Republican Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has told supporters he will not run for governor this year. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says Graves’ decision is not a surprise…
cut 3 (07) “…not to run”
In an email to supporters, Graves says it’s clear that the best service he can provide to Louisiana and the next governor is by building upon recent wins in the U-S Congress.

Meanwhile, the crowded field of gubernatorial candidates has its first major Democrat in the race as former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has officially thrown his hat into the ring. Wilson says it was his grandchildren who inspired him to run for the state’s highest elected position…
cut 4 (10) “….seven years”
Wilson has also received the endorsement of Governor John Bel Edwards.

A study from I-see-cars-dot-com ranks Louisiana as the second least eletric vehicle friendly state in the country, with just over 500 public chargers based on data from the U-S Department of Energy. But Louisiana Clean Fuels Executive Director Ann Vail says the state will install chargers along interstate corridors this year and the private sector is also stepping up…
cut 11 (13) “….EV chargers there”

New Saints quarterback Derek Carr has signed a four-year deal worth a reported 150-million dollars, with 100-million in guaranteed money. Locked on Saints Podcast host, Ross Jackson, says the contract is cap friendly…
cut 17 (10) “…as well”
The Saints will likely need to restructure wide receiver Michael Thomas’ contract and they also have to improve the offensive line.

An autopsy report on the cause of death of Nathan Millard, a Georgia business man, found wrapped in plastic in North Baton Rouge yesterday is scheduled for today. Millard’s body was found in a vacant lot near Scenic Highway and Chippewa Street. Parish Coroner’s Office will determine if foul play was involved. Baton Rouge Police Department has not declared his death a homicide.

New data shows Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

This month kicks off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Louisiana Department of Health latest campaign is committed to increasing cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the country. State Health Officer with LDH, Dr. Joe Kanter, says their mission is to increase screenings across the state.

Cut 7 (06) “…two percent.”

Entergy Louisiana customers in North Louisiana will have to pay a portion of restoration costs to repair damages to a power grid in the southern half of the state after a hurricane. Public service commissioner Foster Campbell says customers don’t understand how utility companies like Entergy can make record profits and at the same time charge their customers additional fees. Campbell says Entergy takes out a bond to pay for storm-related costs and it’s their customers who pay off the bond over time.

Cut 15 (11)  “…be charging.”

Former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has made it official, he’s running for governor. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As expected Governor John Bel Edwards has endorsed Wilson for governor. There’s speculation Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will decide not to run, but Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack could jump into the race by the end of the week. Stay tuned.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is asking why Entergy Louisiana customers in his north Louisiana district will have to pay around an eight-dollar storm restoration fee for the next 15 years as a result of Hurricane Ida in 2021, when most of the damage was contained to southeast Louisiana. Campbell says he asked that question directly to Entergy…
cut 14 (12) “….to pay”

The Louisiana Department of Health is launching a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign aimed at increasing screenings through the year. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says many people who are at risk never get screened…
cut 8 (11) “…(11) “…is worse”
Kanter says regular routine screening should begin at age 45.

Former Louisiana transportation secretary Shawn Wilson is the first major Democrat to enter the governor’s race. Wilson served as DOTD Secretary for seven years before his retirement last week and his former boss will support his candidacy…
cut 5 (08) “…from the governor”
In a statement to the USA Today Network, Governor Edwards says Wilson is exactly the type of leader that will bridge the partisan divides that too often take hold of our politics.

Louisiana is lagging behind when it comes to electric vehicle recharging infrastructure. The website “iSeeCars.com” ranks Louisiana second-worst in the country; behind only Mississippi. Louisiana Clean Fuels Executive Director Ann Vail says the figures are concerning, but things are getting better…:
Cut 10 (11) “…all over the state.”

Increasing screenings to close racial and rural disparities and improving health outcomes among Louisianans is the mission of a new campaign.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is going dancing as they are headed to the NCAA Tournament after beating South Alabama 71-66 in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship game. It’s the second time Coach Bob Marlin has led the Cajuns to the Big Dance
cut 19 (13) “…last year”

Former Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is officially in the race for governor, but he’s at a serious disadvantage when it comes to Attorney General Jeff Landry, who has five million dollars in his campaign warchest. But Wilson believes that good leadership can’t be bought…
cut 6 (11) “….that does not phase me”
Wilson and the other announced candidates will face off in an October 14th primary.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is asking why Entergy customers in north Louisiana should foot a portion of restoration costs to repair damages to the power grid in the southern half of the state after a hurricane.
Cut 13 (12) “…a month.”
Campbell voted against the average 15-dollar monthly restoration fee that Louisiana Entergy customers will be charged for the next 15 years for storm recovery costs.

New data shows Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Nathan Millard, the Georgia man who went missing in Baton Rouge nearly two weeks ago while on a business trip, was found early this morning. His body was discovered off Scenic Highway in North Baton Rouge wrapped in a rug and plastic. United Cajun Navy President Todd Terrell says they also participated in the search.

Cut 10 (12) “…those facts.” 

Former DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson has made it official; he will run for governor this fall. On his campaign website “WilsonForLA.com” Wilson, the first high-profile Democrat to jump in the race, says he’s a bridge builder, literally and figuratively…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…to be.” 

