A jury is deliberating the fate of Ronald Gasser, who is charged with second-degree murder of former NFL player Joe McKnight. Prosecutors argue Gasser should serve a life sentence for shooting McKnight during a road rage incident in Jefferson Parish. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the evidence shows McKnight tried to enter Gasser’s car and he feels Louisiana’s Castle Doctrine will favor Gasser…
Cut 12 (09) “the car.”

A federal judge in Shreveport ruled against the United Daughters of the Confederacy today. They are trying to stop the removal of a Confederate monument that’s been standing since 1906. The Caddo Parish Commission voted to have the monument removed. The U-D-C claims they own the land where the statue stands, but the judge says the group did not prove that it does.

Pro-life advocates will march in Shreveport-Bossier City tomorrow as it is the annual Louisiana Life March North. Organizer Louis Avallone says they will start from the Louisiana Boardwalk, cross the Texas Street Bridge and finish at Festival Plaza in Shreveport….
cut 5 (11) “….of life”
The event is sponsored by the Lousiaina Right to Life, who will host another march next week in Alexandria-Pineville.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, especialy in south Louisiana where some areas could see three inches. Jared Rackley, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says if you have outdoor plans tomorrow, it might be a good idea to reschedule them for Sunday….
cut 11 (08) “…nice out”
High temperatures will be in the 60s for the weekend.

A jury is deliberating the fate of Ronald Gasser at this hour.  Prosecutors argue Gasser should spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight during a road rage incident in 2016.  Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says based on the evidence presented the chances of a second-degree murder conviction against Gasser are low…

Cut 14 (08) “deliberations go”

A year of repairs, replacement and testing for the St. Joseph water system is about ready to come to an end.  A public health emergency was declared in late 2016 after high amounts of lead was discovered.  State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there has been a complete overhaul since then…

Cut 6 (11)  “the homes.”

A federal judge in Shreveport rules against an effort to stop the removal of a Confederate monument outside of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (23) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Four New Orleans French Quarter strip clubs had their licenses suspended for alleged prostitution, illegal sexual behavior and drug activity.  Stilettos, Hustlers Barley Legal, Hunks Oasis and Ricks Cabaret were ordered to cease selling alcohol and tobacco products immediately.  NOPD, State Police and the Alcohol and Tobacco Control conducted joint operations in targeting the violations in the four clubs.

Clear and healthy drinking water is coming soon to the residents of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish. Millions of dollars in repairs are complete and now the state health department is finishing its testing. State health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, says there are several aging water systems needing repair, but the state can’t afford to bail every small town out…
Cut 8 (07) “St. Joes.”
St. Joe’s rehabilitated water system is expected to be in full operation next month.

About 10-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march tomorrow from the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City to Festival Plaza in Shreveport. Organizer of the Louisiana Life March North, Louis Avallone, says it’s their goal to reduce the number of abortions…
cut 4 (04) “…do that”
The march begins at 10 AM.

We are seeing scattered showers across south Louisiana this afternoon and more rain is coming. National Weather Service Lake Charles meterologist Jared Rackley says south Louisiana could see several inches of rain….
cut 10 (06) “….day tomorrow”
The rain will move out of the state on Sunday.

The Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans is offering a unique twist on king cakes. Matt Doyle has the scoop…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Between five and ten-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march in Saturday’s Louisiana Life March North in Bossier-Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The FBI is investigating the what happened before Juwanna Brooks of Lafayette fell overboard on Carnival cruise ship into the Gulf of Mexico. Passengers say they observed her and her husband Scott Brooks arguing at dinner. Juwanna was reported overboard about a half hour later. The The Mexican Navy will end their search today whether they find Juwanna or not.

It’ll be a rainy Saturday across much of Louisiana. Cold weather is not expected, but the rain should come hard and heavy for most of the day. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Jared Rackley says the rain will start Saturday in the early AM hours…
Cut 9 (10) “tomorrow night.”
Heaviest rainfall totals will be in south Louisiana, where as much as three inches could fall.

