While some other states have outlawed the sale of nitrous oxide paraphernalia, Louisiana may become the first to outlaw the substance with few exceptions. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The legislation making its way through the Legislature designed to end the state’s insurance crisis has been labeled as beneficial to the insurer, not the consumer. Jeanne Burns has Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s reaction…

Cut 2 (28)  “I’m Jeanne Burns.” 

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LSU Health Shreveport is about to be wheels-up with the Air Force Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 Louisiana may become the first state to outlaw the sale, use, and possession of nitrous oxide. The House Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed legislation to ban the substance with few exceptions. Bill author, Rep Joe Stagni (Stag Knee) says Nitrous oxide has become a highly addictive party drug with devastating consequences.

Cut 4 (11) “…laughing matter.”

The father of a young adult urged the committee to pass the bill as he described nearly losing his once healthy, able-bodied daughter whose struggles began when she bought a canister from a gas station because she thought it was a harmless party drug…

Cut 5 (12) “…diagnosis.” 

Nitrous oxide cartridges were once only sold in housewares and cooking supply shops but are now packaged in attractive bright colors with mouthpieces and sold in unlimited quantities in vape shops, gas stations, and online without age limits. Concerned citizen, Samantha McCann testified before the committee…

Cut 6 (08) “…stop him.”

The bill outlawing nitrous oxide’s possession, use, and sale now goes to the full house for consideration.

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Through two weeks of the legislative session, the package of bills Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting to improve the state’s insurance market is receiving the backing of the Louisiana Legislature. Temple says several of the bills focus on improving the state’s legal environment, which he says will bring more companies to the state and result in lower premiums…

 Cut 7 (10) “…litigate.”

When these bills receive committee approval, the headlines read that lawmakers are siding with the insurance companies rather than consumers. But Temple says regulations that are currently in place make it hard for insurance companies to do business in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (10) “…doing nothing” 

The consumer advocacy group, Real Reform Louisiana, says the insurance legislation filed this year will benefit the insurance industry. Director Ben Riggs says it will pad the profits of insurers and it will take away consumer rights. Temple pushes back by saying less regulation, means more companies writing policies and that should translate to lower premiums

Cut 9 (09)  “…from that.”

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A Merryville dog owner sought revenge by fatally shooting a dog after it allegedly attacked his dog. So, we asked Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt if it is legal to shoot another dog in another person’s yard if it attacked yours.

Cut 10 (13) “…to property.”

Borghardt says the owner of the labrador (number one) saw the man enter her backyard before gunfire rang out. He says the state’s statute of cruelty to animals prohibits a person from injuring any animal belonging to another person.

Cut 11 (12) “…number one.”

Boghardt says if the owner felt he had to rescue his dog from the labrador, he should have taken a different approach to handle the situation. The owner of the labrador can seek restitution or criminal charges.

Cut 12 (08) “…criminal court.” 

Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting of the Labrador.

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LSU Health Shreveport is joining forces with the Air Force to study the physical and cognitive effects of lengthy flights on B-52 aircrew members. Director of the Rehabilitation Science Program Dr. Cory Coehoorn (coo-horn) says this is a first for LSU-Health and the Air Force Global Strike Command.

Cut 13 (08)  “…things like that.”

Coehoorn says they are excited about the study, and he anticipates the research project will take flight in the next six months. And while civilians are familiar with an eight-hour overseas flight, Coehoorn says B-52 crewmembers can have in-flight missions of 30-plus hours.

Cut 14 (11) “…of time.” 

And once the three-year study is complete, Coehoorn says they’ll look at….

Cut 15 (08) “…mission objectives.”

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For the second straight weekend, LSU baseball dropped an SEC series and for the second straight Sunday, the Tigers were run-ruled. Florida beat the Tigers 12-2 in eight innings yesterday. Coach Jay Johnson was ejected in the fifth inning after both teams were warned about trash talking and Johnson came out of the dugout to complain that Florida’s pitcher said something to Hayden Travinski. The ejection didn’t fire up the team…

Cut 16 (24)  “…team today.” 

LSU fell to 2-4 in the SEC and visit top-ranked Arkansas on Thursday after hosting Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday. Johnson held a long team meeting following Sunday’s loss as he says his team’s competitive character is getting tested…

Cut 17 (17) “…answer the bell.” 

