Governor Edwards deploys 23 State Fire Marshal personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from recent earthquakes.  Kevin Barnhart has the story

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A new organization headed up by a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer says Republican TORT reform efforts will not lead to lower insurance rates. Matt Doyle has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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About two-dozen Louisiana state fire marshal employees left for Puerto Rico today to assist with earthquake recovery efforts. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they’ll inspect thousands of damaged buildings and determine what repairs are needed so they can be safely reoccupied

Cut 3 (06)  “…project” 

Browning says this is the first time the State Fire Marsha’s office has been asked to respond to an earthquake…

Cut 4 (11) “…and they do.”

Browning says the Caribbean Island has seen its share of natural disasters lately…

Cut 5 (10) “…caused significant damage.”

23 deputies and personnel are on the deployment that’s expected to last 16 days.

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Lawsuit reform and car insurance rate arguments are set to dominate the upcoming session, and a new group has been formed to push back against leading Republican proposals for TORT reform.

Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl, a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer opposes the Republican-crafted omnibus TORT reform bill he says is a giveaway to big business.

Cut 6 (12) “…to work”

HB 9 is being brought by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, who believes the legislation will lower auto rates in two to three years.

Holl says a nearly identical bill was brought last session and number crunchers from the insurance industry…

Cut 7 (10) “…rates”

Holl adds under oath last session insurance industry executives could not guarantee the legislation would actually lower rates.

Instead of lowering jury trial thresholds, Holl recommends focusing on insurance policy that discriminates against the working class in favor of the rich.

Cut 8 (12) “…record.”

Proponents of HB9 argue reducing the number of jury trials will save insurance companies money that they will then pass down to customers.

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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the rollout of the Small Business Protection Act, helping business owners stay aware of proposed regulations that could impact their business operations.  Ardoin says the goal is to protect businesses from overregulation.

Cut 9 (08) “…down the pike.”

Ardoin says businesses that sign up at smallbiz.sos.la.gov will get updates so that they are not blindsided by regulation changes.

Cut 10 (11) “…of the game.” 

The Act passed in the 2019 Legislative session and went into effect February 1^st.  Ardoin says depending on the nature of the business, there can be plenty of regulation to impact operations.

Cut 11 (12) “…interest for this.”

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LSU is still seeking it’s next President and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne spoke with Talk Louisiana about his interest in the job earlier today.

Dardenne says he is interested in the job. He noted what a wonderful time it is to be a leader at the school.

Cut 12 (11) “…right now”

There are reports LSU is considering splitting the job up for future hires between the leader of the flagship campus, and someone who would run the system. Dardenne buys both arguments.

Cut 13 (05) “…jobs”

If he gets the job, Dardenne would be the first former board member to ever hold the position. He was elected Student Body President while attending.

Cut 14 (13) “…couldn’t vote.”

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Cut 15 (11) “…you think”

Cut 16  (12)  …dominate” 

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Louisiana is sending help to Puerto Rico as the island recovers from a devastating earthquake. State Fire Marshal personnel have been deployed and it’s the first time for Louisiana to respond to an earthquake, and State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says the deployment keeps officials sharp.

Cut 4 (11) “…and they do.”

23 deputies and personnel are on the deployment.

Eric Holl, a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer is leading up Real Reform Louisiana, a group dedicated to fighting against this session’s Republican TORT reform effort. Holl says claims it will lower auto insurance rates are false, and  a nearly identical bill was brought last session and number crunchers from the insurance industry…

Cut 7 (10) “…rates”

Republicans claim the bill will save insurance companies money.

Governor John Bel Edwards warns local government officials of the headaches that can be created by not being ready to withstand a cyberattack. Ransomware attacks have been the issue faced in the most recent attacks.  The hackers will hold data ransom until a ransom is paid with cryptocurrencies.  Edwards says he doesn’t want anyone trying to pay that tab.

Cut 14 (05) “…over and over.”

A Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputy arrested for allegedly sexually abusing juvenile girls has been fired from the office. The charges allege 33-year-old David Monceaux abused three girls ages six to nine years old.

Governor John Bel Edwards deploys 23 State Fire Marshal personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from a recent earthquake and tremors. State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says Urban Search and Rescue specialists will survey and access damaged buildings.

Cut 3 (10)  “…longer if needed.” 

This is the first time for they’ve been deployed for an earthquake.

