The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge its customers an additional 10-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for the damage done to the power grid from four hurricanes and a winter storm. PSC member Foster Campbell voted no because he believes Entergy should also pay part of the repair bill…
Cut 12 (10) “…the people.”  

Fellow PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves predicts another surge in gasoline and electricity prices because of what he calls Russia’s veiled invasion of Ukraine. Graves says Russia is one of the largest net exporters of oil and gas in the world…

 Cut 6 (11) “…electricity bills.” 
Graves says the Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the U-S and others will cut off Russian energy supplies.

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AARP data shows an alarming increase in COVID transmission among Louisiana nursing homes for the month of January.  AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says staff cases increased from 102 in December to 55-hundred, and for residents, it went from 54 to 36 hundred.

Cut 3 (04) “…nursing homes.”

Bottcher expects February numbers to decrease as they usually lag two weeks behind statewide numbers.

Governor John Bel Edwards testified before the U-S Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and he asked the committee to support the Shoreline Health Oversight, Restoration, Resilience, and Enhancement Act, that allows Gulf States to receive a share of offshore oil revenues to fund restoration and protection projects, and a stronger relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Cut 11 (11)   “…importance.”  

By a 4-to-1 vote, the Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge customers an additional 8-to-10 bucks a month, for the next 15 years, to pay for the damage done to the power grid from four hurricanes and a winter storm a year ago. Shreveport area PSC member Foster Campbell was that lone “no” vote. He addressed this to Entergy executives…:

CUT 13(14)      “…explain that to them?”

St. Tammany Parish PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge…:

CUT 14(12)      “…to the money spent.”

Entergy says customers could see the surcharges as soon as May.

The state wide burn ban due to drought conditions has been lifted. Officials ask we keep using caution with any outdoor burning.

AARP data shows an alarming increase in COVID transmission among Louisiana nursing homes for the month of January.  AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says in December four COVID deaths were reported and in January it increased to 49…:

CUT 04(10)      “…previous surges.”

She says it could have been so much worse, but staff and residents were vaxxed and many also boosted.

Baton Rouge Police report one person critically hurt in a shooting that happened today in one of the Capital City’s busy retail areas. Officers say a person was shot inside a tailor shop just off Perkins Road. Few other details are available right now.

People using financial aid cards – commonly called Food Stamp cards – may now use them to buy groceries online at Wal-Mart stores. The Department of Children & Family Services made the policy change announcement today.

Beginning as early as May, Louisiana Entergy customers will see an 8-to-10 dollar surcharge to pay for the repair costs from recent hurricanes and last February’s winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the statewide burn ban has been lifted, after parts of the state got some measurable rain, and more is expected in the next 24 hours. The ban is officially rescinded as of 4 pm. Be mindful that your local or parish government may still have a local ban in effect.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves predicts another surge in gasoline and electricity prices because of what he calls Russia’s veiled invasion of Ukraine. Graves wrote a letter to the President expressing his concerns about higher gas prices and implored the Administration to take a different approach instead of opposing domestic energy production in the Gulf of Mexico…:

CUT 08(11)      “…their homes.”

Governor John Bel Edwards testified today before the U-S Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to discuss the state’s work on coastal restoration, and to ask for help achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Edwards says the state’s Climate Action Plan illustrates Louisiana is aggressive in preparing for future natural disasters…:

CUT 10(10)      “…to achieve it.”

The state’s Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge customers an additional $8 a month for the next 15 years to pay for grid damage caused by the last several hurricanes and one severe winter storm. The lone “no” vote came from Foster Campbell, who says Entergy should pick up at least PART of that tab itself…:

CUT 12  (10)        “…the people.”

PSC member Eric Skrmetta was one of the 4 “yea” votes. He says Entergy has been hit a great many damaging storms, and did a good job getting power back on within days for some parts of southeast Louisiana after Hurricane Ida…:

CUT 15  (11)      “…everything for everybody.”

