6:30 am Newscast

So far no arrests have been made in the New Orleans Warehouse District mass shooting that killed a 24 year old woman and injured 11 other people Sunday night. At a press conference Monday afternoon Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said homicide detectives are actively working the investigation…

Cut 7 (10) “…this time.”
Ten lives were lost in Louisiana work zones in 2022 and nationally, almost 900 people lost lives in work zones. This week, the Louisiana Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says most accidents can be avoided with attention to work zone safety…

Cut 10 (09) “…many lives.”

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A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention in May will be heard today in the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A House Committee approves legislation that eliminates the requirement to have a license to be a florist in Louisiana. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham

Cut 14 (08)  “…in Louisiana.”

Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam to sell floral arrangements.

 

11:30 am Newscast

It’s a big weekend in Pontchatoula as the city’s annual Strawberry Festival kicks into high gear. There will be plenty of food, rides, music and fun. And Strawberry Festival Blossom Rhonda Poche says there’s a reason Louisiana has the best strawberries in the world.

Cut 11 (11) “…best around.”
The festival runs through 11 tonight and will be open from 10 am till 6 pm tomorrow.

The average price of crawfish is down again this week an average of 50 cents a pound. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says right now Orleans Parish has the cheapest mudbugs at $2.65 a pound, she says it’s always worth checking the crawfish app for price change.

Cut  14 (12) “…might drop.” 
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At long last, students in Louisiana will be able to make changes to their Federal Student Aid applications this week and will have extended office hours, from 8 am till 8 pm, so students can get virtual help. LOSFA Spokesperson Ebony Holmes says says applicants should be on the lookout for emails from FAFSA. Despite repeated delays, she says there are still benefits to filling out the application.

Cut 7 (11) “…get it done. ”  

The deadline for fileing your federal income tax return is Monday. And Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher (Os-stric-ker) has some last minute advice for those looking to reduce their tax burden. He suggests making a significant contribution to your 401k plan or ROTH IRA.

Cut 4 (12) “…ROTH IRA.” 
The deadline to get your taxes filed is Midnight on Monday.

 

10:30 am Newscast

It’s a big weekend in Pontchatoula as the city’s annual Strawberry Festival kicks into high gear. There will be plenty of food, rides, music and fun. And Strawberry Festival Blossom Rhonda Poche says there’s a reason Louisiana has the best strawberries in the world.

Cut 11 (11) “…best around.”

The festival runs through 11 tonight and will be open from 10 am till 6 pm tomorrow.

The average price of crawfish is down again this week an average of 50 cents a pound. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says right now Orleans Parish has the cheapest mudbugs at $2.65 a pound, she says it’s always worth checking the crawfish app for price change.

Cut  14 (12) “…might drop.” 
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At long last, students in Louisiana will be able to make changes to their Federal Student Aid applications this week and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance will have extended office hours, from 8 am till 8 pm, so students can get virtual help. LOSFA Spokesperson Ebony Holmes says says applicants should be on the lookout for emails from FAFSA. Despite repeated delays, she says there are still benefits to filling out the application.

Cut 7 (11) “…get it done. ”  

The deadline for fileing your federal income tax return is Monday. And Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher (Os-stric-ker) has some last minute advice for those looking to reduce their tax burden. He suggests making a significant contribution to your 401k plan or ROTH IRA.

Cut 4 (12) “…ROTH IRA.” 

The deadline to get your taxes filed is Midnight on Monday.

 

9:30 am Newscast

 

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is holding a virtual FAFSA marathon next week to help students with their applications. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

One of three people shot Thursday evening outside a Shreveport Convenience store has died. 17 year old Chartez Martin, 17, was fatally shot during in an exchange of gunfire outside just before 5:30. Authorities say two other victims were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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Monday is the final to get your federal income taxes filed on time. Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher  has a word for those who gamble and have won big: He reminds you that you WILL have to pay taxes on those winnings…even if you’ve also suffered gambling losses.

Cut 5 (12)  “…may have.”
Good news for crawfish lovers. Prices are down an average of 50 cents a pound this week.  Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says prices have been dropping since Easter, but the price is still nowhere near what we were paying for crawfish this time last year.

Cut 13 (11) “…it is.”

For those of you looking to buy your crawfish already boiled, King says the average price per pound right now is about $5.99.

8:30 am Newscast

Monday is Tax Day. Alexandria CPA Kurt Oestriecher (Os-stric-ker) has a tax tip for seniors. Oestricher says people over the age of 70 can use a portion of their minimum retirement distribution to get a tax break if they donate it to a church or a charitable organization.

Cut 3 (13) “…30 thousand.” 

