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.”

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

Cut 1 (54) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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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.”

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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.”

The execution was not without controversy, as several groups spoke out against the state’s use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution. Outside the state penitentiary in Angola, a group of death penalty opponents held vigil. While Elliott’s sister-in-law spoke out against executing Hoffman, Murrill said other relatives did not feel the same way.

Cut 5 (07) “…to have finality.”

Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott said the execution went flawlessly.

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

Hoffman’s EKG flatlined after 14 minutes, and protocol dictated that the nitrogen gas continue to flow for five additional minutes. 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.”

Murrill noted that there are now 55 inmates on death row in Louisiana, and executions using nitrogen hypoxia will continue.

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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. 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.”

Colbert was originally charged with robbery and fraud in connection with Manzano’s death. Conley says the murder charge comes after investigators collected a sufficient amount of evidence for a judge to agree with the murder warrant. Conley says Colbert’s case is ready for prosecution by Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick’s office and admits the case against her is  circumstantial.

Cut 9 (06) “…the courtroom.”

Colbert was originally arrested on February sixth after investigators determined she was the last person to see Manzano alive and she was also allegedly in possession of his cell phone and credit cards. Colbert is known to police as a person who targets men in the French Quarter and steals their money and credit cards by drugging them. He says many different agencies were part of this investigation…

Cut 10 (10) “…Randy Smith.”

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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.”

Magee says what’s frustrating about this report is that it comes amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

Magee says the state will look to make it easier for OBGYNs to provide services to Medicaid recipients.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Medicaid program.”

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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 today, that gamble has paid off.

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”

Schroyer says Wade’s leadership has earned McNeese some very valuable national exposure.

Cut 15 (10) “…uptick in enrollment.”

When Wade took the McNeese job two years ago, he said he would commit to two years. With this being the second of those two years, his name has already been connected to several high-profile openings, including North Carolina State. 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.

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New U-L Lafayette men’s basketball coach Quannas White is predicting big things as he takes over a program that just concluded a 12-and-21 season. White, who is still with Houston as they make a run for a national title, says he plans to bring in high character players into the program…

Cut 17 (15)  “…culture.”

White says he’s hoping the fan base will get behind his program…

Cut 18 (15)  “…Final Four bound.”

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One of LSU’s new defensive ends, Jack Plyburn, a transfer from Florida, believes he’s the best run stopping defensive end in the country. Plyburn says his goal at LSU is to become an elite pass rusher…

Cut 19 (19) “…those things”

New tight end Bauer Sharp from Oklahoma, believes he’s the most versatile tight end in college football…

Cut 20 (11) “…this season.”

The time of Louisiana’s first execution of a prisoner in 15 years is at hand for Jesse Hoffman who scheduled to die by nitrogen hypoxia between six and nine PM at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Hoffman was 18 years old when he kidnapped, raped and murdered of Molly Elliot in 1996. On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster Governor, Jeff Landry said he will not stop the execution…

Cut 3 (12) “…quite some time.”

Danette Colbert faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old reporter in town covering the Super Bowl who was found dead in a Kenner hotel room with a combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says she had an an accomplice, Ricky White was also arrested in Hollywood, Fla last Friday.

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

Morgan City Police arrest a 71-year-old woman on animal cruelty charges after finding several dead cats inside her home. Captain John Schaff says officers came across the scene while conducting a welfare check on Sheri Hite. Schaff says officers saw a dead cat through a window and smelled a strong odor. Upon entering, they discovered many more dead cats

Cut 7 (11) “…in the freezer.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is still seeing a lot of cases whooping cough cases. State epidemiologist Doctor Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is very serious and can be potentially deadly…

Cut 10 (07) “…these coughing fits”

There are vaccines available to prevent whooping cough.

Jessie Hoffman is scheduled to be the first death row inmate executed in Louisiana in 15 years. He was 18 years old when he kidnapped, raped, and murdered Molly Elliot. Before his crime, Hoffman fathered a son, Jessie Smith who says he didn’t get the opportunity to grow up with his father.

Cut 8 (04) “…start over again.”

Governor Jeff Landry says he will not stand in the way of Hoffman’s scheduled execution.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hoffman will be the first prisoner in Louisiana to die by nitrogen hypoxia.

