The LSU 2024 baseball season begins today at 2 pm when the Tigers take on VMI in the box. LSU will have Thatcher Hurd starting on the mound and LSU catcher Alex Milazzo says that everyone on the team is excited to see the junior right hander.

Cut 17 (12) “… for you.”

The first pitch will be at 2 pm on the SECNetwork+

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LSU running back Trey Holly is behind bars in Union Parish. He and two others have been charged with attempted second degree murder for a shooting that happened last Friday night in Farmerville that injured two others. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says LSU has issued a statement that says Holly has been indefinitely suspended…

cut 29 (07) “…judicial process”

Holly’s attorney Kelvin Rodgers, told the Advocate that Holly did not do what he’s accused of doing.

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College baseball will kick off around the state today as the ULM Warhawks begin their 2024 baseball season by hosting Missouri State at 4 pm. ULM Head Coach Mike Federico is excited to have his veteran group healthy this season, especially those on the mound.

Cut 18 (14) “… standpoint”

The Ragin Cajuns will host Wright State at 6 pm with the game on ESPN+ and Louisiana Tech will host Northern Colorado at 4 pm. McNeese is also in action taking on 8th ranked Texas A&M at 6 pm on the SEC Network +.

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In college basketball news, Louisiana Tech managed to defeat Jacksonville State last night 63 to 58, ULM handed Southern Miss their first home loss in Sun Belt play 68 to 59, and UL-Lafayette won their fourth straight on the road against Old Dominion 68 to 60.

LSU Baseball will open the 2024 season in the box this weekend as the Tigers will face VMI tomorrow and Central Arkansas on Saturday. Thatcher Hurd will get the start against VMI and former Alabama ace Luke Holman will start against Central Arkansas. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says that Tiger fans should be excited for Holman’s debut.

Cut 19 (18) “… what we are doing.”

LSU will host VMI at 2:00 pm tomorrow and the game will be on ESPN+

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The Pelicans defeated the Wizards 133 to 126 yesterday. Zion Williamson had a big night with 36 points, 6 rebounds, as well as 8 assists and CJ McCollum also had a great performance scoring 26 points on the night. The Pelicans are now 33 and 22 heading into the All-Star break which is their best record at this point in the season, since moving to New Orleans.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team will begin a four game road stretch starting with Old Dominion tonight. U-L Lafayette is currently 4th in the Sun Belt standings with a record of 8 and 4 in Sun Belt play and Cajuns Head Coach Bob Marlin said that he wants to keep it that way.

Cut 16 (23) “… at that time.”

The Ragin Cajuns and Monarchs will tip off at 6pm tonight.

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The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will look to snap their two game losing streak tonight as they host Jacksonville State who have a record of 4 and 6 against Conference USA opponents.

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The ULM Warhawks will also be in action tonight as they visit the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Both teams won their previous two games and tip off will be at 7:30 pm on ESPN+.

Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year allocates the same stipend amount of two thousand dollars for teachers they received last year. But he doesn’t want to make the pay hike permanent. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says because of the pay gap teachers are not only leaving the classrooms, but they’re also leaving the state.

Cut 5 (09) “…in Texas.” 

Seven additional cases of chronic wasting disease have been discovered in deer in Tensas Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim Lacour…

Cut 13 (09)  “…this point.”

Two years after the first case was discovered, state officials have confirmed there are now 19 cases of the disease. A feeding an baiting ban has been implemented in Tensas, Madison, Concordia, and Franklin Parishes.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has cancelled their policyholder vote and withdrawn their filing to be acquired by Elevance Health. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Kerry ‘Fatman’ Hunter, a Grammy award winning brass band drummer, is dead after being hit by an alleged drunk driver while walking near North Claiborne on Mardi Gras. A Honda Accord driven by 21 year old Jeremy Lindsey struck Hunter and he went through the windshield. Lindsey continued driving with Hunter’s body hanging out of the passenger car window. Lindsey was charged with vehicular homicide and hit and run driving.

