Today is Martin Luther King Junior Day, which is a National Day of Service. Volunteers around the state this week are packing together 200-thousand meals for food banks statewide. Entergy is part of this effort. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a co-sponsor. CEO Michael Tipton says food insecurity is serious business in Louisiana…:

CUT 12(12)      “…important issue.”

Food packing events will take place tomorrow in New Orleans, and on Wednesday in Monroe and Thibodaux.

A statue of LSU legend Seimone Augustus shooting a basketball was unveiled in front of a large crowd outside of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Sunday. She was there, of course, and very gratified to be the first female athlete to ever have a statue at LSU…:

CUT 11(09)      “…proof of that.”

An LSU co-ed has died from injuries sustained when she was hit by a car early Sunday morning. Sheriff’s deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish says 19-year-old Madison Brooks was standing IN the roadway when she was hit. The driver was determine to NOT be impaired. The crash is under investigation.

Legislation to require each public school classroom to display “In God, We Trust” in Louisiana has been filed for the regular session in April. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Former LSU women’s basketball superstar Seimone Augustus has become the first woman athlete to ever be honored with a statue on the LSU campus. Augustus is considered the greatest women’s basketball player ever from Louisiana and is humbled by the honor…:

CUT 09(12)      “…for everyone.”

Augustus led LSU to three straight final four appearances from 2004 to 2006 and was the consensus national player of the year her final two seasons.

A Bossier City representative files a bill for the spring legislative session that will require the words “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every classroom. Dodie Horton is a Republican from Haughton. She says the bill merely amends a current law…:

CUT 07(10)      “…every school.”

A new study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates if Louisiana updates its building energy codes the energy savings to residences and commercial buildings would be significant. Mike Waite is with the ACEEE…:

CUT 05(07)      “…in utility bills.”

Louisiana’s currently accepted codes are, as he puts it, “years behind.”

Man IN tree. St. Charles Parish deputies arrested man who was on the run from the law and hid up a tree next to Interstate 310. He got stuck up there and signaled to motorists passing by for help. St. Rose firefighters plucked him from the tree and he was jailed.

Man OUT of tree. Wildlife & Fisheries agents says Natchitoches Parish deputies successfully rescued a hunter who fell from his tree stand Saturday. The man has rib and back injuries but is expected to recover.

LSU’s spring semester began on a somber note as a student was killed in a traffic accident near the campus early Sunday morning. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

In Redding, California 32-year-old Andrew Williams and 32-year-old Chantel Knox both of Baton Rouge face several drug charges after police found more than 200 pounds of marijuana in their car last night. They also seized two handguns from the pair.

Among the bills filed for the upcoming legislative session in April is one requiring every public school classroom and even postsecondary institutions, to display the national motto “In God We Trust.” Haughton Representative Dodie Horton who wrote the bill says it does not require public funds to purchase the displays.

Cut 8 (07)  “..these posters.” 

The regular session begins April 10^th.

A statue of LSU legend Seimone Augustus shooting a basketball was unveiled in front of a large crowd outside of the P-MAC Sunday The legend of Augustus grew before she arrived at LSU, after standout seasons at Capitol High School in Baton Rouge. Associate Head Coach Bob Starkey was on LSU’s staff when Augustus signed…

Cut 10 (09) “…it’s true.” 

Augustus is the first female athlete with a statue on LSU’s campus

An LSU student who was hit by traffic early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge has died from her injuries. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies say at that around 3 am Sunday, 19-year-old Madison Brooks was standing in the roadway in Burbank Drive not far from campus, when she was hit. The driver did not appear to be impaired. An investigation is underway into why Brooks was IN the roadway at that hour.

Among the bills filed for the upcoming legislative session in April is one requiring every public school classroom and even postsecondary institutions, to display the national motto “In God We Trust,” Bossier Parish Representative Dodie Horton authored the bill…:

CUT 06(11)      “…must trust in God.”

Horton says current law requires it to be displayed in each building, but when she asked her grandchildren if they’ve ever seen such a sign, they said no. The legislative session begins in early April.

A new study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates if Louisiana updates its building energy codes, energy use in new buildings could be cut by as much as 20% in residential and 32 percent in commercial structures. Mike Waite, with the ACEEE, says Louisiana is still operating under 2009 national guidelines that are updated every three years, which means Louisiana is four versions behind…:

CUT 04(12)      “…of this year.”

He says energy savings would be significant.

…and now it’s time for today’s markets…

Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths surge among nursing home residents and staff nationwide including here in Louisiana, because most residents and staff are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. That’s according to the Director of Advocacy for the AARP, Andrew Muhl…:

CUT 07(10)      “…includes the booster.”

During December in Louisiana, resident cases went from 460 to just over one-thousand, while staff cases went up from 245 to 533 during the same period.

A new study from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy indicates if Louisiana updates its building energy codes, energy use in new buildings could be cut by as much as 20% in residential and 32 percent in commercial structures. Mike Waite, is a senior manager with ACEEE:

CUT 03(08)      “…electric grid.”

