Early voting begins Saturday. On the ballot there are four constitutional amendments. PAR President Steven Procopio says Amendment 1 does two things including allowing the legislature to establish specialty courts. Amendment 2 rewrites of Article 7 as part of the new tax law. Amendment 3 lets the legislature rather than the constitution decide which felony crimes juveniles under 17 can be tried as adults for. Procopio says Amendment 4 would change how judicial vacancies are filled, using the earliest election date instead of waiting up to 12 months.

Cut 5 (05) “…a judicial vacancy.”

New Orleans’ fiscal troubles may force city employees to pay for their own alcoholic beverages. The city council is considering a proposal to ban reimbursements for alcoholic beverages during work trips. Current city code does not address the issue; imposing such a ban would align the city with state law, which bans the practice for state employees. The city has already imposed a ban of non-essential travel by city employees through at least the end of April.

Will Wade has led McNeese men’s basketball to the NCAA Tournament for a second year in a row, for the first time in program history. He signed a two-year contract that expires at the end of this season, and while Wade may be considering his future at the end of this season, he says his focus has been to get the Cowboys back to the Big Dance.

Cut 7 (11) “…or three days.”

The Saints have re-signed defensive end Chase Young to a three-year contract that will pay him 51 million dollars, with an opportunity to earn 57-million dollars. Young was selected second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and played three seasons for the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders before joining the Saints last year on a one-year deal. Young says the contract means a lot to him.

Cut 9 (07)  “…always dreamed of.”

Early voting on four constitutional amendments begins Saturday. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says a vote for Amendment 3 would remove from the state constitution the current list of felonies for which juveniles under the age of 17 could be tried as adults and allow the legislature to decide which crimes qualify.

Cut 4 (12) “…this particular issue.”

A public memorial service will be held for Southern University student and Human Jukebox member Caleb Wilson tomorrow. The celebration of life will take place at five tomorrow evening at the university’s Mini Dome, immediately following a five-hour viewing and visitation. Wilson was killed last month in what police say was a hazing ritual as he was pledging to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Three suspects are facing charges. Wilson’s funeral will be Saturday at Pilgrim Baptist Church in his hometown of Kenner.

LSU fans can see a former coach of their men’s basketball team lead his new team in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Defensive end Chase Young will be wearing black and gold next season. The Saints have signed Young to a three-year 51-million-dollar contract. He says the contract means a lot to him and he expressed his gratitude to General Manager Mickey Loomis for believing in him.

Cut 10 (05) “…working every day.”

Young was selected second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and played three seasons for the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders before joining the Saints last year on a one-year deal.

Early voting starts this Saturday and Sean Richardson has more on some of the Constitutional Amendments that will be on the ballot.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU fans can see a former coach of their men’s basketball team lead his new team in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Early voting in the constitutional amendment election begins Saturday, and there’s a lot to unpack. PAR President Steven Procopio says Amendment 1 grants the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline out-of-state lawyers and permits the legislature to establish specialty courts.

Cut 3 (14) “…state-wide court.”

Amendment 2 is the rewrite of Article 7 as part of the new tax law. Procopio says Amendment 3 lets the legislature decide which felony crimes juveniles under 17 can be tried for as adults, removing the current constitutional list.

Cut 4 (10) “…this particular issue.”

Procopio says Amendment 4 would change how judicial vacancies are filled, using the earliest election date instead of waiting up to 12 months.

Cut 5 (05) “…a judicial vacancy.”

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With LSU’s men’s basketball season coming to a merciful end yesterday, Tigers fans are probably wondering why they can’t get a coach like Will Wade, who’s leading McNeese to the NCAA Tournament for a second year in a row. The fact is, Wade DID coach at LSU from 2017 until 2022, when he was unceremoniously let go. Wade signed a two-year contract with McNeese that expires at the end of this season, and he said it’s a commitment that was important for him to keep.

Cut 6 (09) “…my damn word.”

