In Washington DC, Senator Bill Cassidy is poised to re-introduce his RISE Act, which would bring Louisiana increased revenues from offshore oil & gas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Treasurer John Schroder is holding a fundraiser tonight in his bid for governor. And with Jeff Landry far ahead of his competitors in raising money, one political analyst says Schroder and others need to make bank.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A New Orleans lawmaker files a bill to help legalize recreational marijuana. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy will try again today to secure Louisiana a greater share of offshore oil & gas royalties, with the re-introduction of his 2022 RISE (say “rise”) Act. An acronym for Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies & Ecosystems, the bill would mean a roughly 20-percent yearly increase in offshore energy money for Louisiana’s coastal restoration efforts. Cassidy says the bill passed a senate committee last year, but fell to the wayside amid a backlog of legislation…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…last Congress.”

Cassidy says his bill is bipartisan, with Rhode Island Democrat Senator Sheldon Whitehouse co-sponsoring. He says the RISE Act would lift a limitation on what coastal states can receive from offshore energy – currently at $375-million yearly…:

Cut 5 (06) “…if you will.”

Cassidy says passing the RISE Act would mean a substantial flow of money into Louisiana, and Gulf Coast neighbors, to restore eroded coastlines and shore up against future hurricanes. He says conservatives in Congress – especially in the U.S. House – are concerned with how the bill would be funded. He says he and his staff are working to tweak the bill to win their support…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…working on right now.” 

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Treasurer John Schroder officially launches his gubernatorial campaign tonight with a fundraiser in his home parish of St. Tammany. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with Attorney General Jeff Landry already having the support of the Republican Party and far ahead in raising campaign funds, Schroder will have to raise millions to catch up.

Cut 7 (09) “…in the ballpark.”

Pinsonat says Landry has been actively fundraising since last fall and Schroder like other Republicans now in the race, put their campaigns on hold until Senator John Kennedy made his decision not to run.

Pinsonat says Schroder and others will need to raise big money and fast.

Cut 8 (11)  “…up to do.”

The last governor’s race that pitted Republicans, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Businessman Eddie Rispone against incumbent John Bel Edwards, proved the importance of campaign dollars versus holding office. Pinsonat says Abraham trailed Rispone and it was a matter of campaign funds.

Cut 9 (12)  “… about money.”

In addition to Schroder and Landry, two other Republicans, two independents, and one Democrat have announced their candidacy for governor.

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A New Orleans lawmaker files the first in a package of bills meant to make recreational marijuana use legal in Louisiana. District 99 Democrat Rep. Candace Newell (pronounced “new-ELL”) says her House Bill 17 applies to state regulation of cultivating cannabis for recreational use…:

Cut 10 (08)  “…in your back yard.”

Newell’s bill would authorize the Department of Agriculture to create & issue up to ten cannabis production facility licenses, require applicants to undergo criminal background checks and establish fees for production permits. She says other states are seeing revenue windfalls after legalizing recreational cannabis…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…regulation bill passed.”

HB12 is one of a three-bill package Newell says she will file…:

Cut 12 (09) “…does its own thing.”

Louisiana has already legalized medicinal cannabis and has expanded the program to allow more treatment options, smokable cannabis flowers (instead of cannabis edibles and oils) and to allow more cannabis “pharmacies” to operate. Newell says this is the next logical step for Louisiana.

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Governor Edwards along with DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson will be joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (Buddha-judge) in Lake Charles this afternoon to celebrate the $150 million grant to help replace the Calcasieu River Bridge. Wilson says the funding is part of the Infrastructure Act.

Cut 13 (07)  “…the entire country.”

Wilson says this project is one of a few that received the special allocation of funds to help reduce the cost to the state and taxpayers of the Calcasieu River Bridge.

And Wilson says the U.S. Department of Transportation will announce the approval of $1.5 Billion in private activity bonds that will help lower the cost of the project to the developer.

Cut 14 (05)  “…lots of good news.”

It was almost two years ago when President Biden visited Lake Charles with the Calcasieu River Bridge as a backdrop as an example of what the Infrastructure Act could improve. Wilson says the bridge was created to handle 37,000 crossings a day but now has more than 80,000 daily crossings.

Cut 15 (11)  “…exists today.”

