The LSU Tigers Spring Game had some offensive explosiveness to it. LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed two long touchdown passes to Zavion Thomas as well as Kyren Lacy and Kaleb Jackson had a 32 yard touchdown run. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly says that he likes how the offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage.

Cut 17 (22) “… good first step”

LSU will open next season against USC on September 1st in Las Vegas.

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The Pelicans lost to the Lakers last night, 124 to 108. Zion Williamson had 12 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds on the night. They will play the Lakers again on Tuesday Night in the NBA play in tournament.

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And the WNBA Draft is tonight and LSU’s Angel Reese is supposed to be a high first round pick.

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LSU baseball has started SEC play at 3 and 12 after getting swept at Tennessee over the weekend. The Tigers pitching staff gave up 9 hits in an 8 to 4 loss yesterday and the Tigers will face UNO tomorrow at 6:30.

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The UL-Lafayette baseball team now have won 14 SunBelt games in a row after defeating Marshall yesterday 2 to 0. Ragin Cajun pitcher Carson Fluno pitched a no hitter into the 8th inning and UL-Lafayette infielder Duncan Pastore had three hits on the night.

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And in more baseball news across the state, Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 13 to 5 on 15 hits. Drake Anderson had a big night as the second baseman went 5 for 5 at the plate recording 4 RBIs for Nicholls.  Arizona defeated Louisiana Tech 5 to 2. Texas State defeated ULM 13 to 11. Southern swept Grambling over the weekend and Southeastern was swept by Lamar.

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And in college softball news, LSU lost to Auburn yesterday 3 to 1 and UL-Lafayette lost to Texas state 5-0. LSU will host UL-Lafayette in a battle of top 25 teams tomorrow with first pitch at 6 pm.

The deadline to file your federal taxes is Monday and Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher has some tax tips. Taxpayers looking to reduce their tax burden when they file, Oestriecher suggest making a significant contribution to your 401k plan or ROTH IRA.

Cut 4 (12) “…ROTH IRA.” 

After delays with processing financial aid awards, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance anticipates students can make changes if needed to their applications next week. LOSFA Spokesperson Ebony Holmes…

Cut 6  (11) “…office hours.” 

Thousands will head to southeast Louisiana for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival this weekend. The free event features great music, rides, and a parade. Festival King Donald Lanier says they honor berry farmers across the state.

Cut 10 (12) “…many around. “

There will be great music, food, rides, and a parade. You’ll also want to bring your appetite and enter the strawberry eating contest on Saturday and Sunday. The event is the state’s largest free harvest festival.

Crawfish prices dropped 50-cent this week, making this the second price drop since Easter Sunday. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says while Orleans Parish has the cheapest mudbugs at $2.65 a pound, she says it’s always worth checking the crawfish app for price change.

Cut  14 (12) “…might drop.” 

To compare prices, download the Crawfish App on your smartphone.

UL-Lafayette baseball is now on a 15 game winning streak after sweeping ULM over the weekend. The Ragin Cajuns are now ranked 19th and Cajuns head coach Matt Deggs says that he doesn’t want the new level of publicity put on his team to become a burden.

Cut 19 (17) “…play the game”

UL-Lafayette will face Prairie View A-and-M tonight at 6 pm

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The LSU Tigers will face McNeese tonight before their series with Tennessee this weekend. The Tigers have lost their first 4 series in SEC play and McNeese has not beaten an SEC school this season. The Tigers are 4 and 3 against McNeese in their last seven meetings and first pitch will be at 6:30.

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And Southeastern will visit Southern Miss tonight at 6 pm on ESPN+ in a rematch that the Lions won earlier this season, 7 to 6.

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The Pelicans will face the Trail Blazers tonight in a game that could help New Orleans earn the sixth overall seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Pelicans and Suns are currently both at 46 and 32 with four games to go in the regular season, but the Suns currently hold the tiebreaker after defeating the Pelicans in 2 of 3 regular season matchups the teams played against each other. The Pelicans and Trail Blazers will tip off tonight at 9 pm.

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LSU Guard Jalen Cook has declared for the NBA draft after transferring back to LSU for one season. The former Walker high school star averaged 15.6 points and 2.8 assists.

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The LSU women’s softball team lost their Monday night game against the Florida Gators 6 to 5 in extra innings. LSU outfielder Ali Newland had a triple shy of hitting for the cycle and the Lady Tigers are now 31 and 6 on the year and 9 and 6 in SEC play.

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And in baseball news across the state, Southern will face Dillard tonight at 6, and Tulane will face UNO at 6:30.

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And last night UConn became the first team to repeat since Florida in 2006 and 2007 as the NCAA’s Men’s March Madness champions.

In a bid to curb classroom distractions, legislation aimed at restricting student cellphone usage or any electronic device during school hours unanimously passed the Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says cellphones in the classroom are a big distraction for students.

Cut 3 (10) “…continual distraction.”  

The bill bans students from carrying cellphones “on his person” while in the classroom. Mizell says her bill would require students to put their cellphones in designated places during school hours.

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Director Alex Morey says Governor Landry’s request for colleges to mandate all student-athletes be present during the national anthem ties students to support his beliefs and views. She says LSU may possibly comply with Landry’s request but students are free to choose how or whether they want to demonstrate patriotism.

Cut 15 (13)  “…expressive rights.”

