The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A federal judge has sentenced 56-year-old Vaughn Gordon of Lafayette to 90 days of home detention for his role in the riot on the U-S Capitol Building on January sixth, 2021. Court records show Gordon, who shared photos of himself on Facebook in the capitol that day, agreed to pay 500 dollars in restitution to the Department of Treasury as well.

A poll of 500 Republican and Independent likely voters paid for by Jeff Landry shows that 48-percent of those surveyed support the GOP attorney general in the race for governor. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Landry’s poll is standard operating procedure in a political campaign…
cut 11 (10) “….for what it is”
Finishing in second place in Landry’s poll, was Treasurer John Schroder at six-percent.

Blue Runner Foods located in Ascension parish has its first woman president. New Orleans native Katie Bautsch is running Louisiana’s only remaining canning company….
Cut 8 (09) “…and loves.”
Blue Runner Foods makes canned and dry beans, Cajun and Creole cooking bases, soups and more.

A recent poll – paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign – shows the candidate for governor has a large lead on all other challengers.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In New Orleans, there’s a court hearing on a lawsuit filed by the campaign to recall Mayor LaToya Cantrell as they are seeking from the registrar of voters an accurate number of registered voters in Orleans Parish. Lawyers for No-La-Toya-org say there are names on the voter rolls that should not be there, which would reduce the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election.

The FDA grants emergency use authorization for a combination flu and COVID home test so you can check to see what’s causing your symptoms. LSU Health New Orleans Genetics Specialist Dr. Lucio Miele says it’s a molecular test that gives you results in 30 minutes…
Cut 12 (09) “…go around.”
Miele says it’s a three-for-one test because it can detect if you have either Flu A or B and even if you have both COVID and the flu.

Blue Runner Foods appoints its first woman president as New Orleans native Katie Bautsch takes over the 105-year-old Creole foods manufacturing company located in Ascension Parish. Bautsch says she wants to take Blue Runner to new heights…
Cut 7 (08) “…category.”
Blue Runner is famous for its canned Creole Cream Style Red Beans. Bautsch takes over for Richard Thomas who ran Blue Runner for more than 30 years.

A recent poll, paid for by the Jeff Landry Campaign, shows the attorney general with a huge lead among Republicans and independents in the race to be the next Governor. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says these type of candidate-paid voter polls are not uncommon, and conservative voters’ responses to such polls are also predictable…:
Cut 9 (08) “…a great deal.”
The poll, done by KA Consulting for the Landry Campaign, shows Landry leads with 48-percent of the republican and independent vote.

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:
CUT 30 (07) “…over time.”
The regular session of the legislature starts April 10th.

Baton Rouge Police continue to search for the gunman who killed a 17-year-old girl who was driving on Interstate 1- 10 on Saturday night. Nykobia Keller died at the scene in what authorities call a targeted attack. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says they do not believe Keller was necessarily the intended target, but they believe the shooter was specifically shooting at her vehicle and her passenger…
cut 4 (05) “….that vehicle”
McKneely says the passenger was unharmed.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:
CUT 13(09) “…consumer drone.”
The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed Saturday night, while driving on Interstate 110, and police say it was a targeted attack. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the victim, Nykobia Keller, and her passenger had just left someone’s house….:

CUT 03(11)      “…gunshot injuries.”

He says Keller may not have been the actual target, but rather her car and the passenger, who has not been named. Keller leaves a 4-year-old behind.

Police in Pineville are proud as punch over their latest arsenal weapon: a new state-of-the-art, multifunctional aerial drone. Pineville Police Chief Darrell Basco says using new technologies like the $12-thousand drone helps them, solve crimes faster…:

CUT 15(03)      “…it occurs.”

He says it’ll be very useful in funding missing persons and children.

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. There have been a rash of young people dying of sudden heart attacks across the country. Some say this all began with the COVID vaccine, but experts disagree.

The state’s largest business lobby shares some thoughts on Governor Edwards’ $46-billion state budget proposal. More from Teiko Foxx..:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Will District 6 Congressman Garret Graves run for Governor of Louisiana? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A surge in COVID cases is impacting nursing homes across the country according to the latest AARP COVID dashboard. The four-week period ending on January 22, also showed a spike in nursing home staff COVID cases. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl(maul) staff cases rose more than 15%.

Cut 6 (10)  “…antionawide.” 

The most recent dashboard which covered the four-week period ending on January 22, also showed a spike in nursing home staff COVID cases.

Rapides Parish police launch a new drone program to fight crime. The Pineville Department has added drones to assist in investigations and track criminals. Chief Darrell Basco says before the drone, Basco they would have to send up to four cars to grid and block a search area. Basco says the addition of drones gives law enforcement officers extra accessibility.

Cut 14 (08)  “…piece of equipment.”

The drone is valued at $12,000.

LABI reacts to the 2023-24 budget proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The total cost of the budget is around $45.7 billion. A one-cent sales tax was implemented in 2016 to help fund the $2 billion deficit the state was facing. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President and CEO, Stephen Waguespack says…

Cut 12 (11) “…time dollars.”

The regular legislative session begins on April 10.

Governor Edwards’ proposed $46-billion state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July draws scrutiny from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI head Stephen Waguespack says a fiscal cliff looms in 2025, as sales taxes – passed to solve the last shortfall – expire…and the governor wants to give permanent pay raises to all public school teachers. He says lawmakers need to plan for that…:

CUT 11(07)      “…over time.”