Entergy says customers could see the surcharges as soon as May.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in the town of Crowley today. LSP confirms one person was shot and killed. The circumstances are as yet unknown. State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings in the state.

Louisiana nursing homes saw a dramatic spike in COVID cases among residents and staff in January. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01  (32)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

Expect slightly cooler, but fair weather for Mardi Gras weekend, with daytime highs Friday Through Monday in the low-to-mid 60’s. Mardi Gras day look for high around 70.

The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge its customers an additional eight-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for damage done to the power grid. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell was the lone no vote out of the five-member commission. He says it’s troubling that utility customers will see higher bills, while the Entergy’s CEO enjoys a pay raise…

cut 13 (09) “…$14-million.”

Entergy says two-point-two billion dollars in damages was done to its system following the hurricanes in 2020 and the winter storm in February 2021. The utility company says Hurricane Ida caused another one million dollars. PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge…

Cut 14 (12)  “…to the money spent.” 

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves predicts another surge in gasoline and electricity prices because of what he calls Russia’s veiled invasion of Ukraine. Graves says the Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the U-S, and others will cut off Russian supplies and the best way to temper energy prices is to let American workers produce American energy.

Cut 7 (12) “…your oil.” 

Russia is one of the largest net exporters of oil and gas in the world…

For the month of January, COVID cases jumped dramatically among nursing home residents to 36-hundred from 54 in Louisiana. But AARP State Director Denise Bottcher credits the high vaccination and boosted rate of 56-percent at keeping deaths from such a dramatic increase. In January it increased to 49 from four in December.

Cut 4 (10) “…previous surges.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s request to charge its customers an additional 10-dollars a month for the next 15 years to pay for the damage done to the power grid from four hurricanes and a winter storm. PSC member Foster Campbell voted no because he believes Entergy should also pay part of the repair bill…
cut 12 (09) “…on to the people”
But fellow PSC member Eric Skrmetta voted for the surcharge and credited Entergy for getting the power back on as fast as they did.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves predicts another surge in gasoline and electricity prices because of what he calls Russia’s veiled invasion of Ukraine. Graves says Russia is one of the largest net exporters of oil and gas in the world…
cut 6 (11) “….electricity bills”
Graves says the Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the United States, European countries and others will cut of Russian energy supplies. The Congressman says the best way to temper sustained high energy prices is let to American workers produce American energy.

AARP data shows an alarming increase in COVID transmission among Louisiana nursing homes for the month of January. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says staff cases increased from 102 in December to 55-hundred, and for residents, it went from 54 to 36-hundred.
Cut 3 (04) “…nursing homes.”
And while case numbers increased radically with the Omicron variant Bottcher credits the high vaccination and boosted rate of 56-percent among nursing home residents at lowering COVID fatalities.

Governor John Bel Edwards testified today in front of the U-S Senate Environment and Public Works Committee at a field hearing in Delaware to discuss the state’s work on coastal restoration and to implore the federal government to take more expedient action as impacted regions see more and more erosion with each passing year.
Cut 9 (13) “…unnecessary delays.”

A bill for the regular legislative session next month would expand what constitutes “justifiable homicide.” Kevin Gallagher reports on a bill to allow the use of a gun to defend one’s property from rioters.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

—

Entergy is appearing before the Public Service Commission seeking to charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs. If approved, households would see a $10 monthly surcharge added to their bills for the next 15 years. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says Entergy would pay nothing under that plan.

—

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is once again attempting to pass her “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” after last year’s legislative effort forced the first veto session in modern Louisiana history. The bill prohibits a female sports team from allowing students who are not biologically female to participate.

Cut 7 (07) “…of this bill.”

Governor Edwards said he vetoed the bill because it was mean-spirited and searching for a problem that doesn’t exist.

