New Orleans is reinstating their indoor mask mandate beginning tomorrow due to an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The mandate is effective at 6 am Wednesday for all indoor spaces including schools.

Baton Rouge businessman and blogger, Gary Chambers says he’ll run for U.S. Senate, the second Democrat to challenge John Kennedy. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent study says, Louisiana ranks among the worst states for meeting the need for individual caregivers. Sean Marchese (mar-KEZZ) a registered nurse and oncology writer/researcher says the first identifiable problem is average pay of less than $11 an hour in Louisiana, the lowest in the nation and a great number don’t get paid at all.

Cut 3 (13) “…the past year.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with well-known injury attorney Gordon McKernan. The Baton Rouge lawyer says they’ve been looking to reach an N-I-L deal with a Tiger football player…

Cut 12 (12) “…enter that space.”  

The candidate pool for US Senate is growing in Louisiana, a second democrat, Baton Rouge businessman Gary Chambers has thrown his hat in the ring against the state’s junior Senator John Kennedy. Chambers a self-described advocate says he’s running to help make life better for the Bayou State.

Cut 6 take our state forward :11

Kennedy’s other Democratic challenger is Luke Mixon. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and criticized Kennedy for not voting for the infrastructure bill that Mixon says will bring Louisiana better roads, clean drinking water, and expanded broadband…

Cut 14 (10)  “…solving problems”
Kennedy says only 23-percent of the infrastructure bill actually goes to infrastructure.

A Louisiana-based company called TeleLeaf is helping patients who need access to medical marijuana. Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says some are hesitant to try medical cannabis after pharmaceutical options proved disappointing and caused side effects that created additional health problems.

Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”

For more information go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

For more information visit Stronghold Studio’s website.

The state panel that determines exactly how much money state government has meets today in Baton Rouge.  It’s expected the Revenue Estimating Conference will officially recognize a budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended at last June. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the state has misspent excess cash in the past…:

CUT 11(08)      “…smart decisions.”

The R.E.C. is also expected to project revenues for the current fiscal year and the next.

The mid-term elections are taking shape, with two Democrats now announced to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Kennedy. One is Luke Mixon, who actually made his intentions known back in October. Today, Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers says he too will seek to unseat Kennedy. Chambers ran for the House in 2020, and got a good percentage of the vote, but failed to make the primary.

Bossier Parish deputies arrest a local man for alleged possession of child pornography and images of bestiality. An investigation of 35-year-old Michael Lofton’s computer and cell phone turned up numerous images; leading to his arrest. His bond is set at $450-thousand.

An all-time great running back at LSU is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo reports Kevin Faulk will be enshrined in December…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Palermo.”

Candidates are beginning to line up for the fall mid-term elections. Baton Rouge area blogger and activist Gary Chambers, a Democrat, says he will run to unseat John Kennedy in the U.S. Senate. Chambers ran for the U.S. House District 1 seat in 2020, and made a good showing, though he didn’t make the runoff.

When COVID canceled Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the new tradition of house floats, and one designer says they’re busier than last year. Brooke Thorington throws out the details.

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

U.S. Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing  Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is one of two announced Democratic challengers to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. The other is Gary Chambers, as mentioned earlier. At the Baton Rouge Press Club, Mixon says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…:

CUT 13(07)      “…of democracy.”

There’s now a new way to receive a prescription for medical marijuana in Louisiana. It’s a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Creator and CEO Gary Hess, a US Marine vet who suffered from PTSD, unfortunately, says there’s still a stigma surrounding cannabis use…:

CUT 04(07)      “…convenient.”

You must first register on the website; “teleleaf.com.”

Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers is entering the U-S Senate race to challenge Republican Incumbent John Kennedy. Chamber ran for Cedric Richmond’s former Congressional seat last year.

There are two announced Democrats opposing Kennedy in the November primary. The other is Luke Mixon, a Bunkie native, who graduated from the U-S Naval Academy and is a decorated fighter pilot. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge press club and says he wants to represent the best interest of all Louisiana citizens…
cut 15 (07) “…screened over”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today at the State Capitol and it’s expected the panel will officially recognize a budget surplus from the last fiscal year. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they’ll have an extra 400-million dollars to spend on certain one-time projects…
Cut 10 (06) “…like that.”

