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.”
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Of the five candidates who’ve declared their candidacy for governor not one is a Democrat. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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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.”
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The state’s 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. This is in addition to the $10 they already pay to cover Entergy’s damages from hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta in 2020. Entergy’s CEO Phillip May says Greene’s proposed plan will ease some pain for its ratepayers…:
Cut 5 (10) “…through this securitization.”
The only members to vote against the plan were Foster Campbell from northwest Louisiana, and new member Devante Lewis from New Orleans. Lewis says too many people are struggling already to pay their electric bills…:
By law, utilities can recover damage losses from their customers with PSC approval. This measure passed by a 3-to-2 vote.
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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.
Stockley says if all of the candidates are conservative Republicans then most of the state is actually not represented in a candidate. He says the majority of this state is not conservative, there are moderates and liberals that wouldn’t have a candidate they identify with.
Cut 8 (08) “…our statewide elections.”
And with the primary less than ten months away, Stockley says the longer a Democrat waits it puts them at a disadvantage.
Cut 9 (13) “…very (x4) difficult.”
Republicans – Attorney General Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, Representative Sharon Hewitt, and Representative Richard Nelson have announced their candidacy along with Independent Hunter Lundy for governor.
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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. On his monthly call-in radio show Ask the Governor, Governor John Bel Edwards says Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon told him April might be too late.
Cut 10 (13) “…question of timing.”
The proposed program would offer financial incentives to property insurance companies to come to the state and write policies and reduce the number of residents on Louisiana Citizens, the insurance of last resort. Edwards says he doesn’t feel there’s opposition to the incentive program only a matter of when the session is held.
Cut 11 (12) “…basic determination.”
The incentive program would be similar to the one that was offered after numerous policy writers left the state following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Edwards believes there’s overwhelming support to repeat the program 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 regular session begins on April 10th.
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Lafourche Parish 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.
Detectives issued a warrant for Chelette’s arrest, he was located Friday and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux.
Matherne says Chelette faces several charges.
Deputies warn individuals using dating apps to become more aware of its dangers by doing a search for their potential date on Google or social media before meeting in person. Matherne says it’s also best to meet in a public place with a cell phone.
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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team goes after its fifth straight win tonight as they battle Arkansas State in Jonesboro. Coach Bob Marlin says his team is playing well and it’s really showing on the offensive end…
Cut 16 (22) “…rebound margin.”
The Cajuns are 14-and-4 overall, and 5-and-4 on the road. Marlin’s team won at ULM and South Alabama last week and he likes his team’s mentality away from the Cajundome…
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Louisiana Tech looks to end a two-game losing streak tonight when they host Western Kentucky. The Bulldogs are 3-and-4 in Conference. The losses in league play have been by seven points or less. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester is optimistic more wins are on their way…
Louisiana Tech is led in scoring by Cobe Williams at 18 points a game. Keaston Willis is averaging 13 points a game and is coming off a season-high 23 points against UAB. Hester says Willis was concerned about a shooting slump so he told him to concentrate on defense
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