An East Baton Rouge Parish man is found guilty of the murder of LSU basketball standout Wayde Simms back in 2018. 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson faces a mandatory life sentence for gunning Simms down outside a North Baton Rouge sandwich shop as he tried to break up a fight. Simms dad, Wayne Simms – who also played for LSU as a youth – spoke for the family of Simpson’s conviction…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…the best we can.”

Good news for folks in lower Lafourche Parish: Ochsner Health Center in Lockport has re-opened its doors for the first time since Hurricane Ida did major damage to the facility last August. In the time since then, patients needing care in that region had to travel to Raceland or Matthews. The re-opening signifies progress in the long-term recovery from the Category 4 hurricane.

At the Capitol, the House Criminal Justice Committee passes a bill that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit; providing they are a non-felon over 21. Oil City GOP Representative Danny McCormick is the bill sponsor. In support, Chalmette Republican Ray Garafalo who says if criminals can carry a hidden pistol, why not potential crime victims…?

CUT 14  (12)        “…that a criminal has?”

St. Martinville Democrat Marcus Bryant says removing restrictions on gun carrying concerns him…:

CUT 13  (07)        “…real crazy.”

The “yeas” outnumbered the “nays”, so the bill now goes to the full House for debate. The same bill reached final passage last year, but was vetoed by Governor Edwards. A veto override attempt failed, but by a thin margin.

A bill to allow so-called Constitutional Concealed Carry of firearms passes the House Criminal Justice Committee. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

Police in New Iberia are seeking four women they say attacked and badly beat a woman inside a restaurant last weekend. Cops say cellphone video shows the group savagely kicking and stomping the woman – even as she tries to flee the attack. All four have been identified and will be booked with aggravated battery and other charges, once caught.

A New Orleans area senator defers his bill to ban single-use plastic bags after hearing opposition from grocery store owners. Marrero Republican Patrick Connick says his measure is an effort to reduce litter, but Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair says the bill is not a solution to the state’s litter problem…:

CUT 06(10)      “…out there. One percent”

Trosclair also doesn’t like the bill singling out groceries as a litter source. Realizing he didn’t have enough votes to get it past the committee, Connick withdrew the measure.

A new LSU research poll shows two-thirds of the state’s people feel Louisiana is headed in a bad direction. LSU Manship School research director Mike Henderson says concerns about crime have doubled and confidence in government to solve problems is at its lowest in over a decade…:

CUT 11(07)      “…about 2010.”

Read the report at “pprlsu.com/projects”

The federal income tax deadline come this year on April 18^th, instead of the 15^th. That’s because the 15^th is Good Friday. Good news, if you need that couple extra days to get your taxes together. Catherine Rowe, with the Louisiana Society of CPAs says remember filing an extension doesn’t mean you do not have to pay the IRS anything, if you think you’re going to owe…:

CUT 10(12)      “…that tax due.”

If you do file an extension, your taxes must be paid by October 15^th.

A Lafayette city police officer is in critical condition after a crash Sunday on the I-10 Basin Bridge in Iberville Parish Sunday. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says LPD Lt. Todd Alcorn was off-duty and in his personal vehicle when he hit a bridge rail and lost control…:

CUT 12(07)      “…Chevrolet Malibu.”

Scrantz says it’s believed Alcorn WAS impaired at the time.

The murder trial of the man accused of killing LSU basketball standout Wayde Simms is now in the jury’s hands. Dyteon Simpson is accused of shooting Simms outside a North Baton Rouge sandwich shop in September of 2018. Prosecutors and the defense made closing arguments this morning.

A pre-pandemic report indicates 57 percent of Louisiana’s children live in working poor households; those below the ALICE threshold. What is that? Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The deadline for filing your federal income tax return is just days away.  David Grubb has more on what you can do if you’re feeling that pressure…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

After nearby gunfire forced lawmen to shut down the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival early Saturday night, police in the Tangipahoa Parish town say they are close to making one or more arrests. A dozen or more shell casings were found within a block of the festival crowd, but no one was reported hurt.

