Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says there are reasons for turning in your unwanted medications to the DEA instead of simply throwing them out.

Cut 3 (10) “…hands into everything.” 

A bill passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader. Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear) emphasized that the legislation targets elite restaurants being exploited without consent and says the penalty without written consent would be one thousand dollars a day.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

About 700 soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

The NFL Draft continues through Saturday, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Thursday night, the Saints used their first round draft choice to select offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. First year head coach Kellen Moore says he chose Banks to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

One down, six to go. The NFL Draft continues tonight and wraps up tomorrow, culminating with the selection of Mr. Irrelevant. Last night, the Saints took Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. First-year head coach Kellen Moore says it feels great to get the first pick out of the way.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

Prior to the draft, several draft experts had the Saints taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth pick. The Saints passed on him – and so did everyone else. The second round opens with Deion’s son’s name still on the board.

It’s the most anticipated series of the college baseball season: Number-seven LSU against number-six Tennessee – the last two College World Series champions. LSU will start Kade Anderson on the mound tonight and Anthony Eyanson will start on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is to be announced. Tigers left hander Connor Ware is a possibility; he started the final game of the Alabama series. Ware was asked about the LSU-Tennessee rivalry…

Cut 20 (14) “….they’re not.”

LSU enter the series on a two game losing streak, as they lost in the final game of the Alabama series and suffered an ugly 13-3 defeat to in-state foe Northwestern State.

LSU’s women’s basketball team just scored a big name in the transfer portal as MiLaysia Fulwiley has announced that she will be playing for Kim Mulkey next season. The guard joins the Tigers from South Carolina.

Saturday is the DEA’s National Drug Take Back Day, with agents at several sights throughout Louisiana collecting unwanted medications. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana National Guards 256^th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo to support operations. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Saturday is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says there are reasons for turning in your unwanted medications to the DEA instead of simply throwing them out.

Cut 3 (10) “…hands into everything.”

Bakewell says this way, the drugs can’t be used for illicit purposes.

Cut 4 (15) “…or whatever else.”

Bakewell says the DEA has been holding drug take-back events for 15 years, and they’ve been very successful.

Cut 5 (10) “…or unwanted medication.”

The process is completely anonymous; agents will not be asking any questions as they take back the medications. The turned-in medications will then be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.

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About 700 soldiers from the mission of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the “Tiger Brigade,” are deploying to support Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa, providing security and support to U.S. and partner forces. Commander Jonathan Lloyd says the 256th will conduct pre-mobilization training at their home base…

Cut 6 (11) “…we’re mobilizing for.”

Lloyd says both deployments to Kosovo and the Horn of Africa are to contribute to a safe and secure environment in those areas.

Cut 7 (11) “…and peaceful area.”

This marks the brigade’s fourth overseas deployment since 9/11, and it continues to play a vital role in both global operations and state disaster relief efforts.  Lloyd believes its going to be a very fulfilling deployment.

Cut 8 (11) “…Horn of Africa mission.”

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A  bill passed the House unanimously could end the unregulated buying and selling of restaurant reservations through platforms like Appointment Trader, Dorsia, and ResX. Sponsored by Republican Troy Hebert (AY-bear), the bill aims to protect restaurants unaware that their tables are being auctioned, often at high prices, such as a 2,138-dollar reservation at Antoine’s during Super Bowl weekend.

Cut 9 (09)  “…without their consent.”

Hebert emphasized that the legislation targets elite restaurants being exploited without consent and says the penalty without written consent would be one thousand dollars a day.

Cut 10 (07) “…education fund”

The bill also allows the state attorney general to seek restitution for misled consumers. Traditional platforms like OpenTable charge restaurants per reservation, while trading apps profit from bid percentages. Hebert says they are not preventing this business model from existing…

Cut 11 (10) “…with your company.”

The bill now moves to the Senate, as debate continues over the ethics and sustainability of reservation trading.

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The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says it feels great to get the first one nailed down.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

As for the selection of Banks, Moore says he wanted to fortify the team’s offensive line.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to do that.”

Moore says he’s excited to have Moore wearing the black and gold.

Cut 14 (16) “…an excellent job.”

The first draft pick of Kellen Moore’s head coaching career is in the books, as the Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth overall pick. Moore says it feels great to get the first one nailed down.

Cut 12 (12) “…lot of fun.”

Tomorrow is national drug take-back day. The DEA will be at several collection sites throughout the country, including Louisiana, collecting expired or unwanted medications. Keith Bakewell, the assistant special agent in charge of the Baton Rouge field office of the DEA, says there are reasons for turning in your unwanted medications to the DEA instead of simply throwing them out.

