12:30 LRN Newscast

The State Inspector General has issued a report on the death investigation of two-year-old Mitchell Robinson, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2022 in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, but we are not done with winter. Freeze warnings and watches are posted as large portion of the northern half of the state will get below freezing tomorrow morning.

A new poll from JMC Analytics indicates there is still minimal support for changing Louisiana’s elections to a closed primary. In the first special session, lawmakers voted to move Congressional, PSC, BESE and Supreme Court elections to a closed primary starting in 2026. Pollster John Couvillon says he surveyed 660 likely voters and 48 percent of them did not even know it was changed.
Cut 9 (13) “…primary anymore.”

Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder will break ground this week on a new 150-million dollar, 204 room hotel expansion. Director of Marketing Robert Thornton says the hotel will create 150 to 200 additional permanent jobs and the new addition will get the tribe’s culture out to the public.
Cut 5 (10) “…historical figures.”
The project is expected to be complete by late 2025.