Belle Chasse native and retired marine corp infantry officer Gary Hess has created a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Hess suffers from PTSD and has found medical marijuana has improved his condition. Hess says teleleaf-dot-com can help patients find a doctor to prescribe medical marijuana…
cut 5 (10) “….are seeing”
He says to register go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

The House float tradition continues for this Mardi Gras. It was born last year as a way to celebrate the carnival season without parades. Ian Darrow with Stronghold Studios says the average cost is three to six thousand dollars and he says they’ve decorated homes in traditional Mardi Gras style and some customers choose decor to reflect their heritage, profession or even…
cut 9 (08) “…I would say”

Senator John Kennedy has picked up another challenger in his bid for re-election. Baton Rouge community activist Gary Chambers announced today he’s challenging Kennedy. He is a Democrat, who says he supports the Build Better Act, a voting rights bill and he’s an advocate for Medicare for All.

Kennedy’s other Democratic challenger is Luke Mixon. The political newcomer appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and criticized Kennedy for not voting for the infrastructure bill that Mixon says will bring Louisiana better roads, clean drinking water and expanded broadband…:
cut 14 (10) “…solving problems”
Kennedy says only 23-percent of the infrastructure bill actually goes to infrastructure.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets at the state capitol today. It’s expected that economists will tell the panel the revenues coming into the state’s coffers are better than projected. But House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue warns the good budget times might not last much longer…:
cut 12 (05) “….few years”

Louisiana military vet Gary Hess has created a telemedicine platform called TeleLeaf to help those who suffer from PTSD get connected with medical marijuana. TeleLeaf Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says many patients are hesitant to try medical marijuana after previous pharmaceutical options proved disappointing and caused side effects that created additional health problems.
Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”
For more information go to tele-leaf-dot-com.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought us house floats last year as a way to celebrate Mardi Gras, when there were no parades. Parades are back, but residents are still decorating their homes like a float. Stronghold Studios normally assists with movie sets, but Ian Darrow says when COVID closed down film production, they added house floats to their repertoire and a new line of work…
cut 8 (11) “….other people”

U-S Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is a Democratic challenger to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. He appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…
Cut 13 (07) “…of democracy”
Kennedy told WWL-TV in New Orleans in May he never thought the Presidential election was stolen but believed there were irregularities.

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.
Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

After a Louisiana Marine vet tried medical cannabis for his PTSD, he says it was a game-changer and now he wants to help others. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a Louisiana Marine vet tried medical cannabis for his PTSD, he says it was a game-changer and now he wants to help others. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

When COVID canceled Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the new tradition of house floats, and one designer says they’re busier than last year. Brooke Thorington throws out the details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

An all-time great running back at LSU is headed to the College Football Hall of Fame. Jeff Palermo reports Kevin Faulk will be enshrined in December.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________

There’s now a new way to receive a prescription for medical marijuana in Louisiana. It’s a telemedicine platform by the name of TeleLeaf. Creator and CEO Gary Hess, a US Marine vet who suffered from PTSD, unfortunately, says there’s still a stigma surrounding cannabis use…

Cut 4 (07) “…convenient.” 

Hess created the Louisiana-based company to give those who don’t feel comfortable asking for cannabis to treat their medical conditions can do so from the privacy of their own home. In addition to those in need feeling stigmatized about medical cannabis, Hess says many physicians were not on board initially with prescribing it.

Cut 5 (10) “…are seeing.”

TeleLeaf Customer Service Manager Brianna Hardy says often many patients are hesitant to try medical marijuana after previous pharmaceutical options have proved disappointing and even caused side effects that created additional health problems.

Cut 6 (11) “…other conditions.”

Hess says first you need to register on their website at TeleLeaf.com and then you’ll have a virtual visit with a physician.

____________________________________________

When COVID shut down Mardi Gras in 2021, it birthed the creation of house floats. And how some folks compete with neighbors to have the best Christmas decorations, Mardi Gras season is even more extravagant. You can call on a professional like Ian Darrow at Stronghold Studios in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (08) “…house floats.”

Stronghold Studios normally assists with movie sets, but Darrow says when COVID closed down production they added house floats to their repertoire and thus a new created a new line of work.

Cut 8 (11) “…other people.” 

Darrow says they assist with the creation, design, installation, and removal of house floats. You can view their work on Stronghold Studios’ website or Instagram page.

Prices vary by design, but Darrow says they average between three to six thousand dollars. He says they’ve decorated homes in traditional Mardi Gras style, and some customers choose décor to reflect their heritage, profession, or even…

Cut 9 (08)  “…I would say.”

And while they are still taking orders for this year, Darrow says it’s best to approach them about house floats before carnival season.

___________________________________________________

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today at the State Capitol and it’s expected the panel will officially recognize a budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended at the end of June. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they’ll have an extra 400-million dollars to spend on specific one-time projects…

Cut 10 (06) “…like that.”