Lawsuit reform and car insurance rate arguments are set to dominate the upcoming session, and a new group has been formed to push back against leading Republican proposals for TORT reform. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl, a former Governor Edwards staffer opposes the Republican-crafted omnibus TORT reform bill he says is a giveaway to big business.
Cut 6 (12) “…to work”
HB 9 is being brought by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, who believes the legislation will lower auto rates in two to three years.

The U-S Senate rejects both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted to acquit the president. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to normalize impeachment was reckless…
cut 11 (10) “…rage’
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for impeachment.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting and had this warning for local officials when it comes to cyberattacks…
Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”
A recent cyberattack on New Orleans government cost the city more than seven million dollars. Edwards has established a cybersecurity emergency response team to respond to ransomware hits.

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join a near party-line vote to acquit President Trump of charges that he used military aid to try to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens. Kennedy says he’s been skeptical of the impeachment proceedings since they began in a House committee run by Democrats.

Cut 10 (09) “…control”

The only Republican to vote in favor of removal was Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

An LSU researcher begins a two-year study testing how vaping affects people who weren’t previously smokers, inspired by a new generation of kids who’ve taken up the habit. Part of LSU Biomedical Sciences researcher Alexandra Noel’s study will be measuring to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.

Cut 5 (10) “…produced”

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment with the formation of Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Three Many High juveniles are under arrest on allegations of bullying and sexual assault. The trio was arrested Tuesday night, and reportedly is linked to an incident that was caught on video during late January showing a student who was held down and sodomized with an object. The video was shared on social media, and went viral.

An LSU researcher is beginning a two-year study of the impacts of vaping on people who were previously non-smokers. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy vote against removing President Trump as impeachment ends with a 52-48 not guilty vote in the Senate…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle 

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As vaping rates soar LSU assistant professor of Comparative Biomedical Sciences Alexandra Noel is looking into how vaping impcats the lungs of people who were previously non-smokers.

Noel says a lot of the previous vaping related studies looked at the effects on people who had smoked cigarettes previously, but the craze is beginning to impact a large number of previous non-smokers.

Cut 4 (09) “…concerns.”

Part of her study will be measuring to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.

Cut 5 (10) “…produced”

She hopes her research can help inform public policy on the issue as more and more kids take up vaping without having ever touched a cigarette.

Cut 6 (10) “steps.”

The legal age for vaping has now been raised to 21 in the US, but there’s still confusion as to whether it’s legal to sell to those 18-21 in Louisiana.

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Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty.  The organization’s national manager Hannah Cox says a recent study indicates the death penalty cost the state’s taxpayers nearly $16 million more annually than life without parole.

Cut 7 (13) “…other government programs.”

Louisiana becomes the thirteenth state to join the national organization.  Conservative activist and member of the St. Tammany GOP Parish Executive Committee Col. Rob Maness says the death penalty doesn’t go along with the fiscal or pro-life perspective of the Republican party, adding sometimes the government gets it wrong.

Cut 8 (13) “…they do well.”

Cox says they’ve had lots of conservative movement on the issue in other states, but with the state’s death penalty high-usage history, Louisiana’s handling on the death penalty could be very compelling to the rest of the country.

Cut 9 (10) “…the nation’s attention.”
Louisiana last executed an inmate in January 2010.  The lack of access to the drugs needed for lethal injection has been credited for gap.

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Impeachment comes to an end as the Senate votes to acquit President Donald Trump in a nearly party-line 52-48 not guilty vote on both articles of impeachment.

Both Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voting against removal. Kennedy gave the reasoning for his acquittal vote, attacking House Democrats impeachment proceedings as a partisan exercise.

Cut 10 (09) “…control”

The only Republican to vote in favor of removal was Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

Kennedy attacked the House’s impeachment proceedings, saying Democrats did not give the President a fair shake and broke procedurals norms to push an impeachment vote.

Cut 11 (10) “…rage”

The House impeachment vote was a mostly party-line, with three Democrats voting against and no Republicans voting for.

The Senator believes impeachment was a Democrat plot thought out long before any allegations of wrongdoing involving Ukraine surfaced.

Cut 12 (11) “…squad”

Democrats allege the President threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated Joe Biden’s son’s business dealings in the country.

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Governor John Bel Edwards warns local government officials of the headaches that can be created by not being ready to withstand a cyberattack.  Edwards says recent cyberattacks across the state are likely to happen again in other areas.

Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”

Ransomware attacks have been the issue faced in the most recent attacks.  The hackers will hold data ransom until a ransom is paid with cryptocurrencies.  Edwards says he doesn’t want anyone trying to pay that tab.

Cut 14 (05) “…over and over.”

