Jury selection begins today in Marksville in the trial for one of the two former city-marshalls accused in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Derrick Stafford is facing a charge of second-degree murder in Mardis’ death, and the attempted murder of the child’s father. The other man accused, 25-year-old Norris Greenhouse Jr., is scheduled to go on trial June 12th.

Gambling addiction has become a growing problem in Louisiana as it affects an estimated 180-thousand people statewide. Executive Director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Janet Miller says gambling addictions in Louisiana were at about the 2-3% mark in 2008…:
Cut 8 (11) “dramatic jump”
This is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and Miller encourages anyone affected to call the Problem Gambler’s Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP.

Community leaders around the state are teaming up with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for the fight against litter. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says high ranking officials are taking part in Leaders against Litter…:
Cut 10 (12) “in Louisiana”
The litter-a-thon comes ahead of the Great American Cleanup, which takes place April 22.

The Lake Charles founded Waitr app is expanding thanks to a $10 million investment from an investor group led by Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. President and CEO of food delivery platform, Chris Meaux:
CUT 13 (10) “of California”

A shooting in a New Orleans home has left a woman and two children dead, and a second female in serious condition at a hospital…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s secured indictments against Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa on a bribery scheme in which he allegedly tried to have a candidate drop out of a city council race in exchange for political favors. A businessman is also accused along with Matassa of offering a Gonzales City Council candidate money and a government job if he withdrew from the election.

As many folks around the state are having crawfish boils this weekend, one lucky crawdad won’t be in a sack. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarain’s to pardon a mudbug.
cut 12 (07) “every year”
Nungesser says of the more than 120 million pounds of crawfish we eat every year, they thought it was only fair to set one free.

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones is no longer the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost a school record 15 in a row in Jones’ final season, but Athletic Director Joe Alleva said it’s appropriate to wait until now to fire Jones…:
CUT 11 (08) “right thing to do”
All of Jones’ assistants have been fired as well.

US Attorney Kenneth Polite Jr, who served as a top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Louisiana, says he’s resigning effective March 24th. Appointed by President Obama, Polite was widely expected to be replaced by the Trump administration.

A mother and her two sons were killed, and her daughter injured in a tragic shooting incident in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says it was one of the most horrific scenes they’ve ever encountered…:
Cut 3 (10) “rattles everybody”
A cash reward of $5,000 is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the killer.

Early voting for the March 25th elections begins today. Four candidates in northwest Louisiana are on the ballot in the District 8 state House race to fill the seat vacated by US Rep Mike Johnson. There are four judicial elections, and Lake Charles will be choosing a new mayor.

Admitted rapist and former Saints star Darren Sharper’s lawyers are arguing that a judge didn’t properly explain the details of a “global” plea agreement which put their client behind bars 18 years. Sharper plead guilty to drugging and raping women in four states. An appeal was filed Friday.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a 25-year-old Oakdale man died as a result of injuries suffered in a residential fire earlier this month. They say Joey Hampton Jr sustained third-degree burns to 70% of his body and was being treated at a Lafayette hospital where he died. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office says two suspects have been arrested for the threatening graffiti found at East Jefferson High School this week. Among the messages found scrawled in black paint Wednesday were “#Sandyhook2017” and “Shooting the school up — Crazy White Boy.”

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announces the firing of Johnny Jones as men’s basketball coach…:
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Don Molino”

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa has been indicted on charges of bribery for allegedly offering a former Gonzales City Council candidate money and a job if he would drop out of the election. Audio recordings were released of the incident.

Don’t forget if you’re heading east on I-10 today towards New Orleans that both lanes are closed south of Sorrento. Eastbound drivers will have to get off at Airline Highway in southern Ascension Parish and take Airline southeast to Gramercy and La. 641…:
CUT 25 (10) “corridor”
That’s DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet. The closure lasts through Monday morning.

Now that Johnny Jones is out as head coach of the LSU men’s basketball program, Athletic Director Joe Alleva says the search is on for the perfect candidate..:
Cut 10 (11) “it just didn’t work out”

According to the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, a woman was shot in the elbow by a deputy who was attempting to stop a man for allegedly bringing drugs into the area. They said 32-year-old Gregory Hardin of Addis, who’s had his share of run-ins with cops, did not stop his vehicle that was moving towards the deputy who then fired hitting the female passenger who was treated for a non-life threatening injury. Hardin was arrested and LSP is taking over the case.

As we sit in the heart of crawfish season, there’s one lucky mudbug who’s living the life in a Westwego swamp as he was pardoned this week by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. He says they named the crawfish Emile
after the founder of Zatarain’s…:
CUT 13 (08) “great seasoning”
He says Zatarains will sponsor the crawfish pardoning event ever year.

