Two people were fatally shot in Natchitoches last night in the nine-hundred block of Short Seventh Street. 41-year-old Larry Batiste and 35-year-old Hiram Phillips were pronounced dead. A female was also shot and she’s listed in severe condition at a Shreveport hospital. Police have not released any other details.

LSU brings back Bo Pelini as its defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo spoke with a former LSU all-American on what Pelini’s return means for the Tigers…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Nicholls State has received an A-Plus rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality for having one of the top programs in the country when it comes to training future teachers on how to teach early reading skills. Head of teacher education at Nicholls, Alyson Theriot, says teacher candidates practice what they learn in mentor teachers’ classrooms…
cut 5 (10) “…the success”

Louisianans are encouraged to participate in the state’s Own Your Own Health Fitness Challenge. It gives a chance for individuals or groups to participate against others to find out who can walk more steps or lose more weight. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Rudy Macklin, says different cities even compete against each other…
cut 11 (12) “…another”
To sign up, visit O-Y-O-H-L-A-dot-com.

The Own Your Own Health Challenge is underway, giving Louisianans a fun, competitive way to start living a healthier life. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today is National Plan for a Vacation Day. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to use some of their vacation time by exploring Louisiana with a Staycation…
cut 8 (09) “…new to do”
Nungesser says to plan a trip within the state go to Louisiana-stay-cation-dot-com.

Nicholls State University gets recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality as the top teacher prep program for early reading instruction, receiving an A+ rating. Nicholls head of teacher education Dr. Alyson Theriot…
Cut 4 (08) “…how to do.”
Theriot says this is a positive sign for the nationwide movement to bring down the high rates of illiteracy.

Bo Pelini is returning for a second stint as defensive coordinator at LSU. Pelini guided the Tigers defense from 2005 to 2007 and left to be the head coach at Nebraska after the Bayou Bengals won the BCS National Championship. Former Tigers safety Craig Steltz played for Pelini and expects Coach Bo will work well with Coach O….
cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”
Pelini’s contract is reportedly three years at two-point-three million dollars a year.

Bo Pelini is returning for a second stint as defensive coordinator at LSU. Pelini guided the Tigers defense from 2005 to 2007 and left to be the head coach at Nebraska after the Bayou Bengals won the 2008 BCS National Championship. Pelini is known as a fiery coach and some LSU fans wonder how he’ll mesh with Ed Orgeron’s coaching staff. Former Tigers safety Craig Steltz played for Pelini at LSU and expects Coach Bo will work well with Coach O….
cut 15 (12) “…I’m excited”
Pelini’s contract is reportedly three years at two-point-three million dollars a year, which will make him the second highest paid assistant coach in college football.

The Pelicans are at Cleveland tonight. A good chance for the Pels to get a win as the Cavs have the third worst record in the NBA.

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LSU basketball’s eight game winning streak has caught the attention of voters. The Tigers are back in the A-P Top 25 poll y are ranked 22nd. LSU is 24th in the coaches poll. The Bayou Bengals put their undefeated SEC record on the line tomorrow night when they host Alabama, who has won 10 of its last 13. Also LSU’s Trendon Watford has been named SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 18 points a game in two victories last week.

Ragin Cajuns forward Jalen Johnson has been named Sun Belt men’s basketball player of the week. Johnson had a career-high 27 points in an 81-60 win over ULM on Saturday.

McNeese forward Sha’Markus Kennedy is the Southland Men’s basketball player of the week for a second straight week. Kennedy averaged 32 points and 10 rebounds a game last week. The Cowboys have won six in a row and host second-place Nicholls tomorrow and rival Lamar on Saturday.

And McNeese is searching for a new athletics director as Bruce Hemphill is transitioning to a new role.

A bill pre-filed by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt aims to reduce auto insurance premiums by disclosing if someone injured in a car crash was wearing a seatbelt. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard died this morning in a head-on crash in Vermilion Parish on Highway 14. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the victims were not buckled up…
Cut 7 (08) “…get the message.”
Broussard was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School and graduated in 2019.

