Louisiana is celebrating a new ranking by the Heritage Foundation that gives the state high marks for election integrity.

Cut 7 (09) “…to number two.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says those efforts include new laws passed by the legislature last year that, according to her, makes it harder to cheat in elections while making it easier for people to vote.

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the third most stressed state in the country.

Cut 10 (09) “…the high costs.”

Analyst Chip Lupo says another reason is that Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country. The two most stressed states according to the study are, in order, New Mexico and Nevada. At the other end of the spectrum, the least stressed state in the country is Nebraska.

A new batch of newly declassified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were recently released. LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, an expert in U.S. political history and on conspiracy theories, says one potential reason why these files have remained under lock and key for so long is because the intelligence agencies may have been trying to save face.

Cut 14 (14) “…the Cold War.”

The district attorney in Caddo Parish has filed a motion in district court seeking a death warrant for Darrell Draughn. Draughn is on death row for stabbing his 64-year-old neighbor, Lauretta Wright, to death in 2000. During the penalty phase of Draughn’s trial in 2003, it was revealed that he shot 18-year-old Justin Bradley to death five months later. District Attorney James Stewart’s motion asks for an execution date to be set 60 to 90 days once signed by a judge.

As controversy is ramping up over the inadvertent inclusion of a magazine reporter in a group text in which top cabinet members were plotting military action in Yemen, Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying it. Cassidy says since no Americans got killed, no one should be fired.

Cut 4 (08) “…withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

The Shreveport City Council has approved a 30-year lease of the Stageworks of Louisiana building to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The former expo hall will serve as a studio for film and television production for G-Unite Films and Television. Council member Jim Talifaferro says the now vacant building will be a hub for entertainment and sports…

Cut 6 (13) “…restaurants.”

The Monroe Police Department has made significant arrests this week in two major cases. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan says Delarrious Jones, a suspect in a double homicide from September of 2020, was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…fingerprints didn’t lie.”

Additionally, 23-year-old Christopher Winfield was arrested in connection with a gang-related shooting at Hibbett Sports on February 8th. Two people were shot, neither of them fatally. Winfield is the sixth person arrested in the case. He’s charged with attempted second-degree murder and other crimes.

State officials were in Alexandria to announce a 39-million dollar investment for the Renaissance Juvenile Facility. Governor Landry says these types of facilities give juveniles an opportunity to rehabilitate

Cut 9 (07)  “…never fill.”

Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying the controversy brewing over the inadvertent inclusion of a magazine reporter in a group text on Signal among high-level cabinet members on airstrikes in Yemen. Cassidy says there was a reason that they were using Signal to conduct the group chat.

Cut 5 (14) “…Signal-type chat.”

A suspect in a Monroe murder back in September of 2020 has been arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chief Victor Zordan (rhymes with “Jordan”) says the capture of Delarrious Jones was the result of a multi-agency operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service and local authorities in New Mexico.

Cut 12 (12) “…how that works.”

The Shreveport City Council approves a 30-year lease to media mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who will take over a vacant studio in downtown Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released service information for fallen Sergeant Grant Candies. His memorial service will be held next Tuesday, April 1st, at one p-m at The Harbor Center in Slidell. Visitation will precede the service from ten to one. Sergeant Candies was killed in the line of duty last weekend.

Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying the growing controversy over a group chat plotting military action against Yemen. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Shreveport City Council approves a 30-year lease to media mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who will take over a vacant studio in downtown Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While some people are ramping up their outrage over the inadvertent inclusion of a reporter for The Atlantic in a group text in which top cabinet members were plotting military action against Yemen, Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying the controversy.

Cut 3 (07) “…from the mistake.”

Cassidy says no one involved should be fired because no Americans got killed.

Cut 4 (08) “…withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

Cassidy says there was a reason that they were using Signal to conduct the group chat.

Cut 5 (14) “…Signal-type chat.”

The Atlantic published the texts that its reporter received after the White House said there was no classified information contained. However, some sources are now saying that some of the information in those texts were indeed classified.

