The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball team is taking an underdog mentality into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday. The Lady Tigers are the three-seed, while the Bruins are the two seed and led by six-foot-seven Lauren Betts. But LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says UCLA has more than just Betts…

Cut 3 (10) “…fight hard”  

A Bossier City woman faces attempted kidnapping charges after telling her estranged boyfriend an infant at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge was their child. BRPD spokesperson Darren Ahmed says 21-year-old Dinesty Selmon made multiple visits to case the hospital and even fooled security into giving her an access badge.

Cut 6  (07) “…in movies.” 

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Proposed legislation introduced during the regular session aims to ease the workload of educators. But some concerns loom regarding its potential repercussions on school curriculums. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen says instead of state lawmakers deciding if these life skills are worthy subjects …

Cut 9 (13) “…our students.” 

 New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Beaullieu says the goal is to move certain items out of the constitution and put them into state law

Cut 12 (08) “…this convention” 

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. But not everyone is for it. Opponents say the Gator Scholarship Program will take millions of dollars away from public schools. LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”
A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands. Advocacy director of the Justice Accountability Center of Louisiana, Sarah Whittington opposes the bill because it’s something that local municipalities already cite.

Cut 9 (11)  “…local level.”

A bill to allow judges the option of sentencing a sex offender of a child to surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The line up of food for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been announced. And some favorites that were gone for a time, are back, including Panorama Foods’ longtime favorite Crawfish Bread. It’s making a comeback along with favorites from Marie’s Sugar Dumplings, Jamila’s Café, and African restaurant Bennachin

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks help to identify a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
A calf that was born with two faces in Vermillion Parish and became a viral phenomenon on social media has died. That’s according to its owners at Breaux Farms. In a Facebook post yesterday, they announced that Deaux Face had stopped eating over the weekend and moved on to greener pastures yesterday.

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps. But this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police. Haughton Republican Dodie Horton asked wanted to know if the bill would ban individuals from collecting for charity.

Cut 8 (13) “…giving law.” 
The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. The bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson

Cut 14 (14)  “…curriculum.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify the body of a man found bound and shot to death in Merryville in 1993. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the but no one knew of a missing family member.

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

A bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone who sexually assaults a child under the age of 13 has advanced at the capitol. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

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Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hey all you football fans, NFL owners have approved a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.
 

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says House Bill 97 is an effort to improve both motorist and pedestrian safety.

Cut 7 (05) “…in them.”

State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police.

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (11) “…from prison.”

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The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify a body found south of Merryville in 1993 with 2-gun shots to the head and hands bound behind his back. Investigators recently obtained a DNA profile linking the victim to families in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson…

Cut 4 (11) “…some closure.”

The package of bills Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting in the current legislative session seems to be getting support from lawmakers. Several of the bills focus on improving the state’s legal environment, which Temple says will bring more companies to the state and result in lower premiums…

Cut 7 (10) “…litigate.”

Voters in Caddo Parish will try today for a third time to elect a new Sheriff after the runoff ended in a one-vote margin that was contested last year. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says in-person voting jumped to 10,000.

Cut 12 (12) “…March election.” 

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In DC Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed a motion to remove US Speaker Mike Johnson after he sided with President Joe Biden on the $1.2 trillion government funding bill. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan… says to pass legislation Johnson has had to reach out to Democrats for bipartisan support and some Republicans don’t like that.

Cut 10 (11) “…against things. “

The Port Hudson State Historic Site will host its annual reenactment of the Siege of Port Hudson today and tomorrow. Park manager, Daniel Goyer says actors dressed in Union and Confederate military uniforms will will stage the Battle of Port Hudson. And visitors will be able to see a piece of Louisiana’s history first hand.

Cut 4 (12) “…in two.” 

In our nation’s capitol, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed a motion to remove US Speaker Mike Johnson accusing him of betraying the House Republican party because he sided with President Biden on the $1.2 trillion government funding bill. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 9 (14) “…Kevin McCarthy.” 

