Will LSU’s recruitment scandal weigh down their chances of getting a high seed in the NCAA tournament? A CBS bracketologist has the answer…
____________________________
Senator John Kennedy says they’re getting closer to resolving the duplication of benefits nightmare that’s plagued thousands of flood victims since 2016…
___________________________________
A Caddo Parish manhunt ended Thursday when the suspect is found dead in a Shreveport home. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
__________________________________
Selection Sunday is three days away and the LSU basketball team has to wonder just how the growing off the court controversy involving suspended coach Will Wade will impact their NCAA tournament seeding. CBS Sports bracketologist Jerry Palm says the recruiting scandal will not factor into the selection committee’s analysis.
LSU plays it’s first SEC tournament game today against Florida at 12PM. Palm says more so than any scandal, it’ll be their performance in this weekend’s competition that will have the biggest say in where they land…
Palm notes the top eight teams are all from three conferences, meaning the majority of the teams ahead of LSU will suffer a loss.
We are still awaiting the fate of freshman guard Javonte Smart, who’s family may have received improper payments for his decision to attend LSU. Smart is still being held out, and Palm says if that holds then it weigh down LSU’s seeding…
Smart averaged 11.5 points a game this year in 30 minutes a game for the Purple and Gold.
___________________________________________________
Senator John Kennedy says HUD has agreed to implement rules allowing those who received SBA loans after the 2016 flood access to RESTORE funds by late April, but that won’t be finalized until the Office of Management and Budget OKs the rule change. Kennedy says Thursday’s meeting with HUD Secretary Ben Carson was progress, but…
Congress passed a law that was signed by the President late last year closing the duplication of benefits loophole, but various federal agencies have refused to implement the law.
While the HUD side of the issue appears to be resolved, Kennedy says they’re still unsure whether or not OMB will allow the rule change. Kennedy says he’ll have a face to face meeting with OMB Director Mick Mulvaney two weeks from now to settle the issue.
While Senators Kennedy and Cassidy pursue a bureaucratic fix, a southeast Louisiana homeowner is suing the agencies involved to force the policy into action.
Kennedy says he’s tired of bureaucrats refusing to implement a law passed by Congress, and if the departments delay any further or resist the rule change, he’s calling Trump.
__________________________
A manhunt has ended with the suspect being found dead in a home in Shreveport yesterday. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says James Salone is alleged to have busted into a residence of his ex-girlfriend, her two children and current boyfriend Terry Thomas on Wednesday night. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the suspect confronted the two adults at the home.
Cut 10 (12) “…in the buttocks.”
He was treated at a medical facility for his injuries.
More shots were fired in the home, but Thomas managed to make an escape. Chadwick says Salone tied up the remaining three in the home, holding them at gunpoint.
Cut 11 (12) “the mother free.”
When they fled, he went outside, fired several shots at police as well as the woman and children. He then went inside the home but could not be located by police.
On Thursday the search continued for Salone when investigators received a tip of where to find him. Deputies swarmed that home and made several attempts to make contact, but there was no response. Chadwick says with authorities entered the home, they found the body of a man they believe to be the suspect.
Cut 12 (10) “…inside the residence.”
Further information on Salone has led investigators to believe he is connected with a Texas vehicle theft as well as the homicide of that’s vehicle’s owner.
______________________________
A tugboat crew had to abandon ship after the boat sunk in the Mississippi River. The Coast Guard got the call yesterday morning around 11 of a towing vessel sinking at Baton Rouge General Anchorage. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles (soft G) says the Army Corp of Engineers deployed survey teams in an effort to locate the completely submerged vessel. Giles says officials are also checking for environmental impacts.
Cut 13 (09) “…signs of pollution.”
The incident is still under investigation as the reason for the vessel, the Michelle Anne, to sink is currently unknown. Giles says the four crew members escaped uninjured.
Cut 14 (10) “…the 4 crew members.”
Giles says a portion of the river remained closed into Thursday evening.
Cut 15 (13) “…locate the vessel.”
___________________________________________
The 10th ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight as they host Kentucky. The Tigers are 12-and-5 on the season and Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s still trying to determine which guys he can really count on
Kentucky brings a 13-4 record to LSU. The Wildcats lead the SEC in stolen bases and that’s a concern for the Tigers as they’ve only thrown out one would be base stealer this season…
Junior right-hander Zack Hess will start on the hill for the Tigers tonight. Hess has yet to put together a dominating performance this season, but LSU’s ace thinks he’s getting closer to where he needs to be