One lucky crawfish will be treated like royalty as he will have his life spared this morning. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms are working. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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New Orleans native Quannas White, the current associate head coach at the University of Houston, has been named the 15th head coach of the U-L Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will be pardoning a crawfish today. This is the ninth year he has taken part in the ritual as part of an unofficial kickoff to crawfish season in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…here in Louisiana.”

The ceremony will be held this morning at nine at Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in Henderson, just east of Lafayette in St. Martin Parish. Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the pardoned crawfish will be given the name of the restaurant’s founder and namesake.

Cut 5 (07) “…Wharf and Restaurant.”

Nungesser says the crawfish to be named Pat Huval will be treated like royalty.

Cut 6 (09) “…beautiful state parks.”

The pardoned crawfish’s family, on the other hand, won’t be as lucky. Nungesser says they will be boiled alive.

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The lease for the temporary housing facility in New Orleans’ Gentilly neighborhood that housed homeless people during the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras expires today, but it will remain open for the time being. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says they’re going to extend the lease of the facility on France Road as long as necessary in short chunks.

Cut 7 (06) “…week by week basis.”

Steele says there are far fewer people in the transitional center today.

Cut 8 (09) “…down to 78.”

The transitional center was designed to be more than simply a roof over people’s heads. It also involved transportation services to and from jobs or medical appointments, job placement services and counseling services. Steele says the mission has been a success.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to self-vacate.”

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says property insurance reforms in Louisiana are working. Temple says since the legislature passed his package of property insurance reform bills last year, rates are starting to trend in the right direction.

Cut 10 (09) “…overall reinsurance market.”

Temple says the Department of Insurance has licensed ten new insurers since the start of last year’s session. He says while there’s still a ways to go, Louisiana is seeing benefits of reform faster than one of its Gulf Coast neighbors.

Cut 11 (08) “…seeing the impact.”

Temple says another factor in the change in the property insurance trend is the fortified roofs program, which he says has many more benefits than one.

Cut 12 (08) “…to stay dry.”

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New Orleans native Quannas White, the current associate head coach at the University of Houston, has been named the 15th head coach of the U-L Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team. The Advocate’s Kevin Foote says White was the obvious choice.

Cut 13 (13)  “…graduated at St. Aug.”

Under mentor Kelvin Sampson, White played a key role in Houston’s success, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a 235-43 overall record. As a player at Oklahoma, White helped lead the Sooners to the 2002 Final Four. His coaching career includes stints at Western Kentucky and Tulane. Foote says the question was, would White take the job?

Cut 14 (10) “…great hire.”

Foote says he thinks White will be well accepted, but he does have a lot of work to do.  Especially if he plans on bringing Houston’s strategies and schemes to U-L Lafayette.

Cut 15 (09) “…recruit for that.”

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The Saints have a new coaching staff for 2025, led by Head Coach Kellen Moore. This is the 36-year-old’s first head coaching job in the NFL. He was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles last season, helping them win Super Bowl 59. Moore says he’s working to build relationships with both his players and his fellow coaches.

Cut 16 (21) “…up as well.”

Moore’s two coordinators are coaches that he had worked with in the past. Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier was the Eagles quarterbacks coach last season. He says his experience in Philadelphia was amazing, especially how it culminated.

Cut 17 (16)  “…been blessed.”

In 2023, Brandon Staley was the head coach of the Chargers, and Moore was his offensive coordinator. In New Orleans, the spots on the organizational chart are flip-flopped, with Staley now serving as Moore’s defensive coordinator. Staley says Moore is the real deal as a coach.

Cut 18 (15)  “…just really special.”

A work release inmate who walked off the job is captured. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Taegan Howarth was caught in St. Tammany Parish. Ashley Rodrigue with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says the work release program is a Department of Corrections program, and Howarth is not the first to walk off the job since Gerald Sticker became sheriff last year.

Cut 11 (09) “…about two hours.”

Former Louisiana First Lady Alice Foster passed away last Thursday at 84, in her historic home, Oaklawn Manor, in St. Mary Parish. She was the wife of former Governor Mike Foster for 40 years until his passing in 2020.  Former Foster Press Secretary Marsanne Golsby says Alice Foster was an amazing woman.

