Southwest Louisiana businessman Lee Mallett is the new chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, replacing Scott Ballard. Mallett has been on the LSU Board for 14 years. Louisiana Illuminator reporter Piper Hutchinson says Mallett is not afraid to get involved in the day-to-day activities of the LSU System…

Cut 6 (12) “…faculty affairs.”

It’s the big carnival weekend as we approach Mardi Gras and preparations are in place to make sure that it’s safe for everyone. Security in New Orleans is at its highest level from now through Tuesday. New Orleans Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Michael Harrison says the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is in effect. He says the only people who will be able to drive into the French Quarter will be emergency personnel, residents and hotel guests.

Cut 10 (05) “…in those hotels.”

President Trump has pardoned the late Billy Cannon for the counterfeiting charges he was convicted of in 1983. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team will take on third-ranked South Carolina tomorrow evening in front of a sold-out Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Tigers haven’t beaten the Gamecocks since 2012, but Reed Darcey of The Advocate says they will have a chance to change that if they do three specific things.

Cut 9 (07)  “…defensive end of the floor.”

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.

U.S. Senate candidate John Fleming claims that Julia Letlow’s entrance into the race is part of a grand plan by Governor Jeff Landry to one day appoint himself as a U.S. Senator. Fleming described this alleged scheme with reporters after he qualified for the Senate Republican primary.

Cut 26 (14) “…of a college.”

Landry shot back at Fleming by saying anyone who makes stuff up like that may not be fit for office.

President Trump has posthumously pardoned LSU legend Billy Cannon for his involvement in a counterfeiting scheme that sent him to prison for two-and-half years. Afterwards, he returned to dentistry and in 1995 was hired as a dentist at the Louisiana State Penitentiary where he worked on inmates’ teeth and helped offenders reform. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon says his counterfeiting conviction does not define her father…

Cut 5 (11) “…came to be”

Cannon died in 2018.

A cold front will bring strong storms to the state this Mardi Gras weekend. But LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin reports the heavy rainfall and lightning should take place after the parades roll tomorrow.

Cut 3 (33) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”

If your sweetheart is hoping for Valentine’s Day crawfish, it will cost you more this year than last. The Crawfish App founder, Laney King says this weekend, expect to pay around $6.22 per pound for live mudbugs and around $8.69 per pound for boiled. Last year the average this time of year was around $4.00 per pound. Though prices dropped a dollar per pound at the docks this week, they were higher because of the unusually cold conditions that are finally warming up.

Six Republicans have qualified for the May 16^th primary ballot in the Fifth Congressional District. Among them, Baton Rouge State Senator Rick Edmonds who says he will fight for Louisiana values in Washington.

Cut 7 (13) “…fight, fight, fight.”

The Fifth District also includes northeast Louisiana. Chair of the Board of Regents, Misti Cordell who also qualified yesterday says since she’s from northeast Louisiana, she’s the one best suited to represent the district – not someone who lives in New Iberia. She’s referring to State Senator Blake Miguez who is also running for the seat though he lives outside the district.

Cut 9 (09)  “…in that area.”

Austin Magee, Michael Mebruer and Sammy Wyatt have also qualified for the Republican primary. Qualifying ends tomorrow afternoon.

A big weekend of Mardi Gras parades is coming up, but there is the threat of severe weather. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin gives us the details.

Cut 3 (32) “…meteorologist Bill Jacquemin.”

If you plan to vote in the May 16^th primary election, you may want to check the inactive voter list. Today’s Advocate newspaper published 99 pages of names and addresses of inactive voters in East Baton Rouge Parish alone. You can check your status on the Secretary of State’s website at GEAUX VOTE DOT COM.

On the first day of qualifying to run for U.S. Senate and House seats, six Republicans qualified for the Fifth Congressional District race. The seat is being vacated by Julia Letlow as she’s running for U.S. Senate. Among the six is State Senator Blake Miguez, endorsed by President Trump, who says he is running on his record of conservative legislation.

Cut 4 (13) “…banning Zucker-bucks.”

