The failure of Amendment 2 will have a profound effect on the upcoming legislative session. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A 55-year-old cold case has finally been solved with the mother being arrested for the murder of her 16-month-old son in Sulphur.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The author of Amendment 2 is speaking out after it was soundly defeated over the weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The overwhelming failure of Amendment 2 on Saturday will be a game-changer for the upcoming fiscal session. Jeremy Alford, the editor at LaPolitics-dot-com, says had it passed, it would have been a relatively quiet session. Now, not so much.

Cut 4 (09) “…definitely, 100-percent.”

Alford says this vote should have little to no impact on Governor Landry’s support among his staunchest supporters.

Cut 5 (11) “…some other things.”

Alford says with Saturday’s loss, Landry joins a long list of governors who have tried and failed to significantly alter the state constitution.

Cut 6 (09) “…it’s followed suit.”

In fact, Alford says the only modern governor to succeed was Edwin Edwards, who managed to replace the entire constitution.

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It took more than a half century, but an arrest has finally been made in the 1970 death of a 16-month-old boy. 75-year-old Alice Bunch Idlett of Norwood has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the 1970 death of her toddler son. Police Chief John Wall says the Sulphur Police Department reopened the case in 2022 at the request of the child’s family.

Cut 7 (10) “…assisted in the case.” 

Initially, Earl D. Bunch the Third’s injuries were attributed to a crib fall, and the case was closed due to lack of evidence. Wall says recent discoveries led to his body’s exhumation.

Cut 8 (8) “…death as a homicide.”

A Grand Jury indicted Alice Bunch, and she is being held on 950-thousand dollars bond. Wall says the family finally has some closure.

Cut 9 (04)  “…that we have.”

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The author of Amendment 2 is speaking out following its defeat over the weekend. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says the reason she authored the amendment as a broad rewrite of Article 7 of the state constitution is because there had been so many changes to it over the years, so she wanted to basically wipe the slate clean and start fresh.

Cut 10 (11) “…rewrite on that.”

Emerson says it was just a few details of the amendment that voters were concerned about, and that’s why it was ultimately defeated.

Cut 11 (10) “…lot of opposition.”

Emerson concedes that because there were so many components to the amendment, fellow lawmakers had trouble answering all the questions surrounding it.

Cut 12 (12) “…comfortable with it.”

In all, Emerson says she and her colleagues learned a lot of lessons from the last several months, and she’s looking forward to the legislative session to continue these conversations.

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The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office takes down a street gang. Deputies arrested seven members of the Motion Gang on various charges, including attempted first-degree murder, drug possession and weapons charges. Sheriff Jason Ard says this gang is known as a “hybrid gang,” which is a bit more disorganized than a typical street gang.

Cut 13 (12)  “…rules or regulations.”

Sheriff Ard says gang activity can happen anywhere, and his deputies are working diligently to rid the parish of it.

Cut 14 (14) “…sooner than later.”

The seven gang members arrested include two juveniles, with the rest ranging in age from 18 to 23. Ard says more arrests will likely be forthcoming stemming from this investigation.

Cut 15 (10) “…down the road.”

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Louisiana Tech begins a five-game week in south Louisiana as the Bulldogs will visit 7th-ranked LSU tonight and then travel to Lafayette to face the Ragin Cajuns. Tech coach Lane Burroughs knows his players are excited to play at Alex Box Stadium tonight…

Cut 16 (10) “…for us.”

Tech comes to Baton Rouge after taking two of three from Kennesaw State. The Bulldogs are 17-11 overall, 4-2 in Conference USA play. Burroughs on the busy week…

Cut 17 (08) “…this week.”

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The Ragin Cajuns also begin a five-game week by hosting Northwestern State. U-L Lafayette swept James Madison this past weekend and the Cajuns are 14-and-15 overall. Coach Matt Deggs says his team will be challenged this week…

Cut 18 (21) “…best shot.”

Conor Higgs leads the Cajuns in hitting with a .351 average and he’s also hit 10 home runs and he’s scored 32 times in 29 games. Deggs likes Higgs approach at the plate…

Cut 19 (15) “…tough pitches.”

