Governor Landry wants to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial districts. Andre Champagne reports while Landry stated his reason to Congress, there’s an ulterior motive in play.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A big weekend of college baseball is on tap. LSU hosts Dartmouth tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts 12^th ranked Southern Miss and the Ragin Cajuns go after their eighth straight win as they host UC San Diego.

Doctor Ramesh Kolluru has been named the seventh president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Kolluru was the University’s vice president for Research for more than a decade. He became the school’s interim president in November and U-L System President Doctor Rick Gallot says he’s led efforts to stabilize the university’s fiscal landscape….

Cut 13 (08) “…evolve”

Kolluru also launched a mental health task force to prioritize student wellness and secured 25-million dollars in federal money to advance research.

Three vital members of the state’s ag industry were inducted into the Louisiana Agricultural Hall of Distinction in a ceremony hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. They are David Cupp, Billy Rogers Leonard and Jim Simon (Sea-mon). Cupp is the president of the Walsh Timber Company in Sabine Parish and has spent 45 years working in the forestry industry

Cut 6 (09) “…faboulous.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will perform an audit of Delta Utilities’ billing and costs this summer. Many customers in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas are upset over their high gas bills. Rahsha Williams is the head of a community center in Baton Rouge, and she told the Public Service Commission that Delta Utilities natural gas bills are a real problem.

Cut 7 (10) “…their grocery budget.”

Delta Utilities spokeswoman Sarah Porteus says gas bills are high because demand is higher in the winter months, and the cost of natural gas increased 150-percent from September to February.

Cut 9 (08)  “…their March bill.”

Porteus says customers who are unable to pay their bill can contact Delta Utilities to work out a payment plan.

The West Carroll Gazette will continue publishing a weekly paper. The 116-year-old publication has been saved because it has been bought by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce. Local businessman Adam Holland is on the Chamber’s board of directors and says longtime readers of the West Carroll Gazette are thrilled with the news…

Cut 6 (07) “…thing’s been saved”

The cost to purchase the paper from the Louisiana State Newspapers was just one dollar.

An Alabama man has been arrested after he allegedly urged a teenager in Lafourche Parish to kill herself after the two met each other on the online gaming platform Roblox. LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 24-year-old Landen Westfall also got the girl to send him nude photos of herself. Matherne says Westfall faces multiple charges and might not be a free man again if convicted…

Cut 15 (11) “…for 15 counts”

According to the latest information from the U-S Drought monitor, three-quarters of the state is in drought conditions and 43-percent of the state is experiencing either severe or extreme drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we could use two weeks of consistent rainfall…

Cut 5 (12) “…into the spring”

The forecast for the next week calls for dry weather.

Governor Landry announced on his “X” account today that A-T-and-T is investing 45-million dollars to upgrade the network inside Tiger Stadium before the 2026 season. LSU President Wade Rousse joined Landry for the announcement. Rousse says when you have over 100-thousand people in one place, you need service that works.

Cut 9 (08)  “…first responders.”

If a New Orleans-area lawmaker has his way, those who don’t pay attention when crossing crosswalks will have to pay the price. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former Amite high school football star, who played at LSU and Louisiana Tech has died from bone cancer. Devonta Lee was a four-star recruit and played for three seasons at LSU. He caught two passes during LSU’s 2019 national championship season. When he transferred to Tech in 2022 he was diagnosed with bone cancer. At one point he was considered cancer free, but the cancer came back and Lee has passed away at the age of 27.

St. Bernard Parish Republican Mike Bayham has filed a bill that would result in a 25-dollar fine for a person who is walking across the street in the crosswalk, but is looking at their phone and not paying attention to the traffic….

Cut 8 (10) “…going across crosswalks”

Bayham notes it’s against the law to handle your cell phone while driving and pedestrians should also face punishment if they are paying attention to their phone while crossing the street.

Another bill that will be up for debate in the legislative session is a proposed constitutional amendment by state senator Jay Morris. The West Monroe Republican would like to see a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor.

Cut 15 (13) “…very high bar.”

Morris says Louisiana residents are fed up with a system that allows repeat violent offenders to cycle through the courts without consequence.

According to the latest information from the U-S Drought monitor, three-quarters of the state is in drought conditions and 43-percent of the state is experiencing either severe or extreme drought. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says we could use two weeks of consistent rainfall…

Cut 5 (12) “…into the spring”

The forecast for the next week calls for dry weather.

Good news for LSU football fans as AT-and-T is installing a new antenna system so that there will better wireless access during games. AT&T president David Aubrey says they are proud to work with LSU to bring state of the art connectivity to college football’s greatest venue…

Cut 10 (08) “…connected.”

The project is expected to cost 45-million dollars.

This run of dry weather we’ve had lately has pushed the state into drought conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says currently, about three-fourths of the state is in a drought, with half of the state rated as severe to extreme drought.

Cut 3 (13) “…coast in Terrebonne.”

Grymes says farmers and ranchers are starting to get nervous as we get ready to roll into production season.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly childcare is in Louisiana. More than 10-thousand dollars per year for one child, nearly 21-thousand dollars for two children. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for childcare and in some cases decided to quit their job.

Cut 5 (07) “…they’re forced too.”

A West Monroe state senator, Jay Morris has filed a bill that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.

Cut 14 (10) “…up with it.”

Morris says this process is not to be used if, for example, the governor simply disagrees with a judge’s ruling; instead, it’s intended to be used if that judge sentences the convict outside of the sentencing guidelines.

The Superbowl of rodeo, the Hondo Rodeo Fest is coming to the Ceaser’s Superdome in April. World champion cowboys and cowgirls have been invited to compete in eight categories, for a one-million-dollar prize.  Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs calls it adrenaline-pumping.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s action packed.”

Special discounted tickets are on sale through tomorrow.

A state senator is proposing a constitutional amendment that he says would restore accountability in Louisiana’s justice system. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northwestern State has announced the removal of Amy Step and Trey Jackson as coaches of the Northwestern State cheerleading team after an investigation looking into hazing allegations. Northwestern says the school identified areas reflecting lack of appropriate oversight and control of the program. Coach Step disagrees with the findings and there are former and current cheerleaders are calling the firing unjust.

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly child care is in Louisiana. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says parents reported spending an average of 870 dollars per child per month, or more than ten-thousand dollars a year.

Cut 4 (11) “…parents in Louisiana” 

Batson says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for child care and in some cases decided to quit their job, because it made more financial sense to stay home.

Looking for a family fun event. The Hondo Rodeo event is coming the Caesars Superdome April 10^th and 12^th. It’s a rodeo competition, a music concert and there’s also a street fest at champions square. James Trawick is the CEO of the Hondo Rodeo Fest and says they chose Louisiana because the state has some of the best rodeo competitors in the U.S.

Cut 11 (06) “…Louisiana than Wyoming.”