New Orleans lawmaker Troy Carter is now officially Congressman Cater. Carter was sworn in this afternoon in DC by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 24 :05

Carter won a run-off election in the state’s second congressional district last month to replace Cedric Richmond who took a job with the Biden Administration. Governor John Bel Edwards was also in attendance for the ceremony.

Gas prices will most likely continue to increase nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served.

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says 44 other states allow this but in Louisiana, a wholesale agreement with distributors hinders the sale.

Cut 3 (12)  “…stipulation.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman warns gas prices could see a bit of a jump due to a cyber-attack that shut down one of the nation’s largest pipelines. The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

The future of legislation that would fully legalize recreational marijuana in Louisiana is in question after a vote on the bill was delayed for a second time Monday. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers are split between the public and some powerful constituencies.

Cut 14 (10) “…issue.”

Wine consumers in Louisiana could soon have their favorite beverage shipped directly from the manufacture. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Gas prices look likely to rise nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production, but to the east of us…

Cut 6, 11 seconds, gallon

The pipeline carries fuel from Texas up to the East Coast.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson once again postponed a vote on his bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this bill may be stalling out for this session, but like medical marijuana could find success after a few more attempts.

Cut 15 (08)“…over time.”

Business groups are calling on lawmakers to cease federally enhanced unemployment to help end the worker shortage. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is traveling to Washington D.C. to testify to Congress about the economic impact of President Biden’s moratorium on issuing new oil and gas leases in the Gulf. He’ll also be on hand to discuss the state’s efforts in fighting climate change, and to attend Congressman-elect Troy Carter’s swearing-in.

A vote on legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Louisiana is once again delayed on the House floor. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there is not enough support at the moment to call for a vote.
Cut 13 (11) “…have to.”
The bill would legalize possession and use for those over the age of 21.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, along with a bipartisan group of more than 40 attorneys general in other states and territories, wants Facebook to reconsider launching Instagram for Kids. Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images last alone in 2020. Landy says it only continues to get worse.

Cut 12 (09) “…exploitation.”

A launch date has not been announced.

Several businesses, frustrated over labor shortages, are calling on lawmakers to end federal enhancements for unemployment. Opponents like Louisiana Budget Project say businesses are unable to find enough qualified workers because they fail to pay a fair wage. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses Dawn McVea says but some members report they have increased wages.

Cut 9 (09) “…three months.”

NFIB is asking the legislature to offer hiring incentives instead of enhanced unemployment.

A group of LSU students has developed a radiation detection device that astronauts will use for the IM-one-Lunar Mission to the moon next year. Recent Physics graduate Haley Pellegrin…
cut 5 (10) “…resolution”
The IM-1 mission is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

A House floor vote on legalizing recreational marijuana use is once again delayed. Matt Doyle asked a political analyst what’s going on with this controversial bill
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would allow consumers of wine to receive wine straight from a manufacturer. The author of the proposal, Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron, says 44 other states have a similar law, which increases consumer access. Opponents say the measure could hurt wholesalers and retailers that sell wine.

Small businesses are dealing with a worker shortage. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn McVea says they are looking for the legislature to pass legislation similar to what was approved in Montana, which enacted a hiring bonus of $1,200 and eliminated federal enhancements of unemployment benefits…
cut 8 (06) “….that job”
But opponents of the legislation say if employers want to hire workers, they need to pay a fair wage.

The plan is for the United States to land a space ship on the moon next year and five LSU students have helped develop a radiation detective device for the astronauts to use. Assistant professor Jeffery Chancellor in the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy says these scientists may be young, but that’s not unusual in this field…
cut 6 (10) “….experience”

For the second time in this session, a vote to legalize recreational marijuana has been delayed by the bill’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the bill has everything going against it right now except broad public support, but he warns against giving up on it just yet.
Cut 14 (10)“…issue”
The bill has been re-scheduled for a vote for tomorrow.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, along with a bipartisan group of more than 40 attorneys general, wants Facebook to reconsider launching Instagram for Kids. Landy fears a child-friendly Instagram for ages 13 and under will be misused by predators.
Cut 10 (11) “…smartphone.”
But Facebook says the app they are developing would give parents more control.

Business groups are calling on lawmakers to cease federally enhanced unemployment benefits to help end the worker shortage. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to the state health department, one-point-three million Louisiana residents have completed the COVID vaccine series. 28-percent of Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated, but the national average is 35-percent. Out of three Louisiana residents have received at least one shot.

For the second time during this legislative session, a vote on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana has been delayed. The Louisiana House was scheduled to debate the bill yesterday, but the bill’s author has pushed a possible vote on the controversial proposal to Wednesday. LA-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the effort to legalize recreational marijuana may have to wait until another session when the votes are there…
cut 15 (08) “…over time”

Small businesses are having a hard time finding workers. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn McVea has the results from a recent survey…
cut 7 (09) “….usually is”
McVea says they are looking for Louisiana lawmakers to pass legislation to end federally enhanced unemployment benefits and use coronavirus aid to provide a hiring bonus.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has joined dozens of other attorneys general in calling on Facebook to end plans of creating an Instagram for kids. Landry says the internet can be a great resource for kids, it’s also a great resource for those looking to take advantage of children and he fears this is another method for social media to gain insight on a vulnerable population…
cut 11 (10) “….the mine”
A Facebook statement says that any experience they develop for kids will prioritize safety and privacy.

A group of LSU students has developed a radiation detection device that astronauts will use for the IM-one-Lunar Mission to the moon next year. Recent Physcics graduate Haley Pellegrin…
cut 5 (10) “…resolution”
The IM-1 mission is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

A vote on legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Louisiana is once again delayed on the House floor. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there is not enough support at the moment to call for a vote.
Cut 13 (11) “…have to.”
The bill would legalize possession and use for those over the age of 21. A companion bill would set the licensing fees for the personal and commercial growth of the plant.

A radiation detection device developed in part by five LSU students will be sent to the Moon next year as part of the IM-1 lunar mission. Senior Engineering Undergrad Jacob Miller helped developed the case the iPhone-sized detection device will be housed in. He says this equipment will help keep future astronauts safe.
Cut 4 (09)“…exciting.”.

Attorney General Jeff Landy along with dozens of other attorneys general want Facebook to stop the launch of Instagram for Kids. Brooke Thorington explains.
cut 2 (28) “…reporting”

Be prepared for heavy rainfall as most of the state is under a flash flood watch into tomorrow morning.