There are many varieties of King Cakes available. Traditional, fruit filled, cream cheeses, almond and now, cricket. That’s right, cricket. Audubon Insectarium Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says crickets add a depth of flavor to King Cakes…
Cut 15 (13) “king cake”
The cakes are baked from scratch at the Audubon insectarium in New Orleans. You can order one there.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

An estimated ten-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march in Saturday’s Louisiana Life March North in Bossier/Shreveport.  Life March North is the second of three events being held across Louisiana. Organizer Louis Avallone says the movement is not just protesting abortions…

Cut 3 (09) “long one.”

The program will include speakers from several different northwest Louisiana churches.

it appears the St. Joseph water system is about ready for public use again.  A public health emergency was declared in late 2016 forbidding use of the water from the system. The water was contaminated with lead. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says they are in the final stages of testing…

Cut 7 (11)  “is clear.”

LRN

There’s a nearly limitless variety of king cakes available, reflecting the hundreds of years bakers have been cooking up that classic Mardi Gras desert. There’s traditional, fruit fillings, cream cheeses, almond, and now cricket king cakes are available at the Audubon Insectarium. Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says the snack is quite filling…

Cut 14 (11) “in them”

The cakes are baked from scratch at the insectarium. You can order one there, or this Sunday at the King Cake Festival in Champions Square.

Closing arguments are underway in the second degree murder trial of the man who shot NFL and John Curtis running back Joe McKnight. Ronald Gasser shot McKnight after what he says was a road rage incident, but prosecutors say the shooting was unjustified.

Now here are this afternoons commodity prices.

Louisiana Radio Network

Former Monroe children’s TV show host “Mr. Wonder” will now have to register as a sex offender for 15 years as his plea deal for admitting to indecent behavior with a child back in 1979 was amended. The attorney for Frank Selas is Mike Small…
Cut 10 (11) “was imposed”
Small says Selas could be released in July.

It’s been a year of repairs, replacement and testing for the St. Joseph water system, but it appears it is about ready for public use again. A public health emergency was declared in late 2016 after high amounts of lead was discovered. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there has been a complete overhaul since then…
cut 6 (11) “….the homes”
It cost 9.5 million dollars to repair the St. Joseph system.

Louisiana receives a green light in a report for nine traffic safety laws it has on the books. Kelley Ray has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The state health department will offer free flu shots at its 55 parish health units next Wednesday. Immuniization director Dr. Frank Welch says a lot of visitors are coming in soon for Fat Tuesday, so protect yourself beforehand:
Cut 9 (10) “Mardi Gras”
Welch says in severe flu seasons like this one, 700 deaths can be attributed to the flu.

Former Monroe children’s TV show host known as “Mr. Wonder” in the 1970s will now have to register as a sex offender as part of a plea deal. 78-year-old Frank Selas pled guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile back in 1979 earlier this month, but was not required to register as a sex offender due to a misunderstanding.  Selas’ attorney Mike Small…

Cut 11 (09) “the offense”

Selas could be free on parole by this summer.

More information is coming to light about what happened just before Juwanna Brooks fell overboard a Carnival ship in Mexico.  Passengers say they observed her and her husband Scott Brooks arguing at dinner, which escalated to the point security escorted the couple out.  Juwanna was reported overboard about a half hour later. The FBI is investigating and the Mexican Navy will end their search today whether they find Brooks or not.

Louisiana receives a green light for having nine critical traffic safety laws on the books.  The Bayou State is one of seven listed as a “best state” in the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report.  Tara Gill, the Director of State Programs, says while the state ranks well in many areas, one concern is the lack of better child restraint laws…

Cut 6 (11)  “age 2.”

There are many varieties of King Cakes available.  Traditional, fruit filled, cream cheeses, almond and now, cricket.  That’s right, cricket.  Audubon Insectarium Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says crickets add a depth of flavor to King Cakes…

Cut 15 (13) “king cake”