Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces he will not for re-election. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Baton Rouge Police have taken a person of interest tied to the death of Georgia business executive, Nathan Millard into custody. 45-year-old Derrick Perkins was apprehended last night without incident. BRPD St. L’Jean McNeely says Perkins is accused of using Millard’s debit card and unauthorized use of a Toyota Camry when the debit card was used. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana Legislature remains a boys club with fewer than one in five seats held by women. Data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University shows twenty-eight of the Louisiana Legislature’s 144 seats are held by women – the 45^th lowest percentage in the country. Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there’s a need for more women representation in the legislature.

Cut 6 (11)  “…the legislature.” 

Mizell is hopeful more women will join the political arena in the future.

The cost of insulin has risen over the past decade – from $20 a vial to anywhere between $300 and $700. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 20% of middle-class Americans are unable to take their prescribed dosage of insulin.

Cut 11 (05)  “…afford it.”

House majority leader and Congressman Steve Scalise will introduce the Lower Energy Costs Act next week.  Scalise says the average family is paying over 40 percent more for gas and the bill would have to be passed by the President.

Cut 6 (06)  “…who are struggling.” 

The bill will be considered on the House Floor in the last week of March.

According to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 3.5% percentage points and remains the lowest in history.  Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says the employment rate has declined for 23 consecutive months over the year.

Cut 7 (08) “…are seeing.”

LWC continues to assist employers in filling job positions across the state.

A recent study by Tulane University shows a rise in alcohol and marijuana use among college students. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health of 56 thousand full-time college students ages 18 to 25 from 2006 to 2019 was used. Assistant professor of social work Audrey Hai (pronounced high) says the sharp increase between 2018 to 2019 for Black students is likely attributed to a number of factors including widespread attention to racism and police brutality.

Cut 11 (10)  “… studies on this.”

The overall increase for simultaneous use among all races and ethnicities of college students from the same time period increased from 8.13 % to 8.44%.

Crawfish season is here and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana took a snapshot report of Louisiana’s seafood industry. PAR’s President, Steven Procopio says one out of every 70 jobs is related to the seafood industry and the state produces about 130 million pounds of crawfish annually.

Cut 14 (09)  “….on Friday.”

The state harvest of shrimp – accounts for 33% caught in the country.

FDA has approved an alternative medication for migraines and it’s a nasal spray. Brooke Thorington has more….:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

 Former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack is running for governor. In a crowded field of candidates, he is the fifth Republican to join the race. Waguespack, says he would like to redesign the foundation of secondary school to shape the future for students to remain in the state after graduating.

Cut 4 (11)  “…in Louisiana.” 

Qualifying for the October 14th primary election is Aug. 8^th

A woman was arrested for stealing a state trooper’s vehicle in Metairie Saturday night. Louisiana State Police along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office pursued and apprehended 24-year-old Bethany Holmes of Marksville. State Trooper Kate Stegall says Stegall says Holmes hit several vehicles during the police pursuit.

Cut 7 (07)  “…a crash.” 

 Holmes was charged with several offenses including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Republican and former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack is also running for governor. He is the fifth Republican to join the race and says he wants to make changes so more residents stay and thrive in Louisiana versus moving out of state.

Cut 3 (10) “…why I’m running.” 

Waguespack also served as the top aide to former Governor Bobby Jindal.

 A 24-year-old female was arrested in Metairie after stealing a state trooper’s vehicle over the weekend. Louisiana State Police along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office pursued and apprehended Bethany Holmes of Marksville. State Trooper Kate Stegall says Holmes stole the vehicle while a trooper was investigating a traffic accident.

Cut 6 (06)  “…parking lot.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

The FDA approval of a new nasal spray treatment for migraine pain in adults marks a breakthrough for people who need freedom from pain. The nasal spray, Zavegepant showed in a trial, 24 percent of patients reported they were pain-free in two hours and 40 percent were free of sensitivities, to things like light, sound, and even nausea.  Ochsner Health Neurologist Dr. Jose Posas says it’s a really helpful addition to migraine management.

Cut 10 (08)  “…a professional.”

Zavegepant will be available for patients in the near future.

 Final funding is in place for the construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment, a massive coastal restoration project says the Louisiana coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. C-P-R-A Director Bren Haase says this will have a great impact on the state’s estuary.

Cut 15 (09)  “…grandfathers did”

The overall cost of the project is over 2 billion dollars.

