Old Man Winter has been kicked to the curb; spring is here! LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s getting off to a perfect start this weekend, so it’s a perfect time for you to put down that video game and get outside and do your favorite outdoor activity.

Cut 8 (14) “…the upper 80s.”

Or, you may want to fire up the grill and gather your friends for a good ol’ fashioned crawfish boil. After all, live crawfish will only set you back about $3.71 a pound on average. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says that’s down quite a bit from a week ago.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Easter weekend approaching.”

Boiled crawfish, on the other hand, is averaging $6.37 a pound.

Julia Letlow agrees to participate in a debate — on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio show. Jeff Palermo reports Bill Cassidy may not appear.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The drone sighting over Barksdale Air Force Base that led to a shelter-in-place order on March 9th was more extensive and possibly more dangerous than first reported. ABC News reports the unauthorized drone flights continued over the Air Force Base that houses long-range B-52 bombers for almost a week.

Julia Letlow says she WILL debate Bill Cassidy – not on TV, but on the Moon Griffon radio show. Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, says the big question is – will Cassidy agree to it?

Cut 5 (09) “…candidates together.”

Cassidy challenged Letlow to three televised debates, but Letlow hasn’t agreed to any one of them. Griffon, meanwhile, is an outspoken critic of Cassidy, possibly giving Letlow an advantage there. The third major Republican in the race, John Fleming, said he’d debate either one of them anytime, anywhere.

A representative from Shreveport is proposing a registry for those convicted of domestic violence. Joy Walters says the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry would be a little different than that of the sex offender registry.

Cut 13 (10) “…well as children.”

Spring has sprung. The vernal equinox arrived at 9:46 this morning, marking the official start of spring, LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the overall spring forecast will be favorable to farmers throughout the state.

Cut 7 (10) “…these moisture deficits.”

And what better way to ring in spring than with a giant helping of some tiny tasty crustaceans? Right now, live crawfish is averaging $3.71 a pound, while boiled crawfish is averaging $6.37 a pound. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says while those prices are down about 50 cents from a week ago, which is significant, those averages are about a dollar higher than what they usually are at this point of the season.

Cut 11 (08) “…to last year.”

Unauthorized drones were spotted over Barksdale Air Force Base earlier this month resulting in a shelter-in-place order. Andrew Greenstein has more

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There are three Louisiana natives who are billionaires, according to the latest rankings from Forbes. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers founder Todd Graves has a net worth of 22-billion dollars. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has a net worth of seven-point-nine billion dollars and the chair of the Sazerac Company, William Goldring, is worth six billion dollars.

A Shreveport lawmaker proposes a Domestic Violence registry that would require a person convicted of a domestic violence related offense to register.  The registration fee would be 250-dollars, with 100 dollars going to the governor’s office on women’s policy for domestic abuse intervention programming and services. State representative Joy Walters says that money would help fulfill the ultimate goal of this registry.

Cut 14 (08) “…home with them.”

Walters bill is awaiting a hearing in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

Crawfish prices have dropped 50-cents per pound as the supply of mudbugs continues to go up. That’s according to the Crawfish App co-founder Laney King, who says recent rain and warmer temperatures have increased crawfish activity…

Cut 10 (08) “….of the season”

King says the average price for live crawfish is $3.71 per pound so she expects the price to keep dropping as usually we pay around $2.50 to $2.75  a pound for live crawfish when Easter arrives.

Julia Letlow agrees to participate in a debate — on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio show. Jeff Palermo reports Bill Cassidy may not appear.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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We’re getting new information on a drone sighting that temporarily raised alarms at Barksdale Air Force Base. Andrew Greenstein has the update.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to participate in a debate with Bill Cassidy, but Cassidy does not like the setting. Letlow says she will participate in a debate on the Moon Griffon radio show on April 28th.  Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, says Griffon is an outspoken critic of Cassidy.

Cut 3 (09) “…Julia Letlow.”

Cassidy has asked Letlow to participate in three televised debates before the May 16th primary, but Letlow has not agreed to participate in any one of them. Bridges says debates have become tactical.

Cut 4 (14) “…TV debates.”

