Louisiana officials react to President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you have outdoor plans for today, you’ll need to work around the weather. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because a cold front is coming.

Cut 12 (13) “…in southeastern Louisiana.”

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LSU sophomore Kailin Chio continues to prove why she’s one of the nation’s top gymnasts. On Thursday night, Chio recorded two perfect 10s in the second round of the Baton Rouge NCAA Regional. Head coach Jay Clark knows Chio is a rare talent but says her success wouldn’t be possible without her teammates.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in a vacuum.”

LSU will look to punch its ticket to Fort Worth for the fourth straight season tonight at seven when the Tigers compete in the regional finals against Clemson, Michigan, and Stanford.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate has been making candy in Louisiana for 170 years; and their Heavenly Hash, Pecan Egg and Gold Brick Egg are popular treats for Easter.  And this year, CEO Rob Nelson says they are looking to add additional flavors.

Cut 3 (06) “…excited about that.”

Former Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) pleads guilty to one felony count related to a kickback scheme.  Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana’s the most stressed state in the country…at least according to a new Wallet Hub Study based on work, family, health and safety, and money stressors.  But Wallet Hub analyst Chip Lupo says our state does have something going for it when it comes to financial stress.

Cut 16 (10) “…comes to money.”

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A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school receives pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the proposal could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars for a first offense. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s legislation would result in a prison sentence of five to 15 years for terrorizing a school.

Cut 5 (10) “…make a threat.”

Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter’s main problem with the bill is also the thousands of dollars in fines a parent could face.

Cut 6 (10) “…to do this.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country.  That’s according to a new study by WalletHub which looked at work, money, family, and health and safety related stress.  WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says the financial stress is due in part to the higher interest rates we pay compared to those in other states…because our median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.

Cut 15 (11) “…up is excellent.”

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet (MON-tuh-set) faces up to five years in prison for participating in a kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors say the 78-year-old  used his position as secretary to steer a state contract to a company called D-G-L-1 in exchange for one-third of the profit. FBI special agent in charge, Jonathan Tapp:

Cut 8 (06) “…this great state.”

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Legislation that increases the penalties against minors for calling in fake bomb threats receives pushback. Jeff Palermo reports Democratic lawmakers are concerned the measure could also result in the child’s parents being fined up to five-thousand dollars.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The FBI yesterday announced arrests in relation to 5 drug busts across Louisiana, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of narcotics linked to Mexican cartels.  The operation uncovered more than 250 pounds of cocaine, 25 pounds of fentanyl and in one case, more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine was confiscated after two Mexican nationals were arrested on the interstate in Breaux Bridge while towing an ice cream machine.

A bill that increases the penalties against a minor found guilty of calling in a bomb threat or threatening to commit violence at school is getting pushback from Democrats on the House floor, because the it could also result in the child’s parents facing fines of up to five-thousand dollars.  New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry was one of the first lawmakers to object.

Cut 4 (08) “…trying very hard.”

But Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says his legislation leaves it up to the discretion of the courts to decide if a parent should be fined. He says the overall goal is to make schools as safe as possible.

Cut 7 (10) “…this bill does.”

The House approved the bill on a 71-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.
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It seems that restaurants in Louisiana still have room for improvement when it comes to being honest about the origins of their shrimp. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of four of the stress dimensions examined.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Monroe State Representative Michael Elchols is looking to increase teacher pay in Louisiana gradually until it reaches the regional average.  Echols says the state would need to come up with somewhere between 200-to 600-million dollars to make that happen and that would mean finding cost-cutting opportunities within the public sector, including the elimination of job positions.

Cut 11 (08) “…that regional average.”

Today the House Ways and Means Committee will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to implement a centralized system for collecting local sales and use taxes. The Police Jury Association of Louisiana has concerns it would lead to lower sales tax revenue. Manish Batt (Bot), Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, says a centralized sales tax system would still be best method for everyone

Cut 5 (09) “…the system.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended earlier than most had expected, but Kim Mulkey says her coaching career is not over. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Big day for the LSU men’s basketball program as the introductory press conference for Will Wade is set for noon today at the P-Mac. The event is open to the public.  Doors are set to open at eleven this morning  and LSU fans are asked to enter the Maravich Center up the concourse ramps on the South side of the building.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to debate today whether Louisiana should have a centralized sales tax collection. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A state lawmaker is looking to boost teacher pay in Louisiana gradually until it reaches the Southern regional average.  Monroe Representative Michael Echols on his Teacher Pay Modernization Act.

Cut 10 (09) “…about 25-percent.”

