Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers this morning for the families of two fallen officers who died in a helicopter crash in West Baton Rouge Parish. They were in pursuit of a vehicle running from police. Paul says the FAA is the lead investigator..:
CUT 14 (14) “community”
The officers are not being identified at this time.

Should voters have the ability to put an initiative, like raising the minimum wage or legalizing marijuana, on a statewide ballot? New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says Louisiana does not have any type of ballot initiative protocol so she’s proposing a change..:
Cut 10 (12) “give another option”

At least 4 people have been shot at a gathering in Webster Parish at a Minden Park. Police Chief Jared McIver said they are still trying to sort out the details of what happened. Minden police are investigating. At least one of the injured was flown to Ochsner LSU Health Hospital in Shreveport.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing Louisiana’s employment numbers are reaching historic levels…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is mourning the death of two officers who were killed when their helicopter crashed in a sugarcane field in West Baton Rouge Parish while pursuing a vehicle running from police. Chief Murphy Paul says they are waiting to release the officers’ names:
Cut 13 (12) “in prayer”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating why the chopper wjent down.

The federal Bureau of Labor statistics shows Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over 2 million estimated employed for February 2023, the eighth highest in the history of the series. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says Louisiana added more than 6,000 jobs from January to February..:
Cut 7 (10) “among the nation”

Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters, like Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves, say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries…:
Cut 4 (08) “energy needs”
He is hopeful that with some modifications it will pass in the House this week.

LSU women’s basketball is heading to its sixth final four and its first since 2008 as the Tigers defeated Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina last night. LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State.

Coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the Elton John like pink feathered blazer she wore in LSU’s 66-63 win over Utah Friday sending The Tigers to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008. She said we like to be flashy in Louisiana, and she’s just filling the bill for her home state. The score remained close the entire game and Mulkey says it was one tough matchup…:
CUT 28 (12) “we just made a few more plays”
LSU will face Miami tomorrow at 6pm with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Today is an Election Day in Louisiana where voters will decide on several races and proposals. The Secretary of State’s Office says 7 parishes have races on the ballot, 12 have propositions and 9 have both. Polls close at 8pm tonight and anyone in line by that time will still be allowed to vote.

If you’re craving crawfish, you’ll be pleased to know prices continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The St. Mary Parish Sherriff’s office says a high school student has been arrested and charged with assault in connection to a threat made to a teacher on Snapchat. The suspect is identified as 18-year-old Dravian Morris of Berwick who allegedly threated bodily harm to a local teacher on the social media platform.

The LSU Women’s Basketball team is headed to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008 following a 66-63 victory over Utah Friday. Angel Reese picked up her 31st double double this season to tie an SEC record with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the game. She says it was a tough game but they were determined…:
CUT 29 (08) “for this team”
The Tigers will play Miami Sunday at 6 with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Governor John Bel Edwards warned of severe weather last night, but Louisiana dodged a bullet as the hardest hit area was rural Mississippi where officials there say tornadoes claimed the lives of 23 people and injured dozens more.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the potential risk for severe thunderstorms returns to mainly Central Louisiana on Sunday as a warm front continues to move through the area.

With March Madness in its most exciting days, state officials are urging people to be responsible if you’re going to place a sports bet. Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health Program Manager Robert Henson says with any form of gambling knowing your limits is critical..:
CUT 13 (04) “to spend”
Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announce more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since work began in January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus wells should be plugged by the end of the month…:
Cut 3 (09) “state funding”
The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year and there are over four-thousand orphaned well sites in Louisiana.

Parts of Louisiana were bracing for severe weather Friday, but the worst of the storm system hit Mississippi overnight where emergency officials there say a strong tornado killed 23 people, injured dozens and left 4 missing.

Calmer weather is taking over The Bayou State today, but tomorrow is a different story. The National Weather Service says there is potential for severe storms Sunday mainly across central Louisiana.

Today is an Election Day as voters head to the polls for the municipal primaries. 9 Parishes have both local races and local propositions on the ballot. 12 parishes have only local propositions on the ballot.

In Ouachita Parish voters will consider just one thing and that’s a new property tax to pay for the construction and operation of a new facility to house the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.

Today will be a perfect day for a crawfish boil in Louisiana and if you’re planning one get ready to see prices down for the 4th weekend in a row. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says this week prices went down another 25 cents per pound of live mudbugs to $2.77, and you’ll also be pleased if you just want to grab and go…:
CUT 6 (09) “$3.99 a pound”
She says you should have no problem finding a $75 or less sack of crawfish this weekend.

