If you use artificial tears for dry eyes you need to check the brand name and if they are made by EzriCare, stop using them immediately. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the CDC issued an alert after someone died of a bacterial infection linked to its use, at least five others lost their vision…
Cut 10 (11) “…artificial tears.”
Kanter says these are not prescription eyedrops they are over the counter and Ezri is spelled E-z-r-i. (EZ-ree-care)

Another candidate announces he will run for governor of Louisiana this fall. He is 56-year-old Jeffrey Istre, a resident of Kaplan, an Army veteran, and an oilfield professional. Istre has never held political office, and is running as an independent s he’s not a fan of the two major political parties…
Cut 7 (07) “…really OF the people.”

Federal and state agencies have approved over $2-billion to fund the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. State Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority executive director Bren Haase says the project has been in planning and development stages for decades…:
Cut 4 (07) “…rather than later.”
The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will connect the Mississippi River to the coast; distributing sediment, soil, and nutrients carried in the river along the state’s rapidly eroding coast.

The governor’s office announces restoration work has been done on more than 20 orphaned well sites since mid-January as a result of funding provided by the federal infrastructure legislation. Another dozen will wrap up in the coming. Patrick Courreges with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources says they are focusing their efforts in north Louisiana…
cut 15 (13) “…most part”

The long-awaited Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project – to help restore the state’s coast – gets the funding needed to get underway…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Kaplan oilman and Army veteran Jeff Istre announces he’s running for Governor and will be a candidate “of the people.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

(name pronounced “EAST”)

_______________________________________________

The CDC issues an alert to immediately discontinue the use of a popular brand of artificial tears. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________________

Federal and state agencies have approved over $2-billion to fund the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. State Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority executive director Bren Haase says the project has been in planning and development stages for decades…:

Cut 4 (07)  “…rather than later.”

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will connect the Mississippi River to the coast; distributing sediment, soil, and nutrients carried in the river along the state’s rapidly eroding coast. Haase says the majority of the funds come from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement. He says $2.26-Billion is coming Louisiana’s way to get it done…:

Cut 5 (11) “…for that project.”

Haase says private contractors will do the work, and that means a large number of jobs associated with the project. He says the idea is to undo what decades of technology and engineering on canals and levees have done to the coastline…:

Cut 6 (08)  “… a good portion of it.” 

Haase says work on the project should ramp up by mid-year and last about 5 years to complete.

_____________________________________________

Another candidate announces he will run for governor of Louisiana this fall. He is 56-year-old Jeffrey Istre (pronounced EAST), a resident of Kaplan, an Army veteran, and an oilfield professional. Istre has never held political office, and is running as an independent and says the choice of either a republican or a democrat is a lot of the reason why Louisiana is in shape it’s in…:

Cut 7 (07) “…really OF the people.”

Istre joins another independent, Lake Charles lawyer Hunter Lundy, in the race…plus GOP candidates Jeff Landry, John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt, and Richard Nelson. No democrats have yet announced a run. Istre understands running for office requires a lot of campaign cash. Will he be able to raise enough funds to compete…?

Cut 8 (11)  “…very big challenge.”

Istre says his priorities if elected, would be working to fight poverty in Louisiana; especially for the state’s 16 percent “working poor.” He says he wants to revitalize the state’s oil & gas industry, increase teacher pay again and do major reform of the teachers’ state retirement system…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…be fixed. Badly.”

Find him online at “facebook.com.JeffIstreforGovernor”

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If you use artificial tears for dry eyes you need to check the brand name and if they are made by EzriCare, stop using them immediately. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the CDC issued an alert after someone died of a bacterial infection linked to its use.

Cut 10 (11)  “…artificial tears.”

Kanter says these are not prescription eyedrops they are over the counter and Ezri is spelled E-z-r-i.

There have been no reported cases in Louisiana, but it’s still recommended to dispose of EzriCare eyedrops.

Kanter says in addition to one death, a total of 55 patients from 12 states suffered serious complications as a result of using EzriCare eye drops.

Cut 11 (09)  “…this infection.”

If you show any signs of eye infection Kanter says to seek medical care.

If you do find these eyedrops in your medicine cabinet Kanter says to dispose of them so no one accidentally uses them. He says the drops are packaged in a blue box…

Cut 12 (06) “…EzriCare.”

