New LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will be introduced to Tiger Nation on Tuesday. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says Woodward’s first order of duty is to figure out what’s going on with the men’s basketball program as Coach Will Wade could be called to testify in a federal college basketball corruption trial that begins next week in New York…
Cut 10 (09) “…shakes out.”
No word on how much Woodward will make at LSU, he was raking in 900-thousand a year in College Station.

A survey from LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab finds that 57-percent of Louisiana residents oppose banning the sale of assault weapons and 61-percent oppose banning high capacity ammunition magazines. And LSU’s Doctor Michael Henderson says a majority of residents also support at least one form of expanding gun rights…
cut 14 (05) “…carry permit”
But attempts in the legislature for teachers to possess guns in the classroom or allow guns on college campuses have failed to pass.

Governor John Bel Edwards is looking to add 39-million dollars into the public school budget for next fiscal year, but he’s receiving push back. Ann Duplessis is the president of the Louisiana Federation of Children, which is an advocate for the state’s voucher program and she says more money might not be the answer for the state’s pulbic schools…
cut 6 (07) “…differently”
Duplessis says 96-percent of families involved in the state’s voucher program are pleased with their child’s academic progress at their new school.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve charged a 54-year-old man with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Robert Stevenson. Deputies say the teenager was shot in the chest during a disturbance that took place outside of a home in Natalbany. Ricky Nelson of Indpendence was taken into custody.

School voucher advocates are hoping the legislature doesn’t come after their 40 million dollar program to pay for the Governor’s requested 39 million dollar public school funding increase. Matt Doyle has more.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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It might be tricky to get your hands on mudbugs this weekend.  Kevin Barnhart tells us why.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Joe Alleva era is over and come Tuesday new LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will have to answer some questions that could shape his Tiger legacy. Matt Doyle talked to Tiger Rag Editor James Moran…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana Federation of Children is calling on the legislature to reject any attempts to de-fund the state’s school voucher system that subsidized private school tuition for 7,000 kids last year.

President Ann Duplessis says an internal poll of program participants indicates nearly all parents involved would like the voucher to stay in place.

Cut 4 (11) “…progress.”

The program had 10,000 applicants last year, meaning 3,000 applicants were unable to receive the voucher.

Critics have pointed out that it diverts millions of dollars that could be used to bolster low performing public schools. Duplessis says even their school district is high performance, parents deserve choices.

Cut 5 (10) “…choice.”

The program is only available to households earning less than $62,750 a year.

Governor Edwards is seeking 39 million dollars in new funding to modernize public schools, and some have pointed out that the voucher program costs roughly 40 million a year. Duplessis says if the goal is improving education, pumping more money into public schools won’t work.

Cut 6 (07) “…differently.”

According to the Advocate the program, created in 2012, paid full or partial tuition for nearly nine percent of the state’s private school population in 2017-2018.

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Crawfish availability is expected to be lower going into Easter weekend, which normally marks the peak of the season.  The overall crop of crawfish is down this season.  President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says there has been a bit of a rebound, but the recent bad weather has slowed down the harvest going into the holiday weekend.

Cut 7 (09) “…what we catch.”

Savoy says one possible reason the mudbugs are not hitting the traps like they should, they just simply are not out there.

Cut 8 (11) “…attracting other crawfish.”

Savoy says another possible theory for the low harvest rates, the water has been much colder, much later into the season this year.

Cut 9 (07) “…move very much.″

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New LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward will be introduced to Tiger Nation next Tuesday and he’ll have some big calls to make right off the bat.

Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says first on deck is what to do about now un-suspended basketball coach Will Wade, as a corruption trial the coach was set to testify at previously begins Monday.

Cut 10 (09) “…shakes out.”

Moran says you could see some change with the men’s basketball program and it’s corruption issues, and the women’s basketball team and it’s under performance, but there two coach who are to stay put for now, starting with LSU football…

Cut 11 (10) “…anywhere.”

Off the field the facilities saw some substantial upgrades under former AD Joe Alleva, but Moran says the biggest impact Woodward could have for fans day one is the ongoing battle of Tiger Stadium booze…

Cut 12 (11) “…times.”

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Data from the Louisiana Survey touched on the topic of firearm ownership. 57% of residents oppose banning the sale of assault weapons and 61% oppose banning high capacity ammunition magazines. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says these are some of the points that have come up in the national discussion in the fallout of various mass shootings across the country.

Cut 13 (06) “opposition still.”

Henderson says a majority of residents support at least one form of expanding gun rights.

Cut 14 (12) “…Scott.”

Henderson says of the three firearm restrictions presented, there was only one that a majority of those polled coul get behind.

Cut 15 (09) “…he did.”

That measure received 69% approval.

