Louisiana has carried out its first execution in 15 years. Andrew Greenstein was at the state penitentiary in Angola, where it was carried out.

Cut 1 (54) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was found dead in a Kenner hotel during Super Bowl week.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Three years ago Will Wade was fired as head coach at LSU over recruiting violations, now he’s one of the hottest coaching candidates after leading McNeese basketball to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. After the execution, Attorney General Liz Murrill says final justice for Elliott’s family and loved ones was long overdue.

Cut 4 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

The execution was not without controversy, as several groups spoke out against the state’s use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution. Outside the state penitentiary in Angola, a group of death penalty opponents held vigil. While Elliott’s sister-in-law spoke out against executing Hoffman, Murrill said other relatives did not feel the same way.

Cut 5 (07) “…to have finality.”

Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott said the execution went flawlessly.

Cut 6 (07) “…approximately 19 minutes.”

Hoffman’s EKG flatlined after 14 minutes, and protocol dictated that the nitrogen gas continue to flow for five additional minutes. Corrections Chief of Operations Seth Smith, who was a longtime nurse, says he did not see Hoffman suffer in pain during the execution.

Cut 7 (12) “…inconsistent with death.”

Murrill noted that there are now 55 inmates on death row in Louisiana, and executions using nitrogen hypoxia will continue.

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Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead in a Kenner hotel room during Super Bowl Week. The coroner’s report found Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says an accomplice, Rickey White of Gretna, was also arrested in Florida for allegedly using Manzano’s debit card…

Cut 8 (12) “…Kenner Police Department.”

Colbert was originally charged with robbery and fraud in connection with Manzano’s death. Conley says the murder charge comes after investigators collected a sufficient amount of evidence for a judge to agree with the murder warrant. Conley says Colbert’s case is ready for prosecution by Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick’s office and admits the case against her is  circumstantial.

Cut 9 (06) “…the courtroom.”

Colbert was originally arrested on February sixth after investigators determined she was the last person to see Manzano alive and she was also allegedly in possession of his cell phone and credit cards. Colbert is known to police as a person who targets men in the French Quarter and steals their money and credit cards by drugging them. He says many different agencies were part of this investigation…

Cut 10 (10) “…Randy Smith.”

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A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the audit has found that more than one-fourth of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy, with Medicaid recipients being disproportionately affected.

Cut 11 (14) “…to Medicaid beneficiaries.”

Magee says what’s frustrating about this report is that it comes amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

Magee says the state will look to make it easier for OBGYNs to provide services to Medicaid recipients.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Medicaid program.”

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Tomorrow the McNeese’s men’s basketball team faces Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he took a gamble in hiring Will Wade in 2023, who was fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. He says needless today, that gamble has paid off.

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”

Schroyer says Wade’s leadership has earned McNeese some very valuable national exposure.

Cut 15 (10) “…uptick in enrollment.”

When Wade took the McNeese job two years ago, he said he would commit to two years. With this being the second of those two years, his name has already been connected to several high-profile openings, including North Carolina State. Schroyer says he hopes Wade will choose to stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”

McNeese is the 12 seed in the Midwest Regional, while Clemson is the fifth seed. Tipoff from Providence, Rhode Island, tomorrow afternoon is at 2:15.

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New U-L Lafayette men’s basketball coach Quannas White is predicting big things as he takes over a program that just concluded a 12-and-21 season. White, who is still with Houston as they make a run for a national title, says he plans to bring in high character players into the program…

Cut 17 (15)  “…culture.”

White says he’s hoping the fan base will get behind his program…

Cut 18 (15)  “…Final Four bound.”

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One of LSU’s new defensive ends, Jack Plyburn, a transfer from Florida, believes he’s the best run stopping defensive end in the country. Plyburn says his goal at LSU is to become an elite pass rusher…

Cut 19 (19) “…those things”

New tight end Bauer Sharp from Oklahoma, believes he’s the most versatile tight end in college football…

Cut 20 (11) “…this season.”

A hearing is going on at this hour in Judge Chip Moore’s courtroom that could determine whether Jessie Hoffman will be executed this evening. Moore issued an injunction yesterday afternoon pending this morning’s hearing on whether using nitrogen hypoxia violates Hoffman’s right to religious freedom. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says depending on what happens today in both Judge Moore’s courtroom and at the U.S. Supreme Court, the execution still may happen this evening.

Cut 12 (07) “…execution hour approaches.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced a bill that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for two years. Cassidy says while temporary reauthorizations are better than nothing, families who rely on the NFIP deserve better.

