An interesting debate is expected on the House floor this afternoon over a bill that would name a proposed new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge after President Trump.  It’s an idea polarizing people.  But Monroe Representative Michael Echols says naming the bridge after the president might increase the chances of having the federal government fund the three-billion-dollar project and alleviate the need for tolls.

Cut 7 (07) “…in Louisiana.”

Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. Registrants would pay a 250-dollar registration fee, with 100 dollars of that going to the governor’s office on women’s policy for domestic abuse intervention. Walters says…

Cut 14 (08) “…home with them.”

Houma Senator Mike Fesi has once again authored legislation to ban fluoride from all water supplies. Fesi describes fluoride as hazardous waste that causes health issues and impacts a child’s brain…

Cut 10 (06) “…tests done.”

The Louisiana Dental Association opposes Fesi’s efforts to remove fluoride from public drinking water systems. New Orleans dentist Suzanne Fournier says Fesi’s legislation would result in tooth decay and it’s also costly for the taxpayer…

Cut 13 (13)  “..astronomical.”

After an amendment, the legislation heading to the Senate floor now allows voters without fluoride in their drinking water to have a public vote to add it and communities with fluoride in their drinking water, can petition to have an election to remove it.

It was a game that the Lady Tigers pretty much had in the bag from the moment they arrived at the P-MAC yesterday evening. LSU scored the first 14 points of the game dominated  Jacksonville throughout the opening round game of the NCAA Tournament, with a final score of 116-58. Mikaylah Williams scored 18 points and said it was great to return to game action after nearly two weeks.

Cut 6 (08) “…energy was immaculate.”

LSU plays Texas Tech tomorrow.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to participate in a debate with Bill Cassidy, but Cassidy does not like the setting. Letlow says she will participate in a debate on the Moon Griffon radio show on April 28th.  Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, says Griffon is an outspoken critic of Cassidy.

Cut 3 (09) “…Julia Letlow.”

The third major Republican in the race, John Fleming, says he will also take part in the Griffon debate.

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There’s yet another offender registry being proposed this legislative session. This time, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. Walters says there would be two tiers of registration.

Cut 12 (12) “…there for lifetime.”

Mudbug lovers will be pleased to hear that crawfish prices dropped this week, with supply continuing to rise across South Louisiana. Live crawfish is currently averaging $3.71 a pound, while boiled crawfish is coming in at $6.37 a pound on average. Lacey King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says the price decrease was a significant one.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Easter weekend approaching.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to participate in a debate with Bill Cassidy ahed of the May 16^th primary, but Cassidy does not like the setting.  Cassidy has asked Letlow to participate in three televised debates, but Letlow has not agreed to participate in any one of them.  Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, says debates have become tactical.

Cut 4 (14) “…TV debates.”

The third major Republican in the race, John Fleming, has said he will take part in the Griffon debate.

Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing a Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. If the bill  becomes law, registrants would pay a 250-dollar registration fee, with 100 dollars of that going to the governor’s office on women’s policy for domestic abuse intervention. Walters says…

Cut 14 (08) “…home with them.”

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The LSU Lady Tigers are moving on to the second round of the NC-Double A tournament after trouncing Jacksonville 16-58 last night at the P-Mac.  Coach Kim Mulkey’s team will take on Texas Tech tomorrow afternoon at two.  Coach Mulkey says noticed a few empty seats yesterday and says she’d like to see every seat filled tomorrow for a certain senior who will be playing at home for the very last time.

Cut 8 (16) “…last name is.”

Crawfish supply is up this eek and prices are down.  That’s according to Crawfish App founder Lainey King.  But it’s not all good news.  King says this year’s prices are about a dollar higher than usual for this time of year.

Cut 11 (08) “…to last year.”

In a typical season, crawfish prices around Easter range from $2.50 to $2.75 per pound.

Julia Letlow agrees to participate in a debate — on Moon Griffon’s statewide radio show. Jeff Palermo reports Bill Cassidy may not appear.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There’s another proposed offender registry on tap for this legislative session. Shreveport Representative Joy Walters wants to establish a Domestic Abuse Offender Registry.  Walters says she’s working with State Police and advocacy groups on how it would be implemented.

Cut 13 (10) “…well as children.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team scored the first 14 points and went on to easily beat Jacksonville 116 to 58 in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Flau’jae Johnson led the way with 20 points.  And  Even though LSU thoroughly dominated in all facets of the game, Johnson said it still wasn’t a complete performance by the Lady Tigers.

Cut 7 (06) “…to clean up.”

LSU will next play Texas Tech on Sunday.

Good news for crawfish lovers.  Supply is up this week and prices are down.  Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says recent rain in South Louisiana has boosted the crawfish supply, leading to the price drop.

Cut 10 (12) “…of the season.”

King says the average price for live crawfish right now is about $3.71 a pound, while boild crawfish will cost you around 6.37 per pound.

It was a game that the Lady Tigers pretty much had in the bag from the moment they arrived at the P-MAC yesterday evening. LSU scored the first 14 points of the game dominated  Jacksonville throughout the opening round game of the NCAA Tournament, with a final score of 116-58. Mikaylah Williams scored 18 points and said it was great to return to game action after nearly two weeks.

Cut 6 (08) “…energy was immaculate.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to participate in a debate with Bill Cassidy, but Cassidy does not like the setting. Letlow says she will participate in a debate on the Moon Griffon radio show on April 28th.  Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for the Advocate and Nola.com, says Griffon is an outspoken critic of Cassidy.

Cut 3 (09) “…Julia Letlow.”