The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Governor Landry told voters that the passage of Amendment Two could result in the state eliminating state income taxes one day. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that didn’t motivate potential supporters of the amendment to vote.

Cut 10 (10) “…just stayed home.”

The opposition to Amendment 2 was led by Jan (YAHN) Moeller, the executive director of Invest in Louisiana. Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

While Landry is blaming the defeat on, in his words, far-left liberals spreading lies and propaganda, opponents note that a great many Republicans also voted no. A two-month long fiscal session begins in two weeks, and Pinsonat says more tax reform items will likely be introduced.

The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office is seeking death warrants for two death row inmates, 54-year-old Darrell Draughn and 47-year-old Marcus Reed. Reed killed three brothers in 2010 who he believed stole his girlfriend’s Xbox. Draughn stabbed a woman to death inside her home.

Governor Landry taps State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams to be the new commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles. Adams replaces Dan Casey, who resigned the position last Friday. Stepping in for Adams as the new state fire marshal is Deputy Chief Ed Branch.

Yesterday proved to be the last game of LSU All-American forward Aneesah Morrow’s college career. Morrow has exhausted all of her college eligibility. She leaves as one of the greatest rebounders in women’s college basketball history and gives a lot of credit to Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 14 (13) “…for that.”

The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Constitutional Amendment 2, which was the one that got by far the most attention, likely failed because it was way too much to unpack in a single election.

Cut 6 (09) “…people to digest.”

The opposition to Amendment 2 was led by Jan (YAHN) Moeller, the executive director of Invest in Louisiana. Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

In a statement after the election, Governor Landry said, in his words, Soros and far left liberals poured millions of dollars into Louisiana with propaganda and outright lies about Amendment 2. Moeller, however, says there was also a great deal of Republican opposition to all four amendments as well.

With the LSU women’s basketball team’s season ending yesterday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight, All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson now has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”

All-American forward Aneesah Morrow is not coming back next season, because she’s used up her college eligibility.

In a stunning development, voters overwhelmingly defeated all four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot by about two-to-one each. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says Governor Landry and Republican lawmakers took too big of a swipe at changing the state’s tax code by seeking to rewrite Article 7 of the State Constitution.

Cut 11 (11) “…amendment.”

For the second year in a row the LSU Lady Tigers season ended in the Elite Eight, losing to top-seeded UCLA, 72-65. Coach Kim Mulkey says the game was lost in the second quarter, when UCLA outscored LSU 22-12 with their best player, Lauren Betts, on the bench due to foul trouble.

Cut 13 (09)  “…step up.”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality recently held a statewide listening tour on the state’s waste tire crisis; and now, it’s out with its report. Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says waste tires are having an adverse effect on the state’s waterways.

Cut 6 (09) “…of those waterways.”

And when it rains, the water collected in those tires can allow mosquitoes to breed in them, potentially leading to mosquito-transmitted diseases like West Nile Virus.

Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport opens its new seven-million-dollar nuclear oncology department today. Medical director of Radiation Oncology Doctor Lane Rosen says the Willis Knighton Cancer Center now has the most advanced molecular imaging tools in the country for delivery and monitoring of radiopharmaceutical treatment.

Cut 8 (12) “…can’t do.”

Despite Governor Landry’s support, Constitutional Amendment Two and the other three amendments on Saturday failed to pass. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry lashed out at his political opponents in the wake of the defeat of the four constitutional amendments. In a statement, he said, in his words, Soros and far left liberals poured millions of dollars into Louisiana with propaganda and outright lies about Amendment 2.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is out with its report on how to deal with the state’s waste tire crisis following a statewide listening tour. Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says waste tires are having an impact on farms, especially at harvest time. 

Cut 5 (10) “…find the tires.”

Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport opens its new seven-million-dollar nuclear oncology department today. Radiation Oncology Medical Director Doctor Lane Rosen says nuclear oncology, or theranostics, uses radiopharmaceuticals to treat tumors. He says theranostics is one of the most advanced methods to precisely diagnose and treat cancer.

.Cut 9 (12)  “…side effects.”