And Wilson says they will also be breaking ground on the Nelson Road Bridge in Calcasieu Parish. He says it’s a $101-million dollar project that involves relocating rail to get to the Port of Lake Charles and it will also connect south Lake Charles with the other side of the Contraband Bayou to get closer to downtown.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is at Southern Miss tonight. The winner will be in first place in the Sun Belt. Both teams are tied for first entering tonight with 10-and-2 league records. U-L Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin expects a hostile crowd in Hattiesburg

Cut  16 (14)  “…N-I-T.” 

The Cajuns started their 10-game winning streak with a 75-61 win over the Golden Eagles in Lafayette on January 5th. Southern Miss was led by six-foot-eight senior forward Deandre Pinckney had 21 points. Marlin says Pinckney is a big guy who can shoot the three…

Cut 17 (15) “…good to them” 

Tip-off is at 7:30.

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ULM is home tonight to host Appalachian State. The Warhawks are in fifth place in the Sun Belt with a 7-and-5 record. The Mountaineers are 6-and-6. ULM Coach Keith Richard says they are trying to finish in the top four in the league standings to earn a double bye in the conference tournament in March…

Cut 18 (16) “…on Thursday” 

Louisiana Tech, who is in 5th in Conference USA with a 6-and-6 league record, begins a difficult road trip tonight as they visit F-I-U. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester says no lead is safe against the Panthers, who also has six league victories…
Cut 19 (15) “…their own.”

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Cut 20 (17)  “…national title.” 

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A Mandeville state lawmaker says he’ll try again this year to pass a bill that would hold back certain public school students who are way behind in reading. Republican Richard Nelson’s House Bill 12 would affect third graders who fail a standard federal literacy test, then fail again – even after remedial study help. He says these kids need to receive additional teaching in reading, so they can go on the better learning outcomes…:

CUT 05(09)      “…held back.”

Nelson says Mississippi passed a similar law in 2013 and their literacy rate has grown in leaps and bounds.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso, who’s in his fifth term, says he will not seek re-election. Mancuso, whose law-enforcement career spans four decades, made the emotional announcement this morning with his family by his side…:

CUT 09(11)      “…of my life.”

Mancuso will step down June 30th of next year.

Once again, Louisiana leads the nation for the highest state and local sales tax rates. Tax Foundation policy analyst Janelle Fritts says Louisiana has the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent…:

CUT 12(08)      “…very, very high.”

The average local sales tax rate in Louisiana is 5.1-percent and the statewide sales tax rate is 4.45 percent. Conversely, we have the country’s 3^rd-lowest property insurance. So there’s that…

After nearly 50 years, the very popular Tangipahoa Parish campground, Jellystone Park, will change its name and end its affiliation with the cartoon character Yogi Bear and the fictional park in which he resides. The owners say the park will be rebranded as Tangi Pines Family Campground, ending decades of royalties paid to use the Yogi name image and likeness. They say virtually nothing but the name will change.

A Mandeville lawmaker files a bill that would hold back 3^rd graders who are way behind in literacy skills. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

Eleven people have been arrested as part of an operation conducted by Shreveport Police to combat human trafficking. The operation went down last Friday; netting a number of men and women – all charged with either prostitution or soliciting of such. Some were also arrested for possessing drugs.

It may come as no surprise, but Louisiana leads the USA for highest combined state and local sales taxes; 9:55-percent. Janelle Fritts, with the non-profit Tax Foundation, says we will see .45-percent drop off when a temporary sales tax expires in two years…:

CUT 14(06)      “…more competitive.”

Conversely, she says Louisiana also has the nation’s 3^rd-lowest property taxes.

LSU right-handed pitcher Thatcher Hurd has donated the money he’s received in name, image, and likeness compensation to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. The donation paid for 30 thousand pounds of food for the Baton Rouge Food Bank to distribute to needy families. Hurd says his dad inspired his nature for giving and he also volunteers at the Food Bank…:

Cut 08  (12)      “…personal to me.”

Edit

Once again, Louisiana leads the nation for the highest state and local sales tax rates. Tax Foundation policy analyst Janelle Fritts says Louisiana has the highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent…:

CUT 12(08)      “…very, very high.”

Some small relief, she says, will come in 2025, as a temporary .45-percent sales tax increase will expire…taking us to 9.1-percent.

Five-term Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says he will not seek re-election. The sheriff says he started thinking about retirement about a year-and-half ago…:

CUT 11(11)      “…sacrificed a lot.”

Mancuso will continue in office until June 30^th, 2024. He endorses Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory as his successor.

