Professional wrestling’s biggest event returns to New Orleans next year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana is seeing an increase in whooping (HOO-ping) cough, a preventable respiratory illness which is spreading among children, with two reported deaths. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Governor Landry will be in Natchitoches holding a roundtable with local leaders this afternoon amid the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Professional wrestling’s biggest event will be coming back to New Orleans next year. WWE announced that WrestleMania 42 will be held at the Superdome April 11th and 12th, 2026. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says it’s another event that puts New Orleans in the global spotlight.

Cut 4 (08) “…upon and manage.”

This will be the third time that WrestleMania is coming to New Orleans; and Cicero says this time, it will be bigger and better now that it’s a two-night event.

Cut 5 (16) “…at the stadium.”

Cicero says it’s the latest event in a long string of mega-events to be held in the city, including – of course – the Super Bowl earlier this month.

Cut 6 (09) “…on a roll.”

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Whooping (HOO-ping) cough, a preventable respiratory illness, is spreading among children in Louisiana, with two reported deaths. Manning Family Children’s Hospital Physician in Chief Dr. Mark Kline says numbers are way up, compared to 2023 with only around a dozen cases in the state.

Cut 7 (13) “…from whooping cough.”

Nearly 120 cases have been reported so far, and numbers are rising. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated children have been hospitalized, but Kline emphasizes that fully vaccinated children have a better chance of recovery.

Cut 8 (10) “…18 months of age.”

Despite Louisiana’s surgeon general halting state vaccine promotion, Kline continues advocating for vaccinations to prevent severe cases in children and adults, especially for pregnant women.

Cut 9 (12)  “…the time of birth”

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Governor Landry will be in Natchitoches today, holding a roundtable discussion with local leaders at Northwestern State University amid the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland, whose district includes Natchitoches, says priority number one is the employees who will soon be out of work.

Cut 10 (16) “…at other places.”

McFarland says another of Landry’s priorities is to attract companies to fill the void caused by the International Paper closure.

Cut 11 (14) “…utilize wood fiber.”

McFarland says they plan on directing outgoing employees to potential employers in the vicinity.

Cut 12 (15) “…in Campti facility.”

McFarland says without creating jobs to fill the void, the closure of International Paper could have a devastating impact on the loss of sales tax revenue – maybe not this year, but next year and down the road.

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple emphasized his belief that the state needs to have a special session on the auto insurance crisis.

Cut 13 (06)  “…that we’re paying.”

Temple says a lot of the issues with the auto insurance crisis can be traced to lack of transparency with medical billing. Temple says there is a difference in what your medical provider billed and what your insurance provider paid, resulting in a net gain and also an increase in premium.

Cut 14 (07) “…transparency to that.”

Temple says other aspects that will be tacked in the upcoming legislative session is cost drivers in Louisiana that increase the cost of a claim.

Cut 15 (09) “…that we pay.”

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The LSU men’s basketball team hosts Tennessee tonight. Tigers head coach Matt McMahon says his team will have its hands full against the number-five team in the country.

Cut 16 (19) “…just been phenomenal.”

LSU is 14-and-13 overall but is just 3-and-11 in SEC play, in 15th place out of 16 teams. McMahon acknowledged that it’s been a tough season.

Cut 17 (16)  “…and your team.”

Tipoff at the P-MAC is 8:00 p.m.

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The UL Lafayette baseball team is at McNeese tonight after sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday from 23^rd ranked Nebraska. Coach Matt Deggs says after dropping the series opener on Friday night, he loved the energy of his team on Saturday….

Cut 18 (14)  “…won on Saturday.”

J-R Tollett from Ruston will start tonight on the mound against the Cowboys. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one run in four innings of relief last week against Texas Southern. Deggs says Tollett was terrific last Tuesday…

Cut 19 (15) “…off of that.”

The Cajuns are 4-and-3 on the season.

Governor Landry says when he was attorney general of Louisiana, he did something similar to what Elon Musk is doing with federal employees, by asking them to document their work or resign. In an appearance on Fox News, Landry said he called on employees at the state department of justice to reapply for their jobs and explain their duties. He said it led to a more productive department.

