Governor John Bel Edwards deploys 23 State Fire Marshal personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from a recent earthquake and tremors. State Fire Marshall Butch Browning says Urban Search and Rescue specialists will survey and access damaged buildings.

Cut 3 (10)  “…longer if needed.” 

This is the first time for they’ve been deployed for an earthquake.

Lawsuit reform and car insurance rate arguments are set to dominate the upcoming session, and a new group has been formed to push back against leading Republican proposals for TORT reform. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl, a former Governor Edwards staffer opposes the Republican-crafted omnibus TORT reform bill he says is a giveaway to big business.
Cut 6 (12) “…to work”
HB 9 is being brought by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, who believes the legislation will lower auto rates in two to three years.

The U-S Senate rejects both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted to acquit the president. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to normalize impeachment was reckless…
cut 11 (10) “…rage’
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for impeachment.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting and had this warning for local officials when it comes to cyberattacks…
Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”
A recent cyberattack on New Orleans government cost the city more than seven million dollars. Edwards has established a cybersecurity emergency response team to respond to ransomware hits.

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join a near party-line vote to acquit President Trump of charges that he used military aid to try to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens. Kennedy says he’s been skeptical of the impeachment proceedings since they began in a House committee run by Democrats.

Cut 10 (09) “…control”

The only Republican to vote in favor of removal was Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

An LSU researcher begins a two-year study testing how vaping affects people who weren’t previously smokers, inspired by a new generation of kids who’ve taken up the habit. Part of LSU Biomedical Sciences researcher Alexandra Noel’s study will be measuring to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.

Cut 5 (10) “…produced”

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment with the formation of Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Three Many High juveniles are under arrest on allegations of bullying and sexual assault. The trio was arrested Tuesday night, and reportedly is linked to an incident that was caught on video during late January showing a student who was held down and sodomized with an object. The video was shared on social media, and went viral.

A new group consisting of Louisiana conservatives is raising concerns about the death penalty. It’s been 10 years since the state executed a convicted murderer and Hannah Cox says it’s costly to have someone sit on death row and it might be time for Louisiana to abolish the death penalty…
cut 9 (10) “….the nation’s attention”
State Representative Kyle Green, a Democrat from Marrero, has filed a bill for the upcoming session to abolish the death penalty.

As expected, Louisiana Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy voted to acquit President Donald Trump of two charges that would have led to his impeachment. Kennedy says the impeachment process was driven by partisan rage…
cut 12 (11) “….squad”
Democrats allege the President threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son.

An LSU researcher is beginning a two-year study on the impacts of vaping on non-smokers. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Over 20 Louisiana state fire marshal employees left for Puerto Rico today to assist with earthquake recovery efforts. They’ll help inspect thousands of damaged buildings and what repairs are needed so they can be safely reoccupied. The mission is expected to last 16 days. Puerto Rico has been dealing with continuing quakes for over a month.

A group of Republicans has formed a group called Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Colonel Rob Maness says the death penalty doesn’t go with the pro-life or fiscal perspective of the G-O-P…
cut 8 (13) “….they do well”
Maness says it costs much more to have an inmate living on death row than just serving a life sentence without parole.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting and had this warning for local officials…
Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”
A recent cyberattack on New Orleans government cost the city more than seven million dollars.

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy vote to acquit President Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle

Natchitoches Police say the three suspects charged in the January 27th fatal shooting of 41-year-old Larry Batiste and 35-year-old Hiram Phillips are now in custody. 22-year-old Jaleel Tousant and 21-year-old Jessie Petite and 17-year-old Daerieon Latchie are facing two counts of first-degree murder. A woman was also shot at the scene and at last report was said to be in severe condition.

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. National manager Hannah Cox says a recent study indicates the death penalty cost the state’s taxpayers nearly $16 million more annually than life without parole.
Cut 7 (13) “…other government programs.”
Marrero Democrat Kyle Green has filed legislation for the upcoming session to abolish the death penalty.

Governor John Bel Edwards told local government leaders at the Louisiana Municipal Association meeting that it’s a matter of when and not if their town or city will be hit with a cyberattack. Edwards says do not pay ransom to hackers…
cut 14 (05) “…over and over”
Edwards has established a cybersecurity emergency response team to respond to ransomware hits.

The U-S Senate has rejected both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted to acquit the president. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to normalize impeachment was reckless…
cut 11 (10) “…rage’
Utah Senator Mitt Romney was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for impeachment.

As vaping rates soar, LSU Biomedical Sciences researcher Alexandra Noel is looking into how vaping impacts the lungs of non-smokers. Noel says previous vaping related studies looked at the effects on cigarette smokers, but the craze is beginning to impact a large number of previous non-smokers.
Cut 4 (09) “…concerns.”
Noel says her study will measure to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.

The impeachment trial is over as the Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Both Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted against removal. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to turn impeachment into a routine political weapon….
Cut 10 (09) “…control”
Democrats say that if the president remains unchecked he’ll continue to abuse the power of his office for political gain.

Governor John Bel Edwards has a warning for local governments, makes sure you are protected from a cyberattack and have important data behind a firewall…
cut 15 (09) “….successfully attack”
That’s Edwards speaking at a Louisiana Municipal Association meeting.

