Legislation that would allow prosecutors to charge 17-year-olds accused of a felony as an adult is receiving support from state senators. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

A bill to protect the  names and drug manufacturers involved in the executions of death row inmates passed on a 12-5 vote today and advances to the House floor.

A proposal to lower the age from 18 years old to 17 years old of a person who could be charged as an adult is moving forward. 17-year-olds can be charged as adults when a violent crime is committed. But for lesser crimes 17 year olds go through the juvenile justice system. University of Louisiana at Lafayette professor Matthew Green…

Cut 7 (10) “…state”  

Entergy Louisiana announces its renewable power is exceeding coal in energy production for the first time. Director of Resource Planning Laura Beauchamp solar energy reduces carbon emissions and offers many benefits.

Cut 4 (13) “…in Louisiana.”

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would allow non felon adults to possess a concealed handgun without a permit or training. A New Orleans Police Department official told the panel permits help ensure gun owners receive firearm safety training, but West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says criminals in New Orleans do not care about safety training…
cut 12 (10) “…the city”
The measure heads to the full Senate.

A bill that would lower the age juveniles can be charged as adults from 18 years old to 17 years old is making its way through the legislative process. With crimes involving 17-year-olds is on the rise, Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine says having 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system is not working…

Cut 8 (11) “…ridiculous” 

While debating the privacy portion of a bill to protect the names and drug manufacturers involved in the executions of death row inmates, Mandeville Representative Christopher Kim Carver asked Hammond Representative Nick Muscarello about his legislation.

Cut 9 (12) “…novel content.” 

The bill passed in House Criminal Justice Tuesday and passed favorably in House Governmental Affairs on a 12-5 vote today and advances to the House Floor.

Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Laura Beauchamp says its renewable power is exceeding coal in energy production for the first time is a significant milestone for the company.

Cut 3 (12) “…five years.”  

The LSU men’s basketball team will host 17th ranked Kentucky tonight in the PMAC. The Wildcats are currently averaging 88 points a game, which is third in the nation, and are shooting 41 percent from the three-point line, which leads the country. LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon says that LSU will have to play great transition defense in order to keep up with Kentucky’s fast paced play.

Cut 16 (20) “… transition attack.”

The game will tip off at 8pm tonight on ESPN.

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In high school football news, Carencro Head Coach Tony Courville has retired after seven seasons with the program.

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And in college softball news, the Ragin Cajuns softball team defeated LA Tech yesterday 9 to 3 to improve to 6 and 5 on the season.

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Last night was a very successful night for the UL-Lafayette baseball team as the Cajuns cruised to an 11 to 3 win over McNeese. The Cajuns started off hot as they posted eight runs in the bottom of the first inning sending 11 batters to the plate. The Ragin Cajuns will be in action against Rice this weekend.

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ULM also had a big night with their 13 to 3 win over Grambling. Warhawk outfielder Easton Winfield was a home run shy of hitting the cycle and four ULM players recorded multiple RBI’s. The Warhawks will face Murray State on Friday with first pitch at 6 pm.

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In other baseball news, Tulane defeated Nicholls in a close game yesterday 3 to 2 and LSU will start a four game series in the box tomorrow against Northern Illinois and Stony Brook with first pitch against Northern Illinois at 2 pm.

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And Louisiana Christian has named Ben McLaughlin as its new head football coach according to the Town Talk. Ben McLaughlin is the school’s all-time leading passer and has been serving as the offensive coordinator at Alexandria Senior High.

A bill to expand methods used to carry out the death penalty passed in House Criminal Justice Tuesday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (39)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you want to vote in the March Presidential primary, today is the final day to register in person or by mail. In the primary, Each voter can only vote for a party’s nominee if they are affiliated with that party.

Entergy Louisiana announces its renewable power is exceeding coal in energy production for the first time. Director of Resource Planning Laura Beauchamp says this is a significant milestone for the company.

Cut 3 (12) “…five years.”  

Data from the company’s 2023 power generation report shows renewable energy production totaled one point one million megawatt hours. Beauchamp points out solar energy reduces carbon emissions and offers many benefits.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser granted an official pardon to the state’s eighth crustacean Sherbin – to celebrate the mudbug season.

Cut 14 (08) “…this year.”

The pardoned crawfish was named in honor of Henderson’s Mayor Sherbin Collette.

Legislation expanding the methods the state can use to carry out an execution and protect drug companies that provide the ingredients used for lethal injection was passed in House Criminal Justice Tuesday. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson asked Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello, the bills author, why the state has difficulty carrying out death sentences.

Cut 7 (12) “…the fight.”

A statement was read on behalf of Brett Malone, the son of Mary Ann Shaver Malone who was murdered in 2000 urged lawmakers to reject adding additional methods of execution.

Cut 10 (06) “…are barbaric.”

The last death row inmate executed in Louisiana was in 2010.

USDA census shows more than two thousand farms have left the Bayou State in the last five years. Neil Melancon with the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation says family farms help drive the economy, but a drop in farmers statewide means education and awareness decreases.

Cut 6 (12) “…to day.”

There were eight million acres of farmland in 2017, compared to 7.97 million in 2022.

A lucky crawfish was officially pardoned by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser as crawfish season ramps up. Sherbin – the crawfish becomes the eight-crustacean granted freedom. Nungesser says this highlights the industry’s importance.

Cut 14 (08) “…this year.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee has approved legislation where a person convicted of a carjacking that results in serious bodily harm will get 20 to 30 years. Author of the bill Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says the crime of carjacking cost the life of a 73-year-old grandmother in 2022…

Cut 12 (09)  “..their car.”  

