Qualifying for the 2023 governor’s race begins one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates. There are several Republican candidates who have expressed interest. But will we see a strong Democratic candidate in the race. U-L-M Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…
cut 8 (11) “…right now”
Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, state senator Gary Smith and New Orleans city council member Helena Moreno are some of the names that have been put out there as possible Democratic candidates.

Later this week, President Biden will sign the PACT act which expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. John Wells, chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy, says the measure will help out thousands in Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “….a lot of years”
Wells says the next step is to make sure the legislation provides the benefits to veterans and their families.

Former Congressman and state representative Buddy Leach passed away over the weekend at the age of 88. Leach also served two years as the chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party beginning in 2010. Governor John Bel Edwards says Leach, who was born in Vernon Parish, worked to make life better for all Louisianans.

A New Orleans non-profit that helps feed those in need has sparked a new idea to keep restaurants operational after hurricanes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Both of Louisiana’s U-S Senators voted against the Inflation Redution Act which passed the Senate on a 51-50 vote. John Kennedy says the bill raises taxes on oil and gas, while Bill Cassidy says the measure does nothing to reduce inflation. But the White House says the legislation will reduce the deficit, make an historic investment towards climate change and caps out of pocket drug costs for Medicare patients.

A Louisiana veterans’ advocacy group applauds the recent passage of the PACT Act. Kevin Gallagher explains what it is, and how it will help veterans…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police becomes the first in the nation to receive approval from the FBI to implement rapid DNA booking operations. Sergeant Dustin Dwight says thanks to this technology, they can determine in 90 minutes if the DNA collected is connected to a crime….
cut 15 (05) “…as well”
The Rapid DNA instrument was tested successfully at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and they hope to integrate it at three other booking agencies by the end of 2023.

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during lengthy power losses. Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power after Hurricane Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.
Cut 10 (11) “…and batteries.”
De Wulf says they installed their first set of solar panels a few weeks ago at Queen Trini Lisa in Mid-City New Orleans.

A four-year-old girl was fatally stabbed to death on Sunday morning in New Orleans and a two-year-old boy is in critical condition with stab wounds. Police have charged 31-year-old Janee Pedescleaux has been charged with murder, attempted murder and cruelty to a juvenile. NOLA-dot-com reports investigators believe the woman is the mother of the two victims.

DNA technology in the state advances to solving crimes quicker, Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One year from today, qualifying will begin in the 2023 governor’s race and U-L-M Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s difficult to predict how large the field will be….
cut 9 (07) “….hard to know”
Governor John Bel Edwards can not run for a third term and several Republicans are rumored to be candidates, John Kennedy, Bill Cassidy, Jeff Landry, Billy Nungesser, John Schroeder and state senator Sharon Hewitt. Stockley says if Kennedy gets in the race it could reduce the field significantly.

Congress recently passed the PACT Act which expands medical coverage for former service members with toxic exposures. There are concerns that V-A facilities will have difficulty handling the influx of patients. John Wells is the chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy…
cut 6 (07) “….overly optimistic”
The legislation invests in V-A claims processing.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is the first in the country to receive approval from the FBI to conduct rapid DNA booking operations. Sgt. Dustin Dwight says the technology has the potential to keep criminals from being unknowingly released prior to the return of traditional DNA results…
cut 13 (10) “…linked to crime”
The new technology is already being used at the East Baton Rouge Parish prison and L-S-P hopes to use it at three other booking agencies by the end of 2023.

Qualifying for the 2023 Louisiana governor’s race happens one year from today and we still do not have any announced candidates to replace the term-limited John Bel Edwards. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says a lot will depend on who controls the U.S. Senate after the federal midterm elections. He says after the national picture is clear Louisiana’s race will finally develop
Cut 7 (11) “….fundraising advantage”
U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, along with statewide elected officials Jeff Landry, Billy Nungesser and John Schroder have been rumored to run.

A bill signing is scheduled this week in Washington DC for the federal PACT Act; legislation providing expanded medical care for veterans exposed to toxins during their military service. John Well is chairman of the Slidell-based Military Veterans Advocacy. He says the legislation will benefit about three-point-five million veterans nationwide…:
Cut 4 (10) “…and Uzkekistan.”
The PACT Act provides for expedited health care for vets assigned to handle burn pits or exposed to radiation in the line of duty.

A New Orleans non-profit organization called Feed the Second Line is working to equip neighborhood restaurants with solar power so that when a hurricane comes, the restaurant can keep serving food while the rest of the city is without electricity. Devin DeWulf is the founder of the Feed the Second Line…
cut 12 (10) “…the dream”
DeWulf says outfitting each restaurant runs between 60 and 90-thousand dollars.

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “..570″ 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates.

Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf wants to install solar panels on restaurants in the Crescent City to preserve food during outages after hurricane and they can also be cooling and phone charging stations for the neighborhood. He’s hoping the idea will take off and become a mainstay for a state that’s embattled with hurricane recovery.

Cut 12 (11) “…the dream.” 

He says instead of relying on other states to provide support after hurricanes we need to give ourselves the tools to do it on our own.

Friday was National Oyster Day, and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Louisiana is still the number one oyster producer in the world but hanging on by a thread.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is in New Orleans today in at the Convention Center and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

Yes you’re craving seafood now and you’re not alone.