The regular session of the legislature starts April 10^th.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor, but will not commit one way or the other. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says some see Attorney General Jeff Landry as unbeatable, but a recent chat he had with Senator John Kennedy during DC Mardi Gras indicates that may not be so…:

CUT 09(11)      “…about Garret Graves.”

Qualifying for the fall elections starts in early August.

Pineville Police have added a state-of-the-art, multi-functional aerial drone to their force…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

State lawmakers are looking to make automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, mandatory in all schools and sponsored athletic events. Baton Rouge state Senator Cleo Fields sponsors the bill. If passed by legislators, the bill will make AEDs available at all schools and sporting events in the state. It will also ensure that someone trained is on hand if the device must be used.

LABI reacts to the 2023-24 budget proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The total cost of the budget is around $45.7 billion. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President and CEO, Stephen Waguespack says it’s imperative to have a fiscal balance…:

CUT 10(07)      “…two years.”

The regular legislative session – a short, “fiscal-only” session – begins on April 10.

Pineville Police are taking to the skies in an effort to curb crime. Chief Darrell Basco says their newest drone won’t require an operator to be called in when needed and it’s accessible for the patrol division 24/7. And it’s not your average drone, he says it allows them to see things in real-time…:

CUT 13(09)      “…consumer drone.”

The drone is valued at $12-thousand.

The latest AARP COVID dashboard indicates the early wave of coronavirus cases in nursing homes appears to have peaked. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, ask the facility what their COVID protocols are and do they have enough PPE…:

CUT 05(07)      “…several months.”

Muhl worries about a post-Mardi Gras surge in cases among the elderly, who are most at risk.

Deputies in Calcasieu Parish are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that happened Saturday night in the town of Sparks. Officers say 42-year-old Tyrel Thompson was not wearing a DOT-approved helmet and was riding recklessly, when he went off the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A blood tox sample was taken, because they believe he was impaired at the time of the crash.

Let’s start with the 2023 Governor’s race. So far 8 candidates are announced; 5 republicans, 1 democrat and 2 independents. District 6 Congressman Garret Graves admits he is “feeling pressure” to run, but has not made any such announcement yet, despite speculation that he will. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says all that Graves talk certainly keeps his name and brand “out there”, and the strategy could work brilliantly for him if he’s a last-minute entry…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…he can do that.”

Alford admits that a little bit of “political theatre” in the race makes it more fun.

A New Orleans City Council member says Mayor LaToya Cantrell should pay back taxpayers over $50-thousand for a mailer that a legal analyst says was purely political. The mailer lists her accomplishments, just as a petition to recall Cantrell was circulating. Postage cost $32,623 and printing cost $18,323. Experts say that should have come from her campaign funds, not city coffers.

Police in Baton Rouge report a teen girl was shot and killed as she drove along Interstate 110 Saturday night. 17-year-old Nykobia Keller was able to pull over and call for help, but died at a local hospital. BRPD says the shooting was not random. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have had a string of shootings on the expressways in recent weeks.

Pineville Police have added a state-of-the-art drone, with multiple capabilities, to their force. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

Baton Rouge Police are seeking the person responsible for the shooting death of 17-year-old Nykobia Keller. She was shot while driving down I-110 near Hollywood Saturday night. She was able to pull over and call for medical help, but died later at a local hospital. BRPD believes this was a targeted attack. They ask anyone with information to contact them.

The Governor’s proposed executive budget has been out for about a week, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry shares their feelings about it…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Foxx.”

The latest AARP COVID dashboard indicates the early wave of coronavirus cases in nursing homes appears to have peaked. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says that’s good news, especially for this most vulnerable age group…:

CUT 04(09)      “…activities.”

Which historically will lead to an uptick in cases days later.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor, but will not commit one way or the other. So, will he run or not? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford has watched many political campaigns unfold and says Graves is employing a pretty smart strategy by playing coy on the race…:

CUT 07(12)      “…theatrics here.”

Graves can run for Governor this fall, and simply return to Congress should he not win.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves says he is “feeling pressure” to run for governor but will not commit one way or the other. So, will he run or not? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford has watched many political campaigns unfold and says Graves is employing a pretty smart strategy by playing coy on the race…:
Cut 7 (12) “bit of theatrics here”
Graves can run for Governor this fall, and simply return to Congress should he not win.

A grand jury in West Baton Rouge Parish indicts an Addis police officer for a New Year’s Eve crash that happened during a high-speed chase. Officer David Cauthron was chasing a car theft suspect, when he ran a red light on Highway 1 in Brusly and hit a car carrying three teens. Two teen girls were killed, and a teen boy passenger was critically injured. The grand jury indicted Cauthron for manslaughter, negligent injuring, reckless operation and malfeasance in office.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras was a big success for New Orleans, despite being marred by acts of violence and crime. The official numbers are still being tallied, but Nungesser says there were huge crowds in Metairie and New Orleans on Fat Tuesday….:
Cut 12 (12) “prior to COVID”
However, Nungesser says cities (especially New Orleans) must be allowed to get a handle on rising crime or crowds will DWINDLE.

A Netflix original movie filmed in Ascension Parish hit the streaming platform no Friday. “We Have a Ghost” is the story of a family who moves into a fixer-upper and becomes a viral sensation when they reveal a ghost in their home. Aquiles Montalvo (Achilles Mon-tal-vo) an assistant location manager on the film says you’ll recognize Donaldsonville in a car chase scene…:
Cut 6 (07) “for a treat”