A senate committee today approved Legislation that would allow non felon adults to concealed carry without a permit. President of New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche has concerns about the bill because in order to obtain a permit you need to pass a training class

Cut 4 (09) “…no training.”

But supporters of the legislation say it allow law abiding adults to protect themselves

LSU running back Trey Holly posted a statement on social media to announce his innocence in a shooting that took place in Farmerville. But Legal analyst Tim Meche says Holly stating that he was at home when the shooting happened

Cut 9 (13) “…go together.” 

Holly is one of three people charged with attempted second-degree murder where two people were wounded. Meche says if Holly feels he was falsely identified and he’s 100 percent innocent…

Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says a young pig was rescued from three men who were throwing him like a football during carnival season. Dorson says preparations to place piglet in his forever home is underway.

Cut 8 (12) “…keep him.” 

An exam found Piglet did not suffer any injuries or trauma.  HSLA is planning a formal presentation of piglet to Representative Lauren Ventrella to take place on the steps of the State Capitol.

Louisiana lawmakers began a two-and-a-half-week session today that will once again address a measure that would allow people 18 or older to carry a concealed gun without a permit. New Orleans Democratic Representative Mandie Landry…

Cut 3 (11) “…gun ownership.”  

But with a Republican super majority in the House and Senate and a Republican in the governor’s office, the Landry does not see anything stopping this legislation this year…

Instead of the state participating in the summer EBT program this year, DCFS Secretary David Matlock says the state will provide meals to low income children more…

Cut 6  (06) “…the child.” 

Matlock defended the state’s decision on Jim Engster show Talk Louisiana. The program provided an additional $40 a month per child to help make sure they are getting enough to eat when they aren’t in school.

LSU freshman running back Trey Holly is maintaining his innocence where he’s been falsely accused in a shooting that took place in Farmerville earlier this month. The shooting injured two people. Holly’s attorney Kelvin Rodgers…

Cut 9 (09) “…falsely accused 

Holly is one of three people charged with attempted second degree murder that left one woman seriously injured and another man wounded.  Rodgers says Holly was at home at the time of the shooting.

State lawmakers have convened a 17-day special session focused on crime issues. Governor Jeff Landry told lawmakers this afternoon that he made a pledge to Louisiana residents on the campaign trail that he would make this a safer state…

Cut 12 (12)  “..that process.”  

So far more than 30 bills have been filed for consideration. They range from execution methods, stronger penalties for carjacking and changes to probation or parole.

State lawmakers begin a two-and-a-half-week session today that will address crime. Legislation approved in 2017 resulted in many 17-year-old offenders going through the juvenile justice system instead of being charged as adults, but Vernon Parish Republican Mike Reese says 17-year-olds have caused problems at the state’s juvenile justice facilities…

cut 12 (13) “…under control”

Louisiana lawmakers will once again address a bill that would allow people 18 or older to carry a concealed gun without a permit in the special session  that begins today. New Orleans Democratic Representative Mandie Landry…

Cut 4 (11) “…vetoed it.”

DCFS Secretary Davis Matlock defends the state’s refusal of Summer EBT dollars that equates to $70 million in federal match from a state investment of $7 million. Matlock says this summer the state will provide 1.8 million more meals than before the pandemic to children in a congregate setting, he says that’s more ideal than adding funds to an EBT card.

Cut 6  (06) “…the child.” 

LSU running back Trey Holly, who faces three felony charges, says he’s been falsely accused in a shooting that took place in Farmerville on February ninth that injured two people. Holly released the statement on social media. His attorney Kelvin Rodgers says Holly was at home at the time of the shooting…

Cut 9 (09) “…falsely accused 

Holly is  one of three people charged with attempted second degree murder.

Louisiana lawmakers convene at 1 pm today to begin a special session that’s designed to pass legislation to reduce crime. Jeanne Burns has more…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

LSU running back Trey Holly, who faces three felony charges, says he’s been falsely accused in a shooting that took place in Farmerville on February ninth that injured two people. Holly released the statement on social media. He’s one of three people charged with attempted second degree murder.

A new study out of Tulane finds the state could probably lose the vast majority of its wetlands if nothing is done over the next 10 to 20 years to slow the rate of sea level rise. Geology professor Torbjorn Tornqvist (Tor Be Urn Torn Quist) says some areas will be almost entirely flooded toward the end of the century…
cut 8 (09) “…again confirms”
Tornqvist says reducing carbon emissions would reduce the rate of wetland loss.

The first of three episodes of the popular PBS show Antiques Roadshow that were taped in Louisiana will air tonight at 7 PM. Next Monday they’ll have a special Behind the Scenes Episode. L-P-B program director Jason Viso says it’s an exclusive treat for fans….
cut 5 (08) “…real find”
The episodes were shot at the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge.

Governor Jeff Landry has declared a State of Emergency due to a police officer shortage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Landry” 

An electrical fire to a popular restaurant in Shreveport has caused significant damage to the building’s roof. Firefighters responded to the blaze at Superior Grill last night and it took about 30 minutes before the fire was under control. No one was injured. Superior Grill says they will let the public know when they will re-open their doors.

23-year-old Kayley Thibeaux (Tee-bow) of Carencro is facing vehicular homicide charges after crashing into a parked vehicle following a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade. That resulted in several cars banging into each other, killing 40-year-old Jermaine Britton of Breaux Bridge. Lafayette Police detective Ken Handy…

Cut 7 (12) “…careless operation”  

Handy says Britton died from his injuries at the hospital.

National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says small business owners expectations for higher sales among small business owners decreased in January. She says owners continue to adjust to ongoing economic challenges.

Cut 4 (12) “…their business.”

The national survey also found that 39 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill have had a significant impact on their business. She says it’s a battle for survival.