State lawmakers can begin filing bills for the 2022 regular session starting today.  Kevin Gallagher on the bills that will come up for debate when the three-month-long session begins in March…

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Plans are afoot to bring broadband Internet to the state’s most remote areas, via the GUMBO Fund grant program Kevin Gallagher has more…:

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A beloved Louisiana staple is adding another Cajun classic to its array of products. Brooke Thorington has the ingredients.

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The start of the 2022 regular legislative session is still two months away, but today lawmakers can begin filing bills to be heard in the three-month-long session. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says some of the controversial bills that failed to pass last year, will be back this year

Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine mandates.” 

Alford says it’s a non-fiscal session, so bills to raise taxes can not be filed, but legislators will still discuss state finances as they have to pass a budget and determine how to spend over a billion dollars in surplus money…

Cut 5 (11) “…last forever.”

Alford says after two years of getting battered by hurricanes and homeowners wrestling with their insurance providers over claims, Republican lawmakers are eager to pass insurance reform legislation…

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58 parishes have applied for grants to bring broadband internet to their areas. It’s no secret that large portions of Louisiana are underserved when it comes to Internet access and connection speeds. Avoyelles state Rep. Daryl Deshotel was an architect of the so-called GUMBO Fund grants…:

Cut 7 (12) “…round of applications.”

GUMBO is an acronym for Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities. The program was proposed by Deshotel and others and was passed in 2021. 58 parishes have applied for the money and the first-round candidates will be announced in March. Deshotel says the GUMBO Fund will get a boost from federal Infrastructure Bill money, and there are other ways the available funds could grow…:

Cut 8 (14) “…here in Louisiana.”

Deshotel says actual work to install broadband infrastructure in the state’s more remote areas can begin as early as May. He says there is some concern about the supply chain and any potential labor shortage due to the pandemic. Deshotel says it is high time that broadband Internet was available to every part of Louisiana…:

Cut 9 (13)  “…change our state.”

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In honor of their 50^th anniversary, Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s is introducing new Cajun chili mixes. Spokesperson Celeste Chachere says when they were brainstorming for new product ideas, they decided to pull from one of her great-grandfather’s favorite chili recipes.

Cut 10 (11) “…2.5 ounce box.”

The recipe is called “He-Man Chilli” and Chachere says it’s bold, hearty, and filling.

There are two versions of the chili seasonings, mild and original. Chachere says they definitely have a little personality in them and are created with fresh herbs and spices.

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Chachere says the mixes are affordable at just under two dollars and the mixes are designed to be used with two pounds of ground beef or venison, enough to feed a whole family.

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The new chili mixes are currently rolling out to grocery stores, and you can also find them at TonyChachere.com.

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy reports he raised just over $3-million for his re-election campaign, during the last months of 2021. That brings his total campaign funds to a little over $18-million, with about $11-million cash on-hand. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says that is considerably more than Kennedy raised for his campaign in 2016…:

Cut 13 (11) “…have that in 2022.”

So far, only Bunkie airline pilot Luke Mixon and Baton Rouge activist and blogger Gary Chambers – both Democrats – have announced they’ll challenge Kennedy. Dr. Stockley says $11-million cash on-hand is a huge sum of money to have, when facing what he calls “a token Democrat”….:

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Kennedy has been raising campaign funds for – pretty much – the last five years of his first term. Stockley says it’s been ever thus in D.C. politics…:

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Stockley says Kennedy has a real knack for gathering big campaign donations. He says the size of his campaign “warchest” gives him a clear and strong advantage in the fall election.

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The Pelicans dropped their second straight ballgame yesterday afternoon, a 104-92 loss to the Celtics. Willie Green says that his team struggled to meet Boston’s intensity on defense.

Cut  16 (14) “…get into stuff.”

Green says that there are nights like this over the course of the NBA season, but his team will bounce back.

Cut 17 (08) “ …their physicality.” 

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LSU coach Brian Kelly has assembled his coaching staff as he prepares for his first season in Baton Rouge. Adam Hunsucker from Tiger Rag Magazine says that the makeup of Kelly’s staff should help him make the adjustment to the SEC.

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The addition of New Orleans native Cortez Hankton should give the Tigers a boost when it comes to building a fence around some of the state’s most talented players.

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With the mix of familiar faces and up and comers on the sidelines for Coach Kelly, the Tigers staff should once again be one to be reckoned with.

