Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee. Coach Jay Johnson on the Jared Jones three run homer that clinched it.

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The conviction of a Louisiana Death Row inmate was set aside this week by a Ouachita Parish district judge.  Jimmie Duncan, whose 1998 conviction for killing his girlfriend’s 23-month-old daughter was based in part on bite mark evidence that experts now say is junk science.  Judge Alvin Sharp pointed to new testimony during a September appeals hearing that such bite mark analysis is “no longer valid”.  Experts have says it’s still unclear whether  Duncan will be set free as the possibility of a re-trial on lesser charges remains.

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo. Sean Richardson has details.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.
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The Saints have added a quarterback to their roster. They used a second-round pick to select Tyler Shough (Shuck). He’s 25 years old, played seven seasons of college football with three different schools, and suffered three significant injuries. Shough says it’s been a long journey to get to this point so it was surreal when he got the call from the New Orleans Saints ….

Cut 17 (15)  “…earn it.”

Today is national drug take-back day as the DEA will be collecting expired or unwanted medications across the country, to make sure they don’t end up in the wrong hands. Keith Bakewell, assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says the agency has been holding drug take-back events successfully for years.

Cut 5 (10) “…or unwanted medication.”

Big night for the LSU baseball Tigers last night as they came back from a 3 to nothing deficit in true Tiger fashion, scoring six runs in the 9^th inning to take down Tennessee.  Jared Jones hit the three run home that made it happen.  Coach Jay Johnson

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms that auctions tables at restaurants without their knowledge, often at very very high prices.  Republican Troy Hebert sponsored the bill that carries a fine of a thousand dollars a day for taking reservations without the restaurants’ consent.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

The bill also allows the state attorney general to seek restitution for misled consumers.

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Today is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says this prevents the drugs from being used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa.  Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the goal of both deployments is to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

Today is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Big comeback for the LSU Tigers last night against Tennessee. They were down 3-to-nothing in the 9th inning and scored six runs to win! Jared Jones won the game on a three-run homer over the center field wall.  And in Ruston thirty-one runs were scored last night as Dallas Baptist defeated La Tech 16 to 15 in 12 innings.

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About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

A  bill that passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

With a critical nursing crisis in Louisiana, LSU is set to open a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Nursing Program. Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The funeral service will begin nine days of mourning. And Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge says after that, work will begin on selecting a new pope.

Cut 6 (07) “…elect a pope.”

Pope Francis had served since 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict the 16th.

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Will Campbell has become the second LSU offensive lineman ever to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And as nearly all prognosticators predicted, he was selected 4th overall by the New England Patriots. Campbell saays ever since Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf came to one of his practices, he knew he wanted to play in Foxborough.

Cut 15 (14) “…to meet everybody.”

The Saints chose to bolster their offensive line with the 9th overall pick in the NFL Draft by taking tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas.

Banks says he’s looking forward to playing for another rookie – rookie head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 17 (14)  “…team win games.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that repeal thes state statute that allows for financial compensation of those who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit. Attorney General Liz Murrill has said the burden of compensation should be born at the local level instead of the state. But not everyone agrees. Meredith Angelson testified against it, saying most wrongfully convicted people aren’t being fully compensated right now as it is.

Cut 11 (12) “…at ten years.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The pontiff died of a stroke Easter Monday at the age of 88 – just hours after he made Easter Sunday appearances. The funeral service will be held at Saint Peter’s Square. Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge got to meet Pope Francis just a few years ago…

Cut 4 (08) “…our questions directly.”

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It was a night of offensive tackles for Louisiana at the NFL Draft. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The most anticipated series of the season has arrived for the LSU baseball team as the 7th ranked Tigers host the 6th ranked Tennessee Volunteers in a matchup of the last two College World Series championship teams. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 18 (15)  “…offense.”

Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that would repeal the state statute that allows financial compensation for those who serve prison time for crimes they did not commit. Attorney General Liz Murrill testified in support of the bill, saying that compensating those who are wrongfully convicted should be done on a local not state level.