Through two weeks of the legislative session, the package of bills Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting to improve the state’s insurance market is getting some support. Several of the bills focus on improving Louisiana’s legal environment. Temple says regulations that are currently in place make it hard for insurance companies to do business in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (10) “…doing nothing” 

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It’s election day across Louisiana and in Caddo Parish voters are trying for for a third time in a single year to elect a new Sheriff. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
The Port Hudson State Historic Site is hosting it’s annual Battle of Port Hudson reenactment today and tomorrow. Park Manager Daniel Goyer suggests bringing ear plugs.

Cut 5 (05)  “…as well.”

Visit LaStateParks.com for a detailed schedule of events.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed a motion to remove US Speaker Mike Johnson. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
Big win for the Pelicans last night as they defeated Miami 111 to 88. New Orleans played without Brandon Ingram who went down with a knee injury the night before Zion Williamson had just four points, but CJ McCollum had 30.

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It was not pretty but the LSU Lady Tigers played beat the Rice Owls 70-60 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Kim Mulkey
cut 17 (17) “…it was ugly today”

The Lady Tigers will play Middle Tennessee tomorrow afternoon at two.

The Port Hudson State Historic Site will host its annual reenactment of the Siege of Port Hudson Saturday, and Sunday. Park manager, Daniel Goyer says volunteers will stage the Battle of Port Hudson.

Cut 3 (08) “…war battle.”  

In addition to the battle re-enactments, there are living history demonstrations, a Civil War-era dance class, and other activities. Visit LaStateParks.com for a detailed schedule.

Through two weeks of the legislative session, the package of bills Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting to improve the state’s insurance market is getting support from lawmakers. Several of the bills focus on improving the state’s legal environment, which Temple says will bring more companies to the state and result in lower premiums…

Cut 7 (10) “…litigate.”

Voters in Caddo Parish will try today for a third time to elect a new Sheriff after the runoff ended in a one-vote margin that was contested last year. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says in-person voting jumped to 10,000.

Cut 12 (12) “…March election.” 

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In DC Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has filed a motion to remove US Speaker Mike Johnson. She says he betrayed House Republicans siding with President Biden on the $1.2 trillion government funding bill. And that’s not all. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan… says to pass legislation Johnson has had to reach out to Democrats for bipartisan support and some Republicans don’t like that.

Cut 10 (11) “…against things. “

The Port Hudson State Historic Site will host its annual reenactment of the Siege of Port Hudson today and tomorrow. Park manager, Daniel Goyer says actors dressed in Union and Confederate military uniforms will will stage the Battle of Port Hudson. And visitors will be able to see a piece of Louisiana’s history first hand.

Cut 4 (12) “…in two.” 

Tomorrow is election day with the presidential primary on the statewide ballot and some areas have local races. Secretary of State spokesperson Joel Watson says voter turnout has been more prominent in municipalities that have local races with 170,000 votes already cast by absentee or early voting statewide Watson says if you have a local race anyone can vote, but for the presidential primaries…

Cut 9 (11)  “…allowed to vote.”
The polls are open from 7 am until 8 pm.

House Education has approved a bill to repeal state laws requiring educators to teach students about CPR, eating disorders, substance abuse and more. Instead, BESE would decide if they should be taught. Rosepine Representative Charles Owens says the goal is to limit disruptions so teachers can focus on classroom instruction.

Cut 15 (10) “…extent possible.”

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The LSU Lady Tigers look to start another postseason run today as they host Rice in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Lady Tigers are the 3-seed in the Albany Two Regional. They host a Rice team that won four straight games in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to earn an automatic bid. Coach Kim Mulkey knows they are facing a team that’s playing its best basketball of the season…

Cut 17 (16) “…trapping in the corners.” 

Tipoff is at 3 PM.

The 5th-ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against the sixth-ranked Florida Gators tonight in a rematch of last year’s College World Series championship series. The Gators are third in the SEC in home runs with 44. First pitch tonight is set for seven.