President Trump has pardoned the late LSU football great Billy Cannon on his 1983 counterfeiting conviction. 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 tonight at the P-Mac. The Tigers haven’t beaten the Gamecocks since 2012, but Reed Darcey of The Advocate says they will can if they’re able to do three things.

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

Tip-off is at 7:30.

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The incumbent and the endorsee in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race qualified for the ballot on the third and final day of qualifying. Julia Letlow touted her education credentials and her work in reforming the education system in this country.

Cut 13 (10) “…the states.”

Incumbent Bill Cassidy also touted his record. Louisiana’s senior senator said he was instrumental in the passage of the infrastructure bill that provided billions of dollars towards roads, bridges, high speed internet expansion and water projects…

Cut 14 (10) “…good jobs”

The security designation in New Orleans is at its highest level now through Tuesday.  New Orleans Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Michael Harrison says the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone is in effect — so with specific exceptions, no vehicles will be allowed into the French Quarter.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the side streets.”

An arrest has been made in a shooting that left one person dead and four others injured late Thursday morning at a townhome complex in Hammond.  Authorities say 30 year old Marquanvius Jones, was booked on second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges.  Authorities confirmed five, including Jones were shot in the incident.  26 year old Javan Myers died of his injuries.

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A cold front will bring 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.”

The LSU baseball tigers kick off their national title defense at home today as they play their first game of the 2026 season today against Milwaukee.  After six long months of preparing for the season, head coach Jay Johnson is looking forward to facing a different opponent on opening day.

Cut 17 (11)  “…players are excited.”

First pitch is this afternoon at two.

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 4 (14) “…wanted to do.”

In an interview with the USA Today Network, Governor Landry called Fleming’s theory ridiculous and said Fleming should concentrate on the job he was elected to do, and that’s State Treasurer. Landry also told the USA Today Network he intends to finish the job he was elected to do.

A Bossier High School student has been suspended and a visiting soccer team player has been arrested following a postgame brawl Wednesday night following a playoff game.  The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that Micah Wilkerson, from Morgan City High, is charged with second-degree battery, after knocking the Bossier High player unconscious.

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The LSU women’s basketball team has lost 17 straight games to South Carolina, but the sixth-ranked Tigers are looking to change that tomorrow night. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Today opening day for the 2026 LSU baseball team, with the Tigers beginning their national title defense against Milwaukee. Sophomore right-hander Casan Evans was named the opening day starter.  Coach Jay Johnson.
Cut 16 (10) “…excited for him.” 
First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

State Treasurer John Fleming has accused Governor Jeff Landry of concocting a plan for himself to become a U.S. Senator without being elected. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned five former NFL players, including one former LSU Tiger, — for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.  Ex-NFL players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were all granted the clemency.

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Qualifying ends today for Louisiana’s upcoming closed primaries, including the hotly contested fifth congressional district race. Yesterday, Monroe State Representative Michael Echols became the seventh Republican to qualify for a spot on the ballot. The chair of the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation says he plans on taking the principles he fights for in the legislature to Capitol Hill.

Cut 7 (12) “…America but Louisiana.”

If you tried, but failed Dry January, or you simply need to get back on track after having a little too much fun during Carnival season, you can check out Ochsner Eat Fit’s Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge.  There are slots still available, and registration is open until midnight on Sunday. Ochsner Eat Fit Founder Molly Kimball says the challenge is strategically timed.

Cut 13 (07)  “…something is alcohol.”

Qualifying begins today for Louisiana’s new closed party primary elections.  And experts say the race to watch is the Republican Senate Senate Primary where incumbent Bill Cassidy  is seeking a third term faces a few challengers including Julia, who has the support of President Trump. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Cassidy is in for the political fight of his life.

Cut 6 (11) “…last couple weeks.”

Many are wondering whether a well-known Democrat may throw their hat into the ring between now and Friday when qualifying ends. Alford says former Governor John Bel Edwards and State Senator Gary Carter have said they will not run. He says it’s likely the winner of the Republican Senate Primary will face a Democrat with little name recognition.

Cut 5 (08) “…a future race.”

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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.”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese has seen an increase in enrollment, up 5.3 percent to just more than 65-hundred students. A decade and a half ago, that number was consistently more than eight thousand. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says there’s a strategic plan to get those number back up and keep them there.

Cut 11 (09) “…we can maintain.”