A new statewide poll conducted by JMC Analytics and paid for by Unite America has found Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approve of an open primary voting system and only 34-percent are aware that next year’s Congressional elections will be a closed party primary. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says that means the primary will take place in the spring, instead of the fall…

Cut 5 (08) “….last 50 years”

Councilman Oliver Thomas has thrown his hat in the New Orleans Mayoral race.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenek says Thomas is the third announced candidate. New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno and Former Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter are the other two. Chervenak says Thomas is well liked as he’s serving for a third time on the city council…

Cut 12 (08) “…might be.”

Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.

Jessie Hoffman’s loved ones are bracing for the moment Hoffman becomes the first Louisiana death row inmate to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia. Hoffman’s brother, Marvin Fields, says his brother is very remorseful for what he did to Molly Elliott in 1996.

Cut 6 (06) “…can’t take back”

Hoffman kidnapped Elliot in downtown New Orleans the day before Thanksgiving in 1996. According to authorities, Hoffman robbed Elliot of 200-dollars, raped her in the backseat of her own car and fatally shot her execution style. Elliot’s body was dumped in a river in St. Tammany Parish. Landry says Hoffman’s death sentence is appropriate…

Cut 5 (05) “…shouldn’t tolerate it.”

Hoffman’s execution is set to take place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola between six PM and nine PM tonight.

The state epidemiologist is urging Louisianans to make sure they’re vaccinated against whooping cough. Louisiana is seeing a large number of whooping cough cases. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the symptoms of the serious illness start off so mild that one might not initially suspect anything serious.

Cut 9 (13)  “…for whooping cough.”

Two Louisiana infants have died of the disease in the last six months.

The third candidate for New Orlean Mayor is Councilman Oliver Thomas. UNO Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenak says though Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison, he is well liked. Thomas represents New Orleans East. Chervenak says Thomas will talk about the reduction of crime in New Orleans East and the transformation of the old Six Flags site.

Cut 14 (09) “..as a whole.”

Jessie Hoffman is set to die this evening for the 1996 kidnapping, raping and murder of Molly Elliot. It will be the state’s first nitrogen gas execution. Hoffman is a practicing Buddhist and his lawyers say killing him with nitrogen gas would interfere with Buddhist breathing exercises. Hoffman says he would prefer a different form of execution, even firing squad. On Talk Louisiana this morning, Governor Jeff Landry says nitrogen gas is a more humane method of execution…

Cut 4 (07) “…that he chose.”

Jessie Hoffman’s lawyers are continuing the fight up until the very end. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Councilman Oliver Thomas is the third candidate to enter the race to become New Orleans next Mayor.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenek says Thomas is well liked but he pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.  Chervenek says Thomas has expressed remorse and taken responsibility for his actions.

Cut 13 (10)  “…be as forgiving.”

Louisiana is seeing a number of whooping cough cases. Two infants have died in the last six months. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is very serious that can affect anyone, but young kids, including infants, have the highest risk for severe symptoms.

Cut 11 (09) “…during each pregnancy.”

Sokol says 30-percent of infants who become infected with whooping are hospitalized, and one in 100 likely to die of the disease.

Governor Jeff Landry says he will not stand in the way of Jessie Hoffman’s scheduled execution tonight.  Sean Richardson reports it will be Louisiana’s first execution of a death row inmate in 15 years…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hoffman was 18 when he killed Elliott and fathered a child before the crime. Jessie Smith is his son and says he didn’t get the opportunity to grow up with his father and would be devastated if his father is put to death.

Cut 8 (04) “…start over again.”

Hoffman is set to be executed between 6 and 9 PM.

Councilman Oliver Thomas has thrown his hat in the New Orleans Mayoral race.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenek says Thomas is the third announced candidate. New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno and Former Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter are the other two. Chervenak says Thomas is well liked as he’s serving for a third time on the city council…

Cut 12 (08) “…might be.”

Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.

The Louisiana Department of Health is still seeing a lot of cases whooping cough cases. State epidemiologist Doctor Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is very serious and can be potentially deadly…

Cut 10 (07) “…these coughing fits”

There are vaccines available to prevent whooping cough.