Governor John Bel Edwards will present a budget for next fiscal year to lawmakers in a few weeks, with a surplus of over $700-million to invest. The governor says inflation is driving up the costs of ongoing infrastructure projects so some of the surplus dollars will go towards completing those projects…:

CUT 10(08)      “…opportunities left.”

He says he wants to complete as many infrastructure projects as possible before leaving office a year from now. The Governor’s Office reveals its budget plan February 17^th.

We all notice those gasoline prices coming back up. The statewide average cost of regular gas today is $3.06, though you can find gas as low at $2.49 in Alexandria. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says where prices go from here is pretty much in OPEC’s hands…:

CUT 05(10)      “…the summer.”

He says, price-wise, we are about where we were a year ago.

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in the shooting death of a cinematographer while making a western movie in 2021. The charge will be involuntary manslaughter. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt says the Santa Fe, New Mexico district attorney has a tall task ahead, considering what is already known…:

CUT 07(07)      “…Mr. Baldwin.”

Baldwin insists he did not pull the trigger. He and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez Reed are charged in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.”  If convicted he could face up to 18 months in prison.

Five Opelousas students are under arrest for allegedly making threats of violence that put Opelousas High on lockdown Tuesday. The threat was made via telephone. A group of students reportedly conspired to do the hoax. The five arrested are charged with Terrorizing. More arrests are expected.

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.

Prices at the pump are creeping back up. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

We know a bit more about the Baton Rouge cop arrested for domestic abuse battery and malfeasance. 27-year-old Officer Michael Mitchel is accused of pistol-whipping his girlfriend while in uniform. He allegedly also pointed his weapon at the woman and threatened to shoot her. He’s been booked into parish jail and faces probable termination.

Prices at the pump are creeping back up. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in New Mexico for the shooting death of a film crew member in 2021. Jeff Palermo talks with a Louisiana legal expert…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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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. Just a month ago oil prices hovered around $70 a barrel and it looked as if gas prices were going to stabilize into Spring. He says however all of that reversed upon reports of an improving economy.

Cut 4 (11)  “…higher prices.” 

With the uptick in oil prices credited to economic improvements, Redman says as for the outlook on gas prices, OPEC’s output will play a large factor.

Cut 5 (10) “…the summer.”

Redman says prices are very similar to where we were a year ago and 2022 was a record-breaking year for high gas prices.

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Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in the shooting death of a cinematographer while making a western movie in 2021. The charge will be involuntary manslaughter. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney Franz Borghardt says a conviction will require proving Baldwin was grossly negligent in the shooting, which won’t be easy for prosecutors…:

Cut 6 (07)  “…likely to be loaded.” 

Baldwin insists he did not pull the trigger. He and weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez Reed are charged in the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” Borghardt feels the Santa Fe, New Mexico district attorney has a tall task ahead, considering what is already known…:

Cut 7 (07)  “…Mr. Baldwin.” 

A civil lawsuit filed against the film producers, by the victim’s husband and son, has been settled. Baldwin was not named in that suit. 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.” 

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Governor John bel Edwards will present a 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 that have gone up in price…

Cut 9 (09) “…inflation” 

Edwards will present his budget proposal to state lawmakers on February 17th. The governor says inflation is driving up the costs of ongoing infrastructure projects so some of the surplus dollars will go towards completing those projects

Cut 10 (08) “…left” 

Edwards is entering the final year in office and is trying to get as many infrastructure projects done. He says there will be hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus money and even recurring dollars spent on improving roads and ports…

Cut 11 (12)  “…some degree”

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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. He says he’ll operate state government in the best interests of the public, not the special interests….

Cut 13 (09) “right then” 

Schroder served in the Louisiana House of Representatives for over ten years and he 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…

Cut 15 (16) “… our community”

Next month, Governor Edwards will present a budget for next fiscal year to lawmakers and the state has 728-million dollars in a 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 09(09)      “…because of inflation.”

Edwards will present his budget on February 17th.

Gasoline prices continue their upward trend. The statewide average price of regular is now at $3.06, though it can be found as cheap as $2.49 in Alexandria. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says just a month ago oil was much cheaper and fuel prices were trending downward, however all of that reversed upon reports of an improving economy…:

CUT 04(11)      :…higher prices.”

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in New Mexico for the shooting death of a film crew member in 2021. Jeff Palermo talks with a Louisiana legal expert…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

And now today’s markets….

You might have noticed you’re paying more for gasoline. AAA reports the statewide average price for regular is up to $3.06. Their fuel guy, Don Redman says that’s up 30 cents from a month ago and despite low demand and a healthy supply…:

CUT 03(07)      “…$80-a-barrel.”

For reference oil was at about $70 a month ago.

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged in the shooting death of a cinematographer while making a western movie in 2021. The charge will be involuntary manslaughter. Baton Rouge defense attorney Franz Borghardt says proving Baldwin was “grossly negligent” in the shooting will not be easy for prosecutors…:

CUT 06(07)      “…likely to be loaded.”

Baldwin insists he did not pull the trigger.

