Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing, selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty for doing so from a misdemeanor to a felony. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake.

Cut 13 (11)  “…next be targeted.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath is seeking to increase state funding of the state’s high-dosage tutoring program from 30 to 45 million dollars. This would  allow for state funded high-dosage tutoring for students up to the eighth grade. McMath says high-dosage tutoring program helped the state lead the nation in learning loss recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cut 6 (05) “…what we’re doing.”

McMath’s bill is heading to the Senate floor.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is backing a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on 143 projects across the state’s coast. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Today is the first day of Spring and the weather this weekend looks to be perfect. LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans was nearly perfect last night. The sophomore right-hander struck out a career high 15 as the Tigers opened their series against Oklahoma with a seven to one win. Game two is tonight at 6:30.

A bill to significantly expand high-dosage tutoring advances in the Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has agreed to debate the main candidates in the Senate Republican Primary, but will incumbent Bill Cassidy participate? The debate on April 28^th would be hosted by conservative radio talk show host Moon Griffon, who has referred to Cassidy as “Psycho Bill.” Cassidy has been calling on Letlow to participate in three televised debates.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority approves a plan to spend one-point-five billion dollars on 143 coastal restoration projects. The plan does not include Mid-Barataria or Mid-Breton sediment diversions. They were cancelled last July. Coastal advocates said those two projects were critical in the state’s fight against coastal restoration. But CPRA chairman Gordon Dove says they are moving forward with projects that are more cost effective.

Cut 8 (07) “…of the diversion”

The state legislature still must approve the plan.

No Cinderella story this year as McNeese lost to Vanderbilt 78 to 68 yesterday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the Cowboys third straight invite to the Big Dance and coach Bill Armstrong believes they will be back…

Cut 12 (13) “…our fourth straight”

A plan to expand high-dosage tutoring moved to the full Senate after unanimously passing in the Senate Education Committee. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath says his plan boosts the budget for high-dosage tutoring by 50-percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…very well spent.”

Furthermore, it expands high-dosage tutoring to eighth grade. It remains to be seen if lawmakers will fund the extra 15 million dollars.

A bill that makes it a felony to distribute A-I images of nude minors heads to the House floor.  The measure received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Joseph Daniels told the panel his daughter’s likeness was used for pornographic deep fake, and the damage from it cannot be repaired.

Cut 14 (11) “…it seriously enough.”

If the legislation becomes law, it will be known as the Ivy Daniels Act.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has approved a plan to spend 1.5-billion dollars on coastal projects next fiscal year. CPRA chair Gordon Dove says the money will cover 143 active projects, including a levee protecting the central portion of Louisiana’s coast.

Cut 7 (12) “…ten years ago.”

The state legislature must also approve the plan, and it will be a straight up or down vote — no changes can be made.

No first round upset this year.. 12th seeded McNeese led Vanderbilt by as much as 11 points in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on, as the fifth-seeded Commodores beat the Cowboys, 78-68. The loss marks the end of the road for fifth year guard Javohn Garcia, who spent the last three years in Lake Charles.

Cut 10 (05) “…last three years.”

The three-time Southland Conference champs couldn’t repeat the magic of last season, when they upset Clemson in the first round for their first NCAA Tournament win in school history.

Legislation that would result in at least one year of prison time for possessing selling and distributing artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor heads to the House floor. The measure increases the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for distributing AI produced nudity of a minor. Joseph Daniels says when his daughter was 13, she was the victim of a pornographic deepfake

Cut 13 (11)  “..be targeted.”

The measure is heading to the House floor.

Six oyster leases are closed in Terrebonne Bay because of an oil spill. Mitch Jurisich of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force says this oil spill could contaminate a large portion of the oyster population, putting a significant dent in the oyster supply…

Cut 10 (13) “…hit the consumers.”

Some tense moments for some folks in Winn Parish as a wildfire approached their homes. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Secretary of State’s office says delete any text message that claims to come from them that’s seeking personal information and potentially charge unnecessary fees. The Secretary of State’s Office does not send unsolicited text messages or emails threatening with prosecution or asking for payment.

Last month’s oil spill off the Louisiana coast could be a disaster for the state’s oyster industry.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro

Crawfish prices continue to drop as the Easter weekend approaches. That’s according to the Crawfish App, who says based on real-team pricing consumers can expect to pay an average of $3.71 per pound for live crawfish and $6.37 per pound for boiled crawfish. That’s a drop of 50-cents from last weekend.

A wildfire in Winn Parish caused some tense moments yesterday as about 250 people had to be evacuated. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

Cut 7 (06) “…aviation division overhead.”

The blaze burned at least 15-hundred acres.

Three Ochsner hospitals are ranked among the Top 250 hospitals in the United States according to Newsweek Magazine. They are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge. Regional Medical Director Dr. Quentin Alleva says Ochsner’s success is because it’s a one-stop shop for all of a patient’s medical needs.

Cut 4 (07) “…they may need.”

Some tense moments for about 250 people in Winn Parish yesterday, as they had to be evacuated due to a wildfire. Fire District Three Chief Dustin Parker says the fire started along Highway 34 in Dodson shortly before one yesterday afternoon and spread from there.

Cut 6 (08) “…some evacuations there.”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

A political action committee that supports fifth district Republican congressional candidate Rick Edmonds says it’s produced what it claims is the first-ever A-I political ad in the state’s history. Lionel Rainey with The Louisiana First Victory Fund says the commercial features four A-I generated characters that are worried about Edmonds’ conservative platform.

Cut 10 (05) “…where he stands.”

Edmonds is one of four well-known Republicans in the May 16th Republican primary election

Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating the four Oscars won by “Sinners.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Will McNeese fans be celebrating later this afternoon as the Cowboys will take on Vanderbilt at 2:15 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?  Senior guard Javohn Garcia is playing in his fourth NCAA Tournament game…

Cut 15 (11) “…of the tournament”

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana is clearing up what it says are misconceptions about Constitutional Amendment 3, which would give teachers in Louisiana a permanent pay raise. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A teacher in St. Tammany Parish is being accused of putting Band-Aids on seven students who were allegedly talking in class at Riverside Elementary School in Pearl River. The students’ ages range from 8 to 10. Thirty-eight-year-old George Serban faces several charges including simple battery and cruelty to juveniles.

According to a political action committee, the state’s first ever 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement will be seen on television in the fifth Congressional district. The Louisiana First Victory Fund produced the ad, which is supporting Rick Edmonds in the Republican 5^th Congressional District race. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says A-I-generated political ads can cost less than a traditional commercial, and they can be produced faster.

Cut 12 (08) “…or four days.”

Three of Ochsner’s hospitals in Louisiana are listed among the top 250 hospitals in the United States in a list comprised by Newsweek. The three hospitals are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner’s Medical Center in Baotn Rouge. Regional Medical Director Doctor Quentin Alleva says this ranking should give patients peace of mind…

Cut 5 (10) “….outside our region”