The use of artificial tears is very common for individuals with allergies and/or dry eyes.

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun work on restoring orphaned wells across the state. Louisiana received $25 million as part of the Infrastructure Law Funding in October of 2022. After contractors were selected work began in mid-January, and 22 well sites have been plugged since then. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the goal is to use the funding as efficiently as possible…

Cut 13 (14)  “….back either.”

The DNR is still ramping up operations with seven crews operating now and ten more to become available in the next month. There are roughly 4,500 orphaned well sites in Louisiana, and Courreges says they can pose a significant environmental risk…

Cut 14 (13)  “…concentrated brine.”

More than 3,100 of all the state’s orphaned well sites are located in the Office of Conservation’s Shreveport and Monroe districts. Courreges hopes contractors can work at double the normal rate and restore 400-500 sites before the funding deadline in October of this year. Courreges says much of the work is being done in north Louisiana…

Cut 15 (13)  “…most part.”

______________________________________________

The Saints were able to trade back into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft after sending their 10^th overall selection to the Eagles last year. New Orleans now has the 29^th overall pick after the deal to send Sean Payton to Denver. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the quarterback position needs to be the top priority this offseason, bringing in a veteran and addressing it in the draft…

Cut  16 (17)  “…situation first.” 

The Saints are known for their early-round picks of linemen, picking an offensive or defensive lineman in the first round in 7 of the last 8 drafts. Detillier says defensive tackle is a spot that needs to be looked at specifically as David Onyemata and Kentavius Street both become free agents. Another position group he says needs to be bolstered is Alvin Kamara who’s facing a suspension after being arrested for battery at last year’s Pro Bowl. The Bears are looking to trade the number one overall pick, but with so many needs Detillier says New Orleans will need as many picks as possible…

Cut 17 (16) “…minimum wage.” 

With the exception of wide receiver Chris Olave, the Saints’ recent first-round picks have been somewhat disappointing. Marcus Davenport, who will be a free agent this year, Cesar Ruiz, Payton Turner, and Trevor Penning have all struggled with injuries to start their careers, and even though they’ve shown promise at times, have not panned out how the front office and fans may have hoped. Detillier says that the most important thing for the Saints is making sure they make the right choice…

Cut 18 (19) “…defensive line.” 

_______________________________________________

LSU has already named Air Force transfer Paul Skenes as the Friday night starter on the mound. Skenes headlined the Tiger’s top-ranked transfer class and is MLB Pipeline’s 4th-ranked draft prospect. Pitching Coach Wes Johnson says Skenes is an elite-level player…

Cut 19 (20) “…comes out.”

LSU made a splash this offseason when they hired Johnson away from the Minnesota Twins. He made history when he became the first pitching coach to go straight from the collegiate level to the MLB. Johnson said if he did come back to the college level it would have to be for a historic program and a loyal fan base…

Cut 20 (17)  “…national title.” 

______________________________________________

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise led colleagues in passing a bill requiring federal workers to return to the office. It’s dubbed the “SHOW UP Act”; an acronym for Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems. On the House floor, Scalise tells members the government should be held to the same standard as taxpayers…:

Cut 3 (09) “…get the job done.” 

The bill passed in the House, and it remains to be seen if the Senate will debate the bill.

A Hahnville man gets 8 years in prison for a July 4, 2020, boating accident that killed a woman. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was found to be intoxicated while operating the boat. 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling was killed in the collision.

Cut 7 (09)  “…of the vessel.” 

Thirty-one-year-old Louis Foret of Morgan City has received a life sentence after admitting to fatally shooting a Thibodaux man multiple times two years ago. Lafourche Parish District Attorney spokesperson David Melancon says Foret entered the guilty plea as his trial was set to begin.

Cut 12 (10) “…pleading guilty”

He says Chance Benoit was the victim.

A 13-hundred dollar reward is being offered for the safe return of a 3-month-old Shar Pei puppy that was stolen Monday from a UNO student. Louisiana Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says Scott Elston’s artwork and electronics were also stolen from the home, but his main concern is his puppy, Toby.

Cut 11 (09)  “…Shar Pei.”

You’re asked to call the Humane Society if you have any information about the puppy.

