Two reporters gave a minute-by-minute account of last night’s execution of Jessie Hoffman. One of them was WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson. She says she saw involuntary body movements a minute after the nitrogen gas started being administered.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

After the nitrogen gas was turned off after 19 minutes, the curtain lowered, and the spiritual advisor performed Buddhist chants.

In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, including a 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old infant child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU may the big Baton Rouge school in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, but they’re not the only one. Tonight, Southern takes on UC-San Diego in a 16-seed First Four matchup in Los Angeles. The winner takes on the tournament’s top overall seed, UCLA. Ironically, LSU is also playing a team from San Diego – San Diego State. That game is Saturday night.

Louisiana carried out its first execution of a death row inmate in 15 years last night and it was the first time the state used nitrogen gas as the method. Jessie Hoffman was declared dead at 6:50 PM. WDSU TV reporter Gina Swanson witnessed the execution…

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Hoffman was put to death for killing Molly Elliot in 1996. She lived in St. Tammany Parish and was married to Andy Elliot. Andy Elliot called the execution bittersweet news.

A 24-year-old Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after authorities determined she beat her eight-month old child to death. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown believes mental health issues with Autumn Harper played a significant role, and hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was found dead in a Kenner hotel during Super Bowl week.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 29 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. New Orleans Times-Picayune and Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says the curtains were raised at 6:20 last night, and Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face and a gray plush blanket covering his body.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas started flowing at 6:21, and it flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

A mother is charged with first degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries, including broken bones. 24-year-old Autumn Harper is being held in Washington Parish Jail awaiting bond. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says the incident is “absolutely heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family.

Cut 7 (07) “…the worst one I’ve seen”

A state audit has found that more than one-fourth of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy, with Medicaid recipients being disproportionately affected. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that the findings come amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

McNeese head men’s basketball coach Will Wade is on the radars of a lot of teams with coaching vacancies. This, as he leads his Cowboys against Clemson tomorrow in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says he hopes Wade will choose to stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”

McNeese is the 12 seed in the Midwest Regional, while Clemson is the fifth seed. Tipoff from Providence, Rhode Island, tomorrow afternoon is at 2:15.

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. After the execution, Attorney General Liz Murrill says final justice for Elliott’s family and loved ones was long overdue.

Cut 4 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces second-degree murder charges in the death of a Kansas City sports reporter found dead in a Kenner hotel room while covering the Super Bowl. Authorities say Adan Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system and it’s believed Colbert drugged him. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says they believe Colbert did this to other men…

Cut 10 (10) “…Randy Smith”

A Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after her 8-month-old infant died from severe injuries, including broken bones. The investigation began last Wednesday when the toddler was brought to the hospital and later died. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the boyfriend and the mother.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Twenty-four-years-old Autumn Harper is being held at the Washington Parish Jail.

Tomorrow the McNeese’s men’s basketball team faces Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he took a gamble in hiring Will Wade in 2023, who was fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. He says needless to say that gamble has paid off.

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”

For the first time in 15 years, Louisiana has executed a death row inmate. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott said the execution went flawlessly.

Cut 6 (07) “…approximately 19 minutes.”

A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. It found that among other things, several OBGYNs who accepted Medicaid patients didn’t provide them services. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the state will look to make it easier for OBGYNs to provide services to Medicaid recipients.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Medicaid program.”

Three years ago, Will Wade was fired as head coach at LSU over recruiting violations. Now he’s one of the hottest coaching candidates after leading McNeese basketball to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Elsewhere in sports, the second-ranked LSU baseball team had no trouble at all last night beating UNO. The Tigers scored six runs in the first three innings to run rule the Privateers 11 to one. Jared Jones homered and had four hits on the night. Ethan Frey hit two home runs. Jaden Noot gave up one run over four innings and struck out five for the win.

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. Outside the state penitentiary in Angola yesterday, a group of death penalty opponents held vigil. Hoffman was sentenced to death for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Molly Elliott in 1996.  Elliott’s sister-in-law spoke out against executing Hoffman, but Attorney General Liz Murrill said other relatives did not feel the same way.

Cut 5 (07) “…to have finality.”

Corrections Chief of Operations Seth Smith, who was a longtime nurse, says he did not see Hoffman suffer in pain during the execution.

Cut 7 (12) “…inconsistent with death.”

There are now 55 inmates on death row in Louisiana, and Attorney General Murrill says executions using nitrogen hypoxia will continue.
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Today’s a big day for McNeese basketball at they face Clemson in the first round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says the gamble he took on former LSU coach Will Wade is obviously paying off earning McNeese some very valuable national exposure.

Cut 15 (10) “…uptick in enrollment.”

A state audit finds that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction as a quarter of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that this report comes as the state is spenis that it comes amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

Louisiana has carried out its first execution in 15 years. Andrew Greenstein was at the state penitentiary in Angola, and has the story.

Cut 1 (54) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead during Super Bowl Week in Kenne.   The coroner’s report found Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says an accomplice, Rickey White of Gretna, was also arrested in Florida for allegedly using Manzano’s debit card…

Cut 8 (12) “…Kenner Police Department.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team is set to face Clemson today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  It’s the second year and a row and not coincidentally, the second year on Coach Will Wade’s contract . Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says Wade committed to two years and though he’s already being considered for higher profile jobs, he’s hoping Wade will stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. After the execution, Attorney General Liz Murrill said justice for Elliott’s family and loved ones was long overdue.

Cut 4 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead in a Kenner hotel room during Super Bowl Week. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says Colbert’s case is ready to be prosecuted by Jefferson Parish D-A Paul Connick’s office, but admits the case is circumstantial.

Cut 9 (06) “…the courtroom.”

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A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the audit has found that more than one-fourth of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy, with Medicaid recipients being disproportionately affected.

Cut 11 (14) “…to Medicaid beneficiaries.”

McNeese’s men’s basketball team faces Clemson today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he took a gamble in hiring Will Wade in 2023, who was fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. But…

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”