Congressman Clay Higgins will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026. In an open letter posted on his Facebook page, Higgins said he feels best suited to remain in the House to advance President Trump’s agenda. Pearson Cross, who teaches American politics at ULM, says one hurdle for Higgins was his ability to fundraise at the level needed to win a seat in the Senate.

Cut 9 (09) “…price was too high.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to aid those impacted by the recent tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. The HSLA is collecting donations during its Easter Bunny Spring Market and Bake Sale tomorrow. Director Jeff Dorson says if you don’t live near Gretna, you can also make a monetary donation.

Cut 12 (07) “…on your behalf.”

The McNeese Cowboys have made history! For the first time in men’s basketball program history, the Cowboys have won an NCAA Tournament game. The Midwest Region’s 12th seed held on at the end for a 69-67 win over the region’s fifth seed, Clemson. Senior forward Christian Shumate says it’s surreal.

Cut 13 (07)  “…really did happen.”

McNeese faces Purdue tomorrow in the second round.

Another pitch on behalf of New Orleans to the NHL – this time, it’s Governor Landry and Congressman Steve Scalise meeting with league officials about a potential expansion team to the Big Easy. The Metairie Congressman says having the NHL in New Orleans would boost tourism.

Cut 5 (09) “…more as well.”

At this time, it’s unclear when – or if – the NHL will expand beyond its current 32 teams.

The McNeese men’s basketball team has made history. The 12th-seeded Cowboys have won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game, holding on at the end to beat fifth-seeded Clemson, 69-67. Head Coach Will Wade says it’s a good thing that McNeese jumped out to a big first half lead.

Cut 25 (07) “…just phenomenal.”

It doesn’t get any easier for McNeese – they face Purdue in the second round.

A red flag warning is in effect for most of South Louisiana, along with Alexandria. High winds and low humidity are increasing the chances of fires spreading out of control. Thus, you should refrain from all outdoor burning, and LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there are other things you should not be doing.

Cut 5 (12) “…into the grass.”

Baton Rouge Police arrested the man they say fatally shot an employee of Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in the hospital’s parking lot yesterday. Officers arrested 60-year-old Roland Domino on the Mississippi River Bridge as he was contemplating suicide. The victim, 58-year-old Patricia Jackson, was brought back into the hospital, but she did not survive. Chuck Spicer is the president of Our Lady of the Lake.

Cut 11 (11) “…for being here”

A St. Tammany Parish school teacher is arrested for allegedly paying students to send him sexually explicit photos. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says some of the students in the photos that Jarvis Harry allegedly had in his possession have been identified…

Cut 8 (10) “…contact us.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team has made history. The 12th-seeded Cowboys have won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game, holding on at the end to beat fifth-seeded Clemson, 69-67. Brandon Murray led the way for McNeese off the bench with 21 points in the win. McNeese becomes the latest in a long list of 12-seeds in NCAA history to beat a five-seed. It doesn’t get any easier for McNeese – they face Purdue in the second round.

The LSU football team has received a verbal commitment from a five-star recruit from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 24-7 sports ranks Tristen Keys as the top wide receiver in the country for the Class of 2026. Keys also had offers from Tennessee, Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

Former five-star running back John Emery says he will play college football again next season. It would be Emery’s seventh season after spending the last six years at LSU. He suffered season-ending injuries the last two years. It’s unknown if Emery will return to LSU or play somewhere else next season.

Former Troy head coach Phil Cunningham has been introduced as the new head coach at ULM. Cunningham says the Warhawks will need to bring in talented players to compete in the Sun Belt, and the 56-year-old says he’s learned from the best when it comes to recruiting…

Cut 17 (20)  “…as anybody”.”

Cunningham was an assistant coach for Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State

The second-ranked LSU baseball team takes its 16-game winning streak to Texas where they’ll begin a three-game series against the eighth-ranked Longhorns. Texas had its 17-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with a 12-inning loss to U-T-S-A.

Those of you in South Louisiana planning on starting a bonfire today, meteorologists have one word of advice for you – don’t. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Mandeville-area teacher was arrested for allegedly receiving sexually explicit photos from his students. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Today is a very bad day to be lighting bonfires. A red flag warning is in effect for central and south Louisiana, as the region deals with low humidity and high winds. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dewpoint temperatures are what areas like Phoenix would expect, not Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…year in Louisiana.”

The dewpoint temperatures are leading to relative humidity levels of between 20 and 30 percent.

Cut 4 (14) “…the temperatures rise.”

With the red flag warning in effect, you should refrain from all outdoor burning, and Keim says there are other things you should not be doing.