A lot has been made of the fact that Miguez lives far outside of the 5^th district in New Iberia, though legally he doesn’t have to live in the district to serve it. His opponents, including State Senator Rick Edmonds, believe it’s important a representative live in the district they represent.

Cut 6 (11) “…know this district.”

ULM is the first university in the state to install a drone detection system. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Federal prosecutors have indicted two foreign nationals in what is believed to be one of the biggest methamphetamine busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday.

Cut 14 (12) “…these two gentlemen.”

The Justice Department says the two men are citizens of Honduras and El Salvador and are in the country illegally.

Two men the Justice Department says are in the country illegally have been indicted on drug charges in what authorities say is the biggest methamphetamine bust in Louisiana history. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the deputies who stopped the two men on I-12 last Saturday were true heroes that day.

Cut 15 (11) “…you got caught.”

The Justice Department says the two men are citizens of Honduras and El Salvador.

Drone detection equipment is now mounted atop Malone Stadium at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to increase public safety. Dr. Mark Johnson with ULM Police says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events.

Cut 11 (11) “…the operator is.”

Yesterday was the first day of qualifying for the May 16th U.S. House and Senate primary elections. Among those qualifying is for the 5^th District House seat is State Senator Blake Miguez who was endorsed by President Trump but is under fire from opponents because he doesn’t live in the district. Miguez was originally going to run for U.S. Senate but changed gears when Trump endorsed Julia Letlow in that race. Miguez says he will continue fighting for President Trump’s agenda on behalf of the people of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06) “…the national level.”

Another candidate who qualified for that race yesterday is Misti Cordell, who’s currently the chairwoman of the Board of Regents. She says it doesn’t concern her that President Trump’s endorsement went to someone else.

Cut 8 (08) “…meet me yet.”

State Senator Stewart Cathey dropped out of the race yesterday saying the president endorsed the wrong candidate.

If you plan to vote in the May 16^th primary election, you may want to the inactive voter list. Today the Advocate newspaper published 99 pages of the names and addresses of inactive voters in East Baton Rouge Parish alone.

On day one of qualifying, six Republicans and three Democrats qualified for the ballot in the fifth congressional district. Andrew Greenstein reports one candidate’s opponents are taking him to task for where he lives.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

St. Senator Stewart Cathie announced yesterday that he will not seek the District 5 seat. Saying that while he has been a supporter of President Trump, the president endorsed the wrong candidate to represent the district.

Two foreign nationals are indicted by federal prosecutors in what is believed to be one of the biggest meth busts in Louisiana history. U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall says Livingston Parish deputies pulled the two men over on I-12 last Saturday; and during a search of the vehicle, they discovered among other paraphernalia, 71-hundred dollars in cash and 164 kilograms of methamphetamine. (360 pounds)

Cut 13 (10)  “…pounds of methamphetamine.”

The University of Louisiana at Monroe says it has bolstered public safety on its campus with the installation of a drone detection system. Dr. Mark Johnson is the Training Director for ULM Police, and he says universities are facing escalating challenges from unauthorized drones, especially during large events, such as academic ceremonies and football games.

Cut 10 (11) “…could do that.”

Qualifying is underway in the closed primaries for federal offices. Among those who qualified for U.S. Senate this morning was Republican State Treasurer John Fleming, who noted that he was the first one to announce a primary challenge to Bill Cassidy.

Cut 3 (07) “…your vote? ” 

He said in a still-crowded field, made a little less so following President Trump’s endorsement of Congresswoman Julia Letlow, he’s still the most conservative candidate in the Republican primary

Whichever Republican who wins the primary will not have a cakewalk in the general election campaign, as at least one Democrat has qualified. Jamie Davis says at the end of the day, everyone has the same feelings about what’s happening in Washington.

Cut 5 (09) “…tired of it”

Democratics, Political consultant Tracie Burke and former Housing Authority of New Orleans Chief of Staff Jabarie Walker are expected to qualify later this week.

A temporary bill aimed at stopping some welfare fraud is now permanent as President Trump signed Senator John Kennedy’s bill, Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. Previously, the Social Security Administration said they needed congressional approval to share the master file of names of deceased people with other agencies. This act makes permanent that temporary law that allowed the information to keep improper payments from being sent to dead people. Kennedy says it saved the federal government at least Three Hundred Thirty Million dollars in improper payments since December of 2023.