Louisiana voters soundly rejected all four Constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot, with about 65-percent of voters voting no on each one. Governor Landry pushed hard for Amendment 2, telling voters it would make the state more attractive for business investment. But John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says the governor didn’t start campaigning for the amendment until the week of early voting…

Cut 10 (13) “…either.”

Amendment Two was born in last November’s tax reform special session. It sought to make major changes to Article Seven that included lowering the maximum income tax rate, limiting annual budget increases, and making it harder to approve new tax breaks.

The race for Lake Charles mayor is headed to a runoff. Republican incumbent Nic Hunter got 47-percent of the vote – not enough to win outright. Thus, he will face independent Marshal Simiem, who got 29-percent of the vote Saturday.

Following a statewide listening tour, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is out with its report on how to deal with the state’s waste tire crisis. Secretary Aurelia Giacometto says one thing they learned in the six town halls is that many collection sites charge a per-tire fee over a certain limit, and that’s counterproductive.

Cut 4 (11) “…just been dumped.”

Willis Knighton Health in Shreveport opens its new seven-million-dollar nuclear oncology department today. Medical director of Radiation Oncology Doctor Lane Rosen says the Willis Knighton Cancer Center now has the most advanced molecular imaging tools in the country for delivery and monitoring of radiopharmaceutical treatment.

Cut 8 (12) “…can’t do.”

Of the four amendments on tomorrow’s ballot, Amendment 2 is by far getting the most attention. It would make several changes to Article Seven of the state constitution, which deals with revenue collection and taxation. Governor Landry says passage will end the boom-and-bust cycles and set the state towards the path of prosperity…

Cut 8 (10) “…that cure.”

Invest Louisiana is one of several groups which oppose the passage of Amendment Two. The group’s director Jan (YAHN) Moeller finds it interesting that some conservatives oppose the bill because it would make it easier to remove tax breaks for churches…

Cut 10 (10) “…during the debate.”

Landry says the amendment preserves the exemption for religious organizations and he would never support anything that would harm them.

The legislature in the upcoming regular session will consider a bill that would eliminate local sales taxes on groceries. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says with the state having the highest combined sales tax rate in the nation, food at the grocery store should not be taxed…

Cut 13 (06)  “…at this point.”

The LSU Lady Tigers face North Carolina State tonight in the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. LSU is playing its best basketball of the season as they scored more than 100 points in their last two games. Coach Kim Mulkey points to the health of her top players…

Cut 17 (16)  “…right now.”

LSU beat the Wolfpack 82-65 in November in a tournament in the Bahamas.

Four constitutional amendments are on tomorrow’s ballot, and Amendment 2 is receiving the most attention. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Polls open at seven tomorrow morning and close at eight tomorrow night, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry says results should be announced a short time later.

Cut 6 (04) “…for the presidential.”

Landry says about 180-thousand voters have already cast ballots.

The Humane Society of Louisiana’s Animal Fighting Task Force rescues more than 40 dogs who were being used for dogfighting in Concordia Parish. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says the dogs are on the road to recovery; and, pending a temperament assessment, they’ll be put up for adoption.

Cut 16 (06) “…and watered regularly.”

44-year-old Maurice Sheppard was arrested and is charged with animal cruelty.

The eighth ranked LSU baseball team was down six to two in the fifth inning last night, but scored five runs in the fifth inning and went on to beat Mississippi State eight to six to take game one of the series. Daniel Dickinson hit a three-run homer to cut LSU’s deficit to one run. Later in the inning, Stevan Milam hit a two-run homer to give LSU a one-run lead. Dickinson on the big five-run fifth…

Cut 30 (09) “…or the ninth”

Same two teams meet again at 6:30 tonight.

Four constitutional amendments are on tomorrow’s ballot, and Amendment 2 is receiving the most attention. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is preparing legislation for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit local governments from taxing food bought at the grocery store in an effort to combat inflation. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The LSU Lady Tigers continue their march towards the national championship tonight. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. While there will be a small handful of special races to be decided, all voters will be deciding the fate of four proposed constitutional amendments. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the turnout in early voting was very brisk.

Cut 4 (06) “…or voting absentee”

Landry says this election has gotten much more attention than previous elections of this caliber.

Cut 5 (05) “…after Election Day.”

