Beginning today the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control will resume the enforcement of state laws concerning the sale of vapor products. Products that aren’t registered with the state’s VAPE directory can be seized from retailers. Commissioner Ernest Legier says the legislature passed Act 414 to eliminate flavored vape products…

Cut 12 (11) “…elected officials.” 

The law is being challenged but ATC is resuming enforcement today.

Clarifying the claims process is one idea lawmakers will discuss in the legislative session to bring more insurers into Louisiana. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says they’ve been told by Lloyd’s of London that Louisiana’s claims process is ambiguous and unclear.

Cut 13 (06)  “…in Louisiana”
Talbot has filed a bill that makes it more clear on when the clock starts for claims to be paid.

To help the crawfish industry with financial assistance Congressman Troy Carter is holding three workshops for those who depend on crawfish. He says the workshops are one-stop-shops.

Cut 9 (12)  “…it most.”

The first one will be held today in New Orleans and for a detailed listing of the workshops visit LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

McNeese is the 12th seed in the Midwest Region and will face 5th seeded Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Thursday night. Coach Will Wade has led the Cowboys to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002 and they’ll play a Gonzaga team ranked 17th in the AP poll…

Cut 19 (14) “….get there”  

House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes a $95 billion foreign aid bill passed by the Senate, but the Republican has told Politco he’s interested in approving a stand alone bill for Ukraine, despite objections from his own party. Former LSU basketball player and Ukrainian, Roman Rubchenko is pleading with Congress to help.

Cut 10 (13) “…was introduced” “

50 Louisiana National Guard soldiers have arrived in Texas to help with border security. Governor Jeff Landry sent guardsmen at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Louisiana National Guard Lt. Colonel Noel Collins anticipates the soldiers will help prevent, detect, and deter illegal crossings.
Cut 7 (12) “…Texas border.”

The McNeese State fanbase is excited to see where the men’s basketball team will play in the NCAA Tournament.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

At 7pm Sunday the LSU women’s basketball team will find out who they’ll play in the Tournament. The Lady Tigers are 28-and-5, two of their losses came against top ranked South Carolina. ESPN Bracketologist Charlie Creme says a third meeting with the Gamecocks will have to wait until the Final Four in Cleveland…

Cut 13 (11) “…Final Four”  

Louisiana National Guardsmen participating in Operation Lone Star have arrived in Texas. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col Noel (No-elle) Collins says fifty soldiers begin their first of three 30-day rotations Friday at the southern border.
Cut 6 (10) “…operation.”
Governor Jeff Landry signed off on sending Louisiana guardsmen at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Many times, after a car crash, there’s debris left behind which adds to the state’s litter problem. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is asking law enforcement to make sure vehicle bumpers, glass, tire fragments, etc. are picked up after the vehicles are towed away. He says it will make our roadways cleaner and safer…

Cut 3 (08) “…adds to the litter”  

The LSU Lady Tigers will find out Sunday night who they will play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The defending national champs won ten in a row before losing to South Carolina last Sunday. ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme predicts LSU will be a two seed…

Cut 12 (12)  “…Mississippi State.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 and the Lake Charles community is crazy about the Bayou Bandits.  Jim Gazzolo covers the team for the American Press says they’ll have a decent seed despite coming from a conference that will only have one team in the Big Dance…

Cut 15 (09) “…Pittsburgh”

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is at 5 PM for men’s basketball and 7pm for womens.

The tenth and final medical marijuana pharmacy facility opens in Jefferson Parish. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Fifty Louisiana National Guardsmen begin the first of three 30-day rotations supporting Operation Lone Star at the Texas – Mexico border today. LANG soldiers will assist the Texas National Guard with patrols along the border to prevent, detect, and deter illegal crossings.

Often after a car crash, debris is left behind which adds to the state’s litter problem. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has asked State Police, police chiefs, and sheriffs to make sure vehicle bumpers, glass, tire fragments, and personal belongings are picked up after the vehicles are towed away. He says it will make our roadways cleaner and safer…

Cut 3 (08) “…adds to the litter”  

A litter study by Keep Louisiana Beautiful found nearly 10 percent of all litter on Louisiana’s roadways consists of car accident debris.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and a lucky one for mudbug fans as we’ve seen another dollar drop in the average price for a pound of crawfish. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says consumers can expect to pay an average of $6.99 a pound for boiled crawfish this weekend.

Cut 10 (11) “…some are lower.”

Two bills related to mental health on school campuses advance from Senate Education. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham’s bill allows public schools to employ or allow a volunteer chaplain to provide support services for students and teachers. He says in the two states that do allow chaplains…

Cut 9 (07) “…are zero.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill promotes awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 9-8-8. Schools would be required to post the 24/7 free counseling number on their website and school ID cards. Barrow quoted concerning suicide statistics from 2021…

Cut 11 (12) “…to me.”

In 2021, there were 689 suicides in Louisiana.

The House Transportation Committee passed legislation on Wednesday to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law which has been in place since 2004. The bill passed on a 10-3 vote. Hornbeck Representative Rodney Shamerhorn says wearing a helmet should be a personal choice.

AM Cut 4 (09) “…vegetable state.”

Under the current law, both riders and passengers are required to wear safety helmets regardless of age.