Cut 5 (12) “…into the grass.”

Keim says the relative humidity should start getting back to normal tomorrow.

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A St. Tammany Parish school teacher was arrested for allegedly paying students to send him sexually explicit photos. STPSO Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says the investigation began last October.

Cut 6 (10) “…of their feet”

Jarvis Harry was on leave from his teaching position at the time detectives received the report. He was located last week in Tangipahoa Parish where he was taken into custody. Carboni says detectives found even more sexually disturbing images in Harry’s possession.

Cut 7 (12) “…pictures of students”

Harry was arrested last week on 142 counts of pornography including juvenile, 60 counts of computer-aided solicitation involving a minor, and 120 counts of prohibited sexual contact of an educator with a student.  Carboni says the detective has identified some students in the photos, but there are other photos that they have not been able to identify the students..

Cut 8 (12) “…898-2338 number.”

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Baton Rouge Police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a hospital worker who was gunned down after leaving work. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says 60-year-old Roland Domino shot 58-year-old Patricia Jackson in the parking lot outside of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital yesterday afternoon. McKneely says this is a domestic violence incident…

Cut 9 (11)  “…shot Jackson”

McKneely says officers arrested Domino on the Mississippi River Bridge as he was contemplating suicide….

Cut 10 (12) “…Mr. Domino.”

Domino has a criminal arrest history of forgery, simple burglary, aggravated assault, simple batter and aggravated assault. Jackson died at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital despite the best efforts emergency room doctors. President of Our Lady of the Lake, Chuck Spicer, is heartbroken by this terrible act of violence…

Cut 11 (11) “…for being here”

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Today, President Trump signed an executive order that starts the process of dissolving the U.S. Department of Education. Ultimately, doing so will require Congressional approval. The move has the support of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. The Metairie representative says he favors moving control of education to the states.

Cut 12 (11) “…a better product.”

Scalise says the federal government has not gotten a good return on the money that it’s spent on education since 1979, when the Department of Education was established.

Cut 13 (07)  “…has gotten worse.”

Scalise says as a result, he sees no need for education to be governed at the federal level.

Cut 14 (08) “…the local level?”

A red flag warning is in effect for most of South Louisiana, along with Alexandria. High winds and low humidity are increasing the chances of fires spreading out of control. Thus, you should refrain from all outdoor burning, and LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there are other things you should not be doing.

Cut 5 (12) “…into the grass.”

Today, President Trump has started the process of dissolving the Department of Education with an executive order. Actually doing so will require an act of Congress, and it has the support of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. The Metairie representative says the federal government has not gotten a good return on the money that it’s spent on education since 1979, when the department was established. 

Cut 13 (07)  “…has gotten worse.”

A Mandeville-area teacher was arrested for allegedly receiving sexually explicit photos from his students.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A red flag warning is in effect throughout South Louisiana, including Alexandria, as the area deals with low humidity and high winds. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dewpoint temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees, which are leading to relative humidity levels of between 20 and 30 percent.

Cut 4 (14) “…the temperatures rise.”

Baton Rouge Police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a hospital worker who was gunned down after leaving work. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says 60-year-old Roland Domino shot 58-year-old Patricia Jackson in the parking lot outside of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital yesterday afternoon. McKneely says this is a domestic violence incident…

Cut 9 (11)  “…shot Jackson”

A St. Tammany Parish School Teacher was arrested for allegedly paying students to send him sexually explicit photos. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says the investigation began last October.

Cut 6 (10) “…of their feet”

Carboni says during their investigation detectives found even more sexually disturbing images in Harry’s possession.

Today, President Trump signed an executive order that starts the process of dissolving the U.S. Department of Education. Ultimately, doing so will require Congressional approval. The move has the support of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. The Metairie representative says he favors moving control of education to the states.

Cut 12 (11) “…a better product.”

Chronic wasting disease was found in Catahoula Parish in a hunter-harvested white-tail deer. Sean Richardson reports it’s the first case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you’d better get a move on it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The McNeese men’s basketball team hopes it can become a Cinderella story at the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed a case of Chronic wasting disease in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish. This is the first confirmed case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonathan Bordelon says this brings the state’s total CWD detections to 36.

Cut 4 (07) “…Services Laboratory.”

Bordelon says CWD is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and other members of the Cervidae family. Although not proven to infect humans, Bordelon advises against consuming infected deer, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from hunters.

Cut 5 (08) “…guidence of the CDC.”

Bordelon says the surveillance of potentially infected deer and early detection are crucial in controlling the spread of CWD.

Cut 6 (11) “…threat on the landscape.”

LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

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The state is around the halfway point for early voting, and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Offices says voter turnout is strong for a spring election in the state.

Cut 7 (08) “…by mail votes.”

Watson says East Baton Rouge Parish is seeing the highest turnout due to the state’s newest city — St. George, which has mayor and council races on the ballot.

Cut 8 (07) “…in St. George.”

Watson says they are pleased with those numbers; and while spring elections historically see fewer numbers, there are items on the ballot statewide.

Cut 9 (11) “…something on their ballot”

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Do you have your REAL ID yet? If not, you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 10 (13) “…state-issued credential.”

Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says to help people meet that deadline, the OMV is opening select offices on select Saturdays so that people won’t have to take time off work. Last Saturday was the first of what was originally going to be three Saturdays; and it was such a hit that they’re adding another Saturday this week.

Cut 11 (10) “…few different offices.”

Boudreaux says when May 7th rolls around, you will not be able to use your driver’s license to confirm your identity at the TSA checkpoint unless it’s REAL ID compliant.

Cut 12 (09) “…after that date.”

The other dates are April 12th and May 3rd, and the hours of operation are eight a-m to one p-m. You can book an appointment at Express-Lane-dot-org, and they will also take walk-ins.

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The McNeese men’s basketball team will try to stay in the Big Dance longer than they did last year. The Cowboys were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year. This afternoon, the 12^th seeded Pokes will look to pull of the upset and advance to the second round when they face Clemson at 2:15 this afternoon. Coach Will Wade says his team has a different mentality this year…

Cut 13 (13)  “…more than one.”

Both teams enter the game with identical records of 27-and-6. The Tigers were 18-2 in the A-C-C and have a significant height advantage over McNeese. Wade says they must limit Clemson’s shots around the basket.

Cut 14 (09) “…said than done.”

Senior forward Christian Shumate is glad to be in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but he wants the experience to last longer…

Cut 15 (12) “…moments happen.”

McNeese has bowed out in the first round in each of their three previous tournament appearances.

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Phil Cunningham takes over as the new men’s basketball coach at ULM. Cunningham was an assistant for the Warhawks last season and takes over for the retired Keith Richard (ree-SHARD). Cunningham says he plans to win right away at ULM…

Cut 16 (17) “…win now.”

ULM just completed a 7-and-25 season. Cunningham says for the Warhawks to compete in the Sun Belt, they will need to bring in talented players and the 56-year-old says he’s learned from the best when it comes to recruiting…

Cut 17 (20)  “…as anybody”.”

Cunningham was an assistant coach for Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State under Rick Stansbury. Cunningham was also the head coach at Troy from 2013 to 2019 and took the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Cunningham says he will be active when it comes to promoting Warhawk basketball…

Cut 18 (16)  “…go to them.”

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 8-month-old child. The infant suffered severe injuries, including broken bones. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown believes mental health issues with 24-year-old Autumn Harper played a significant role, and he hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

Two reporters gave a minute-by-minute account of last night’s execution of Jessie Hoffman. One of them was WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson. She says she saw involuntary body movements a minute after the nitrogen gas started being administered.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

After the nitrogen gas was turned off after 19 minutes, the curtain lowered, and the spiritual advisor performed Buddhist chants.

In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, including a 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”

But first thing’s first – McNeese faces Clemson tomorrow.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson was one of two reporters who witnessed last night’s execution. Swanson says involuntary body movements stopped a few minutes after they started administering the nitrogen gas.

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says he hopes Louisiana’s recent economic wins will ultimately boost the state’s population. More than a decade ago, due to population decline, Louisiana lost a seat in Congress – Landry’s seat. He told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that he wants to see a population explosion that will give Louisiana seven Congressional seats again.

Cut 11 (07) “…than Jeff Landry.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Will Wade speculation may be over before it even had a chance to begin in earnest. On the eve of McNeese facing Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament comes word that he may be headed to North Carolina State next season. Wade has acknowledged that he’s spoken with N-C State but would not confirm that he will be the Wolfpack’s next head coach.

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries. The investigation began last Wednesday when the toddler was brought to the hospital and later died. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the boyfriend and the mother.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Twenty-four-year-old Autumn Harper is being held at the Washington Parish Jail.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face when the curtain opened at 6:20.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says the state has achieved a couple big economic wins in recent months, including an 18-billion-dollar expansion of an LNG plant in Plaquemines Parish. In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Landry said he’s on the verge of a couple of other big announcements…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Landry is hopeful these economic development wins, and the passage of Constitutional Amendment Two on the March 29th ballot will lead to population growth.

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. Multiple reports say Wade has accepted the head coaching job. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”