The polls open at seven tomorrow morning and close at eight tomorrow night, and Landry says results should be announced a short time later.

Cut 6 (04) “…for the presidential.”

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There are four proposed changes to the state constitution on Saturday’s ballot, and Amendment 2 has received the most attention. The measure makes several changes to Article Seven of the state constitution, which deals with revenue collection and taxation. Governor Jeff Landry has traveled the state urging voters to support it…

Cut 7 (13) “…pay raise (2x).” 

Teacher unions support Amendment 2 because it would make a temporary two-thousand-dollar pay raise permanent by paying down retirement debt.

Landry has said this election is a defining moment as passage of this Amendment Two will end the cycle of boom-and-bust cycles and set the state towards the path of prosperity…

Cut 8 (10) “…that cure.”

Invest Louisiana is one of several groups who oppose the passage of Amendment Two. The group’s director Jan (YAHN) Moeller says this amendment comes from a 115-page bill passed by the legislature last November, and the ballot language does not explain the extensive changes that will be made to the constitution….

Cut 9 (09)  “…take a pause.”

Moeller finds it interesting that some conservatives oppose the bill because it would make it easier to remove tax breaks for churches…

Cut 10 (10) “…during the debate.”

Landry says the amendment preserves the exemption for religious organizations and he would never support anything that would harm religious organizations.

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The legislature in the upcoming regular session will consider a bill that would eliminate local sales taxes on groceries. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his measure would provide financial relief to families that have seen grocery prices rise because of inflation…

Cut 11 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

McCormick says while Louisiana does not impose a state sales tax on groceries, local governments do, leading some residents, particularly in Caddo Parish, to cross state lines to get groceries.

Cut 12 (09) “…any sales tax.”

With the state having the highest combined sales tax rate in the nation at 10.12-percent. McCormick says food at the grocery store should not be taxed…

Cut 13 (06)  “…at this point.”

The regular session begins April 14th.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana’s Animal Fighting Task Force has rescued more than 40 dogs who were being used for dogfighting in Concordia Parish. The Sheriff’s Office got a report back in January and flew a drone over a 28-acre property in Clayton, and that’s when they found the dogs abused and abandoned. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says they all belonged to one man.

Cut 14 (06) “…of animal cruelty.”

That man is 44-year-old Maurice Sheppard. Dorson says the Animal Cruelty Task Force was formed to be ready to respond to calls in places like Concordia Parish, which does not have a public shelter or an animal control unit.

Cut 15 (07) “…type of situation.”

As for the dogs, Dorson says they’re on the road to recovery; and, pending a temperament assessment, they’ll be put up for adoption.

Cut 16 (06) “…and watered regularly.”

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The LSU Lady Tigers will face North Carolina State tonight in the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. LSU is playing its best basketball of the season as they scored more than 100 points in their last two games. Coach Kim Mulkey points to the health of her top players…

Cut 17 (16)  “…right now.”

Tonight’s game will be played in Spokane, Washington.6:30 is the scheduled tip. LSU beat the Wolfpack 82-65 in November in a tournament in the Bahamas. Flau’Jae Johnson says N-C State has improved since then…

Cut 18 (07)  “…prepared team”

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For LSU’s defense to compliment what should be another good LSU offense, the play in the Tigers defensive secondary must improve. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker says six-foot-four freshman cornerback DJ Pickett and Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane are two good additions…

Cut 19 (28) “…of football” 

Baker says safety Dashawn Spears and Javien Toviano are developing nicely…

Cut 20 (19) “…outstanding.”

First pitch is at 7 PM.

A major drug bust in Ruston. Authorities announce the indictments of 14 people who they say took part in a plot to distribute methamphetamine. The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place mainly in Ruston, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now also charged with kidnapping. Investigators say 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit. 17-year-old Michael Lanier is the third suspect, but Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says he’s not being charged with kidnapping.

Cut 13 (05)  “…in the vehicle.”

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Speaking of weather – bad weather forecast for this weekend is forcing changes to certain events. In Baton Rouge, the Kite Fest is being moved from Saturday to Sunday, and it will run from noon to four. And in New Orleans, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather, has now been cancelled.