10:30 LRN Newscast

For now, tomorrow’s execution of Jessie Hoffman is back on. On Friday, a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted Hoffman a delay. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised that the Fifth Circuit acted as quickly as it did.

Cut 10 (07) “…the issues presented.”

Hoffman’s last hope is the U.S. Supreme Court.

It seems that every day, the U.S. makes an announcement of a new tariff. University of New Orleans economics and finance professor Dub Lane says if it goes on much longer, inflation will go up, the economy will suffer, and America will experience a recession.

Cut 7 (11) “…a trade war.”

Suspended LSU Law Professor Ken Levy spoke with Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster about where he stands with his lawsuit against LSU. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two people are killed in a shooting at a downtown Shreveport night club. It happened just after 2:30 Saturday morning at Club Haze. Two others were injured but are expected to survive. At this time, it’s unclear what led up to the shooting, and investigators have not identified any suspects.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Jessie Hoffman’s execution is back on for tomorrow – for now. On Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted a delay, and the Louisiana Supreme Court last night declined to intervene. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says Hoffman’s team had a valid argument to the state’s high court.

Cut 11 (10) “…to 45 days.”

Hoffman’s final hope is the U.S. Supreme Court.

Suspended LSU law professor Ken Levy was on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on Friday discussing his suspension from the classroom for using explicit language directed towards Governor Landry and President Trump during a class discussion. Levy says he did nothing wrong.

Cut 4 (11) “…against profanity.”

One New Orleans professor says the U.S. is headed towards a recession with all these tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

More than 100 firefighters were called to the Port of Caddo/Bossier to put out a huge paper fire. About 95-hundred tons of baled paper spread across two and a half acres at Pratt Industries caught fire late Saturday afternoon, and the high winds were making the battle very difficult. Crews spent the entire weekend preventing flare-ups and protecting nearby businesses.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Angola death row inmate Jesse Hoffman is set to die tomorrow for abducting, raping and killing a St. Tammany Parish woman in 1996. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the U-S Supreme Court could possibly delay the execution or the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals could step in…

Cut 12 (06) “…the Fifth Court”

If Hoffman’s execution takes place, nitrogen gas will be used to carry out the death sentence.

President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imports from several of America’s top trading partners. The President says the tariffs are needed to balance out the trade deficit. But UNO economics and finance professor Dub Lane says trade deficits are not exactly a bad thing…

Cut 9 (09) “….place to invest”

The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal continues to review the facts in the Ken Levy case. The LSU law professor was suspended for using profanity during a lecture that included unflattering remarks about Governor Jeff Landry and President Donald Trump. Levy was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and says he’s not ready to end his fight to get back to the classroom…

Cut 6 (11) “…than me”

Levy is on paid administrative leave and is allowed on campus, but he’s not allowed to teach the remainder of this semester.

The LSU Lady Tigers are a three-seed in the NCAA Women’s basketball Tournament as they try to win their second national championship in three years. Mulkey says the experience of winning it all two years ago, should help…

Cut 14 (18) “….have the experience”

7:30 LRN Newscast

The execution of Jessie Hoffman for the killing of a St. Tammany Parish woman is back on – for now. Andrew Greenstein reports Hoffman is set to die tomorrow by the use of nitrogen gas …

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away. The New Iberia native passed away Saturday. He’s been the top prosecutor for Iberia, St. Mary and St. Martin Parishes since 2015. Governor Jeff Landry says Duhe was a tremendous man who will be deeply missed.

Suspended LSU law professor Ken Levy still can’t believe he’s been removed the classroom for a lecture he performed last January that included profanities towards Governor Jeff Landry and President Donald Trump. Levy says his comments were made in a joking manner and he was never given the opportunity to apologize…

Cut 5 (06) “…this is insane”

Levy was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on Friday. LSU has said that it is fully committed to free speech among, students, faculty, staff and visitors, but that does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish.