A drag race in Baton Rouge killed two over the weekend, one of the victims was a bicyclist, who was an innocent bystander. 56-year-old Christopher Brock of Baker, one of the alleged racers, died at the scene. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette is the bicyclist who also died at the scene…
Cut 11 (10) “…unfortunate situation.”
57-year-old Lattimore Brock survived and faces numerous charges.

Several members of the Pelicans organization are taking the sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant hard. Brandon Ingram is a former member of the Lakers and was given Bryant’s locker as the heir apparent to the 18-time All-Star and was visibly upset after last night’s game…
cut 4 (10) “…around”
The Pelicans beat the Celtics last night.

LSU announces Bo Pelini is back as defensive coordinator. Pelini was the D-C for the Tigers for three seasons and helped LSU win a national title in 2007. LSU was 34-6 during Pelini’s three seasons in Baton Rouge.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s death in a California helicopter crash is a difficult blow for many people who loved watching Bryant play basketball. Pelicans players and coaches reflect on the Black Mamba’s legacy…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Lawmakers have begun to file bills for the 2020 regular session that starts in March and there are two pieces of legislation that attempt to tackle the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has authored a bill that allows the civil court system to take into account whether the plaintiff was wearing a seat belt…
cut 14 (10) “….legislature this year”
Hewitt is hopeful her legislation can pass out of a House chamber that’s nearly two-thirds Republican.

Two people from Kaplan, 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, died this morning in a head-on crash on Highway 14 in Vermilion Parish. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says Mitchell crossed the center lines while trying to negotiate a curve
Cut 6 (10) “…the crash”
Broussard, who graduated last year, was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School.

The country is mourning the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash. Despite the terrible news, the Pelicans played and defeated the Celtics yesterday. Afterward, rookie Zion Williamson reflected on Kobe’s legacy…
Cut 3 (11) “…tough man”

Two people are dead as a result of a drag race that happened on a Baton Rouge street. Sergeant Don Coppola says the two cars bumped each other, sending them off the roadway, killing a bicyclist and one of the drivers. Coppola says the driver who survived, 57-year-old Lattimore Brock of Baton Rouge faces multiple charges…
cut 10 (06) “….reckless driving”
The bicyclist who died has been identified as 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette.

Louisiana has some of the highest insurance rates in the nation and Republican lawmakers say they want to do something about it. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has filed legislation for the session that begins in March that would allow the court system to consider whether a plaintiff was wearing a seatbelt when determining damages. Hewitt says there is hope this bill could result in lower claims and lower settlements with insurance companies.
Cut 13 (09) “…by the consumers.”
This is third straight year Hewitt has filed this bill.

Two people not wearing a seatbelt were killed in a head-on crash in Vermilion Parish this morning on Highway 14. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell drifted into the other lane on the curvy highway…
cut 8 (09) “…pending”
Mithcell died and the other driver was pronounced dead too, 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, a former star running back at Vermilion Catholic.

Starting today you can submit your 2019 state and federal tax returns. Federal taxes are due April 15th, state taxes are due May 15th. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber says his number one tip for filers every year is organizing your tax information either for yourself or your preparer.
Cut 7 (11) “…returns”
Schreiber says unlike last year, there are no major changes with this year’s forms.

Several members of the Pelicans organization are taking the sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant hard. Brandon Ingram is a former member of the Lakers and was given Bryant’s locker as the heir apparent to the scoring machine’s legacy and was visibly upset after last night’s game…
cut 4 (10) “…around”
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter are among the nine dead from a helicopter crash in California.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study which explores how early life nutrition and nutrients impact the brain and cognitive development. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a man who died after he stabbed by his wife. Deputies say Renada Celestin stabbed Eric Darnell Celesting in the upper right chest. Eric died from his injuries, while Renada was questioned and released pending the location of additional witnesses. The investigation is ongoing.