81-year-old Delhi Representative Francis Thompson who has represented northeast Louisiana in the state legislature for almost 50 years has switched parties. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Frosty start to the morning as most of the state is under a freeze warning. Temperatures are in the upper 20s for northeast and central Louisiana at this hour. It will warm up to the upper 50s this afternoon and the next threat for severe weather is Friday.

Entergy says it has made the largest renewable power expansion request in state history as the company has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to add an additional three gigawatts of solar power to its generation portfolio. This is on top of the nearly 225 megawatts of solar power the company requested earlier this month. Entergy Louisiana president Phillip May says they are serious about protecting the state’s environment and they want to protect customers…
cut 15 (11) “…renewable portfolio”

The interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Jim Patterson, says they will once again oppose any effort in the legislative session to raise the minimum wage above $7.25 an hour. Patterson says such a move will drive up inflation even more…
cut 12 (12) “….goods and services”
Governor Edwards says $7.25 an hour is not a meaningful wage.

81-year-old Delhi Representative Francis Thompson who has represented northeast Louisiana in the state legislature for almost 50 years has switched parties. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish owners of Neuty, the 22-pound nutria, have come to an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will allow them to keep the pet under certain conditions. The couple has applied for a permit and LDWF will allow the couple to keep the nutria under strict guidelines. The owners were issued a citation for housing a wild animal which is illegal in Louisiana. The matter is ongoing and the details of the permit are being finalized.

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.

Cut 3 (03) “…time high.” 

The Pandemic SNAP benefits totaled more than $70 million monthly in Louisiana.

Brandon Trosclair, the owner of 13 Ralph’s Markets in Louisiana, has joined the race for Secretary of State this fall. Replacing the state’s Dominion voting machines is a top priority of Trosclair’s. The company’s voting systems – used here in Louisiana – drew criticism after the 2020 Presidential election for security flaws and possible vote tampering. Trosclair says he’d end the deal with Dominion…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…implement that statewide.”

No allegations made against Dominion machines have been substantiated with proof.

Entergy, Louisiana’s largest electricity provider, is laying the regulatory groundwork to expand its solar energy. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

An agreement is being finalized by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will allow a Jefferson parish couple to keep their 22-pound pet nutria. LDWF agents visited the owners Thursday to seize the animal after news surfaced of their ownership. The matter is ongoing.

Louisiana 2-1-1 center has received three times the amount of calls from families seeking food assistance after SNAP benefits returned to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says DCFS cannot replace the loss of those extra benefits.

Cut 5 (08) “…not there.”

More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps.

State Rep. Francis Thompson – who has represented the Democratic party for nearly 50 years-  announced he will be switching parties and joining House Republicans — which would give the GOP the majority votes if all members vote along party lines. 81-year-old Thompson says he has been thinking about making the switch for some time.

Cut 4 (12)  “…elected me.”

Thompson is the longest longest-serving member of the state’s legislature. 

There is a new man leading the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Jeff Palermo talked with Jim Patterson about L-A-B-I’s priorities in the upcoming legislative session

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has agreed to allow the owners of Neuty, the 22-pound nutria to keep the pet under special conditions. The Jefferson Parish couple has applied for a permit and LDWF says they are working out an agreement. The owners were issued a citation for housing a wild animal which is illegal in Louisiana. The matter is ongoing.

Delhi Representative Francis Thompson, a lifelong Democrat and the longest-serving member of the Louisiana legislature, has joined the Republican Party. The 81-year-old says he’d been contemplating switching parties for years.

Cut 4 (12)  “…elected me.”

Thompson voted with Republicans to overturn Governor Edwards’ veto of a congressional map.

Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, taking over, for now, gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack. With the legislative session coming up, Patterson says L-A-B-I will be involved in the property insurance crisis and they would like to see the legislature address the high taxes on insurance premiums…

Cut 10 (10)  “…fiscal session.”

LABI will also discuss eliminating the state’s income tax and phasing out the state’s inventory tax.

81-year-old Delhi Representative Francis Thompson who has represented northeast Louisiana in the state legislature for almost 50 years has switched parties. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish owners of Neuty, the 22-pound nutria, have come to an agreement with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will allow them to keep the pet under certain conditions. The couple has applied for a permit and LDWF will allow the couple to keep the nutria under strict guidelines. The owners were issued a citation for housing a wild animal which is illegal in Louisiana. The matter is ongoing and the details of the permit are being finalized.

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.

Cut 3 (03) “…time high.” 

The Pandemic SNAP benefits totaled more than $70 million monthly in Louisiana.