One of three Alexandria area men accused of the murder of Deven Brooks just over a year ago pleads guilty to 2^nd degree murder. Rapides Parish Assistant D.A. Lea Hall says 22-year-old Terry Lavalais changed his plea during jury selection. Two others, Jamaria Randle and Tremaine Veal, have trials set to start soon.

CUT 16  (11)        “…for this victim.”

Police say their motive for killing Brooks was theft.

A Hahnville man will spend at least eight years in prison for his role in a July 4^th 2020 boating fatality on Bayou Des Allemands in St. Charles Parish. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was driving a boat when it collided with another boat…:

CUT 06(09)      “…he was intoxicated.”

36-year-old Audrey Higgins, of Luling, was killed in that boat crash.

Congressman Steve Scalise and U.S. House Republicans pass a bill to bring federal employees back to the office. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

State Farm Insurance, the largest auto insurer in Louisiana, says they will no longer cover certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, because the cars and SUV’s are vulnerable to theft. They are all from model years 2015 through 2021. Those already covered will continue to be…but State Farm will write no NEW policies for these models. The Louisiana Department of Insurance said it has not been notified

One of the three men accused in the January 2022 fatal shooting death of Deven Brooks, in Alexandria, has pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lee Hall says 22-year-old Terrance Lavalais entered the guilty plea during jury selection…:

CUT 15(10)      “…that time.”

Brooks’ body was found on the edge of the Red River in Alexandria. Her body was bound with cable, zip ties and duct tape. Two others are also charged with her murder, Jamaria Randle and Tremaine Veal. Their trials are pending.

Congressman Steve Scalise says it’s time for federal agency workers to stop working from home due to pandemic – which is over – and get back to the office. He and fellow House GOP members passed the SHOW UP Act Wednesday. He says taxpayers are growing impatient with the government they pay for…:

CUT 05(10)      “…go back to work.”

A $1,300 reward is being offered for the safe return of a Shar Pei puppy that was stolen in New Orleans Monday. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.

It’s Groundhog Day and while the rodent in Pennsylvania DID see his shadow, the weather predicting nutria, Pierre C. Shadeaux in New Iberia, did NOT today. That means, as the folklore goes, we’ll see a longer, warmer spring in Louisiana. We always have a long warm spring, am I right?

Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise led colleagues in passing a bill requiring federal workers to return to the office. It’s dubbed the “SHOW UP Act”; an acronym for Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems He says the federal government shouldn’t be operating in lockdown mode anymore. He cites the Veterans Administration as an example of the so-called “unproductive problems.”

Cut  4 (12)  “…that hurts people.” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

25-year-old Kevin Comardelle of Hahnville was sentenced to 8 years after the boat he was operating on July 4^th ran into another and killed 36-year-old Audrey Higgins. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says Comardelle was intoxicated.

Cut 8 (04)  “…prevented.” 

Four other passengers suffered significant injuries.

Thirty-one-year-old Louis Foret of Morgan City has received a life sentence after admitting to fatally shooting a Thibodaux man multiple times two years ago. Lafourche Parish District Attorney spokesperson David Melancon says Foret shot and killed his friend Chance Benoit.

Cut 14 (11)   “..hung up the phone.”

After a Shar Pei puppy was stolen from a Lakeview home in New Orleans Monday, a $1300 reward is being offered for its safe return. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says when UNO student Scott Elston arrived at his home, artwork and electronics had been stolen along with his beloved puppy Toby.

Cut 10 (11) “…they’re doing.” 

You’re asked to contact the Humane Society of Louisiana if you have any information about the puppy.

District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise led colleagues in passing a bill requiring federal workers to return to the office. It’s dubbed the “SHOW UP Act”; an acronym for Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems. On the House floor, Scalise tells members the government should be held to the same standard as taxpayers…:

CUT 03(09)      “…get the job done.”

He says needed government services for taxpayers are going undone because federal offices are un-staffed or badly under-staffed. He says the pandemic is over and it’s time to stop working from home.

A Hahnville man gets 8 years in prison for a July 4^th 2020 DWI boating accident that killed a woman. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was found to be intoxicated while piloting the boat. 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling was killed in the collision. Einck says Comardelle was convicted of vehicular homicide and four counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring…:

CUT 07(09)      “…of the vessel.”

