The State Fire Marshall’s office is asking for help in identifying the person who intentionally set a Monroe church on fire Sunday March 30th. The Monroe Fire Department was able to quickly extinguish the fire at St. Mary’s Number 2 Baptist Church around 2:00 P.M. Sunday afternoon but not before destroying the building. Investigators say surveillance video shows a person intentionally setting the fire. Anyone with information can report it anonymously to the Arson Hot Line at 844-954-1221 or online at lasfm.org.

The Southern Shrimp Alliance is applauding President Trump’s tariffs on imported shrimp. Leann Bosard, a board member at the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says she hopes the tariffs will provide a boost to the U.S. shrimping industry.

Cut 3 (12) “…for decades now.”

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas jumped three cents from yesterday to $2.82.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The defending national champion LSU gymnastics squad begins its NCAA postseason journey tonight as they will compete in the Penn State Regional. LSU won the SEC regular season championship, and they won the SEC Gymnastics meet. Mike Smith, the announcer at LSU gym meets says the Tigers are the favorites to repeat as national champs…

Cut 14 (10) “…convincingly.”

If the Tigers finish in the top two of tonight’s session, they advance to the regional final on Saturday.

Five North Louisiana Parishes are under a tornado watch until 10:00 P.M. Some in the area are still without power from yesterday’s severe storms. The National Weather Service issued today’s warning for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union, and Webster Parishes. Residents should stay alert and be prepared to move to a safe location should conditions worsen.

A man and a woman are dead following a plane crash near Raceland. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the 1976 Cessna 2010 L owned by Southern Seaplanes went down last night in a remote marsh area. It was located two miles north of Highway 182 near the intersection of Highway 90….

Cut 12 (11) “…wreckage site.”

Authorities have identified the victims as Lyle Pannepinto who was training as a pilot for the company and Lauren Menkemeller, owner of Southern Seaplanes.

There’s at least one group that’s applauding President Trump’s tariffs – at least on one specific import. Andrew Greenstein explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State University is calling for an above-average hurricane season with 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Researcher Lauren Beard says ocean temperatures are not as warm as last year but it is above average, so stay updated.

Cut 8 (08) “…for your area.”

Tariffs recently imposed on imported shrimp by President Trump are getting a positive response by at least one group.  Leann Bosard with the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says

the U.S. has been subsidizing direct competitors of the U.S. shrimping industry’s for far too long.

Cut 5 (13) “…allow that anymore.”

Forecasters are calling for an above-average hurricane season. 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Colorado State University Hurricane Researcher Lauren Beard says based on their research, there’s a 33-percent chance that a major hurricane will hit the Gulf Coast somewhere between the Florida panhandle and Brownsville, Texas.

Cut 7 (06) “…from that.”

The average price of a gallon of gasoline in up 3 cents since yesterday. Don Redman with AAA says while gas prices are up from last month’s average, compared to this time last year, prices are down, but he says, be prepared for gas prices to keep rising.

Cut 10 (10) “…get into May.”

The defending national champion LSU gymnastics squad begins its NCAA postseason journey tonight and for the first time in program history, LSU is the number one seed. The Tigers are once again led by All-Americans Haleigh Bryant and Aleah Finnegan. Kailin Chio is the SEC Freshman of the Year and Smith says they’ll have to count on a couple of other freshmen during this postseason run…

Cut 15 (11) “…they did just fine”

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a statewide hiring freeze. According to his announcement, he is looking to save an annualized $20 million in the state general fund. He said, “To ensure the long-term fiscal health of Louisiana and protect essential services for our most vulnerable citizens, we must take decisive action now to address revenue shortfalls.” All state government departments and agencies are subject to the freeze, but local government entities are not included.

While President Trump is expected to announce global tariffs saying they will bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says there’s a reason that many goods are manufactured overseas in the first place.

Cut 4 (09) “…be more expensive.”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says a Slidell man was shot after forcing his way into a home and assaulting a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (merk-a-dell) kicked in the door and attacked the woman and in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

Cut 7 (12) “…shoot out his tires.”

Authorities later located Mercadel and transported him to a hospital. Carboni says once released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery. The woman’s husband was also arrested and booked with aggravated criminal damage to property.

Experian has teamed up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says the partnership is perfect since Experian and Johnson both promote financial literacy…

Cut 12 (09) “…tangible difference.”

A warrant has been issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home U-S Highway 190 East, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel had kicked in the door and attacked the woman.

Cut 6 (08) “…actively fighting them.”