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The LSU women’s basketball team is headed to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year after beating Middle Tennessee 83-56. The Lady Tigers fell behind by nine early in the third quarter but finished the game by outscoring the Lady Raiders 51-15. Angel Reese stepped up her game in the second half after Coach Kim Mulkey told the All-American that she needed her…

Cut 18 (18)  “…I need” 

Reese scored 14 points in the second half and finished with her 14th consecutive double-double, 20 points and 11 rebounds. Coach Kim Mulkey says in the second half they picked up the pace offensively and played with more effort…

Cut 19 (17) “…third and fourth quarter”  

It was most likely Reese’s final game in the PMAC and she left to a loud ovation. Reese says the crowd’s energy inspired them…

.Cut 20 (20) “…everybody in Albany”

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Creighton in the Sweet 16 on Saturday afternoon.

As the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament gets underway, many want to know if Lady Tiger stars, Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith will stay for another year or go to the WNBA. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A Minden High School Senior has graduated from college before high school and he’s already working on his bachelor’s degree. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legislation to repeal teacher training requirement as a state law and allow BESE to make the decision heads to the House. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The First Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament starts Friday but will this be the last one for Lady Tiger stars, Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith? If they enter the WNBA, things will certainly change without their college NIL deals… Reese says brand relationships have been built and will last into the future…

Cut 4 (10) “…past college.”

Reese says whether she stays at LSU or goes to the WNBA, it’s a win/lose situation. She says you have to know what you want and be willing to make the sacrifice because Leaving the Lady Tigers and joining the pros has its cons…

Cut 5 (08) “…of everything.” 

Van Lith says LSU women’s basketball receives great exposure on ESPN, ABC and the  SEC Network. She says  that may not continue to the same degree playing in the WNBA but that doesn’t mean the loss of endorsement dollars…

Cut 6 (12) “…the league.”

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Saturday is election day with the presidential primary on the statewide ballot and some areas have local races. Secretary of State spokesperson Joel Watson says about 170,000 voters have already cast their ballots either by absentee or early voting. And for a spring low-profile election he says that’s a notable.

Cut 7 (13) “…voting period.”

Watson says voter turnout is more prominent in municipalities that have local races. Caddo Parish has had the largest turnout in the state with approximately 25,000 ballots already cast.

Cut 8 (08) “…voting period.” 

And with District Attorney races in St. Tammany and Washington parishes turnout has been significant.

You can always use the Geaux Vote app, that’s G-E-A-U-X, for a sample ballot and to find your voting location. Watson says if you have a local race anyone can vote, but for the presidential primaries…

Cut 9 (11)  “…allowed to vote.”

The polls are open from 7 am until 8 pm.

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Thanks to the Fast Forward program, Raiden Scott has graduated from college before he receives his high school diploma from Minden High School. Principal Becky Johnson says the high school senior started taking classes last year through Bossier Parish Community College and Southern University Shreveport.

Cut 10 (11) “…from high school.”

The dual enrollment program allows high school students to take college courses while in high school and earn college credits at the same time. Johnson says Raiden is planning on going into the medical field.

Cut 11 (08) “…to me.”

And while you might think Raiden spends all his time hitting the books, Johnson says he also excels on the pitch.

Cut 12 (07) “…super impressive.” 

And Raiden isn’t wasting time earning his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, he’s currently taking classes online at LSU-Shreveport.

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House Education approves a bill to repeal state laws requiring educators to teach students about CPR, eating disorders, adoption and substance abuse and more. Instead, BESE would decide if they should be taught Rosepine Representative Charles Owens is the author of the legislation..

Cut 13 (08)  “…our classroom.”

Owens says for teachers to teach these type of lessons, they have to be trained. He says instead of state lawmakers deciding if these are worthy subjects, leave it up to the state’s top school board, BESE…

Cut 14 (10) “…our schools.” 

Owens wants to limit disruptions so that teachers can focus on classroom instruction.

Cut 15 (10) “…extent possible.”

The bill now advances to the House floor.

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The LSU Lady Tigers look to start another postseason run today as they host Rice in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Coach Kim Mulkey has won six NCAA championships, one as a player, one as an assistant coach and four as a head coach. Mulkey on what it takes to be the team that cuts down the nets at the end of the season…

Cut 16 (15)  “…go down fighting.” 

