Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services came down to Senator Bill Cassidy, and his yes vote in the Senate Finance Committee sent his nomination to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. In explaining his vote on the Senate floor afterwards, Cassidy said not only did he have intense conversations with the White House, he also met with Kennedy multiple times over the weekend and this morning.

Cut 5 (12) “…should speak to.”

ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy likely cast his vote to save his political future.

Cut 3 (15) “…his own party.” 

A Lake Charles woman is arrested in connection with the death of a three-month-old boy. The boy was rushed to a hospital back on January 22nd with a massive brain bleed and multiple skull fractures. The baby died after being airlifted to a hospital out of town. Detectives determined that for three hours that day, the baby was left with 40-year-old Shirley Sawyer. She has been charged with first-degree murder, and her bond is set at two and a half million dollars.

This year Cleco celebrates 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s focus is beyond being an energy leader.

Cut 11 (06) “…corporate citizen.”

Cleco employs over 1,200 people, supports workforce development through education initiatives, and strengthens economic growth through partnerships.

After grappling with the decision, Senator Bill Cassidy was the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says no doubt Cassidy, a physician by trade, wrestled with this decision. He says the Senator said in a statement he had intense conversations with the White House…

Cut 4 (13) “…efforts to vaccinate.”

Cassidy said Kennedy assured him that they will be in regular contact, including seeking his input on hiring decisions.

Before Louisiana’s Jon Batiste sings the National Anthem in Sunday’s Superbowl, Southern University’s Human Jukebox will again perform. It’s the 5^th time Southern’s band has been a Superbowl feature and the second year in a row, performing in Las Vegas last year. Band Director Kedric Taylor broke the news Tuesday on the Jennifer Hudson Show while in Los Angels for the Honda Battle of the Bands.

Happy Birthday Cleco, the utility company is celebrating 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says testing was done on 24 restaurants in New Orleans that advertised they were serving shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico and only three of them were serving imported shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard praised Louisiana’s progress but urged stronger enforcement to protect the domestic shrimp industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…with their health.”

Louisiana passed legislation this year that imposes significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers they serve imported shrimp vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health to the full Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Morehouse Parish Schools will reopen Wednesday after their closing doors for two days this week. Officials made the decision to close schools out of an abundance of caution when a mass parish-wide bomb threat was received. After a thorough investigation, Morehouse Parish Schools said local law enforcement and emergency response teams found no credible threat to students, staff or facilities.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says only three New Orleans restaurants out of 24 tested were found to be serving imported shrimp instead, despite advertising Gulf or authentic shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard says this year Louisiana strengthened its seafood labeling laws and the legislation appears to be working….

Cut 7 (09) “…my state represented better.”

Similar testing was conducted at Texas, Mississippi and Florida restaurants and it was found most of the restaurants were not serving Gulf of Mexico shrimp, despite advertising on their menu that said otherwise.

Happy 90^th birthday this year to CLECO Founded in 1935 as Louisiana Ice & Electric Company, the company transitioned to Central Louisiana Electric Company a decade later. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says CLECO is the only electric utility provider that has met Louisiana’s reliability standards for 26 years

Cut 12 (06) “…99-percent of the time.”

CLECO serves 24 of Louisiana’s 64 Parishes.

The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation this year that imposes significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers when serve foreign imports vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.  Recent testing by the Southern Shrimp Alliance showed Louisiana fared well in complying with the new law. 3 out of 24 restaurants tested in New Orleans and 4 out of 24 in Baton Rouge were out of compliance. Blanchard urges patrons to support those restaurants that are serving quality products.

Cut 9 (08)  “…both on the same page.”

This year, Cleco celebrates 90 years of powering Louisiana’s homes, businesses, and communities focusing solely on electricity providing power to nearly 300 thousand customers across 24 parishes. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill…

Cut 10 (10) “…and Tony Chachere’s.”

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to the full Senate. Cassidy said his big question prior to his vote was whether he could collaborate to help public health agencies regain the trust of the American people.