An LSU student has died, after being hit by a car early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge. Madison Brooks was a sophomore and a sorority member. Sheriff’s deputies say she was standing in the middle of the roadway at 3am for unknown reasons when she was hit by traffic. The crash is under investigation.

The state’s favorite crustacean is not immune to inflation, and you should expect to pay $2.00 a pound more than last year. Brooke Thorington has more on an app that tracks prices…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Thorington.”

There are three Republicans who’ve announced their candidacy for governor, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, Treasurer John Schroder, and A.G. Jeff Landry. But a Democrat has yet to jump in the race.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Party of The Left is running behind at this time…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…two different worlds.”

Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy is running as an independent.

Louisiana Tech University Police have identified the suspect responsible for bringing a firearm on campus and vandalizing the Integrated Engineering and Science Building on New Year’s Eve. 30-year-old Jacob Roberts, a La-Tech student is currently in jail in Rogers, Arkansas on unrelated charges.  Local police are currently working to have him extradited back to Louisiana. He’s charged with damaging the building’s windows with a firearm.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he is particularly proud of passing his “No Surprises Act” last January which prevents patients from receiving medical bills they were not expecting from a procedure they thought insurance covered…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…of this legislation.” 

Cassidy is also supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act which he says a large portion will be used for road and bridge projects in Louisiana.

COVID nursing home deaths nationwide increased by 14% during the end of December, that’s according to AARP’s COVID dashboard. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says they’ll continue to encourage for better safety measures.

Cut 9 (14)  “… They’ve been taking .”

The field of candidates for governor grew last week, with State Treasurer John Schroder, Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt all getting into the race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry is the front-runner as he has the support of the Louisiana Republican Party…
cut 14 (10) “…for governor”
Pinsonat says if Congressman Garret Graves enters the race, he could possibly keep up with Landry financially.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana will receive more than one-point-six billion dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ACT that will help pay for transportation projects, including a new Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles….
cut 5 (10) “…road and highways”

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis has granted permission to four teams to talk with Sean Payton about their head coaching vacancies. Payton is still under contract with the Saints. Loomis says these teams are aware of the type of draft pick compensation they would have to give up in order to hire Payton…
cut 21 (05) “…to em”
The Saints are without a first round pick in the draft, so many expect the Saints will be looking to acquire a first round pick for Payton’s services.

The crawfish season is about to ramp and the price for a pound of mudbugs is two-dollars higher than a year ago. Co-founder of the crawfish app Laney King…
cut 10 (12) “…this year”
King says inflation has caused base prices for crawfish farmers to double in the last few years along with an increase in fuel prices.

There are now four announced candidates running for Governor this fall, how is the race stacking up so far? Kevin Gallagher has that…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Illuminator is reporting a special session is likely to take place next month that would be devoted to the state’s homeowners insurance crisis. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon would like to see a special fund established that can be used to attract private property insurance providers.

As we get closer to Mardi Gras, the appetite grows for crawfish. Co-founder of the Crawfish App Laney King says prices this past weekend were two-dollars higher than a year ago. King hopes prices will decline once the weather warms…
cut 12 (09) “….down a little”
King says farmers are incurring extra costs as a result of inflation and high fuel prices.

According to AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 dashboard, 2,626 nursing home residents in Louisiana have died from COVID, including 13 more during a four-week period ending in December…
cut 8 (14) “….staying safe”
That’s Andrew Muhl, the director of Advocacy for the AARP, who says rates of COVID-19 cases continue to go up because nursing home residents and staff are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths are surging among nursing home residents and staff nationwide including in Louisiana, because most residents and staff are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. That’s according to the Director of Advocacy for the AARP, Andrew Muhl….
Cut 7 (10) “…the booster.”
According to AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard, cases among Louisiana nursing home residents increased from 460 to just over one-thousand, while staff cases went up from 245 to 533 during the same period in December.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he achieved in 2022. The senator says he pushed through legislation that advocates for pregnant moms in the workplace, to help veterans to better transition to civilian life and to assure you get no unexpected medical bills. He says he also worked to assure Louisiana received sufficient disaster recovery aid…:
Cut 4 (11) “…go down the list.”

The state’s favorite crustacean is not immune to inflation, and you should expect to pay $2.00 a pound more than last year. Brooke Thorington has more on an app that tracks prices.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU unveiled a statue of women’s basketball player Seimone Augustus yesterday and then went out and defeated Auburn 84-54.

State Police is investigating an overnight officer involved shooting that occurred during a pursuit in Lafayette. The Lafayette Police officer was not injured, while the male suspect has non-life-threatening injuries.

There are now four announced candidates running for Louisiana Governor this fall. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt officially entered the race Friday; joining A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder and Lake Charles attorney Hunter Lundy. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:
Cut 13 (10) “…typical Louisiana race.”
Congressman Garret Graves, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman Katie Bernhardt are other candidates who could jump into the race.

Did you enjoy some crawfish over the weekend? If you did, you may have noticed the price….
cut 11 (10) “…no denying”
Cofounder of the Crawfish App Laney King says inflation has caused base prices for crawfish farmers to double along with an increase in fuel prices.

Senator Bill Cassidy is proud of what he’s accomplished over the past year. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”