The Landry Administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 44-billion dollar budget. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras says the amount of state spending is about the same for next fiscal year as it is this year. He says they didn’t want to increase spending with a temporary sales tax expiring in July 2025…
cut 3 (10) “…as we possibly could”
Barras says the proposed budget has more dollars for State Police as the governor wants to add more troopers and form a specific troop to work with the New Orleans Police Department in fighting crime.

Thousands of people from around the world will flock to the Bayou State to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras weekend. And Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans isn’t the only city that does it big…
Cut 6 (12) “..north Louisiana.”

It’s Super Bowl Weekend and according to the American Gaming Association, 68 million people are expected to place a bet on the big game. And Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says AGA is predicting more than $23 billion will be legally wagered in the US.
Cut 12 (11) “…huge weekend”
As for the Pelican State, Johns says it’s hard to predict how much will be wagered on Super Bowl 58.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is looking for independent short filmmakers to submit entries for the 13th annual PBS Short Film Festival. Entries can be fiction or non-fiction and L-P-B spokesperson Colleen Spillane says a committee at LPB will judge the entries and decide what to enter into the PBS Short Film Festival.
Cut 5 (11) “…quite frank.”
Filmmakers are encouraged to visit lpb.org/filmfest for information.

Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard. Louisiana National Guard Brigadier General Michael Greer says their tasks will be assigned through the Texas National Guard, but they will not be doing detention…
Cut 21 (10) “…under Texas law”
The 150 troop deployment could begin next month.

State Treasurer John Fleming has come out in opposition to the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Fleming says he’s looked into what has happened in other states when Blue Cross was sold to Elevance Health…
cut 10 (11) “…to increase”
Elevance Health says it’s a trusted source of health coverage to more than 47 million people across the country.

It’s Super Bowl weekend and Las Vegas is hosting its first Super Bowl. Next year, New Orleans will host its record tying 11th Super Bowl. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Las Vegas for the official handoff ceremony that will take place Monday. Nungesser is glad Governor Jeff Landry is serious about reducing crime in New Orleans…
cut 9 (12) “…to go”
Super Bowl 59 will be played on February 9th, 2025.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is looking for independent short filmmakers to submit entries for the 13th annual PBS Short Film Festival. LPB spokesperson Colleen Spillane (Spuh-lan) says this is the tenth year Louisiana has participated and talent from the Pelican State has been represented every year in the past decade with an entry.
Cut 4 (08) “…in our state.”
Filmmakers are encouraged to visit lpb.org/filmfest for information on how to enter and specs for their submission.

Governor Landry has called for a special session for Louisiana lawmakers to debate his tough on crime legislation. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says among Landry’s legislation is expanding ways the state can carry out the death penalty and…

Cut 13 (13)  “…on bail approach.”

The session will begin on Monday, February 19^th, and will consist of 24 policies.

The Super Bowl is Sunday and then on Monday it’s the official handoff to New Orleans as the Big Easy will host Super 59 on February 9th. Thousands are in Las Vegas for this year’s Super Bowl and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is there to promote the Bayou State…

Cut 7 (09) “…next year.”

The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans in 2013 produced a total of $480 million in economic impact on New Orleans’ economy. Super Bowl 59 will be played on February 9th at the Caesars Superdome.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many including State Treasurer John Fleming. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux, the Baton Rouge based franchise, announced it will move its corporate headquarters from Baton Rouge to Atlanta. The company opened a satellite office in Atlanta in 2022. The company says Atlanta is one of the biggest restaurant industry hubs. And the move represents continued change and growth for the national brand.

Governor Jeff Landry announces he’s sending Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to assist the Texas National Guard. Louisiana National Guard Brigadier General Michael Greer says their tasks will be assigned through the Texas National Guard, but they will not be doing detention…
Cut 21 (10) “…under Texas law”
The 150 troop deployment could begin next month.