Cut 13 (11)  “…the same.”

A death row inmate slated to be first to be executed in Louisiana in 15 years has instead died of natural causes. Christopher Sepulvado’s attorney, Shawn Nolan, said the thought of strapping the 81-year-old to a chair and forcing him to breathe toxic gas into his failing lungs is barbaric. Attorney General Liz Murrill says what he did to his six-year-old victim was even more barbaric.

Cut 4 (12) “…hot water.”

A deadly crash in Red River Parish this weekend involving a sheriff’s deputy. Investigators say 23-year-old Deputy Asia Pikes was driving along U.S. Highway 84, responding to an emergency with her lights and siren going in her patrol unit, when an SUV being driven by 70-year-old Ella Winn of Coushatta turned into her path from Cut-Off Road. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says Winn, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cut 8 (09) “…life and death.”

Impairment isn’t suspected, but samples were taken as per standard procedure, and the investigation is ongoing.

After two wins last week, the LSU women’s basketball team holds steady at number-seven in the latest AP poll. They beat Georgia Thursday night, 79-63, and they beat Kentucky yesterday afternoon, 65-58, overcoming a 16-point deficit in the process.

Governor Landry says when he was attorney general of Louisiana, he did something similar to what Elon Musk is doing with federal employees, by asking them to document their work or resign. In an appearance on Fox News, Landry said he called on employees at the state department of justice to reapply for their jobs and explain their duties. He said it led to a more productive department.

Cut 13 (11)  “…the same.”

A death row inmate slated to be first to be executed in Louisiana in 15 years has instead died of natural causes. Christopher Sepulvado’s attorney, Shawn Nolan, said the thought of strapping the 81-year-old to a chair and forcing him to breathe toxic gas into his failing lungs is barbaric. Attorney General Liz Murrill says what he did to his six-year-old victim was even more barbaric.

Cut 4 (12) “…hot water.”

A Red River Parish Sheriff’s deputy is involved in a deadly crash over the weekend. State Police Trooper Eddie Thomas says the crash happened on U.S. Highway 84 near Cut-Off Road, and the crash killed 70-year-old Ella Winn of Coushatta.

Cut 6 (14) “…lights and sirens activated.”

Thomas says Winn turned left into the patrol unit’s path. He says at this time, why she did that is unclear.

Manning Family Children’s is welcoming Houma Pediatrics and Thibodaux Pediatrics to its pediatric primary care team in March. Manning Family Children’s Hospital Physician and Chief Mark Kline says these two Acadiana-based clinics will continue offering expert care under the Manning Family Children’s network.

Cut 9 (08)  “…pediatric surgical specialist”

Elon Musk is calling on federal employees to document their work or resign. In an appearance on Fox News today, Governor Landry says he conducted a similar exercise when he was Louisiana’s Attorney General. Landry says he called on employees at the state department of justice to reapply for their job and explain their duties…

Cut 12 (10) “…out there.”

At least three federal agencies – the FBI, the State Department and the Pentagon – have told their employees to ignore Musk’s request.

Christopher Sepulvado will not be the first death row inmate to be executed in Louisiana in 15 years. That’s because the 81-year-old died of natural causes over the weekend. Sepulvado was convicted in 1992 in the DeSoto Parish murder of his six-year-old stepson, Wesley Allen Mercer. Attorney General Liz Murrill said Sepulvado’s fate is now in the hands of God.

Cut 5 (06) “…of our hands.”

New Orleans hosted a successful Super Bowl earlier this month and can now look forward to hosting the Super Bowl of wrestling in 2026. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A death row inmate slated to be the first to be executed in Louisiana in 15 years has died. 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado passed away over the weekend after spending more than 30 years on death row. He had been scheduled to be executed by way of lethal gas on March 17th. Attorney General Liz Murrill said she had no plans of calling off the execution had Sepulvado lived.

Cut 3 (06) “…relevant to me.” 

The Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association are joining forces to strengthen and grow the bed and breakfast industry in the state. LTA President Chris Landry says the organizations plan to offer marketing support, educational opportunities, and networking events to enhance visibility and attract more visitors.

Cut 11 (09) “…be successful.”