Cut 3 (10) “…hands into everything.” 

The Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Tiger Brigade will deploy nearly 700 guardsmen overseas to the Horn of Africa and Kosovo to support operations. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A bill to repeal the state statute that allows for financially compensating people who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit heads to the full house. The vote in the House Criminal Justice Committee was 7-to-4. Meredith Angelson testified against it, saying most wrongfully convicted people aren’t being fully compensated right now as it is.

Cut 11 (12) “…at ten years.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The funeral service will be held at Saint Peter’s Square, and he will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge got to meet Pope Francis in 2019 and says the pontiff was genuine.

Cut 4 (08) “…our questions directly.”

LSU will open a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to help address Louisiana’s critical nursing shortage. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Heavy rains have caused flooding in some areas, and one company is stepping up to help those affected. The two U-Haul stores in Lafayette are offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-box container usage for those impacted. The U-Box offer is for on-site storage at company centers.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that would repeal the state statute that allows for financially compensating people who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit. Attorney General Liz Murrill testified in support of the bill, saying that the burden to compensate wrongfully-convicted people should be at the local level and not the state level.

Cut 10 (07) “…attorney in Orleans.”

This fall, LSU opens a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. School of Nursing Associate Dean Jennifer Manning says the addition of the Baton Rouge campus will keep more students in Louisiana instead of applying to other SEC schools in other states.

Cut 9 (11)  “…remain in the state.”

Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

An improperly installed child safety seat is being blamed for the death of a two-year-old Slidell boy. Preston Odone was killed when the pickup truck he was riding in veered off the roadway along eastbound I-12 in Covington. State Police say while Preston was in a car seat, he was not properly restrained.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill that would repeal the state statute that allows for financial compensation for people who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit. Kenner Republican Debbie Villio proposed the bill to strike the current law, arguing that exonerees can still seek relief through the federal courts. Jarvis Ballard, who served 23 years of a life prison sentence for a sex crime that he did not commit, says that avenue would not have been an option in his instance.

Cut 12 (11) “…make any sense.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge says Francis continued the work of his two immediate predecessors, popes John Paul the Second and Benedict the 16th.

Cut 5 (10) “…of the church.”

LSU opens a new instructional site in Baton Rouge this fall for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing  program. School of Nursing Associate Dean Jennifer Manning says students will receive the same rigorous curriculum as at LSU Health New Orleans.

Cut 8 (10) “…Baton Rouge area hospitals.”

One big goal behind the new Baton Rouge site is to help address the state’s critical nursing shortage.

As widely expected, LSU tackle Will Campbell was taken fourth overall in the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Campbell says he’s looking forward to playing with second-year quarterback – and fellow first round pick – Drake Maye.

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

Campbell is the second LSU offensive lineman ever to be taken in the first round.

Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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LSU will open a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to help address Louisiana’s critical nursing shortage. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

Louisiana sends off one offensive tackle and welcomes another at the NFL Draft. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The pontiff died of a stroke Easter Monday at the age of 88 – just hours after he made Easter Sunday appearances. The funeral service will be held at Saint Peter’s Square, and he will be buried in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge got to meet Pope Francis in 2019 and says the pontiff was genuine.

Cut 4 (08) “…our questions directly.”

Bishop Duca says Pope Francis continued the work of his two immediate predecessors, popes John Paul the Second and Benedict the 16th.

Cut 5 (10) “…of the church.”

Pope Francis’ funeral will begin nine days of mourning. And Duca says after that, work will begin on selecting a new pope.

Cut 6 (07) “…elect a pope.”

Pope Francis served since 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict the 16th.

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In fall 2025, LSU will open a new instructional site in Baton Rouge for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing  program to help address Louisiana’s critical nursing shortage. LSU School of Nursing Associate Dean Jennifer Manning says the expansion allows pre-nursing students in Baton Rouge to complete their degrees locally, a highly requested option.

Cut 7 (12) “…a space issue.”

Manning says students will receive the same rigorous curriculum as at LSU Health New Orleans, combining in-person and synchronous distance learning, with clinical training through Woman’s Hospital and Our Lady of the Lake.

Cut 8 (10) “…Baton Rouge area hospitals.”

Enrollment will start at 30 students and grow to 90. The first class is set to graduate in May 2028. Manning says the addition of the Baton Rouge campus will keep more students in Louisiana instead of applying to other SEC schools in other states.

Cut 9 (11)  “…remain in the state.”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that would repeal the state statute that allows for financially compensating people who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit. Current state law allows up to 40-thousand dollars per year of incarceration for compensation. Attorney General Liz Murrill testified in support of the bill, saying that the burden to compensate wrongfully-convicted people should be at the local level and not the state level.

