The search for a Georgia man who mysteriously went missing in Baton Rouge last week while on a business trip is heating up. 42-year-old Nathan Millard (Me-lard) is a married father of five and disappeared after leaving Happy’s Irsh Pub downtown. The search and recovery group Texas EquuSearch is now involved, and its coordinator is Kristen Harvey:
Cut 7 (11) “slept in”
Harvey says they shared photos of Millard inside the hotel before he vanished, and the volunteer group will be in Baton Rouge today.

Senator Bill Cassidy is responding to a report from the FBI that indicates Covid likely originated from a lab leak during viral research in Wuhan, China. Cassidy questions why that notion was passed off as false information back in 2020…:
Cut 4 (08) “for so long”
He says it’s time for the government to be upfront with Americans about what is known.

The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry’s Annual Meeting today in Baton Rouge will feature the first forum of 2023 gubernatorial candidates….:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport said supercell thunderstorms have the potential to produce tornadoes, large hail and flash flooding in the Ark-La-Texas region this afternoon and tonight. They put the area under a moderate risk for severe weather through 6am tomorrow.

US Representative Julie Letlow of Start has support of Republicans in Congress for her bill giving parents the legal right to review their child’s school curriculum. Letlow is a former educator and says this bill is not an attack on schools, but opens up communication…:
CUT 14 (09) “child’s education”
She said during Covid, parents had a difficult time inquiring about what their kids were being taught and this measure seeks to correct that.

2023 gubernatorial candidates are set to attend their first forum today at LABI’s annual meeting. Republican candidates – A.G. Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, and state legislators Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson – are confirmed to be there. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says it’ll be a question-and-answer session:
CUT 10 (08) “business community”
The event gets underway this morning at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Baton Rouge.

The search for missing Georgia business executive Nathan Millard who went missing in Downtown Baton Rouge intensifies. More from Teiko Foxx…:
Cut 1 (32) “Teiko Foxx”

The widow of Governor Edwin Edwards, Trina, has announced she and her fiancé, 79-year-old former state Senate president John Alario will get married on June 1st. The couple has been engaged since August of last year.

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With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility…and some could lose their coverage, if they don’t act quickly…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Additional pandemic food stamp benefits also end this month; taking about $100 on average away that households had grown used to for nearly three years. SNAP recipients who feel they won’t be able to make ends meet afterward are encouraged to local food banks and community organizations to see what other aid they can get.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement…:

CUT 06(10)      “…path forward.”

He says he’ll announce his decision within the next ten days or so.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’ll enter the race for Governor, but only if Graves does not. Schexnayder is term-limited in the House and has served as Speaker of the House since 2020. The 54-year-old from Gonzales was also rumored to be a candidate for Lt. Governor, before incumbent Billy Nungesser, decided to run for re-election…:

CUT 10(12)      “…from there.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Good news for Louisiana’s tens of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility, and some may lose coverage. Louisiana Medicaid program Executive Director Tara LeBlanc says no one’s been removed from the program since March 2020 because of the pandemic but annual reviews can now resume…:

CUT 03(10)      “…disenroll them.”

She says watch the mail for a letter that you will need to reply to quickly.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked and she reacted…:

CUT 11(08)      “…love you.”

Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets. A petition to recall Cantrell is having its 49-thousand-plus signatures verified by the Orleans Parish registrar.

With federal pandemic protections ending, a lot of Medicaid recipients in Louisiana could be losing coverage. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Legislation was filed yesterday that would, if passed, remove the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations that own property in Louisiana that is found to be a danger to public health or safety. New Orleans Rep. Jason Hughes is the bill’s author. Three New Orleans apartment complexes, which are owned by a local church, have been deemed to be slums.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. She says she reacted poorly to a float theme she thought was insulting, and she regrets the mistake…:

CUT 13(11)      “…happen again.”

The outcome of the citizens’ petition to recall Cantrell is still unknown.

State House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor, but it will depend on whether congressman Garret Graves is in or out. Schexnayder says he’s also hearing from supporters who would like him to run…:

CUT 09(09)      “…most of ‘em.”

