State Treasurer John Schroder will officially kick off his campaign for governor tonight in Mandeville. Attorney General Jeff Landry is also running in 2023 and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the other Republican candidates have some catching up to do in terms of fundraising
CUT 7 (08) “ballpark”
Schroder and other GOP candidates are millions behind Landry due to holding off their campaigns before US Senator John Kennedy decided whether or not he’d run.

Governor Edwards and DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will be joined by the U.S. Transportation Secretary in Lake Charles this afternoon to celebrate the $150 million grant to help replace the Calcasieu River Bridge. Wilson says the funding is part of the Infrastructure Act….:
Cut 13 (07) “the entire country”

A New Orleans lawmaker files a bill to help legalize recreational marijuana….:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The National Weather Service is surveying damage today in Tangipahoa Parish which was hit by a tornado on Wednesday. Multiple mobile homes were reportedly hit, and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says a family was able to escape one of the homes without serious injury. Entergy says about 300 residents are without power as nine poles were downed and 20 spans of wire were damaged.

State lawmakers in the House approved a 45-million-dollar fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The vote was 90-8 though some legislatures weren’t thrilled about the bill. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is confident this will help stabilize the homeowner’s insurance market in Louisiana, at least for now. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says the Louisiana Legislature can propose additional ideas for the regular session that begins in April…”
Cut 15 (09) “let’s go”
One idea says Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland is to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. He says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is similar to one that works in other states…:
Cut 4 (11) “their insurance premiums”
The Incentive fund legislation will be discussed in the Senate starting today.

If you’re a fan of Antiques Roadshow, listen up because the 20-time Emmy Award-winning series is coming to Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

There is growing concern about flooding for much of the state today as more rain is in the forecast after what’s already been a wet couple of weeks. Most of North Louisiana is under a flood watch with some areas under a flood warning today, and sandbag locations are being set up at various locations.

The state House has approved a plan that creates a 45-million-dollar incentive fund to attract more private insurers to the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Now there is growing support to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is a proven plan…:
Cut 6 (09) “and fortifying”

The Antiques Roadshow is coming to Baton Rouge on May 2nd, and two thousand pairs of tickets will be issued to folks who will be able to bring two items to be appraised for free. Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says it’s an opportunity to have experts evaluate your treasures, so bring in something that you can’t look up on the internet…:
Cut 8 (09) “came in”
The deadline to register for tickets is March 13th and participants will be notified in mid-April if they’ve won tickets.

It’s Groundhog Day and while the rodent in Pennsylvania did see his shadow, the weather predicting nutria Pierre C Shadeaux did not in New Iberia today. That means, as the folklore goes, we’ll see a longer spring in Louisiana.

There was no big winner in last night’s Powerball drawing. Saturday’s jackpot is worth $700 million with a cash value of $375.7 million.

Some legislators weren’t happy about it, but the Louisiana House approved a $45 million dollar funding bill to incentivize more property insurers to write policies here. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said if this isn’t done thousands of homeowners below I-10 and I-12 would lose their homes. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown was hoping Donelon would have provided more options…:
CUT 14 (11) “be more competitive”
The measure advanced on a 90-8 vote and now heads to the Senate where it will likely also pass.

The state has topped the $20 billion dollar investment mark for a second consecutive year and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson predicts additional expansion and thus more good news for 2023…:
CUT 12 (10) “for Louisiana”

A Winnfield lawmaker says, instead of paying property insurers to come to Louisiana, why not pay homeowners to make their roofs hurricane-proof…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

It’s Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning. In New Iberia they are still waiting for the weather predicting nutria to make a move. Pierre C. Shadeaux’s foretells longer spring, or shorter summer? One thing is for certain and that is he’ll be one wet nutria as most of the entire state will see rain all day today.

The state House has approved legislation that puts 45-million dollars in a fund to award grants to insurance companies who provide homeowners coverage. The measure passed on a 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it as he’s skeptical the plan will lead to a more affordable insurance market…:
Cut 13 (13) “make sense”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon urged the special session in order to stabilize the insurance market in Louisiana. The measures next face debate in the Senate.

The Addis Town Council passed a motion Wednesday to accept the resignation of the officer involved in the deadly multi-parish police pursuit on New Year’s Eve. David Cauthron reportedly sped through a red light in the chase and struck a vehicle killing two Brusly High students and badly injuring another.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. LED Secretary Don Pierson says it was a great year because the state leveraged its unique business advantages, sector diversity, and support for climate action:
Cut 10 (09) “in 24 parishes”

Have you ever watched Antiques Roadshow and thought to yourself I wonder what that vase I inherited is worth? Well, here’s your chance, the beloved PBS series will be in Baton Rouge on May 2nd and Roadshow producer Marsha Bemko says your odds are good…”
Cut 7 (05) “getting in here”
Two-thousand pairs of tickets will be issued and the deadline to register is March 13th. Visit PBS.org for details.

In response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks who was allegedly raped then run over by a vehicle after leaving a bar, two other students created a group to help other girls find rides home…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge leaders announced Thursday the airport in the Capitol City will begin nonstop flights to Washington DC beginning this summer via American Airlines. Tickets go on sale Saturday morning for the direct flight to Reagan International Airport from Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Family Forum is now accepting nominations seeking the state’s longest married couple. President Gene Mills says it’s an annual tradition to find couples who’ve been married for several decades and honor their achievement as the Longest Married Couple in the Bayou State…:
Cut 7 (11) “needs to be told”
You can find an entry form at LAfamilyforum.org.

The state transportation department is mourning the death of a DOTD worker killed on Wednesday afternoon while filling potholes in DeSoto Parish on U.S. Highway 171. State Police Trooper Jonathan Odom says 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles was killed after an empty log truck driven by 42-year-old Charles Barker hit two DOTD vehicles…:
Cut 10 (10) “…behind the truck”
Gray was pronounced dead at the scene.