Cut 10 (07) “…attorney in Orleans.”

The bill is controversial; the vote in the committee was 7-to-4. Meredith Angelson testified against it, saying most wrongfully convicted people aren’t being fully compensated right now as it is.

Cut 11 (12) “…at ten years.”

Kenner Republican Debbie Villio proposed the bill to strike the current law, arguing that exonerees can still seek relief through the federal courts. Jarvis Ballard, who served 23 years of a life prison sentence for a sex crime that he did not commit, says that avenue would not have been an option in his instance.

Cut 12 (11) “…make any sense.”

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Will Campbell has become the second LSU offensive lineman ever to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And as nearly all prognosticators predicted, he was selected 4th overall by the New England Patriots. After he was selected, Campbell said he’s excited to be playing for a franchise that has won six Super Bowls and is ready to help them return to their winning ways.

Cut 13 (14)  “…I’m just excited.”

Campbell says he’s looking forward to play with second-year quarterback – and fellow first round pick – Drake Maye.

Cut 14 (13) “…special season coming.”

Campbell says ever since Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf came to one of his practices, he knew he wanted to play in Foxborough.

Cut 15 (14) “…to meet everybody.”

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The Saints chose to bolster their offensive line with the 9th overall pick in the NFL Draft by taking tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. Banks was a unanimous All-American and won the Outland and Lombardi trophies last season while blocking for Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning for the Longhorns. Banks says he remembers playing in the Superdome in the 2024 Sugar Bowl, especially the electrifying atmosphere that the building yields.

Cut 16 (11) “…from either side.”

Banks says he’s looking forward to playing for another rookie – rookie head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 17 (14)  “…team win games.”

Some draft experts had the Saints taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. They may have another chance to get him today – he was not taken in the first round.

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The most anticipated series of the season has arrived for the LSU baseball team as the 7th ranked Tigers host the 6th ranked Tennessee Volunteers in a matchup of the last two College World Series championship teams. Coach Jay Johnson says the Vols have an extremely talented team again this year…

Cut 18 (15)  “…offense.”

LSU enter the series on a two game losing streak as they lost in the final game of the Alabama series and suffered an ugly 13-3 defeat to instate foe Northwestern State. Johnson hopes his team will learn from the last two games…

Cut 19 (19) “…as it is”

LSU will start Kade Anderson on the mound tonight and Anthony Eyanson will start on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is to be announced. Tigers left hander Connor Ware is a possibility, he started the final game of the Alabama series. Ware was asked about the LSU-Tennessee rivalry…

Cut 20 (14) “….they’re not.”

Less than a month after voters rejected Amendment 2, Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a bill to increase teacher salaries. It would require school districts to use savings from the elimination of three state trust funds to provide the increases. A companion bill from Carencro representative Julie Emerson was designed to simplify the proposal in response to criticism that Amendment 2 was too complex.

Cut 4 (09) “…teacher pay raise there.”

The full Senate has approved legislation cracking down on “left-lane camping,” the act of lingering in the passing lane. First time offenders of the proposed law would face a fine of up to 150-dollars. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey jokingly suggested a harsher punishment.

Cut 11 (11) “…pass this.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has advanced a bill that would ban fluoride in drinking water. The bill was written by Houma Republican Mike Fesi. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says excessive levels of fluoride have been shown to lower IQs in babies. He calls it an issue of freedom of choice.

Cut 13 (10)  “…as a physician.”

Opponents, however, say fluoride has proven to be beneficial when used at the right concentration. Annette Droddy, who represents the Louisiana Dental Association’s 19-hundred dentists, says when cities remove fluoride from their drinking water, tooth decay goes up.

Cut 15 (09) “…removal of fluoride.”

The vote was 6-to-3, along party lines.

The biggest music festival in Louisiana opens today. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

A one-year-old child is in DCFS custody after being found alone inside a Baton Rouge motel room. A housekeeper at the American Inn found the baby late yesterday morning and called police. So far, the baby’s parents have not been located; they haven’t even been identified. 

It’s a big day for former LSU star Will Campbell, as he will become the second Tiger offensive lineman ever to be taken in the first round of tonight’s NFL Draft. Several mock drafts have the Monroe native going to the New England Patriots. The cold can be jarring – but Campbell tells KNOE-TV sports he’s ready.

Cut 11 (14) “…get to work.”

LSU Shreveport baseball is invincible – literally. 44 games, 44 wins – and many by lopsided scores. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says his team has really gelled this year.

Cut 6 (14) “…pretty well together.”