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The Shreveport City Council has approved a 30-year lease of the Stageworks of Louisiana building to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.  The former expo hall will serve as a studio for film and television production G-Unite Films and Television. Council member Jim Talifaferro says the now vacant building will be a hub for entertainment and sports…

Cut 6 (13) “…restaurants.”

The media mogul and rapper has said he also wants to bring basketball, boxing, MMA fights, car shows and concerts to the Stageworks building in downtown Shreveport. Following the vote, Jackson told the council he will not let them down….

Cut 7 (08) “…different way.”

The lease proposal was before the council for nearly a year as a few council members had concerns. Mayor Tom Arceneaux said there were issues that needed to be addressed. The vote to approve the lease was 7 to nothing, and Taliaferro is excited to see what happens next…

Cut 8 (12) “…downtown district”

Rent will start at 200 dollars a month and Jackson’s company will assume all operational expenses, which will save the city about 50-thousand dollars a year.

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State officials were in Alexandria to announce a 39-million dollar investment for the Renaissance Juvenile Facility. The money will result in the construction of a modern, security facility on Renaissance’s campus, increasing the number of beds from 12 to more than 50. Governor Jeff Landry says these types of facilities give juveniles an opportunity to rehabilitate

Cut 9 (07)  “…never fill.”

State Senator Heather Cloud says by expanding the number of beds, more juvenile offenders from central Louisiana can be rehabilitated in Alexandria…

Cut 10 (14) “…sustainable funding”

Cloud says the improvements at Renaissance have been two decades in the making.

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The Monroe Police Department has made significant arrests this week in two major cases. Chief Victor Zordan (rhymes with “Jordan”) says Delarrious Jones, a suspect in a double homicide from September of 2020, was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…fingerprints didn’t lie.”

Zordan says his capture, nearly five years after the crime and over 900 miles away, was the result of a multi-agency operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service and local authorities in New Mexico.

Cut 12 (12) “…how that works.”

Additionally, 23-year-old Christopher Winfield of Monroe was arrested in connection with a gang-related shooting at Hibbett Sports on February 8th.  Zordan says Winfield was arrested Monday and charged with rioting, illegally carrying a weapon, and attempted second-degree murder.

Cut 13 (13)  “…judicial system.”

Zordan asks anyone with information to contact the Monroe Police Department or Crimestoppers.

Cut 14 (15) “…paid for that”

Winfield is the sixth person arrested as a result of the investigation into the shooting at Hibbett Sports that resulted in two people being shot, neither fatally.

As controversy is ramping up over the inadvertent inclusion of a magazine reporter in a group text in which top cabinet members were plotting military action in Yemen, Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying it. Cassidy says since no Americans got killed, no one should be fired.

Cut 4 (08) “…withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

The Monroe Police Department has made significant arrests this week in two major cases. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan says Delarrious Jones, a suspect in a double homicide from September of 2020, was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico, yesterday.

Cut 11 (11) “…fingerprints didn’t lie.”

Additionally, 23-year-old Christopher Winfield was arrested in connection with a gang-related shooting at Hibbett Sports on February 8th. Two people were shot, neither of them fatally. Winfield is the sixth person arrested in the case. He’s charged with attempted second-degree murder and other crimes.

The Shreveport City Council has approved a 30-year lease of the Stageworks of Louisiana building to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.  The former expo hall will serve as a studio for film and television production for G-Unite Films and Television. Council member Jim Talifaferro says the now vacant building will be a hub for entertainment and sports…

Cut 6 (13) “…restaurants.”

Rent will start at 200-dollars a month and Jackson’s company will assume all operational expenses, which will save the city about 50-thousand dollars a year.

While some people are ramping up their outrage over the inadvertent inclusion of a reporter for The Atlantic in a group text in which U.S. officials were plotting military action against Yemen, Senator Bill Cassidy appears to be downplaying the controversy. 

Cut 3 (07) “…from the mistake.”

The Atlantic published the texts that its reporter received after the White House said there was no classified information contained. However, some sources are now saying that some of the information in those texts were indeed classified.