And the governor has released the call for the special session that will allow legislators to pass tough on crime legislation. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Republican governor and GOP legislators will look to reverse many of the criminal justice reform policies that former Governor John Bel Edwards advocated for in 2017….
cut 14 (08) “…four years”

State Treasurer John Fleming has announced his opposition to the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Fleming says in life an important principle is….if it’s not broke, don’t fix it…
cut 11 (08) “…be lost”
But Elevance Health says Louisiana can not afford to let special interests stand in the way of better healthcare and better health outcomes.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is seeking independent short films from Louisiana filmmakers. If it’s excellent work, L-P-B will make it part of the annual P-B-S short film festival. L-P-B spokesperson Colleen Spillane says the films need to be between three and 15 minutes long…
cut 6 (08) “…nationwide”
The deadline is February 21st and the website is l-p-b-dot-org-slash-flimfest.

150 Louisiana National Guard troops could be headed to the Southern border in Texas as soon as next month. Governor Jeff Landry says states need to step up, because the federal government is not doing enough to stop people from entering the country illegally. He says the National Guard can also slow the flow of fentanyl crossing the border. The governor says many people know someone who died from a fentanyl overdose.
Cut 28 (13) “…they please”

State Treasurer John Fleming opposes the proposed 2.5 billion dollar sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health. Fleming doesn’t like that Blue Cross will be owned by an out of state, publicly traded corporation…
cut 12 (07) “…this state”
Elevance Health says Louisiana is being subjected to a lot of misinformation about the proposed sale.

Super Bowl 58 is Sunday in Las Vegas and next year it will be in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says America’s biggest sporting event will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state…
cut 8 (11) “….Super Bowl”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is seeking entries for the 2024 PBS short film festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Landry has released the call for the crime special session. For 17 days starting on February 19th, state lawmakers will consider legislation that would result in harsher penalties for offenders who are 17-years-old. The governor also wants to restrict parole eligibility and increase the penalties for carjacking and expand the methods that the death sentence can be carried out. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the courts ultimately protect death row inmates when it comes to civil rights…
cut 15 (07) “…to pass”

State Treasurer John Fleming has come out in opposition to the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Elevance Health. Fleming says he’s looked into what has happened in other states when Blue Cross was sold to Elevance Health…
cut 10 (11) “…to increase”
Elevance Health says it’s a trusted source of health coverage to more than 47 million people across the country.

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record tying 11th time next year. And State and city officials are in Las Vegas preparing for what’s ahead….
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is seeking entries for the 2024 PBS short film festival. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record tying 11^th time next year. And State officials are in Las Vegas preparing for what’s ahead. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________________

 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many including State Treasurer John Fleming. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

______________________________________________

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is looking for independent short filmmakers to submit entries for the 13^th annual PBS Short Film Festival. LPB spokesperson Colleen Spillane (Spuh-lan) says this is the tenth year Louisiana has participated and talent from the Pelican State has been represented every year in the past decade with an entry.

Cut 4 (08) “…in our state.”

Entries can be fiction or non-fiction and Spillane says a committee at LPB will then judge the entries and those that make the cut will be entered into the 2024 PBS Short Film Festival.

Cut 5 (11) “…quite frank.” 

Filmmakers are encouraged to visit lpb.org/filmfest for information on how to enter and specs for their submission. Spillane says the films need to be between three and fifteen minutes in length.

Cut 6 (08) “…nationwide.”

The deadline is February 21^st and the website is lpb.org/filmfest

__________________________________________

The Bayou State is already preparing to host Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next year. Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism is in Las Vegas to learn what’s ahead. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re going over protocols…

Cut 7 (09) “…next year.”

New Orleans will host the Super Bowl for a record-tying 11^th time next year. The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans in 2013 produced a total of $480 million in economic impact on New Orleans’ economy.

Nungesser says New Orleans is not the only city that benefits from hosting a Super Bowl

Cut 8 (11) “…Super Bowl.” 

Nungesser expects steep competition to host future games as more cities build larger stadiums. And while the number of violent crimes in New Orleans dropped in 2023, Nungesser says the effort to buckle down on crime must continue.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to go.”

Super Bowl 59 will be played on February 9th at the Caesars Superdome.