The Saints have finally made a move with Brandin Cooks. The wide receiver is off to New England as the Saints made a deal with the Patriots for draft picks.

Officials say two of the victims in the New Orleans area triple homicide are children, as well as a 30-year-old female and another sent to the hospital. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward.

Cut 5 (10) “to justice”
The victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms.

The Louisiana State Troopers Association is reportedly the subject of a federal investigation alleging the nonprofit made illegal campaign contributions. That’s according to Louisiana Voice publisher Tom Aswell, who says the association’s board funneled the money through its executive director David Young.

Cut 6 (13) “state police”

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones is no longer the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost a school record 15 in a row in Jones’ final season, but Athletic Director Joe Alleva said it’s appropriate to wait until now to fire Jones.

Cut 11 (08) “thing to do”

All of Jones’ assistants have been fired as well.

As Louisianans prepare for crawfish boils this weekend, one lucky crawdad won’t be in a sack. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarain’s to pardon a mudbug. He says the crawfish was set free in the bayou to live out his days safe from crawfishers’ nets.

Cut 12 (07) “every year”

Nungesser says of the more than 120 million pounds of crawfish we eat every year, it was only fair to set one free.

The Orleans Parish Coroner has identifed the victims, including two children aged 6 and 10, in a quadruple shooting that left three dead and one wounded in home in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Police Chief Michael Harrison says the investigation is ongoing…
Cut 4 (07) “done this”

Authorities report the victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms.

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. Athletic Director Joe Alleva made the announcement this morning says he will now look to hire his third men’s hoops coach since coming to LSU in 2008.
Cut 10 (11) “work out”

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa has been indicted on charges of bribery after allegedly offering a former Gonzales City Council candidate money and a job if he would drop out of the election. Audio recordings were released by the owner of the Pelican Post, Wade Petite, of Matassa and Olin Berthelot, allegedly offering Wayne Lawson the bribe. Berhelot who is a local businessman was also indicted.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky crawdad named Emile. Nungesser says Emile was set free into the bayou and each year the pardoned mudbug will be named in honor of someone who contributes to the industry. He says it’s a tradition that will continue on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras…
Cut 14 (08) “as well”
He says more than 120 million pounds of crawfish are eaten each year.

The Orleans Parish Coroner has identified the victims, including children, in a crime that left three dead and one wounded at a home in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Authorities report the victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms. Police Chief Michael Harrison says they responded to a shooting at about 5 a.m. where police found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound and then discovered a horrific scene…
Cut 3 (10) “rattles everybody”

Harrison says says currently, no one is in custody and urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward.

The Johnny Jones era is now over as the LSU men’s basketball head coach has been let go after five seasons with the Tigers. Athletic Director Joe Alleva made the announcement earlier today…
Cut 9 (08) “basketball coach”

 
Reportedly, The Louisiana State Troopers Association is under federal investigation alleging the organization made illegal campaign contributions. That’s according to the publisher of the political blog, Louisiana Voice, Tom Aswell, who says the FBI served 18 subpoenas at the board of directors meeting. He says the FBI will try to get information from these individuals to learn what they may have done on Col. Mike Edmonson’s behalf. But he says his sources suggest someone is trying to hinder the investigation.
Cut 8 (07) “the FBI”

With crawfish season in full swing, one lucky crawdad won’t make it in the boiling pot. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarains’s to pardon a mudbug and Emile the crawfish was set free. He says Emile was named after the Zatarain’s founder who introduced the boil mix in the 1920s.
Cut 13 (08) “great seasoning”

Two of the victims in the New Orleans area triple homicide are age 6 and 10, according to officials. A 30-year-old female also died and another sent to the hospital. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says currently, no one is in custody and urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward…:
Cut 5 (10) “to justice”
The victims are identified as 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms.

U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Kenneth Polite, is resigning, effective March 24. President Barack Obama nominated Polite in 2013 to replace Jim Letten, and it’s routine for U.S. attorneys to offer resignations after a new president is elected. Polite says in a news release that he has improved the office’s efficiency and transparency.

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones is no longer the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost a school record 15 in a row in Jones’ final season, but Athletic Director Joe Alleva said it’s appropriate to wait until now to fire Jones…:
CUT 11 (08) “right thing to do”
All of Jones’ assistants have been fired as well.

The Governor’s Office hosted an equal pay summit today in Baton Rouge. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 25 (27) “I’m Don Molino”