Cut 15 (12) “…period of time.”

A Morgan City woman was arrested for animal cruelty after police found many dead cats inside her home. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The list of people looking to succeed LaToya Cantrell as mayor of New Orleans is growing. Oliver Thomas is the latest to throw his or her name in the hat. In a campaign video, the councilman says New Orleans needs a comeback, and no one understands that better than him. Thomas joins Helena Moreno, Arthur Hunter and Tyrell Morris in the race to succeed the term-limited Cantrell.

The execution of Jessie Hoffman is off again. This afternoon, 19th Judicial District Court Judge Chip Moore issued a temporary restraining order halting Hoffman’s execution pending a hearing tomorrow morning. At issue is whether using nitrogen hypoxia violates Hoffman’s rights to religious freedom.

The National Weather Service in Slidell confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Tangipahoa this past weekend damaging over 20 homes in the area.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away. The New Iberia native died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 62. Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero says Duhe worked tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their families…

Cut 11 (11) “…seek justice.”

Duhe attended law school at Tulane and in 1993 he began working in the 16th Judicial District Attorney’s office. He became the D-A in 2015.

A massive fire over the weekend at the Port of Caddo/Bossier. About 95-hundred tons of baled paper spread across two and a half acres at Pratt Industries caught fire late Saturday afternoon. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese says this was a very difficult fire for firefighters to battle, not just because of the high winds.

Cut 8 (12) “…at 950 degrees.”

The tornadoes that tore through Tangipahoa Parish Saturday are rated EF-2 and EF-3. That’s out of five on the Fujita scale. The tornadoes cut through nearly identical paths; and so far there are reports of more than 20 homes being damaged. National Weather Service Senior Forecaster Rob Frye says it’s not uncommon for storms like this to follow similar paths, and that leads to more destruction when that’s the case.

Cut 5 (11) “…in this case.”

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away. The New Iberia native died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 62. For the last ten years, he had been the top prosecutor for Iberia, St. Mary and St. Martin parishes. Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero says Duhe’s legacy of justice and service will never be forgotten and he’ll be greatly missed…

Cut 10 (07) “…hard to fill”

It will be a late night in the PMAC on Saturday night as the LSU Lady Tigers host San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

More than 100 firefighters were called to the Port of Caddo/Bossier to put out a huge paper fire. About 95-hundred tons of baled paper spread across two and a half acres at Pratt Industries caught fire late Saturday afternoon, and the high winds were making the battle very difficult. One firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The tornado that tore through Tangipahoa Parish Saturday was a doozy. The National Weather Service has rated it an EF-3 out of five on the Fujita scale. Senior Forecaster Rob Frye says due to how close it was to an EF-2 that followed almost the same track, it’s difficult to determine each storm’s effects.

Cut 4 (06) “…tornado did what.”

More than 100 firefighters battled a three-alarm blaze at a paper facility at the Port of Caddo/Bossier Saturday afternoon. The high winds were making the battle very difficult, but crews were able to prevent it from spreading to any buildings. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese says the entire inventory at Pratt Industries is a total loss.

Cut 7 (11) “…damage to it.”

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away. The New Iberia native died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 62. He’d been the top prosecutor for Iberia, St. Mary and St. Martin parishes since 2015. Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero says he had an outstanding working relationship with Duhe…

Cut 9 (11)  “…investigation.”

March Madness is here. In the men’s tournament, The Midwest regional’s 12th seed, McNeese, takes on Clemson Thursday afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. In the women’s tournament, LSU is a three seed and hosts San Diego State Saturday night.

It’s now up to the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether Jessie Hoffman will be executed tomorrow night by nitrogen hypoxia. This, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the scheduled execution and the State Supreme Court declined to intervene. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says there’s also a chance that the case might not actually be over in the Fifth Circuit.

Cut 12 (06) “…the Fifth Circuit.”

A National Weather Service survey team confirmed that two tornadoes touched down east of Kentwood in Tangipahoa Parish on Saturday and later moved into Pike and Walthall Counties in Mississippi. NWS Senior Forecaster Rob Frye says they were around a mile from each other.

Cut 3 (12) “…identical area.” 

More than 100 firefighters were called to the Port of Caddo/Bossier to put out a huge paper fire. About 95-hundred tons of baled paper spread across two and a half acres at Pratt Industries caught fire late Saturday afternoon, and the high winds were making the battle very difficult. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese says job number one for fire crews was preventing the fire from spreading to buildings, and they succeeded.