While Wade may be considering his future at the end of this season, he says his main focus has been to get the Cowboys back to the Big Dance.

Cut 7 (11) “…or three days.”

Mission accomplished. Wade has led McNeese to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history. He says he has astonished himself with how well things have gone in Lake Charles.

Cut 8 (15) “…in the books.”

Now, Wade hopes to lead the Cowboys to their first Tournament win in school history.

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The Saints have re-signed defensive end Chase Young to a three-year contract that will pay him 51-million dollars, with an opportunity to earn 57-million dollars. Young was selected second overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and played three seasons for the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders before joining the Saints last year on a one-year deal. Young says the contract means a lot to him.

Cut 9 (07)  “…always dreamed of.”

Young especially expressed his gratitude to General Manager Mickey Loomis for believing in him.

Cut 10 (05) “…working every day.”

Young said when his one-year deal expired at the end of this past season, he knew that his heart was in New Orleans.

Cut 11 (12) “…the football.”

Early voting starts this Saturday and Sean Richardson has more on some of the Constitutional Amendments that will be on the ballot.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Severe weather bringing a chance of hail, tornados, and wind gusts over 70 miles per hour is expected to roll across Louisiana Friday and Saturday and that has caused the organizers of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade to cancel Saturday’s event. Organizers are looking to reschedule. Meanwhile in Baton Rouge the Wearing of the Green parade has been rescheduled. It will roll Sunday at noon.

Mission accomplished for Will Wade as he leads McNeese Men’s Basketball to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history. He says he has astonished himself with how well things have gone in Lake Charles.

Cut 8 (15) “…in the books.”

Now, Wade hopes to lead the Cowboys to their first Tournament win in school history. The two-year contract he signed with McNeese expires at the end of this season

Saints defensive end Chase Young will be back as the Black and Gold sign him to a three-year contract that will pay him 51-million dollars, with an opportunity to earn 57-million dollars.

Young said when his one-year deal expired at the end of this past season, he knew that his heart was in New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…the football.”

Early voting in the constitutional amendment election begins Saturday, and there’s a lot to unpack. PAR President Steven Procopio says Amendment 1 grants the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline out-of-state lawyers and permits the legislature to establish specialty courts.

Cut 3 (14) “…state-wide court.” 

Amendment 2, of course, is the rewrite of Article 7 of the State Constitution. Amendment 3 lets the legislature decide which crimes juveniles can be tried for as adults, removing the current constitutional list; and Amendment 4 would change how judicial vacancies are filled

The Saints have re-signed defensive end Chase Young to a three-year contract that will pay him 51-million dollars. Young had joined the Saints last year on a one-year deal. Young says the new contract means a lot to him.

Cut 9 (07)  “…always dreamed of.”

With LSU’s men’s basketball season coming to a merciful end yesterday, Tigers fans are probably wondering why they can’t get a coach like Will Wade, who’s leading McNeese to the NCAA Tournament for a second year in a row. The fact is, Wade DID coach at LSU from 2017 until 2022, when he was unceremoniously let go. Wade signed a two-year contract with McNeese that expires at the end of this season, and he said it’s a commitment that was important for him to keep.

Cut 6 (09) “…my damn word.”

While Wade may be considering his future at the end of this season, he says his focus now is to lead the Cowboys to their first NCAA Tournament win in program history.

Amid financial difficulties at the University of New Orleans, the board of regents is conducting a study to determine whether to transfer the university back to the LSU system from the University of Louisiana system. New Orleans Democratic State Representative Matthew Willard says he’s glad that the regents are undertaking this effort, and they will take their time in fully studying the situation.

Cut 5 (08) “…another this session.”

Soon, RV enthusiasts will have an easier time enjoying Jimmy Davis State Park in North Louisiana. State Parks Director Brandon Burris (BYOOR-iss) says work is underway to enhance all 72 RV sites in the park. 

