17-year-olds who are arrested for non-violent offenses will now be prosecuted through the juvenile judicial system, instead of the adult justice system. It’s the result of legislation approved in 2016. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says while they don’t expect to get any new arrivals until mid-month, it’ll be a smooth process because they won’t be treated any differently.
Cut 10 (08) “…the population.”
Louisiana was previously part of a small minority of states to prosecute 17-year-olds as adults in all cases.

When you step outside today, you’ll realize you’ll need a coat. State Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 30s for the northern half of the state, mid 40s for south Louisiana…
cut 6 (03) “…little chance of rain”
Temperatures are expected to get in the mid 20s for the northern half of the state for Tuesday morning and temps could get below freezing for south Louisiana.

Medical marijuana grower GB Sciences, in partnership with LSU, is close to moving into a large scale permanent growing facility.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Lafayette is a celebration hotspot for carnival season with more festivities kicking off tonight.  Matt Doyle has the story.

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Congressman Garret Graves will head the Republican side of the newly reformed Climate Crisis Panel. Matt Doyle talked to the Congressman about the high profile appointment…

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Mardi Gras celebrations continue around the state.  In Lafayette, the weekend festivities get kicked off tonight, with parades on Saturday.  Executive Director of Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says they are expecting great crowds with lots of great music.

Cut 3 (08) “…as well.”

Berthelot says the party doesn’t stop when the parades are finished as the area offers plenty of great nightlife.

Cut 4 (09) “…Downtown Lafayette.″

Berthelot says over the years, the Mardi Gras festivities have grown with more options for those coming in from out of town to be a part of the festivities.

Cut 5 (10)“…a dull moment.”

Louisiana has declared a state of emergency as the Mississippi River approaches flood levels. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says this precaution is taken to speed up any support process needed for areas throughout the Bayou State…

Cut 6 (09) “…state level”

Steele says there are no major problems looming but those living in flood-prone areas should be ready for a battle of attrition this rain season…

Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”

Steele says being prepared for flooding is imperative and it can start by going online…

Cut 8 (12) “…severe weather.”

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Authorities suspect the plane that lost contact with the tower yesterday shortly after launching from the Shreveport Downtown Airport may be located just north of the airport in the Red River. Caddo Parish Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the plane launched at 1037 yesterday, and authorities say no one saw what happened next.

Cut 9 (12) “…radio.”

Chadwick denied an earlier report where a bystander was quoted as saying the plane went straight up, and straight down. She says no eyewitness has come forward saying they saw the plane go down.

A local company has leased a barge that is set to park near the suspected crash site and a team of commercial divers from Morgan City will be on scene for 7pm tonight. Chadwick says so far though, they have yet to catch a glimpse of the plane.

Cut 10 (08)“…the water.”

KTBS reports a bystander saw fuel floating on the water at that location.

The plane was headed to Vernon, Texas, and KEEL is reporting it contained one passenger and the pilot. When asked whether anyone had survived the incident, Chadwick says they have not heard from anyone on the flight.

Cut 11 (08)   “…on board.”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has been named the top Republican on the newly reformed Climate Crisis panel. The panel will focus on threats posed by climate change, but will likely feature a partisan split on the origin of the threat. Graves, who agrees that sea rise poses a threat to the nation, says the appointment will give him a platform to raise awareness of Louisiana’s vulnerabilities.

Cut 12 (11)   “…crisis.”

The panel was formed in 2007, but was deactivated in 2011 when Republicans took control of the House.

Graves joins five other Republicans on the panel that will be led by Democrat Kathy Kastor of Florida. The Congressman says he’ll use his position to push back against climate change policies from non-energy producing states that would impact Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 13 (10) “…disadvantage” 

The panel, which has no subpoena or legislative authority, was brought back to life by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amidst calls by a new wave of progressive lawmakers, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for a powerful committee that would flesh out the details of the Green New Deal. Graves says the GND doesn’t pass the laugh test, and looks forward to it being discussed at the panel.

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The top ranked LSU baseball team left for Austin today where they’ll play the Texas Longhorns in a three-game series that starts tomorrow night. Texas is 7-3 on the season. The Tigers are 8-0 after beating cross town foe Southern 17-4 yesterday. Cade Beloso hit his second home run of the season and drove in four runs, while Antoine Duplantis was 4-for-5 and drove in 5 more runs. Duplantis has now driven in 23 runs in eight games.