_________________________________________________________

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many. Blue Cross says the move would improve access, quality, and affordability but State Treasurer and Family Doctor John Fleming says he, the Louisiana State Medical Society, and virtually all the specialty societies oppose this move because of the track record of Elevance in other states.

Cut 10 (11) “…to increase.”

Fleming is concerned that Indiana based Elevance would have people out of state administering the health coverage of the people of Louisiana. Close to Two million Louisianans have Blue Cross and Fleming says currently, Blue Cross is owned by its members and run for their benefit.

Cut 11 (08) “…be lost.” 

Fleming says for-profit Elevance Health has a poor track record for withdrawing or denying claims. He also says the publicly traded company could have owners anywhere in the world. He’s concerned since they’ve centralized operations in other states…

Cut 12 (07) “…this state.” 

_____________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry has called for a special session for lawmakers to debate his tough-on-crime legislation. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the will begin on Monday, February 19^th, and will consist of 24 policies.

Cut 13 (13)  “…on bail approach.”

Pinsonat says Landry is attempting to reverse former Governor John Bel Edwards’ Criminal Justice Reforms passed in his first term.

Pinsonat says the tough-on-crime approach is a nationwide trend among Republicans to reserve Democratic policies that shortened prison sentences and also allowed those accused of a crime the ability to not put up money for bail.

Cut 14 (10) “…or four years.”

Among Landry’s legislation is expanding ways the state can carry out the death penalty. Pinsonat points out that when it comes to the death penalty it’s the courts that ultimately protect prisoners when it comes to their civil rights.

Cut 15 (07) “…to pass.”

The special session will begin on February 19^th and is scheduled to end Wednesday, March 6^th. The Regular Session begins on March 11^th and adjourns on June 3^rd.

_______________________________________________________________

A week from today a new college baseball season will get underway. The LSU Tigers are looking to repeat as champs and they are picked to finish in second in the SEC West, behind Arkansas. There are questions about LSU’s offense, but they have one of the best hitters in college baseball. Coach Jay Johnson says third baseman Tommy White looks good after offseason shoulder surgery…

Cut 16 (17) “…this year.” 

Johnson is also thankful to have Hayden Travinksi back for a fifth season. Johnson says Travinski will provide protection for White in the Tigers batting order…

Cut 17 (20) “…around Tommy.” 

LSU will certainly miss Dylan Crews. The number two overall pick in last year’s Major League Baseball draft hit .426 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs. Sophomore Paxton Kling will start in centerfield for the Tigers this season and Johnson is expecting a big season from the Pennsylvania native…

Cut 18 (15)  “…in that spot.”

_________________________________________________________________________

First-year ULM football coach Bryant Vincent believes the Warhawks signed the best running back out of the state of Mississippi. Vincent says Ahmad Hardy rushed for 22-hundred yards his senior season…

Cut 19 (16) “…big ones.” 

ULM signed 11 players on Wednesday after signing 30 during the early signing period in December. Vincent believes they addressed a lot of needs, but there’s still more work to do…

Cut 20 (25) “…to play.”

Governor Jeff Landry officially announced he’s deploying the Louisiana National Guard troops to the southern border to help keep drugs and human trafficking from flowing into the United States. The deployment is expected to cost the state three-million dollars and Landry says it’s well spent money….

Cut 3 (05) “…in Texas”  

Landry says several other states have also committed to sending their National Guard troops to the southern border.

Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise plans to return to Washington next week following treatment for multiple myeloma. In a press release Thursday, his office announced he successfully completed his stem cell treatment and is in complete remission.

The Bayou State is already preparing to host Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans next year. Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism is in Las Vegas to learn what’s ahead. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re going over protocols…

Cut 7 (10) “…next year.”

The last Super Bowl played in New Orleans in 2013 produced a total of $480 million in economic impact on New Orleans’ economy.

Two educators in the Bayou State earned the national Milken Educator award. The recipients are Northshore High science teacher Kelly Ryan and Destrehan sixth grade science teacher Lauren Waguespack. Ryan says she could have never prepared herself for such an award.

Cut 9 (09) “…be me.”

Ryan and Waguespack received a $25 thousand dollar cash prize.