It ruffled some feathers when the state Republican Party endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry for governor before any other GOP candidates announced their intentions. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser, who’s opted to seek re-election had some harsh words for party leader Luis Gurvich on WWL Radio’s Newell Normand show.

Cut 3 (10) “…endorse.” 

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon made his case to state lawmakers today on why a special session is needed next month to address the big decline in private insurance companies willing to provide property coverage. Donelon wants to give insurance companies a financial incentive to write policies in coastal areas…

Cut 12 (08) “…incentive program.”

A Glock or auto switch is a device that can turn a semi-automatic handgun into basically what amounts to a machine gun. New Orleans ATF Assistant Special Agent In Charge Marlin Ford says they want to educate the public and law enforcement about the use of auto switches and the dangers they pose to the community.

Cut 6 (06)  “…how they function.” 

Along with awareness, they want to update gun laws in the state to make them illegal.

The mother of Governor John Bel Edwards passed away. Dora Jean Edwards raised eight children and worked for several years as a Charity Hospital nurse. The governor released a statement honoring his mother, she is preceded in death by her husband Frank of 57 years and her son Chris Edwards. The governor credits his parents for instilling the values of public service that made him who he is today. The Edwards family also asked for prayer during this difficult time.

Law enforcement would like to see legislation passed at the state capitol this year that would crack down on Glock switches. They’re devices that can turn a handgun into a fully automatic weapon. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Glock switches are illegal on the federal level, but Louisiana law does not target them directly…

Cut 5 (06) “…there now.”

With multiple Republican candidates in the Governor’s race, one might think the party isn’t unified. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says that might normally be the case, but letting in-party grievances air this early into the election year will likely not benefit the opposition this time…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…is it going to be?”

The ULM unveils a new online interactive recruitment tool and virtual campus tour. ULM’s Director of Digital Recruitment and Analytics Trey Wilson says they expect the virtual tour will make a big impact in the recruitment of new students.

Cut 12 (08) “…see that as well.”

Visit ULM’s website and click on the “Take Flight” link.

Despite a disappointing season, it appears that the Saints won’t be making any major coaching changes. Host of the Lockdown Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says, but if things were to go south, Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael could find themselves on the hot seat…

Cut 15 (14)  “…doesn’t work out.”

Is there a rift in the Louisiana Republican Party? State Party Chairman Louis Gurvich had made it clear the party should get behind Attorney General Jeff Landry as the state’s next governor. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says not all Republicans are willing to fall in line…
cut 8 (10) “…different candidates”
Hogan doesn’t see these in-party grievances airing this early into the election year keeping a Republican from winning the governor’s race in the fall.

Law enforcement says the use of Glock switches, or auto switches, has grown exponentially. What looks like a harmless piece of plastic, can turn a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic firearm. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though they’re already illegal in Louisiana…
Cut 4 (09) “…is crazy.”

Reports say Pete Carmichael will return as the Saints’ Offensive Coordinator in 2023. Kace Kieschnick spoke with Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

WBRZ-TV is reporting the Department of Children and Family Services held a big going away party for former Secretary Marketa Garner Walters, who resigned after two children died from fentanyl overdoses, despite the state agency receiving warnings about the toddler’s well-being. Employees told the Baton Rouge TV station the party was held during work hours and it was tone-deaf.

Despite having the Louisiana Republican Party’s official endorsement to be the state’s next governor, Attorney General Jeff Landry currently has four challengers; three from within his own party and Congressman Garret Graves could still get in. Does this signal a serious rift within the state GOP? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says at the very least, it shows there is not a consensus candidate among Republican voters…:
Cut 7 (11) “…to a candidate.”

Law enforcement officials will ask the state legislature to pass a law to crack down on glock switches. It’s a small device that can turn any handgun into an automatic weapon. New Orleans ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Marlin Ford says the glock switches pose a danger to the public…
cut 6 (06) “…how they function”
Ford says Glock switches allow a firearm to unleash up to 12-hundred rounds per minute and they can be made at home with a 3D printer.

Gasoline prices are back above three-dollars a gallon. The statewide average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.08, two cents higher than yesterday. AAA’s Don Redman says where prices go from here is in OPEC’s hands…:
CUT 25(10) “…the summer.”
He says, price-wise, we are about where we were a year ago.

The University of Louisiana Monroe unveils a new virtual campus tour compel prospective students. ULM’s Director of Digital Recruitment and Analytics Trey Wilson says the Take Flight link can be found on the school’s homepage and it features two components. First a general information area, where visitors can link to all ULM departments and degree programs, and a feature video about them…
Cut 10 (07) “…graduated from here.”
The new virtual campus tour was developed by Student-Bridge, a higher education recruiting services and solutions company.

The use of a Glock or auto switches in firearms is a growing danger and law enforcement want legislation prohibiting their use. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A five-year-old In Jennings died as a result of a gunshot wound yesterday. Jennings Police say the gunshot was not self-inflicted and a firearm was recovered at the scene. There were a total of five children in the home and an adult. More details are expected to be released later today.

