State lawmakers are accused of coming up with nutty ideas, well this one might make sense as a central Louisiana lawmaker wants to make the pecan the official state nut. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor Edwards releases a Public Service Announcement urging Medicaid recipients to update their contact information with the program as eligibility checks are re-starting in April. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has authored a bill that would designate a little taste of Louisiana – the pecan as the official state nut and authorize its use on official state documents and with the insignia of the state. Harris says in a quest to identify the state nut he realized one did not exist and a constituent requested he propose the bill.

Cut 3 (12) “…state nut”

Louisiana harvests an average of 17.7 million pounds of pecans annually and ranks top five among pecan-producing states. Harris says the only nut produced in the state has been overlooked and this measure will add candied benefits for Louisiana growers.

Cut 4 (11)  “…that designation” 

Harris says the state sports one of the largest crops of pecans in the south – Louisianans love them and it’s time to make it official.

Cut 5 (10) “…produce them”

Lawmakers will hear the bill in the legislative session that begins April 10.

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It’s another great week for crawfish consumers with an average 15-cent drop in prices this week. That’s according to Crawfish App co-founder Laney King. She says the drop in prices wasn’t at the dock this time, it was retailers who dropped their prices.

Cut 6 (09)  “…crawfish season.” 

Which of course is Easter weekend.  You can expect to pay about $2.64 a pound this weekend for live crawfish. As we approach Easter weekend, King says you’ll want to start planning now if you haven’t already and reserve your sacks as soon as possible. And even though there’s been a consistent weekly drop in crawfish prices this season King predicts that’s about to change.

Cut 7 (10)  “…quarter a pound.” 

And if you’re hankering for some crawfish this weekend and aren’t in the mood to boil them yourself, King says you’ll pay about $4.00 a pound.

Cut 8 (08)  “…can expect.” 

The Crawfish App compiles data from more than 16-hundred Louisiana vendors and prices this weekend are down 20-cents a pound compared to the same weekend in 2022

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Governor John Bel Edwards urges Medicaid recipients to take action and check their eligibility status, to avoid losing coverage. Eligibility reviews typically happen annually but were paused due to the COVID pandemic. In a public service announcement released earlier today, Edwards says this will be an important and critical process for many Louisianans.

Cut 9 (11) “…their coverage.”

The massive outreach effort will cost nearly $196-million. Medicaid eligibility reviews will begin in April but it will take up to 14 months to complete. Edward says renewal packets and information letters will be mailed to more than two million members – who should reply right away.

Cut 10 (09) “…contact information” 

The process is expected to continue into the next fiscal year with an $89.2-million budget. Edward says this is a top priority for his administration and LDH and they will do everything they can to remove practical barriers and meet members where they are.

Cut 11 (08)  “…your coverage”

LDH estimates more than 300-thousand people will be taken off of Medicaid during the re-eligibility process. Visit Louisianaradionetwork.com to view resources on where to update contact information.

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District 1 Congressman and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise says the indictment of former President Donald Trump is a political maneuver. Scalise says the New York City D.A. Alvin Bragg is abusing his power…:

Cut 12 (13) “…after Donald Trump.” 

Trump has been indicted for alleged illegal use of campaign dollars as hush money to cover up an alleged affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He is the first former (or seated) U.S. President to ever be formally accused of a crime. Scalise says the New York district attorney is pretty obviously acting in the best interests of his political party; not his constituents…:

Cut 13 (11) “…politically-charged.”

Scalise says the charges are alleged violation of federal law, and federal prosecutors have not seen fit to indict Trump. He questions why a local D.A. would press the issue…:

Cut 14 (08)  “…standard in America.”

Scalise says it’s “clear to anyone who looks at it impartially” that the Trump indictment is politically-motivated to hurt Trump’s 2024 election plans.

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Congressman Steve Scalise’s comprehensive energy bill that would bolster oil and gas production in the United States received approval from the U-S House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Legislation that would put an end to the death penalty in Louisiana has garnered support from Governor John Bel Edwards. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The actions of a Southwood High school resource officer prevented a possible school shooting in Caddo Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The U-S House has approved Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s energy bill. Scalise says the Lower Energy Costs Act will increase American oil and gas production and lower energy costs for families…

Cut 4 (06)  “…household electricity.”