The NCAA College Basketball brackets are out and the McNeese men will head to Providence, Rhode Island to play Clemson on Thursday afternoon. The Lady Tigers will host San Diego State on Saturday night. As a three-seed, LSU will host the first two rounds. Coach Kim Mulkey….

Cut 15 (21) “…get to host”

But it will be a late night in the PMAC on Saturday as LSU-San Diego State will not tip-off until 9:15.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NCAA Tournament College Basketball brackets have been unveiled and for the second consecutive season the McNeese men’s team is a 12-seed. The Cowboys will play Clemson on Thursday afternoon. The Tigers are Coach Will Wade’s alma mater…

Cut 17 (16) “….I’m all McNeese”

Tip off is at 2:15 PM central time from Providence, Rhode Island.

The LSU Lady Tigers are once again a three-seed in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and the Lady Tigers will host San Diego State, the Mountain West Tournament Champions. That game will tip off at 9:15 on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Southern is also in the Women’s basketball tournament and will face fellow 16-seed, U-C San Diego, in a play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

The top ranked LSU baseball team started SEC play with a three-game sweep over Missouri. The Tigers opened the series with a 12 to 5 win on Friday, held on for a seven to six win on Saturday and then a 10 to 5 victory on Sunday. Ethan Frey from Rosepine had three hits and drove in two runs yesterday…

Cut 18 (16)  “…doing it.”

Elsewhere…the Ragin Cajuns and ULM lost their opening Sun Belt Conference series by dropping two of three games. Louisiana Tech took the series over Wichita State by beating the Shockers seven to one yesterday. Brody Drost had a couple hits and drove in two runs and Brooks Roberson was the winning pitcher.

6:30 LRN Newscast

For now, tomorrow’s execution of Jessie Hoffman is back on. On Friday, a three-judge panel at the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick that granted Hoffman a delay in his execution. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised that the Fifth Circuit acted as quickly as it did.

Cut 10 (07) “…the issues presented.”

Hoffman is scheduled to be put to death for kidnapping, raping and killing Molly Elliott in 1996. Hoffman was 18 years old at the time, while Elliot was 28. She was abducted in downtown New Orleans and her body was found in St. Tammany Parish.

Time to fill out your NCAA Tournament college basketball brackets. The McNeese men’s team will face Clemson on Thursday afternoon and the Lady Tigers will host San Diego State on Saturday night. Coach Kim Mulkey….

Cut 13 (14) “…start watching film”

Southern women’s basketball will play U-C San Diego on Wednesday night in L-A.

Suspended LSU Law Professor Ken Levy spoke with Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster about where he stands with his lawsuit against LSU. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Destruction near the town of Kentwood from a tornado on Saturday. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says 30 homes were destroyed. The National Weather Service has given a preliminary rating of EF 3, which means its winds were 136 to 165 miles per hour. No injuries reported.

LRN AM Newscall March 17

Suspended LSU Law Professor Ken Levy spoke with Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster about where he stands with his lawsuit against LSU. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_____________________________________________

One New Orleans professor says the U.S. is headed towards a recession with all these tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

The execution of Jessie Hoffman scheduled for tomorrow is back on – for now. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

Suspended LSU law professor Ken Levy was on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on Friday discussing his suspension from teaching for using explicit language directed to Governor Landry and President Trump. Levy says he did nothing wrong.

Cut 4 (11) “…against profanity.”

Levy says when the dean initially approached him on the incident, she asked him to tone down the swearing, and he agreed. But Levy said if she would have asked him to apologize, then he gladly would have.

Cut 5 (06) “…this is insane.”

Levy filed a lawsuit, arguing that his suspension violated his academic freedom and due process rights. When asked how long he would try to fight this and if he would call it quits, Levy says he plans to fight this until the end.

Cut 6 (11) “…much bigger than me.”

______________________________________________________

It seems that every day, there’s an announcement of a new tariff that the U.S. is imposing on a country, with that country imposing its own tariffs against the U.S. in retaliation. University of New Orleans economics and finance professor Dub Lane says if it goes on much longer, inflation will go up, the economy will suffer, and America will experience a recession.