After multiple delays with Federal Student Aid, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance anticipates students can make changes if needed to their applications next week. LOSFA Spokesperson Ebony Holmes says students can register now for virtual help with their application on their website.

Cut 6  (11) “…office hours.” 
The website is mylosfa.la.gov

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It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. In addition to the state’s signature fruit, there’s plenty of food, rides, and music and the Strawberry Festival parade rolls this morning. Festival Queen, Lauren van Mullem says it’s a great way to support the community and Louisiana berry farmers.

Cut 9 (12) “…and farmers.” 

another great week for crawfish lovers with a 50-cent drop on average in prices this week. Crawfish App Co-Founder Laney King says the industry lowered prices again which brings the average price for a sack under $100.

Cut 12 (09) “…sweet spot.” 

King says expect to pay about $5.99 a pound for boiled crawfish.

8:30 am Newscast

Louisiana Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s role in U.S. border enforcement. The Senate passed a bill creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry” into Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Assumption Parish yesterday. Officials say a survey team determined damage in the parish is consistent with an EF-0 tornado. Peak winds for the tornado were approximately 80 mph.

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The optimism of small business took a declined again in March reaching its lowest point since 2012, according to the National Federation Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says it boils down to three major challenges.

Cut 10 (08) “…hurting them.”

While the labor market has shown marginal improvement, 37 percent of independent businesses who are trying to hire, report few or no qualified applicants.

A Shreveport woman whose husband poisoned her with an abortion drug in Texas testified before lawmakers here in Baton Rouge yesterday. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

 

7:30 am Newscast

The Gator Scholarship Program, passed in the House on Monday and heads to Senate Education. But some state lawmakers are looking to tap the brakes on education savings accounts to be sure Louisiana doesn’t overpromise what the state can realistically deliver. Senate President Cameron Henry.

Cut 8 (12) “…number of students.” 
Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional and won’t solve anything. But Senator Valerie Hodges says, Louisiana has a right to defend the nation…

Cut 15 (13)  “…deportation process.”

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A Shreveport native who was poisoned with an abortion pill by her husband in Texas gives emotional testimony before lawmakers in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110 to 100. With three regular season games left, the Pels are in sole possession of sixth place in the West, one game ahead of the Suns.  The Pels are at Sacramento tomorrow.

6:30 am Newscast

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. The watch, that runs from Leesville east to Marksville down to Lake Charles and through Morgan city, will remain in effect through 9 am.

According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Here’s Teiko Foxx.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional, calling it an overreach of state authority. Senator Royce Duplessis…

Cut 13 (13)  “…solve anything.”

Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement.

Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.

Cut 7 (09) “…methodical way.”

 

11:30 am Newscast

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has responded to Governor Landry’s call for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem, saying LSUwill look at its processes. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne has attended hundreds of LSU football games since 1970 and says the team has never been present when the marching band plays the national anthem. He believes the anthem controversy is being blown out of proportion.

Cut 8 (11) “…about nothing.” 

Excitement is building for Monday’s total solar eclipse but experts say mother nature may not cooperate. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport it will be mostly cloudy during the peak hours early Monday afternoon.

Cut 11 (10) “…by clouds.”

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The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tonight. Governor John Bel Edwards is being honored for his dedication to political service, as are seven others. According to Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss, those including former Senator Louis Lambert and Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster.

Cut 13 (13) “..Rag Magazine.”
Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces a charge of attempted second degree murder after a Union Parish Grand jury did not find enough evidence to indict him on that charge. Instead, Holly was indicted on a charge of illegal use of a weapon in connection to a February 15th shooting in Farmerville. Holley’s attorney Mike Small believes his client will be found not guilty.

10:30 am Newscast

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tonight highlighted by two term Governor John Bel Edwards. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss says Edwards is being honored for his dedication of political service.

Cut 12 (13) “…justice reform.” 
There are seven Hall of Fame inductees this year, including Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached 1.23 billion dollars. The odds of sinning are 1 in 292 million, but Dustin Anniston with the Louisiana Lottery says while you might not win the jackpot, there are eight ways total to win and those odds are one in 25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the jackpot.”

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Forecasters say the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse that starts around 12:30 on Monday in Louisiana could be eclipsed by clouds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 
A charter bus carrying 56 students from the University of South Carolina rolled over on Interstate 10 headed to New Orleans. It happened around 3:30 yesterday afternoon when the bus had a blowout near the Diamodhead and Mississippi 603 exits. Two victims wear airlifted from the scene including the driver who was ejected during the crash. Authorities say a student grabbed the wheel and managed to stop the bus.