If you’ve bought groceries lately, you know the impact of inflation on your wallet. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says, yes, increased motor fuels costs are a big part of that … but also an outbreak of avian flu that’s hit 24 farm states and killed millions of chickens; forcing poultry and egg prices skyward. Dr. Strain says guidelines are in place to hopefully stem that tide and avoid a much bigger outbreak…:

CUT 08(12)      “…100 million birds.”

The Centers for Disease Control say don’t worry about GETTING avian flu; it does not infect people.

A study done before the COVID outbreak shows well over half of Louisiana kids live in what can only be called “working poor” conditions. Edy Addison with the Capital Area United Way says many don’t have a PC or internet to file for aid…:

CUT 05(11)      “…their household.”

A Lafayette police officer is fighting for his life, after a two-vehicle crash on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge yesterday. State Police spokesman Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Lt. Todd Alcorn was off-duty at the time & driving his personal vehicle when he hit the side railing and lost control. He is now in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital. Scrantz says it is believed Alcorn was driving while impaired…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…charges pending.”

The other driver involved in the wreck sustained moderate injuries.

The deadline to file your federal income taxes is coming up fast. If you haven’t yet started, CPA Catherine Rowe says you are far from alone. She offers this for you to consider…:

CUT 09  (12)        “…documentation together.”

If you file for an extension, remember you have to send the IRS at least part of what you think you may have to pay. This year’s deadline is April 18^th, because the 15^th is Good Friday.

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman faces multiple charges after a Sunday night car crash, in which she rolled over her SUV; injuring herself and the 11 children inside. One child was ejected from the vehicle and had to be air-evacced to a hospital. 34-year-old Laticia Brothers was charged with 11 counts of cruelty to juveniles, because none of those kids were seat belted. The vehicle is only designed to carry 8 persons maximum.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Rapides Parish today for Cleco’s announcement that the energy provider will invest 900-million dollars to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Edwards says the innovative technology plan will take place at their electric generation unit in Lena…:

CUT 14(07)      “…incredibly important.”

Edwards says Cleco will not ask ratepayers to help fund this project.

New Orleans firebrand state Senator Karen Carter Peterson has resigned from the legislature, after 23 years of service. Her resignation was effective today. In a written statement, Peterson says she is stepping down to focus on her mental health and well-being. She has struggled with depression and a gambling addiction for several years. A special election will be called to replace Peterson in the Senate.

That is one less vote on the Senate floor for a bill to bring Louisiana’s one-year-old Name, Image & Likeness endorsement law into line with other states, and make it easier for Louisiana to recruit top athletic talent. Bill sponsor Patrick Connick, of Marrero, says Texas A&M landed the nation’s number one football recruiting class because their boosters negotiated NIL deals for recruits as a way to get them to sign with the Aggies…:

CUT 13(09)      “…to participate”

Connick’s bill will make Louisiana NIL law match other SEC states.

A Baton Rouge man faces murder charges for the death of his 5-year-old daughter. BR Police says the little girl was brought to an ER this week unresponsive, but later died. An autopsy determined she died from blunt force trauma. The father, 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins in behind bars; charged with Murder One.

The second-in-command at State Police has been put on administrative leave as he’s under an internal investigation for erasing data on his state-issued cell phone. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Longtime New Orleans area state Senator Karen Carter Peterson has resigned her seat in the legislature – effective immediately. Senate President Page Cortez confirmed this with LRN this afternoon. Often fiery and not shy with opinions, Carter served in the state House before being elected to the Senate in 2010. She is considered a Power Player at the Capitol. Peterson has struggled with an addiction to gambling for several years, and took personal privilege on the Senate floor recently to talk about it. She says it’s for this reason she is stepping down.

An Orleans Parish State Police criminal investigator is in trouble; accused of a hit-and-run in his state-issued unmarked car in St. Tammany Parish…and with falsely reporting a hit-and-run in Orleans. 19-year veteran Lt. Chad Lacoste is accused of Malfeasance and Injuring Public Records … plus the Hit-and-Run charge in St. Tammany. Spokesman Sgt. Dustin Dwight says LSP commander Lamar Davis supports his people, but…:

CUT 11(05)      “…for our actions.”