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For LRN im Erik Piccoli
LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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And Baton Rouge area businessman and self-described advocate, Gary Chambers will run for the Senate this fall. Chambers says incumbent Senator John Kennedy’s votes don’t necessarily reflect what the people of Louisiana want and if he is elected, he’ll work to secure Medicare for the elderly and for everyone else…
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New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning Wednesday due to the rapid increase in COVID cases causing disruptions in schools and overwhelming hospitals. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno
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And Louisiana has a combined 1.5 billion dollar budget surplus from the last and current fiscal year. The REC has recognized the additional revenue and can begin to craft a proposed budget to present to lawmakers ahead of the regular legislative session. The state will also have another 450-million dollar in surplus money to spend from the last fiscal year.
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For LRN I’m Erik Piccoli

One year ago today, pro-Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol as Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Lawmakers were escorted out of the chambers. Here’s Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson describing the scene that day

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Senator Bill Cassidy was the lone Republican member of Louisiana’s delegation who voted to certify presidential election results and later voted to convict the former President on charges that his actions led to the mob attack on the capitol.

The Louisiana Department of Health says 90-percent of all COVID cases in the state is the Omicron variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says LSU Health Shreveport is testing on average 650 to 800 people a day…:

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It’s King’s Day and that means you can officially begin consuming King Cake. Brooke Thorington has more.

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And in Louisiana 14,000 new Covid Cases and 12 new deaths bring the state to a total of over 893 thousand cases. In the last week, hospitalizations have almost doubled and there are 1,412 patients. Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to hold a press conference today at 2:30.

This is news on LRN

Hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more

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Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.

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Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, the sixth highest in the nation.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s still waiting on the CDC to provide some guidance on how much protection a person may have from COVID if previously infected by COVID. Cassidy says based on worldwide research there is some natural immunity for those who recover from COVID…Cassidy isn’t sure why the CDC seems reluctant to look into natural immunity, but the senator, who is also a physician, believes it does provide some protection from future infection…

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As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.

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The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.

Along with state offices requiring face masks indoors, hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures. Rigamer says people are leaving the state by and large in search of bettering their future.

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He says that some have also left because of the continuing hit by catastrophic hurricanes.

There’s improvement to report in Louisiana’s job market. So says Ava Cates, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, who notes some of the improvement that’s taken place since Hurricane Ida struck, and despite COVID-19.

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Cates says the November jobless report shows a slight decline from October, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate now at five-point-one percent.

As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.

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The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.

A Louisiana businessman’s legal fight to stop the White House COVID vaccine mandate for employers is going to the U.S. Supreme Court. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

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In addition to state offices returning to indoor masking requirements, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge is requiring all to wear face masks. Infectious disease specialist at the Lake Dr. Catherine O’Neal says the rapid increase in cases forced them to return to face masks.

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Governor Edwards extended the indoor mask mandate for state agencies on Tuesday.

Louisiana faces several challenges in its efforts to address domestic violence, according to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report. In 2017 Louisiana had the second-highest number of female homicides with more than half killed by an intimate partner. Performance Auditor Kristen Jacobs says adequate shelter for victims is a major issue.

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Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.

Cut 3 (10) “…doing much better.”

Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, sixth highest in the nation.

Governor Edwards is extending the state’s Public Health Order related to COVID-19. It includes a provision permitting all state agencies to require mask wearing, the extension coming as the fast-spreading Omicron variant infects more individuals in the Bayou State. Though vaccines and boosters are seen as the strongest tools in the fight against the virus, Edwards says masking up is an important way to slow the spread, even indoors around people who aren’t members of your household.

Preliminary data from Moderna indicates their COVID booster shot increases antibody levels against the Omicron variant. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says while it’s still early data and hasn’t undergone a thorough scientific review…Lopez says Moderna’s announcement of significant booster protection against Omicron models data released from Pfizer and their booster shot.

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Less than 33% of the population in the US is boosted.

A reconfirmation today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews, though all crews will roll on their scheduled days. Cantrell offered this example:

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Today is the first day of winter and the Climate Prediction Center predicts a warmer and drier than normal winter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina climate conditions will bring the Bayou State above-average temperatures and dry conditions through February. He says Louisiana benefits from warm air coming off the Gulf of Mexico…

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Keim says we’ll experience what should be a mild winter starting with above-normal temperatures this holiday weekend …