LSU President William Tate will take a road trip across the state on the Scholarship First bus tour beginning today. The first stop of the tour, powered by RoyOMartin, will be at LSU’s original campus in Pineville. Tate says the tour is a listening tour and an awareness campaign all rolled into one.

Cut 4 (11)  “…they need.”

 March marks Sleep Awareness month and getting a good night’s rest can have physical and mental benefits. United Healthcare Louisiana chief medical officer Dr, Kevin Stephens says getting an adequate amount of is important and sleep disorders like insomnia could be caused by an underlying health condition.

Cut 9 (10)  “…a sleep study.”

The FDA has approved a nasal spray aimed at treating migraines.  Ochsner Health Neurologist Dr. Jose Posas  says this is an effective option to provide relief for patients who suffer from migraines.

Cut 10 (08)  “…a professional.”

The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says the final funding piece is in place for the construction of the Mid-Barataria Sediment, a massive coastal restoration project expected to create over 20 square miles of wetlands in the Barataria Basin over the next 50 years. C-P-R-A Director Bren Haase says the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is investing 660 million dollars in the project…

Cut 13 (08) “… Mid-Barataria Basin” 

Will D.A.s have more time to decide if certain juvenile offenders should be tried as adults? Lawmakers think so. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Saints have reportedly offered quarterback Jameis Winston a restructured contract that would keep him on the team and serve as Derek Carr’s backup. If Winston does not take the new deal, he’ll be released on March 15th when the new league starts.

The average price for crawfish has dropped 50 cents a pound, to $2.84 a pound for live mudbugs.  The current price drop is down 30 percent compared to prices this time last year. That’s according to Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King who says to enjoy the low prices now – by next weekend which is St. Patrick’s Day she expects to see an increase in prices due to demand.

Cut 7 (07)  “…what happens.” 

State Police investigators have made an arrest in a 30-year-old cold case where an infant female was found in a garbage bag in Picayune, Mississippi. The infant’s parents, Inga Johansen Carriere were arrested in Avondale, LA on Feb. 28^th and Andrew Carriere was arrested in Galliano, LA on March 9 and charged with first-degree murder. State Trooper Kate Stegall says the Picayune Police has various pieces of evidence, some of it tied to associations in Gretna, Louisiana

Cut 11 (05)  “…are today.”

D.A.s may have more time to decide if certain juvenile offenders should be tried as adults. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police investigators have arrested the parents of an infant female found inside a garbage bag in Picayune, Mississippi back in 1992. Inga Johansen Carriere was arrested in Avondale, LA on Feb. 28^th and Andrew Carriere was arrested in Galliano, LA on March 9. State Trooper Kate Stegall says the breakthrough in the case is a testament to the advancements in forensic technology as DNA profiles and fingerprints were developed.

Cut 10 (05) “…30 years.” 

First Lady Jill will visit the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans today. Her visit underscores Cancer Moonshot, the initiative to cut the cancer death rate in half over the next 25 years. Biden will be joined by Senator Bill Cassidy and his wife Dr. Laura Cassidy, who will highlight the importance of colorectal cancer screenings and investing in cancer research. Tulane Cancer Center Director, Dr. Prescott Deininger (dinning-grr) says the LCRC was funded by the state more than two decades ago.

Cut 5 (09) “…about 20 years ago.”

Stephen Waguespack turned in his resignation as CEO and President of Louisiana Association of Business and Industry to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

 Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Picayune Police Department arrested a male and female in the cold case of an infant female found inside a garbage bag in Picayune, MS in 1992.  With the help of advanced technology, the parents of the murdered female, Inga Johansen Carriere was arrested on Feb. 28 and Andrew Carriere was taken into custody on March 9^th. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was perinatal asphyxia due to smothering and the case was classified as a homicide.

First Lady Jill Biden will visit the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans today.  Her visit is part of the Biden administration’s “Cancer Moonshot” initiative, which aims to cut the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years. Tulane Cancer Center Director, Dr. Prescott Deininger (dinning-grr) says the LCRC was funded by the state more than two decades ago.

Cut 5 (09) “…about 20 years ago.”

La Nina weather conditions are gone and neutral weather conditions are expected for Louisiana as through spring and early summer. Over the last three years, the U.S. has been hit by 14 hurricanes and tropical storms that caused a billion dollars or more in damage, totaling $252 billion in costs. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nino has moved on but it does not mean we are totally safe from an El Nino.

Cut 9 (09)  “…here in Louisiana.”