LSU is becoming a basketball school as the Tigers made a strong statement last night with a 73-71 upset win over 5th ranked Kentucky. It’s only the second time in program history that LSU has defeated a Top 5 team on the road. The Tigers are now 20-4, 10-1 in the SEC and will look for another road win on Saturday at Georgia.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton is not seeking re-election, making his sixth term his last. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It was another cool morning across Louisiana and LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says these cold snaps are keeping crawfish from getting bigger…
cut 5 (10) “…growing”
The forecast calls for warmer temperatures the rest of the work week, which should help create a better supply of crawfish.

And we are keeping an eye on the Mississippi River which is rising again. But President of the Fifth Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says the levees in northeast Louisiana should be able to handle all the water that’s on its way…
cut 14 (09) “….have to sandbag”
But Minsky says more rain in the Missouri and Ohio River valleys could cause problems, especially in Tensas Parish, which is susceptible to overtopping.

Matt Doyle has some good news about this year’s crawfish crop…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU fans are feeling good today after watching the 19th ranked Tigers upset 5th ranked Kentucky on a tip in at the buzzer. 73-71 was the final score. Many Kentucky fans believe the last basket should not have counted, because they claim it was offensive goal tending, but finally a call for a Louisiana sports team went their way.

River levels for the Mississippi are very high and they are forecast to continue to rise. President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says as bad as it is, it could be much worse, but the future is highly dependent on weather conditions in other areas of the country.
Cut 13 (12) “…range of valleys.”
The 5th district levees offer protection of at least 58 feet.

Longtime Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will retire and not seek re-election to a seventh term this year. Hilton started his first stint as sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but came back four years later. Hilton says he’s proud of putting a school resource officer at every school in Rapides Parish…
cut 9 (10) “…remembered for”
Hilton says the biggest challenge for the next sheriff will be controlling a growing drug problem.

The IRS reports the average federal tax refund so far is down eight percent from 2018, as filers are nabbing about 170 dollars less. The lower refund is the result of the GOP tax reform legislation that went into effect last year. But Frank Holzenthal, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says the lower refund is offset in most cases by higher take home pay during the year…
Cut 10 (11) “…more taxes”

The 19th ranked LSU basketball team pulled off the upset last night as the Bayou Bengals beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71 on tip in at the buzzer by Kavell Bigby Williams. Tigers Coach Will Wade felt good about his team’s chances heading into the game…
cut 30 (13) “…confident”
The Tigers are 20-4.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces his sixth term as sheriff will be his last as he will not pursue re-election. Hilton, whose father also served as a sheriff, has grown up around law enforcement, and says the decision to leave the profession was not an easy one.
Cut 7 (11) “…like to do.”
Hilton began his first term as sheriff in 1992 and this is second time he’s retired. But he says this one will stick.

President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says he’s concerned about the rising Mississippi River. But Minsky says the only place that may see overtopping of the levee system is in Tensas Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…on the outside”

The I-R-S says the average refund this year is down eight percent from last year under the new federal tax code. Many taxpayers are now wondering if their total amount of taxes paid has gone up this year. Frank Holzenthal with the Louisiana C-P-A Society advises filers to compare this year’s tax liability line with last year’s for a better picture…
cut 11 (10) “….little bit”
The I-R-S also notes that the number of returns received for the first official week was down 12-percent from the first week of last year’s tax season.

LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says this year’s crawfish crop is coming along well and the warmer temperatures recently are helping. Lutz says if you see a decline in production, don’t blame the trappers, blame Mother Nature…
cut 6 (10) “….find em”

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will not seek re-election. Hilton was first elected sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but was elected again in 2011 and he says this retirement is final…
cut 8 (08) “…when I retired”
Hilton says his proudest accomplishment is supplying each school with a school resource officer.

What a huge win for the 19th ranked LSU basketball team last night. The Tigers came from behind again to beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71. They won the game on a tip-in by Kavell-Bigby Williams at the buzzer to earn the program’s second victory over a Top 5 team on the road. LSU is 20-and-4.

Matt Doyle has some good news about this year’s crawfish crop…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton is not seeking re-election, making his sixth term his last.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The IRS says tax returns are eight percent smaller on average so far this year, but Kevin Barnhart full story…

Cut 3 (25) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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LSU Ag Center Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz has some good news crawfish fanatics: this year’s crop is lookin pretty good. Despite some topsy-turvy weather lately, he says all the conditions are ripe for a solid, but not record setting year for size and supply.

Cut 4 (10) “…out there.”

Winter weather has rocked back and forth, but hasn’t been as brutally cold as last year. Lutz says we’re still likely a bit away from the ideal water temperatures for mud bug growth, but it’s likely not too far off.

Cut 5 (10) “…growing.

Lutz wants to remind folks that no matter how the season goes, and no matter what the price or availability is, don’t blame the trappers who bring the supply in every year, blame Mother Nature.

Cut 6 (10) “…find em”

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Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces his sixth term as sheriff will be his last as he will not pursue re-election.  Hilton, whose father also served as a sheriff, has grown up around the area, and says the decision to leave law enforcement was not an easy one.

Cut 7 (11) “…like to do.”

Hilton was elected sheriff in 1992, serving four terms before retiring.  Then he came back out of retirement for two more terms.  Hilton says he intends to stay retired this time.

Cut 8 (08) “…when I retired.”