Carboni says in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

A major drug trafficking organization is being dismantled in Claiborne Parish. What started with the arrests of 15 individuals on January 31^st has now grown to 23 people being indicted.  Multiple agencies including Federal, State, multiple Parish, and out of state law enforcement were involved in identifying and apprehending the accused. Authorities confiscated firearms, cash, and drugs including crack cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

President Trump is expected to make an announcement on global tariffs. He says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane doesn’t believe jobs will come to the U.S. if China loses them because of tariffs. He says those jobs would probably go to Vietnam or Bangladesh.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says while countries will pay a tax on the goods they export to the United States, those extra costs will end up being passed along to the consumer.

Cut 3 (10) “…be U.S. citizens.”

Lane says it’s cheaper to make products in other countries but tariffs will raise prices for consumers here.

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

He and fellow physician, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall say the legislation would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders and make accommodations for people born with chromosomal variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

This week, execution dates were announced for two death row inmates in Caddo Parish, a parish with a disproportionate number of Louisiana death row inmates.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard…

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 by voters leaves the future of educator salaries uncertain. Governor Landry warned before the vote that no alternative plan existed, and his administration has not confirmed whether it will support additional stipends. The amendment would have dissolved education trust funds to pay down teacher retirement debt, freeing up about $200 million annually for raises. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Larry Carter says the complexity of the amendment led to its defeat.

Cut 4 (09) “…that was needed.” 

Some were irked by a sentence in Governor Jeff Landry’s statement following the defeat of Amendment Two. He said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. Social media Users questioned Landry’s leadership and tone. Some criticized the amendments, saying they were overly complex. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s not a fatal loss for the government but could be if Landry keeps going down this road.

Cut 13 (07)  “…on any governor.”

Expect periods of heavy delay on I-20 in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon wants to be in the NCAA Tournament next season and he’s signed two players out of the transfer portal, including one of the top guards in the portal, Dedan Thomas from UNLV.  McMahon says Thomas averaged 15 points a game this past season…

Cut 10 (10) “…locked in on”

LSU has also signed six-foot-ten Michael Nwoko, who started at Mississippi State.

Construction is underway in Lincoln Parish on a nine-mile stretch of I-20. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews will be replacing the asphalt.

Cut 6 (11) “…of course with new.”

Buchanan says the work stretches between the Bienville Parish line to the Highway 149 overpass near Grambling.

LSU went 3-15 in the SEC and finished in 15^th place. But Coach Matt McMahon is actively recruiting I through the portal. He says Vanderbilt and Missouri were in the NCAA Tournament this season after finishing at the bottom of the conference standings a year ago…

Cut 11 (12) “…leadership standpoint.”

Louisiana voters said “NO” on an amendment that would have funded permanent teacher pay raises.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Some voters were irked by a sentence in Governor Jeff Landry’s statement following the defeat of Constitutional Amendment Two. Landry said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Landry needs to learn from this defeat and apologize for his comments.

Cut 14 (11) “…everything he wants.”

The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 leaves the future of educator salaries uncertain. It would have made permanent a temporary $2,000 pay increase for teachers and a $1,000 increase for support staff but now stipends will expire after this school year, potentially lowering pay unless new funding is secured. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Larry Carter…

Cut 3 (12) “…local school districts.”

Following the rejection of Constitutional Amendment Two, Governor Jeff Landry released a statement that many voters perceived as a dig. Landry said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. The statement quickly went viral on social media with many accusing the governor of insulting the state and its people. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…

Cut 12 (09) “…work on that.”

Expect periods of heavy delay on I-20 in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU men’s basketball team suffered through a losing season this year, but Coach Matt McMahon is trying to bring a winner to the Boot and now has much bigger NIL budget to bring in better players…

Cut 9 (13)  “…impacting winning.”

Governor Jeff Landry blames far left liberals for the defeat of Constitutional Amendment two. Sean Richardson reports voters overwhelming rejected it and Republicans were a large percentage of the no votes…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Steven Procopio says those organizing opposition to Amendment 3 also motivated voters to vote no on all other amendments on the ballot.

Cut 8 (08) “…way or another.”

Some alarming social media posts led to the arrest of an 18-year-old former St. Tammany Parish School student. A parent first brought to the attention of school administrators posts threatening the safety of the school. Administrators reported the posts to the Pearl River Police Department and their investigation led to the arrest of Webster Bourgeois. Sheriff Randy Smith says, “We have made it very clear that threats like this will be taken seriously.”

The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight and now All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”