The Public Affairs Research Council says Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says a major issue in Louisiana and the rest of the country is the number of inmates who return to prison within five years after being released. He says the three-year recidivism rate for those convicted of crimes in Louisiana is 34-percent.:

CUT 08(06)      “…violent crime.”

Mississippi topped the list with the most incarcerated.

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during power losses.  Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says when New Orleans lost power for 10 days, he thought about using solar power to preserve food. He hopes it serves as a model for the state.

Cut  11 (06)  “…of hurricanes.” 

A few weeks ago, they installed solar panels at a mid-city restaurant.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is in New Orleans today and Amanda Cusey of Lake Charles will try to beat out 13 other chefs from around the country to be named the Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says she’s the executive chef at Lake Charles’s “The Villa Harlequin.”

CUT 12(09)      “…and uhh and cheated.”

Opening ceremonies are at this morning at the New Orleans Convention Center

Speaking of seafood, Friday was National Oyster Day…but you can still celebrate today. State Oyster task Force Chair Mitch Jurisich says Hurricane Ida set oyster beds back, but the state is still one of the largest suppliers…:

CUT 05(08)      “…biggest and the best.”

Louisiana drops from the top of the highest rate of incarceration to second place According to the Public Affairs Research Council Mississippi tops the list. PAR head Steven Procopio says the top five include Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama and once you get past those, the state-by-state rates drop off considerably..:

CUT 07(08)      “…of our 570.”

A New Orleans non-profit wants to equip restaurants with solar panels so they can remain operational during power losses.  Feed Second Line Founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was sparked when the city lost power for 10 days after Ida and restaurants had to dispose of thousands of pounds of food.

Cut 10 (12) “…and batteries.”

Instead of relying on other states, he says we should be proactive

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is today in New Orleans. Each dish will be scored based on presentation, creativity, composition, craftmanship and flavor. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s great to have this competition in New Orleans, which has the best tasting seafood in the world…

Cut 14 (12)  “…our crabs.” 

Friday was National Oyster Day, but you can still celebrate today, The local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says Ida did a lot of damage to oyster beds…:

CUT 04(09)      “…by a thread.”

If you’re not jonesing for some seafood now, you’re not a real Louisianan

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one…

Cut 6   (06) “..570″ 

Following Mississippi and Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama rank in the top five for the highest incarceration rates.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a 20-year-old Houma man for the alleged rape of an underage girl. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean (EL-gene) McKneely says 20-year-old Kwan Allen made contact with the 16-year-old girl via social media; representing himself being much younger. McKneely says he courted the girl for weeks before enticing her to a meeting at the Mall of Louisiana…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…upon her”

McKneely says the victim’s 8-year-old sister was waiting in the teen girls’ car, while the assault was occurring in Allen’s vehicle.

It’s National Oyster Day and the Bayou State is very familiar with the well-loved seafood, but the local industry has been in serious recovery mode thanks to the last two hurricane seasons. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich says they are starting to see oyster spawns.

Cut 3 (11) “…market time.” 

He says Louisiana is still the number one oyster producer in the world but hanging on by a thread.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans with opening ceremonies at 11:15 in the New Orleans Convention Center and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the cooks have a limited amount of time to cook up their best seafood dish in front of a live audience and nationally acclaimed judges…

Cut 13 (09) “…and tasting.”

Based on data collected by the Public Affairs Research Council, Louisiana has the second highest incarceration rate in the country. PAR President Steven Procopio says Mississippi was number one. He says a major issue in Louisiana and the rest of the country is the number of inmates who return to prison within five years after being released. He says the three-year recidivism rate for those convicted of crimes in Louisiana is 34-percent..:

CUT 08(06)      “…violent crime.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ appeal of a local judge’s decision he was disqualified from running for re-election is now in the hands of the 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges heard arguments from Perkins’ lawyers and plaintiffs today. Their decision is not yet known. Perkins says he is a victim of political chicanery, and he’ll take his appeal all the way to the state Supreme Court if needs be.

The Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans and Amanda Cusey of Lake Charles will try to beat out 13 other chefs from around the country to be named the Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Cusey is the executive chef at Lake Charles’s “The Villa Harlequin”…:

CUT 12(09)      “…and uhh and cheated.”

Opening ceremonies are at 11:15 tomorrow at the New Orleans Convention Center

Speaking of seafood, it’s National Oyster Day…so go get you some tonight. State Oyster task Force Chair Mitch Jurisich says Hurricane Ida last fall set oyster beds back, but there ARE plenty of oysters available…:

CUT 05(08)      “…biggest and the best.”

Louisiana drops from the top of a so-called “bad list”; no longer having the nation’s highest rate of incarceration. Data compiled by the Public Affairs Research Council shows Mississippi now holds that dubious honor. PAR head Steven Procopio says Mississippi then Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Alabama make up the top five, and once you get past them, the state-by-state rates drop off considerably..:

CUT 07(08)      “…of our 570.”

Cops in Baton Rouge bust a Houma man for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl; one he enticed to a meeting via SnapChat. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 20-year-old Kwan Allen attacked the girl in a mall parking lot and now faces rape and sexual battery charges. He urges parents to be aware of what your kids do online..:

CUT 11(09)      “…has happened.”

We’re still waiting for a decision from the 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ disqualification from his re-election bid. Perkins reportedly used the wrong home address on qualifying papers, but his attorneys say it was just a clerical error. His fate as mayor now rests with three Appeals Court judges.

It’s National Oyster Day but how is the state’s oyster industry fairing…?

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”