Did you happen to catch Coach Kim Mulkey’s pink feathered blazer in LSU’s 66-63 Sweet Sixteen victory over Utah Friday? She was asked about it after the game…:
CUT 30 (11) “for my home state”
The Tigers advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in 15 years and will play Miami tomorrow at 6.

Governor Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the State Health Office’s Office of Behavioral Health Manger Robert Henson says gambling treatment is free and confidential and he encourages everyone to know their limits when gambling.

Cut 14 (04)  “…going in.”

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact the Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announced more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus well should be plugged by the end of the month…

Cut 3 (09) “…state funding” 

The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year.

After serving in the legislature as unaffiliated, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is returning to the Democratic Party. Landry’s announcement comes with just over two weeks until lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the session.

Cut 9 (09) “…Democratic Party (chuckle).”

Crawfish connoisseurs will be happy to know the average price per pound of live mudbugs are 25 cents lower at $2.77. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the industry dropped prices this week which brings the average price for a pound of boiled crawfish to $4.98.

Cut 6 (09)  “…$3.99 a pound.” 

She says a sack of live crawfish will cost an average of $75 or less.

Louisiana officials announce federal dollars from the infrastructure law has resulted in more than 100 orphaned wells plugged in the last two months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The U-S House has approved Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights bill. The legislation says parents have the right to know what their children are being taught, and have the right to be heard. The Senate, however, is not expected to pass the bill.

March Madness also spurns gambling, and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health program Manager Robert Henson says symptoms of a gambling problem include trouble controlling gambling and withdrawal from family. Henson says risks are involved but being responsible and knowing your limits is critical.

Cut 13 (04) “…to spend.”

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP

The average price per pound of live mudbugs is 25 cents lower at $2.77 this weekend. And boiled crawfish is $3.99 per pound average at your local drive-thru Crawfish App co-founder Laney king says it’s ideal for watching the Sweet 16 this weekend.

Cut 7 (06)  “…Sweet 16.” 

The organizers of the recall effort to oust New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spoke for the first time yesterday since it was announced they ended up 18-thousand votes short of what they needed to trigger a recall election. Recall organizers Eileen Carter and Belden Batiste says the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters math doesn’t add up…..
cut 15 (08) “…..we got back up”
But the Registrar says many of the signatures they received were duplicates and one of the pages was filled with Disney character names.

Democrats have added a member in the Louisiana House as New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry, who was unaffiliated, is re-joining the Democratic Party. Landry says Blue Party members are gearing up for what they anticipate will be difficult session…
cut 10 (11) “…they’re right”

According to the Crawfish App, crawfish prices have dropped another 25-cents per pound this week bringing the average retail boiled crawfish price to just under five-dollars a pound and live crawfish to $2.77 per pound. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says we traditionally see prices fall as we get closer to Easter…
cut 8 (11) “…and Good Friday”
The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources say they are making good progress in plugging orphaned wells with the 25-million dollars they received from the federal government. D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges says crews have plugged more than 100 of them in north Louisiana. He says the wells are an environmental hazard…
cut 5 (11) …potential”
The state has more than 45-jundred orphaned well sites.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources says thanks to 25-million dollars from the federal infrastructure law, crews have plugged more than 100 orphaned wells in north Louisiana over the last two months. D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges says they anticipated another 30-plus wells plugged by the end of the month….
cut 4 (14) “…orphaned wells plugged”
The state has roughly 45-hundred orphaned well sites.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry has not been affiliated with a party, but today she announced she’s returning to the Democratic Party. Landry still wants to see changes with leadership…
cut 11 (09) “….has to stop”
Several Democrats have asked Louisiana’s Democratic party chairwoman, Katie Bernhardt. to resign.

If you’re craving crawfish, you’ll be pleased to know prices continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The U-S House has approved Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Parents Bill of Rights bill. The legislation says parents have the right to know what their children are being taught, have the right to be heard, to see the school’s budget. the right to protect their child’s privacy and the right to keep their children safe. The Senate is not expected to pass the bill.

Gambling is viewed as mostly entertainment but problem gambling is a public health issue that affects many Americans and the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health reminds Louisianans to have a solid game plan before gambling. LDH –OBH Program Manager Robert Henson says the agency is committed to providing assistance to those in need.

Cut 12 (09) “…resources available.” 

Contact Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-770-STOP.

After serving in the legislature as unaffiliated, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry is returning to the Democratic Party. Landry’s announcement comes with just over two weeks until lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the session.

Cut 9 (09) “…Democratic Party (chuckle).”

Landry has represented District 91 since 2019.

Louisiana officials announce federal dollars from the infrastructure law has resulted in more than 100 orphaned wells plugged in the last two months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”