Congressman Ralph Abraham will not seek a fourth term in office, citing a promise he made before being elected in 2014 that he would term limit himself. Abraham made his three-term limit promise a core message of the campaign that saw him win the seat previously held by embattled GOP incumbent Vance McAllister.

Cut 6, 9 seconds, good thing

The 2014 election saw the now-Congressman narrowly top a crowed GOP primary field, and ultimately win 65 percent of the vote in the general against Monroe Mayor and Democrat Jamie Mayo.  ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says expect to see another free-for-all…

Cut 12 (11) “…this race.”

Qualifying is in July for the November race.

Health officials say it’s only a matter of time before a coronavirus outbreak hits the United States. Brooke Thorington spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Infectious Diseases expert about preparations that are underway.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

17-year-old Wyatt Richardson of Shongaloo dies in a crash on Louisiana Highway 157 in a crash that is still under investigation. Richardson’s vehicle crossed the center line for an unknown reason and collided with a tree, resulting in fatal injuries for the unrestrained teen. It’s the third fatal crash for State Police Troop G in 2020.

The CDC warns it’s not a matter of if the coronavirus will reach the U-S, but when and how many it will affect. As Congress debates over funding to combat the disease, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Julio Figueroa, explains what the school is doing to prepare.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…stay healthy.”
Research at this time shows that 80 percent of those diagnosed with the virus have mild symptoms, and 20 percent will require medical attention.
Congressman Ralph Abraham announced Wednesday that he will not seek a fourth term in office, keeping a campaign promise of only serving three terms in office. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Abraham, a physician by practice, has been always been a visible community figure in Northeast Louisiana and he doesn’t see that changing.
Cut 11 (05) “…medical practice.”
The 5^th Congressional district Republican’s decision comes months after his unsuccessful run for governor.

Last year there was a significant effort to pass a sports wagering bill, and now Metairie Senator Cameron Henry is filing legislation this year for a statewide proposition election to determine whether sports wagering will be permitted in a particular parish.  If successful, it will appear on the November 3^rd ballot. Sports betting in a particular parish would only be permitted after the state laws concerning licensing, regulation, and taxation are enacted and become effective.  Henry says in the 2021 legislative session, bills could be filed to better smooth out all of the details of how sports wagering would work.

Cut 15 (06) “…and so forth.”

A new poll from YouGov asked over 8,000 people to name the hardest thing to give up for 40 days for Lent. Data journalist at YouGov Jamie Ballard says the number one answer is watching TV or streaming services.

Cut 7 (09) “…that leisure activity.”

TV got 29%. Caffeine came in second with 19%.

Congressman Ralph Abraham announces he will not seek re-election this fall. Brooke Thorington has a reaction from a political analyst…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Captains of New Orleans krewes will meet with New Orleans public safety officials, including N-O-P-D Superintendent Shaun Ferguson at five o’clock today to discuss how they can make Mardi Gras parades safer. Two parade-goers were killed within days of each other last week.

Health officials say there have been over 81-thousand cases of the coronavirus since it emerged in China. Symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath or pneumonia. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Chief of Infectious Diseases, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says research shows 80-percent of those diagnosed with the virus have mild symptoms, and 20-percent require medical attention…
cut 5 (08) “…being told”

Last year an effort to legalize sports betting in Louisiana failed, but the issue will come up again in the 2020 legislative session. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry has filed a bill that would give voters on November third an opportunity to decide if sports betting should be legal in their parish…

Cut 13 (10) “…parish or not.”

If voters approve sports betting than the legislature in 2021 would work to pass legislation on taxing and regulation.

Health officials say it’s only a matter of time before a coronavirus outbreak hits the United States. Brooke Thorington spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert about preparations
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish has announced he will not seek a fourth term in office. And Governor Edwards has called on state District Judge Jessie Leblanc to resign after she admitted to using racial slurs in a text message referring to black officials in Ascension Parish. Leblanc’s attorney says Edwards should be concerned with the executive branch of government, not the judiciary.

Metairie Senator Cameron Henry has filed legislation to legalize sports betting in Louisiana after an effort to do so last year failed. Henry’s bill would allow voters to decide in November if sports betting should be legal in their parish…
cut 14 (07) “…we’ll be successful’
Henry says if sports betting receives approval from the public than the legislature in 2021 would vote on taxing and regulation laws.

A poll from YouGov finds that the hardest thing to give up for Lent is watching TV or streaming services. Caffeine came in second. But You Gov data journalist Jamie Ballard says one age group indicated that TV is not the hardest thing to give up…
cut 9 (03) “….be social networking”
Ballard says overall social networking and chocolate ranked in the top five for hardest things to give up for Lent.