Edwards urges officials to take precautionary steps to avoid an attack by backing up data and protecting it behind a firewall.

Cut 15 (09) “…been successfully attacked.”

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LSU football signed three more players to its 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday. 24-7 sports ranks the Tigers incoming group of players as the fourth-best in the nation. Coach Ed Orgeron says there are great character and athletes in this class

Cut 16  (17)  …can play”  

LSU can still sign three more players. They can use those scholarships on transfers or use them in next year’s recruiting class. Orgeron also needs to find a new passing game coordinator to replace Joe Brady, who came from the Saints. Coach O would like to get another NFL coach on his staff…

Cut 17  (18) “spring ball” 

Orgeron also announced the Tigers are moving to a four-three front on defense with new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Orgeron says Pelini will install a defense that will create more negative plays for opposing offenses…

cut 18  (20) ” his defense”   

State health officials are responding to a mumps outbreak involving LSU students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor John Bel Edwards approves the deployment of 23 State Fire Marshal deputies and personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from recent earthquakes. The Urban Search and Rescue specialist will survey and access about 12,000 damaged buildings on the two-week mission.

A slow-moving cold front is providing the state with active weather today.  There is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area, and severe weather throughout most of the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says by tomorrow afternoon the front should be clear of the state and chilly air will settle in.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals that one in three Louisiana pet owners struggles financially to care for their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, Sprang, can assist low-income pet owners at her clinic but admits it’s a challenge.

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else” 

The Census will be taken this year and then it will be up to the state legislature to draw up new political maps. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and he lays out the timeline for when reapportionment discussions will begin.

Cut 6 (10) “…redistricting”

A Census is taken every ten years.

Five LSU students who were living off-campus are confirmed to have a case of the mumps, a contagious disease that spreads through saliva or other respiratory droplets. Doctor Frank Welch says they are trying to determine if there’s a connection between the students because they did not live in the same apartment

Cut 4 (12) “…families.”

A slow-moving cold front is providing the state with an active weather today.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area starting with rain tonight.

Cut 12 (12) “…kind of interesting”

Keim says we also have a tornado watch in effect for a large section of the state until 6 pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge.

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals 42% pet owners say if they lost their job, they would not have the means necessary to keep their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says some owners have come to her feeling they had no options.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t afford”

A survey by Innovet Pet finds that 34 percent of pet owners in the Bayou State struggle financially to care for their pets. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says the contagious disease can spread through contact with saliva or respiratory droplets…

Cut 3 (09)  “…very seriously” 

A slow-moving cold front is keeping the state in cloudy and wet conditions throughout today and into tomorrow afternoon.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says we also have a tornado watch in effect for a large section of the state until 6pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge…
Cut 13 (08) “…spun up.”
Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area.
The Census will be taken this year and then it will be up to the state legislature to draw up new political maps. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and he lays out the timeline for when reapportionment discussions will begin. Dwight will join with Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who chairs Senate House and Governmental Affairs, in the effort. He says they’ll tour the state after the Census is conducted.

Cut 7 (11) “…result”

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch this afternoon as a slow-moving cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says by tomorrow afternoon the front should be clear of the state and chilly air will settle in.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says you can protect yourself from getting the mumps by receiving two doses of the M-M-R vaccine. He says students should seek treatment if their glands are swollen under their ears or jaw

Cut 5 (09) “…sides.”

The Census is about to get underway and it could decide if Louisiana regains the Congressional seat it lost in the previous census. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Dwight says it’ll be interesting to find out if our population has recovered and the state gains another seat.

Cut 8 (07) “…we’ll see.”

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals that 42% pet owners in Louisiana say if they lost their job, they would not have the means necessary to keep their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says some owners have come to her feeling they had no options.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t afford”

The survey said one in three pet owners in the state struggle financially with owning a pet.

1:30 PM newscast.
Louisiana’s U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are expected to vote today with fellow Republican Senators in acquitting President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment. The Advocate reports the senators have received thousands of emails and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions.
State health officials are responding to a mumps outbreak involving LSU students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A slow-moving cold front is keeping the state in cloudy and wet conditions throughout today and into tomorrow afternoon.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area starting with rain tonight.

Cut 12 (12) “…kind of interesting”

A tornado watch is in effect for a large section of the state until 6pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, and Lake Charles.

A survey reveals that one in three Louisiana pet owners struggle financially to care for their animals. The survey by Innovet Pet found that nearly a quarter of those surveyed admit they have a difficult time caring for their pets. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says medical costs continue to increase for pet owners.

Cut 9 (11) “…ultrasound machine”