Today marks the seven-year anniversary of Governor John Bel Edwards expanding the state’s Medicaid program. Whitney Thomas has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Another candidate has entered the 2023 governor’s race. 68-year-old Lake Charles small business owner and attorney Hunter Lundy says he will run as an independent. Lundy says he has a servant’s heart and a stubborn desire to talk about things that should be done. The primary is in October.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says a new COVID-19 variant has caused a bump in COVID infections coming out of the holidays. The XBB.1.5 variant is expected to become the most dominant version in the next few weeks. Kanter says fortunately it’s not increasing hospitalizations at this point, but he expects cases to continue to rise.
Cut 9 (11) “…with earlier.”

The NFIB says small business optimism has dropped as fewer owners are expecting better business conditions over the next six months. Inflation remains the biggest problem. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says many owners are hoping government can help…
cut 12 (13) “….from all of this”

The newest strain of COVID, XBB.1.5. is said to be the most transmissible variant yet. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Freshman LSU quarterback Walker Howard has reportedly entered the transfer portal. Coach Brian Kelly said after the Citrus Bowl that he was certain quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Garrett Nussmeier and Howard would remain on the roster. Howard won a state championship at St. Thomas More in Lafayette and is the son of former LSU QB Jamie Howard.

On January 12th, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order expanding Medicaid. The governor’s communications director Lauren Leist says that decision seven years ago provided health insurance to over half a million working Louisianans…
Cut 4 (12) “…for hypertension.”
Leist also says more than 180 thousand residents received specialized mental health treatment as a result of the Medicaid expansion.

The state department of transportation has released its plans on how it will fix the damaged Interstate 10 overpass in Lafayette at I-49. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says it will be a two-phase process, with phase one taking place January 20th to 22nd…
cut 14 (12) “….westbound”
Druilhet says phase two will take place during the spring time.

Former state senator Karen Carter Peterson received a 22-month prison sentence today after admitting she used more than 140-thousand dollars in campaign funds from her own campaign and the Democratic Party to feed a gambling addiction. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Peterson will spend at least a year and a half in prison…

Cut 14 (12)   “…she gets out .”

Dakota Theriot plead guilty today to killing five people after a multi-parish shooting spree in 2019. Among his victims in Livingston Parish were his girlfriend, her father, and her brother, then his parents in Ascension Parish. 21^st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perilloux says even with Theriot diagnosed with mental illness he expects he’ll be placed with the general population at Angola.

Cut 11 (03)  “…going to happen.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says his decision on running for governor is coming very soon. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge this morning, Graves says there seems to be a desire to have more than just Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder running…:

Cut 4 (08)  “…extraordinary.” 

Graves says now that the U.S. House speaker fight is over, he’ll talk with friends and family and make his decision soon.

Eggs are among the most-increased prices of standard food items; up over 50-percent in one year. Ag Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says it’s due to an avian flu outbreak, but also supply chain issues and increased costs for production…:

Cut 7 (10)  “  packaging costs” 

He says the laying hens lost to avian flu can be replaced, but those costs need to retreat before you or I see lower prices for eggs or poultry.

Dakota Theriot plead guilty today to killing three people in Livingston Parish and two in Ascension Parish after a multi-parish shooting spree in 2019. Among his victims were his girlfriend, her father, her brother, and his parents. 21^st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perilloux says Theriot’s history of mental illness, and the pandemic delayed his trial.

Cut 9 (11) “…entered into.” 

Former state senator Karen Carter Peterson received a 22-month prison sentence today after admitting she used more than 140-thousand dollars in campaign funds from her own campaign and the Democratic Party to feed a gambling addiction. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Peterson’s punishment could have been more severe…

Cut 13 (05) “…get.” 

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still looking at running for governor and plans to give it more consideration now that a Speaker of the House has been chosen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The national average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.59 in November, up nearly 50 percent from the previous year, and the price for eggs still remains at a historical high. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a bird flu outbreak is the main reason…

Cut 6 (07)  “…egg laying chickens” 

A federal judge sentences former State Senator Karen Carter Peterson to nearly two years in prison on a wire fraud charge. Whitney Thomas has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thomas.”

The state Ag Department cautions horse owners of a brand of feed that’s been linked to animals getting sick and even dying. Alfalfa cubes from Top of the Rockies brand are possibly contaminated and over 2 dozen horses in Louisiana have already been affected. 20 died or were euthanized. The alfalfa cubes are suspected of containing animal fur and tissues.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’ll make a decision very soon on the governor’s race. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Graves says now that the Speaker of the House vote is settled he expects to meet with supporters and family members over the next few days and make a decision…:

CUT 05(11)      “…for Louisiana.”

The man who killed five people during a January 2019 shooting spree in two parishes pleads guilty to all charges. Dakota Theriot entered a plea this morning in Livingston Parish to three homicides, and a guilty plea to two others in Ascension Parish this afternoon. Because Theriot’s lawyers had him evaluated for mental health problems, Livingston DA Scott Perilloux was asked Theriot would be in general population in prison…:

CUT 11(03)      “…going to happen.”

Theriot killed his girlfriend, her father and brother, then killed his own mom and dad.

Let’s start with the Governor’s race. District 6 Congressman Garret Graves says his decision on running for governor is coming very soon. On WBRP 107.3 in Baton Rouge, Graves says there seems to be a desire to have more than just Attorney General Jeff Landry running…:

Cut 04   (08)        “…absolutely extraordinary.”

Graves says now that the U.S. House speaker fight is over, he’ll talk with friends and family and make his decision soon.