The University of Louisiana Monroe has a new interactive recruitment tool that gives prospective students an easy way to access the campus without physically visit the school. Director of Digital Recruitment Trey Wilson says to access the virtual tour, click on the Take Flight link on the website of the school’s homepage and there’s also an interactive map that can be useful for current students…
cut 11 (09) “…on campus”

Reports say the Saints are keeping Pete Carmichael as the team’s offensive coordinator. Host of the Locked On Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says the news comes as a surprise after the team averaged just 19 points per game, but the franchise must believe better play at quarterback will lead to better results….
cut 14 (12) “…..that box”

The state Republican Party says A.G. Jeff Landry is their choice to be the next Governor, yet three other GOP candidates are challenging him and more may enter the race. Is there a problem brewing among the Louisiana GOP…?
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

New Orleans police officer Jeffrey Vappie denies a claim made in a court filing that he admitted to his wife of an extramartial affair with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. That’s according to a statement released by Vappie’s attorney. Cantrell also says allegations of an extra martial affair are false. Vappie’s wife filed for divorce earlier this month.

Law enforcement would like to see legislation passed at the state capitol this year that would crack down on glock switches. Glock switches can turn a handgun into an automatic weapon. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says glock switches are illegal on the federal level, but Louisiana law does not target them directly…
cut 5 (06) “….there now”
Moore says state law is out of line with the type of guns that are on the streets.

Sources say the Saints are keeping offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Many Saints fans expected the team to move on from one or both of head coach Dennis Allen and Carmichael after a disappointing season offensively. Host of the Lockdown Saints Podcast Ross Jackson says he didn’t expect this decision…
Cut 13 (14) “…Saints franchise.”

Edit

You might have noticed you’re paying more at the pump, and according to Triple-A the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana is up to $3.06. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says that’s up 30 cents from a month ago and despite low demand and a healthy supply…

Cut 3 (07) “…$80 a barrel.” 

Redman traditionally gas prices in January are among the lowest due to a decrease in demand.

Next month, Governor Edwards will present a budget for the next fiscal year to lawmakers and the state has 728 million dollars in surplus money from the last fiscal year to spend. Governor Edwards says much of that money will go towards ongoing infrastructure projects that have gone up in price…:

Cut 9 (09) “…inflation” 

Edwards will present his budget on February 17th.

Baton Rouge area rapper, Jarman K. King also known as “Monkey” has been arrested for first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy of murder. He’s accused of killing Jesse Thomas the third October 22^nd of last year during a robbery in Denham Springs.  A portion of the city that falls under St. Helena Parish’s authority and authorities had been searching for King for the past two months. King was arrested by the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office today. He also faces separate charges in an armed robbery days after Thomas’ murder.

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, in the shooting death of a cinematographer while making a western movie in 2021. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt says Baldwin will almost certainly have top-notch legal representation for a case that can often be hard to prove…:

Cut 8 (09)  “.represent Mr. Baldwin.” 

State Treasurer John Schroder and Lake Charles Attorney Hunter Lundy released their gubernatorial announcement ads today. Lundy is running as an independent and – at the moment – he’s the only non-Republican in the race…:

CUT 12(10)      “…I’ll do.”

Lundy describes himself as a Christian, a lawyer and a small businessman.  Treasurer Schroder served in the state House of Representatives for over ten years, and was elected State Treasurer in 2017. The businessman from Covington wants to make Louisiana a great state…:

CUT 14(08)      “…fat cats last.”

Schroder says education, improving the economy and reducing crime are his major priorities. The two join Attorney General Jeff Landry, state Representative Richard Nelson and state Senator Sharon Hewitt as declared candidates.

Governor John Bel Edwards will present a proposed state budget for next fiscal year to lawmakers in a few weeks, and the state has $728-million in a surplus money from the last fiscal year to spend. Governor Edwards says much of that money will go towards ongoing infrastructure projects…:

            CUT 11 (12)      “…to some degree.”

Edwards and his staff will present the proposed budget February 17^th.

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in New Mexico with Involuntary Manslaughter for the death of a film crew member in 2021, while shooting a western movie. Baton Rouge defense lawyer Franz Borghardt says Baldwin will almost certainly have top-notch legal representation for a case that can often be hard to prove…:

            CUT 08 (09)      “…represent Mr. Baldwin.”

If convicted, Baldwin could get a year & half in jail

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell categorically denies having an affair with a cop assigned to protect her. A divorce filing by Officer Jeff Vappie’s wife indicates his affair with the mayor is the reason. Mayor Cantrell says that’s just not so. Vappie and Cantrell have been spotted coming and going from a city-owned French Quarter apartment at all hours.

Bought gas lately? Prices at the pump are creeping back up. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

State Treasurer John Schroder sand Lake Charles injury lawyer Hunter Lundy both release new gubernatorial campaign videos. Lundy, an Independent, says, as Governor, he’ll operate state government in the best interests of the public, not the special interests…:

CUT 13(08)      “…right then.”

Treasurer Schroder is a Republican; one of four declared in the race. He says education, improving the economy and reducing crime would be his major priorities…:

CUT 15(16)`    “…our community.”

So far, no Democrats have officially announced for the race.