The funeral service for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago in New Orleans. It was officiated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond…
cut 15 (12) “….go marching in”
Following the Mass, a second line started outside leading Benson to his final resting place.

The House Criminal Justice committee passed the latest legislation designed to fight the wild hog population. It fines individuals up to 900-dollars for the illegal transportation of feral swine. The bill’s author is River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot…
cut 4 (11) “…epidemic”
The measure heads to the full House for more discussion.

Several bills have been filed for the regular session calling for a constitutional convention. Some legislators believe that’s the best way towards accomplishing budget reform and preventing cuts to higher ed and health care during times of budget deficits. Governor John Bel Edwards prefers a study group first, so a consensus can be built on what areas of the constitution should be changed.
Cut 7 (07) “be everything”
LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says there isn’t a clear support for a constitutional rewrite in their latest Louisiana Survey. Henderson says even amongst those who like the idea, once you dig down into the details, support tapers off….
cut 13 (08) “…of those”
Currently, areas of the budget are protected from cuts during tough fiscal times.

Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago at St. Louis Chathedral in New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory Aymond delivered the eulogy and spoke about Benson’s dedication which led to him becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Louisiana history…
cut 14 (13) “…genoristy”
Aymond joked that the road Tom Benson Way in front of the Saints and Pelicans team headquarters was a one-way street.

Thirty-five hard individuals worked hard over the last 20 weeks and they are now State Police Troopers as Cadet Class number 97 held a graduation ceremony in Baton Rouge. The newly graduated Trooopers will deploy across the state where they will participate in a 10-14 week field training program supervised by a senior Louisiana State Trooper.

You could be fined up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport feral swine. Don Molino has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Malino”

Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the passage of a criminal justice reform package last year and in this legislative session there are attempts to scale some portions of the overhaul back. Edwards is watching those bills closely….
cut 8 (12) “…able to make”
Edwards says the legislation passed last year will lower prison costs, lower the incarceration rate and provide more help to offenders.

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has a bill in this regular session that would allow 19 and 20-year-olds to purchase alcohol, if they pass a drinking responsbility class and have their parents’ consent. LaFleur says the legal drinking age in most other countries is under 21, so why can’t it be here…
cut 11 (06) “…anywhere else”
LaFleur also believes his legislation can prevent binge drinking behind closed doors by young adults.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has approved a bill that would result in a fine of up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport wild hogs. State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the feral hogs have infested every parish and by stopping the transportation of the hogs, it will slow the reproduction rates.
Cut 5 (13) “those properties”.
The bill’s author, Kirk Talbot, says people are trapping wild hogs, keeping them alive and then releasing them in a different location.

The Senate Education committee was the site of a testy exchange between lawmakers who were discussing a bill that would impose a moratorium on charter schools. New Orleans Representative Joseph Bouie was testifying on the bill, when Metairie Senator Conrad Appel spoke up…
cut 14 (14) “….I said”
The bill never came up for a vote.

A Jonesville teenager was killed and two others moderately injured following a car accident in Catahoula Parish. 18-year-old Delicia (Da-leash-she-a) Ceasor was killed while 18-year-old Shyonna Jones and another 17-year-old juvenile sustained injuries. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says they believe speeding was a factor…
Cut 9 (10) “it’s roof.”
Moreau says Ceasor was not wearing a seat belt.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson will be laid to rest today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Mr. Benson would be proud of what the Pelicans accomplished this week, winning three straight games in as many nights. That hasn’t been done in the NBA since 1979. New Orleans completed the trifecta with a come from behind 128 to 125 win over the Lakers. The Pels rallied back from a 11-point, fourth quarter deficit to get the victory.

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LSU is seeking its first series victory in Nashville since 2005 as they begin a three-game series against Vanderbilt. Coach Paul Mainieri admits they’ve had trouble beating the Commodores at their park, but overall his teams usually play well from Alex Box Stadium….

Cut 17 (18) “…some success”

Late start tonight as first pitch is at 8 PM.

