A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says with his legislation, he’s not trying to infringe upon the First Amendment right to protest…

Cut 9 (09)  “…day of it.”

The legislation, which is headed to the Senate floor, is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer.

Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it is unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” so it does not infringe on free speech rights…

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters…

Cut 10 (09) “…alligators.”

About 50 years ago, the state’s alligator population was below 100-thousand, but thanks to conservation efforts there are now more than three-million gators in the state. The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season, it now heads to the Senate Floor for more discussion.

A state lawmaker wants to give voters the opportunity to decide if the minimum wage should be raised from $7.25 an hour. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Previous attempts to raise the minimum wage have been defeated because opponents say it will lead to higher costs and fewer jobs.

The LSU men’s basketball season came to an end today as the Tigers fell 87-82 against ninth-seeded Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. LSU finishes the season 15-and-17, which is head coach Matt McMahon’s second consecutive and third total losing season in Baton Rouge.

McNeese women’s basketball defeated Texas Rio Grande Valley 67-52 to win their 21st straight game. With the win, the Cowgirls advance to the Southland Tournament championship game, where they will play either Lamar or Stephen F. Austin tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team throttled Delaware, 72-43, this afternoon to advance to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals. The Lady Techsters will face either Liberty or Sam Houston on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Grambling State fell 68-65 to seventh-seeded Jackson State in the second round of the SWAC Tournament to end the Tigers’ season.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will open Conference USA Tournament play tomorrow against Middle Tennessee at 5:30 p.m.

The Saints’ several new free agency signings are now official. New Orleans addressed a key positional need by signing offensive guard David Edwards. Edwards, who spent the past three seasons with Buffalo and won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022, is expected to start at left guard. According to WWL Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak, Edwards’ addition gives the offensive line the potential to be something special next season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…looking offensive line.”

The thirteenth-ranked LSU baseball team ended a two-game losing streak last night after defeating Creighton 8-4.

UL-Lafayette baseball improved to 13-and-4 last night after beating Texas Rio Grande Valley 11-7.

Louisiana Tech only tallied one hit in its 6-0 shutout loss to Lamar last night.

There’s a strong line of thunderstorms moving across the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says it could get rough across southeast Louisiana after bedtime…

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area”

There’s a medium risk for damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and isolated flash flooding.

A Senate committee advances a bill that would make it a crime to stage a disruptive protest inside a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says his bill would not prohibit someone from holding a sign in front of a place of worship; but causing a disruption would lead to a 500-dollar fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Cut 10 (12) “…disruptive service.”

Free speech advocates say the legislation is unconstitutional.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines as it needs to come up with legislation to regulate NIL deals in college athletics. Cassidy says legislation needs to be put in place protect student athletes who are signing these deals that result in agents receiving a 40-percent commission.

cut 12 (12) “…go to pros”

Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of the discussion. Tuberville says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put restrictions in place…

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

Cassidy says Congress needs to tackle this issue, because he says an executive order can be overturned by the next president.

There’s potential for severe weather tonight and during the overnight hours. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says wind gusts stronger than 60 miles per hour and isolated flooding is possible, along with tornadoes…

Cut 7 (11) “…EF1s, EF2s”

Cooler temperatures tomorrow, with highs only in the 60, but it will be sunny.

A Senate committee approves a bill making it a crime to conduct a protest that disrupts church services. Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” …

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

US Senator Bill Cassidy held a hearing on college athletics that focused on NIL deals. Cassidy says some of these student athletes are being taking advantage of by their agent and the transferring from school to school is preventing them from workings towards a degree. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy raised concerns about trying to restrict what students can receive through NIL deals…

Cut 15 (10) “…professional sport.”

Cassidy plans to hold additional hearings on the issue.

March Madness is peaking right now in Lake Charles as the city is hosting the Southland Conference basketball tournament and the boys high school basketball championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler….

Cut 3 (07) “…be fantastic”

Big upset in the boys’ basketball tournament today as 12^th seeded Northside upset top seeded Madison Prep 65 to 61 in the Division Two select semifinals.

The Department of Insurance releases its benchmarks for hurricane-only premium discounts for fortified roofs. Commissioner Tim Temple says there are a total of nine tiers, and they’re based on two factors.