Cut 12 (13) “…both of them.”

Daylight Saving Time is again sparking debate on its effects and whether it should be abolished. While opinions vary, experts agree that clock changes impact health, particularly by disrupting sleep. Dr. Rahn Bailey with LSU Health New Orleans says losing an hour during the “spring forward” transition affects biological clocks, reducing morning sunlight exposure and delaying sleep schedules.

Cut 3 (14) “…than earlier thought” 

A legendary North Louisiana high school football coach has passed away. Red Franklin was the head football coach at Haynesville High School for 35 years, winning 11 state championships. Franklin’s son, David, says his father arrived at the school during integration.

Cut 6 (10) “…our town together.”

Many people are feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time. Sean Richardson has more on how to catch up on your lost sleep.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A legendary high school football coach has passed away. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Daylight Saving Time is again sparking debate on its effects and whether it should be abolished. While opinions vary, experts agree that clock changes impact health, particularly by disrupting sleep. Dr. Rahn Bailey with LSU Health New Orleans says losing an hour during the “spring forward” transition affects biological clocks, reducing morning sunlight exposure and delaying sleep schedules.

Cut 3 (14) “…than earlier thought”

Bailey emphasizes the importance of routine for melatonin regulation, cognitive function, and mental well-being, and the time change can throw that off for days.

Cut 4 (14) “…those particular times.”

Bailey also notes that shift workers are impacted by this change more than most.

Cut 5 (12) “…is key.”

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A legendary North Louisiana high school football coach has passed away. Alton Franklin, affectionately known as “Red,” passed away over the weekend at the age of 89. Franklin was the head football coach at Haynesville High School for 35 years, winning 11 state championships along the way. Franklin’s son, David – the current head coach for the Haynesville Golden Tornadoes – says his father arrived at the school during integration, and he helped the community come together as one.

Cut 6 (10) “…our town together.”

David Franklin says his father was not only the head coach of his players, but he was also their mentor in both football and life.

Cut 7 (08) “…itself after that.”

David Franklin says his father was quite the disciplinarian – both on the football field and at home.

Cut 8 (05) “…do what was right.”

Red Franklin was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 2010.

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Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening. Ashley Rodrigue with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says Howarth was working for a company in St. James Parish.

Cut 9 (12)  “…around 6:30 p.m.”

Haworth is serving time in Tangipahoa Parish for battery, along with drug and weapons charges. He was last seen in Convent wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat. Rodrigue is urging you to be on the lookout for him.

Cut 10 (14) “…out for Howarth.”

Rodrigue says the work release program is a Department of Corrections program, and Howarth is not the first to walk off the job since Gerald Sticker became sheriff last year.

Cut 11 (09) “…about two hours.”

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Former Louisiana First Lady Alice Foster passed away last Thursday at her historic home, Oaklawn Manor, in St. Mary Parish. She was the wife of former Governor Murphy “Mike” Foster for 40 years until his passing in 2020.  Former Press Secretary for Governor Foster, Marsanne Golsby, says she was an amazing woman.

Cut 12 (13) “…both of them.”

During her tenure as first lady, Alice Foster championed numerous causes, including The Governor’s Mansion Foundation, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Breast Cancer Awareness. However, Golsby says her legacy extended beyond her public service, as she was remembered for her strong values, loyalty, and grace.

Cut 13 (14)  “…better boss.”

Golsby says her and the governor had a strong relationship that complemented each other and says she helped make the governor who he was as a leader.

Cut 14 (12) “…nerves of steel.”

Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Franklin on Wednesday at noon.

Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening. Ashley Rodrigue with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says Howarth was working for a company in St. James Parish.

Cut 9 (12)  “…around 6:30 p.m.”

Haworth was last seen wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat.

A legendary North Louisiana high school football coach has passed away. Alton Franklin, affectionately known as “Red,” was the head football coach at Haynesville High School for 35 years, winning 11 state championships. Franklin’s son, David – the current head coach for the Haynesville Golden Tornadoes – says his father arrived at the school during integration.

