A red flag warning is in effect throughout South Louisiana, including Alexandria, as the area deals with low humidity and high winds. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dewpoint temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees, which are leading to relative humidity levels of between 20 and 30 percent.

Cut 4 (14) “…the temperatures rise.”

Baton Rouge Police have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a hospital worker who was gunned down after leaving work. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says 60-year-old Roland Domino shot 58-year-old Patricia Jackson in the parking lot outside of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital yesterday afternoon. McKneely says this is a domestic violence incident…

Cut 9 (11)  “…shot Jackson”

A St. Tammany Parish School Teacher was arrested for allegedly paying students to send him sexually explicit photos. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says the investigation began last October.

Cut 6 (10) “…of their feet”

Carboni says during their investigation detectives found even more sexually disturbing images in Harry’s possession.

Today, President Trump signed an executive order that starts the process of dissolving the U.S. Department of Education. Ultimately, doing so will require Congressional approval. The move has the support of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. The Metairie representative says he favors moving control of education to the states.

Cut 12 (11) “…a better product.”

Chronic wasting disease was found in Catahoula Parish in a hunter-harvested white-tail deer. Sean Richardson reports it’s the first case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you’d better get a move on it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The McNeese men’s basketball team hopes it can become a Cinderella story at the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed a case of Chronic wasting disease in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish. This is the first confirmed case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonathan Bordelon says this brings the state’s total CWD detections to 36.

Cut 4 (07) “…Services Laboratory.”

Bordelon says CWD is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and other members of the Cervidae family. Although not proven to infect humans, Bordelon advises against consuming infected deer, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from hunters.

Cut 5 (08) “…guidence of the CDC.”

Bordelon says the surveillance of potentially infected deer and early detection are crucial in controlling the spread of CWD.

Cut 6 (11) “…threat on the landscape.”

LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

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The state is around the halfway point for early voting, and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Offices says voter turnout is strong for a spring election in the state.

Cut 7 (08) “…by mail votes.”

Watson says East Baton Rouge Parish is seeing the highest turnout due to the state’s newest city — St. George, which has mayor and council races on the ballot.

Cut 8 (07) “…in St. George.”

Watson says they are pleased with those numbers; and while spring elections historically see fewer numbers, there are items on the ballot statewide.

Cut 9 (11) “…something on their ballot”

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Do you have your REAL ID yet? If not, you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 10 (13) “…state-issued credential.”

Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says to help people meet that deadline, the OMV is opening select offices on select Saturdays so that people won’t have to take time off work. Last Saturday was the first of what was originally going to be three Saturdays; and it was such a hit that they’re adding another Saturday this week.

Cut 11 (10) “…few different offices.”

Boudreaux says when May 7th rolls around, you will not be able to use your driver’s license to confirm your identity at the TSA checkpoint unless it’s REAL ID compliant.

Cut 12 (09) “…after that date.”

The other dates are April 12th and May 3rd, and the hours of operation are eight a-m to one p-m. You can book an appointment at Express-Lane-dot-org, and they will also take walk-ins.

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The McNeese men’s basketball team will try to stay in the Big Dance longer than they did last year. The Cowboys were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year. This afternoon, the 12^th seeded Pokes will look to pull of the upset and advance to the second round when they face Clemson at 2:15 this afternoon. Coach Will Wade says his team has a different mentality this year…

Cut 13 (13)  “…more than one.”

Both teams enter the game with identical records of 27-and-6. The Tigers were 18-2 in the A-C-C and have a significant height advantage over McNeese. Wade says they must limit Clemson’s shots around the basket.

Cut 14 (09) “…said than done.”

Senior forward Christian Shumate is glad to be in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but he wants the experience to last longer…

Cut 15 (12) “…moments happen.”

McNeese has bowed out in the first round in each of their three previous tournament appearances.

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Phil Cunningham takes over as the new men’s basketball coach at ULM. Cunningham was an assistant for the Warhawks last season and takes over for the retired Keith Richard (ree-SHARD). Cunningham says he plans to win right away at ULM…

Cut 16 (17) “…win now.”