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham announces he will not seek a fourth term in office this fall, keeping a campaign promise of only serving three terms. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the Republican’s announcement is not a surprise…
cut 10 (11) relatively brief”
So who will run for the vacant seat? Republican Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson and Democrat Candy Christophe of Alexandria have expressed interest. Qualifying is in July.

A preliminary report from the N-T-S-B on this month’s plane crash in Jackson Parish that killed three people, says the pilot, Robert Gilliam of Minden, reported that ice was forming on the plane as it was headed for Shreveport. Chris Mudd and Wade Williams of Shreveport-Bossier also died in the crash.

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that if approved would ask voters in November if they want sports betting legalized. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A new poll from You-Gov has found that the hardest thing to give up for Lent is watching TV or streaming services. You-Gov data journalist Jamie Ballard says when breaking down the responses by political affiliation…
cut 8 (08) “…29-percent of independents”
Caffeine came in as the second hardest thing to give up for Lent, followed by social networking and chocolate.

LSU’s recent meetings with Florida have been close ball games, but that was not the case last night as the Gators got off to a quick start and went on to whip the Tigers 81-66. 48 of Florida’s points came inside the paint as the Gators shot 55-percent from the field. Emmit Williams had 25 points in a losing effort as LSU and Florida are now tied for third in the SEC.

The Ragin Cajuns rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat Arkansas State 77-74. P-J Hardy hit six three-pointers and finished with 19 points.

McNeese snapped a six-game losing streak with a 104-82 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Southland leader Stephen F Austin slammed Northwestern State 90-59 and Nicholls improved to 13-5 in conference play with a 93-85 win over Houston Baptist.

LSU thumped Louisiana Tech seven to one on the baseball diamond. The Bulldogs had just five hits, while Tigers lead-off man Zach Mathis had three hits and drove in two runs. ULM mashed Southeastern Louisiana 23-5 in five innings. The Warhawks scored a school-record 19 runs in the fourth inning. Andrew Beesley had 6 RBIs on the day. Northwestern State had a five-run fourth inning and beat the Ragin Cajuns 10-8. Peyton Davis had a big three-run homer. And McNeese defeated Missouri 12-4 as the Pokes scored nine runs in the third inning.

Last year an effort to legalize sports betting at Louisiana casinos failed, but the issue is set to come up again in the legislative session that begins March 9th. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry has filed a bill that would give voters an opportunity to decide if sports betting should be legal in their parish. If approved, the proposition will appear on the November 3rd ballot.
Cut 13 (10) “…parish or not.”
If voters approve sports betting than the legislature in 2021 would work to pass legislation on taxing and regulation.

Congressman Ralph Abraham announces he will not seek re-election this fall. Brooke Thorington has reaction from a political analyst…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates says the nephew of New Orleans native and Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry hung himself inside his jail cell. Twenty-six-year-old Gavin Porter pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April 2017 for the shooting death of his father in October 2016. The sheriff says Porter’s death is under investigation.

President Donald Trump says the country is ready for whatever the coronavirus outbreak brings to the United States. The illness has killed 27-hundred worldwide. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Julio Figueroa, says when you compare the coronavirus to the common flu and worldwide mortality rates, yes more people do die from the common flu but that could change.
Cut 6 (12) “…know yet.”
The number infected in the U-S is 60, none in Louisiana.

Health officials say it’s only a matter of time before a coronavirus outbreak hits the United States. Brooke Thorington spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Infectious Diseases expert about preparations that are underway.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

_____________________________________

Congressman Ralph Abraham announces he will not seek re-election of his congressional seat. Brooke Thorington spoke with a poli sci professor on what this means for Northeast Louisiana.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________________

Legislation filed for the upcoming session could result in sports wagering have a spot on the statewide ballot in November. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________________________

The CDC warns it’s just a matter of when the coronavirus will reach the U-S and how many it will affect. As Congress debates over funding to combat the disease, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Julio Figueroa, explains what the school is doing to prepare.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…stay healthy.”

Figueroa says research at this time shows that 80 percent of those diagnosed with the virus have mild symptoms, and 20 percent will require medical attention.

Cut 5 (08)  “…being told.”

Figueroa says when you compare the coronavirus to the common flu and worldwide mortality rates yes more people do die from the common flu but that could change.

Cut 6 (12) “…know yet.”

Figueroa says our culture of people going to work and school sick is something with this virus that people need to cease in order to stop transmission.

____________________________

A new poll from YouGov asked over 8,000 people to name the hardest thing to give up for 40 days for Lent. Data journalist at YouGov Jamie Ballard says the number one answer is watching TV or streaming services as 29% of respondents say that would be the biggest challenge.

