Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now 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. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni stresses, however, that the girls were not forced in by the suspects.

Cut 14 (07) “…we want out.”

The Board of Regents is recommending that the financially-troubled University of New Orleans be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says a third-party also needs to be hired to do an academic programs assessment.

Cut 5 (09) “…so forth.”

The legislature will have the final say.

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.

The Heritage Foundation says Louisiana is second in the nation in election integrity, but the state wants to get to the top of the list. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the state has always had secure elections, and it’s keeping the momentum going with new machines that will have a paper component to them, printing out a voter’s ballot so that the voter can confirm his or her selections before casting it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…after every election.”

Whereas Louisiana ranks second in election integrity, it also ranks third in stress. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub. Analyst Chip Lupo says Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country; and those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors.

Cut 12 (09) “…diagnosed with depression.”

The Board of Regents recommends the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month ,legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study the issue…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.” 

UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Final approval would come from the legislature.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives. McMath says it’s something that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to do.

Cut 6 (12) “…food safety program.”

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.”

___________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________

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.”