Cut 8 (10) “…duh.”

The Super Bowl was rough for former LSU and Neville football star Will Campbell and the rookie offensive tackle for the Patriots received a lot of criticism for his play. Campbell says it comes with the job…

Cut 11 (10) “…for me ”

President Trump has signed a bill aimed at stopping some welfare fraud. Senator John Kennedy’s bill, Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act amends the Social Security Act to allow the Social Security Administration to share the Death Master File with the Treasury Department so they can discontinue payments to recipients who have passed away.

Cut 7 (08) … the checks

The Act makes permanent Kennedy’s previous bill.

Qualifying for the closed party primary elections for the U.S. Senate and House opened today. State Treasurer John Fleming is the first Republican to qualify in the Senate primary. Congresswoman Julia Letlow is expected to qualify later this week and has already gotten President Trump’s endorsement. LaPolitics Editor Jeremy Alford says in this race, Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy is in for the political fight of his life.

Cut 6 (11) “…last couple weeks.”

It was not a Super Bowl to remember for former LSU and Neville football star Will Campbell. The rookie offensive tackle for the Patriots allowed two sacks and 14 pressures according to Next Gen Stats as Seattle defeated New England 29-13. Campbell did not speak with reporters after the game and on Tuesday he apologized for not making himself available on Sunday night…

Cut 10 (12) “…said anything.”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese saw its enrollment increase. For the spring semester, its enrollment went up 5.3-percent – its biggest spring enrollment increase in 16 years. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says enrollment has increased steadily since taking a major hit during the pandemic.

Cut 26 (12) “…this past fall.”

Qualifying for Louisiana’s new closed party primary elections for U.S. Senate and U.S. House got under way today. State Treasurer John Fleming from Minden is the first Republican to qualify. He is challenging Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy who wants a third term and Congresswoman Julia Letlow who received President Trump’s endorsement and is expected to qualify later in the week. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Fleming is hoping to be a factor.

Cut 4 (09) “…in the room.”

Several law enforcement agencies in the New Orleans area have teamed up to form an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It’s housed at the Kenner Police Department. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the task force became operational at the beginning of the year, and the public should expect to see numerous arrests in the next several weeks.

Cut 7 (08) “…the law allows.”

A new statue and museum exhibit celebrates the life and career of the late Governor Kathleen Blanco. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

NFL free agency begins next month, and Ross Jackson, the host of the Locked On Saints Podcast believes the Saints will be looking to build around quarterback Tyler Shough. The Saints picked up a fifth-year option on receiver Chris Olave’s rookie contract last offseason, and Jackson believes New Orleans may try to extend him for the next several years this summer.

Cut 17 (16)  “…ten receiving touchdowns.”

Governor Landry has formally requested a federal major disaster declaration for the nine northeast Louisiana parishes impacted by the recent winter storm. He says the state meets the threshold with more than 11-million dollars in costs related to the storm already incurred. Senator Bill Cassidy says with such a declaration, FEMA can help those affected with some much-needed financial assistance.

Cut 6 (06) “…emergency hotel stays.”

The nine parishes the request covers are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.

We can add Republican state Rep. Michael Echols of Monroe to the candidates seeking Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat. He made the announcement today. Qualifying begins tomorrow. Echols serves as chair of the Louisiana House Republican Caucus and joins fellow state Sens. Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge and Blake Miguez of Erath and Louisiana Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe for the Republican primary election on May 16th.

In a statement Echols said, “President Trump needs more businessmen and builders like him to cut off illegal immigration, protect our farmers and rural communities, and fix the greatest economy in the history of the world that Joe Biden and his autopen tried to destroy.”

A months-long investigation into drug activity tied to Mexican cartels has resulted in 742 arrests statewide. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Filmmaking activity is heating up again in Louisiana. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios says movie production in Louisiana and the United States was slower than normal the last two seasons. He says the writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023 resulted in more movie production in Canada and Europe, but film production is now coming back to the U-S.

Cut 11 (10) “…in the United States ”