Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on the “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says the measure would mandate offshore lease sales, streamline permitting processes, and increase state shares of federal royalties for offshore oil and gas production and wind farms…:
Cut 5 (11) “for Louisiana”
The House will meet this week to choose which amendments will be considered.

Two Baton Rouge Police Officers died when their helicopter crashed over the weekend in West Baton Rouge Parish while in pursuit of a vehicle running from cops. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the helicopter was a Robinson R-44 and went down around 3am Sunday. The FAA is investigating why the crash happened.

Should voters be able to put items on a statewide ballot? It’s not an option in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington dives into this…:
CUT 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU women’s basketball is off to the Final Four after beating Miami last night 54-42. The Tigers shot just 30 percent from the field, with Alexis Morris leading the way with 21 points…:
Cut 16 (10) “our game”

Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over two million employed for February 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor statistics. Education and Health services saw an increase in 3,400 jobs since January and the leisure and hospitality industry gained 1,200 jobs, which Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says is common:
Cut 8 (12) “in manufacturing”
New Orleans led the way, adding 2,700 jobs this month especially in the leisure and hospitality industry.

The FAA is investigating the Baton Rouge Police Department helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two officers Sunday morning. The chopper was in pursuit of a vehicle running from BRPD, and it’s reported no one was aware it had crashed for many hours. Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers for the families of the victims.

Will lawmakers rely on modified fossil fuel energy production or jump-start renewable energies? We spoke with Congressman Garret Graves on the topic. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The LSU Women’s Basketball team has punched a ticket to the Final Four following a 54-42 win over Miami last night in the Greenville regional. It’s the Tigers first trip to the Final Four since 2008, and the fifth time Coach Kim Mulkey has made it there during her 23-year career.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers this morning for the families of two fallen officers who died in a helicopter crash in West Baton Rouge Parish. They were in pursuit of a vehicle running from police. Paul says the FAA is the lead investigator..:
CUT 14 (14) “community”
The officers are not being identified at this time.

Should voters have the ability to put an initiative, like raising the minimum wage or legalizing marijuana, on a statewide ballot? New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says Louisiana does not have any type of ballot initiative protocol so she’s proposing a change..:
Cut 10 (12) “give another option”

At least 4 people have been shot at a gathering in Webster Parish at a Minden Park. Police Chief Jared McIver said they are still trying to sort out the details of what happened. Minden police are investigating. At least one of the injured was flown to Ochsner LSU Health Hospital in Shreveport.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing Louisiana’s employment numbers are reaching historic levels…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is mourning the death of two officers who were killed when their helicopter crashed in a sugarcane field in West Baton Rouge Parish while pursuing a vehicle running from police. Chief Murphy Paul says they are waiting to release the officers’ names:
Cut 13 (12) “in prayer”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating why the chopper wjent down.

The federal Bureau of Labor statistics shows Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over 2 million estimated employed for February 2023, the eighth highest in the history of the series. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says Louisiana added more than 6,000 jobs from January to February..:
Cut 7 (10) “among the nation”

Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters, like Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves, say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries…:
Cut 4 (08) “energy needs”
He is hopeful that with some modifications it will pass in the House this week.

LSU women’s basketball is heading to its sixth final four and its first since 2008 as the Tigers defeated Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina last night. LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State.

Coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the Elton John like pink feathered blazer she wore in LSU’s 66-63 win over Utah Friday sending The Tigers to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008. She said we like to be flashy in Louisiana, and she’s just filling the bill for her home state. The score remained close the entire game and Mulkey says it was one tough matchup…:
CUT 28 (12) “we just made a few more plays”
LSU will face Miami tomorrow at 6pm with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Today is an Election Day in Louisiana where voters will decide on several races and proposals. The Secretary of State’s Office says 7 parishes have races on the ballot, 12 have propositions and 9 have both. Polls close at 8pm tonight and anyone in line by that time will still be allowed to vote.

If you’re craving crawfish, you’ll be pleased to know prices continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more…:
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The St. Mary Parish Sherriff’s office says a high school student has been arrested and charged with assault in connection to a threat made to a teacher on Snapchat. The suspect is identified as 18-year-old Dravian Morris of Berwick who allegedly threated bodily harm to a local teacher on the social media platform.

The LSU Women’s Basketball team is headed to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008 following a 66-63 victory over Utah Friday. Angel Reese picked up her 31st double double this season to tie an SEC record with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the game. She says it was a tough game but they were determined…:
CUT 29 (08) “for this team”
The Tigers will play Miami Sunday at 6 with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Governor John Bel Edwards warned of severe weather last night, but Louisiana dodged a bullet as the hardest hit area was rural Mississippi where officials there say tornadoes claimed the lives of 23 people and injured dozens more.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the potential risk for severe thunderstorms returns to mainly Central Louisiana on Sunday as a warm front continues to move through the area.

With March Madness in its most exciting days, state officials are urging people to be responsible if you’re going to place a sports bet. Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health Program Manager Robert Henson says with any form of gambling knowing your limits is critical..:
CUT 13 (04) “to spend”
Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announce more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since work began in January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus wells should be plugged by the end of the month…:
Cut 3 (09) “state funding”
The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year and there are over four-thousand orphaned well sites in Louisiana.

Parts of Louisiana were bracing for severe weather Friday, but the worst of the storm system hit Mississippi overnight where emergency officials there say a strong tornado killed 23 people, injured dozens and left 4 missing.

Calmer weather is taking over The Bayou State today, but tomorrow is a different story. The National Weather Service says there is potential for severe storms Sunday mainly across central Louisiana.

Today is an Election Day as voters head to the polls for the municipal primaries. 9 Parishes have both local races and local propositions on the ballot. 12 parishes have only local propositions on the ballot.

In Ouachita Parish voters will consider just one thing and that’s a new property tax to pay for the construction and operation of a new facility to house the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.

Today will be a perfect day for a crawfish boil in Louisiana and if you’re planning one get ready to see prices down for the 4th weekend in a row. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says this week prices went down another 25 cents per pound of live mudbugs to $2.77, and you’ll also be pleased if you just want to grab and go…:
CUT 6 (09) “$3.99 a pound”
She says you should have no problem finding a $75 or less sack of crawfish this weekend.

Did you happen to catch Coach Kim Mulkey’s pink feathered blazer in LSU’s 66-63 Sweet Sixteen victory over Utah Friday? She was asked about it after the game…:
CUT 30 (11) “for my home state”
The Tigers advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in 15 years and will play Miami tomorrow at 6.

The Department of Transportation has extended the public comment period for the upcoming widening of Interstate 10 through Baton Rouge. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says you can visit the website “I10Br.com”..:
CUT 9 (10) “from that page”
The deadline is Sunday.

The NADA and the Urban League of Louisiana in Baton Rouge and New Orleans today are unveiling a service technician apprenticeship program. L-A-D-A’s President, Will Green says there’s a huge need for auto mechanics..:
Cut 4 (08) “…auto technicians right now.”
He says the program is the first step in what they hope will become a national program to recruit, train and place trained technicians in dealerships across the country.

The state launches the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website so you can see how those funds are helping Build Bayou State. Brooke Thorington has more…:
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Former LSU tight end Foster Moreau said on Twitter Wednesday he found out during a visit with the New Orleans Saints that he has cancer. He said he’s been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and will be stepping away from football while he fights the battle.