A bill heading to the Senate floor puts Louisiana in line with other states’ name, image, and likeness laws. Louisiana approved a law last year that allowed college athletes to receive cash for endorsing products, businesses, or individuals. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says his bill this year will allow university board members and boosters to participate…:

CUT 12(12)      “…to act.”

Connick says colleges in state’s with healthy NIL laws find it easier to recruit big talent.

Louisiana is under a “red flag warning” today for fire conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that means conditions are ideal for small fires to get out of control. He says high winds and low humidity are the reason, and it’s odd to see air tis dry this time of year…:

CUT 05(09)      “…perhaps Arizona & New Mexico”

He advises we burn nothing outdoors for the near future.

A State Police officer faces charges for after allegedly committing a hit-and-run in St. Tammany Parish and falsely reporting one in Orleans. LSP spokesman Sgt. Dustin Dwight says Lt. Chad Lacoste is charged with Malfeasance in Office and Injuring Public Records…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…St. Tammany Parish crash.”

Lacoste, who’s been with LSP since 2003, is on administrative leave.

The Number Two man at State Police is now on administrative leave, while an internal investigation looks into the erasure of data on his state-issued cellphone. Lt. Colonel Doug Cain’s phone was wiped in 2020, as facts about the 2019 roadside of death Ronald Greene began to surface. LSP commander Colonel Lamar Davis says he did it (quote) “in the best interest of the department to eliminate any questions into the integrity of the investigation.”

The Senate Education Committee approves a bill that brings Louisiana’s law for name, image and likeness deals in line with other states who are using NILs to recruit the best players in the country. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Many fans of the Foo Fighters were saddened at the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last month. His death is the reason the band cancelled their show at New Orleans Jazz Festival this year. Today, officials announced the Red Hot Chili Peppers will replace Foo Fighters in the lineup; on Sunday, May 1^st.

The second-in-command at State Police has been put on administrative leave, as he’s under an internal investigation for erasing data on his state-issued cell phone. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

We’re under a “red flag warning” for potential fires and wildfires. State Climatologist Barry Keim sasy that’s because the winds are high and humidity is low…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…really dry.”

A Baton Rouge man, arrested for child abuse, will now be charged with murder after the death of his own daughter. Police says 23-year-old Aaron Hawkins was being held on cruelty to a juvenile, after his 5-year-old child was bright to an ER unresponsive. The investigation is ongoing, but Hawkins charges have been upgraded. BRPD spokesman L’Jean McKneely says it could have been prevented, and asks that we all call law enforcement if we suspect a child is being beaten..:

CUT 08  (10)        “to investigate.”

State Police arrest one of their own after Lt. Chad Lacoste falsely claimed damage to his vehicle last September. LSP Sgt. Dustin Dwight says Lacoste reported he was involved in a hit and run crash in his unmarked department vehicle in Orleans Parish, but investigators found his car was involved in a separate incident the day before in St. Tammany…:

CUT 09(11)      “…in Orleans Parish.”

A proposed law making it a crime to recruit a minor to commit a carjacking wins passage in the state House. More from Michelle Southern…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Despite “nay” votes from Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, the U.S. Senate has confirmed federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the next Supreme Court Justice. The vote was 53 for and 47 against. Jackson will take her seat when Justice Stephen Breyer retires this summer. She is the first woman of color to ever be on the High Court.

Third judicial District Attorney John Belton tells state lawmakers he’s moving forward with convening a special grand jury in Union Parish to prosecute those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Belton says he delayed prosecution at the request of the U-S Attorney, but he received clearance from federal prosecutors last week to pursue charges..:

CUT 06(07)      “…appropriate charges.”

State Police body camera video showed several troopers beating and tasing Greene after a lengthy police chase. Greene died a short time later. His family was originally told he died in a car crash.

Make that TWELVE people arrested in Lake Charles in connection with a gang dispute with gunfire that led to the death of a 6-year-old girl; innocently watching TV inside her home. LC Police Chief Shawn Caldwell says detectives found evidence of a gang-related ongoing beef via social media posts that started the shooting outside little Draya Guillory’s house…:

CUT 10(03)      “…at that residence.”

Lake Charlese Mayor Nic Hunter calls the girl’s death senseless and tragic.