The time of Louisiana’s first execution of a prisoner in 15 years is at hand for Jesse Hoffman who scheduled to die by nitrogen hypoxia between six and nine PM at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Hoffman was 18 years old when he kidnapped, raped and murdered of Molly Elliot in 1996. On Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster Governor, Jeff Landry said he will not stop the execution…

Cut 3 (12) “…quite some time.”

Danette Colbert faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old reporter in town covering the Super Bowl who was found dead in a Kenner hotel room with a combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system and Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says she had an an accomplice, Ricky White was also arrested in Hollywood, Fla last Friday.

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

Morgan City Police arrest a 71-year-old woman on animal cruelty charges after finding several dead cats inside her home. Captain John Schaff says officers came across the scene while conducting a welfare check on Sheri Hite. Schaff says officers saw a dead cat through a window and smelled a strong odor. Upon entering, they discovered many more dead cats

Cut 7 (11) “…in the freezer.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is still seeing a lot of cases whooping cough cases. State epidemiologist Doctor Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is very serious and can be potentially deadly…

Cut 10 (07) “…these coughing fits”

There are vaccines available to prevent whooping cough.

Jessie Hoffman is scheduled to be the first death row inmate executed in Louisiana in 15 years. He was 18 years old when he kidnapped, raped, and murdered Molly Elliot. Before his crime, Hoffman fathered a son, Jessie Smith who says he didn’t get the opportunity to grow up with his father.

Cut 8 (04) “…start over again.”

Governor Jeff Landry says he will not stand in the way of Hoffman’s scheduled execution.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Hoffman will be the first prisoner in Louisiana to die by nitrogen hypoxia.

A new statewide poll conducted by JMC Analytics and paid for by Unite America has found Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approve of an open primary voting system and only 34-percent are aware that next year’s Congressional elections will be a closed party primary. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says that means the primary will take place in the spring, instead of the fall…

Cut 5 (08) “….last 50 years”

Councilman Oliver Thomas has thrown his hat in the New Orleans Mayoral race.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenek says Thomas is the third announced candidate. New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno and Former Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter are the other two. Chervenak says Thomas is well liked as he’s serving for a third time on the city council…

Cut 12 (08) “…might be.”

Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.

Jessie Hoffman’s loved ones are bracing for the moment Hoffman becomes the first Louisiana death row inmate to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia. Hoffman’s brother, Marvin Fields, says his brother is very remorseful for what he did to Molly Elliott in 1996.

Cut 6 (06) “…can’t take back”

Hoffman kidnapped Elliot in downtown New Orleans the day before Thanksgiving in 1996. According to authorities, Hoffman robbed Elliot of 200-dollars, raped her in the backseat of her own car and fatally shot her execution style. Elliot’s body was dumped in a river in St. Tammany Parish. Landry says Hoffman’s death sentence is appropriate…

Cut 5 (05) “…shouldn’t tolerate it.”

Hoffman’s execution is set to take place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola between six PM and nine PM tonight.

The state epidemiologist is urging Louisianans to make sure they’re vaccinated against whooping cough. Louisiana is seeing a large number of whooping cough cases. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the symptoms of the serious illness start off so mild that one might not initially suspect anything serious.

Cut 9 (13)  “…for whooping cough.”

Two Louisiana infants have died of the disease in the last six months.

The third candidate for New Orlean Mayor is Councilman Oliver Thomas. UNO Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenak says though Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison, he is well liked. Thomas represents New Orleans East. Chervenak says Thomas will talk about the reduction of crime in New Orleans East and the transformation of the old Six Flags site.

Cut 14 (09) “..as a whole.”

Jessie Hoffman is set to die this evening for the 1996 kidnapping, raping and murder of Molly Elliot. It will be the state’s first nitrogen gas execution. Hoffman is a practicing Buddhist and his lawyers say killing him with nitrogen gas would interfere with Buddhist breathing exercises. Hoffman says he would prefer a different form of execution, even firing squad. On Talk Louisiana this morning, Governor Jeff Landry says nitrogen gas is a more humane method of execution…

Cut 4 (07) “…that he chose.”

Jessie Hoffman’s lawyers are continuing the fight up until the very end. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Councilman Oliver Thomas is the third candidate to enter the race to become New Orleans next Mayor.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenek says Thomas is well liked but he pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.  Chervenek says Thomas has expressed remorse and taken responsibility for his actions.

Cut 13 (10)  “…be as forgiving.”

Louisiana is seeing a number of whooping cough cases. Two infants have died in the last six months. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says whooping cough is very serious that can affect anyone, but young kids, including infants, have the highest risk for severe symptoms.

Cut 11 (09) “…during each pregnancy.”