Cut 10 (09) “…silver or gold.”
The discounts are set to take effect for premiums purchased or renewed after January 1^st.

House Transportation has approved legislation to name a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”   Monroe Representative Michael Echols filed the bill because he says it will help secure three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction. Denham Springs Republican Representative Kellee Dickerson says the alternative to foregoing federal funding for the bridge would draw the ire of drivers by charging tolls…

Cut 6 (06) “…a chalk board.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says with his legislation, he’s not trying to infringe upon the First Amendment right to protest…

Cut 9 (13) “…as they are”

The legislation, which is headed to the Senate floor, is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer.

March Madness is peaking right now in Lake Charles as the city is hosting the Southland men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and the boys high school basketball championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler….

Cut 3 (07) “…be fantastic”

McNeese will play Stephen F Austin for the Southland Conference Tournament Championship game at 4 PM today. The Cowboys defeated UTRGV in three overtimes last night to survive and advance.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued benchmarks for the type of premium discount homeowners should see if they have a fortified roof.  The discounts on the hurricane portion of their premium, range from 16-percent for those in north Louisiana with a base-level fortified roof to 49-percent for those in south Louisiana with a gold-level fortified roof….

Cut 12 (09) “…in south Louisiana”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the discounts take effect January 1^st and if your insurer can’t meet these discounts, they have to justify why not.

After a series of earthquakes in northwest Louisiana triggered by Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish, the U.S. Geological Survey spent time this week installing new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. Among those on the team was Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, who says this is standard operating procedure.

Cut 7 (12) “…the ground accelerations.”

There have been no additional quakes since Monday.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays Kentucky in the SEC Tournament at 11:30 and if the Tigers lose it could be the last game for Matt McMahon as head coach. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau believes McMahon is likely to return next year due to donor fatigue.

Cut 13 (08)  “…overextended right now.”

The NFL new league year begins today and the Saints will announce their new free agent acquisitions, including running back Travis Etienne from Jennings and former Bills offensive guard David Edwards. Saints sideline reporter for WWL Radio, Jeff Nowak, says Edwards’ addition gives the o-line the potential to be something special…

Cut 17 (14) “….looking offensive line”

The LSU baseball team looks to put an end to its offensive struggles tonight when the Tigers host Creighton at 6:30 p.m. in their last game before conference play. This season, LSU is hitting .291, which ranks 14th out of 16 teams in the SEC.

The UL-Lafayette baseball team is coming off a series win against Dallas Baptist. The Cajuns will play four games at home this weekend, starting with Texas Rio Grande Valley tonight. UL-Lafayette currently holds the number-12 RPI but remains unranked after opening the season 12-and-4. Head coach Matt Deggs doesn’t want his team looking too far ahead and believes the Cajuns must focus on controlling what they can and continue to improve each day as a team.

Cut 19 (13) “…or lose focus.”

First pitch tonight is at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech baseball looks to keep its two-game win streak going against Lamar at 6 p.m.

The McNeese men’s basketball team opens play in the Southland Conference Tournament tonight, facing Texas Rio Grande Valley at 8:30 p.m. The Cowboys split the season series with the Vaqueros, but this matchup carries more significance as both teams battle to stay alive for a chance at an NCAA Tournament berth.

McNeese women’s basketball will also face Texas Rio Grande Valley in their first game of the Southland tournament. Tipoff tomorrow is at 10:30 a.m.

Last night, Grambling State men’s basketball opened up the SWAC Tournament with a dominant 77-52 win over Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers connected on 13 three-pointers in the victory. Grambling will face seventh-seeded Jackson State tonight at 8:30 p.m.

Tomorrow, the LSU men’s basketball team will open up play at the SEC Tournament against ninth-seeded Kentucky at 11:30 a.m.

Coach Brooke Stoehr and her Lady Techsters will take on eighth-seeded Delaware tomorrow morning at 11:30 to open up play in the Conference U-S-A tournament.

LSU senior guard Flau’jae Johnson is one of five finalists for the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award, which recognizes the nation’s top shooting guard.