Saturday, voters will cast their ballot on four constitutional amendments. Amendment two is a big one. It would enact new tax rules like caping the state income tax rate that lawmakers can charge and double the standard deduction for anyone 65 and older. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says the measure would also dissolve three education trust funds and use the money to pay down retirement debt.

Cut 12 (11) “…pay raise.”

Come Monday morning, ULM will see a familiar face in their president’s office. The University of Louisiana System Board appointed former ULM President Nick Bruno as ULM’s acting president. Bruno served as president of the university from 2010 to 2020. Dr. Ron Berry began serving in 2020 but earlier this year, he announced his decision to return to the classroom. The UL System Board will continue their search for a new ULM president in April.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 7:00 PM for Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Vernon Parishes. Central and southwest Louisiana are under a flash flood watch until one o’ clock Saturday afternoon. Meteorologist Lance Escude says the heavy rainfall is the result of a storm system moving in from southern Texas…

Cut 4 (10) “…begin falling” 

Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the start of April marks the historical true start of the heart of crawfish season, and she expects prices will continue to decline as we approach Easter weekend. Fontenot says 2025 looks like a good crawfish season…

Cut 7 (12) “…the road.”

Four constitutional amendments are on Saturday’s ballot. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has a nonpartisan guide available for voters. PAR president Steven Procopio says Amendment one gives the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline out of state -lawyers and it gives the Louisiana legislature the authority to create specialty courts not limited to parish and judicial district boundaries…

Cut 11 (11) “…specialized cases.”

The State flagship university, LSU in Baton Rouge announces a hiring freeze. President Dr. William Tate names unpredictable and unprecedented federal funding changes along with and a shifting landscape of financial support are the factors that made the freeze necessary. He says they must shore up operations and protect current revenue to drive progress and support the academic core. The freeze is effective immediately but there is a process for critical hires. He says other cost savings steps are also being taken.

After half of the Canadians who had been scheduled to appear at the Great Acadian Awakening in Lafayette in October cancelled their plans, Lieutenant Governor Nungesser expressed concern about the strained relationship with Canada over tariffs and President Trump’s remarks about the neighbors to the north. He says the impacts on the Great Acadian Awakening could be just the start if relations between the two countries continue to decline.

Cut 9 (11)  “…country to celebrate.”

A weather alert for Southwest and Central Louisiana.  The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 7:00 PM for Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Vernon Parishes. A flash flood watch for Southwest and Central Louisiana is in effect until one o’ clock Saturday afternoon. National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Escude says it will be wet…

Cut 3 (12) “…or so.”

There’s the potential for heavy rainfall for southwest Louisiana and the Alexandria area today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has the latest…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin.”

Crawfish prices have dropped 25 cents, hitting a new low for 2025. According to the Crawfish App, live crawfish are averaging $3.64 a pound, when it comes to boiled crawfish, you can expect to pay a little more than six-dollars a pound. Prices are dropping, because supply is up. Evangeline Parish crawfish farmer Jonathan Fontenot…

Cut 6 (06) “…more promising.”

More than half of the Canadians who were scheduled to appear at the Great Acadian Awakening in Lafayette in October have cancelled their plans to attend and President Trump’s tariffs and talk of making the country the 51^st state are the reasons they say. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that he’s very concerned.

Cut 8 (06) “…on that celebration.”

Nungesser says the impact on the Great Acadian Awakening could be just the start if relations between the two countries continue to go south. He says he is also scaling back his plans to visit Canada

A suspect in a double murder, on the run for almost 5 years, is in custody today. The Monroe Police Department says U.S. Marshalls and authorities in Alburquerque, New Mexico arrested Delarrious Jones in Alburquerque. Jones is the third suspect in a double homicide that occurred in Parkview Apartments on September 1, 2020. Jones is accused of shooting Lamarcus Plater multiple times then chasing down, Malacra O. Smith, and fatally shooting him. In 2020, Daniel Towns and Mario Jones were arrested for their alleged involvement in the murders.

