Louisiana Tech men’s basketball recorded two blowout victories over the weekend beating Rice 101-57 and 79-58. Kalob Ledoux had a season-high 25 on Friday and followed that up with a 17-point performance on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol says he’s proud of Ledoux

Cut 16 (16) “to the basket”

The Bulldogs will have have one more tune up game before postseason play as they will host Our Lady of the Lake on Wednesday, tipoff is at 7.

The LSU men’s basketball team will take on Vanderbilt at home tomorrow night.  The Tigers will look to rebound at home after two straight road losses.

The 2021 Sun Belt men’s basketball tournament is scheduled for later this week from March 5to 8 at the Pensacola Bay Center.  ULM will play South Alabama in the first round on Friday, March 5^th at 5:30.

On Saturday, the Pels fell to the Spurs 117 to 114 to drop their record to 14-19. Forward Zion Williamson says his teammates are determined to keep fighting, which is why he believes this team is close to turning the season around…

Cut 30 (16) “figure it out”

The LSU baseball team is 6-1 on the season after sweeping the weekend tournament against Youngstown State and Nicholls.

It will not be an easy go of things once the Tigers get into conference play as four SEC teams are at the top of the latest D1 Baseball poll as Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss make up the top four spots.

ULL and ULM’s 2021 football schedules have been released.  The Cajuns will open the season on September 11^th when they host Nicholls and the Warhawks will host Jackson State on September 18^th.

A Tulane University Police Officer was fatally shot Friday outside a high school basketball game, reportedly over a dispute involving the shooter’s refusal to wear a mask inside the gym. 35-year-old John Shallerhorn allegedly fatally shot officer Martinus Mitchum, who was a security guard at the event, after Mitchum was attempting to remove Shallerhorn from the area. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson Mitchum a hero…

Cut 10 (11) “…negligence.” 

The AARP supports seniors taking the newly approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine. New Orleans physician Dr. Eric Griggs spoke to members on a conference call today and said the J&J vaccine had 30-thousand trial participants.

Cut 6 (12) “…the trial.”

The state has hit another milestone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Brook Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Central pastor Tony Spell has been offered a plea deal by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. Moore has informed Spell’s legal team that the court would drop all charges against Spell, if the pastor would plead “no contest” to one of the six charges he faces. Spell was arrested and accused of six counts of violating the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions by having too many gathered at his church.

The Governor’s 36 billion dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year was unveiled today. It’s about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. Higher ed will see an 80 million dollar increase and there’s 40 million dollars for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise. The plan will be debated by the Legislature in the legislative session that begins in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donation in Louisiana right now due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

One of the biggest challenges for new parents is getting their young children to eat healthy. Pediatrician and Mom, Doctor Candice Jones, says be persistent in your efforts to get kids to eat healthy foods…

cut 14 (11) “…take it”

Jones says introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

The Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise will cost the state an estimated 40 million dollars extra per year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they would like to do more but extra funds were limited this year.

Cut 7 (09) “…average.”

The pay raise is included in the Governor’s budget proposal and it will be debated in the April legislative session.

Last week’s winter storms delayed and disrupted blood supply to Louisiana hospitals and now healthcare officials are imploring Louisianans to take a trip to a local blood bank to help out. Governor Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment see if you’re able to move it up to today or this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has laid out the governor’s 36 billion dollar budget plan to legislators today. Thanks to an increase in federal funding for Medicaid, the proposal is a 186 -million dollar increase over the current year. Dardenne says public colleges would see 80 million dollars more to help pay for faculty pay raises.

Cut 6 (11) “…institutions.”

Much of the budget increase is being afforded by more generous federal support for the state’s Medicaid program, which is allowing state funds to be moved into other areas. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing to get parents to have their kids eat healthier. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donation in Louisiana right now due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy to do. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Governor Edwards says this request came directly from Louisiana hospitals.

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it’s receiving from the CARES Act to help build broadband internet in areas that don’t have it. He says that will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”

The Edwards Administration is presenting its budget proposal for the next fiscal year to the Legislature this morning. Governor Edwards previewed the budget saying it includes no cuts and even features a 400 dollar raise for teachers despite the state taking an economic beating from COVID. Edwards says that’s due to federal assistance.

Cut 7 (09)  “…so bright.”

The budget does not include the over 100 million dollars in loans the state owes the federal government due to the depletion of the unemployment insurance trust fund.

Assuming Johnson and Johnson’s COVID vaccine is approved today the state could be in line to receive up to 134,000 doses next week. Nearly 600,000 Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. Kanter says that number will grow at a much faster rate.

Cut 14 (11) “…exciting.” 

Louisiana’s U-S Senators voted against the nomination of former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as the country’s new Energy Secretary. Bill Cassidy told Granholm during her confirmation hearing that President Joe Biden’s plans to move away from fossil fuels to green energy is a job killer…

Cut 12 (12) “ …form though.” 

The Biden Administration has set a goal of carbon neutrality for the US by 2050.

A study out of LSU shows in the nearly 50 years since the Clean Water Act’s passage the Mississippi River has seen a tremendous improvement in water quality, but that the River now faces a new threat: escalating levels of fertilizer run-off heading downriver from Midwestern farming. Coastal Sciences Professor Eugene Turner says this highly concentrated fertilizer isn’t good for either of us.

Cut 5  (08)  “…quality.” 

The number of deaths in Louisiana linked to last week’s historic winter weather has increased to six. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard has been charged with a number of felonies reportedly connected to a police brutality incident including malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice, and injuring public records during the period between January and October of last year. Broussard’s attorney responded to the charges saying he is confident his client will ultimately be found not guilty.