The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Schroder is a former state representative who has been Louisiana’s treasurer since 2017. Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lake Charles Independent Hunter Lundy are the only others to yet declare for the race. Schroder says he’ll have an open ear to all ideas if elected…:

CUT 07(10)      “…in this state.”

Other to watch are Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross still says Landry is the guy to beat…:

CUT 15(11)      “…in that regard.”

Big and weird drug bust in Alexandria. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says officers doing a traffic stop smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine dog, Benny, alerted on 487 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars. Plus some weed, ecstasy and gear. Carnline says “who’s a good boy?!?”

CUT 04(10)      “…in our community.”

Boulet faces a list a charges.

Available now online, is Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan. The plan is a roadmap for combating the state’s ongoing erosion, land loss, and flood risk problem. Ben Haase is executive director of the state’s Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA). He says the plan encompasses literally ALL of Louisiana’s coastal areas…:

CUT 09(10)      “…of our coast.”

See it online at “coast.la.gov.”

The 2023 governor’s race is taking shape as State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second announced major candidate to throw his hat into the ring. Schroder is a former state representative who has been Louisiana’s treasurer since 2017 and wants to be governor to change the state’s direction
cut 6 (12) “…three things”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has decided against a run for governor and will run for re-election.

We know U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy will not run and U-L-M Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that opens the door for a major Democrat to get in the race…
cut 14 (08) “…serious run”
DOTD secretary Shawn Wilson and Democratic Party Chair Katie Bernhardt are two possible Democrats who may run.

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Authorities seize 70 pounds of mushroom chocolate bars during a traffic stop on Interstate 49. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle driven by Jacob Boulet (Bolt) and their canine made an interesting find, 487 psychoactive mushroom chocolate bars.
Cut 3 (11) “…at the top”

State Treasurer John Schroder is the second republican to announce his candidacy for governor. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Attorney General Jeff Landry is considered a frontrunner in the race, because Landry’s been endorsed by the state Republican party, appears to have more working in his favor as opposed to Schroder.

Cut 15 (11)  “…that regard.”

The state has launched a hotline number to report suspected child trafficking. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services says you’ll speak with a person who’s trained to ask questions to determine if it’s trafficking or not.

Cut 11 (09)  “…or not.”

The number is 1-855-4LA-KIDS

The state Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority releases its updated Coastal Master Plan for fighting erosion and wetlands loss. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Ruston will be the first Louisiana city to have a Buc-ee’s. The Texas-based company will build a travel center in Ruston that will be 53,000 square feet, 120 gas pumps and a minimum of 200 full-time jobs. The city council approved the project last night. It’s expected to open in 2025.

We are getting a better idea of who’s in and who’s out of the governor’s race since Senator John Kennedy announced he’s staying in Washington D.C. and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will seek re-election. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says two of the biggest names in state politics are no longer interested in the job.
Cut 13 (05) “…year to go.”
As of today, the two major announced candidates are Attorney General Jeff Landry and Treasurer John Schroder, both Republicans. A Democrat has yet to officially announce.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has released a revised coastal master plan which is a roadmap to addressing coastal landloss and chronic flooding. Executive Director of the CPRA Ben Haase says the plan encompasses all of Louisiana’s coastal areas…
cut 9 (10) “….portion of our coast”
Public comments can be submitted through March 25th.

A person with autism can now have an autism indictor on a Louisiana I-D card. Matthew Boudreaux with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles says the autism indicator will appear under a person’s picture on the I-D card…
cut 5 (09) “….indicate that”
The Autism designation can also be displayed on any class driver’s license.

The state has launched a human trafficking hotline that allows anyone to report suspicious human trafficking activity. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services, says the phone number is the same hotline to report child abuse and neglect cases, 1 -855-the number 4-L-A–KIDS…
cut 12 (03) “….have it here”
All cases reported will be forwarded to State Police.

Louisiana’s Governor’s race is starting to take shape with State Treasurer John Schroder telling supporters he will officially launch his campaign next month. It’s been long rumored Billy Nungesser will run for governor, but Nungesser has decided to seek re-election for Lt. Governor. Congressman Garret Graves is the next big domino to fall.

The state launches a hotline to report suspected juvenile sex trafficking. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has released a draft version of the 2023 Coastal Master Plan, which is a roadmap for combating coastal land loss and flooding. C-P-R-A executive director Ben Haase says the master plan is updated every six years to incorporate changes in technology, costs and logistics
cut 7 (11) “…50 years from now”
Public hearings on the plan will begin January 31st and public comment will be accepted through March 25th.

An autism indicator is now available on Louisiana identification cards. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the indicator was added to drivers’ licenses in December 2021 and now it’s an option on ID cards. He says it serves as a public safety measure for law enforcement.
Cut 4 (05) “…other people.”
Boudreaux says the word Autism will appear below the photograph and a puzzle piece will be next to the word Louisiana on the ID.

So far this year we’ve learned that Senator John Kennedy and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are not running for governor and Treasurer John Schroder is.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Republicans Garret Graves, Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson could still enter the race, while Shawn Wilson and Katie Bernhardt seem like the most likely Democratic candidates.

The Ruston City Council has approved a sales tax incentive package to bring the first Buc-ee’s to Louisiana. The travel center would be located off the Tarbutton Road Exit along I-20.

In 2021 there were 607 confirmed or suspected juvenile victims of human trafficking in Louisiana. On January 1st, the state launched a hotline for reporting human trafficking. Christy Tate, a child welfare manager with the Department of Children and Family Services says it’s a central point for individuals to report suspected trafficking.
Cut 10 (06) “…started.”
To report trafficking you can call 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437).

The state has released a draft of Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan. Executive director of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Ben Haase says the first Coastal Master Plan was in 2007 and it’s updated every six years, providing a road map to fighting coastal land loss..
cut 8 (12) “…this document”
To see the 2023 plan go to coastal-dot-la-dot-gov.

State Treasurer John Schroder becomes the second major candidate to run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Police in New Orleans are seeking leads in Friday’s murder of a 15-year-old boy in the 2000 block of Canal Street. Terriek James was shot at about 2am. Someone left him at a local hospital, where he died. Police ask anyone with knowledge of the crime to call them or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans. A reward is offered.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a lawsuit filed against him by longtime State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton is possibly politically motivated. Hamilton alleges Nungesser fired her and had her marched out of her office after she reported him to the FBI over what she calls “questionable contracts.” Nungesser says he did not hire Hamilton and he cannot fire her either. She is currently on leave and collecting her state salary. He says the actions taken against her were because of library employee grievances and the state Library Board will deal with the matter….:

CUT 11(12)      “…to do with it.”

Nungesser says the lawsuit is an attempt to discredit him as he runs for either higher office or re-election.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry issues an opinion saying doctors CAN recommend medical cannabis via telemedicine visits, after the state Medical Marijuana Board said an in-person visit is required. Gretna state Representative Joe Marino, who authored the medical cannabis expansion bill last year, says Landry’s ruling help folks in remote areas…:

CUT 07(07)      “…that reason.”