An entry in the 5^th Congressional District race has name recognition, he’s awaiting retrial after his murder conviction was overturned for the murder of his eight-year-old stepson in 2008. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says the Biden Administration’s early, aggressive moves against the industry will drive up prices at the pump. Taylor Sharp has the story.

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Taylor Sharp”  

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Errol Victor Sr. a pastor from St. John the Baptist, is one of seven candidates running for Louisiana’s 5^th Congressional district. What makes his candidacy unique is he’s awaiting a retrial after his murder conviction was ordered for retrial because of a non-unanimous jury conviction. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley this race will make for some good teaching points.

Cut 3 (12)  “…circumstances.”

In 2014 Victor was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2008 death of his 8-year-old stepson. In 2020 the Supreme Court overturned non-unanimous convictions, so Victor is now awaiting retrial in a facility located in the 5^th Congressional District.

As for his motive to run for office ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley wonders if Victor truly wants to represent the state on a federal level…

Cut 4 (10) “….who knows” 

Julia Letlow, the wife of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who won the seat in December but later died of COVID before being sworn in, is the projected frontrunner. Stockley says if for some reason voters elect Victor it doesn’t mean he’s automatically going to represent the state.

Cut 5  (11) “…Congressperson.” 

Victor is registered as a Republican and made national headlines in 2012 when he along with his wife Tonya Victor, were captured and arrested in Georgia after being featured on “America’s Most Wanted” when they failed to show for trial in 2011.

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Two days into office and the Biden Administration is following through on campaign promises to roll back American oil production via executive action.

Louisiana Oil and Gas Association interim president Mike Moncla says the industry is not happy about it…

Cut 6 (12) “industry”

Moncla says these moves will end up hitting Louisianans in the wallet.

Cut 7 (09) “..goes up.”

November 2^nd, the day before the Presidential election, oil was 37 dollars a barrel. It is now 55 dollars a barrel.

Moncla says the administration is attempting to push Americans away from oil and gas and towards green and electric energy.

Cut 8 (10) “…areas”

The Biden Administration says these steps were crucial to reducing the nation’s carbon output and limiting potentially catastrophic levels of global temperature increase.

_____________________

While there won’t be any Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans due to the Coronavirus pandemic, folks will be able to experience a drive-thru Mardi Gras event in New Orleans City Park. Delgado baseball coach Joe Scheurmann says once he posted this idea on his Facebook page it gained a lot of traction.

Cut 9 (12) “..went viral”

The “Float in the Oaks” event will take place from February 4^th through the 14^th.  People attending the event are encouraged to decorate their vehicles.  Scheurmann says this allows people to celebrate differently than they normally would.

Cut 10 (13) “…they go”

Tickets for the event must be purchased and they will cost 10 to 20 dollars per car.  All proceeds will support the park’s maintenance and operation which Sheurmann says is greatly needed.

Cut 11 (10) “..it’s exciting”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says there are positive signs that Louisiana has plateaued in the latest COVID-19-surge but the state percent positivity rate remains over 10-percent. The state health department reported 1,937 new cases on Friday and 41 more deaths. Edwards says the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has fallen below 18-hundred, but…

Cut 12 (09) “…delivery system” 

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths is just shy of eight-thousand and the state will likely surpass that grim milestone this weekend. Edwards says while there’s a decline in the total of new cases reported each day, but the lagging indicator is deaths…

Cut 13 (07)“unacceptably high”

The state health department also reports that 314-thousand vaccine doses have been administered and 41-thousand individuals have received both dosages. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the state will receive another 58-thousand vaccines next week, the same as this week and they expect the allocation to remain flat for the next four to five weeks…

Cut 14 (15) ” doing that” 

Julia Letlow has officially qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district, which her late husband won in December before passing away due to Covid-19.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp”  

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The state is facing hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the next fiscal year, barring a significant economic recovery or federal aid. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

According to the most recent COVID-19 dashboard from the Public Affairs Research Council, the state is showing a downward trend of cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says the numbers are encouraging.

Cut 3 (09)  “…looking for.”

The most recent dashboard was data from January 7^th through the 20^th. 