The good times will stop rolling at midnight but in the meantime, carnival goers are making the most of Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance will hold a two-day public hearing starting tomorrow on the proposed sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana to Indiana-based Elevance Health. State lawmakers are concerned this is a bad deal for Louisiana, but Blue Cross says Elevance can better serve its customers and slow rising health care costs.

Dr. Foluso Fakorede at Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi says the mission of the Get a Pulse on PAD campaign is to highlight disparities of peripheral artery disease and raise awareness. He says knowing symptoms and early warning signs is critical.

Cut 8 (12) “…care doctor.” 

PAD affects more than 12 million Americans each year and Black people are four times more likely to undergo an amputation, compared to white people.

Bulldog Community Outreach Incorporated is launching a name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective to provide opportunities for student-athletes to be compensated in the Ruston community. Spokesperson Ed Buckley says this initiative is to support athletic teams while promoting and serving local charities.

Cut 9 (13) “…of funds.”

It’s Fat Tuesday and in Eunice instead of catching beads it’s a tradition to catch chickens during Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says people from around the world visited their rural town.

Cut 6 (12) “…New Zealand.”

Elkins says attendance continues to grow each year. The Courir de Mardi Gras parade starts at 3 pm.

Parade goers get free beads and gifts to take home. But When it comes to joining a krewe, Publisher of The Mardi Gras Guide, Arthur Hardy says none are free….

Cut 7 (09) “…dues, costume.”

Hardy says there are expenses for krewe members throughout the year, and it makes no economic sense for the krewe members to give gifts to strangers while hiding their faces.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will not participate in the Summer EBT program. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moeller says if Louisiana had opted in $71 million in federal funds would have been designated for the Summer EBT program.

Cut 15 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

Moeller says Louisiana has the second-highest poverty rate in the country and the third-highest child poverty rate in the US.

State police are reminding Louisianans to use technology to stay safe during Mardi Gras.  Lt. Melissa Matey says taking the time to simply drop a pin where you’ve parked your vehicle can come in very handy later.

Cut 11 (06) “…turned around.” 

Matey also suggests using the See Something, Send Something app.

With four parades rolling on Fat Tuesday, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou marketing manager Ian Wallis encourage revelers who are headed to Lafourche Parish to arrive early for a good spot. He says parking over the weekend at their carnival parades was hard to come by.

Cut 5 (09) “…really good.”

Expect sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s on Fat Tuesday. The first parade in Lafourche Parish rolls at 11 am.

Visit Lake Charles spokesperson Matt Young says there’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Iowa (eye-oh-way) that begins at 8 AM and a chicken run. He says individuals on horseback are essentially gathering ingredients to cook gumbo.

cut 11 (11) “…their lifetime”

From noon until 8 pm on Fat Tuesday, Young says there’s a block party featuring parades, live music, food, kids events, and more.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated San Francisco 49ers in overtime in Super Bowl 58 last night in Las Vegas. Today Vegas officials handed off the football to New Orleans who will host Super Bowl 59 next year. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says they are moving into phase two of their preparation…
cut 12 (12) “…properly”

LSU Alexandria Chancellor Paul Coreil says LSUA’s enrollment has reached an all-time high 5,405 students, nearly a six-percent increase since the fall semester. Coreil says LSUA is gaining in popularity because of its tuition.

Cut 8 (10) “…so affordable.” 

Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey believes the special session called by Governor Landry to tackle crime will make a difference.

Cut 4 (12) “…the state.”

Cathey says he’s also in favor of allowing the Attorney General to have an expanded role in prosecuting crimes when local District Attorneys refuse to. The session begins next Monday and wrap on March 6^th.

Federal judge Shelly Dick has ordered the state’s legislative maps to be redrawn because it violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the strength of the black vote. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 7 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Cross believes Governor Jeff Landry will have lawmakers address the legislative maps during a regular session because a timeline was not outlined in the ruling.

Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux is relocating its corporate headquarters out of Baton Rouge to Atlanta. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says the state needs a better tax system to retain businesses and compete with other states.