State officials were in Alexandria to announce a 39-million dollar investment for the Renaissance Juvenile Facility. Governor Landry says these types of facilities give juveniles an opportunity to rehabilitate

Cut 9 (07)  “…never fill.”

The money will result in the construction of a modern, secure facility on Renaissance’s campus, increasing the number of beds from 12 to more than 50.

Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) says the upcoming arrival of a Hyundai steel plant is a huge win for the parish. Cointment points out that the plant will be producing green steel – that is, steel produced without using fossil fuels.

Cut 5 (07) “…attractive to us.”

But not everyone in the parish is convinced.  Ashley Gaignard (GAN-yard) is the president of the group Rural Roots Louisiana. She says she would like the plant to be put up somewhere else.

Cut 6 (09) “…about the people.”

The 5.8-billion-dollar steel plant will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark, which at 17-thousand acres is the largest undeveloped tract along the deep-water Mississippi River. The plant would occupy one-tenth of that area. The plant is expected to result in the creation of more than five-thousand direct and indirect jobs.

When it comes to honesty in seafood labeling, Louisiana restaurants are actually doing much better than neighboring states. Studies by SEED Consulting show that two-thirds of Louisiana restaurants are being honest about whether their seafood is imported or not. President David Williams says there are reasons some restaurants in Louisiana serve imported shrimp.

Cut 10 (09) “…for the product.”

Some mega changes for Mega Millions. Starting April 5th, Mega Millions will cost five dollars per ticket and will have a higher starting jackpot and improved odds. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says if the five-dollar ticket is out of your price range, you still have other options for playing a multi-state lottery…

Cut 12 (12) “…and Saturdays.”

Former four-term Louisiana U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnson has passed away at age of 92. Jeff Palermo looks back at his 24 years in the U-S Senate…

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An 81-year-old woman in New Orleans is mauled to death by three dogs who broke through a fence. All three dogs were impounded; one of them has been euthanized.

Four-term Louisiana U-S Senator J Bennett Johnston has passed away at the age of 92. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat was Johnston’s executive assistant in charge of Louisiana political operations and says the Democrat worked with Democrats and Republicans to bring back federal dollars to Louisiana…

Cut 14 (09) “…priority.”

Johnston served in the U-S Army in the 1950s. Served in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature from 1964 to 1972.

The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming construction of Hyundai’s new steel mill. President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) says the new 5.8-billion-dollar steel mill will have a huge impact on the entire region.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the surrounding parishes.”

Former LSU football coach Les Miles’ effort to get 37 wins restored to his coaching record is not going well. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Last weekend, a vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival was caught selling crawfish imported from China without a sign at the booth indicating so. Organizer Cisco Gonzales says the issue was rectified quickly, and he’s going to push for the festival to require that only Louisiana-harvested crawfish can be sold from now on.

Cut 4 (05) “…Louisiana crawfish only.”

The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming construction of Hyundai’s new steel mill. President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) says the new steel mill will create 14-hundred direct jobs and more than four-thousand indirect jobs, benefitting many other companies in the region as well.

Cut 10 (09) “…throughout our parish.”

An Abbeville man is cited for allegedly killing a black bear in Vermilion Parish. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 50-year-old Shannon Parker admitted to shooting at a dark silhouette, thinking it was a wild hog and not the ten-year-old 200-pound female bear that she actually was. Corporal Derek Logan says Parker also lacked written permission to hunt at night and failed to notify the Sheriff’s Office.

Cut 7 (09) “…failed to do so.”

Former LSU football coach Les Miles’ effort to get 37 wins restored to his coaching record is not going well. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Last weekend, a vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival was caught selling crawfish imported from China without a sign at the booth indicating so. Organizer Cisco Gonzales says the issue was rectified quickly, and he’s going to push for the festival to require that only Louisiana-harvested crawfish can be sold from now on.

Cut 4 (05) “…Louisiana crawfish only.”

