New research from Tulane University shows that COVID-19 infections can impact the brain, even among those who only experience mild symptoms. Dr. Tracy Fisher is the lead investigator on the first comprehensive assessment of coronavirus and neuropathology…
Cut 7 (13) “…cell deaths.”
Fisher says more research is needed to determine how to treat patients suffering from the neurological consequences of COVID-19 and long COVID.

State lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today after overriding the governor’s veto of a Congressional district map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the next legislative battle with be over a bill that prohibits a transgender woman from participating in girls sports, a measure the governor vetoed last year, but will he veto it again if it passes…..
cut 16 (11) “…his agenda”

Tonight is the men’s national championship basketball game in New Orleans as Kansas will face North Carolina. Unfortunately, big sporting events also bring human traffickers according to law enforcement. First Lady Donna Edwards says 25-million victims of trafficking have been identified across the globe and just last year 900 received services in Louisiana, but there are so many more that need our help. She says the problem often impacts children who are most vulnerable.
Cut 5 (11) “,…relatives often.”
Edwards is asking people to be on the lookout for human trafficking.

I’m Brooke Thorington and this Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought by tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home.

The LSU Tigers evened their series with Auburn by taking down the War Eagles nine to two last night. The Bayou Bengals erupted for five runs in the seventh inning. Jordan Thompson and Dylan Crews each drove in two runs and Ma’Khail Hilliard struck out seven for his third win of the season.

Louisiana Tech struck out 11 times and lost to Southern Miss eight to two. The Golden Eagles move into sole possesion of first place in Conference USA, one game ahead of the Bulldogs. The same two teams play again today at 2 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns doubled up Sun Belt Conference co-leader Georgia Southern six to three. UL-Lafayette scored three runs in the eighth inning to snap a three-three tie. The Cajuns have won three in a row.

ULM mustered only five hits in a five to two loss to UTA.

_____________________________________________________________________

Lebron James scored 38 points but the Pelicans still overcame a five-point fourth quarter deficit to drain the Lakers 114 to 111. CJ McCollum had 32 points for New Orleans and Brandon Ingram chipped in with 29 points as the Pels swept the season series over L-A. New Orleans is ninth place in the West, two games up on San Antonio and three up over the Lakers.

The Final Four tips off tonight in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The first game is Kansas versus Villanova just after 5 PM today and the second game is North Carolina versus Duke. Each team has won multip national championships and it’s the first time A-C-C rivals Duke and North Carolina have played each other in the NCAA Tournament.

There are now no more members of this year’s LSU men’s basketball team left on the roster, all of them are either in the transfer portal or preparing for a career in the pros.

I’m Brooke Thorington and this Louisiana Radio Network sportscast was brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com. Tele-leaf helps connect you to medical marijuana when you need it.

Risk Rating 2.0, a new federal flood insurance pricing system for existing policyholders, goes into effect today. FEMA says 23-percent of current policyholders will see their premiums decrease, while 73-percent will see their premiums increase up to 20 dollars per month. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a small percentage of premiums will increase by more than 20-dollars a month…
cut 7 (13) “….worthless overnight”
Senator Bill Cassidy says there are members of Congress who want to address this issue, but it will likely have to wait until next year.

The next hurricane season starts June 1 and Accuweather is predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if the forecast is accurate, this would be the third straight very active season…
cut 8 (06) “…big deal”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that four E-F-1 tornadoes touched down in Jackson and Bienville Parishes on Wednesday. Another E-F 1 tornado touched down in Roseland in Tangipahoa Parish. Forecasters say there could be another threat of severe weather on Tuesday.

The road to the Final Four could be paved with gold for Louisiana…David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The so-called Risk Rating 2.0 rate hikes for National Flood Insurance kick in today. Kevin Gallagher on what it means for policyholders…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A coalition of Civil rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the Congressional District map approved by the state legislature. They claim the map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. Republican lawmakers say the map is legal as there are not enough black voters to create two majority-minority districts.

For Congresswoman Julia Letlow her first piece of legislation to pass in the U-S House is a personal one. Letlow’s COVID-19 American History Project Act passed overwhelmingly. The legislation tasks the Library of Congress to record, collect and preserve stories of Americans directly impacted by COVID.
Cut 11 (06) “…future generations.”
Letlow’s husband Luke Letlow was set to be sworn in to Congress when he died from complications from COVID.

New Orleans will be packed this weekend with college basketball fans, especially from North Carolina, who are in the Big Easy for the Final Four. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is coaching in his final Final Four and Jay Cicero, CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says that just brightens the spotlight on the city…
cut 16 (12) “….is all about”

Phase two of the Risk Rating 2. 0 rollout begins today which means 70-percent of Louisiana policyholders are expected to see premium increases when they renew their flood insurance policies. Policies could increase by as much as 18-percent per year until they reach their full risk rate. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s still not too late for action to stave off the worst of the coming rate hikes…
cut 4 (10) “…..really occurs”
The revamped NFIP “Risk Rating 2.0” system prices flood insurance by property individually; rather than by flood zone.

And Accuweather says we will see another busy hurricane season as they are predicting 16 to 20 named storms, six to eight hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temperatures are already above normal….
cut 10 (09) “….like in May”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s first bill to pass in the House is historic for many reasons. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State lawmakers are back in their districts today after a historic day at the State Capitol yesterday. The Republican-led legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of the Congressional map approved by legislators in the redistricting session. Edwards believes two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority Black since nearly a third of the state’s voting population is African-American…
cut 5 (10) “….what is fair”
But Chairwoman of Senate Governmental Affairs, Slidell Republican Sharon Hewitt says the map approved by the Legislature complies with the law…
cut 7 (11) “…as minority districts”
The NAACP filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming the map dilutes Black voting strength.

If you are 50 and older or immunocompromised you are eligible for a second COVID vaccine booster shot. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter welcomes the news. He says we do not know what the future holds and they continue to monitor circulating variants…
cut 12 (12) “…does happen”
Kanter says it’s best for those who are eligible for a second booster shot, to get one sooner than later

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a fungus that can kill bats has been detected in Louisiana. Hibernating bats are susceptible to white-nose syndrome which was found in Natchitoches Parish. Many people may not like bats, but LDWF biologist Nikki Anderson says they help control the insect population…
cut 9 (12) “…mayflies”

There is some clean-up to do around the state from yesterday’s powerful line of thunderstorms that caused scattered damage. Severe damage was done to Tallulah Academy in Madison Parish and in Natchitoches Parish, a baby survived after a tree fell on the home where she was sleeping. The tree missed the toddler by inches.

If you are 50 or older or even 12 and older but immunocompromised you are now eligible for a second COVID booster shot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This year’s U-S Senate race still has time to heat up, but right now Republican John Kennedy is a clear favorite to retain his seat as 53-percent of voters plan to vote for the state’s junior U-S Senator this fall. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy may not need a runoff to win…
Cut 14 (12) “…settled in November”
Democratic challengers Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon are getting 14 and seven percent of the vote respectively based on this JMC Analytics poll.

A bat-killing fungus has been found in Louisiana. The state department of wildlife and fisheries says the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has been found on Brazilian free-tailed bats in Natchitoches Parish. LDWF disease biologist Nikki Anderson says there’s no treatment for white-nose syndrome. Andreson describes what to look for to spot a diseased bat…
cut 10 (09) “…call me”
The phone number is 1-800-256-2749.