Monroe Representative Pat Moore, who worked for an insurance company for 27 years, opposes the bill. She says riding a motorcycle without a helmet is like playing Russian Roulette. And questions the effect it will have on the state’s already skyrocketing insurance crisis.

AM Cut 6 (09) “…of it.”

The bill heads to the full House for more debate.

To deter accidents along the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge more safety measures are being added. Beginning Monday night crews will be replacing speed limit signs and installing informative speed cameras, there will be lane closures at night Monday through Friday until the end of March. And the speed limit for trucks is being raised to 60 so the maximum speed is the same for all vehicles DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…

Cut 14 (10) “…speed limit.”

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill to promote awareness of mental health services in schools’ advances from Senate Education.

Cut 12 (11)  “…can call.”

9-8-8- is the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

The McNeese men’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Wildlife is still looking for leads after a whooping crane was found shot to death in Evangeline Parish in January. It was found in an agricultural pond in Mamou (Maw-moo) A total reward of $12,500 is being offered.

Legislation that would allow law enforcement to once again make public the booking photos of adults charged with crimes is making its way to the Senate floor. A law passed in 2022 prevents the release of mug shots of suspects accused of non-violent or minor offenses. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the 2022 law is hurting law enforcement…

Cut 11 (10) “…law enforcement”

Seabaugh says the 2022 law was approved with good intentions, but there is confusion over what can and can’t be released,

Sarah Whittington with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana says mug shots can cause damage for suspects who later found innocent…

Cut  14 (10) “..good character”

Senate Judiciary C Committee approved the bill.

Legislation banning importing, ownership, and trafficking of sex dolls that resemble children passed out of committee Tuesday. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says Homeland Security contacted her about such activity because there aren’t laws in Louisiana to allow law enforcement to take these individuals into custody.

Cut 9 (06) “…arrest anybody.” 

Ochsner Health is raffling off two tickets to see Taylor Swift and raise money for their Neuroscience Institute. Assistant VP of Philanthropy Lucy King says if it’s among your “Wildest Dreams” to see Taylor in “Style,”  don’t “Shake Off” this opportunity.

Cut 4 (10) “…Four Seasons Hotel.” 

You have until “Midnight” April 7^th to purchase the $100 raffle tickets at Ochsner.org backslash eras.

State Police have charged 61-year-old Lafayette truckdriver Ronald Britt with negligent homicide for driving too fast during the super fog event on I-55 last October that caused a massive pileup and killed seven people. Trooper Jacob Pucheu (pee-shoe) says Britt faces several charges…

Cut 7 (11) “…traffic violations”  

Legislation banning importing, ownership, and trafficking of sex dolls that resemble children passed out of committee Tuesday. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says Homeland Security contacted her about such trafficking after receiving a package with a label describing it as a mannequin.

Cut 8 (13) “…in Metairie.” 

A bill is heading to the Senate floor to toughen penalties against porch pirates. It will give judges the authority to sentence a thief to 60 days if they steal packages from several homes. Major Willie Stewart with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says it’s a big problem.

Cut 13 (11)  “…at a time”

Ochsner Health is raffling off two tickets to see Taylor Swift and raise money for their Neuroscience Institute. Assistant VP of Philanthropy Lucy King says the winner will receive two suite tickets for the October 26^th sold-out show at the Superdome. And like Taylor, the neuroscience center is one of a kind.

Cut 3 (09) “…and Atlanta.”  

The $100 raffle tickets can be purchased at oschner.org/eras. The deadline to purchase tickets is just before “Midnight” April 7th .

The Republican-controlled legislature could consider creating Education Savings Accounts to provide taxpayer dollars to families if the school they’re attending is not right for them. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin…

cut 8 (12) “…right now”
Critics says ESAs will mean a loss of funding for public schools.

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would toughen penalties against porch pirates. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens’ legislation will give judges the authority to sentence a thief to 60 days if they steal packages from several homes. Major Willie Stewart with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says it’s a big problem.

Cut 13 (11)  “…at a time”

Among the issues Governor Jeff Landry wants lawmakers to address is constitutional reform. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio agrees that the 1974 state constitution, which has been amended more than 200 times, needs to be streamlined.

Cut 10 (12) “…should work.”

To hold a constitutional convention to revise one of the country’s longest constitutions with more than 72,000 words, Procopio says the legislature must first approve a bill to hold one, and delegates, which could be lawmakers, would hold hearings and vote on proposed changes.

Cut 11 (09) “…vote on it.” 

As for the particulars of what would be changed to the state’s constitution remains to be seen.

Governor Jeff Landry is asking state lawmakers to create an Education Savings Accounts program, to use taxpayer dollars to help families send their child, to a different school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says former Governor John Bel Edwards was an opponent because it would take money away from public education and give it to private schools.

Cut 7 (10) “…consequences.”

He says an Education Savings Account bill has yet to be filed.

While addressing a New Orleans city council committee in a plea for a new facility, Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described the wretched building conditions which include rats that are high from eating marijuana in the evidence room. And it goes far beyond that…

Cut 4 (10) “…their desks.” 

The committee approved a $7.6 million 10-year lease for headquarters to move to another building.

Governor Jeff Landry challenges state lawmakers to be bold on the opening day of the legislative session. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 24 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”