Cut 10 (07) “…attorney in Orleans.”

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LSU’s set to open  new instructional site in Baton Rouge this Fall for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing  program to help address Louisiana’s critical nursing shortage. LSU School of Nursing Associate Dean Jennifer Manning says the expansion allows pre-nursing students in Baton Rouge to complete their degrees locally, a highly requested option.

Cut 7 (12) “…a space issue.”

Will Campbell has become the second LSU offensive lineman to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And as nearly all prognosticators predicted, he was selected 4th overall by the New England Patriots. After he was selected, Campbell said he’s excited to be playing for a franchise that has won six Super Bowls and is ready to help them return to their winning ways.

Cut 13 (14)  “…I’m just excited.”

Governor Landry is backing legislation that would result stricter advertising standards for personal injury attorneys, but is the proposed law constitutional. Sean Richardson spoke with a legal expert…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advances a bill that would do away with speed cameras in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Monroe Republican Stewart Cathey, says some cities and towns are using the camers as a way to grab money saying the revenue from one village makes it obvious.

Cut 12 (15) “…from these things.”

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes. A representative from the American Lung Association testified and said one out of four middle school students and one out of three high school students are using tobacco products and a majority are vaping.

Bossier City Representative Dennis Hamburg knows there’s a large percentage of teens smoking vapes and e-cigarettes and if it costs more, it can reduce the percentage of minors using these products.

Cut 8 (07) “…little bit.”

But Mandeville Representative Jay Galle’ is not a believer in those statistics.

Cut 9 (10)  “…there’s that.”

Vacherie Representative Ken Brass’s legislation could see a hearing in front of House Appropriations, before a vote on the House floor. It will take a two-thirds vote for the measure to advance to the Senate.

The House Ways and Means Committee rejected a proposal to increase tax on tobacco cigarettes. But as Colleen Crane reports, that same panel said yes to a state tax hike on vape products and e-cigarettes.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Accidental shootings involving children are a big problem across the country and here in Louisiana. 12 children in our state died from accidental shootings last year. That’s according to one nonprofit that tracks gun violence. But a bill by State Representative Matthew Willard looks to change that by holding gun owners more accountable.  If passed, the bill will make improper storage of a firearm a crime.

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The House Commerce Committee will soon consider a bill by Mandeville Republican Kim Carver to tighten rules on personal injury attorney advertising. Supporters, including Governor Landry, say it will reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower auto insurance costs.  But critics, including LSU media law professor Will Mari, argue that the U-S Supreme Court has already weighed in on previous efforts.

Cut 4 (11) “…First Amendment protection.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advances a bill that would do away with speed cameras in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Monroe Republican Stewart Cathey, says some cities and towns are just using speed cameras as a money grab and says they’re very unpopular among those in the general public and lawmakers alike.

Cut 13 (11)  “…it doesn’t matter.”

Louisiana’s New  Department of Health Secretary is actually the man who served as LDH Secretary under Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration for three years beginning in 20-10.  During that time, Bruce Greenstein (GREEN-steen)  was indicted with lying to a grand jury under oath about his alleged involvement in the awarding of a cancelled Medicaid contract with his previous employer. Though the indictment was eventually dismissed, Greenstein was asked about it during his introductory news conference.

Cut 14 (06) “…just simply accusations.”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved legislation to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes.  Democrats on the committee voted for Vacherie Representative Ken Brass’s legislation , while Republicans were split. Bossier City Representative Dennis Hamburg says there’s a large percentage of teens using vapes and e-cigarettes and says if they cost more, it could reduce usage among minors.

Cut 8 (07) “…little bit.”

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A bill to ban speed cameras in Louisiana advances to the full Senate.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In an effort to reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower auto insurance rates, Louisiana’s House Commerce Committee will soon consider a bill by Mandeville Republican Kim Carver to tighten rules on personal injury attorney advertising. But critics,like LSU media law professor Will Mari says Louisiana already has stricter advertising rules than many states..

Cut 5 (11) “…400 miles away.”