Sokol says 30-percent of infants who become infected with whooping are hospitalized, and one in 100 likely to die of the disease.

The on again off again execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman is off again. 19th Judicial District Court Judge Richard “Chip” Moore signed a temporary restraining order blocking the execution by nitrogen hypoxia pending a hearing Tuesday morning. Hoffman’s attorneys will argue nitrogen hypoxia, violates Hoffman’s right to practice his religion saying the method would interfere with the practice of “meditative breathing” as he is put to death. Hoffman was sentenced to death by lethal injection in 1998 for the 1996 murder of Mary “Molly” Elliot in St. Tammany Parish.

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. 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”

The Saints sent a 2026 seventh round draft pick to New England to acquire Former Plaquemine High School and LSU star Davon Godchaux. He was a four-star prospect coming out of Plaquemine High School then a starter at LSU from 2014 to 2016. Godchaux says it was a full circle moment when he learned of the trade to the Saints…

Cut 14 (12) “..of it.”

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away. The New Iberia native died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 62. He’s 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.”

Visitation begins tomorrow night at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. His funeral is Wednesday morning at 11 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

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 made the battle 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.”

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

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

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Plaquemine High School and LSU star Davon Godchaux met with the media today for the first time since the trade that sent the defensive tackle to the New Orleans Saints from the New England Patriots. Godchaux says he’s glad to be back in his home state…

Cut 12 (08) “…you got.”

About 95-hundred tons of baled paper at Pratt Industries at the Port of Caddo/Bossier caught fire late Saturday afternoon, and the high winds made the fire difficult to battle requiring more than 100 firefighters.

Cut 8 (12) “…at 950 degrees.”

Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese says job number one for fire crews was preventing the fire from spreading to buildings. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Sixteenth Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhe has passed away Saturday surrounded by his family. Duhe became the D-A in 2015. Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero says Duhe worked tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their families…

Cut 11 (11) “…seek justice.”

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.”

Former Plaquemine High School and LSU star Davon Godchaux enters his ninth season in the NFL as a New Orleans Saint after being traded from the New England Patriots.

Cut 12 (08) “…you got.”

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather this weekend. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm prediction center doesn’t issue level 4 out of 5 risk levels often and that is the risk issued for Southeast Louisiana including New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Keim says all forms of severe weather are possible for Saturday.

Cut 10 (09) “…winds and hail”

The risk level issued for Lafayette and Alexandria areas is 3 out of 5.

Amendment 2 on the March 29 ballot seeks to make a one-time stipend for teachers and support staff a permanent salary increase and it has the endorsement of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. There has been a lawsuit filed by a pastor and two teachers saying the ballot language is misleading, but LFT President Larry Carter says LFT backs Amendment 2.

Cut 5 (12) “…for amendment 2.”

Early voting starts tomorrow.

LSU baseball is mourning the loss of a beloved member of the family. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The LSU women’s basketball team will find out its spot in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night when the bracket is released. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”) says there are questions about LSU heading into the tourney and the biggest question is health….

Cut 12 (08) “…going to be.”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers endorses Amendment 2, which among other things would transform a stipend for teachers into a permanent pay raise. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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 when those levels get to that point, take them seriously.

Cut 9 (09)  “…out of five.”

While LSU women’s basketball team awaits the announcement of its spot in the NCAA Tournament Sunday evening some question the health of the team. Flau’Jae Johnson missed the SEC Tournament with a shin injury and Aneesah Morrow re-aggravated a foot injury during the SEC Tournament. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”)…

Cut 13 (13)  “…the other three.”

The women’s bracket will be released at 7 PM on Sunday.

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman was 87. The Bertmans were married 63 years. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau…

Cut 7 (18) “…they were married.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Early voting starts tomorrow and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has officially endorsed Amendment 2. Two years ago, teachers received a two-thousand dollar pay raise, but it’s considered a stipend and not permanent. Legislators did not want to make it permanent because of future funding concerns. LFT President Larry Carter says the passage of Amendment Two would protect that funding against future budget deficits…

Cut 4 (14) “…their salaries.”

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died last night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. The Bertmans were married for 63 years, and Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Sandy was the rock of the family.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be around.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather this weekend causing the cancelation and rescheduling of several weekend events. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says be prepared for the chance of tornados, hail, and high winds on Saturday but come Sunday…

Cut 11 (15) “…to be spectacular.”

The LSU women’s basketball team will find out its spot in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. ESPN women’s college basketball bracketologist Charlie Crème (“cream”) has LSU as a three-seed, which means LSU will host the first two rounds in Baton Rouge. They were a three-seed when they won the national championship two years ago. Crème says LSU’s top three players are as good as anyone’s in the country…

Cut 14 (11) “…rest of the roster.”