An Abbeville man is cited for allegedly killing a black bear in Vermilion Parish. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 50-year-old Shannon Parker admitted to shooting at a dark silhouette, thinking it was a wild hog and not the ten-year-old 200-pound female bear that she actually was. Corporal Derek Logan says Parker also lacked written permission to hunt at night and failed to notify the Sheriff’s Office.

Cut 7 (09) “…failed to do so.”

The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming arrival of Hyundai’s first North American steel mill. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LSU women’s basketball team looked like one of the best teams in the nation last night as they outscored Florida State 31-6 in the third quarter as they blew out the Seminoles 101-71 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Mikaylah Williams led the way with 28 points. The Bossier City native says it was great team basketball…

Cut 12 (12) “…Sweet 16.”

Former U. S. Senator J Bennett Johnston who represented Louisiana for 30 years, 24 of them in the senate has passed away. Sen. Johnston was 92 years old. He was known as a pro-business Democrat with strong working relationships on both sides of the aisle. In the early seventies, Johnston came within 0.38% of defeating Edwin Edwards in the race for governor. Funeral arrangements for Sen. Johnston are pending.

The announcement that Hyundai is building a steel mill in Ascension Parish is the latest in a string of major economic projects coming to Louisiana, and Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) says the state is just getting started,

Cut 11 (10) “…years from now.”

The 5.8-billion-dollar steel mill is expected to create 14-hundred direct jobs and more than four-thousand indirect jobs.

Seafood festival organizers are taking a more proactive approach amid a new state law that requires restaurants and vendors to clearly indicate whether the seafood they sell is imported. Last weekend, a vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette was caught selling crawfish imported from China without a sign at the booth. Organizer Cisco Gonzales says it’s possible that it was an honest oversight by a vendor who didn’t know about the new law.

Cut 3 (09) “…other states.”

Last year, a similar situation was discovered at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City.

The LSU Women’s Basketball team is headed to the Sweet 16 after soundly defeating Florida State 101-71. Senior guard Last-Tear Poa says they are playing their best basketball at the right time…

Cut 14 (13) “…having fun”

The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming arrival of Hyundai’s first North American steel mill. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After a vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette was caught selling crawfish imported from China without a sign stating it as required by a new state law, organizers like Cisco Gonzales are pushing their events to require only Louisiana-harvested seafood – sign or no sign. Last year, a similar situation was discovered at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City. Gonzales says selling imported seafood at an event that’s supposed to celebrate the state’s vibrant seafood industry is completely counterproductive.

Cut 5 (06) “…the next vendor.”

An Abbeville man is facing fines and even jail time for allegedly killing a black bear in Vermillion Parish Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Derek Logan says 50-year-old Shannon Parker admitted to shooting at a dark silhouette, mistakenly believing it was a wild hog. Logan urges hunters to identify what they’re shooting before they firing at it.

Cut 8 (09) “…been a child?”

Logan says Parker also lacked written permission to hunt at night and failed to notify the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office after the shooting.

LSU women’s basketball team is heading to the Sweet 16. The Lady Tigers looked like one of the best teams in the nation last night blew out the Florida State Lady Seminoles 101-71 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. After leading by only one point at halftime, The Lady Tigers exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Seminoles by 25 points. Flau’Jae Johnson says she’s never been a part of a run like that…

Cut 13 (10)  “…rebounds”

Now LSU Ladies are on to Spokane, Washington to take on NC State on Friday night.

The U-S Supreme Court heard arguments today over whether Louisiana’s Congressional map with two majority Black districts is unconstitutional because race was allegedly the primary factor in drawing up the second Black majority district. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill (Merle) hopes the ruling will help states comply with the Voting Rights Act, while also not violating the 14th Amendment’s ban on drawing districts based on race…

Cut 8 (12) “…do their job.”

Donaldsonville will be the home of a 5.8 billion-dollar steel facility. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun says the company is making a commitment to American manufacturing with this plant.