Hilton says of all the accomplishments he’s achieved in law enforcement, he’d like for his dedication to school safety be the highlight of his legacy.

Cut 9 (10) “…be remembered for.″

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The IRS is reporting that tax returns are eight percent lower than they were in 2018, and that on average those who do get a return are nabbing about 170 dollars less than last year, before the 1.5 trillion dollar GOP tax reform went into effect. Wegmann Dazet Tax Manager Frank Holzenthal says the numbers indicate on a whole, most folks received a slight tax cut.

Cut 10 (11) “…more taxes”

The phenomenon has led many to believe that their total amount of taxes paid has gone up this year. Holzenthal says it’s likely because most of those people have seen small increases to their take home pay, and he advocates comparing this year’s tax liability line with last year’s for a better picture.

Cut 11 (10) “…little bit.”

A several polls run in the first half of last year indicated that a slim majority of Americans did not notice larger paychecks as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act.

That being said, Holzenthal cautions that even if you compare your total liability with last years, most people won’t notice a substantial difference as a result of the tax reform.

Cut 12 (09) “…is structured”

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River levels for the Mississippi are very high right now and they are forecast to continue to rise.  President of the 5^th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says as bad as it is, it could be much worse, but the future is highly dependent on the weather conditions in many areas of the river.

Cut 13 (12) “…range of valleys.”

Minsky says the levees in northeast Lousiana should be able to handle all of the water that’s put on them to a point.

Cut 14 (09) “…have to sandbag.”

Minsky says if there is any overtopping of the levee system, it’d likely take place in Tensas Parish.

Cut 15 (09) “…on the outside.”

March food stamps are set to arrive early, and recipients should be checking their mailboxes for benefits on the first and second of the month, whereas SNAP traditionally arrives sometime between the first and 15^th. Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the early delivery is to make up for the significant gap recipients faced due to the last government shutdown.
Cut 9 (09) “in January”

The National Federation of Independent Business says their Small Businesses Optimism Index has slipped to it’s lowest levels since just before the 2016 presidential election.  State Director Dawn Starns says the shutdown was the primary driver, but another issue tugging at optimism for small business owners was difficulty hiring qualified workers. Starns says 23 percent of members reported that as an issue.
Cut 4 (07) “…job openings″

15 percent of companies said taxes were their biggest concern.

Allegiant Air will begin non-stop service between Shreveport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida on May 17th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says fares start at 49-dollars each way and flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays…
cut 12 (07) “….in an hour and a half”
The seasonal service is scheduled to run through Monday, September 2nd.

LaFourche Parish deputies have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old, who was struck by a bullet that entered his mother’s home in Lockport on Sunday. Lt. Brennan Matherne says 17-year-old Jyairus Folse fired several shots into the home and one them struck Alton Adams of Bayou Blue in the back…
cut 8 (13) “….in this shooting”
Matherne says they still don’t exact reason why Folse shot at the home.

The National Federation of Independent Business says their Small Businesses Optimism Index has slipped to it’s lowest levels since just before the 2016 presidential election, a notable drop off from recent record highs. State Director Dawn Starns says much of the recent drop off can be attributed to the last, and potentially upcoming, government shutdown.

Cut 3 (08) “…the future.”

Starns noted the 101.2 rating is still above the historical average of 98.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the death of a 19-year-old who was fatally shot Sunday night when a bullet entered his mother’s home in Lockport. Jyairus Folse of Lockport was charged with the Second Degree Murder of Alton Adams of Bayou Blue.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says Folse has also been charged with 6 counts of attempted second-degree murder for each person in the home.

Cut 7 (06) “…inside the trailer.”

March food stamps will arrive early as recipients should check their mailboxes for benefits on the first and second of the month, whereas SNAP traditionally arrives sometime between the first and 15^th. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says  there’s an important reason why the benefits are being staggered over two days, and it’s to allow the most vulnerable populations access to groceries first.

Cut 11 (12)   “…the second.”

Allegiant Air will begin non-stop service between Shreveport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida on May 17th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says this new service to Destin-Fort Walton Beach is the eighth non-stop route offered from Shreveport…

Cut 14 (10)       49 dollars one way” 

Allegiant has flown out of the Shreveport Regional Airport for the last 13 years.

The National Federation of Independent Business says their Small Businesses Optimism Index has slipped to it’s lowest levels since just before the 2016 presidential election, a notable drop off from recent record highs. State Director Dawn Starns says overall compensation for workers in independent firms did increase in January, as just over a third of companies reported paying their workers more, or offering better benefits.

Cut 5 (06)“…compensation”

March food stamps will arrive early as  recipients should check their mailboxes for benefits on the first and second of the month, whereas SNAP traditionally arrives sometime between the first and 15^th. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says the early delivery is to make up for the significant gap recipients faced due to the last government shutdown.

Cut 9 (09) “in January”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a 17-year-old in connection with the death of a 19-year-old who was fatally shot Sunday night when a bullet entered his mother’s home in Lockport. Jyairus Folse of Lockport was charged with the Second Degree Murder of Alton Adams of Bayou Blue.  Lt. Brennan Matherne says the suspect hasn’t disclosed to investigators a reason for the shooting.

Cut 6 (10) “…in this situation.”

Bond has been set at $5 million.
Allegiant Air will begin non-stop service between Shreveport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida on May 17th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says fares start at 49-dollars each way and flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays…

Cut 12 (07)   “…in an hour and half”