One candidate who sounds uncertain about the fall election is Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. He appeared today on Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show and said he suspended all campaign fundraising efforts right before the holidays…:

Cut 12 (10) “…what that is.”

Donelon has been Insurance Commissioner since 2006. He is 78 years old.

The Saints have a new starting quarterback. Derrick Carr has been signed to a four-year contract worth more than 150-million with the Black and Gold. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says New Orleans is not interested in a rookie leading their offense.

Cut 3 (07) “..veteran quarterback” 

Saints head coach Dennis Allen already has a relationship with Carr, Allen was the head coach of the Raiders when they drafted Carr in 2014.

The body of a Georgia businessman, who went missing nearly two weeks ago in Baton Rouge, was recovered early this morning…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Police in Shreveport say a man was shot this morning while walking his children to school. The suspect escaped the scene on foot. The victim, who was shot once in the chest, is reportedly in critical condition. The children were not hurt. Call Caddo-Shreveport Crimestoppers with any tips.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon sounds uncertain if he’ll run for re-election again this fall. During an appearance on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” Monday, Donelon says he suspended all campaign fundraising right before the holidays, because he was busy with the state’s property insurance crisis. Donelon says he has made up his mind about another term, but is unready to announce his intentions yet. He says he is proud to have served in a position that has so much direct effect on people and businesses…:

CUT 14(09)      “…challenges…constantly.”

Donelon says he will make an announcement sometime soon.

The New Orleans Saints sign Raiders QB Derek Carr to a 4-year deal; reportedly worth at least $150-million. NFL and Saints analyst Mike Detillier says now it’s up to Carr to get on the same page with some of the team’s young receivers, like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed…:

CUT 05(07)      “…your offense.”

The Saints are expected to release Jameis Winston after three lackluster seasons.

Baton Rouge Police say the body of Atlanta businessman Nathan Millard has been found; wrapped in a rug and dumped in a remote area of North Baton Rouge. The United Cajun Navy aided in the search for Millard and their leader, Todd Terrell, says this isn’t the outcome they hoped for…:

CUT 09(11)      “…on the news.”

Millard was in Baton Rouge on business. He vanished after having drinks with a business associate at a downtown bar on February 22^nd. An autopsy is scheduled to determine exactly how Millard died.

Recently retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson officially announces he will run for Governor this fall. In a video posted on his campaign website, Wilson – a Democrat – touts the $5.5-Billion in road and bridge improvements under his watch…:

CUT 08(10)      “…Louisiana forward.”

His campaign website is “WilsonForLa.com”

Former state Senator and former Louisiana Democrat Party head Karen Carter Peterson reported to prison today, to begin her 22-month sentence for wire fraud. Peterson was convicted in January of using campaign and party money to fuel her gambling addiction. Peterson was in the state Legislature for nearly 22 years.

The Saints sign a new quarterback; Raiders veteran Derek Carr. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

Retired DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson kicked off his campaign for governor today with a video announcement on his website, “WilsonForLA.com”.  Seven years ago, Wilson was appointed Secretary of DOTD and says back then the department was short on funds and plans for a majority of the infrastructure projects the state needed were not in the works…:

CUT 07(13)      “…state history.”

Wilson is the first well-known Democrat to enter the race.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon seems unsure if he’ll seek another term in office this fall. On a Baton Rouge radio program today, he says he suspended all campaign fundraising, while sorting out the state’s property insurance crisis…:

CUT 13(06)      “…past three months.”

The 78-year-old Donelon says he’s made up his mind about another run for office, but isn’t ready to make it public just yet.

Baton Rouge Police find the remains of a Georgia businessman who went missing almost two weeks ago in the Capital City. United Cajun Navy President Todd Terrell, who assisted in the search for 42-year-old Nathan Millard, says their teams spoke to the homeless population, who were unaware of the case, and that led them to recover the body…:

CUT 11(13)      “…unfortunate outcome.”

Millard’s body was wrapped in plastic and a rug and dumped in a semi-remote area. An autopsy to determine cause of death is pending.

The Saints have a new starting quarterback as multiple reports say the Black and Gold are inking Derek Carr to a four-year contract. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Carr is an upgrade over last season’s starting QB Andy Dalton…:

CUT 04(11)      “…do that.”

Carr spent nine seasons with the Raiders.

Former Secretary of Transportation Shawn Wilson has made it official; he will run for governor this fall. On his campaign website “WilsonForLA.com” Wilson, the first high-profile Democrat to jump in the race, says he’s a bridge builder, literally and figuratively…:

CUT 06(10)      “…to be.”

Wilson’s worked with four governors and says he has the Right Stuff to lead the state.

One who sounds uncertain about the fall election is Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. He appeared today on Jim Engster’s “Talk Louisiana” radio show and said he suspended all campaign fundraising efforts right before the holidays…:

CUT 12(10)      “…what that is.”

Donelon has been Insurance Commissioner since 2006. He is 78 years old.

The body of the Georgia businessman, who went missing nearly two weeks while on a trip to Baton Rouge, was recovered early this morning…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

Natchitoches Parish deputies arrest a man they say intentionally set two mobile homes on fire in one day last week. One at around 8:40 last Friday morning; another just 40 minutes later. The yet unnamed male suspect was seen running from the second fire, chased down and arrested for two counts of arson.