State Police have been assisting New Orleans Police with carnival season the last few weeks and will be stepping up patrols.  The highly anticipated weekend will draw larger crowds and Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will be deploying over 170 troopers to the area to assist in the festivities.

Cut 4 (11) “…also the FBI.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for anyone willing to lease their land to hunters for the opening day of dove season in September. Research and Survey Program Manager Jeffrey Duguay says it’s got to be at least 50 acres, and not all fields will be eligible to make the easy money. Duguay says doves can be pretty picky.

Cut 7 (11) “…baiting.”

The Board of Regents unveiled a new certificate program designed to get enrollees new age STEM skills necessary for work in many of the state’s largest companies in a compressed 18-hour course load. Commissioner of Higher Ed Kim Hunter Reed says the classes were developed to supplement a worker’s existing education with flexible tech training.

Cut 10 (11) “…institutions.”

A recent spike in fatal motorcycle accidents has highway safety advocates asking motorists to be more mindful of those on two wheels.  Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the uptick is not usual for this time of year.

Cut 13 (07) “…a little better.”

Lambert says the most recent numbers show that in 2017, 96 motorcycle drivers were killed in crashes on Louisiana roads.

State Police have been assisting New Orleans Police with carnival season the last few weeks and will be stepping up patrols. The highly anticipated weekend will draw larger crowds and Trooper Melissa Matey says troopers want to make sure everyone has a safe Mardi Gras, so they’ll be on the lookout for impaired drivers on the roadways.
Cut 6 (09) “…a sober driver.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for anyone willing to lease their land to hunters for the opening day of dove season in September. Research and Survey Program Manager Jeffrey Duguay says it’s got to be at least 50 acres, and not all fields will be eligible to make the easy money. And if someone leasing your land for dove hunting were to get injured?
Cut 9 (07) “…not liable″

The Board of Regents unveiled a new certificate program designed to get enrollees new age STEM skills necessary for work in many of the state’s largest companies in a compressed 18 hour course load. Commissioner of Higher Ed Kim Hunter Reed says two and four year diplomas become more and more common, many workers are seeking to set themselves apart by obtaining vital certifications that indicate their ability to do specialized work. Reed says many of the best paying jobs on the market aren’t getting filled by Louisianans, because of our state’s low rate of higher ed attainment.
Cut 11 (11) “…tools.”

LSU basketball coach Will Wade said on his weekly radio show Wednesday night that guard Tremont Waters should be ready to go for Saturday’s game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Wade said Waters, who has been sidelined for the past two games with an undisclosed illness, did an individual workout Wednesday and will practice with the rest of the team Thursday.

Campuses across the state can now offer a compressed, STEM focused 18 hour certificate program aimed at getting more Louisianans employed at Bayou tech giants. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police have been assisting New Orleans Police with carnival season the last few weeks and will be stepping up patrols. The highly anticipated weekend will draw larger crowds and Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP has many different moving parts for Mardi Gras and some of the troopers will be working undercover, wearing plain street clothes.
Cut 5 (12) “…entire metropolitan area.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for anyone willing to lease their land to hunters for the opening day of dove season in September. Research and Survey Program Manager Jeffrey Duguay says it’s got to be at least 50 acres, and not all fields will be eligible to make the easy money. Duguay says it’s a decent little payday for plots of farm land that likely won’t be used anymore by September 7th.
Cut 8 (07) “…from there.”

A recent spike in fatal motorcycle accidents has highway safety advocates asking motorists to be more mindful of those on two wheels. Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the most recent numbers show that in 2017, 96 motorcycle drivers were killed in crashes on Louisiana roads.
Cut 15 (08) “and not up.”

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries wants to pay folks 950-2,500 dollars to lease their land for dove season. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police have been assisting New Orleans Police with carnival season the last few weeks and will be stepping up patrols. The highly anticipated weekend will draw larger crowds and Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will be deploying over 170 troopers to the area to assist in the festivities.
Cut 4 (11) “…also the FBI.”

The Board of Regents unveiled a new certificate program designed to get enrollees new age STEM skills necessary for work in many of the state’s largest companies in a compressed 18 hour course load. Commissioner of Higher Ed Kim Hunter Reed says the classes were developed to supplement a workers existing education with flexible tech training.
Cut 10 (11) “…institutions.”