Cut 7 (09) “…that leisure activity.”

Caffeine came in at number two with 19%, followed by social networking and chocolate, both with 11%. Ballard says when breaking down the responses by political affiliation, while all listed giving up TV as the hardest, it appears to be the most challenging for Democrats.

Cut 8 (08) “…29% of independents.”

Ballard says only one age group indicated that TV wasn’t going to be the hardest thing to give up.

Cut 9 (03) “…be social networking.″

Also making the top answers were giving up soda at 7%, alcohol at 6%, and fast food at 5%.

____________________

Congressman Ralph Abraham announced Wednesday that he will not seek a fourth term in office, keeping a campaign promise of only serving three terms in office. The 5^th Congressional district Republican’s decision comes months after his unsuccessful run for governor. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the announcement is not a surprise.

Cut 10 (11) “…relatively brief.”

Stockley says Abraham, a physician by practice, has been always been a visible community figure in Northeast Louisiana and he doesn’t see that changing.

Cut 11 (05) “…medical practice.”

As for Abraham’s replacement, Stockley says on the Republican ticket he expects to see a diverse field of candidates vying for the nomination.

Cut 12 (11) “…this race.”

Republican Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson and Democrat Sandy “Candy” Christophe of Alexandria have expressed they will run for the district seat. While Abraham’s chief of staff Republican Luke Letlow is also expected to run.

_____________________________________

Last year there was a significant effort to pass a sports wagering bill, and now Metairie Senator Cameron Henry is filing legislation this year for a statewide proposition election to determine whether sports wagering will be permitted in a particular parish.  If successful, it will appear on the November 3^rd ballot.

Cut 13 (10) “…parish or not.”

Henry says the voting would help lawmakers getting a better idea of what constituents want, ahead of future legislation concerning sports wagering.  Louisiana lawmakers have typically not been in favor of the expansion of gambling.

Cut 14 (07) “…we’ll be successful.”

Sports betting in a particular parish would only be permitted after the state laws concerning licensing, regulation, and taxation are enacted and become effective.  Henry says in the 2021 legislative session, bills could be filed to better smooth out all of the details of how sports wagering would work.

Cut 15 (06) “…and so forth.”

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says he will not seek reelection. The Republican who represents the 5^th Congressional district says he’s keeping his promise to only serve three terms. The congressman’s decision comes a few months after his unsuccessful bid for governor. Abraham says his loss in the governor’s race didn’t factor into his decision
U-S Senator John Kennedy is not happy with the lack of answers coming from acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf about the coronavirus outbreak. Kennedy’s frustration grew when Wolf couldn’t say how many respirators and masks are available in the United States or if there’s an estimate on how many cases we might see…
Cut 3 (14)  “…security”  
The tense line of questioning came during a hearing on Homeland Security’s budget.

Governor Edwards calls for the resignation of 23^rd Judicial District Judge Jessie LeBlanc following her admission to using racial text messages. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino expects the matter to be referred to the Judiciary Commission…
Cut 10 (13) “…onerous as removal.”
LaBlanc’s lawyer Jill Craft released a statement saying her client’s statements were made in a private conversation and in response to a threatening situation.
If victim a of domestic violence fails to appear at court in Louisiana during the filing of a temporary restraining order for any reason the judge could deem it frivolous and charge the victim court cost. In a state that has the second-highest rate of women murdered by men in the nation, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says then the judge could turn around and order the victim to pay court costs.
Cut 8 (11) “…protect them”

Congressman Ralph Abraham officially announces he will not seek re-election this November. Abraham said he made the decision six years ago to only serve three terms.
The nephew of filmmaker Tyler Perry has died in the Union Parish Detention Center. 26-year-old Gavin Porter of St. Helena Parish, was found dead in his cell from an apparent suicide by hanging.
If you file a restraining order in Louisiana and fail to appear at court the judge could order you to pay court costs. Brooke Thorington spoke with a domestic violence advocate.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

During Tuesday night’s 2020 Democratic presidential debate, the candidates hammered President Trump’s response to the Coronavirus. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump administration is on top of it and has proposed spending two-point-five billion dollars as part of a response plan…
Cut 5 (08)  “…dollars in it”
So far there have been 14 confirmed cases in the US, but none in Louisiana.

Visitation begins tonight for former state lawmaker Butch Gautreaux who passed away Saturday at the age of 72. Gautreaux represented the Morgan City area for 16 years in the state legislature. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, says Gautreaux was a strong voice for the less fortunate

Cut 12 (10) “…get done”