Today is the day that the new Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana welcomes guests in Bossier City. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Now that Louisiana plans on resuming executions, the first one has been scheduled. Jeanne (ZHAHN) Burns reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Embattled LSU law professor Ken Levy returns to class today after Judge Tarvald Smith ruled the university violated his free speech and due process rights when they suspended him.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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February is Early Education Month, a statewide initiative to highlight the urgent need for increased investments in high-quality early childhood education. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libby Sonnier says this initiative features 12 statewide events to raise awareness among policymakers, business leaders, and families.

Cut 4 (11) “…looks like.”

Advocates for Early Ed Month will raise awareness  and advocate for a continued investment in early childhood education with a Social Media Day of Action on Friday.

Sonnier says with child care being essential to Louisiana’s workforce, many families struggle with affordability and access, and the parent poll results will be release next week.

Cut 5 (11) “…education that they get.”

Sonnier emphasizes Early Ed Month aims to drive policy changes ensuring all children have access to quality early learning opportunities.

Cut 6 (12) “…during Early Ed Month.”

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Today is the big day as the new Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana opens its doors in Bossier City. 

Cut 7 (12) “…new and beautiful.”

Vice President of Marketing Josh Robinson says you’re immersed from the moment you walk in, with a floor-to-ceiling LED wall greeting visitors in the main entry. And they have a full staff ready to help you inside.

Cut 8 (11) “…that Live brand.”

Of course, no casino resort would be complete without a state-of-the-art music venue. Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana is no exception, and some big names will be taking the stage in the resort’s infancy.

Cut 9 (16)  “…only Clint Black.”

The doors to Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana open at eight tonight.

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A Rapides Parish man could be the first death row inmate to be executed in Louisiana in 15 years. Larry Roy is scheduled to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia on March 19th. Roy killed his ex-girlfriend’s ex-husband, Freddie Richard Jr., and her aunt, Rosetta Salas. He also attacked her and her two children, but they survived. Attorney General Liz Murrill says executing Roy and other condemned inmates is long overdue.

Cut 10 (08) “…way too long.”

Attorney General Murrill says she and Governor Landry campaigned on reinstituting the death penalty.

Cut 11 (07) “…so do I.”

Murrill says nitrogen hypoxia is being used in at least one other state to execute condemned inmates..

Cut 12 (09) “…States Supreme Court.”

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LSU law professor Ken Levy returns to class today. Levy was suspended after using foul language and critizing Governor Jeff Landry and President Trump during a lecture last month. Levy’s attorney Jill Craft says a state judge determined the suspension violated his freedom of speech.

Cut 13 (11)  “…for this country.”

Governor Landry called the decision “absurd”, but  Craft says divergent opinions are crucial for academia.

Cut 14 (12) “…academia is about.”

Recordings from Levy’s class revealed him using profanity to criticize political figures, but Craft says LSU wasn’t clear on the reason behind the suspension.

Cut 15 (11) “…academic freedom.”

A complaint from a student is what started the investigation into Levy’s conduct. LSU President William Tate testified it was his decision to suspend Levy. Landry says Levy’s behavior was unprofessional and the judge ignored the facts of the law and the Constitution. He expects the decision to be overturned by an appeals court or the Louisiana Supreme Court.

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Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson will get the start on Friday when the Tigers open the 2025 season against Purdue Fort Wayne. Anderson, who is from Madisonville and prepped at St. Paul’s says it means a lot to get a chance to start on Fridays

Cut 16 (16) “…from there.”

Anderson appeared in 18 games last season, made nine starts, and finished with a 4-2 record and 3.99 ERA. The southpaw struck out 59 in 38.1 innings. He’s added nearly 25 pounds since arriving at LSU, which has added some speed to his fastball. Anderson is also working on his secondary pitches…

Cut 17 (15)  “…more often.”

First pitch on Friday at 2 PM.

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Louisiana Tech will look to win its ninth straight home game tonight when it hosts Kennesaw State inside the Thomas Assembly Center for a 6:30 PM tip. Both teams are 6-and-5 in Conference USA Play and the Bulldogs lost to the Owls back on January 18^th at their place. Coach Talvin Hester is looking forward to the rematch…

Cut 18 (15)  “…that way”

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball is at Kennesaw State. The Lady Techsters are 6-and-5 and in fourth place in Conference USA. Coach Brooke Stoehr says there are seven games left in the regular season and still time to move up the standings…

Cut 19 (20) “…do it.”

LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine is calling on fans and parents at high school games to control their emotions. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is asking President Trump to levy tariffs up to 100-percent on foreign seafood imports.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Northwestern State is not only attracting new students, but it is keeping the students it currently has.

Cut 3 (09) “…we do get.” 

Van Erikson, the director of enrollment management at Northwestern State, says among first-time freshmen, 89-percent return for their second semester. Erikson says one driver of that is small student-to-faculty ratios.

Cut 4 (09) “…choose not to.”

