Long lines were seen at the state’s nine medical marijuana pharmacies yesterday as patients were eager to get their hands on the smokeable form of medical marijuana which became legal in Louisiana on New Year’s Day. According to the Advocate newspaper, prices range from 10 to 25 dollars a gram.

The northwest Louisiana town of Minden is set to be featured on HGTV’s newest series Home Town Kickstart. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Inflation has spurred an increase in benefits for those on social security and individuals who receive veterans benefits and cash assistance through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program. Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says it’s the first increase in FITAP (pronounced Fi-tap) that she can remember.
Cut 4 (08) “….almost double.”
Brown says for example monthly benefits for an average family of three increase from $240 to $484 this month.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored during tonight’s home game against Kentucky when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown says it is a singular honor, but he must share the credit…:
Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”
The 86-year-old Brown won 448 games at LSU and led the Tigers to two Final Four appearances.

The state health department reports 24-thousand new COVID cases over the New Year’s Eve holiday and hospitalizations have quadrupled over the past month with 11-hundred people hospitalized with complications from the virus. 50 of those patients are in need of a ventilator.

A new and more nutritious type of white rice that has more protein and a lower glycemic index score has been developed in Louisiana. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Residents who are on social security or veterans benefits will see a cost of living adjustment of nearly six percent this year. One of the largest increases in recent memory. And Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says because the state is still under an emergency health order, SNAP recipients who are also on social security or receive V-A benefits will see the maximum amount from SNAP…
cut 5 (08) “….in a month”

It’s a big day for LSU sports. The football team faces Kansas State in the Texas Bowl and the 21st ranked basketball team hosts 16th ranked Kentucky. And tonight LSU officially renames the court after former head coach Dale Brown….
cut 14 (14) “…being really truthful”
Tonight’s game will tip off at 6 PM.

A new and more nutritious type of white rice that has more protein and a lower glycemic index score has been developed in Louisiana. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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The small town of Minden is set to be featured on HGTV’s newest series Home Town Kickstart. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is officially named for him. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Inflation has spurred an increase in benefits for those on social security and individuals who receive veterans benefits and cash assistance through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program. Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says it’s the first increase in FITAP (pronounced Fi-tap) that she can remember.

Cut 4 (08) “….almost double.”

Brown says for example monthly benefits for an average family of three increase from $240 to $484 this month.

The 2022 cost of living adjustment (COLA)has resulted in nearly a 6-percent increase for SSI, Social Security Retirement and Disability Insurance, and VA benefits. And because the state remains under an emergency health order, Brown says recipients of those programs are also receiving the maximum SNAP benefit.

Cut 5 (08) “…in a month.”

If you believe you qualify for some of these programs, Brown encourages you to visit their website for more information at dcfs-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cut 6 (03) “…in need.”

For more information about federal COLA increases, visit ssa-dot-gov-forward slash-cola.

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A new and healthier type of white rice has been developed called Parish Rice carrying 53% more protein and a glycemic index of 41 out of 100, the lowest of any white rice on the market. Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice hopes to put the rice back on the plates of people who have previously avoided it for health reasons and wants to educate them on just how much rice has changed…

Cut 7 (09) “…different options.”

When Fruge began growing the rice with a friend the glycemic level was unknown. It wasn’t until a dietician told them that, since the carb to protean level was different, they’d have a lower glycemic index score….

Cut 8 (08) “…a significant deal.” 

The low glycemic level allows diabetic persons to enjoy the rice without needing to worry as much about the sugar level. Fruge says his ultimate goal is to increase the consumption of rice and this provides a healthier way to do that…

Cut 9 (10)  “…bring people back.”

The rice can be bought in select stores in Louisiana or at parishrice.com

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The City of Minden is prepping for their close-up as they’ll be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart. It’s a spin-off of the hit series Home Town Takeover where beloved Mississippi designers Ben and Erin Napier revitalize small communities. Minden community activist Sara McDaniel says they are thrilled to be chosen.

Cut 10 (11)  “…on Minden.”

McDaniel and fellow activist Rachel Miller say the small Webster Parish city was a finalist for Home Town Takeover but eventually lost out to Wetumpka, Alabama. And with all the tourism and community spirit the series brought to Wetumpka, Miller says they are hopeful Minden will also experience such a transformation.

Cut  11 (11)  “…again and again.”  

McDaniel and Miller are limited on what they can say about the series until it airs late spring. McDaniel says the series will feature makeovers of a Minden residence, business, and community center.  McDaniel says she’s still in shock all their hard work is coming together for the town of 13,000.

Cut 12 (08) “…we’re chosen.”

Other cities to be featured on Home Town Kickstart are Buffalo, Wyoming; Cornwall, New York; Winslow, Arizona; LaGrange, Kentucky and Thomaston, Georgia.