The positivity rate for the state, which is the rate of how many tests show a positive result for COVID versus negative test results, in the last three days is 6.4 percent according to the PAR dashboard. Scott says that’s an indicator we are on the downside of the most recent surge.

Cut 4 (12) “….eight weeks.” 

As for hospitalizations, the PAR dashboard shows levels in the third surge well surpassed the second peak over the summer. The peak was 2,069 on January 8^th and as of the 20^th, 1,858 were reported. Scott says however hospitalizations in Lake Charles and Lafayette are still concerning.

Cut 5  (11) “…facility” 

Scott says there were 48 new confirmed fatalities Wednesday bringing the three-day average to 48.8, he says fatalities are the last number to show a decrease when observing downward trends.

___________________________________________________

Julia Letlow has qualified to run for the 5^th congressional district of Louisiana seat that was won by her late husband Luke Letlow, who died of Covid-19 days before he was set to be sworn in. Julia, who is an executive administrator at ULM, has never served in public office, but she says she has always had political aspirations.

Cut 6 (14) “..leap of faith”

Luke Letlow defeated Alexandria representative Lance Harris in December, but came down with COVID a few days later. He served as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.  Julia says she watched how Luke handled himself and learned a lot.

Cut 7 (11) “…make a difference.”

Republican Allen Guillory, who is also running for the 5^th congressional district, stated that Letlow taking office could be harmful to her children, but Julia believes it will be beneficial

Cut 8 (10) “…serve others”

_____________________

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne warns we will likely face hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts for the fiscal year that beginning in July.

The Revenue Estimating Conference adopted this forecast ahead of the budget that will be presented in February. Dardenne says unfortunately the budget will have to include cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 9 (07) “..hit”

The exact number adopted was a 228 million dollar drop from this year, but Dardenne says it’s just too early to know what the real number will be given the economy’s volatility, and…

Cut 10 (08) “…enact that”

Dardenne says it’s tough to see our budget get slammed by the pandemic considering just a year ago it had been stabilized.

Cut 11 (10) “..education”

_______________________________________________

Former Baton Rouge news anchor Donna Britt passed away early Thursday morning after losing her battle with ALS.  Britt worked for the CBS affiliate, WAFB, from 1980 all the way until 2018 when the illness forced her to retire.  Britt’s husband Mark Ballard said they were prepared for this moment, but living through is entirely different.

Cut 12 (11) “…together” 

Britt’s health deteriorated quickly recently as Ballard says she was preparing her LSU Journalism Hall of Fame acceptance speech just a few months ago.

Cut 13 (11)“to the event.”

While most will remember Britt for her talents as a news anchor, Ballard says he remembers a different side of her.

Cut 14 (15) ” life at home.” 

Britt announced her ALS diagnosis on-air in July of 2017 after nine months of seeking a diagnosis. She is survived by her husband, and two children. Britt was 62.

The feds are pitching in 12.5 million dollars to help fund the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The race is officially on to replace the outgoing Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s second district Congressional member. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane protection project, which will protect Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, is awarded 12.5 million dollars by the Corps of Engineers.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority head Chip Kline says the project as a whole will cost three billion dollars, but it’s a good start…

Cut 3 (06)  “…system.”

The Morganza-to-the-Gulf project was initially forecasted to cost 10 billion dollars, but that price has come down to three billion after the cost was updated in 2019.

Kline says because the feds have taken so long to appreciate the project’s significance the state has already moved ahead with constructing parts of it.

Cut 4 (08) “….system.” 

Kline says it’s great to see this system, which protects tens of thousands of homes, get some attention after watching the New Orleans Levee System get fully funded.

Cut 5  (07) “..2005″ 

___________________________________________________

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball is historic, according to Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin it’s the fourth largest in the game’s history with a jackpot of 730 million.

Cut 6 (07) “..its history”

On Friday the drawing for Megamillions will be held, similar to Powerball it’s been rolling over since September of 2020. Chopin says there’s lots of money up for grabs.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars.”

Large Jackpots have also brought about an increase in weekly sales, Chopin says they sold $4.3 million in tickets last week for Megamillions and Powerball sales reached almost $5-million. She says that’s great news for the state because about 35-percent goes to K-12 education.