As for overall enrollment, Northwestern State is at just over 77-hundred students, both undergraduate and graduate. Erikson says while Northwestern State will never grow to the size of LSU, they’re still looking to increase enrollment.

Cut 5 (07) “…to do so.”

Erikson says the school would ultimately like to grow to somewhere between nine-thousand and 95-hundred students.

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is urging parents to keep their cool in the stands. They are telling parents to simmer down or sit down. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says kids look to adults to set the tone…

Cut 6 (12) “…lasting impression.”

The LHSAA is investigating an ugly incident at a girls’ basketball game in northwest Louisiana last week. A mother of a Red River High School girls basketball player left the stands and verbally assaulted a referee after her daughter was ejected for committing a flagrant foul. Bonine says our student-athletes deserve better…

Cut 7 (07) “…it’s done.”

The referee may seek charges against the woman confronted him and Red River Coach Dadrian Harris is concerned the incident could result in a postseason ban. Bonine says when things get out of control everyone loses…

Cut 8 (12) “…hard for.”

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Locally heavy rain and flooding is possible this afternoon for north and central Louisiana this afternoon. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Monroe, Jena and Winnsboro could see the some of the highest rainfall totals…

Cut 9 (06)  “…even more.”

The National Weather Service has also issued a tornado watch until 8 PM tonight. It covers the Alexandria area and nearly all of south Louisiana including, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Houma, Slidell and New Orleans. Keim says be prepared…

Cut 10 (10) “…severe weather.”

LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says a cold front is colliding with warm air, which is raising the threat for severe weather…

Cut 11 (10) “…flash floding.”

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Congressman Clay Higgins sent a letter to President Trump advocating for tariffs and stronger trade enforcement on seafood imports from China, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Deborah Long with the Southern Shrimp Alliance says the U-S shrimp industry is facing a financial crisis because of cheap imports

Cut 12 (10) “…level last year.”

There is a concern about banned antibiotics contained in imported shrimp. Higgins urged the administration to impose antidumping and countervailing duties, and enforce stricter testing protocols.  Long says Higgins is leading the call for stricter standards.

Cut 13 (07)  “…our health standards.”

Long says that compared to the E-U where all shipments are tested before being shipped and 50-percent are tested again when delivered, the U-S tests less than percent of imported seafood.

Cut 14 (10) “…for contaminated shrimp.”

Baton Rouge-based Cajun Industries is bringing 600 jobs to the Port of Iberia with a new assembly yard. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Saints have named a Super Bowl champion as their next head coach, Jeff Palermo has more on the hiring of Kellen Moore…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Port of Iberia will soon host a major development, bringing nearly 600 jobs to the region. Baton Rouge-based Cajun Industries has chosen the port for its new 60-acre assembly yard, where heavy industrial modules will be built. Port of Iberia Executive Director Craig Romero says Cajun Industry isn’t wasting any time.

Cut 3 (08) “…for their customers.” 

Romero emphasized that at full capacity, the facility will employ over 600 skilled workers, including crane operators, pipefitters, and welders.

Cut 4 (12) “…gonna do a lot.”

Romero highlighted the importance of the local workforce, praising their skill, ingenuity, and tenacity.

Cut 5 (13) “…to draw from.”

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We’re getting local reaction to President Trump’s executive order halting new development of wind energy. LaRose Republican Representative Joseph Orgeron says Trump’s order does not affect any current wind farms.

Cut 6 (12) “…their construction plans.”

Orgeron says Trump is a longtime critic of wind farms, and it may be personal.

Cut 7 (15) “…along the coast.”

Orgeron says there are many benefits of wind energy, saying it helps provide an alternative revenue stream and stability, including in the boating industry.

Cut 8 (13) “…the bad times.”

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A Flood Watch is in effect for northern Louisiana due to heavy rainfall expected through Wednesday afternoon. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the watch area will see 2-4 inches of rain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the whole area.”

The National Weather Service says Monroe, Jonesboro and Natchitoches could see as much as six inches of rain. Keim says heavy rain may lead to flooding of low-lying areas, rivers, creeks and roads…

Cut 10 (09) “…risks out there.”

The National Weather Service  says there will be a 50-75% chance that rainfall totals will be greater than three inches for the area. Keim says there’s also the chance for severe weather…

Cut 11 (10) “…flash floding.”

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The Saints have named Kellen Moore as the team’s new head coach. Moore just helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl as the team’s offensive coordinator. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for NOLA.com and says it appears to be a solid hire for the Black and Gold…

Cut 12 (14) “…charismatic guy.”

Moore is only 36-years-old, but he has six years of experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL.

Moore will have his challenges as a first-time head coach as he takes over a team where the better players are older and it’s unclear who the long term quarterback will be. Johnson expects the Saints to be patient with Moore…

Cut 13 (11)  “…they are.”

Johnson says Moore could be bringing Doug Nussmeier with him to New Orleans. Nussmeier is the quarterbacks coach for Philadelphia and Johnson says Nussmeier is connected to the Saints and Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “…pretty solid.”

Johnson says it’s expected former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley will be the Saints new defensive coordinator.