Scalise says the legislation will also reform the permitting process to speed the construction of pipelines, it will streamline energy exports and imports, boost the mining of critical minerals and reverse what he calls the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies…

Cut 5 (12) “…from China”

Scalise claims the President would rather import oil from hostile countries like Russia instead of taking steps to make America energy independent…

Cut 6 (10)  “…in America.”

The GOP Energy Bill passed on a 225-204 vote. The bill is not expected to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House prefers legislation that support green energy initiatives. The President and Democrats claim this bill would increase pollution.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly come out against the death penalty  – after remaining neutral on the controversial issue during his tenure. Under the proposed legislation, individuals would receive a life sentence without parole for offenses of first-degree murder, rape, and treason. Edwards told KNOE TV in Monroe he is concerned about executing an innocent person.

Cut 7 (07) “…actual executions.”

A shortage of lethal injection drugs has paused executions in the state for the past 13 years. Edwards support of the death penalty is based on morality and believes lawmakers should remain consistent in their views.

Cut 8 (10) “…death penalty.”

The current bill authored by Marrero Representative Kyle Green was proposed in 2020 and 2022 but failed on the House floor. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there’s no sure way of knowing how far the bill will advance with the Governor’s approval.

Cut 9 (06)  “…both chambers.”

The state has carried out only one execution since 2010. Cross says with a new governor coming in next year Conservative lawmakers would rather pass this issue to the next governor.

Cut 10 (07)  “…new governor.”

Governor Edwards has been termed out of office. The upcoming legislative session begins in less than two weeks.

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A Caddo Parish school resource officer is credited with thwarting a school shooting after a 19-year-old threatened to kill a coach. Sheriff Steve Prator says when Southwood High student Caleb Morris was told to stop vaping Thursday morning, he responded with a death threat as he left the gym. A school resource officer was called and stopped Morris as he walked back toward the school.

Cut 11 (04)  “…in his backpack.”

Morris faces Terrorizing, Aggravated Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon in a Gun Free Zone charges.

Prator says had deputy Calvin Williams not acted as he did as a school resource officer the outcome could have been much different.

Cut 12 (08)  “…being shot.”

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage of the incident and Prator says they don’t know if Morris retrieved the gun and went back to the school or if he already had the gun on his person.

Cut 13 (09) “…folllow-up investigation.” 

Once the investigation is completed Prator says it will be turned over to the District Attorney’s office.

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Senator John Kennedy says in an effort to combat crime in New Orleans police officers in that city should have the ability to stop and frisk potential crime suspects. It’s a policy not allowed in New Orleans, but Kennedy says cops all over America stop and frisk suspects and they’ve done it for the last 50 years…

Cut 14 (12)  “…Supreme Court.”

During a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy said there were 280 murders in New Orleans last year, the highest murder rate in the country and twice the murder rate of Atlanta. Kennedy says NOPD officials have tried several other crime fighting techniques…

Cut 15 (12)  “…will help”

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The LSU Tigers make their first appearance in the Final Four tonight since 2008 when they take on Virginia Tech in a national semifinal game. LSU is led by the SEC single-season double-double record holder and All-American Angel Reese…

Cut  16 (18)  “…all year.” 

Senior Alexis Morris says the team that’s more mentally tough will advance to Sunday’s national championship game…

Cut 17 (13) “…these moments.” 

LSU women’s basketball is making its sixth trip to the final four in program history. Second-year head coach Kim Mulkey won three national titles at Baylor and led the Lady Bears to the Final Four four times. This is Virginia Tech’s first appearance in the Final Four, but Mulkey says the Hokies have been playing together longer…

Cut 18 (18) “…course of the game.”

Tip-off is at 6 PM.

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Louisiana Tech welcomes Conference USA newbie Dallas Baptist J-C Love Field tonight for the start of a weekend series against the Patriots. Dallas Baptist is 4-2 in league play, while the Bulldogs are 3-3, even though they rank last in the conference in hitting and third to last in pitching. Coach Lane Burroughs says his experienced team is figuring out how to win games…

Cut 19 (12) “…3-and-3.”

The Bulldogs are coming off a dominating win over Sacramento State on Tuesday and they’ve won three of their last four. Burroughs believes Tech’s best baseball is ahead of them….

Cut 20 (07)  “…dugout”