With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Kevin Barnhart.
Lawmakers will be faced with two big policy questions this session that could end up being defining issues of the session in sports betting and marijuana, and according to the latetest release from the Louisiana Survey theres majority support for both legalized sports betting as well as the legalization of recreational marijuana use. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says sports betting received support from 59% of residents while recreational marijuana received the approval of 55% of residents.
Cut 6 (08) “…social issues.”
Legislation to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is up for discussion in the session. Governor Edwards has voiced his support for the activity.
Henderson says there is a big generational gap on recreational pot support. A majority of support comes from younger residents. 80% of those ages 18-29 support the idea of legalization, but those 65 and older showed a 69% opposition.
Cut 7 (10) “…to the idea.”
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A family advocacy group is bringing legislation that would guarantee Louisianans 12 weeks of paid parental, family emergency, or long term illness leave. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
Former Governor Kathleen Blanco is not bedbound and “in hospice care” according to her family. This was a contradiction of recent reports that the Katrina era governor had entered into hospice end of life care. The family says while she is not able to walk, she still visits friends and loved ones by getting around on her scooter. The family defined the care as “hospice assistance” and say she is no longer seeking treatment for her cancer.

Baton Rouge boy Scott Woodward is coming home to take over LSU Athletics after a four-year run as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director. The LSU/A&M rivalry has been heating up over the years, and last year exploded in a physical altercation between coaches at the end of a controversial Tiger loss to end the regular season. Robert Cessna says get ready for an even more heated competition.

Cut 5 (11) “…other side”

The latest data released from the Louisiana Survey shows majority support for both legalized sports betting as well as the legalization of recreational marijuana use.  LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson says there is a big generational gap on recreational pot support.  A majority of support comes from younger residents.  80% of those ages 18-29 support the idea of legalization, but those 65 and older showed a 69% opposition.

Cut 7 (10) “…to the idea.”

A tornado watch has been in effect for much of south Louisiana today, a portion of central Louisiana and delta parishes in northeast Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says the big concern is that the unstable atmosphere has the potential of producing strong tornadoes…

Cut 9 (08) “…part of the area”

State Police are responding to an uptick of crashes as a result of the weather.
Ground has been broken on the 450-million dollar Comite River Diversion project. It’s a 12 mile long canal running from the Comite to the Mississippi River, diverting water out of northern East Baton Rouge Parish waterways that present a flood risk for E-B-R and Livingston parishes. Central Mayor David Barrow is quick to note that even after it’s completed, it’s still possible the area could flood, it just likely will not be as devastating as the 2016 event.

Cut 14 (10) “…relief”

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward is the new athletics director at LSU. The LSU grad will be formally welcomed back on Tuesday. Woodward was the director of LSU’s external affairs from 2000 to 2004 and most recently the A-D at Texas A-and-M.

The latest data from the Louisiana survey shows how Louisiana residents feel about recreational marijuana and sports betting. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The western side of the state is dry, but strong storms capable of producing a tornado are move through areas west of Monroe and Lafayette. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says while tornadoes are the biggest threat, we can also see other forms of severe weather….
cut 10 (08) “…pretty significant”
The good news is that once this severe weather moves out, it looks dry for the Easter weekend.

Federal, state and local officials have broken ground on the Comite River Diversion project, a long-delayed flood control project that can benefit East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. Central mayor David Barrow…
cut 13 (11) “…three years”
Officials say this flood control project could have prevented flooding to hundreds of homes during the August flood of 2016.

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward is the new LSU athletics director, after spending the last four years leading the Texas A-and-M athletic department. Matt Doyle talked with a Lone Star State writer about what to expect…
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A tornado watch is in effect until seven PM tonight. It covers northeast Louisiana parishes, a portion of Cenla and much of south Louisiana. A strong line of storms, extending north of Natchez and south of Lafayette is moving to the east.

The final installment of the Louisiana Survey from LSU finds there’s majority support for both legalized sports betting and legalizing recreational marijuana. Director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, Doctor Michael Henderson says it’s unlikely that the state will legalize pot anytime soon, but a sports betting bill could pass in this legislative session…
cut 8 (12) “…support for this”
Senator Danny Martiny’s sports betting bill is expected to get its first committee hearing on Tuesday.

Ground has been broken on the 450 million dollar Comite Diversion project. Baton Rouge area governmental leaders say the flood control project is long overdue. Central Mayor David Barrow says it has the potential to reduce the flood risk for many homeowners
Cut 12 (12) “…damage”
Construction is expected to be complete by 2021.

Baton Rouge boy Scott Woodward is coming home to take over LSU Athletics after a four-year run as Texas A&M’s Athletic Director. Woodward is renowned for putting A&M sports back on the map with the hiring of football coach Jimbo Fisher. LSU tried and failed to lure Fisher in 2015, but Woodward managed to seal the deal a year later. Woodward will be tasked with beating the organization he just helped rebuild, but for now he’ll be doing it with a coach he didn’t hire. Robert Cessna with AggieSports.com

Cut 4 (08) “…to beat”

The latest data released from the Louisiana Survey shows sports betting received support from 59% of residents while recreational marijuana received the approval of 55% of residents. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Mike Henderson
Cut 6 (08) “…social issues.”

A tornado watch is in effect until seven o’ clock tonight for much of south Louisiana, a portion of central Louisiana and delta parishes in northeast Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Efferson says the area covered by the tornado watch is under an enhanced risk of severe weather…

Cut 11 (08)   “…means”

State Police are responding to an uptick of crashes as a result of the weather.
It took just seven days to surpass the fundraising goal, and now over 36,000 donors have contributed a total just shy of $2 million on a GoFundMe page to benefit the three churches torched in St. Landry Parish.