In a post on X, Letlow says Griffon reaches the heart of Louisiana’s conservative grassroots, and that is exactly the audience that should hear this debate. But Cassidy says the debates should be on TV for all of Louisiana to see. Bridges says it remains to be seen if Cassidy will participate in Griffon’s debate.

Cut 5 (09) “…candidates together.”

The third major Republican in the race, John Fleming, says he will take part in the Griffon debate.

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Old Man Winter has officially been sent packing. The Vernal Equinox arrived at 9:46 Friday morning, marking the official start of spring. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to get off to a warm, dry start.

Cut 6 (07) “…of the spring.”

Keim says the overall spring forecast will be favorable to farmers throughout the state.

Cut 7 (10) “…these moisture deficits.”

As for this weekend, Keim says statewide, this will be the perfect weekend to get outside and do your favorite outdoor activity.

Cut 8 (14) “…the upper 80s.”

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Mudbug lovers will be pleased to hear that crawfish prices dropped this week, with supply continuing to rise across South Louisiana. Lacey King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says the decrease in price was a significant one.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Easter weekend approaching.”

King says recent rain in South Louisiana has boosted the crawfish supply, leading to the price drop.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the season.”

In a typical season, crawfish prices around Easter range from $2.50 to $2.75 per pound. King says this year’s prices are about a dollar higher than usual for this time of year.

Cut 11 (08) “…to last year.”

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There’s yet another offender registry being proposed this legislative session. This time, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. Walters says there would be two tiers of registration.

Cut 12 (12) “…there for lifetime.”

Walters says implementation of this registry would be a little different than that of the sex offender registry, and she’s working with State Police and advocacy groups on that.

Cut 13 (10) “…well as children.”

Those required to register would pay a 250-dollar registration fee, with 100 dollars of that going to the governor’s office on women’s policy for domestic abuse intervention programming and services. Walters says that money would help fulfill the ultimate goal of this registry.

Cut 14 (08) “…home with them.”

There’s yet another offender registry being proposed this legislative session. This time, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. Walters says there would be two tiers of registration.

Cut 12 (12) “…there for lifetime.”

Mudbug lovers will be pleased to hear that crawfish prices dropped this week, with supply continuing to rise across South Louisiana. Lacey King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says the decrease in price was a significant one.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Easter weekend approaching.”

Still, you’re paying more than normal for this time of year. A pound of live crawfish is currently averaging $3.71 for live crawfish and about $6.37 for boiled crawfish, both of which are about a dollar higher than usual at this point in the season.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow agrees to participate in a Senate Republican primary debate on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio show. Jeff Palermo reports incumbent Bill Cassidy may not appear….

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The drone sighting over Barksdale Air Force Base that led to a shelter-in-place order on March 9th was more extensive and possibly more dangerous than first reported. ABC News reports the unauthorized drone flights continued over the Air Force Base that houses long-range B-52 bombers for almost a week.

Bill Cassidy and Julia Letlow can’t get on the same page when it comes to setting up a Republican Senate Primary debate. Cassidy is asking for three televised debates. Letlow so far is only committing to debate hosted by conservative radio talk show host Moon Griffon. The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges says debates have become tactical…

Cut 4 (14) “…TV debates.”

It remains to be seen if Cassidy will join Letlow and his other main challenger, John Fleming, for the debate on Moon Griffon’s radio show.

Old Man Winter has officially been sent packing. The Vernal Equinox arrived at 9:46 Friday morning, marking the official start of spring. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim….

Cut 6 (07) “…of the spring.”

The La Nina climate pattern that we have experienced will transition to an El Nino as the spring goes on.

Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing, selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty for doing so from a misdemeanor to a felony. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake.

Cut 13 (11)  “…next be targeted.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

LSU will host Jacksonville at 5 PM in the first round of the NCAA Women’s basketball Tournament. The Dolphins do not have any tall post players who start, so it could be a good game for LSU’s post players. Lady Tigers senior guard Flau’jae Johnson…

Cut 17 (10) “…counting on them”

The Southern women’s team will play top-seeded South Carolina tomorrow after beating Samford last night. McNeese is advancing in the WBIT Tourney.