A recent spike in fatal motorcycle accidents has highway safety advocates asking motorists to be more mindful of those on two wheels. Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says there are several steps drivers can take to ensure safety with motorcycles on the roads.
Cut 14 (11) “…your turn signal.”

State Police are stepping up patrol for Mardi Gras, sending over 170 troopers to the New Orleans area leading up to Fat Tuesday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A recent spike in fatal motorcycle accidents has highway safety advocates asking motorists to be more mindful of those on two wheels. Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the uptick is not usual for this time of year.
Cut 13 (07) “…a little better.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for anyone willing to lease their land to hunters for the opening day of dove season in September. Research and Survey Program Manager Jeffrey Duguay says it’s got to be at least 50 acres, and not all fields will be eligible to make the easy money. Duguay says doves can be pretty picky.
Cut 7 (11) “…baiting.”

State Police are stepping up patrol for Mardi Gras, sending over 170 troopers to the New Orleans area leading up to Fat Tuesday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________

 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries wants to pay folks 950-2,500 dollars to lease their land for dove season. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Campuses across the state can now offer a compressed, STEM focused 18 hour certificate program aimed at getting more Louisianans employed at Bayou tech giants. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

State Police have been assisting New Orleans Police with carnival season the last few weeks and will be stepping up patrols.  The highly anticipated weekend will draw larger crowds and Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will be deploying over 170 troopers to the area to assist in the festivities.

Cut 4 (11) “…also the FBI.”

Matey says LSP has many different moving parts for Mardi Gras and some of the troopers will be working undercover, wearing plain street clothes.

Cut 5 (12) “…entire metropolitan area.”

Matey says troopers want to make sure everyone has a safe Mardi Gras, so they’ll be on the lookout for impaired drivers on the roadways.

Cut 6 (09) “…a sober driver.”

___________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking for anyone willing to lease their land to hunters for the opening day of dove season in September. Research and Survey Program Manager Jeffrey Duguay says it’s got to be at least 50 acres, and not all fields will be eligible to make the easy money. Duguay says doves can be pretty picky.

Cut 7 (11) “…baiting.”

Baiting could land you in legal trouble as well.

Duguay says it’s a decent little payday for plots of farm land that likely won’t be used anymore by September 7th.

Cut 8 (07) “…from there.”

The minimum payout is 950 dollars.

And if someone leasing your land for dove hunting were to get injured?

Cut 9 (07) “…not liable″

LDF says about one to five landowners take them up on the offer every year.
____________________________

The Board of Regents unveiled a new certificate program designed to get enrollees new age STEM skills necessary for work in many of the state’s largest companies in a compressed 18 hour course load. Commissioner of Higher Ed Kim Hunter Reed says the classes were developed to supplement a workers existing education with flexible tech training.

Cut 10 (11) “…institutions.”

Reed notes the classes will all be focused skills that are immediately applicable in a professional setting.

As two and four year diplomas become more and more common, many workers are seeking to set themselves apart by obtaining vital certifications that indicate their ability to do specialized work. Reed says many of the best paying jobs on the market aren’t getting filled by Louisianans, because of our state’s low rate of higher ed attainment.

Cut 11 (11) “…tools.”

Only 45 percent of adults 25-64 in Louisiana have a certificate or post-secondary degree.
On a national level, there’s been some calls for a reorientation in higher ed towards more compressed, career-oriented education instead of the broad liberal arts education most students receive. Reed says she foresees an increase in the attainment “stack-able credentials” in the future.

Cut 12 (12) “…responsive.”

The program was requested by companies, including CenturyLink, DXC and IBM. 

________________________

A recent spike in fatal motorcycle accidents has highway safety advocates asking motorists to be more mindful of those on two wheels.  Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the uptick is not usual for this time of year.

Cut 13 (07) “…a little better.”

Minor changes in road conditions can be a major hazard for motorcyclists and they may have to adjust speed or position suddenly in reaction.  Lambert says there are several steps drivers can take to ensure safety with motorcycles on the roads.

Cut 14 (11) “…your turn signal.”

Lambert says the most recent numbers show that in 2017, 96 motorcycle drivers were killed in crashes on Louisiana roads.