Ten-digit dialing starts in the 318 area code today, as it gets ready to welcome the new 457 area code in September. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says there’s an easy way to remember the new area code.

Cut 6 (07) “…100 plus 357.”

The LSU Lady Tigers flip the script from last week as they went into Lexington and beat Kentucky, 65-58. Last week at Texas, LSU blew a 12-point third quarter lead in dropping their second game of the season. Yesterday, the Lady Tigers stormed back from down 16 late in the second quarter and outscored them 23-6 in the third to take control of the game. After the game, Coach Kim Mulkey said they didn’t make too many adjustments after halftime.

Cut 16 (17) “…to keep going.”

LSU improves to 27-2 overall and 12-2 in the SEC, and the win clinched them a double bye in the SEC Tournament.

We’re less than two months away from the regular legislative session. It gets underway April 14th. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment from Grant Parish says this year, the priority issue is auto insurance – in particular the commercial auto insurance sector, where high costs are forcing businesses to park trucks and lay off workers.

Cut 8 (12) “…automobile insurance.”

Governor Landry’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

The Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association have teamed up to strengthen and grow the bed and breakfast industry in the state. LTA President Chris Landry says the goal is to provide B&B owners with greater opportunities to grow while enriching Louisiana’s tourism industry as a whole.

Cut 12 (13) “…connect them with.”

If you’re in the 318 area code, start dialing ten digits for all calls, including local calls, today. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s to prepare for the upcoming introduction of the new 457 area code.

Cut 4 (09) “…was pretty logical.”

Campbell says you have six months to get used to dialing ten digits for local calls in the 318 area code before it becomes mandatory August 25th.

Those of you in North Louisiana should dial ten digits for all calls starting today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Chairman of the Louisiana House Insurance Committee says an effort will be made in the upcoming legislative session to lower auto insurance rates. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Louisiana Travel Association is teaming up with the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association to help grow the B&B community in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you’re in the 318 area code, start dialing ten digits for all calls, including local calls, today. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s to prepare for the upcoming introduction of the new 457 area code.

Cut 4 (09) “…was pretty logical.”

Campbell says you have six months to get used to dialing ten digits for local calls in the 318 area code before it becomes mandatory August 25th.

Cut 5 (08) “…I don’t think.”

New telephone numbers in the current 318 service area will be assigned the new 457 area code starting September 25th. Campbell says there’s an easy way to remember the new area code.

Cut 6 (07) “…100 plus 357.”

Those who get the new 457 area code will also be required to dial ten digits for all calls.

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We are just under 50 days away from the regular legislative session which will begin April 14th. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment from Grant Parish says his committee will have a busy agenda….

Cut 7 (08) “…issue to our constituents.”

Firment says this year the priority is auto insurance, in particular the commercial auto insurance sector, where high costs are forcing businesses to park trucks and lay off workers.

Cut 8 (12) “…automobile insurance.”

Firment says legislators approved a package of property insurance reforms last year that will hopefully soon provide relief to rising property insurance premiums. This year Firment expects legislators will look to expand the Fortified Roof Program…

Cut 9 (10)  “…insurance companies”

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The Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association have teamed up strengthen and grow the bed and breakfast industry in the state. LTA President Chris Landry says the collaboration aims to increase memberships while also providing valuable resources to help B&Bs expand their businesses.

Cut 10 (08) “…Bed and Breakfast Association.”

Landry says by joining forces, the organizations plan to offer marketing support, educational opportunities, and networking events to enhance visibility and attract more visitors.

Cut 11 (09) “…be successful.”

The partnership will also provide advocacy efforts to address industry challenges and ensure B&B owners have access to the tools they need to succeed. Landry says ultimately, the goal is to provide B&B owners with greater opportunities to grow while enriching Louisiana’s tourism industry as a whole.

Cut 12 (13) “…connect them with.”

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The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

Lawmakers will start making changes to the governor’s proposed budget when the regular session begins April 14^th. Procopio says there are unanswered questions about state and federal financing sources which brings murkiness to this budget cycle…

Cut 14 (14) “…disrupted.”

