LSU women’s basketball is entering the final week of the regular season and after scoring a season-high 26 points at Tennessee, LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey says that Hailey Van Lith’s struggles this season were expected, but that she’s proud of how Van Lith embraced her new position as a point guard this season.

Cut 17 (20) “… in the now.”

LSU women’s basketball will take on Georgia tonight at 8 pm.

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In men’s college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech won their third straight road game against Western Kentucky 90 to 84. The Bulldogs are now in first place in Conference USA and will take on Sam Houston State next Thursday at 6 pm, for the Conference USA regular season championship.

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LSU Baseball had a very successful game last night against Rice as the Tigers defeated the Owls 16 to 4. The Tigers scored their 16 runs on 11 hits including two home runs by Catcher Brady Neal and starting pitcher Kade Anderson only allowed 3 hits in 5 innings.

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In other college baseball news, Southeastern defeated Mississippi Valley State 12 to 0 on a night where they did not allow a single hit. Nicholls barely lost to South Alabama 11 to 10. ULM scored 13 unanswered runs after the 5th inning to beat Stephen F. Austin 13 to 2. Louisiana Tech also defeated McNeese 13 to 4 to stay undefeated on the year. And the Ragin’ Cajuns powered past Northwestern State 14 to 4 as UL-Lafayette catcher Kyle Debarge had two home runs on the night including a grand slam in the first inning.

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And Opelousas’s first Division II Non-select title will be short lived as the LHSAA has now stripped their title due to the participation of an ineligible player during the season.

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In men’s college basketball last night, UL-Lafayette lost their fourth straight game to Troy 87 to 73.

LSU Women’s basketball won their 6th straight game yesterday against Tennessee 75 to 60. The Lady Tigers were only up by 3 heading into the 4th quarter after Tennessee outscored LSU 19 to 10. LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey says that LSU could’ve lost to Tennessee, but her team’s grit helped them find a way to win.

Cut 20 (14) “… make us better.”

LSU will visit Georgia on Thursday.

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LSU baseball went 3 and 1 in its four game series against Northern Illinois and Stony Brook. The Tigers avenged their loss to Stony Brook on Friday by beating the Sea Wolves 18 to 10 yesterday. The Tigers had an offensive explosion in the game recording 18 runs on 17 hits.

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And the Pelicans have now lost two in a row after the Bulls defeated New Orleans, 114 to 106 yesterday. Brandon Ingram had 22 points and Zion Williamson had 11 assists in the game.

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LSU men’s basketball magical run of come back victories has come to a close as the Tigers lost to Mississippi State 87 to 67 on Saturday. LSU had comeback victories against South Carolina and Kentucky after being down double-digits in both games at halftime, and the Tigers were only down 7 against Mississippi State on Saturday. LSU guard Jordan Wright says that the Tigers shouldn’t have to comeback in order to win games.

Cut 16 (16) “… you know.”

LSU will host Georgia tomorrow, with tipoff at 6pm on the SEC Network.

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In college baseball news, Louisiana Tech is still undefeated after defeating Kent State 13 to 2 yesterday.

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And McNeese men’s basketball will look to secure at least a tie for the Southland Conference regular season title when they take on Lamar tonight at 7 pm. The game will be on ESPN+.

The full House approves legislation that increases the penalties for convicted carjackers. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Judge Beau Higginbotham denied a request for a temporary restraining order seeking to block lawmakers from considering several pieces of crime-related legislation during the ongoing crime special session. Several community groups claim lawmakers were considering the legislation too quickly and not allowing enough time for public comment.

A bill that expands the methods the state can carry out an execution was approved by the state House. Democrats oppose the bill. Marrero Representative Kyle Green filed a bill last year to abolish the death penalty and questions Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello about whether the death penalty would actually reduce homicides…

Cut  14 (14) “..that commitment”

Muscarello’s bill also provides penalties for anyone that would publicize where the state obtained the drugs for an execution…

Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive literacy policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says getting rid of the three-cuing systems has also provided positive results.

Cut 11 (11) “…been eliminated.”

In a 30-9 vote, the senate passed legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult. The bill’s author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the state has suffered from high crime rate and the current system for juvenile offenders is broken.

Cut 5 (12) “…not working.”

But New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis points from 2017-2020 the number of under 18 crimes decreased from 6400 to 3700. He says putting juveniles in adult jails isn’t going to solve the problem.

Cut 6  (10) “…begin with.” 

The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

Legislation that would add the electric chair or nitrogen to end the life of a death row inmate passed by the state House. Author of the bill, Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello…

Cut 13 (12) “…ultimate decision.”  

The House voted 71 to 29 in favor of the legislation and heads to the Senate for further debate.

A bill that would raise the minimum sentence for carjacking without a serious injury, to five years received full passage in the House. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel was questioned by New Orleans Democrat Matthew Williard if the state can handle an influx of prisoners with new laws passed in the crime special session.

Cut 7 (12) “…to jail.”  

The bill passed on an 89-15 vote and heads to a Senate committee for debate.

