Congressional leaders have agreed to provide 1.37 of the 5.7 billion dollars the President has demanded to construct additional physical barriers along the US-Mexican border. Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t read the entire bill yet, but he’s been told that when combined with other funds, the final tab is a bit higher.
Cut 4 (12) “…October.”
The U-S House will vote on the border security bill today.

Beginning this fall, Louisiana will become only the second state in the US with military veteran centers on every college campus. Chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan says the resource centers will help vets transition into the campus lifestyle.
Cut 13 (07) “…the resource available.”

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Louisiana Family Forum has found the longest married couple in the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state department of transportation now says emergency repairs on the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville will be completed in mid-March.

Thousands of Americans who have received their federal tax refunds are wondering why it’s smaller this year. Frank Holzenthal with the Louisiana CPA Society says it’s the result of changes with the federal tax code, but many workers have also been bringing home bigger checks since the tax reform was enacted last year…
cut 12 (09) “…structured”
The I-R-S says the average refund is eight-percent smaller this year compared to last.

LSU Ag Center Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz has some good news for crawfish fanatics: this year’s crop is looking pretty good. Despite some topsy-turvy weather lately, he says the conditions are ripe for a solid, but not record setting year for size and supply.
Cut 4 (10) “…out there.”

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will not seek re-election. Hilton was first elected sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but was elected again in 2011 and he says this retirement is final…
cut 8 (08) “…when I retired”
Hilton says his proudest accomplishment is supplying each school with a resource officer.

The 19th ranked LSU basketball team made a huge statement last night by beating 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71 in Lexington. Kavell Bigby-Williams with the tip-in at the buzzer stunned the Rupp Arena crowd and ended the Wildcats 10-game winning streak. LSU came back from nine points down in the second half to win. Coach Will Wade…
cut 20 (14) “…tonight”
It’s only the second time in program history that LSU has defeated a Top five team on the road. 1980 was the only other time.

LSU is becoming a basketball school as the Tigers made a strong statement last night with a 73-71 upset win over 5th ranked Kentucky. It’s only the second time in program history that LSU has defeated a Top 5 team on the road. The Tigers are now 20-4, 10-1 in the SEC and will look for another road win on Saturday at Georgia.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton is not seeking re-election, making his sixth term his last. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It was another cool morning across Louisiana and LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Greg Lutz says these cold snaps are keeping crawfish from getting bigger…
cut 5 (10) “…growing”
The forecast calls for warmer temperatures the rest of the work week, which should help create a better supply of crawfish.

And we are keeping an eye on the Mississippi River which is rising again. But President of the Fifth Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says the levees in northeast Louisiana should be able to handle all the water that’s on its way…
cut 14 (09) “….have to sandbag”
But Minsky says more rain in the Missouri and Ohio River valleys could cause problems, especially in Tensas Parish, which is susceptible to overtopping.

Matt Doyle has some good news about this year’s crawfish crop…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU fans are feeling good today after watching the 19th ranked Tigers upset 5th ranked Kentucky on a tip in at the buzzer. 73-71 was the final score. Many Kentucky fans believe the last basket should not have counted, because they claim it was offensive goal tending, but finally a call for a Louisiana sports team went their way.

River levels for the Mississippi are very high and they are forecast to continue to rise. President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says as bad as it is, it could be much worse, but the future is highly dependent on weather conditions in other areas of the country.
Cut 13 (12) “…range of valleys.”
The 5th district levees offer protection of at least 58 feet.

Longtime Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will retire and not seek re-election to a seventh term this year. Hilton started his first stint as sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but came back four years later. Hilton says he’s proud of putting a school resource officer at every school in Rapides Parish…
cut 9 (10) “…remembered for”
Hilton says the biggest challenge for the next sheriff will be controlling a growing drug problem.

The IRS reports the average federal tax refund so far is down eight percent from 2018, as filers are nabbing about 170 dollars less. The lower refund is the result of the GOP tax reform legislation that went into effect last year. But Frank Holzenthal, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says the lower refund is offset in most cases by higher take home pay during the year…
Cut 10 (11) “…more taxes”

The 19th ranked LSU basketball team pulled off the upset last night as the Bayou Bengals beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71 on tip in at the buzzer by Kavell Bigby Williams. Tigers Coach Will Wade felt good about his team’s chances heading into the game…
cut 30 (13) “…confident”
The Tigers are 20-4.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces his sixth term as sheriff will be his last as he will not pursue re-election. Hilton, whose father also served as a sheriff, has grown up around law enforcement, and says the decision to leave the profession was not an easy one.
Cut 7 (11) “…like to do.”
Hilton began his first term as sheriff in 1992 and this is second time he’s retired. But he says this one will stick.

President of the 5th Louisiana Levee District Reynold Minsky says he’s concerned about the rising Mississippi River. But Minsky says the only place that may see overtopping of the levee system is in Tensas Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…on the outside”

The I-R-S says the average refund this year is down eight percent from last year under the new federal tax code. Many taxpayers are now wondering if their total amount of taxes paid has gone up this year. Frank Holzenthal with the Louisiana C-P-A Society advises filers to compare this year’s tax liability line with last year’s for a better picture…
cut 11 (10) “….little bit”
The I-R-S also notes that the number of returns received for the first official week was down 12-percent from the first week of last year’s tax season.

LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz says this year’s crawfish crop is coming along well and the warmer temperatures recently are helping. Lutz says if you see a decline in production, don’t blame the trappers, blame Mother Nature…
cut 6 (10) “….find em”

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton announces he will not seek re-election. Hilton was first elected sheriff in 1992, retired in 2008, but was elected again in 2011 and he says this retirement is final…
cut 8 (08) “…when I retired”
Hilton says his proudest accomplishment is supplying each school with a school resource officer.

What a huge win for the 19th ranked LSU basketball team last night. The Tigers came from behind again to beat 5th ranked Kentucky 73-71. They won the game on a tip-in by Kavell-Bigby Williams at the buzzer to earn the program’s second victory over a Top 5 team on the road. LSU is 20-and-4.

March food stamp benefits will arrive early for those who receive the government assistance…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

19th ranked LSU has a chance to make a huge statement tonight when they visit 5th ranked Kentucky. LSU has made a habit of getting behind by double digits and then roaring back to win games. Wade says that strategy will likely not work tonight
Cut 18 (10) to win”
Tip off is at 6 PM.

Allegiant Air will begin non-stop service between Shreveport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport in Florida on May 17th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says fares start at 49-dollars each way and flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays…
cut 12 (07) “….in an hour and a half”
The seasonal service is scheduled to run through Monday, September 2nd.

LaFourche Parish deputies have made an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old, who was struck by a bullet that entered his mother’s home in Lockport on Sunday. Lt. Brennan Matherne says 17-year-old Jyairus Folse fired several shots into the home and one them struck Alton Adams of Bayou Blue in the back…
cut 8 (13) “….in this shooting”
Matherne says they still don’t exact reason why Folse shot at the home.