The governor is proposing to double state funding for the state’s new voucher program known as the LA Gator scholarship program. 55-hundred students are currently able to attend private schools thanks to 46-million dollars in funding. Procopio says Landry is proposing to increase that funding to 100-million dollars, after he me made a nine-million dollar cut to early childhood education last year….

Cut 15 (12) “…test scores.”

The state’s new voucher program will not only go towards private school tuition, it will also help pay for homeschool materials and other education expenses.

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The LSU Lady Tigers flip the script from last week as they went into Lexington and beat Kentucky, 65-58. Last week at Texas, LSU blew a 12-point third quarter lead in dropping their second game of the season. Yesterday, the Lady Tigers stormed back from down 16 late in the second quarter and outscored them 23-6 in the third to take control of the game. After the game, Coach Kim Mulkey said they didn’t make too many adjustments after halftime.

Cut 16 (17) “…to keep going.”

LSU improves to 27-2 overall and 12-2 in the SEC, and the win clinched them a double bye in the SEC Tournament. Mulkey said her team is focused on the big prize.

Cut 17 (21)  “…a tremendous year.”

The win was also Mulkey’s 750th win in her 25-year head coaching career, which includes four national championships – three at Baylor and one at LSU. Mulkey said she had no idea that this win was a milestone win for her, even after her players drenched her in the locker room after the game.

Cut 18 (20)  “…it was 750.”

LSU has two more regular season games before the SEC Tournament – on Thursday against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Sunday against Ole Miss at the P-MAC.

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LSU baseball suffered its first loss on Saturday afternoon but bounced back that night to take the series against Omaha. The Mavericks held LSU without a hit until the eighth inning on Saturday in a five-to-four victory in game one of a doubleheader. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 19 (12) “…elite team”

LSU took game two of the doubleheader to 12 to 1. The Tigers scored all of those runs without hitting a home run as they had much better at-bats. Johnson says the loss in the first game of the doubleheader was a learning experience as LSU got into a rut of hitting pop-ups and fly outs…

Cut 20 (20) “…in my mind.”

LSU hosts Nicholls tonight at 6 p.m.

The former murder capital of America is shedding that dubious distinction. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says murders in the city have dropped by more than 50-percent in the last two years, from 265 in 2022 to 124 last year. She says the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime in the city.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline this Mardi Gras season. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. According to Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, this week saw a big price dip.

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.” 

A 60-year-old Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) is accused of assaulting at least four girls, ranging in age between seven and 16, over the course of several years.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

Dupre is being held on 525-thousand dollars bond.

The Saints have reportedly named Brandon Staley defensive coordinator. Staley was the head coach of the Chargers from 2021 to 2023. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says even though Staley is only 42 years old, his head coaching experience should help the 36-year-old head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 14 (11) “…have it.”

Crawfish is becoming more affordable as Mardi Gras approaches. The average price for live crawfish is currently $4.10 a pound, with boiled crawfish averaging $6.49 a pound. Laney King, the co-founder of the Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are on track to be under three dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

At this time last year, live crawfish were averaging $7.49 a pound.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against at least four girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) has been doing this for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

Murders have especially seen a huge drop. Two years ago, New Orleans saw 265 murders. That number dropped to 192 in 2023 and 124 last year.

The Saints have reportedly hired former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator. Staley was the head coach for the Chargers for three seasons, leading L-A to one playoff appearance. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says it was that one playoff game that proved to be the start of Staley’s downfall in L-A.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the game.”

A 60-year-old Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) is accused of assaulting at least four girls, ranging in age between seven and 16, over the course of several years.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

As Mardi Gras approaches, crawfish prices are on the way down. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says more crawfish are moving around, making them easier to catch and increasing supply for retailers.

Cut 4 (12) “…down this week.”

The former murder capital of America is shedding that dubious distinction. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says murders in the city have dropped by more than 50-percent in the last two years, from 265 in 2022 to 124 last year. She says the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime in the city.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Those of you traveling on I-49 approaching Alexandria, a heads-up – the freeway is closed in both directions due to a tanker truck that spilled oil onto the roadway. In all, a 14-mile stretch is closed between exits 80 and 94 – U.S. 71 and Rapides Station Road. You can use U.S. 71 to get around the closure for the time being.