Cut 6 (10) “…our town together.”

Many people are feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time. Sean Richardson has more on how to catch up on your lost sleep.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says it codifies some changes in the tax laws that the legislature passed in the special session last November.

Cut 7 (14) “…make every year.”

The new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville is unveiled, designed for patients with severe mental illnesses. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the facility is needed because far fewer beds are currently available.

Cut 10 (15) “…two-thousand patients.”

Natchitoches Parish is bracing for the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. Colleen Crain has an update.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The LSU baseball team now has an 11-game winning streak after sweeping North Alabama this weekend. The Tigers are now 16-and-1 on the season as they get set to open SEC play. The LSU women’s basketball team, meanwhile, lost in the SEC Tournament semifinals to Texas.

The International Paper mill in Campti is set to close next month, with more than 400 workers affected. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says the closure of the plant means a major loss of tax revenue for Natchitoches Parish, so the state is looking at ways to repurpose the plant’s site.

Cut 6 (12) “…site from them (2x).”

Two big basketball tournaments are being held in Lake Charles this week. At McNeese’s Legacy Center, the Southland Basketball Tournament got underway yesterday. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says locals who want to see the McNeese men play will have to wait until tomorrow, with the Cowboys earning a double bye as the tournament’s top seed.

Cut 14 (12) “…six o’clock.”

Today, the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex, with scores of high school basketball fans coming from all over the state.

There’s a new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The suspect in the deadly Mardi Gras concert shooting in Mamou is captured. 19-year-old Trea’land Ty’rell Castille was found hiding in an apartment complex in Montgomery County, Texas, just north of Houston. Two people were killed and several others were hurt in the shooting. Castille is facing numerous charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. He’s being held without bond and is awaiting extradition.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is in Washington, DC, attending the annual Yale Mayor’s College Conference. It comes amid a city council-imposed travel ban, prohibiting all non-essential travel by city officials and employees through at least April amid a financial crisis. Mayor Cantrell’s office says the trip was scheduled well before the city council unanimously passed the travel ban. 

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the passing of Amendment 2 is necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the new tax law.

Cut 9 (09)  “…functions of government.”

Early voting runs through March 22nd, and Election Day is March 29th.

Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening after being terminated. Haworth is serving time for battery, along with drug and weapons charges. He was last seen in Convent wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat.

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. The Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments started yesterday at McNeese’s Legacy Center, and the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex today. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says it’s going to be a huge economic boost for the region.

Cut 13 (07)  “…three-million dollars.”

The Southland women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. The high school champions will be crowned Friday and Saturday.

The ninth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers were ousted in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament Saturday night, losing to Texas 56-49. LSU was without Flau’Jae Johnson, who’s nursing a shin injury. Aneesah Morrow left the game in the third quarter with an injury to her left ankle, and Mikaylah Williams was on the bench for long stretches due to foul trouble. Coach Kim Mulkey says she had no reason to put Morrow back in the game after she went down with her ankle injury and said both she and Johnson will be back for the NCAA Tournament.

Cut 17 (17)  “…we have everybody.”

LSU will now await their first round opponent, in all likelihood at the P-MAC. Brackets will be released Sunday night at seven.

It looks like Derek Carr will remain with the Saints. The quarterback and the team have agreed to restructure his contract, converting most of his 2025 salary to a signing bonus. It’s biggest indicator that new head coach Kellen Moore will keep Carr as his starting quarterback.

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. The Southland Basketball Tournament got underway yesterday at McNeese University’s Legacy Center. The women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says locals who want to see the McNeese men play will have to wait until tomorrow, with the Cowboys earning a double bye as the tournament’s top seed.

Cut 14 (12) “…six o’clock.”

Today, the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex, with scores of high school basketball fans coming from all over the state.

Natchitoches Parish is bracing for the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. Colleen Crain has an update

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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There’s a new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Soon, more than 400 workers at the International Paper mill in Campti will be out of work when the plant closes next month. However, Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says most won’t be unemployed for very long, if at all.