The Louisiana House has approved a measure that expands the methods to carry out a death penalty and also puts penalties in place for releasing information on drugs used for a lethal injection. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Also, a bill to double the minimum prison sentence for carjackings receives full passage in the House. The bill would raise the minimum prison sentence from two to five years and for carjackings that result in serious injury from 10 to 20 years. The bill passed on an 89-15 vote and heads to a Senate committee for debate.

Legislation to lower the age from 18 to 17, at which a person charged with a felony could be considered an adult successfully cleared the Senate in a 30-9 vote. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says putting juveniles in adult court and correctional facilities is not the answer.

Cut 3 (13) “…these facilities.”  

The bill would Repeal the Raise the Age Act approved in 2017.

Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says Louisiana is leading the way with common sense reading reforms. She says kindergarten through third grade students are at critical ages when it comes to learning how to read.

Cut 12 (11)  “…later grades.”  

Chaisson says getting rid of the three-cuing systems has also provided positive results.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that expands the methods the state can carry out an execution. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s measure would give the state the option to use the electric chair or nitrogen to end the life of a death row inmate…

Cut 13 (13) “…to want.”  

The House voted 71 to 29 in favor of the legislation and heads to the Senate for further debate.

Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says the state was recognized for implementing a universal reading screener for students having trouble reading.

Cut 10 (13) “…reading plan.”

Education Recovery Scorecard found Louisiana is one of only three states where average reading achievement in 2023 was above levels in 2019.

A bill to double the minimum prison sentence for carjackings received full passage in the House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In an unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System has named Dr. Martin Lemelle as the next president of Grambling State University. Lemelle is an alum of Grambling and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Grambling. He will serve as Grambling’s 11^th president.

Governor Jeff Landry has removed a job creation requirement for manufacturers to receive a significant property tax break. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Two elderly residents from Saline were killed when their vehicle struck a tree that had fallen across both lanes of Louisiana Highway nine at the Bienville-Natchitoches Parish line on Tuesday night. State Police troopers say 82-year-old Clois Williams and 78-year-old Mary Williams were not buckled up and died at the scene.

LSU men’s basketball beat the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 75 -74 Wednesday night.  Tyrell Ward scored the winning point on a tip-in as he took a pass from Jordan Wright . Coach Matt McMahon….

Cut 8 (10) “…buzzer.” 

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

More high school students in the Bayou State enrolled in college courses during 2022-2023 school year for the third year straight. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says more students and families are seeking early pathways to success.

Cut 3 (09) “…high school.”  

The Board of Regents 2023 report reveals participation in career and technical fields increased to a level exceeding pre-pandemic enrollments.

The LSU men’s basketball team is turning the season around after showing great determination in their 75 to 74 buzzer beating win over 17th ranked Kentucky. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the three point line, but won the game on a late tip-in by Tyrell Ward. LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon says that the fans created a winning atmosphere for the Tigers.

Cut 21 (14) “…build on.”

LSU will host Mississippi State at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

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The LSU women’s basketball team will look to avenge their loss to Auburn tonight when the two face off in the P-MAC at 8 pm. LSU only shot 41.8 percent from the field in the previous matchup and that’s an aspect of the game that Head Coach Kim Mulkey says needs to be fixed in order for Tigers to win tonight.

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And the Pelicans will resume their season after the All-Star break by hosting the Rockets tonight at 7 pm.

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LSU baseball will open its second 4 game series today at the Box against Northern Illinois. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson will start UCLA transfer Gage Jump tonight. Johnson says that Jump will only get about 40 to 50 pitches in his start, but Jump says that he’s excited to just get on the mound.

Cut 19 (15) “… be fun.”

The Tigers will host Northern Illinois in the Box at 2 pm on the SEC Network+.

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In college basketball news, ULM and UL-Lafayette will face off tonight in Monroe with tipoff at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. UL-Lafayette won the previous matchup between these two teams 80 to 72 on January 31st and the Cajuns are favored to win again tonight. Louisiana Tech will also be in action tonight as the Bulldogs will travel to El Paso to take on UTEP at 8 pm.

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And in college softball news, LSU will host Boise State tonight at 6 pm to kick off the Tiger Classic.

A bill to get rid of the state’s vehicle inspection sticker once again heads to the capitol for debate in the upcoming regular session. Louisiana car owners pay a 20-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker. Bill’s author, Stonewall State Representative Larry Bagley’s the sticker is an unnecessary nuisance especially if you forget to renew it.

Cut 9 (12)  “…that again.”

If approved, the measure would go into effect July 1^st.

More than 32 thousand Louisiana high school students enrolled in courses at colleges during 2022-2023 school year, showing an increase in dual enrollment participation for the third year in a row. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says minority student participation has increased over three years by seven percentage points.

Cut 4 (09) “…the board.”

Hunter-Reed says they are committed to dual enrollment opportunities for all students. She points out a virtual instruction program is accessible to students in underpopulated parts of the state.

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25 ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th ranked Kentucky 75-74 on buzzer beating shot by Tyrell Ward. Coach Matt McMahon taking better care of the basketball led to the second half rally…

Cut 7 (13) “…three times”  

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 45-year-old George Mosely of Oak Ridge faces numerous penalties in connection with the killing of a Black Bear and other hunting violations. He says agents found evidence in Mosley’s Morehouse Parish residence on February 8^th.

Cut 13 (07)  “…as well.”

Enick says Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October.