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Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight, when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown’s name will be stamped upon the hardwood during a ceremony during tonight’s game against Kentucky. Brown says it is a singular honor, but he must share the credit…:

Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”

Brown was head coach of LSU Tigers basketball from 1972 through 1997, during which time he won an impressive 448 games. Under Brown, the Tigers won several SEC championships and many trips to the NCAA Tournament. He’s been named NCAA Coach of the Year and inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Brown remains humble about those honors…:

Cut 14 (14)  “…being really truthful.”

During his time with the Tigers, Brown also advocated for reforms within college hoops to make it a more positive and educational experience for players…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…their lives better.”

It can be said that no one affected LSU athletics in the way that Dale Brown did. The court will be officially dedicated as the Dale Brown Court at the PMAC tonight.

____________________________________

LSU has about 40 scholarship players available for tonight’s Texas Bowl matchup with Kansas State. The Tigers will have a skeleton crew out there because of players entering the transfer portal, opt-outs, suspensions and COVID protocols. But interim head coach Brad Davis says the goal remains to win the football game

Cut  16 (15) “…from me.”

On the depth chart, Garrett Nussmeier is listed as the starting quarterback, but he might not play tonight, because he would lose the ability to call this a red-shirt season. That means wide receiver and former Lutcher star Jontre Kirkland can line up at quarterback. Davis says whoever starts at Q-B, they want to be consistent…

Cut 17 (15) “ …good game.”

It will be the final game in an LSU Tiger uniform for several players including center Liam Shanahan. He’s looking forward to finishing the season with a win, even though the roster of available players has shrunk…

Cut 18 (17) “ …everyone watching.” 

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21st ranked LSU hosts 16th ranked Kentucky tonight as the Tigers look to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season last week to Auburn. Kentucky is 11-and-2 and is led by six-foot-nine forward Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEE-bway), who is averaging 16 points and 15 rebounds a game. LSU Coach Will Wade says keeping Oscar off the glass will be a challenge

Cut 19 (15) “…total.” 

Kentucky leads the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 84 points a game. Wade says the Wildcats are excellent in the half-court game

Cut 20 (16) “…back in transition.” 

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office answered a call Saturday where 63-year-old Michael Dobbins allegedly broke into a Chatham residence assaulted one person, fled the scene then had a shootout with officers behind some abandoned cars. Reichardt says he failed to listen to commands and was declared dead on the scene.

Cut 5 (07) “…was hurt.”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. Cassidy says this is one of the first steps towards getting price transparency but there’s still a lot to be done…

 Cut 6 ()8) “…that’s never been the case” 

Get ready to bundle up for the second night in a row. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we only saw highs in the upper 40s today so don’t expect the sun to warm us up too much. As for Tuesday, Keim says it will be much of a repeat of this morning with basically everything north of I-10 waking up to freezing temps.

Cut 13 (10) “….and Thursday. “

The Saints still have a shot at making the playoffs even though they’ve scored just one touchdown in the last three games. New Orleans’s defense produced seven sacks in an 18-10 win over Carolina yesterday. Defensive end Cam Jordan had 3.5 sacks and says holding the Panthers to only 88 yards rushing was also a key…

Cut 9 (10) “…just sacks”

If the Saints beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans is in the playoffs.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. If you leave the hospital with a higher bill than anticipated, Cassidy says you have recourse under the new law…:

CUT 08(11)      “…to pay more.”

He says check with your insurance company, to see what the issue is, and then contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 800-259-5300.

Believe it or not – after a disastrous season – the Saints could still make the playoffs. IF the Saints beat Atlanta next Sunday, and IF the 49ers lose to the Rams, then they’re in. Linebacker Demario Davis says he’s glad this game has meaning…:

CUT 11(11)      “…with it.”

One person is dead and another badly hurt, after a pickup drove off an elevated section of Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police say it happened shortly before 6am, when the driver lost control, crashed into the guardrail, then over it and landed on its roof. 21-year-old Zach Gunter, the passenger, died at the scene. The driver has life-threatening injuries.

How about that cold weather this morning? State Climatologist Barry Keim says it was a big contrast to the spring-like warmth of the couple weeks…:

CUT 12(12)      “…down to 35.”

He says tomorrow will be cold again, but temperatures will start moving back up again come Wednesday. By the weekend, we’ll see highs in the lower 70’s.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth an amazing $540-million, with a lump-sum payout of nearly $372-million. The drawing is a 10 p.m. Good luck.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. It seems 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a home on Chatham, assaulted someone inside and, later when confronted by police about it, turned a weapon on the officers who fired and killed him. LSP spokesman Trooper Mike Reichardt says Dobbins got the gun he used by stealing it from a parked car…:

CUT 04(08)      “…for a little while.”

Dobbins had a lengthy history of troubles with the law.

Police in New Orleans say a 10-year-old was hit in the face by a falling bullet, as he watched fireworks on New Year’s Eve. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced OK; no major injuries. Cops are investigating.