Cut 4 (17) “…pulp service work.”

Bourgeois says on the other hand, there is a ripple effect of the plant’s closure that Governor Landry is focused on.

Cut 5 (11) “…International Paper jobs.”

Bourgeois says the closure of the plant means a major loss of tax revenue for Natchitoches Parish, so the state is looking at ways to repurpose the plant’s site.

Cut 6 (12) “…site from them (2x).”

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Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says it codifies some changes in the tax laws that the legislature passed in the special session last November.

Cut 7 (14) “…make every year.”

Nelson says it also gives teachers a permanent pay raise of at least two-thousand dollars.

Cut 8 (14) “…permanent pay raise.”

Nelson says the passing of Amendment 2 is necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the new tax law.

Cut 9 (09)  “…functions of government.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health unveiled the new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. The 33-million-dollar project focuses on rehabilitation, patient-centered care, and recovery. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the facility is needed, but far fewer beds are available.

Cut 10 (15) “…two-thousand patients.”

Johnson says the facility features enhanced safety, natural lighting, and privacy-focused designs. It includes two new patient care buildings, a utility plant, and renovated therapy and medical staff structures.

Cut 11 (13) “…or one connected building”

In June 2024, CLSH relocated from its historic Shamrock Street site to the smaller facility on Esler Field Road. Johnson says the need for the hospital is growing and will expand in the future to help facilitate the need in the community.

Cut 12 (13) “…medical problems.”

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Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says it’s going to be a huge economic boost for the region.

Cut 13 (07)  “…three-million dollars.”

The  Southland Basketball Tournament is taking place at the Legacy Center on the campus of McNeese State University. The tournament started yesterday with the men’s first round. The women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. Zartler says locals who want to see the McNeese men play will have to wait until tomorrow, with the Cowboys earning a double bye as the tournament’s top seed.

Cut 14 (12) “…six o’clock.”

Today, the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex, with scores of high school basketball fans coming from all over the state. Zartler says it’s an event that the Lake Charles community gets behind.

Cut 15 (05) “…miles per hour.”

The championship games will take place Friday and Saturday.

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The ninth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers were ousted in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament Saturday night, losing to Texas 56-49. LSU was without Flau’Jae Johnson, who’s nursing a shin injury. Aneesah Morrow left the game in the third quarter with an injury to her left ankle, and Mikaylah Williams was on the bench for long stretches due to foul trouble. Still, Coach Kim Mulkey was proud of her team’s defensive effort against the number-one team in the nation.

Cut 16 (22) “…shot 20-percent.”

Mulkey says she had no reason to put Morrow back in the game after she went down with her ankle injury and said both she and Johnson will be back for the NCAA Tournament.

Cut 17 (17)  “…we have everybody.”

Williams led the team with 11 points, but she says she felt that she let her team down by getting into foul trouble.

Cut 18 (10)  “…of a leader.”

LSU will not know their next opponent until the brackets for the NCAA Tournament are released at seven Sunday night. The top four seeds in each regional will host first and second round games, which means in all likelihood, two first round games and a second round game will be played at the P-MAC.

At least one suspect is charged, with more to follow, in connection with the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson. Police say 23-year-old Caleb McCray was among a group which repeatedly punched Wilson in the chest, killing him. Wilson was pledging to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards implored the school – and the city – to do better.

Cut 8 (09) “…make better decisions.”

Crawfish are out in full force – and so are crawfish thieves. Thus, farmers are working diligently to protect their hauls. Paul Zaunbrecher, a crawfish farmer in Acadia Parish, says some sophisticated thieves will steal the crawfish from the traps during overnight hours. He says drastic situations call for drastic measures.

Cut 11 (07) “…running the trap.”

A Doyline couple is facing 72 counts of aggravated animal cruelty after finding a dozen dogs abandoned on a rural road and many more living in rough conditions at the home.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU football has hired a familiar name to be its new defensive line coach. Former Tigers All-American defensive tackle Kyle Williams will replace Bo Davis, who left last week to be a part of the new coaching staff with the Saints.