Cut 11 (11) “…eliminating it.” 

In 2022, the company opened a satellite office in Atlanta which is one of the country’s biggest restaurant industry hubs.

The National Hurricane Center says its forecast maps for tropical storms and hurricanes starting in August will be more colorful to contain information on potential impacts inland from strong winds…

Cut 15 (12) “…that community.”

That’s Jamie Rhone with the National Hurricane Center. The new experimental cone graphics will be available within 30 minutes of an advisory release.

Governor Jeff Landry’s call for a 16-day session for lawmakers to tackle the state’s crime issues starts Monday. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says  juvenile crime is a major issue. He believes teens who are committing crimes should be tried as adults.

Cut 5 (10) “…crime issues.” 

And while most 17-year-olds who are charged with murder are typically charged as adults, Cathey says it’s still at the discretion of the local district attorney. The session ends March 6^th.

A federal judge has ruled that legislative maps drawn by Louisiana lawmaker violate the Voting Rights Act. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross believes the Republican-controlled legislature would like to avoid redrawing the legislative maps as long as possible.

Cut 9 (09)  “…to do so.”

Walk Ons Sports Bistreaux, a Baton Rouge based franchise, is packing up and moving its corporate headquarters from Baton Rouge to Atlanta to continue its growth trajectory. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says the state is losing population and businesses as a result of/because of the existing tax burden.

Cut 10 (11) “…winning areas.”

The first Walk Ons restaurant opened a short distance from LSU’s Tiger Stadium in 2003.

The National Hurricane Center will begin using a new experimental cone graphic that will extend inland and describe more than landfall starting August. Dept Director Jamie Rhone says the current cone graphic does not provide a lot of information and most people infer the impact and their risks with too little information… 

Cut 14 (10) “…step forward.”

The new experimental cone graphics will be available within 30 minutes of an advisory release.

Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras says the proposed 44-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year is close to this year’s spending plan.

Cut 3 (10) “…possibly could”  

Lawmakers will spend the next few months making changes to the governor’s proposal before agreeing on a spending plan in late May or early June.

It’s Mardi Gras weekend and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans isn’t the only city that does it big. No matter what type of parade you’re looking for, he says there’s a Mardi Gras celebration for everyone…

Cut 7 (12) “…over Louisiana.”  

There is a chance for heavy rain on Sunday, but Nungesser says Louisianans will continue to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras weekend.

It’s the last weekend of the 2024 carnival season and Lt Melissa Matey says 130 state troopers will be in New Orleans and the Central Business assisting NOPD.

Cut 9 (10) “…people safe.”

Matey remind parade goers to avoid walking in dark areas, never walk alone, and never carry large amounts of cash.

Super Bowl weekend is here and Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says the American Gaming Association is predicting more than $23 billion will be legally wagered in the US.

Cut 12 (11)  “…huge weekend”  

As for the Pelican State, Johns says it’s hard to predict how much will be wagered on Super Bowl 58, but he says since sports betting went live at casinos it’s grown every month and boomed even more with mobile wagering.

Revelers will enjoy Mardi Gras celebrations in all parts of the Bayou State this weekend. And Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there’s a Mardi Gras celebration for everyone – no matter what you’re looking for…

Cut 7 (12) “…over Louisiana.”  

More than 225,000 people attended Mardi Gras in Shreveport last year, according to a study conducted by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

130 Louisiana State Troopers will be in New Orleans assisting NOPD for the last weekend of Carnival. Lt Melissa Matey says troopers will be in and around the French Quarter, the Central Business District, on surrounding roadways and parade routes.

Cut 9 (10) “…people safe.”

Matey reminds revelers to use common sense to avoid being a victim of crime, for example, do not carry large amounts of cash, avoid walking in dark areas, and remember there’s safety in numbers so never walk alone.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana announced their planned acquisition by Elevance Health, raising the concerns of many including State Treasurer John Fleming. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”