Legislation to repeal vehicle inspection stickers hits a road bump. Brooke Thorington explains…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The National Weather Service says severe storms are expected to produce several tornadoes, with large hail, and strong winds across the northwest portion of Louisiana. The weather agency recommends you make sure you know where to take shelter in case of a warning.

After a lengthy debate, the House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would prohibit transgender individuals from using the bathroom of their gender identity in public buildings like schools, domestic violence shelters and prisons. This means a biological male, who now identifies as a transgender female, would use the men’s bathroom. Trans advocate Britian Forsyth urged lawmakers to vote against this bill, because transgender girls could be bullied in a boys bathroom at a school…
Cut 9 (11)  “…very scared.”
But Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert (Shen-uh-vere) responded this way….
Cut 10 (07) “…clarity.”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

38-year-old Rodney Guillote Jr. is charged with first degree murder following the death of his infant daughter. Guillote allegedly physically abused the toddler resulting in injuries to her torso, head, and lower body. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Tommy Carnline says 27-year-old Elisha Mazerolle, the mother of the infant, was arrested for principal to first-degree murder.

Cut 5 (10) “…law enforcement.” 

Guillote also assaulted Mazerolle.

Legislation to repeal vehicle inspection stickers hits a road bump. In House Appropriations Monday Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voluntarily pulled his bill at the request of State Police. Bagley says LSP is not opposed to removing vehicle inspections, however they do object as to how it will impact their budget.

Cut 13 (12)  “…everything straightened.”

A portion of the cost of the vehicle inspections goes towards their budget. The bill could still be brought before lawmakers before the current session ends.

Three federal judges in Shreveport are hearing a suit filed by Republicans against the most recent congressional map passed by the legislature. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Portions of central Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 8 PM meaning conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. North Louisiana is under the risk of severe thunderstorms with the possibility of hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Rainfall totals of up to three to six inches are expected. The National Weather service recommendations says review your emergency plans and be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued.

The longtime head coach of the Warhorses, Charles Smith will be inducted in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2024 class. The Basketball Hall of Famer is Louisiana’s all-time winningest head coach with 1, 208 wins and has helped over 70 players secure scholarships to pursue collegiate basketball opportunities. He says one of the greatest fulfillment in his coaching career…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of work.”

Smith is one of 13 inductees of the 2024 class.

The state has announced the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will end on April 30th so those still living in the 500 or so travel trailers will have to find a new home. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a challenge to find these individuals still in travel trailers a place to live…
cut 14 (09) “….interested in that”

Millions are excited to see the Great American Eclipse today, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, with the best totality view around 1:45. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars for his congressional bid since announcing he would run for the newly created 6^th congressional district seat in January. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November.

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse in Louisiana today. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth. And it’s not just animals that react to a total solar eclipse, Hinkel says the weather is also impacted.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses.

And forecasters say the probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west. Hopefully when the eclipse gets as close to totality, around 1:45, there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

A month into the regular session, legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children is moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

The full House is scheduled to vote on the E-S-A bill today.

A campaign finance report shows Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ has raised more than 600 thousand dollars in his candidacy for the newly created 6^th congressional district seat. Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November. Graves reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

A federal court hearing is scheduled for today and tomorrow to hear arguments on the legality of the new Congressional map.

It’s been early January since a Powerball Jackpot was won and Saturday night’s drawing has reached $1.23 billion. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery the Bayou State is overdue for a Powerball Jackpot winner and this would be one heck of a prize. Since Louisiana joined the multi-state lottery game in 1995…

Cut 4 (08) “…next one.”

The cash value for Saturday night’s drawing is $595 million.

Millions are excited to get an opportunity to see Monday’s total solar eclipse. But mother nature may have other plans for folks in Louisiana. Gary Chatelain (Shat-ta-lane) with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says expect cloudy skies and a storm system to push through north Louisiana by Monday afternoon. He says unfortunately Louisianans won’t get the full effect of the Great American Eclipse.

Cut 11 (10) “…by clouds.”

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward and Governor Jeff Landry exchanged statements on Friday over the national anthem controversy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tomorrow night. This year’s inductee include two term Governor John Bel Edwards and  Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster and others. The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame has 243 members with the latest inductees.

The drawing for Saturday’s Powerball Jackpot has reached $1.23 billion with a cash value of $595 million. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says the odds of winning this Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million, there are eight ways total to win and those odds are 1 in 25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the jackpot.”

The drawing is Saturday night, and the Louisiana Lottery reminds you to play responsibly and that it only takes one ticket to win.

Gary Chatelain (Shat-ta-lane) with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the forecast for Monday’s total solar eclipse calls for cloudy skies and possible rain. If you plan to travel to view the total eclipse, a storm system will push through north Louisiana by Monday afternoon.

Cut 11 (10) “…by clouds.”

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class tomorrow highlighted by two term Governor John Bel Edwards. Director of Louisiana Political Museum Shonna Moss says Edwards is being honored for his dedication of political service.

Cut 12 (13) “…justice reform.” 

President and General Manager of Louisiana Radio Network Jim Engster is one of the inductees.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has responded to Governor Landry’s call for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem. Woodward says LSU will always be dedicated to the flag, the anthem and the country. Woodward says LSU will look at their processes. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne…

Cut 6  (11) “…do things”