There’s a $1300 reward offered for helping New Orleans student Scott Elston recover his stolen Shar Pei puppy. The dogs can easily cost that much or more to obtain. Louisiana Humane Society director Jeff Dorson says someone broke in while Elston was in class…:

CUT 09(10)      “…called Toby.”

Shar Peis are hard to miss for all their folds of skin. Call 888-6-HUMANE if you think you’ve seen Toby.

A police officer in the West Baton Rouge Parish town of Addis, who caused the death of two teen girls while engaged in a high speed chase on New Year’s Eve, has resigned his job. Officer David Cauthern and officers from other jurisdictions were chasing a car theft suspect, when he broadsided the girls’ vehicle. He has been charged with 2 counts of negligent vehicular homicide.

In Washington D.C. Congressman Steve Scalise and U.S. House Republicans pass a bill to bring federal employees back to the office. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 19 other state AG’s have warned pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens against mailing abortion pills into their jurisdictions, and imply they will take legal action. The message reads they will (quote) “uphold the law and protect the health, safety, and well-being of women and unborn children.”

A Morgan City man gets life behind bars for the 2021 shooting death of Chance Benoit of Thibodaux. Lafourche parish DA’s spokesman Dave Melancon says 31-year-old Louis Foret had been a friend of the victim…:

CUT 13(10)      “…was shot dead.”

Foret changed his plea to guilty, just as trial was about to start. He was sentenced to life in prison for 2^nd degree murder.

A man in the Lakeview area of New Orleans says there’s a reward offered for the return of his stolen dog; a Shar Pei puppy named Toby. UNO student Scott Elston says someone nabbed the pooch while he in class.

…and now today’s commodities…

Thirty-one-year-old Louis Foret of Morgan City has received a life sentence after admitting to fatally shooting a Thibodaux man multiple times two years ago. Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s spokesman David Melancon says Foret entered the guilty plea as his trial was set to begin…:

CUT 12(10)      “…Pleading guilty.”

Melancon says Foret killed his friend Chance Benoit at his home on a February night in 2021

A Hahnville man will spend eight years in prison for his role in a July 4^th boating fatality in St. Charles Parish. State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 25-year-old Kevin Comardelle was driving a boat when it collided with another boat…:

CUT 06(09)      “…he was intoxicated.”

The victim was 36-year-old Audrey Higgins of Luling, she was a passenger in the other vessel and several other passengers received significant injuries.

As lawmakers debate a plan to help alleviate soaring property insurance costs and availability, there is growing support for a plan to incentivize homeowners to hurricane-proof their roofs and lower their coverage costs. Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland supports the idea of the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program…:

CUT 04(11)      “…insurance premiums.”

In essence, the program would give homeowners grants of up to $10-thousand (paid from a special fund) to retrofit their home’s roof so it is capable of withstanding 150-mile-an-hour winds.

At the Capitol, the Senate Finance Committee is now discussing the $45-million Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund, to help ease the state’s property insurance crisis. Tens of thousands have lost their home insurance in the last couple years, and were forced into Louisiana Citizens. Rates at the state-run insurers are, by law, higher than the private market and they just went up by over 60-percent.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that puts 45-million dollars to an incentive fund for insurance companies to provide homeowners coverage. It 90-8 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan voted against it.

Cut 13 (13)  “….make sense.”

Funding the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program will be debated at the regular session. The program would give homeowners grants to have their roofs updated to withstand 150-mile-per-hour winds and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says it would lower insurance rates.

Cut 5 (14) “…hold the roof down.”

The regular session begins April 10^th.

The 2022 Louisiana Economic Development Annual Report says the state topped $20 billion in economic investment for a second consecutive year. And LED Secretary Don Pierson says their focus isn’t just on metro areas of the state.

Cut 11 (12)  “…larger companies.”

Antiques Roadshow is coming to Baton Rouge. You can register to win tickets at pbs.org forward slash antiques. Roadshow Producer Marsha Bemko says appraisers will tell participants where the two items were made, a little history about it, and their value. But when experts eye something remarkable the experience is quite different.

Cut 9 (06)  “…cameras are rolling.”

The deadline to register for tickets is March 13^th and the show will be recorded on May 2^nd.