The Republican field for governor also includes Attorney General Jeff Landry, State Treasurer John Schroder, and state lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. Landry is considered the front-runner.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked, and she reacted.

Cut 12 (08) “…the city.”

Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism over the past few months. Cantrell says it was a mistake that she regrets.

Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s considering a run for governor. The Republican from Ascension Parish says he will only get into the race if Congressman Garret Graves decides not to run…

Cut 8 (07)  “…t-shirt on” 

Graves says he’s receiving encouragement to run and told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that expects to decide within the next ten days or so.

It was a week ago today that a Covington, Georgia man went missing from a business trip to Baton Rouge. The wife of Nathan Millard says she last spoke to her husband he was with a client attending an LSU basketball game. Millard was last seen leaving Happy’s Irish Pub at 11:30 walking towards his downtown hotel. Millard’s phone was found blocks away from his hotel. The 42-year-old man was wearing a green baseball cap, black shirt, and blue jeans. He’s 5’9’, weighs approximately 180 pounds and has brown hair.

With federal pandemic protections ending, states can once again reevaluate Medicaid participants annually for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says it’s vital for participants to reply to letters and update their contact information.

Cut 5 (06) “…healthcare coverage.”

She says letters will be mailed out over a 12-month period beginning in May.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell responds to being filmed ‘flipping the bird’ during the Krewe of Tucks parade. Cantrell says the city was disrespected- she was provoked, and she reacted.

Cut 11 (08)  “…love you”

Cantrell has faced a wave of criticism over the past few months. She says it was a mistake that she regrets.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says they’ll begin mailing pink letters and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible.

Cut  4 (10)  “…contact information.” 

The Louisiana Speaker of the House is looking at running for governor. Jeff Palermo spoke with Clay Schexnayder about his political future…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A Princeton University study indicates that climate change is behind the phenomenon of back-to-back major hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more…

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Good news for Louisiana’s te4ns of thousands of diabetes patients; drug manufacturer Eli Lilly says it’s cutting its insulin costs and capping them at $35-a-month for folks with health insurance or Medicare, and they offer a savings card for those that don’t. The move is in compliance with the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Louisiana’s Medicaid executive director Tara LeBlanc says they’ll begin mailing pink letters soon, and recipients must respond if they wish to remain enrolled and they’re still eligible…:

CUT 04(10)      “…contact information.”

Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. He says the Sunday meeting lasted about 90 minutes, and he is close to ending the suspense…:

CUT 07(07)      “…ten days or so.”

Graves says many have told him they do not want Landry to be the governor.

A proposed so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Danny McCormick, State Representative from Oil City says Louisianans may already “open carry” a firearm in plain view, provided they have no criminal record. McCormick says concealed carry without a permit is a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Critics say it will make Louisiana like the “wild, wild west”, but McCormick says …

Cut 11 (07)  “…criminals have firearms.”

The legislative session begins April 10^th.

Democrat, Dustin Granger, announces he’ll run for State Treasurer of Louisiana this fall. Granger, a professional financial planner from Lake Charles, says he wants to make the state better for future generations…:

Cut 13 (07) “…running for Treasurer.” 

Baton Rouge state Representative Scott McKnight, a Republican, is the only other announced candidate for State Treasurer so far. Granger’s website is “grangerforla.com”

COVID protections from the federal government end in April, which means Medicaid recipients will be reevaluated for eligibility. Tara LeBlanc Executive Director of Louisiana’s Medicaid program says since March 2020 no one was removed from the program because of the pandemic but annual reviews can resume.

Cut 3 (10) “…disenroll them.” 

Those who are removed from the program will receive information for alternative coverage.

Congressman Garret Graves says he met with Attorney General Jeff Landry as he moves closer to making a decision on whether to run for governor. Graves says he’s receiving strong encouragement to run as many are not happy Landry already has the Louisiana Republican Party’s endorsement

Cut 6 (10)  “…path forward” 

Graves says his meeting on Sunday with Landry lasted about 90 minutes before he made a final decision that will be made soon….