Cataract surgery was performed for the first time in the U-S on an alligator at the Audubon Zoo. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says festivalgoers can enjoy delicious crawfish dishes, carnival rides, games, and have thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. As for what effect this will have on emergency response, Political Analyst Bernnie Pinsonat says with a couple of emergencies already under his belt, the governor has a good idea of the level of staffing needed – and not needed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this will work.”

The McNeese Cowboys will look to make history again this morning at 11:10 as they  try to advance to the Sweet 16. The Pokes won their first NCAA Tournament game in program history on Thursday with an upset win over Clemson. Coach Will Wade says Thursday’s win was life altering…

Cut 16 (14) “…and everything.”

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.”

An 18 year old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman from a Target Store in Hammond Thursday at gunpoint and raping her.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say Donnie Lee Stevenson followed a woman inside the store, kidnapped her, and later sexually assaulted her at a separate location.  After an all out manhunt, Stevenson was apprehended late Friday night.

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Vet School ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.”

An 18 year old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman from a Target Store in Hammond Thursday at gunpoint and raping her.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say Donnie Lee Stevenson followed a woman inside the store, kidnapped her, and later sexually assaulted her at a separate location.  After an all out manhunt, Stevenson was apprehended late Friday night.

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Vet School ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. Outside the state penitentiary in Angola yesterday, a group of death penalty opponents held vigil. Hoffman was sentenced to death for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Molly Elliott in 1996.  Elliott’s sister-in-law spoke out against executing Hoffman, but Attorney General Liz Murrill said other relatives did not feel the same way.

Cut 5 (07) “…to have finality.”

Corrections Chief of Operations Seth Smith, who was a longtime nurse, says he did not see Hoffman suffer in pain during the execution.

Cut 7 (12) “…inconsistent with death.”

There are now 55 inmates on death row in Louisiana, and Attorney General Murrill says executions using nitrogen hypoxia will continue.
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Today’s a big day for McNeese basketball at they face Clemson in the first round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says the gamble he took on former LSU coach Will Wade is obviously paying off earning McNeese some very valuable national exposure.

Cut 15 (10) “…uptick in enrollment.”

A state audit finds that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction as a quarter of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that this report comes as the state is spenis that it comes amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

Louisiana has carried out its first execution in 15 years. Andrew Greenstein was at the state penitentiary in Angola, and has the story.

Cut 1 (54) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead during Super Bowl Week in Kenne.   The coroner’s report found Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says an accomplice, Rickey White of Gretna, was also arrested in Florida for allegedly using Manzano’s debit card…

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

The McNeese men’s basketball team is set to face Clemson today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  It’s the second year and a row and not coincidentally, the second year on Coach Will Wade’s contract . Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says Wade committed to two years and though he’s already being considered for higher profile jobs, he’s hoping Wade will stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. After the execution, Attorney General Liz Murrill said justice for Elliott’s family and loved ones was long overdue.

Cut 4 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead in a Kenner hotel room during Super Bowl Week. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says Colbert’s case is ready to be prosecuted by Jefferson Parish D-A Paul Connick’s office, but admits the case is circumstantial.

Cut 9 (06) “…the courtroom.”

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A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the audit has found that more than one-fourth of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy, with Medicaid recipients being disproportionately affected.

Cut 11 (14) “…to Medicaid beneficiaries.”

McNeese’s men’s basketball team faces Clemson today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he took a gamble in hiring Will Wade in 2023, who was fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. But…

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”

__11:30 __12:30 short

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has officially endorsed Amendment 2, a measure on the March 29 ballot that seeks to make a one-time stipend a permanent salary increase for teachers and support staff.  There has been a lawsuit filed by a pastor and two teachers that the ballot language is misleading, but LFT President Larry Carter says LFT stands behind  the ammendment.

Cut 5 (12) “…for amendment 2.”

Quite a few events that were set to happen were cancelled across the state due to today’s severe weather forecast. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we should be prepared for anything.

Cut 10 (09) “…winds and hail”

There is some good news.  Keim says Louisiana will have a beautiful day left to enjoy the weekend on Sunday.

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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.”

Tomorrow night at 7 the LSU women’s basketball team will find out its spot in the N-C-double-A tournament. But right now, 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 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Attorney General Liz Murrill, allowing the execution of Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman.  The ruling comes after a federal judge halted Hoffman’s execution earlier this week. Jessie Hoffman is scheduled to be executed at Angola on Tuesday, March 18.

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

Cut 6 (13) “…in Baton Rouge.”

The Bertmans were married for 63 years

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Early voting began today…a day after The Louisiana Federation of Teachers officially endorsed Amendment 2, a measure on the March 29 ballot that seeks to make a one-time stipend a permanent salary increase for teachers and support staff. LFT President Larry Carter says it’s not a pay raise.

Cut 3 (06) “…all support staff.”

It’s set to be an ugly weather day in Louisiana today as South Louisiana, remains at Level 4 out of 5 risk for severe storms. The Alexandria and Lafayette areas are also at risk, but it’s slightly lower there at a 3 out of 5 level.  LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says when those levels get to that point, they should be taken seriously.

Cut 9 (09)  “…out of five.”

Keim says once the severe weather passes, Sunday in Louisiana should be beautiful.

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died Thursday 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.

Early voting began today 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.”

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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.”

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.”
Early voting in that election began this morning

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Attorney General Liz Murrill, allowing the execution of Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman.  The ruling comes after a federal judge halted Hoffman’s execution earlier this week. Jessie Hoffman is scheduled to be executed at Angola on Tuesday, March 18.

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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.

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 tomorrow night.