Brandon Trosclair, the owner of 13 Ralph’s Markets in Louisiana, has joined the race for Secretary of State this fall. Replacing the state’s Dominion voting machines is a top priority of Trosclair’s. The company’s voting systems – used here in Louisiana – drew criticism after the 2020 Presidential election for security flaws and possible vote tampering. Trosclair says he’d end the deal with Dominion…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…implement that statewide.”

No allegations made against Dominion machines have been substantiated with proof.

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says more than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps and DCFS cannot replace the loss of those extra benefits.

Cut 5 (08) “…not there.”

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:

Cut 9 (09) “…a broken system.”

Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, is District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are on the hunt to seize Neuty, a Jefferson Parish couple’s 22-pound pet nutria. The couple has treated him as a pet since 2020. Department spokesperson, Ed Pratt says the agency appreciates the owner’s affection for Neuty but the rodent can no longer live with them.

Cut 8 (07)  “…is safe.” 

The state plans to place Neuty at the Baron Rouge Zoo.

And for a third straight week the average price for crawfish have dropped, that’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. The average price for a pound of live mudbugs is $2.74.  And while demand for crawfish goes up with a holiday, this St. Patrick’s Day weekend you’ll get lucky with prices this year 22-percent less than last year. The Crawfish App compiles data for more than 16-hundred vendors in Louisiana.

Police in Baton Rouge arrest a 17-year-old for allegedly shooting and killing an 11-year-old boy. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the suspect approached a car the boy was sitting in with others, and held them at gunpoint…:

Cut 12  (12)      “…his injuries.”

The victim is identified as Matthew Fortenberry. The suspect was treated for his wounds and booked into jail.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair announces he’ll run for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair owns a large chain of grocery stores. He says, if elected, he’d get rid of the state’s Dominion voting machines…:

CUT 11(12)      “…statewide.”

The increase in EBT card (or food stamp) benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up what they’re losing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Here’s some lucky St. Patrick’s Day news: crawfish prices are now down 22-percent from where they were this time last year. The Crawfish App says live mudbugs can be found for as little as $1.50-a-pound. If you want them already boiled, the price is going to be around $5 a pound. Enjoy!!

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says it’s not just families who will struggle, the decrease also directly impacts the state’s economy…:

CUT 04(05)      “…jobs.”

More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed nearly a million people.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents seek to seize Neuty the Nutria, a Jefferson parish couple’s pet. Spokesman Ed Pratt says they alerted to Neuty living with people via social media posts, and decided they need to confiscate the animal..:

CUT 07(11)      “…of it.”

Keeping a nutria as a pet is illegal in Louisiana.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. Trosclair says our elections system needs fixing, but current secretary Kyle Ardoin points out the Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana #6 of 50 states for election integrity. Trosclair says that’s true, but a closer look at the data from Heritage gives Louisiana a 75 out of 100 rating for overall election quality…:

CUT 10(13)      “…proof of citizenship.”

Trosclair wants to get rid of Louisiana’s Dominion voting machines, which some allege were part and parcel in irregularities in the 2020 presidential election.

A West Monroe man is under arrest for allegedly committing a sex act with a juvenile and recording himself doing it. Police say 20-year-old Altravion Craft took advantage of a 15-year-old girl. He’s charges with Solicitation of a Minor, Pornography Involving Juveniles, and Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile. His bond was set at $35,000.

The increase in Louisiana food stamp benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up for the reductions…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

A long-time popular food staple at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is going away. Many visitors to Jazz fest make it a point to get the yummy crawfish bread, but John Ed Laborde, who created the dish says he’s retiring and won’t be at the festival this year. It’s the first time since 1987 there’s been no crawfish bread at Jazz Fest.

Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…it’s a broken system”

Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis.

An eleven-year-old boy was killed last night in Baton Rouge while sitting in a car and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the teen had a personal beef with another person in the car with the victim…:

CUT 13(08)      “…he was.”

The teen is charged with First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, and Illegal discharge of a Firearm.

Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February as SNAP benefits have returned to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.
Cut 3 (03) “…time high.”
More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says they have a 17-year-old in custody after fatally shooting an 11-year-old who was inside a vehicle with other family members. Sergeant L-Jean McKneely says officers tracked down the suspect, who was also shot, less than a mile from where the shooting took place…
cut 14 (11) “:…of a firearm”
McKneely says the 17-year-old gunman had a beef with someone inside the vehicle and the 11-year-old was an innocent bystander.

A Jefferson Parish couple’s pet nutria is set to be relocated to the Baton Rouge Zoo because of illegal ownership. Teiko Foxx has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Crawfish Mobile App says crawfish prices are 22-percent lower this weekend than they were for St. Patrick’s Day in 2022. The average retail crawfish price dropped another ten cents per pound this week, so consumers can expect to pay on average $2.74 a pound for a sack of live crawfish and just above five-dollars a pound for boiled crawfish at their favorite seafood spot.