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Following LSU’s season-ending loss to Duke in the Sweet 16, Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey addressed a social media post that had everyone thinking Friday’s game was her last.  Coach saying definitively, she is not retiring.

Cut 16 (16) “…on social media.”

Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center publish the first set of data from its RURAL Heart and Lung study. In Assumption lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says the study looked at rates of heart attack and stroke and how the numbers differ by age, income, and education level. She says  education levels, not income or age, stood out the most – but not in the way that people might expect.

Cut 8 (08) “…in lower education.”

A state representative has a plan to boost teacher pay to the regional average. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A pedestrian was killed over the weekend while crossing I-55 in Tangipahoa Parish.  State Police say 26 year old Austin Gentry had been involved in an earlier crash, had exited his vehicle and was attempting to cross the interstate, when he was hit by a Toyota Corolla and died at the scene.

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Today the House Ways and Means Committee will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to implement a centralized system for collecting local sales and use taxes. The Tax Foundation says the proposal is sound tax policy. Manish Batt (Bot) is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation…

Cut 4 (11) “…sales taxes.”

Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center publish the first set of data from its RURAL Heart and Lung study. Lead Researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says the study gathered data in Assumption Parish.

Cut 7 (10) “…education level.”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation to create the Office of Health and Nutrition within the Louisiana Department of Health. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the state needs a single office to coordinate programs that could get Louisiana residents eating better and exercising more…

Cut 8 (14) “…across the state.”

Today the House Ways and Means Committee will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to implement a centralized system for collecting local sales and use taxes. The Tax Foundation says the proposal is sound tax policy. Manish Batt (Bot) is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation…

Cut 4 (11) “…sales taxes.”

Bhatt says Louisiana remains a national outlier in lacking central collection and administration of its sales taxes. But the Police Jury Association of Louisiana opposes the legislation as they are concerned this legislation will result in a drop in local sales tax revenue. But Bhatt says a centralized sales tax system would still be the best method for everyone

Cut 5 (09) “…the system.”

A state lawmaker is looking to boost teacher pay to align with the regional average. Monroe Representative Michael Echols’ Teacher Pay Modernization Act would gradually increase teacher pay throughout the state until it reaches the Southern regional average.

Cut 10 (09) “…about 25-percent.”

A heartbreaking end to the season last night for the LSU women’s basketball team as Duke hit a shot at the buzzer to beat the Lady Tigers 87 to 85 in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women’s basketball tournament. LSU fell behind by as many as 11 points in the second quarter and allowed Duke to get 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in 19 second-chance points. Coach Kim Mulkey…

Cut 6 (12) “…in mud.”

LSU finishes 29-6 and went 1-and-6 in games decided by seven points or less.

Lots of talk on Social media during last night’s game saying last night would be Coach Mulkey’s last game.  After the game, she said emphatically, she is NOT retiring.

He’s back!  Former LSU Men’s basketball coach Will Wade will be former no more.  And details are being released about his new contract…a seven-year deal worth 30 million dollars. Wade’s introductory press conference is set for Monday at noon at the P-Mac.

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We are 50 days away from the May 16^th party primary election. The U-S Senate Republican Primary is getting the most attention, but the 5^th District Congressional Republican primary is also very competitive. Radio talk show host Moon Griffon says it’s hard to judge who is the front-runner to replace Julia Letlow…

Cut 11 (08) “…play yet.”

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, be prepared to fork over a little more money. The premium and standard plans each increase by two dollars a month to $26.99 and $19.99 respectively, while the ad-supported plan goes up a dollar to $8.99. Haggai Davis, the host of the TechGumbo radio show and podcast, says the biggest reason is that Netflix is now starting to show live sports.

Cut 3 (09) “…whenever they’re ready.”

This is the second price increase for Netflix in two years, but Davis says the company does not expect to lose many subscribers.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation to create the Office of Health and Nutrition within the Louisiana Department of Health. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the state needs a single office to coordinate programs that could get Louisiana residents eating better and exercising more…

Cut 8 (14) “…across the state.”

The U-S Senate Republican Primary is getting the most attention, but the 5^th District Congressional Republican primary is also very competitive. Board of Regents Chairperson Misti Cordell, state representative Michael Echols, state senator Rick Edmonds and state senator Blake Miguez are the main candidates in that race. Radio talk show host Moon Griffon…
Cut 12 (08) “…missing something.”

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Details are out on men’s basketball coach Will Wade’s new seven-year contract with LSU. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A heartbreaking loss for the LSU Lady basketball tigers as they lost at the buzzer to Duke, by a score of 87 to 85, ending their season and a run for another national championship. MiLaysia Fulwiley had a career-high 28 points in the effort.