—

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other elected officials were photographed not wearing facemasks at the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball last Friday evening, drawing some ire from the public. Despite the city’s COVID requirements that face masks must be worn inside public spaces, with the exception of eating and drinking, photos from the event appear to show otherwise. City spokesperson Beau Tidwell says the guidelines will remain in place throughout Mardi Gras.

Cut 14 (08) “…this time.”

—

Entergy is planning to ask the Public Service Commission today they can charge customers more than $3 billion to cover storm repair costs. The PSC sets consumer rates, but companies can seek repair compensation. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says it may be time to revisit policies, especially considering Entergy’s ever-increasing profits.

Cut 6 (12)  “…is troubling.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is facing criticism after photos surfaced of her mask less at a Mardi Gras ball. New Orleans spokesperson Beau Tidwell says she only removed the mask to eat, drink and pose for photos but the city’s mask mandate remains in place through the Mardi Gras season…

cut 14 (08) “…this time”

Caddo Parish Republican state Representative Danny McCormick has filed a bill to allow individuals to defend their property during a riot by expanding what can be considered justifiable homicide. He says watching the riots of the spring and summer of 2020 caused him to bring the bill…:

Cut  11 (07)  “…up in Oregon.”  

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed her Fairness in Women’s Sports Act again for the March session, the is bill that was vetoed and garnered opposition from the transgender community. Now that some transgender athletes are breaking records previously set by women Mizell says reinforces the need for her bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the debate.”

Her bill was vetoed by Governor Edwards who called it mean-spirited. It prompted a veto session, but lawmakers failed to reach a two-thirds majority in the House to override the veto.

The bill called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” that received pushback from transgender advocates and even sparked the first veto session in modern Louisiana history is going for round two. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

After photos and videos surfaced of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other elected officials not wearing face masks at a Mardi Gras Ball Friday, spokesperson Beau Tidwell had to address the subject at a press conference.

Cut 13 (07) “…going forward.”

—

LSU will have its hands full tonight when the men’s basketball team travels to Rupp Arena to face sixth-ranked Kentucky. After going on a three-game win streak the Tigers lost a heartbreaker at South Carolina, dropping them to 2-6 away from home this season. Kentucky is an SEC-best 16-0 on its home floor, and Coach Will Wade has to figure out how to stop possibly the most talented team in the conference.

Cut 16 (13) “…really good pieces.”

—

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three more pediatric deaths due to the Omicron surge. Two of the three were under five years old. Twenty-one children under the age of 18 have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana since the start of the pandemic. Of those 21, 19 were not yet eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. The Louisiana Department of Health recommends that every one five years of age and older get vaccinated and that everyone 12 years old and above gets boosted when they are eligible.

—

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell will try again this year to pass a law that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. Mizell’s legislation was vetoed last year as Governor John Bel Edwards called the proposal discriminatory. Mizell says the intention of her bill is to protect women’s sports…
cut 8 (07) “….sports bill’
Ten states have similar laws.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick wants to amend the state’s justified homicide law to include protecting a person’s property during a riot. The Caddo Parish Republican says the legislation he’s proposing is in response to the 2020 riots that saw many businesses burned to the ground..
cut 12 (09) “…guilty of homicide”
McCormick’s measure will be discussed in the upcoming regular session.

Entergy Louisiana is expected to ask the Louisiana Public Service Commission today if it can place a 10-dollar surcharge on customers’ bills over the next 15 years in order to pay for the costs to turn the lights back on after four hurricanes and a winter storm the last two years. P-S-C Commissioner Foster Campbell says north Louisiana customers were spared from many of these storms…
cut 5 (09) “….of the damage”

The spokesperson for the city of New Orleans says an indoor mask mandate remains in place even though Mayor LaToya Cantrell was photographed at a Mardi Gras ball maskless. Beau Tidwell says guests were required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test, which is part of the city’s requirements for indoor venues…
cut 15 (12) “….more safe”
Tidwell says Cantrell took the mask off to eat, drink and take pictures.