A Mandeville state lawmaker says he’ll try again this year to pass a bill that would hold back certain public school students who are way behind in reading. Republican Richard Nelson says the same thing was done in the state next door with great success…:

CUT 04(09)      “…elementary literacy.”

Nelson says he expects the bill to affect a fairly low percentage of kids, but those children need to receive learning assistance. By the way, Nelson is also a declared candidate for Governor this fall.

Heartwarming stuff here. LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd has donated the money he’s received in name, image, and likeness compensation to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. Hurd says he decided the money could be used to really make a difference…:

CUT 07(07)      “…to me.”

Hurd also volunteers at the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

A Mandeville lawmaker files a bill that would hold back 3rd graders who are way behind in literacy skills. More from Brooke Thorington…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Much of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and tonight. A cold front will move through and a strong line of storms is expected to accompany the front. Forecasters say the Delta parishes could see the worst of the stormy weather.

Once again, Louisiana leads the nation for highest average combined state and local sales tax rate at 9.55 percent. New Mexico is the only state to reduce its state sales tax rate in the last five years and Janelle Fritts with the Tax Foundation explains why state lawmakers are not willing to reduce sales tax rates…
Cut 13 (10) “…in the past.”
Louisiana’s state sales tax rate is set to lower to four-percent in 2025 and lawmakers are already thinking about the loss of revenue and what that will mean for state expenses.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso announces he will not seek a sixth term in office and will retire in 2024. Mancuso has been the sheriff of Calcasieu since 2004…
cut 10 (12) “….whole time”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso, who’s in his fifth term, says he will not seek re-election. Mancuso whose law-enforcement career spans four decades made the emotional announcement this morning with his family by his side.

Cut 9 (11) “…of my life.” 

Mancuso will continue to serve until June 30, 2024.

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’ll try again this year to pass a bill that would hold back third graders who fail a literacy test. Nelson has filed House Bill 12 again this year, and says it almost passed in the last regular session, it passed the House but was shy of votes in the Senate…:

Cut 3 (10) “…educate people more.” 

An LSU pitcher has decided to use the money he’s received from a name, image, and likeness deal to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Free speech advocates are irked by Attorney General Jeff Landry’s efforts to keep adult material in public libraries out of the reach of kids. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso announces he will not run for re-election after serving in his 5^th term. Mancuso had been in law-enforcement for four decades and began his career at the age of 20. He’s officially endorsed Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory as his successor.

Police have arrested a man in connection with the burglary of a dozen squirrel monkeys last month from a Lafayette Parish zoo. Broussard PD Chief Vance Olivier says they’ve arrested 61-year-old Joseph Randell of Opelousas.

Cut 4 (10)  “…Correctional Center.”

Despite an arrest, the 12 monkeys were not recovered.

LSU right-handed pitcher Thatcher Hurd has donated the money he’s received in name, image, and likeness compensation to help feed the hungry in Baton Rouge. The donation paid for 30 thousand pounds of food for the Baton Rouge Food Bank to distribute to needy families. Hurd says he got his giving spirit from his dad…

Cut 6 (11)  “…and the community” 

The 20-year-old is a transfer from UCLA and is expected to be a weekend starter for the number one Tigers.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is running for governor, wants the Legislature to pass a law that restricts minors from checking out sexually explicit materials from public libraries. But Lynette Mejia, (Mah-hee-ah) co-founder of Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship, says libraries already have policies in place to prevent minors from viewing or borrowing adult literature…

Cut 11 (09)  “…to campaign on.”
Landry has posted a report on the Attorney General’s website that provides examples of inappropriate material that children are able to view at their local library. He encourages parents and guardians to look at the Protecting Innocence Report.

Cut 13 (08)  “…for all children.”

You can view the report at AG-Jeff-Landry.com

Crime Stoppers of North Delta will pay up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of 18-year-old Isszvian Webb who is considered extremely dangerous. Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan says Webb is wanted for three counts of attempted first-degree murder after a shooting at three officers Sunday multiple times with an AR-15-style rifle.

Cut 7 (11) “…going back.”
Zordan says Webb has evaded authorities for about a year after escaping from Green Oaks Juvenile Detention Center.

BoomNation announces more than 100,000 skilled workers are using the website to help connect with other tradespeople and find jobs. Co-CEO Brent Flavin hopes that his “LinkedIn for Blue Collar will help to innovate an outdated industry…

Cut 15 (12)  “…absolutely deserve.”