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola should be a happy man. That’s because his Phillies have signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year, 330 million dollar contract.

Jason Whitten is leaving the Monday night football broadcast booth and returning to the football field. Whitten is ending his retirment so that he can play his 16th season with the Cowboys.

And there are six LSU Tigers partcipating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, John Battle, Nick Brossette, Foster Moreau, Cole Tracy, Devin White and Greedy Williams.
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In college basketball, UL-Lafayette, ULM and Coastal Carolina are in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Sun Belt. The Ragin Cajuns host Coastal tonight, while the Warhawks face Appalachian State. ULM lost to the Mountaineers earlier this season,

Louisiana Tech hosts Marshall at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston tonight. The Bulldogs are seeking their fourth straight win.

The Pelicans have reportedly signed Euroleague shooting guard Dairis Bertans to a two-year contract. Bertans shot nearly 50-percent from three-point territory for a team in Italy. To make room for Bertans on the roster, New Orleans has waived Tim Frazier. The Pels are in Phoenix tomorrow night.

Last night in college basketball, Sam Houston State won an outright Southland Conference regular season championship in New Orleans as the Bearkats defeated the Privateers 71-60.
Northwestern State is one of several teams fighting to get in the Southland Tournament. The Demons helped their chances with a 68-60 win over U-I-W.
McNeese kept their Southland Conference Tournament hopes alive with an 84-75 victory over Nicholls in Thibodaux.

The top ranked LSU baseball team returns to the diamond tonight to host the Southern Jaguars. The Fighting Tigers are a perfect 7-0 and they will send Eric Walker to the mound for his first start since undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2017. Walker has made two appearances out of the bullpen this season with mixed results. The Jaguars are 4-and-2 on the season. First pitch is at 6:35.

Also tonight, Southeastern Louisiana visits ninth ranked Mississippi State.

In the NBA, the Pelicans begin a four-game road trip tonight in Los Angeles against the Lakers. Anthony Davis is expected to play, but only about 20 minutes and not in the fourth quarter as the team tries to reduce the chances of him getting hurt.

In college hoops, Sam Houston State can clinch the Southland conference regular season championship crown with a win at UNO. Nicholls and McNeese meet in Thibodaux. The Colonels are coming off a game in which they hit a Southland record 22 three-pointers in a win over Central Arkansas.

For the second straight game, the 13th ranked LSU basketball team played without its starting point guard, but once again figured out a way to win without Tremont Waters. The Tigers topped Texas A-and-M 66-55 by getting the ball in the paint and playing good defense. Coach Will Wade was satisfied with what he saw…
cut 30 (13) “…move forward”
Naz Reid had 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Javonte Smart had 17 as a he replaced Waters in the starting lineup for a second straight game. Waters was on the bench, but not in uniform for last night’s game. We’ll see if he suits up on Saturday at Alabama.

Kentucky also won last night as the Wildcats defeated Arkansas 70-66. So the Tigers and Wildcats remained tie for first place in the SEC. If Tennessee beats Ole Miss in Oxford tonight, they’ll share the came conference record as LSU and Kentucky.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says testimony on capitol hill today from President Trump’s former personal lawyer is just part of the political game Democrats are playing. Higgins, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, wrapped up his questioning for Cohen this way…
cut 14 (08) “…impeachment proceedings”
In his opening statement, Cohen called the President a racist, conman and cheat.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy had a chance to question top executives from pharmaceutical companies about the high cost of prescription drugs. Cassidy pointed out Humira, which treats arthritis and Crohn’s Disease, is sold at an 80-percent discount in Denmark and the drug manufacturer still makes a profit.
Cut 4 (06) “…we are not″
Cassidy says at least the pharmaceutical industry acknowledges there is a problem.

Matt Doyle spoke with Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera about Senator John Kennedy concerns with the state’s new computer system that checks income eligibility for Medicaid.
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering a reward of up to 75-hundred dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a whooping crane last November. A male crane was found seriously wounded between Crowley and Rayne on November 2nd. It was later euthanized.