Cut 15 (08) “and not up.”

Senator John Kennedy has called for Secretary Rebekah Gee to be fired, citing the tens of millions of dollars spent on Medicaid recipients who were not income eligible, and the recent report that 37,000 people were discovered to be income inelgibale after a new computer system checked income elgiability for the entire database. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says an audit did reveal that a significant portion of the past Medicaid population may have been income eligible.
Cut 8 (06) “…income levels.”
Gee defended the department saying the funds were not wasted.
Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins questioned President Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen today in Congress, and wrapped up his questions by calling the hearing into question…
Cut 14 (08) “…impeachment proceedings”
______________________________________________
Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy had an opportunity to question top executives of several pharmaceutical companies about rising prescription drug costs. Cassidy says there is acknowledgment from the pharmaceutical industry that there is a problem in prescription drug affordability, which is a good first step…
Cut 5 (06)“…that innovation”
Cassidy says Humira, which treats arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, is sold at an 80-percent discount in Denmark and the drug manufacturer still makes a profit.
The old state capitol in Baton Rouge has opened a new, permanent exhibit celebrating the 25th anniversary of the building’s restoration called “Castle on the River”. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the building’s storied history is chronicled in the exhibit.
Cut 9 (11) “…in 1862.”

The top ranked LSU baseball team returns to the diamond tonight to host the Southern Jaguars. The Fighting Tigers are a perfect 7-0 and they will send Eric Walker to the mound for his first start since undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2017. Walker has made two appearances out of the bullpen this season with mixed results. The Jaguars are 4-and-2 on the season. First pitch is at 6:35.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana visits ninth ranked Mississippi State.

In the NBA, the Pelicans begin a four-game road trip tonight in Los Angeles against the Lakers. Anthony Davis is expected to play, but only about 20 minutes and not in the fourth quarter as the team tries to reduce the chances of him getting hurt.

In college hoops, Sam Houston State can clinch the Southland conference regular season championship crown with a win at UNO. Nicholls and McNeese meet in Thibodaux. The Colonels are coming off a game in which they hit a Southland record 22 three-pointers in a win over Central Arkansas.

For the second straight game, the 13th ranked LSU basketball team played without its starting point guard, but once again figured out a way to win without Tremont Waters. The Tigers topped Texas A-and-M 66-55 by getting the ball in the paint and playing good defense. Coach Will Wade was satisfied with what he saw…
cut 30 (13) “…move forward”
Naz Reid had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Javonte Smart had 17 as a he replaced Waters in the starting lineup for a second straight game. Waters was on the bench, but not in uniform for last night’s game. We’ll see if he suits up on Saturday at Alabama.

Kentucky also won last night as the Wildcats defeated Arkansas 70-66. So the Tigers and Wildcats remained tie for first place in the SEC. If Tennessee beats Ole Miss in Oxford tonight, they’ll share the came conference record as LSU and Kentucky.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins questioned President Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen.  During his opening statement, Cohen said at one time he was so mesmerized by Trump that he was willing to do things for him that he knew were absolutely wrong. The president employed Cohen for more than a decade. But Higgins suggested in his questioning that Cohen didn’t say anything today that damages Trump…

Cut 13 (14) “…today really” 

Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy had an opportunity to question top executives of several pharmaceutical companies about rising prescription drug costs. During a Senate Finance hearing, Cassidy, who is a medical doctor, thanked them for their advancements in medicine, but he says some patients cannot take advantage of it, because of the high cost.

Cut 3 (05) “…one concern”

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera is confident the Medicaid program is headed in the right direction after the implementation of a new computer check system that verifies a person’s income automatically, instead of the old way that relied on self reporting. Purpera says on a whole the new system is a good start, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…in may”
On Tuesday, Senator John Kennedy criticized LDH, saying he did not trust the new computer system, or the people in charge of running it.

The old state capitol in Baton Rouge has opened a new exhibit celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the building’s restoration called “Castle on the River: The Evolution of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.” It documents the building from its inception to the current function as a museum. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says those that are interested in the architectural history and the structure of the building will also find themselves intrigued with the display.
Cut 11 (09)   “…everything for everybody.”
The exhibit is free.