Cut 7 (11) “…a trade war.”

President Trump is by no means the first president to impose tariffs on other countries. From 1897 to 1901, William McKinley imposed tariffs to produce revenue. Lane says Trump is imposing tariffs as a negotiating tool, not necessarily to produce revenue.

Cut 8 (08) “…care of that.”

President Trump has said tariffs are a way to balance out the trade deficit. But Lane says trade deficits are not exactly a bad thing.

Cut 9 (09)  “…place to invest.”

______________________________________________________

For now, tomorrow’s execution of Jessie Hoffman is back on. On Friday, a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted Hoffman a delay in his execution. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised that the Fifth Circuit acted as quickly as it did.

Cut 10 (07) “…the issues presented.”

Hoffman is scheduled to be put to death for kidnapping, raping and killing Molly Elliott in 1996. He’s not contesting his death sentence; he’s contesting being put to death by nitrogen hypoxia, calling it cruel and unusual punishment and saying it would prevent him from practicing his Buddhist faith during the execution. Hoffman’s lawyers asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to halt the execution, but the court yesterday evening decided that it was not going to intervene. Ciolino said Hoffman’s team had a valid argument to the state’s high court.

Cut 11 (10) “…to 45 days.”

So now, Hoffman’s last hope is the U.S. Supreme Court. Ciolino says there’s also a chance that the case might not actually be over in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Cut 12 (06) “…the Fifth Circuit.”

Ciolino says when all is said and done, he would expect a delay for at least a few weeks. But if the Supreme Court declines to intervene, Hoffman will be executed tomorrow.

______________________________________________________

For the fourth time, Kim Mulkey has led the LSU women’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament – and for the fourth time, they’re a three seed. They will take on San Diego State Saturday at the P-MAC. When asked about San Diego State, Head Coach Kim Mulkey was admittedly dumbfounded.

Cut 13 (14)  “…start watching film.”

You may recall that LSU was a three seed when they won it all in 2023, beating Iowa in the national championship game. Mulkey says that experience will be a huge benefit as the Lady Tigers attempt to make another deep run in the tournament.

Cut 14 (18) “…have the experience.”

Under the women’s tournament format, the top four seeds host first and second round games in their home arenas. Mulkey says having the home crowd behind them will be a huge plus.

Cut 15 (21) “…get to host.”

Believe it or not, the LSU-San Diego State game is not the only Baton Rouge-San Diego matchup of the tournament. On Wednesday, Southern takes on U-C San Diego in a 16-seed play-in game in Los Angeles, for the right to play the tournament’s top seed, UCLA. LSU and Southern are the only Louisiana schools in the women’s tournament.

______________________________________________________

In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the eyes of Louisiana will all be on McNeese. The Cowboys are the only Louisiana team to make the field of 68. They’re seeded 12th in the Midwest Regional, and they will take on Clemson Thursday afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. Both teams enter the game with identical 27-and-6 records. Cowboys head coach Will Wade says Clemson is a tough team, especially guard Chase Hunter and forward Ian Schieffelin (SHEFF-lin).

Cut 16 (12) “…rebounds a game.”

Clemson is a school that Wade is very familiar with. He happens to be an alumnus of the school, earning his undergraduate degree from there in 2005, serving as student manager of the basketball team during his undergrad years. Wade says it will be surreal coaching against his alma mater.

Cut 17 (16)  “…I’m all McNeese.”

McNeese was a 12 seed last year when they fell to Gonzaga in the first round, 86-65. McNeese is looking for their first ever NCAA tournament win in program history. But dismissing McNeese as a one-and-done might be a very unwise move. Ever since the tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1985, there have been only six times in which none of the four 12 seeds beat a 5 seed. In fact, since 1985, 12 seeds have won more than one-third of all matchups against their fifth-seeded opponents.