State lawmakers will vote on how the surplus dollars will be spent and Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to provide a recommendation on how the dollars will be doled out. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the state has misspent excess cash in the past…

Cut  11 (08)  “…smart decisions”  

The Revenue Estimating Conference will also receive revenue projections for this fiscal year and next. Zeringue says they are expecting to hear that revenues this fiscal year are coming in higher than previously projected, but he warns the good budget times might not last much longer as a portion of the state’s sales tax will soon roll off the books…

Cut 12 (05) “…few years.”

____________________________________________

U-S Senate candidate Luke Mixon is criticizing  Senator John Kennedy for voting to overturn the 2020 presidential results. Mixon is the lone announced Democratic challenger to Kennedy’s 2022 re-election bid. Mixon appeared at the Baton Rouge Press Club and says Kennedy betrayed his oath to the Constitution when he objected to Joe Biden’s victory in Arizona…

Cut 13 (07) “…of democracy”

Kennedy told WWL-TV in New Orleans in May that he never thought the Presidential election was stolen but believed there were some irregularities.

In August, Kennedy voted against the one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill which eventually became law. Kennedy said only 23-percent of the bill is going to actual infrastructure and he says it will raise taxes on industry and increase the deficit.

But Mixon says the infrastructure bill will rebuild roads and crumbling water systems while also providing faster internet service in rural areas…

Cut 14 (10)  “…solving problems”

Mixon entered the U-S Senate race in October. He’s a Bunkie native, a U-S Naval Academy graduate, and a decorated fighter pilot. The political newcomer says he wants to represent the best interest of all Louisiana citizens…

Cut 15 (07)  “..of democracy.”

____________________________________

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says figuring out the quarterback position is the number one priority for the Saints this offseason. Detillier does not believe the Saints starting quarterback in 2022 is currently on the roster and expects New Orleans to trade for a veteran Q-B

Cut  16 (20) “…number of teams.”

Detillier says the second priority for the Saints is to make sure All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas is healthy for the 2022 season. He missed all of the 2021 season recovering from ankle surgery in June…

Cut 17 (12) “ …get him healthy.”

Detillier says a major decision facing the Saints is whether to re-sign safety Marcus Williams and if they don’t, it’s a position they’ll have to address in the draft or free agency…

Cut 18 (12) “ ..for the Saints.” 

The CDC says if you’ve received both doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine, you are now encouraged to get boosted at five months instead of six months. The agency is also encouraging ages 12 and up to be boosted now. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they added that age group for two reasons.

Cut 4 (09) “…Omiocron variant.”

For the nearest vaccination site call 2-1-1

An EF-2 tornado touched down in the Sabine Parish community of Peason early Sunday morning. Sabine Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brad Walker says about 15 homes including mobile homes – were severely damaged or even destroyed. But despite that, no one was killed.

Cut 10 (12)  “…to be expected.”

A Mardi Gras float stolen out of Lafayette has been found in St. Martin Parish. The 40-foot-long double-deck float was taken sometime Friday night and Lafayette Police Sergeant Robin Green says they continue to look for the person or persons who stole damaged the float…

cut 14 (07) “….have been something”
Anyone with information about this stolen float is urged to call Lafayette P-D or Lafayette Crime Stoppers.

The Saints won’t see postseason play for the first time since 2016. It was a trying season as the Saints spent the first month of the regular season re-located because of Hurricane Ida, suffered numerous injuries, an NFL record 58 different starters and used four quarterbacks. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says it would have been an amazing story if they got into the playoffs…

Cut 8 (09) “…be with the family.” 

The Saints end the year with a 9-8 record.

New CDC guidance for those who received their two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, you are now encouraged to be boosted at five months out from your last dose, instead of six months. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says boosters are vital with the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Cut 3 (10) “…with Omicron.”

The CDC also recommends that everyone ages 12 and up should be boosted.

The Sabine Parish community of Peason is recovering after being hit early Sunday by a tornado. Sabine Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brad Walker says the twister hit just before 5 a.m. when most people were still asleep in their beds…:

Cut 9 (11) “…registered as an EF-2.”

No one was killed.

Lafayette Police say a Mardi Gras float reported stolen Saturday has been found. LPD spokesperson Sgt. Robin Green says the 40-foot-long double-deck float was taken sometime Friday night from a Lucille Avenue address. She says the float had some moderate damage to the decorations and structure, and she feels for the owner.

Cut 13 (07) “…up and running. “

It was located in a remote part of St. Martin Parish.

Tough ending for the Saints season, despite beating Atlanta yesterday. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says it was tough to watch San Francisco win, which knocked New Orleans out of playoff contention…
Cut 7 (12) “…somebody else’s hands.”
The Saints finished the season with a 9-8 record.