The Lady Tigers are the 3-seed in the Albany Two Regional. They host a Rice team that won four straight games in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to win the championship and receive an automatic bid. Mulkey knows they are facing a team that’s playing its best basketball of the season…

Cut 17 (11) “…play our best.” 

Tipoff is at 3 PM.

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The 5th-ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against the sixth-ranked Florida Gators tonight in a rematch of last year’s College World Series championship series. Coach Jay Johnson says both teams are different, but each squad still has star players…

Cut 18 (17)  “…hit mistakes.” 

The Gators are third in the SEC in home runs with 44. Jac Caglianone is Florida’s top hitter. The junior will also start on the mound on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, he’ll play first base and he’s hitting .414 with nine homers and 21 RBI. Johnson says Caglianone is an outstanding hitter

Cut 19 (18) “…draft boards”  

LSU will have the same weekend rotation as last weekend. Luke Holman starts tonight, Gage Jump Saturday and Thatcher Hurd on Sunday. Johnson believes he’ll get better starting pitching this weekend and he expected the whole team will perform better after a tough experience on the road…

.Cut 20 (20) “…this weekend”

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that will give all parents the opportunity to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition and other education expenses. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The parents of Lacey Fletcher, who was found melted in a couch after years of neglect, were sentenced to 40 years, with 20 years suspended. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Grambling State men’s basketball team keeps making history. The Tigers played in their first ever NCAA Tournament game last night and they rallied to beat Montana State 88 to 81 in overtime. Head Coach Donte Jackson was asked what this means for his program

Cut 3 (11) “…just amazing.”  

The Tigers trailed by nine points at halftime. Jackson says his players were unfazed….

Cut 4 (12) “…right direction” 

Grambling plays again tomorrow night and they’ll take on top-seeded Purdue in Indianapolis. Jackson says his team faces a monumental task in trying to upset the Boilermakers

Cut 5 (12)  “…ready to play”

Tip-off tomorrow night is at 6:25.

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The Senate Education Committee has approved legislation that will one day allow every family to apply for state dollars to pay for private school tuition or other education-related expenses. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is a co-author of the bill and says parents should have options on how their child should be educated…

Cut 6  (12) “…is educated.” 

The L-A Gator Scholarship Program would begin with the 2025-26 school year and at first would just provide taxpayer dollars to low income families, but income requirements would ease over time and it would be open to all families starting with the 2028-29 school year.

Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill in Senate Education. Jackson-Andrews says families who have children attending a well performing schools should not be eligible for this program. She questioned Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds…

Cut 7 (13) “…their opinion”  

The Louisiana School Boards Association strongly oppose the the creation of education savings accounts. Dannie Garrett handles government relations for the association and says E-S-As spent taxpayer dollars without the accountability demanded of public schools and there’s no evidence it will improve education

Cut 8 (07) “…better” 

The Public Affairs Research Council says the L-A Gator Scholarship Program would cost 650-million dollars annually in five to seven years.

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The parents of Lacey Fletcher, the 36-year-old who was found melted into the couch due to severe neglect in Slaughter, were sentenced to 40 years with 20 years suspended. East Feliciana District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says he wanted Clay and Shelia Fletcher to receive the maximum of 40 years due to the horrific way their special needs daughter died.

Cut 9 (07) “…the couch.” 

Lacey was found on January 3, 2022, covered in maggots and sores in a couch rotting in her own waste.

During the trial, D’Aquilla says the Fletchers showed no remorse for the haunting death of their daughter.

Cut 10 (12) “…special needs child. “

D’Aquilla says he’d like to bring charges against the friends and fellow church members who testified on behalf of the Fletchers, because they never intervened.

Cut 11 (06) “…10 years.”

The coroner ruled that Lacey died from “acute medical neglect” inflicted over a period dating back to at least 2010.

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Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says crawfish prices keep dropping and supply remains steady. He says prices have been dropping since the start of March, so if you enjoy eating crawfish, get them this weekend ..

Cut 12 (06) “…down again.”

Strain says supply is outpacing demand, which has led to the price drop. He hopes the cool weather this week doesn’t impact supply too much…

Cut 13 (09) “…the traps.”  

The average price for a pound of crawfish in Louisiana is $5.50, according to the crawfish price index. Strain says you can find them at some places, below four-dollars a pound.