___________________________________________________

The top ranked LSU baseball team started SEC play with a three-game sweep over Missouri. The Tigers opened the series with a 12 to 5 on Friday, held on for a seven to six win on Saturday and then a 10 to 5 win on Sunday. Ethan Frey from Rosepine had three hits and drove in two runs…

Cut 18 (16)  “…doing it.”

Coach Jay Johnson was impressed the Tigers scored 29 runs to begin SEC play and only hit four home runs. He says they found other ways to score…

Cut 19 (14) “…conference play.”

Kade Anderson gave LSU a strong start on Friday night, but Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores failed to get through four innings. Shores was pulled after he gave up his third run of the day. But Johnson says he’s not down on Shores…

Cut 20 (18) “…he will.”

11:30 AM Newscast

__11:30 __12:30 short

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has officially endorsed Amendment 2, a measure on the March 29 ballot that seeks to make a one-time stipend a permanent salary increase for teachers and support staff.  There has been a lawsuit filed by a pastor and two teachers that the ballot language is misleading, but LFT President Larry Carter says LFT stands behind  the ammendment.

Cut 5 (12) “…for amendment 2.”

Quite a few events that were set to happen were cancelled across the state due to today’s severe weather forecast. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we should be prepared for anything.

Cut 10 (09) “…winds and hail”

There is some good news.  Keim says Louisiana will have a beautiful day left to enjoy the weekend on Sunday.

———————————-

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman was 87. The Bertmans were married 63 years. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau…

Cut 7 (18) “…they were married.”

Tomorrow night at 7 the LSU women’s basketball team will find out its spot in the N-C-double-A tournament. But right now, some question the health of the team. Flau’Jae Johnson missed the SEC Tournament with a shin injury and Aneesah Morrow re-aggravated a foot injury during the SEC Tournament. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”)…

Cut 13 (13)  “…the other three.”

10:30 AM Newscast

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Attorney General Liz Murrill, allowing the execution of Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman.  The ruling comes after a federal judge halted Hoffman’s execution earlier this week. Jessie Hoffman is scheduled to be executed at Angola on Tuesday, March 18.

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died Thursday night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Sandy was the rock of the family.

Cut 6 (13) “…in Baton Rouge.”

The Bertmans were married for 63 years

——————————

Early voting began today…a day after The Louisiana Federation of Teachers officially endorsed Amendment 2, a measure on the March 29 ballot that seeks to make a one-time stipend a permanent salary increase for teachers and support staff. LFT President Larry Carter says it’s not a pay raise.

Cut 3 (06) “…all support staff.”

It’s set to be an ugly weather day in Louisiana today as South Louisiana, remains at Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms. The Alexandria and Lafayette areas are also at risk, but it’s slightly lower there at a 3 out of 5 level.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says when those levels get to that point, they should be taken seriously.

Cut 9 (09)  “…out of five.”

Keim says once the severe weather passes, Sunday in Louisiana should be beautiful.

9:30 AM Newscast

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died Thursday night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. The Bertmans were married for 63 years, and Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Sandy was the rock of the family.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be around.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Early voting began today and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has officially endorsed Amendment 2. Two years ago, teachers received a two-thousand dollar pay raise, but it’s considered a stipend and not permanent. Legislators did not want to make it permanent because of future funding concerns. LFT President Larry Carter says the passage of Amendment Two would protect that funding against future budget deficits…

Cut 4 (14) “…their salaries.”

—————————-

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather this weekend causing the cancelation and rescheduling of several weekend events. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says be prepared for the chance of tornados, hail, and high winds on Saturday but come Sunday…

Cut 11 (15) “…to be spectacular.”

The LSU women’s basketball team will find out its spot in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”) has LSU as a three-seed, which means LSU will host the first two rounds in Baton Rouge. They were a three-seed when they won the national championship two years ago. Crème says LSU’s top three players are as good as anyone’s in the country…

Cut 14 (11) “…rest of the roster.”