The second-seeded LSU women’s basketball team begins its national title run tonight as the Lady Tigers face 15th-seeded Jacksonville at 5 p.m. In each of LSU’s last four deep NCAA Tournament runs, the Tigers received consistent production from their post players. While this year’s team may not have an Angel Reese or an Aneesah Morrow, senior Flau’jae Johnson says the bigs are embracing the challenge of elevating their play in the postseason.

Cut 17 (15)  “…can do this.”

The Southern women’s basketball team has officially booked their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Jags secured a 65-53 win over Samford last night in the “First Four” match and will advance to play top-seeded South Carolina on Saturday at noon.

The LSU baseball team picked up a 7–1 win over No. 8 Oklahoma on Thursday night. Sophomore pitcher Casan Evans delivered a dominant performance, striking out a career-high 15 batters while allowing just one walk over 7.2 innings. Evans became the first LSU pitcher to record 15 strikeouts in an SEC game since Paul Skenes accomplished the feat against Auburn in 2023. Evans says his big night was a result of strong preparation.

Cut 26 (17): “much more.”

The 25th-ranked UL Lafayette baseball team looks to stay hot this weekend in San Marcos as the Cajuns open their series against Texas State tonight at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech heads west for a weekend series against New Mexico State, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. tonight.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to participate in a Republican Senate Primary debate, but incumbent Bill Cassidy does not like the setting. Letlow says she will participate in a debate on the Moon Griffon radio show on April 28^th.  Political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, Tyler Bridges, says Griffon is an outspoken critic of Cassidy…

Cut 3 (09) “…Julia Letlow.”

Cassidy says the debates should be on TV for all of Louisiana to see.

A bill that makes it a felony to distribute A-I images of nude minors heads to the House floor.  The measure received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Joseph Daniels told the panel his daughter’s likeness was used as a pornographic deep fake, causing irreparable damage

Cut 14 (11) “…it seriously enough.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is backing a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on 143 projects across the state’s coast. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A Master Sergeant at the Louisiana State Penitentiary died this week in a car crash on the Angola grounds. Twenty-seven-year-old Tyler Grezaffi’s vehicle ran off the road and into a ditch full of water. She previously worked as a sheriff’s deputy with Pointe Coupee and Iberville parishes.

Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing, selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. Lawmakers heard from Joseph Daniels, whose 13-year-old daughter’s likeness was used for a pornographic deepfake, causing her emotional distress, embarrassment and fear. House Criminal Justice Committee member Dodie Horton was moved by Daniels’ testimony.

Cut 15 (11) “…you for that.”

A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath says his plan boosts the budget for high-dosage tutoring by 50-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…very well spent.”

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on coastal projects next fiscal year. It does not include the Mid-Barataria or Mid-Breton sediment diversions, which were cancelled last July. Governor Landry and CPRA Chairman Gordon Dove said the diversion projects were too expensive, and Dove says they’re moving forward with projects that are more cost effective.

Cut 8 (07) “…of the diversion.”

McNeese’s run comes to an end after losing to Vanderbilt, 78-68, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard D.J. Richards says while the loss stings, getting to the Big Dance three years in a row is something to be incredibly proud of.

Cut 11 (07) “…that we accomplished.”

McNeese couldn’t repeat the magic of last season, when they upset Clemson in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history.

A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. It would boost the budget from 30-million to 45-million dollars, and the program would be extended to eighth grade. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath notes that when it first launched, the legislature limited it to kindergarten through fifth grade.

Cut 5 (07) “…done this before.”

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on 143 active coastal projects next fiscal year. CPRA chair Gordon Dove believes once construction is completed on these projects, the tide will have turned in the state’s battle against coastal land loss.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on hurricane protection.”

Among those projects is a levee protecting the central portion of Louisiana’s coast.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that if you possess, produce or distribute deep fake images of nude minors, it could result in a one to five year prison sentence. Joe Gallinaro has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A former state trooper with a history of domestic violence will spend the next ten years behind bars. 40-year-old Michael Satcher the Second of Alexandria was convicted of four felony charges stemming from a 2023 incident in which he took a woman from her home and assaulted her. It happened less than 90 days into a probation period stemming from a prior domestic violence incident.