Cut 6 (06) “…the main goal.”

Reese says Pratt’s entire inventory is a total loss.

For the fourth time, Kim Mulkey has led the LSU women’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament – and for the fourth time, they’re a three seed. They will take on San Diego State Saturday night at the P-MAC. When asked about San Diego State, Head Coach Kim Mulkey was admittedly dumbfounded.

Cut 13 (14)  “…start watching film.”

For now, tomorrow’s execution of Jessie Hoffman is back on. On Friday, a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted Hoffman a delay. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised that the Fifth Circuit acted as quickly as it did.

Cut 10 (07) “…the issues presented.”

Hoffman’s last hope is the U.S. Supreme Court.

It seems that every day, the U.S. makes an announcement of a new tariff. University of New Orleans economics and finance professor Dub Lane says if it goes on much longer, inflation will go up, the economy will suffer, and America will experience a recession.

Cut 7 (11) “…a trade war.”

Suspended LSU Law Professor Ken Levy spoke with Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster about where he stands with his lawsuit against LSU. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two people are killed in a shooting at a downtown Shreveport night club. It happened just after 2:30 Saturday morning at Club Haze. Two others were injured but are expected to survive. At this time, it’s unclear what led up to the shooting, and investigators have not identified any suspects.

Jessie Hoffman’s execution is back on for tomorrow – for now. On Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted a delay, and the Louisiana Supreme Court last night declined to intervene. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says Hoffman’s team had a valid argument to the state’s high court.

Cut 11 (10) “…to 45 days.”

Hoffman’s final hope is the U.S. Supreme Court.

Suspended LSU law professor Ken Levy was on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on Friday discussing his suspension from the classroom for using explicit language directed towards Governor Landry and President Trump during a class discussion. Levy says he did nothing wrong.

Cut 4 (11) “…against profanity.”

One New Orleans professor says the U.S. is headed towards a recession with all these tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

More than 100 firefighters were called to the Port of Caddo/Bossier to put out a huge paper fire. About 95-hundred tons of baled paper spread across two and a half acres at Pratt Industries caught fire late Saturday afternoon, and the high winds were making the battle very difficult. Crews spent the entire weekend preventing flare-ups and protecting nearby businesses.

Suspended LSU Law Professor Ken Levy spoke with Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster about where he stands with his lawsuit against LSU. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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One New Orleans professor says the U.S. is headed towards a recession with all these tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The execution of Jessie Hoffman scheduled for tomorrow is back on – for now. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Suspended LSU law professor Ken Levy was on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster on Friday discussing his suspension from teaching for using explicit language directed to Governor Landry and President Trump. Levy says he did nothing wrong.

Cut 4 (11) “…against profanity.”

Levy says when the dean initially approached him on the incident, she asked him to tone down the swearing, and he agreed. But Levy said if she would have asked him to apologize, then he gladly would have.

Cut 5 (06) “…this is insane.”

Levy filed a lawsuit, arguing that his suspension violated his academic freedom and due process rights. When asked how long he would try to fight this and if he would call it quits, Levy says he plans to fight this until the end.

Cut 6 (11) “…much bigger than me.”

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It seems that every day, there’s an announcement of a new tariff that the U.S. is imposing on a country, with that country imposing its own tariffs against the U.S. in retaliation. University of New Orleans economics and finance professor Dub Lane says if it goes on much longer, inflation will go up, the economy will suffer, and America will experience a recession.

Cut 7 (11) “…a trade war.”

President Trump is by no means the first president to impose tariffs on other countries. From 1897 to 1901, William McKinley imposed tariffs to produce revenue. Lane says Trump is imposing tariffs as a negotiating tool, not necessarily to produce revenue.

Cut 8 (08) “…care of that.”

President Trump has said tariffs are a way to balance out the trade deficit. But Lane says trade deficits are not exactly a bad thing.

Cut 9 (09)  “…place to invest.”

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For now, tomorrow’s execution of Jessie Hoffman is back on. On Friday, a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick that granted Hoffman a delay in his execution. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s surprised that the Fifth Circuit acted as quickly as it did.

Cut 10 (07) “…the issues presented.”