Even though no one’s hit the Jackpot since last fall Chopin says always check your numbers, while it might not be the jackpot it could still be a winning ticket.

Cut 8 (12) “…one number”

_____________________

Four Democrats have signed up to replace outgoing U.S Representative Cedric Richmond as the state’s 2nd District Congressman. The election is March 20th. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter found it significant that he qualified for this race on the same day as a new president was sworn in…

Cut 9 (08) “..being better”

Carter previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives, the New Orleans City Council and he’s currently a state senator. His main opponent will be New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson. The former chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party has served in the state legislature since 1999

Cut 10 (07) “…has experience.”

Carter says during his time in the legislature and away from public office he’s worked to change lives

Cut 11 (10) “..for it”

Both legislators have fought to raise the minimum wage and pushed to pass equal pay legislation at the state capitol. Peterson plans to take that fight up to Washington

Cut 12 (10) “…done it before” 

Baton Rouge community activist and small business owner Gary Chambers junior has also qualified for the race. Chambers says not being a career politician will be benefit him…

Cut 13 (07)“.being honest”

Chambers says he supports Medicare for All and the Green New Deal

Cut 14 (09) ” last 100 years.” 

A fourth democrat announced their candidacy today is Jenette M. Porter, from New Orleans. 

Mindy McConnell, a Libertarian from New Orleans, also qualified today. She says the two major parties have torn the country apart and voters need another option.

________________________

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating the fatal shooting of a teenager. Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodaux says the shooting took place during the over night hours

Cut 15 (10) “…Opelousas” 

Thibodaux says the victim was shot in the 200 block of Guilno Street in Opelousas…

Cut 16 (10) “…later died” 

Thibodaux says the investigation is ongoing and no other information is being released.

No official announcement yet from Quarterback Drew Brees, but many believe he’s played his last game in the NFL. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

A second person from Louisiana has been arrested for their alleged participation in the January 6^th storming of the US Capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_____________________________

There’s been a development in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District race as outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond has endorsed New Orleans Senator Troy Carter as the person who should take over his seat. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s a significant endorsement for Carter.

Cut 3 (09)  “..influence.”

Richmond has resigned from Congress to be a senior advisor for President-elect Joe Biden.

The other major candidate to replace Richmond is New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson, who is also a former chairperson for the Louisiana Democratic Party. DuBos says Peterson has picked up the endorsement of political activist Stacey Abrams of Georgia.

DuBos says it looks like this will be a two-person race between Carter and Peterson.

Cut 4 (11) “….who’s not.” 

The other announced candidate is Gary Chambers, a social justice activist from Baton Rouge. Qualifying for the race begins Wednesday and ends Friday. The election is in March 20th.

DuBos expects this will be a low-turnout election.

Cut 5  (08) “…March 20th” 

___________________________________________________

Quarterback Drew Brees 20-year Pro Football Hall of Fame career most likely ended last night with Tampa Bay’s 30-20 win over the Saints in the NFL playoffs. Brees has been contemplating retirement after the last couple of seasons and once again plans to think it over

Cut 6 (09) “..make a decision”

Heading into last night’s playoff game, Brees threw 36 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in 17 postseason games, but last night he threw just one TD pass and he was intercepted three times. Brees has kept coming back, trying to win that second Super Bowl, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the skills are no longer there to get the job done in the playoffs…

Cut 7 (12) “…known it.”

This was a difficult season for the 42-year-old Brees, who missed four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he has no regrets…

Cut 8 (12) “…absolutely”

_____________________

Louisiana received 308 million dollars for rental assistance as part of a new round of COVID relief passed in late December.

Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it’s a good start, but not enough…

Cut 9 (10) “..since then”

The assistance will be dispersed to eligible landlords who apply for it and have tenants who have not been able to pay rent due to the pandemic.

The state has had trouble during the pandemic dispersing rental assistance in a timely manner. Ciardullo says that can’t happen this time.

Cut 10 (07) “…gunna work”

Last week the state reported that they are reviewing the program’s rules and awaiting final federal guidelines.