Cut 6 (16) “…not cause autism.”

Cassidy said Kennedy assured him that they will be in regular contact, including seeking his input on hiring decisions.

For the fourth time in five years, the Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl but this is the first time that former LSU and Catholic High Baton Rouge star Clyde Edwards-Helaire is not with them He was released by K-C in December. Chiefs’ Quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Edwards-Helaire still feels like a part of the team…

Cut 14 (12) “…close with him.”

Edwards-Helaire finished the season with the Saints, appearing in the final two games of the year.

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote in the Senate Finance Committee to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary to the full Senate. The vote was 14 to 13, along party lines. In explaining his vote on the Senate floor afterwards, Cassidy said not only did he have intense conversations with the White House, he also met with Kennedy multiple times over the weekend and this morning.

Cut 5 (12) “…should speak to.”

ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy likely cast his vote to save his political future.

Cut 3 (15) “…his own party.” 

Cleco celebrates its 90th birthday today. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is still on the minds of his former Chiefs teammates as they prepare for the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes says it hurt seeing the former LSU star running back go.

Cut 13 (07)  “…family as well.”

Edwards-Helaire was released by the Chiefs in December and was subsequently signed to the Saints practice squad.

Senator Bill Cassidy ended up being the deciding vote to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Secretary of Health to the full Senate.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former Amite High star Devonta Smith will play in his second Super Bowl on Sunday when Smith’s Eagles take on the two-time defending champion Chiefs. Amite head football coach Zephaniah Powell says he’s extremely proud of Smith…

Cut 14 (05) “….for him”

LSU scored a victory today in its effort to keep embattled law professor Ken Levy out of the classroom. The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that LSU should not be forced into putting Levy in the classroom despite a lower court’s ruling. The appeals court says LSU can wait until a full hearing. Levy was removed from the classroom after he used inappropriate language while criticizing Governor Landry for publicly rebuking a fellow law professor.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says testing was done on 24 restaurants in New Orleans that advertised they were serving shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico and only three of them were serving imported shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard praised Louisiana’s progress but urged stronger enforcement to protect the domestic shrimp industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…with their health.”

The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation this year that impose significant penalties for restaurants that fail to inform customers when they are eating foreign imports vs. local wild-caught Gulf Shrimp.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted this morning to confirm Robert F Kennedy Junior as the next U-S Health Secretary. Cassidy, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was the tie breaking vote to advance Kennedy’s confirmation to the full Senate. During the confirmation hearings, Cassidy expressed concern about Kennedy’s views that vaccines lead to autism. He says the Senator said in a statement he had intense conversations with the White House…

Cut 4 (13) “…efforts to vaccinate.”

The Southern Shrimp Alliance says only three restaurants in New Orleans out of 24 tested were found to be serving farm-raised shrimp imports instead of what they were advertising which was Gulf or authentic shrimp. S-S-A board member Cheri Blanchard says this year Louisiana has strengthened its seafood labeling laws and the legislation appears to be working….

Cut 7 (09) “…my state represented better.”

Similar testing was conducted at Texas, Mississippi and Florida restaurants and it was found most of the restaurants were not serving Gulf of Mexico shrimp, despite advertising on their menu that said otherwise.

The Louisiana Now Pavilion is open next to the Super Bowl Media Center at the convention center. This is where the Louisiana Economic Development Department will tell the story about how the Pelican State is a great place to do business. L-E-D Secretary Susan Bourgeois says Louisiana Now will have interactive exhibits…

Cut 6 (13) “….of Louisiana”

The Pavilion will host business executives, athletes, dignitaries and artists from around the world.

The LHSAA and the Saints are working towards sanctioning girls flag football as a high school sport. Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held says the interest is there…

Cut 10 (10) “…flag football team.”

Held says the association’s executive committee is expected to vote in April to sanction girls flag football as a high school sport. A pilot league has already been set up in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.