Cut 13 (11)  “…in the U.S.”

The new plant will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark on the Westbank of the Mississippi River and bring in 13 hundred new jobs. Construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of next year.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating the person or persons responsible for a mass shooting at trail ride event in Clarence on Saturday night that wounded four people, including two teenagers. Captain Tony Moran…

Cut 11 (12) “…2388”

Hearts are heavy in St. Tammany Parish as a sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty over the weekend. 37-year-old Sergeant Grant Candies, the St. Tammany Deputy of the Year in 2023 was killed early Sunday morning while deploying a spike strip on Interstate 10. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says it was supposed to be a routine traffic stop.

Cut 3 (06) “…want to stop.”

As Sergeant Candies was deploying the spike strip, the 17-year-old driver swerved and hit him instead, killing him. He was arrested in New Orleans after crashing into a police unit there. He faces several charges including first degree murder. Two other 17 year olds who were in the vehicle were also arrested and face charges.

Hyundai announces that it’s building a new manufacturing plant in Ascension Parish. The 5.8-billion-dollar plant in Donaldsonville will be Hyundai’s first steel facility in North America, and it will create more than 13-hundred direct jobs with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year. In an announcement at the White House, President Trump says the plant will bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

Cut 12 (09) “…every single year.”

Oral arguments have wrapped up at the U.S. Supreme Court in a challenge to the state’s new congressional map. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office defended the map approved in 2024 that features two Black majority districts for the first time in decades. Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-gah) says they were told by federal judges that a second majority Black district is needed in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…going to do that.”

The plaintiffs say the map violates the Equal Protection Clause, which says race cannot be the primary factor when drawing boundaries.

Hearts are heavy in St. Tammany Parish after a deputy sheriff is killed in the line of duty. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Four people were shot during a trail ride event in Clarence last Saturday. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at the event, which had over 1,000 attendees and only 4 private security guards. Captain Tony Moran says the suspect fled before law enforcement arrived and no arrests were made.

Cut 10 (09) “…being provided.”

The victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The 2023 deputy of the year at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty early Sunday morning while deploying a spike strip on I-10. A 17-year-old subject of a police pursuit swerved into 37-year-old Sergeant Grant Candies killing him. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says in 2023, Sergeant Candies saved two lives including a victim of a hit and run and an unresponsive woman with a history of opioid overdose.

Cut 5 (09) “…saving that female.”

The 17-year-old driver who was apprehended after crashing into a police unit in New Orleans faces numerous charges, including first-degree murder.

Four people were shot during a trail ride event in Clarence last Saturday. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at the event, which had over 1,000 attendees. Captain Tony Moran says upon arrival, deputies faced heavy traffic and located four victims with gunshot wounds.

Cut 9 (10)  “…gunshot wounds.”

Moran says the suspect fled before law enforcement arrived and no arrests were made.

The Supreme Court heard arguments today on Louisiana’s Congressional map. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It may soon be easier to penalize slow drivers traveling in the fast lane. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is filing legislation to crack down on people driving slow in the left-lane and causing a rolling roadblock. Luneau says the current law is hard to enforce…

Cut 13 (06) “…to do it”

Governor Landry announced a major reorganization of GOHSEP. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The first cataract surgery on an alligator in the US appears to have been successful for Audubon Zoo’s Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator. Zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter as Victor began struggling to see his food, following shadows and missing meals.

Cut 8 (09) “…he’s doing great.”

The road to the Final Four begins Saturday night for the LSU women’s basketball team, who will host San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Tigers won a national championship in 2023, but last year lost in the Elite Eight, one game short of playing in their second consecutive final four. Flau’jae Johnson remembers that horrible feeling…

Cut 15 (12) “…after that”

Johnson is now good to go after missing the SEC Tournament with a shin injury.

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment and Chairman Cisco Gonzales says there will be more crawfish than you will know what to do with.

Cut 14 (09) “…what I’m saying?”