The incoming Biden Administration says the expiring CDC eviction moratorium will be extended through the end of September. Ciardullo says it’s vital they follow through with that, or…

Cut 11 (11) “… landlords”

_____________________________

174 Louisiana National Guard soldiers and airmen have been sent to Washington D.C. to help bolster security for President-elect Joe Biden’s Wednesday inauguration.

Sargent Denis Ricou says they are there at the request of the National Guard Bureau to augment the D.C. National Guard’s forces…

Cut 12 (10) “…state” 

Ricou says the Guard flew out of Alexandria airport Saturday and they are scheduled to return Thursday, assuming nothing happens between now and then.

Cut 13 (06)“.support”

Ricou says the Guard is proud to send Louisianans to help manage such an important event, and it should be a rewarding experience for those who are there.

Cut 14 (07) “area.” 

25,000 Guard from across the country are being flown in ahead of the event to help manage security amidst fears of unrest on and before inauguration day.

Matt Doyle spoke with Republican House Minority Whip Steve Scalise about President-elect Joe Biden’s proposed 1.9 trillion dollar economic stimulus and COVID relief plan…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Pointe Coupee Parish native Lieutenant General Russel Honore will oversee the investigation of  Capitol security after the January 6^th riot where protesters stormed the building. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health reports the first confirmed case of the more infectious U.K. variant of coronavirus in the state. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________

The incoming Biden Administration has proposed its first priority for the Democratic-controlled Congress, a 1.9 trillion dollar COVID relief and economic stimulus plan.

A 350 billion dollar chunk of that would assist local and state governments who have seen their budgets battered by COVID. Republican Congressman, and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise…

Cut 4 (10) “…COVID”

The proposal also includes upping federally boost unemployment payments from 300 dollars to 400 dollars a week and extending them, along with the eviction moratorium, through the end of September.

The plan also includes big expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and a 1,400 dollar stimulus check. Scalise calls the big-spending so soon after December’s COVID bill unnecessary.

Cut 5 (12) “…approach.”

Also included is a call for an increase in the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour, and an end to the tipped minimum wage. Scalise says that would end up sending a lot of jobs to China.

Cut 6 (09) “…workforce

Democrats hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate and could pass the proposal along party lines.

________________________

Lieutenant General Russel Honore has been appointed to oversee the investigation of Capitol Security after protestors stormed the building on January 6^th. LSU Communications Professor Bob Mann says the Pointe Coupee Parish native, is by far the best choice.

Cut 7 (10)  “…sees them.”

Honore is best known for the leadership he provided as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, following the historic hurricane in 2005. He retired from the Army in 2008. Mann says his retirement will assist with the investigation.

Cut 8 (10) “…in this.”

Mann says the investigation requires the combined efforts of several law enforcement agencies and Honore’s experience in chaos and respect from both political parties makes him ideal for the job.

Cut 9 (10) “…as Honore.”

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi named Honore to the position on Friday calling for an immediate review of the Capitol’s security infrastructure, and interagency processes and procedures. 

________________________________

Louisiana has discovered its first case of the new, more infectious U.K. variant of the coronavirus.

The new variant is about 50 percent more infectious than the dominant strain in the state right now, but LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Dean of Translational Science Lucio Miele says viruses have evolutionary pressure to grow more infectious…

Cut 10 (07) “…month”

The CDC warns the UK variant will likely become the dominant strain of coronavirus in the U.S. by March.

Miele says this is one of several new branches of the virus that have been discovered in recent months. They all share one thing in common…

Cut 11 (07) “..spreading.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports they are trying to isolate those who’s been in contact with the new mutation, but it is likely that strain is already circulating through the state.

Miele says the good news is that so far it looks like our vaccines protect against the new strain, and if the virus mutates further they’ll be ready to respond…

Cut 12 (09) “…infectious.”

______________________________________________

The Saints season is over and a Hall of Fame career could be over too. In the third matchup of the season, Tampa Bay got the better of New Orleans beating the Black and Gold 30-20 in what could be quarterback Drew Brees’ final game. It was a difficult year for Brees and another tough home playoff loss, but he’s happy for the journey

Cut 13 (12) “….given to me”

Brees was asked in the postgame if this was his last game, but the 42-year-old was not ready to announce a decision on Sunday night. If this was a Brees’ final game, it ends with him throwing three interceptions

Cut 14 (13) “…those turnovers.” 

