Campaign fundraising totals are in for the candidates running for governor and Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has a big lead over his opponents. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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It’s the height of carnival season and record-breaking crowds are anticipated this Mardi Gras. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Candidates for governor had to turn in a campaign finance report this week and Attorney General Jeff Landry has a huge advantage over his opponents. Landry has slightly more than five-million dollars, plus a PAC supporting him has another one-point-five million dollars. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 3 (08) “…for governor.”
Trial lawyer Hunter Lundy of Lake Charles loaned his campaign one-point-four million dollars and has one-point-six million dollars on hand. But Pinsonat says Lundy’s “no party” designation on the ballot can only take him so far
Cut 4 (04) “…in Louisiana”
State Treasurer John Schroder has two-point-four million dollars on hand. State lawmakers Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson have raised less than a million dollars. Pinsonat says all three candidates are from St. Tammany and Schroder would have a better chance if Hewitt and Nelson were not in the race….
Cut 5 (09) “…his strength”
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It’s the last weekend of carnival season and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are expecting huge crowds across the state this Mardi Gras. Nungesser says before COVID Louisiana had five record-breaking tourism years in a row and he’s grateful that parades are back to their pre-pandemic routes and krewes.
Cut 6 (10) “…festival season.”
Nungesser says 250,000 families in the Bayou State rely on the hospitality industry as their livelihood and it’s vital for the state to return to pre-COVID visitors.
And while the temperatures have dropped Nungesser doesn’t believe it will be a deterrent whatsoever. He says last Saturday, in the rainy and cold weather when he was Grand Marshal in the Madhatter’s parade, the streets were still lined with revelers.
Cut 7 (07) “…into Mardi Gras day.”
This year parades have returned to their previous routes which Nungesser says has revelers even more jazzed. He also says it’s safer and allows the crowds to spread out and it decreases traffic jams.
The New Orleans native says when he was elected Lt. Governor his goal was to see Mardi Gras grow in every corner of the state and in between.
Cut 8 (09) “…international visitors.”
Weather-wise Fat Tuesday rain is not in the forecast and the temps should warm up considerably.
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Governor Edwards presented state lawmakers with his proposed $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. That figure represents a $460-million reduction from the current fiscal year, due to federal pandemic money expiring. Edwards proposes investing millions in additional pay for firefighters, police officers and – especially – teachers…:
Cut 9 (11) “…budget reflects that.”
Edwards’ budget proposes teachers receive a $3000-a-year salary bump; not just a one-time bonus as lawmakers gave them last year. Though his actually budget calls for $2000, Edwards says Joint Budget Committee members they can find the additional $74-million needed to accommodate $3000 raises for all public school teachers…:
Cut 10 (12) “…more than sufficient.”
Edwards also proposes permanent salary increases for school support staff. He tells lawmakers education has always been a priority of his administration…:
Cut 11 (14) “…in that direction.”
You can view the entire Executive Budget proposal at “doa.la.gov.media”
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A West Monroe couple faces aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and insurance fraud after allegedly setting their mobile home on fire in December of 2021. State Fire Marshal Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was originally believed to be accidental, but a tip sparked further investigation.
Cut 12 (12) “…insurance money.”
She says 54-year-old Charles Robertson and 33-year-old Tonya Scott were arrested on Valentine’s Day.
Rodrigue says only did the couple put first responders at risk but they also endangered the lives of those nearby.
Cut 13 (08) “…inside of it.”
With the assistance of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department and members of the community, Rodrigue says the State Fire Marshal’s Office was able to close the case.
Cut 14 (10) “…know something.”
Rodrigue says if you have information about a fire investigation you can report it anonymously by calling their tip line or online at lasfm.org.