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There’s yet another offender registry being proposed this legislative session. This time, Shreveport Representative Joy Walters is proposing the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry for those convicted of any one of seven crimes related to domestic violence. Walters says there would be two tiers of registration.

Cut 12 (12) “…there for lifetime.”

Mudbug lovers will be pleased to hear that crawfish prices dropped this week, with supply continuing to rise across South Louisiana. Live crawfish is currently averaging $3.71 a pound, while boiled crawfish is coming in at $6.37 a pound on average. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says the price decrease was a significant one.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Easter weekend approaching.”

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, or A+PEL (“AY-pel”), is working to clear up what it says are misconceptions about Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. There’s been some chatter that some money in the funds that would be retired under this amendment is intended for things like early childhood programs and classroom initiatives. A+PEL Executive Director Dr. Keith Courville says it’s actually not being used at all.

Cut 8 (06) “…teachers a raise.”

It’s said to be the first-ever A-I political ad in Louisiana history.  It was produced by a political action committee to highlight Republican Rick Edmonds who’s one of four candidates competing in the May 16^th primary.  Lionel Rainey with The Louisiana First Victory Fund says the commercial is one of only a handful of such adds to run in a congressional race nationwide; so it should get the attention of voters.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the ad.”

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Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating the four Oscars won by “Sinners.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A forest in Winn parish yesterday burned thousands of acres and forced some 250 residents to evacuate.  But crews managed to get the fire contained before bedtime last night. Winnfield Fire Chief Brian Montgomery said the fire started just after noon.  Thankfully no homes were lost and no injuries reported.

A political action committee that supports fifth district Republican congressional candidate Rick Edmonds says it’s produced what it claims is the first-ever A-I political ad in the state’s history. Lionel Rainey with The Louisiana First Victory Fund says the commercial features four A-I generated characters that are worried about Edmonds’ conservative platform.

Cut 10 (05) “…where he stands.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team is looking to shock college basketball today with an upset over fifth-seeded Vanderbilt today in the NCAA Tournament.  Senior guard D.J. Richards says the Cowboys are solely focused on surviving and advancing.

Cut 14 (13) “…care of itself.”

Gametime is set for 2 pm.

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The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana is clearing up what it says are misconceptions about Amendment 3, which would give teachers in Louisiana a permanent pay raise. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating after a movie, filmed in and around New Orleans won four Oscars on Sunday.  “Sinners” was nominated for 16 Oscars, which is a new record for a single film. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says that kind of haul is going to be a major boost to what’s already a very robust film industry in the state.

Cut 5 (12) “…the same thing.”

Coming soon to a television in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District — the state’s first 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating after “Sinners,” which was filmed in and around New Orleans, won four Oscars, including Michael B. Jordan for Best Actor. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says it reinforces the fact that Louisiana is a great place to shoot a major feature film.

Cut 4 (09) “…best caterers here.”

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The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, or A+PEL (“AY-pel”), is working to clear up what it says are misconceptions about Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. A+PEL Executive Director Dr. Keith Courville says Amendment 3 would pay down debt within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana to fund permanent pay raises for teachers of at least 2,250 dollars.

Cut 7 (08) “…to teacher pay.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team aims for an upset in the NCAA Tournament as it faces fifth-seeded Vanderbilt this afternoon. The Cowboys rank second in the nation in turnovers forced, averaging nearly 17 per game, and coach Bill Armstrong says his team will look to frustrate the Commodores on defense.

Cut 13 (13)  “…teams as well.”

Tip off is set for 2:25.

Election security is the theme of the Secretary of State’s office’s legislative package for 2026. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In college baseball, the LSU Tigers rallied from a six-run deficit to take a 12-10 lead only to give up three runs in the ninth inning.  They lost to Vanderbilt 13 to 12. The Ragin Cajuns dropped their Sun Belt opener losing three to two to South Alabama. ULM beat Texas State 12 to 6.

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issues a Declaration of Emergency for Ouachita Parish and portions of all six surrounding parishes. Deer Program Manager Jonathan Bordelon says it comes after a deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Cut 6 (07) “…Deer Area Two.”

As the first day of spring approaches, crawfish prices are starting to come down. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, has the latest statewide averages. ($4.15/lb. live; $6.83/lb. boiled)

Cut 9 (07)  “…for boiled crawfish.”

King says that’s down 35 cents and 50 cents, respectively, from the last two weeks – and that’s due to increased competition.

The Secretary of State’s Office is pushing three bills in the current legislative session focused on election security.  House Bill 547 by Metairie Republican Polly Thomas would prohibit taking pictures of voter registration information in precinct registers. Secretary Landry says this is to protect those who haven’t voted yet from intimidation.

Cut 4 (11) “…who had voted.”

House Bill 691 would check the state’s voter rolls against the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program to identify potential non-citizens.

New Saints running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan) is excited to be back home to play for the team he greq up watching. He says being able to play for his home-state team is a dream come true.

Cut 12 (13) “…in this moment.”

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issues a Declaration of Emergency for Ouachita Parish and portions of all six surrounding parishes after a deer there tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. The declaration puts some limits on baiting, feeding and exporting of certain deer parts.  While there’s no evidence that humans can contract any illness from a deer infected with CWD, Deer Program Manager Jonathan Bordelon says we should all do what we can to keep the meat of an infected deer out of your kitchen.

Cut 8 (09) “…abundance of caution.”

If crawfish is on your plan for the weekend, there’s good news, prices are starting to come down.  That’s according Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App.  She says prices for live crawfish are down about 35 cents and for boiled the price is down 50 cents from two weeks ago, even though it’s a slow time for crawfish farmers.

Cut 11 (08) “…prices industry-wide.”