LSU football announced Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrook is joining Coach Brian Kelly’s staff as O.C. for the Tigers. Denbrook has extensive experience in college ball and in the pros.

There’s a mostly welcome chill in the air in the Bayou State to begin the first work week of the New Year. Jeff Palermo has the low down on the low temperatures…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

A Frierson man and his teenage son are charged with negligent homicide, after a Sunday incident in which one brother shot another. Police say 42-year-old Jeff Ebarb was driving the boys through a fast food drive-thru. They were looking at a gun the father had just bought, when it went off killing one brother. The matter is under investigation.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation which helps patients avoid paying for out-of-network services has gone into effect. Erik Piccoli has more…:

CUT 1(30)    “…Piccoli”

The state Department of Health reports statewide hospitalizations spiked to 1,106 over the New Year’s holiday weekend. That number is up from 514 a week ago, and up from 762 last Thursday. This is the highest number of COVID hospitalizations since September.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday that 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a home in Chatham, assaulted a person inside then fled the scene. But hours later he was found behind some abandoned cars…:

CUT 03         (12)    “…at the scene.”

As with all police-involved shootings, LSP is investigating.

Many of us woke up to some pretty cold weather this morning. Quite a switch of the sweatbox we were in last week. If you are using a space heater to stay toasty, here’s a useful reminder from Ashley Rodrigue with the state Fire Marshal’s Office…:

CUT 14         (10)    “…create a chain.”

These are the sorts of things that cause space heaters to short out and catch fire. Also, your range or oven should never be used to heat a room.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office answered a call Saturday where 63-year-old Michael Dobbins allegedly broke into a Chatham residence assaulted one person, fled the scene then had a shootout with officers behind some abandoned cars. Reichardt says he failed to listen to commands, and we declared dead on the scene.

Cut 5 (07) “…was hurt.”

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. Cassidy says he’s heard of insurance companies playing games by not going in-network with doctors knowing it would put the patient at risk for the cost but now patients are no longer at risk…

Cut 7 (07) “…is out of the middle” 

Get ready to bundle up for the second night in a row. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll only see highs in the upper 40s today so don’t expect the sun to warm us up too much. As for Tuesday, Keim says it will be much of a repeat of this morning with basically everything north of I-10 waking up to freezing temps.

Cut 13 (10) “….and Thursday. “

The Saints still have a shot at making the playoffs. Sunday’s victory gives New Orleans an 8-and-8 record and some of the recent wins have been ugly as a result of an offense missing starters on the o-line. Linebacker Demario Davis says the defense doesn’t have a problem with stepping up its game…

Cut 10 (10)  “…that opportunity”

If the Saints beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans is in the playoffs.

The state reports 31-thousand new COVID cases, those are positive cases which include results from the New Year’s weekend.  And the state reached a grim milestone today of more than 15-thousand fatalities. Hospitalizations are over 11 hundred.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office answered a call Saturday where 63-year-old Michael Dobbins allegedly broke into a Chatham residence assaulted one person, fled the scene then had a shootout with officers behind some abandoned cars. Reichardt says earlier in the day Dobbins supposedly broke into a vehicle and stole a gun.

Cut 4 (08) “…for a little while.”

Dobbins was declared dead on the scene after he failed to surrender to officers.

Senator Bill Cassidy’s Surprise Medical Bill legislation preventing patients from paying unexpected fees after going to the hospital is now in effect. Cassidy says this is one of the first steps towards getting price transparency but there’s still a lot to be done…

 Cut 6 (0.08) “…that’s never been the case” 

The Saints still have a shot at making the playoffs even though they’ve scored just one touchdown in the last three games. New Orleans’s defense produced seven sacks in an 18-10 win over Carolina yesterday. Defensive end Cam Jordan had 3.5 sacks and says holding the Panthers to only 88 yards rushing was also a key…

Cut 9 (10) “…just sacks”

If the Saints beat Atlanta on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans is in the playoffs.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson Parish. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday afternoon that 63-year-old Michael Dobbins broke into a Chatham residence assaulted one person and then fled the scene. But hours later he was found behind some abandoned cars.

Cut 3 (12) “…at the scene.”

The suspect was also allegedly shot at vehicles before police arrived and a car burglary earlier in the day.

Louisianans needed much more than a light jacket as they ventured out into the frozen tundra this morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it was quite a contrast to the unseasonably warm temps the Bayou State was experiencing.

Cut 12 (12) “…down to 32.”  

Keim says we’ll only see highs in the upper 40s today so don’t expect the sun to warm us up too much.

The New Year brings new changes to how much state taxes you’ll pay. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

COVID hospitalizations and cases in the state continue to spike at the Omicron variant makes its presence known in Louisiana. The Bayou State began the year with more than 1,000 COVID patients in the hospital. New daily totals will be released at noon, and they will include weekend totals. Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging residents regardless of vaccination status to mask up indoors.