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.

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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.