Hyundai makes a major investment in Louisiana. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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LSU Health Shreveport celebrates Match Day with its medical students. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The LSU Lady Tigers leave Florida State in their dust as they advance to the Sweet 16. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A major announcement by Hyundai – the first steel plant it’s building in North America will be going up in Ascension Parish. President Trump made the announcement at the White House yesterday.

Cut 4 (13) “…expansion after that.”

The 5.8-billion-dollar steel plant will be built in Donaldsonville and will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark on the Westbank of the Mississippi River, and construction is slated to begin in the third quarter next year. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun says the company is making a commitment to American manufacturing with this plant.

Cut 5 (10) “…parts to automobiles.”

The announcement of the plant is the latest in a string of economic development projects coming to the state, including a Meta artificial intelligence data center in Richland Parish. Governor Landry says this is just the start.

Cut 6 (06) “…on in Louisiana.”

The direct jobs created by the new steel plant are expected to have an average annual salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation has completed a 2.5-million-dollar project, installing 28 new closed-circuit television cameras along I-10 from Lake Charles to Scott. John Guidroz with DOTD says these cameras are connected to the state agency’s main fiber network, expanding public access to live-stream traffic coverage along that stretch.

Cut 7 (08) “…Interstate 10.”

Guidroz says the additional cameras enhance traffic monitoring, operations, and safety along the corridor.

Cut 8 (12) “…along Interstate 10.”

The public can view the cameras on 511la.org or through the 511 mobile app for real-time traffic updates.

Cut 9 (11)  “…these new cameras.”

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Match Day is a pivotal event when medical students across the U.S. learn where they will complete their residencies. Last Friday, nearly 36-thousand students from coast to coast received their matches. Lisa Babin with LSU Health Shreveport says the school celebrated as students discovered their placements.

Cut 10 (13) “…will continue .”

Babin says 96-percent of med students at LSU Health Shreveport got matched in the program.

Cut 11 (13) “…in the nation.”

Babin says this year 46-percent of students will remain in state for their residency which while help combat the projected physician shortage in 2030.

Cut 12 (13) “…expected by 2030.”

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For the third year in a row, the Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16. LSU used a very strong third quarter to blow by LSU, 101-71, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida State kept it close throughout the first half – in fact, the Seminoles led at halftime, 50 to 49. Head Coach Kim Mulkey was forced to sit Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams for a good portion of the second quarter due to foul trouble. Mulkey said her bench players did their job.

Cut 13 (15)  “…big for us.”

Mulkey was referring to freshman guard Jada Richard (REE-shard), who said after the game she had no fear of the moment.

Cut 14 (09) “…ball went in.”

With Johnson and Williams rested, LSU blew past Florida State 31 to 6 in the third quarter. In fact, LSU held Florida State scoreless for the last six and a half minutes in that quarter. The third-seeded Lady Tigers move on to face second-seeded N-C State in the regional semifinals in Spokane, Washington, on Friday. Mulkey says they don’t take Sweet 16s for granted anymore at LSU.

Cut 15 (13) “…we could do.”

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Wide receiver Brandin Cooks is back with the Saints and has no regrets on how his first stint in New Orleans ended. The Saints drafted Cooks, who is now 31-years-old, in 2014 and he became a one-thousand yard receiver for the Black and Gold. But after three seasons, New Orleans traded Cooks to New England as there were reports Cooks was unhappy with his role as he was seeking a big contract. Cooks says he was not interested in burning bridges when he left New Orleans…

Cut 16 (17) “…from one another.”

Cooks says he’s looking forward to playing with Derek Carr…

Cut 17 (17)  “…highest level.”

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Two players out of the transfer portal are making an impact on LSU’s offense during spring practice. Tight end Bauer Sharp was Oklahoma’s leading receiver last season, and Coach Brian Kelly says Sharp is a good fit in the locker room and on the field…

Cut 18 (18)  “…win a championship.”

Florida State transfer Destyn Hill from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans has been impressive to watch at practice. Hill is coming off a knee injury and Kelly likes his physicality…

Cut 19 (15) “…SEC player”