ULM just completed a 7-and-25 season. Cunningham says for the Warhawks to compete in the Sun Belt, they will need to bring in talented players and the 56-year-old says he’s learned from the best when it comes to recruiting…

Cut 17 (20)  “…as anybody”.”

Cunningham was an assistant coach for Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State under Rick Stansbury. Cunningham was also the head coach at Troy from 2013 to 2019 and took the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Cunningham says he will be active when it comes to promoting Warhawk basketball…

Cut 18 (16)  “…go to them.”

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 8-month-old child. The infant suffered severe injuries, including broken bones. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown believes mental health issues with 24-year-old Autumn Harper played a significant role, and he hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

Two reporters gave a minute-by-minute account of last night’s execution of Jessie Hoffman. One of them was WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson. She says she saw involuntary body movements a minute after the nitrogen gas started being administered.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

After the nitrogen gas was turned off after 19 minutes, the curtain lowered, and the spiritual advisor performed Buddhist chants.

In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, including a 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”

But first thing’s first – McNeese faces Clemson tomorrow.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson was one of two reporters who witnessed last night’s execution. Swanson says involuntary body movements stopped a few minutes after they started administering the nitrogen gas.

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says he hopes Louisiana’s recent economic wins will ultimately boost the state’s population. More than a decade ago, due to population decline, Louisiana lost a seat in Congress – Landry’s seat. He told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that he wants to see a population explosion that will give Louisiana seven Congressional seats again.

Cut 11 (07) “…than Jeff Landry.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Will Wade speculation may be over before it even had a chance to begin in earnest. On the eve of McNeese facing Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament comes word that he may be headed to North Carolina State next season. Wade has acknowledged that he’s spoken with N-C State but would not confirm that he will be the Wolfpack’s next head coach.

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries. The investigation began last Wednesday when the toddler was brought to the hospital and later died. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the boyfriend and the mother.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Twenty-four-year-old Autumn Harper is being held at the Washington Parish Jail.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face when the curtain opened at 6:20.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says the state has achieved a couple big economic wins in recent months, including an 18-billion-dollar expansion of an LNG plant in Plaquemines Parish. In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Landry said he’s on the verge of a couple of other big announcements…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Landry is hopeful these economic development wins, and the passage of Constitutional Amendment Two on the March 29th ballot will lead to population growth.

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. Multiple reports say Wade has accepted the head coaching job. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”

Two reporters gave a minute-by-minute account of last night’s execution of Jessie Hoffman. One of them was WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson. She says she saw involuntary body movements a minute after the nitrogen gas started being administered.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

After the nitrogen gas was turned off after 19 minutes, the curtain lowered, and the spiritual advisor performed Buddhist chants.

In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, including a 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old infant child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU may the big Baton Rouge school in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, but they’re not the only one. Tonight, Southern takes on UC-San Diego in a 16-seed First Four matchup in Los Angeles. The winner takes on the tournament’s top overall seed, UCLA. Ironically, LSU is also playing a team from San Diego – San Diego State. That game is Saturday night.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. New Orleans Times-Picayune and Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says the curtains were raised at 6:20 last night, and Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face and a gray plush blanket covering his body.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas started flowing at 6:21, and it flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

A mother is charged with first degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries, including broken bones. 24-year-old Autumn Harper is being held in Washington Parish Jail awaiting bond. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says the incident is “absolutely heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family.

Cut 7 (07) “…the worst one I’ve seen”

A state 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. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that the findings come amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

McNeese head men’s basketball coach Will Wade is on the radars of a lot of teams with coaching vacancies. This, as he leads his Cowboys against Clemson tomorrow in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. McNeese Athletic Director Heath 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.

For the first time in 15 years, Louisiana has executed a death row inmate. 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. Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott said the execution went flawlessly.

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

A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. It found that among other things, several OBGYNs who accepted Medicaid patients didn’t provide them services. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the state will look to make it easier for OBGYNs to provide services to Medicaid recipients.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Medicaid program.”

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.”

Elsewhere in sports, the second-ranked LSU baseball team had no trouble at all last night beating UNO. The Tigers scored six runs in the first three innings to run rule the Privateers 11 to one. Jared Jones homered and had four hits on the night. Ethan Frey hit two home runs. Jaden Noot gave up one run over four innings and struck out five for the win.

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.