orleans President Brandy Christian says this, plus a planned cargo container facility will further grow the state’s import & export capabilities..:

CUT 07(11)      “…and manufacturing.”

When complete, the Kumho facility should create about 200 full-time jobs.

The lineup for this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is out, and festival head Quint Davis says they have a little of everything…as always…:

CUT 09(10)      “…it’s for everybody.”

The festival kicks off April 28^th and runs through May7th. For tickets and the full line-up visit “NOjazzfest.com”

Slidell state Senator Sharon Hewitt is the latest to declare a run for the Governor’s Mansion this fall. The Republican has served in the state senate since 2016 and she’s also an engineering executive…:

CUT 03(08)      “…and results.”

If elected Hewitt would be the state’s first Republican woman governor. She joins a field that now includes Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, GOP State Treasurer John Schroder and Lake Charles independent Hunter Lundy.

A Shreveport jury finds 35-year-old Joseph Smith guilty of manslaughter in the March 2021 death of 5-year-old Mya Patel. The little girl was asleep in a motel room, while Smith and another man argued and fought in the parking lot outside. Smith pulled a gun and a stray shot went through the wall, killing the child. Smith could get up to 40 years at sentencing.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt announces she’s running for governor. Jeff Palermo has more on her candidacy…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Afederal Justice Department complaint alleges nursing home owner Bob Dean, who had his licenses revoked after a deadly evacuation during Hurricane Ida, swept millions gained from federal loans into his personal banking accounts. The DOJ says Dean misspent and misallocated more than $4 million of the nursing homes’ assets and income.

The Mega Millions jackpot is up to $1.35-billion, with a lump-sum cash option of nearly $708-million; making tonight’s jackpot the 2nd largest in Mega Millions history. Yes, it may be Friday the 13^th, but Louisiana Lottery’s Dustin Annison says superstition doesn’t seem to be stopping lottery players from trying their chances for the big bucks…:

CUT 13(08)      “…$5.1-million.”

Tonight’s drawing will mark the 26th of the current draw cycle which started on October 18th. Tickets on sale until 9 and the drawing is at 10.

…and now it time for today’s markets…

Economic Development News for St. Mary Parish. Korean tire giant Kumho (KOO-moe) will build a huge warehouse in Franklin, with plans to grow that into a distribution center. Port of New Orleans President Brandy Christian says it’s a significant multi-million-dollar investment in St. Mary…:

CUT 06(12)      “…as well.”

Kumho Tires makes passenger and light truck tires.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt made her candidacy for Governor in 2023 official today. She says – if elected – she’ll put her business experience to work growing the economy, cutting taxes and creating more opportunity across Louisiana…:

CUT 05(13)      “…in Louisiana.”

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, GOP State Treasurer John Schroder and Lake Charles Hunter Lundy are also running.

The Pentagon has ended COVID vaccine mandates for U.S. servicemen and women. This comes after the Pelican Institute for Public Policy sued on behalf of two Louisiana military members who didn’t want to get the shots for religious reasons. Pelican’s General Counsel Sarah Harbison says up to 8-thousand U.S. servicemen and women have been discharged over refusing the COVID shots, and one the two plaintiffs in their case is already in the process of being drummed out…:

CUT 09(08)      “…resolves the complaints.”

Harbison says the Pentagon’s decision was not just due to the Pelican Institute’s lawsuit; there were dozens of such lawsuits filed across the nation.

A Shreveport cop was hurt last night while helping a stranded motorist on I-20. His patrol car was rear-ended by a large pickup. The officer is expected to recover. The driver faces a charge of vehicular negligent injury.

The multi-state Mega Millions jackpot for tonight has grown to $1.35-billion. A lump-sum cash payout would net nearly $708-million. Tickets are on sale until 9. The drawing is at 10.

Lake Charles attorney-at-law Hunter Lundy – an independent – officially announces he will run for Governor this fall. Lundy says the fact that he is not aligned with either of the big political parties makes him a better choice for voters…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…sides of the aisle.”

Lundy says, if elected, he’d work to ease poverty and hunger in Louisiana and take steps to reduce recidivism among prison inmates. His website is “LundyforLouisiana.com”

Niagara Bottling announced its plans to invest $160 million in a state-of-the-art production facility near Hammond. Tangipahoa Parish president Robby Miller, says all indicators are that Niagara is a great company to work for…:

CUT 03(10)      “…good operation.”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrest a teen male from the town of Gray in connection with a social media threat that said he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to H.L. Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office spokesman Blake Tabor says they received an anonymous tip Wednesday afternoon, and soon after took him into custody…:

CUT 09(11)      “…of terrorizing.”

The youth said it was a joke. Tabor says the Law didn’t find it funny.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in relation to the threats made toward students at East Ouachita Middle School and Ouachita Parish High School. The 14-year-old reportedly made the threats on social media. He is in juvenile custody.

New Iberia Police say don’t believe everything you read on Facebook. Chief Todd D’Albor says posts about a shooting incident at the New Iberia Walmart are not true. Again, all is well in New Iberia…especially at Walmart.

Another candidate for Governor this fall makes his intentions official. Lake Charles attorney-at-law Hunter Lundy is an independent, and says – if elected – he’d work to reduce poverty and seek to rehabilitate convicted criminals so they do not return to prison. He says, as an independent, he’ll be open to proposed legislation, with no prejudices as to party affiliation…:

CUT 07(08)      “…gonna go with it.”

He joins A.G. Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder – both Republicans. More candidates are expected to announce soon.

A Laplace man faces murder charges after he allegedly killed his aunt by standing on her throat. Deputies arrived at the home to catch 25-year-old Christian Robinson in the act. They tased him but it was too late to save the victim, 57-year-old Suzanne Robinson. Charged with 2^nd degree murder, he’s being held pending a half-million-dollar bond.

Economic development in Tangipahoa Parish. Niagara Bottling says it will invest over $150-million in a brand new production facility in Hammond. Parish President Robby Miller says work on the 500-thousand square foot facility is already underway…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…not mistaken.”

He says Niagara should be up and running within about a year; providing good-paying jobs with benefits.

Another Tiger gone. LSU freshman quarterback Walker Howard reportedly enters the transfer portal to go to another school. Tiger Rag Magazine’s William Weather says QB Jayden Daniels’ decision to stay another year likely influenced Howard’s decision…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…little quicker.”

Amid talk of who is and is not running for governor this fall, the first person who officially declared candidacy is Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. Lundy is an independent, who says the fact that he is not aligned with either big political party makes him the best choice for voters…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…sides of the aisle”

Lundy is joined by GOP Attorney General Jeff Landry, and fellow Republican State Treasurer John Schroder. Others are expected to enter the race, including some well-known Democrats.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says a teen in the town of Gray posted a social media threat that he was attempting to acquire a gun and bring it to H.L. Bourgeois High School Thursday. Terrebonne Sheriff’s spokesman Blake Tabor says the teen was arrested and is being held without bond for now…:

CUT 10(10)      “…nor should we.”

The investigation is ongoing.

A lot of cops and deputies were seen today at two Ouachita Parish schools – Ouachita High and East Ouachita Middle. We’re told they were looking into alleged threats made against the schools but no credible threats were determined. They are still investigating.

Freshman quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal after just one season at LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”