Hoffman is scheduled to be put to death for kidnapping, raping and killing Molly Elliott in 1996. He’s not contesting his death sentence; he’s contesting being put to death by nitrogen hypoxia, calling it cruel and unusual punishment and saying it would prevent him from practicing his Buddhist faith during the execution. Hoffman’s lawyers asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to halt the execution, but the court yesterday evening decided that it was not going to intervene. Ciolino said Hoffman’s team had a valid argument to the state’s high court.

Cut 11 (10) “…to 45 days.”

So now, Hoffman’s last hope is the U.S. Supreme Court. Ciolino says there’s also a chance that the case might not actually be over in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Cut 12 (06) “…the Fifth Circuit.”

Ciolino says when all is said and done, he would expect a delay for at least a few weeks. But if the Supreme Court declines to intervene, Hoffman will be executed tomorrow.

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For the fourth time, Kim Mulkey has led the LSU women’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament – and for the fourth time, they’re a three seed. They will take on San Diego State Saturday at the P-MAC. When asked about San Diego State, Head Coach Kim Mulkey was admittedly dumbfounded.

Cut 13 (14)  “…start watching film.”

You may recall that LSU was a three seed when they won it all in 2023, beating Iowa in the national championship game. Mulkey says that experience will be a huge benefit as the Lady Tigers attempt to make another deep run in the tournament.

Cut 14 (18) “…have the experience.”

Under the women’s tournament format, the top four seeds host first and second round games in their home arenas. Mulkey says having the home crowd behind them will be a huge plus.

Cut 15 (21) “…get to host.”

Believe it or not, the LSU-San Diego State game is not the only Baton Rouge-San Diego matchup of the tournament. On Wednesday, Southern takes on U-C San Diego in a 16-seed play-in game in Los Angeles, for the right to play the tournament’s top seed, UCLA. LSU and Southern are the only Louisiana schools in the women’s tournament.

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In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the eyes of Louisiana will all be on McNeese. The Cowboys are the only Louisiana team to make the field of 68. They’re seeded 12th in the Midwest Regional, and they will take on Clemson Thursday afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. Both teams enter the game with identical 27-and-6 records. Cowboys head coach Will Wade says Clemson is a tough team, especially guard Chase Hunter and forward Ian Schieffelin (SHEFF-lin).

Cut 16 (12) “…rebounds a game.”

Clemson is a school that Wade is very familiar with. He happens to be an alumnus of the school, earning his undergraduate degree from there in 2005, serving as student manager of the basketball team during his undergrad years. Wade says it will be surreal coaching against his alma mater.

Cut 17 (16)  “…I’m all McNeese.”

McNeese was a 12 seed last year when they fell to Gonzaga in the first round, 86-65. McNeese is looking for their first ever NCAA tournament win in program history. But dismissing McNeese as a one-and-done might be a very unwise move. Ever since the tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1985, there have been only six times in which none of the four 12 seeds beat a 5 seed. In fact, since 1985, 12 seeds have won more than one-third of all matchups against their fifth-seeded opponents.

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The top ranked LSU baseball team started SEC play with a three-game sweep over Missouri. The Tigers opened the series with a 12 to 5 on Friday, held on for a seven to six win on Saturday and then a 10 to 5 win on Sunday. Ethan Frey from Rosepine had three hits and drove in two runs…

Cut 18 (16)  “…doing it.”

Coach Jay Johnson was impressed the Tigers scored 29 runs to begin SEC play and only hit four home runs. He says they found other ways to score…

Cut 19 (14) “…conference play.”

Kade Anderson gave LSU a strong start on Friday night, but Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores failed to get through four innings. Shores was pulled after he gave up his third run of the day. But Johnson says he’s not down on Shores…

Cut 20 (18) “…he will.”

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather this weekend. South Louisiana will be at a risk for severe storms – level four out of five in southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and a three out of five for areas including Alexandria and Lafayette. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says if you can make it through Saturday, it will be heavenly on Sunday.

Cut 11 (15) “…to be spectacular.”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has officially endorsed Amendment 2, a measure on the March 29 ballot that seeks to make a one-time stipend a permanent salary increase for teachers and support staff. LFT President Larry Carter acknowledges that it’s not a pay raise.

Cut 3 (06) “…all support staff.” 

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died Thursday night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Sandy was the rock of the family.

Cut 6 (13) “…in Baton Rouge.”

Both NCAA brackets will be released Sunday. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”) has LSU a three-seed, which means LSU will host the first two rounds in Baton Rouge. Crème says LSU’s top three players are as good as anyone’s in the country…

Cut 14 (11) “…rest of the roster.”

The Tigers were a three-seed when they won the national championship two years ago.