The Saints had four turnovers on the night and it led to 21 Tampa Bay points. Coach Sean Payton says it’s hard to win postseason games when you do that

Cut 15 (14)“…to win.”

Payton and Brees arrived in New Orleans together in 2006 as the city was just beginning its long recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The two guided New Orleans to the NFC Championship game that season and won a Super Bowl three seasons later. Payton was asked about what Brees has meant to the organization, but the coach says he can give that answer in the future

Cut 16 (11) “…right time”

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign proves donors are Forever Generous by exceeding their goal and raising $171 million. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_______________________________________

State and federal law enforcement agencies say they are prepared for this weekend’s planned demonstrations and will be monitoring the situation at the State Capitol. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

So far only one Louisianan has been arrested for participating in the riot at the Capitol last week, 50-year-old Vaughn Gordon of Lafayette.

Gordon isn’t accused of being violent, only of misdemeanors, but legal analyst Tim Meche says everyone at the Capitol that day who gets caught will pay a price…

Cut 3 (12)  “..accountable”

One police officer was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher and another committed suicide several days after. Federal prosecutors also allege some involved in the riot were actively plotting to assassinate elected officials.

Gordon got charged after admitting to the Advocate that he was inside the Capitol that day as part of the protest. There’s also a video circulating of Gordon discussing the day…

Cut 4 (08) “…happening” 

Gordon told the Advocate that he was able to wander the Capitol for nearly two hours, but says he didn’t vandalize anything and remained peaceful.

Meche says Gordon may not be the only Bayou State native who gets arrested…

Cut 5  (12) “…event” 

Gordon was charged Thursday with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, and one count of demonstrating in the Capitol.

___________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech’s Forever Loyal Campaign and exceeded its goal and raised more than $171 million for the University.  LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice says the campaign which began November 2018 originally set out to raise $125 million.

Cut 6 (10) “..raise funds”

Guice credits the Loyal Tech family, who has been impacted by the University for the success of the campaign.

Guice says the funds have already been used to assist students and they have other infrastructure projects are the works.

Cut 7 (11) “…needs.”

The La Tech campus was heavily damaged on April 25^th of 2019, by an EF3 tornado, the majority of that damage was to athletic facilities. Guice says the unfortunate event spurred donations to the campaign.

Cut 8 (12) “…they say.”

Guice says parts of that significant donation of $1-million went towards helping students and staff who were affected by the tornado.

More than 23,500 donors made more than 100-thousand individuals donations.

_____________________

Governor Edwards asks everyone participating in this weekend’s protests to stay peaceful and follow the law.

Law enforcement agencies report they will be closely monitoring demonstrations at the State Capitol this weekend. Edwards says the state will protect your right to protest, but not to riot.

Cut 9 (10) “…law”

State Police and other law enforcement agencies including the FBI released a joint statement saying they are monitoring the situation but have not identified any specific or substantiated threat to life or property.

Edwards touted the fact that election protestors have been holding demonstrations at the State Capitol for weeks without issue, hopes they will continue to do so, and not behave like the Capitol Hill mob.

Cut 10 (10) “…The United States.”

Federal Prosecutors now allege the some involved in the Capitol Hill mob intended to capture and assassinate specific elected officials.

Edwards asks anyone attending a protest this weekend to wear a mask.

Cut 11 (11) “… environment”

_____________________________

The Saints and Buccaneers will meet for a third time on Sunday in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. In the two regular-season meetings, the Saints allowed just 13 points a game and they’ve intercepted Bucs Quarterback Tom Brady five times. Brady has a lot of respect for the New Orleans defense

Cut 12 (11) “…long time” 

Tampa Bay finished the regular season with the N-F-L’s number one rush defense. Saints Offensive tackle Terron Armstead on what the Buccaneers do well….

Cut 13 (12)“..run game”

This will be the third meeting this season between the Saints and Buccaneers. Armstead says they’ll stick with what they’ve done all season…

Cut 14 (09) “.a way to win.”