Former state Senator Karen Carter Peterson is sentenced to 22 months in prison, after admitting she used more than $140-thousand in her campaign funds – of her own and the Democratic Party’s – to feed a gambling addiction. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says she could have gotten between 41 and 51 months…:

CUT 12(07)      “…applicable guidelines.”

She reports to jail in early March.

Dakota Theriot pled guilty today to killing three people in Livingston Parish during a multi-parish shooting spree four years ago. Among his victims were his girlfriend, her father, and her brother. 21^st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perilloux says the murders were tragic and out-of-the-ordinary for his parish…:

CUT 10 (10)     “…take in.”

Theriot will also face trial for killing his own parents in Ascension Parish the same day.

Shreveport Police seek the hit-and-run driver who fled a Tuesday night accident on Bradshaw Passway that left a woman and child dead. The driver abandoned his vehicle, leaving it in a ditch and did not call authorities to report the crash. Police say the suspect may be armed. A hunt is underway for that driver.

Baton Rouge Police seek the man who stole a food delivery driver’s car while he was at the customer’s door. Crimestoppers in BR will take tips at 344-STOP.

Dakota Theriot plead guilty today to killing three people in Livingston Parish after a multi-parish shooting spree in 2019. He’s also accused of killing his parents in Ascension Parish*. Among his victims were his girlfriend, her father, and her brother. 21^st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perilloux says Theriot’s history of mental illness, and the pandemic delayed his trial.

Cut 9 (11) “…entered into.” 

He’s scheduled to appear in Ascension Parish this afternoon.

The average price for a dozen eggs hit $3.59 in November, up nearly 50 percent from the previous year, and the price for eggs still remains at a historical high. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says we won’t see prices drop significantly until energy, fertilizer, and transportation costs decrease.

Cut 8 (08)  “..these prices” 

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still looking at running for governor and plans to give it more consideration now that a Speaker of the House has been chosen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former New Orleans Senator and Democratic party chair Karen Carter Peterson was sentenced to 22 months after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud charges. Peterson resigned from the state senate last year citing depression and gambling addiction. She was accused of diverting $94 thousand in campaign funds for personal use and $53 thousand in state Democratic Party funds as kickbacks.

The man accused of killing five people during a January 2019 shooting spree that spanned two parishes, has pleaded guilty in a Livingston Parish court to murdering his girlfriend and her parents. Dakota Theriot was 21 when he committed that crime. He is also accused of driving from those murders to Ascension Parish and killing his own parents. Now guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, he’ll serve three consecutive life sentences. He still must stand trial in Ascension.

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? Or the cost? Eggs are among the most-increased prices of standard food items; up over 50-percent in one year. Ag Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says it’s due to an avian flu outbreak, but also supply chain issues and increased costs for production…:

CUT 07(10)      “…packaging costs.”

He says the laying hens lost to avian flu can be replaced, but those costs need to retreat before you or I see lower prices for eggs or poultry.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Danica Williams says they have begun stocking 17 sites across the Bayou State with Rainbow Trout…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Kieschnick”

…and now time for today’s markets…

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’ll make a decision very soon on if he’ll run for governor. Graves was on Mornings with Brian Haldane today and says he’s gotten plenty of encouragement to seek the state’s highest office…:

CUT 03(14)      “…emails from folks.”

What is up with the price of eggs? The national average cost for a dozen hit eggs hit $3.59 in November, up nearly 50-percent from the previous year, and the price for eggs still remains at a historical high. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says a bird flu outbreak is the main reason why eggs are still expensive…:’

Cut 06  (07)      “…egg-laying chickens.”

Strain says we will not see egg prices drop significantly until energy, fertilizer and transportation costs decrease.

Dakota Theriot, the Livingston Parish man who killed five people during a 2019 shooting spree, pleads guilty and will serve three consecutive life sentences.

Former New Orleans state Senator, and former head of the state Democrat Party, Karen Carter Peterson is scheduled for sentencing today, after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud charges last summer.The charge can carry a sentence of up to 20 years, though many don’t believe her punishment will be that harsh.

Emergency additional food stamp benefits for the COVID pandemic are about to end. February will be the last month. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says they want to let people know the added benefits are ending February 28^th…:

CUT 14(08)      “…the households.”

She worries many homes will have gotten used to that extra money. She says persons who find they cannot meet their family needs should contact DCFS and talk with a case worker.

Emergency additional food stamp benefits for the COVID pandemic are about to end. February will be the last month. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard…

Cut 13 (11)  “…as we can.”
She says the benefits can run from an extra $95 a month for food, to over $300 extra; depending on how many are in the home.

LSU gymnastics will have security travel with the team after teenage boys crowded the exit of an arena in Utah hoping to get a glimpse of gymnast and social media star Olivia Dunne. Coach Jay Clark says name, image, and likeness deals help promote athletes to the public, but it also has disadvantages.

Cut 11 (07)  “…with Olivia.”

Dunne is one of the most profitable college athletes when it comes to NIL because of her following on social media.

The American Academy of Pediatrics revises its guidelines for the treatment of childhood obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center says children and adolescents should be offered intensive treatment and once they are teenagers many are eligible for medication and weight loss surgery.

Cut 9 (08)  “…health trajectory.”

The guidelines recommend intervention as early as possible versus a wait-and-see approach.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is stocking 17 sites across the state with adult-size Rainbow Trout for their Get Out & Fish Program. You can find a listing on LDWF’s webpage along with directions, hours of operations, and Biologist Danica Williams in addition to a map they have videos on tips and tricks on catching fish.

Cut 6 (10)  “…something different.”