7:30 AM Newscast

This legislative session will see debate on several education bills, ranging from school funding to testing requirements and proposed changes to the TOPS scholarship programs. Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says there is also teacher pay, and whether teachers will continue to stay at the same pay level after the failure of Amendment 2.

Cut 7 (11) “…of people wanted.”

A Republican state senator has a bill that would provide an alternative to the fortified roof grants. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his proposal is geared towards people who want to take advantage of the grants but have the financial means to install the fortified roof. It’s a non refundable-credit which means the state wouldn’t be mailing out any checks..

Cut 11 (10) “…dollars in liability.”

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A New Roads mother has been arrested, charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice in the death of her infant child early yesterday.  New Roads police say they got the call just before ten yesterday morning and began efforts to resuscitate the child, who died later at a local hospital.  Officials say the there were inconsistencies in the 19 year old mother’s story and crime lab officials said the mother’s statements did not match up with evidence found at the scene.

While one poll shows State Treasurer John Fleming beating Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary, that’s not the story the latest campaign finance report numbers tell.  According to the official numbers, Cassidy raised 1.36-million dollars in the first quarter of 2025, compared to just over 263-thousand for Fleming. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 4 (10) “…in this race.”

6:30 AM Newscast

A Republican state senator is proposing an alternative to the fortified roof grant program. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today is Tulane Day at the Capitol as state lawmakers will honor the school and its 5.2-billion dollar impact on the state economy. University President Michael Fitts says Tulane’s history goes back almost to the time when Louisiana became the 18th state.

Cut 13 (08)  “…time with Louisiana.”

_____________________

One poll has shown State Treasurer John Fleming beating Senator Bill Cassidy in next year’s Republican primary.  But the latest campaign finance report numbers say otherwise.  Fleming is reporting a war chest of 2.2-million dollars, much of which he loaned to himself, while Cassidy is reporting a war chest of 7.5-million dollars. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross  says in terms of fundraising, Fleming has his work cut out for him.

Cut 5 (12) “…trouble matching Cassidy.”

Several education bills are waiting to be debated in the current legislative session.  One would require high school students to attain a minimum ACT score to graduate, eliminating the need for end-of-course exams. HB 243 proposes accountability measures for the LA GATOR voucher program, but Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says it’ll be tough to get it passed.

Cut 8 (10) “…wild about either.”

11:30 AM Newscast

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth…

Cut 9 (11)  “…prime cruise desination”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry, which generates an estimated 12-million dollars to the economy. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby Abita Springs, says if you love strawberries and music this is the festival for you…

Cut 12 (12) “…incredible.”

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As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says in 2023, the region welcomed over seven million visitors, generating $800 million in spending.

Cut 6 (06) “…to our local economy.”

10:30 AM Newscast

 

__10:30 __11:30 short

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. Landry has said he wants to rein in the ability of trial lawyers to advertise. Temple says, good luck with that, saying Florida tried that and it was overturned by the courts.

Cut 4 (08) “…of that conversation.”

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth says Curth says Port NOLA benefits from its prime location near the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (07) “…one of a kind.”

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Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. The campaign includes billboards and digital displays illustrating visitors’ engagement in the community, from dining to experiencing hospitality.   Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush stresses that tourism is more than numbers…

Cut 8 (12) “…really important.”

Derek Carr’s 2025 season may be over before it even begins. Ian Rappoport with NFL Network is reporting that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and one of his options is surgery that would keep him sidelined for the entire season. Former Saints Quarterback Bobby Hebert this says Carr’s injury could open the door for Spencer Rattler, who’s still looking for his first win in the NFL.

Cut 14 (05) “…be the guy.”

9:30 AM Newscast

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with 165-thousand cruise passenger movements. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Derek Carr’s 2025 season may be over before it even begins. The NFL Network is reporting that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and could need surgery. Former Saints Quarterback Bobby Hebert on LRN affiliate WWL says the Saints, and they need to bring in an experienced quarterback.

Cut 13 (09)  “…somebody like that.”