The 2023 governor’s race. Something is missing from the field of candidates so far: Democrats…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

2018 Northwestern State alumi Alyssa Jacobs will be part of the next season of “The Bachelor” on ABC. She earned a BS in Science at NSU, then a master’s in business admin from LSU-Shreveport. She is now a professional healthcare strategist in Atlanta. The show begins next Monday night.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies responded to a complaint from a Lockport woman that led to the arrest of 30-year-old Shane Chelette who allegedly forced himself onto the woman. The two met through the dating app Tinder and agreed to dinner. Captain Brennan Matherne says things eventually took a turn for the worst.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the residence.”

Chelette was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex.

It still remains to be seen if a Special Session to address the state’s lack of property insurance carriers will be called before the regular session in April. Governor John Bel Edwards believes there’s overwhelming support after more than 20 insurance companies have either left the state or gone insolvent from the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons.

Cut 12 (08) “…Citizen’s policies.”

The Public Service Commission approves Entergy hiking power bills to pay for Hurricane Ida damage to their grid. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is reportedly close to providing enough deputies from around the state so Mardi Gras krewes can return to their traditional routes. Most parade routes were shortened last year because of a lack of law enforcement. More details are expected to be announced later this week.

The Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s request to add another surchage on your bill to cover the costs of the repairs needed after Hurricane Ida in 2021. The surchage is $5.50 for the next 23 years. New PSC member Davante Lewis voted no…
cut 6 (08) “…them greatly”
Entergy customers are already paying a 10-dollar surcharge for recovery costs after a super active 2020 hurricane season.

Four Republicans and one Independent have entered the governor’s race, but we are still waiting on a major Democrat to throw their hat into the ring. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says time is running out…
cut 9 (13) “….very difficult”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Thibodaux man after things took a sharp turn during a dinner date that ended in an assault Whitney Thomas Reports.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Louisiana Tech may have found a starting quarterback. ESPN is reporting former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier is transferring to La Tech. Bachmeier has two full years of eligibility after starting 29 games at Boise State, going 20-and-9, throwing for 66 hundred yards, 41 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

Entergy customers will soon see an extra $5.50 tacked on their bill as the utility company recovers the cost for the repairs needed after Hurricane Ida hit southeast Louisiana in 2021. Entergy CEO Phillip May says a tax maneuver reduced rate payers’ immediate obligation by about 180-million dollars…
cut 5 (10) “….this securitiziation”
The Public Service Commission approved this plan on a three to two vote.

Discussions continue on whether to hold a special session next month or wait until the regular session begins in April to create an incentive fund to lure more private homeowner insurance companies to the state. Governor Edwards says there does not seem to be opposition to the incentive program, but disagreement on whether a special session is needed…
cut 11 (12) “…basic determination”

To date, there are five candidates running for governor, four Republicans and one Independent, and no Democrats. ULM-Political Science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says it would be disappointing if a Democrat doesn’t get in the race because all spectrums and perspectives wouldn’t be represented.
Cut 7 (10) “…be represented.”
There are a few Democrats looking at running at entering the race.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering dating tips after they arrested 30-year-old Shane Chelette of Thibodaux on allegations he committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on a date he met on Tinder. Captain Brennan Matherne…
cut 15 (14) “…..never met”

There are five candidates who’ve declared their candidacy for governor and not one is a Democrat. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There is still a possibility another major Republican will enter the race. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is a rumored candidate, but Graves told the Louisiana Illuminator he doesn’t know if he’ll run and doesn’t know when he’ll announce a decision. State Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich is urging Graves to stay out of the race.

The Public Service Commission approves a plan to let Entergy recover over a billion dollars in Hurricane Ida repair costs from its customers. A compromise deal proposed by outgoing PSC chairman Craig Greene would have Entergy take on a higher tax liability for the recovery expense; reducing the cost to ratepayers by nearly $200-million…:
Cut 4 (11) “…dirt on their jersey.”
The deal will mean Entergy customers will see an additional $5.50 on their monthly bill for the next 23 years.

A Thibodaux man faces serious charges after he allegedly committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on a woman he met on an online dating app. Captain Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Shane Chellette was taken into custody last week…
cut 14 (11) “…this case”

The Public Service Commission approves Entergy hiking power bills to pay for Hurricane Ida damage to their grid. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is reportedly close to providing enough deputies from around the state so Mardi Gras krewes can return to their traditional routes. Most parade routes were shortened last year because of a lack of law enforcement. More details are expected to be announced later this week.

It still remains to be seen if a Special Session to address the state’s dwindling number of property insurance carriers will be called before the regular session in April. On his monthly call-in radio show, Governor Edwards says Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon told him April might be too late.
Cut 10 (13) “…question of timing.”
Edwards says discussions will continue between Donelon, legislative leaders and his office.

Four Republicans have announced their intentions to run for governor. Still waiting on a Democrat to get in the race. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says moderate and liberal voters are waiting for a candidate they can support…
cut 8 (08) “….our statewide elections”
DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson, Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt and East Baton Rouge D-A Hillar Moore are possible Democratic candidates.