Cut 13 (11)  “…system right now.” (installing sewer lines and electrical service throughout the park)

Burris says that would allow RVers to spend more time enjoying the park and less time having to do some nasty RV chores.

One of Louisiana’s biggest music festivals announces its lineup for 2025. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The Jefferson Parish school district is clarifying its policy for accommodating Muslim students during Ramadan. It comes after some parents complained that their kids were forced to sit in the cafeteria during lunchtime during the period when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The school district says schools must provide alternate accommodations for Muslims for lunchtime during Ramadan.

Soon, RV enthusiasts will have an easier time enjoying Jimmy Davis State Park in North Louisiana, with work underway to install electrical and sewer lines. State Parks Director Brandon Burris (BYOOR-iss) says RVers will be able to spend more time enjoying the park and less time having to do some nasty RV chores.

Cut 15 (08) “…on the site.”

Work is slated to be completed by this fall, weather permitting.

One of the biggest music festivals in Louisiana announces its lineup for 2025. More than 60 bands from all around the world will be in Lafayette next month for Festival International de Louisiane. Marketing Director Carly Viator (VEE-uh-tore) Courville says the festival runs from April 23rd through the 27th with some notable performances wrapping up the event.

Cut 12 (12) “…out of Jamaica.”

About 300-thousand people are expected to take in the free festival over the five days.

The University of New Orleans has run into financial trouble, so would moving the school back under the management of the LSU system help? Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A public memorial service will be held for Southern University student and Human Jukebox member Caleb Wilson tomorrow. The celebration of life will take place at five tomorrow evening at the university’s Mini Dome, immediately following a five-hour viewing and visitation.

The board of regents is conducting a study to determine whether to transfer the University of New Orleans back to the LSU system from the University of Louisiana system, amid financial troubles at the school. New Orleans Democratic State Representative Matthew Willard says the university is a critical component of not just New Orleans, but all of southeastern Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…university out here.”

New Orleans’ fiscal troubles may force city employees to pay for their own alcoholic beverages. The city council is considering a proposal to ban reimbursements for alcoholic beverages during work trips. Current city code does not address the issue; imposing such a ban would align the city with state law, which bans the practice for state employees. The city has already imposed a ban of non-essential travel by city employees through at least the end of April.

More than 60 bands from all around the world will be in Lafayette next month for Festival International de Louisiane. Marketing Director Carly Viator (VEE-uh-tore) Courville says there’s a prelude of sorts on Wednesday, April 23rd, with two acts performing. The festival gets underway in earnest the following night with two acts on the Scene Lus Internationale stage.

Cut 11 (10) “…from New Orleans.”

The festival wraps up April 27th.

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge is approaching a major milestone. It’s counting down to the delivery of its 400-thousandth baby. Today, the most popular baby names are Noah for boys and Amelia for girls. Chief Nursing Officer Cheri (shuh-REE) Johnson, what were the most popular baby names when Woman’s started delivering babies in 1968?

Cut 9 (11)  “…girl was Linda.”

Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge is counting down to a major milestone. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The line up has been announced for one of Louisiana’s biggest music festivals. More than 60 bands from all around the world will be in Lafayette next month for Festival International de Louisiane. Marketing Director Carly Viator (VEE-uh-tore) Courville…

Cut 10 (10) “…regionally as well.”

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Amid financial difficulties at the University of New Orleans, the board of regents is looking at possibly transferring the university back to the LSU system from the University of Louisiana system. New Orleans Democratic State Representative Matthew Willard says he’s glad that the regents are undertaking this effort.

Cut 4 (13) “…for the university.”

Jimmy Davis State Park in North Louisiana will soon be an even better place for RV enthusiasts to enjoy.  State Parks Director Brandon Burris (BYOOR-iss) says they’re installing complete sewage hook ups for the entire park and upgraded 50 amp electrical service which will be a huge benefit.

Cut 14 (06) “…have to move.”