_________________

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. When he announced the 20 insurance reform bills he’s supporting, Temple noted that he has not had a conversation with Landry about the issue in a long time.

Cut 3 (11) “…for property reform.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Tourists come for leisure, events, business, and sports, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush Bush…

Cut 7 (10) “…southwest Louisiana.”

8:30 AM Newscast

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says in 2023, the region welcomed over seven million visitors, generating $800 million in spending.

Cut 6 (06) “…to our local economy.”

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Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth…

Cut 9 (11)  “…prime cruise desination”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry, which generates an estimated 12-million dollars to the economy. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby Abita Springs, says if you love strawberries and music this is the festival for you…

Cut 12 (12) “…incredible.”

8:30 AM Newscast

Governor Landry is set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums this morning, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows deep dissatisfaction with the state’s direction on insurance.  Pinsonat says nearly everyone surveyed said he or she was concerned about the direction of insurance premiums.

Cut 12 (09) “…continue to rise.”

Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November have been found and are back home with their father after being featured on REELZ’s On Patrol: Live March 7th.  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children spokesperson Angeline Hartman says to date, 40 people have been recovered thanks to On Patrol: Live, whose fanbase plays a critical role in spreading awareness.

Cut 6 (12) “…missing children.”

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The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after work is halted on the 3.1-billion-dollar Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report showing high school student participation in internships and apprenticeships is up…but still ranks lower than other southern states.   CABL CEO Adam Knapp says that’s why Better Louisiana is proposing legislation to streamline work-based tax credits and expand student access to real-world learning.

Cut 9 (11) “…for their businesses.”

7:30 AM Newscast

Two Lake Charles boys reported missing in November are back home in part thanks to the show On Patrol Live.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

New Orleans Police are set to hold a media briefing later this morning to talk about the Teneo advisory group report regarding public safety recommendations for the French Quarter.  The report is in response to the New Year’s Day terror attack on Bourbon Street.  Today’s briefing is scheduled for this morning at ten.

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Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report showing that while high school student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown, the state still trails peer southern states. CABL CEO Adam Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…high school students.”

Governor Landry’s set to announce his plan for lowering insurance premiums this morning, and a new poll shows that this could be the single most important announcement of his governorship. The poll by Bernie Pinsonat and Greg Rigamer shows a majority of tose polled aren’t happy with the way the legislature’s handled premiums thus far.  Pinsonat says the pressure is on Landry to get something done.

Cut 10 (09) “…lot of credit.”

6:30 AM Newscast

The group Restore the Mississippi Delta is speaking out after the Landry administration ordered a 90-day pause on the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project in Plaquemines Parish. Campaign Director Simone Maloz (muh-LAWS) says construction has been going on for years, and the state has already invested about a half-billion dollars.

Cut 13 (11) “…a year ago.”

Leaders for a Better Louisiana released a report shows student participation in internships and apprenticeships has grown. CABL CEO Adam Knapp says in 2023, about 5-percent of Louisiana’s 42-thousand graduates earned internship credit, better than previous years but still low compared to Georgia and Tennessee’s 15–20-percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…employers in Louisiana.”

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Governor Landry is set to announce his plan to lower insurance premiums, and a new poll suggests that this could be the most important announcement of his governorship. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two Lake Charles children reported missing in November have been found and are back home with their father after Colton and Cohen Desormeaux were featured on REELZ’s On Patrol: Live aired “Missing” March 7th. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children spokesperson Angeline Hartman.

Cut 4 (10) “…turn herself in.”

8:30 AM Newscast

Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Senator Bill Cassidy has has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act”…establishing legal definitions for male and female.  It would basically codify one of President Trump’s orders.  Senator Cassidy says the legislation does make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

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A Baton Rouge man who shot his pregnant girlfriend two death and threw her two year old son off a bridge killing him, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Brynnen Murphy was originally facing second degree murder charges, but was convicted on two counts of manslaughter and and a single count of feticide.  East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore.

Cut 9 (14)  “…a life sentence.”

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. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard…

Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”