In other college baseball action, Louisiana Tech looks to stay undefeated in Conference USA play as the Bulldogs visit U-A-B. Tech has won 12 of 14, including a sweep over Rice last weekend.

UL-Lafayette and ULM are both home this weekend. The Cajuns take on Troy and the Warhawks face Arkansas State.

McNeese is at Nicholls, while the 28^th ranked Southeastern Louisiana host Houston Baptist.

A brutal murder in Baton Rouge has one man behind bars today. Jim Shannon reports
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Alexandria Police arrested a woman who ran out of a vehicle naked after allegedly running a red light. Authorities say when the car stopped in a parking lot, an eight-year-old child ran out of the front seat chasing the woman. Officers were able to get to the woman, before she was fully inside her apartment and Tami Collins was arrested on numerous charges.

A 14-year-old girl from Jonesville is the latest teenager facing a charge of terrorizing for an alleged threat she made at a local school. Block High School in Catahoula Parish was evacuated Wednesday when the note was found and State Trooper Scott Moreau says detectives quickly responded…
cut 10 (08) “…terrorizing’
KNOE-TV reports the teenager left a kill list of names and that something would happen during a scheduled assembly at 12:30.

The first woman will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction as 96-year-old Margie Jenkins receives that honor tonight during a ceremony hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. Governor John Bel Edwards says Ms Margie remains very busy at the Jenkins Farm and Nursery in Amite….
Cut 7 (08) “works hard”
Jenkins is recognized nationwide as one of the most knowledgeable experts on the cultivation of rare, unusual and native landscaping plants.

The first woman will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction as 96-year-old Margie Jenkins will receive that honor tonight in a ceremony hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Jenkins Farm and Nursery in Amite has been a staple in Tangipahoa Parish since the 60’s….
Cut 6 (09) “recognizing her”
Sugarcane farmer Pete Lanaux from Edgard will be inducted posthumously.

Baton Rouge Police have charged a 49-year-old man with first-degree murder for allegedly beating to death his 76-year-old girlfriend. Sergeant L’ Jean Mckneely says Eric Augustus admitted to detectives he was told to kill his elderly friend after smoking mojo…
cut 5 (09) “…he was having”
Augustus is being held without a bond.

One New Orleans Democrat wants to make sure a lucky streak doesn’t get you tossed out of a casino. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Senate Education approved a bill that requires public schools to display “In God We Trust” and instruct students what the slogan means. Baton Rouge Democrat Regina Barrow says her measure was inspired by a meeting with the governor, where they discussed how to best prepare children for the adult world…
cut 14 (07) “….prayer breakfast”

The Senate Education Committee approved a bill requiring public schools to display “In God We Trust” in their buildings and instruct the students on what the motto means. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says many kids are not taught proper morals, values, and beliefs by their parents, so public schools should fill that void.
Cut 15 (09) “at home”
There was very little discussion on the measure and it now moves to the Senate floor.

PETA is offering a five-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person who poured chemicals on a dog, leaving it with burn injuries. The two-year-old Shih Tzu was found in a flower bed by a resident of St. Charles Parish. PETA spokesperson Kearney Whelan Robinson says this case of animal abuse is very concerning…
cut 12 (09) “….the FBI”
A 14-year-old girl from Jonesville is the latest teenager facing a charge of terrorizing for an alleged threat she made at a local school. Block High School in Catahoula Parish was evacuated Wednesday when the note was found and State Trooper Scott Moreau says detectives quickly responded…
cut 10 (08) “…terrorizing’
KNOE-TV reports the teenager left a kill list of names and that something would happen during a scheduled assembly at 12:30.

Baton Rouge authorities arrested 49-year-old Eric Augustus for allegedly killing his 76-year-old girlfriend. Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says Augustus admitted to investigators he smoked some mojo and then god told him to kill Lovie Variste, his live-in girlfriend…
cut 4 (07) “….the home”
McKneely says Augustus was very remorseful after he came down from his high.