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment with the formation of Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

An LSU researcher is beginning a two-year study of the impacts of vaping on people who were previously non-smokers. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_________________________________________

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________________________

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy vote against removing President Trump as impeachment ends with a 52-48 not guilty vote in the Senate…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle 

____________________________________________

As vaping rates soar LSU assistant professor of Comparative Biomedical Sciences Alexandra Noel is looking into how vaping impcats the lungs of people who were previously non-smokers.

Noel says a lot of the previous vaping related studies looked at the effects on people who had smoked cigarettes previously, but the craze is beginning to impact a large number of previous non-smokers.

Cut 4 (09) “…concerns.”

Part of her study will be measuring to make sure what vape companies say is in their product is actually what ends up in your lungs after it’s inhaled.

Cut 5 (10) “…produced”

She hopes her research can help inform public policy on the issue as more and more kids take up vaping without having ever touched a cigarette.

Cut 6 (10) “steps.”

The legal age for vaping has now been raised to 21 in the US, but there’s still confusion as to whether it’s legal to sell to those 18-21 in Louisiana.

_____________________________

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment by announcing the formation of a new group known as Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty.  The organization’s national manager Hannah Cox says a recent study indicates the death penalty cost the state’s taxpayers nearly $16 million more annually than life without parole.

Cut 7 (13) “…other government programs.”

Louisiana becomes the thirteenth state to join the national organization.  Conservative activist and member of the St. Tammany GOP Parish Executive Committee Col. Rob Maness says the death penalty doesn’t go along with the fiscal or pro-life perspective of the Republican party, adding sometimes the government gets it wrong.

Cut 8 (13) “…they do well.”

Cox says they’ve had lots of conservative movement on the issue in other states, but with the state’s death penalty high-usage history, Louisiana’s handling on the death penalty could be very compelling to the rest of the country.

Cut 9 (10) “…the nation’s attention.”
Louisiana last executed an inmate in January 2010.  The lack of access to the drugs needed for lethal injection has been credited for gap.

____________________

Impeachment comes to an end as the Senate votes to acquit President Donald Trump in a nearly party-line 52-48 not guilty vote on both articles of impeachment.

Both Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voting against removal. Kennedy gave the reasoning for his acquittal vote, attacking House Democrats impeachment proceedings as a partisan exercise.

Cut 10 (09) “…control”

The only Republican to vote in favor of removal was Utah Senator Mitt Romney.

Kennedy attacked the House’s impeachment proceedings, saying Democrats did not give the President a fair shake and broke procedurals norms to push an impeachment vote.

Cut 11 (10) “…rage”

The House impeachment vote was a mostly party-line, with three Democrats voting against and no Republicans voting for.

The Senator believes impeachment was a Democrat plot thought out long before any allegations of wrongdoing involving Ukraine surfaced.

Cut 12 (11) “…squad”

Democrats allege the President threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated Joe Biden’s son’s business dealings in the country.

_____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards warns local government officials of the headaches that can be created by not being ready to withstand a cyberattack.  Edwards says recent cyberattacks across the state are likely to happen again in other areas.

Cut 13 (10) “…very very problematic.”

Ransomware attacks have been the issue faced in the most recent attacks.  The hackers will hold data ransom until a ransom is paid with cryptocurrencies.  Edwards says he doesn’t want anyone trying to pay that tab.

Cut 14 (05) “…over and over.”

Edwards urges officials to take precautionary steps to avoid an attack by backing up data and protecting it behind a firewall.

Cut 15 (09) “…been successfully attacked.”

__________________________________________

LSU football signed three more players to its 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday. 24-7 sports ranks the Tigers incoming group of players as the fourth-best in the nation. Coach Ed Orgeron says there are great character and athletes in this class

Cut 16  (17)  …can play”  

LSU can still sign three more players. They can use those scholarships on transfers or use them in next year’s recruiting class. Orgeron also needs to find a new passing game coordinator to replace Joe Brady, who came from the Saints. Coach O would like to get another NFL coach on his staff…

Cut 17  (18) “spring ball” 

Orgeron also announced the Tigers are moving to a four-three front on defense with new defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Orgeron says Pelini will install a defense that will create more negative plays for opposing offenses…

cut 18  (20) ” his defense”   

State health officials are responding to a mumps outbreak involving LSU students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor John Bel Edwards approves the deployment of 23 State Fire Marshal deputies and personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from recent earthquakes. The Urban Search and Rescue specialist will survey and access about 12,000 damaged buildings on the two-week mission.

A slow-moving cold front is providing the state with active weather today.  There is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area, and severe weather throughout most of the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says by tomorrow afternoon the front should be clear of the state and chilly air will settle in.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals that one in three Louisiana pet owners struggles financially to care for their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, Sprang, can assist low-income pet owners at her clinic but admits it’s a challenge.

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else” 

The Census will be taken this year and then it will be up to the state legislature to draw up new political maps. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and he lays out the timeline for when reapportionment discussions will begin.

Cut 6 (10) “…redistricting”

A Census is taken every ten years.

Five LSU students who were living off-campus are confirmed to have a case of the mumps, a contagious disease that spreads through saliva or other respiratory droplets. Doctor Frank Welch says they are trying to determine if there’s a connection between the students because they did not live in the same apartment

Cut 4 (12) “…families.”

A slow-moving cold front is providing the state with an active weather today.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area starting with rain tonight.

Cut 12 (12) “…kind of interesting”

Keim says we also have a tornado watch in effect for a large section of the state until 6 pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge.

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals 42% pet owners say if they lost their job, they would not have the means necessary to keep their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says some owners have come to her feeling they had no options.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t afford”