State and local officials in the greater New Orleans metro area have formed a task force to catch child predators on the internet. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury has indicted Nicholas Alexander for first-degree murder in the death of Vivian police Officer Marc Brock. 25 year old Brock was fatally shot back in November while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. Alexander also faces three misdemeanor counts of cyberstalking for allegedly threatening individuals electronically days before the shooting.

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Qualifying begins today for Louisiana’s new closed party primary elections for U.S. Senate and House. State Treasurer John Fleming told the Louisiana Radio Network he will file his paperwork at nine this morning. LaPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford says Fleming is hoping to be a factor in the Republican Senate Primary headlined by Incumbent Bill Cassidy and challenger Julia Letlow.

Cut 4 (09) “…in the room.”

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 10 (12) “…this past fall.”

Qualifying for the U.S. Senate and House closed primaries begins today. And as Jeff Palermo reports the Republican Senate primary the race to watch

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana’s congressional delegation is backing Gov. Jeff Landry’s request for more FEMA funding to cover the cost of last month’s winter storm that hit North Louisiana.  They sent a letter to President Donald Trump yesterday.  Our state has reportedly spent more than 11 million dollars on response to that storm.

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Several law enforcement agencies in the New Orleans area have teamed up to form an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 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 exhibit celebrating the life and career of the late former Governor Kathleen Blanco opened this over the weekend at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. The exhibit includes a bronze statue of the governor.  Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was there for the opening, saying Governor Blanco was passionate about Louisiana and its people.

Cut 13 (06)  “…around the state.”

California and New York have ignored Louisiana’s extradition requests on doctors indicted for mailing abortion pills to people in Louisiana.  The dispensing of abortion pills is illegal in Louisiana when prescribed outside of a hospital setting, but shield laws in those states protect reproductive rights. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill argues these cases don’t fit that requirement as both women in question were forced to take the bills by someone else.

Cut 12 (11) “…what they’re doing.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is bringing a bill that would allow constitutional carry to college campuses in the upcoming legislative session.  Though similar bills have failed in the past, McCormick says he was encouraged by a group of college students to make a run at it again.

Cut 8 (09) “…bill this year.”

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Santa Clara is done, and Inglewood is now on the clock. Andrew Greenstein reports New Orleans is continuing its push to land the 2031 Super Bowl.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Alexandria sets another enrollment record, with spring enrollment up 12-percent year-over-year, marking the 12th straight semester of record growth. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says one of the biggest reasons for the continued growth is smaller class sizes.

Cut 4 (08) “…and support them.”

The debate over whether guns should be allowed on college campuses will resume in the upcoming legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

State Police have announced the arrest of a Slidell man on charges of child sexual exploitation.  Authorities say 42-year old Joshua W. Dugger had sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed was just 15 years old.  We’re told the multi-week investigation that led to the arrest was a joint effort between the LSP Special Victims Unit, the FBI, St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office and Covington PD.

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Attorney General Liz Murrill is considering filing lawsuits against New York and California in her fight to extradite doctors indicted for mailing abortion pills to individuals in Louisiana. And she believes she’d win. California Governor Gavin Newsom says his state will never help Louisiana criminalize healthcare. Murrill says Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are playing politics.

Cut 11 (12) “…their gun laws.”

With the Santa Clara Super Bowl now in the books, people are looking to the future.  And in New Orleans, that means a continued focus on making a bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl.  Jay Cicero, president and CEO of the Greater new Orleans Sports Foundation, says the Crescent City proven it’s a great Super Bowl host, and it even has some advantages.

Cut 14 (09) “…host the event”

LSU-Alexandria sets another enrollment record. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The debate over whether guns should be permitted on college campuses will be up for debate again in the upcoming legislative session.  “Constitutional carry,” as many conservatives call it, became legal in Louisiana in 2024. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick…

Cut 7 (08) “…included in that.”

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Attorney General Liz Murrill believes she would win a lawsuit against New York and California in her fight to extradite doctors indicted for mailing abortion pills to individuals in Louisiana. The dispensing of abortion pills outside a hospital setting is illegal in Louisiana. And Murrill says the US Constitution requires states to honor each other’s laws.

Cut 10 (12) “…in our state.”

The Santa Clara Super Bowl is behind us and Inglewood is up next.  The 2028 Super Bowl is set to be held in Atlanta, and the NFL has yet to award anything beyond that point. New Orleans continues to make a strong bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl – and Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the city has a proven record when it comes to hosting the Super Bowl.

Cut 13 (06)  “…ambience, planning, experience.”