It doesn’t appear LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s suspension will be lifted anytime soon. Interim Head Coach Tony Benford was asked on today’s SEC coaches teleconference about whether he’ll continue directing the program…

Cut 3 (11) “…the tournament.”

LSU’s first game in the SEC tournament is Friday. University officials say they suspended Wade after he refused to provide any clarity about the recent reports that suggest he arranged payments to a recruit believed to be freshman guard Javonte Smart.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is bringing a constitutional amendment in the upcoming session that would allow local governments to adjust the homestead exemption. Currently the exemption, which gives homeowners a substantial tax break, is controlled at the state level. Carter says it would give locals a new way to fund vital projects.

Cut 6 (09) “…for.”

Flu season may see the worst to come as Louisiana has a second round of flu on the way. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”  

House Democrats passed a sweeping elections reform package last week that includes major electoral changes such as making voting days federal holidays, automatic voter registration, and other substantial changes. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, who voted against the bill, calls it the Democrat Politician Protection Plan.

Cut 10 (09) “…American history.”

The bill passed unanimously with Democrats, who say the legislation would dramatically increase voter participation.

Could further legal ramifications be a concern for suspended LSU basketball coach Will Wade?  Matt Doyle spoke with legal analyst Tim Meche to find out.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

A helicopter crash has left one dead and another missing.  The aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday in a flight between Galliano and Venice.  The Coast Guard responded to the crash around 1:42 p.m.  Authorities confirmed Nicholas Duplantis, of Houma, was killed in the accident. The pilot remains missing.

Health officials say another strain of influenza has emerged and it’s H-3-N-2. That’s the strain that killed 80-thousand Americans last year. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Doctor Fred Lopez, says so far this year’s influenza season has been much milder than last year…

cut 8 (09) “….incidents”

He says the best protection from the H-3-N-2 flu strain is to get vaccinated against the flu.

The U-S House has approved a sweeping election reform package, but Republicans oppose it. The proposal would create independent redistricting commissions to draw voting districts. But Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says that’s a duty best left to the states….

cut 12 (06) “…untenable”

The proposal is not expected to get a vote in the Senate.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his recruiting of a current LSU player. Assistant coach Tony Benford is taking over the team, and Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says he won’t have much time to get the team’s head straight with a game against Vandy set for 730 tonight.
Cut 11 (06) “…over things.”
Vandy is windless in conference play this year, and is riding an 18 game losing streak. LSU is ranked 10th in the nation and could seal at least a portion of an SEC Championship with a win tonight.
It’ll be a rainy weekend, but after the rain clears state climatologist says Louisiana looks set to get it’s first real run of spring temperatures…
Cut 5 (09)“…time of year”
______________________________
Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says so far, these charges are best suited for the disturbing situation, but that could change if more information comes to light…
Cut 14 (07) “…have done that.”
Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.
A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says avoid situations like this by locking up your guns.
Cut 7 (09) “…injured.”

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his actions recruiting a current LSU player. The administration says he was suspended after refusing to provide more information to the school about the report, so now interim head coach Tony Benford is left to take the helm. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Benford will have all the support personnel needed to keep the Tiger’s momentum going in a year that until recently was a lot of fun…
Cut 10 (09)“…he makes”
The Tigers are the 10th ranked team in the nation heading into their game tonight against Vandy.
Rain is in the forecast for the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says look out for severe weather starting tonight…
Cut 4 (07) “…high winds and tornados″
_________________________________
A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son allegedly shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s officer Major Ginny Higgins says it was completely avoidable, and there are simple steps every family can take to prevent gun injuries…
Cut 8 (11) “…slide.”
Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois  says it appears the suspect hired someone in an effort to try to stage a credible looking attack on his girlfriend, who was carry his child.
Cut 13 (10) “…miscarried the child.”
The hit allegedly called on the attacker to focus stabbing efforts on the woman’s stomach.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended and LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says the school made the call after Wade declined to provide further information on the media reports that came out Thursday from an alleged FBI wire tap. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says it’s clear LSU is taking no chances.
Cut 9 (11) “…came out.”
Wade says the various media reports do not begin to tell the full story.
Rain is in the forecast for the rest of the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is headed over that will likely bring widespread rain to Louisiana, but only generally with rain fall totals of less than an inch.
Cut 3 (08) “…the Louisiana coast.”
____________________________________
A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says Wiltz initially skirted the truth about her child’s injury…
Cut 6 (11) “…happened.”
The child was released from the hospital the following day.
Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois.
Cut 12 (09) “…have the child.”

Bourgeois says the attack was requested to target the victim’s stomach.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his activities in a college basketball corruption scandal, specifically his actions in recruiting Javonte Smart. The Purple and Gold won’t have much time to adjust, with a game against Vanderbilt set for 730 Saturday night. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Nunez says the players will have to put that aside and play a game with major significance.

Cut 11 (06)   “…over things.”

Vandy is winless in conference play this year and is riding an 18 game losing streak.

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s the result of a storm system that is winding up in the Great Plains, with a cold front that will likely bring widespread rain to Louisiana, generally with rainfall totals less than an inch.

Cut 3 (08) “…the Louisiana coast.”

A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says there are simple steps every family can take to prevent gun injuries…

Cut 8 (11) “…slide.”

Authorities say Wiltz was charged with illegal use of weapons, illegal possession of narcotics, and obstruction of justice. The child was treated of his injuries and released from the hospital the following day.

Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child.  Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.

Cut 12 (09)   “…have the child.”

Bourgeois says after consulting with the district attorney, the charges look to be the most appropriate for the situation.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his activities in a college basketball corruption scandal, specifically his actions in recruiting Javonte Smart. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says the accusations against Wade are on the recruiting side, but Nunez says interim head coach Tony Benford now has to deal with the dark cloud over the remainder of the season and figure out how to adjust in time for the SEC tournament, and the NCAA tournament shortly afterward.

Cut 10 (09)“…he makes”

The Tigers are the 10th ranked team in the nation, and riding their best season in a decade, featuring exhilarating wins over Kentucky and Tennessee.

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says with the temps that are expected for this weekend, it looks like winter may now be in the rearview mirror, and we’ve turned the corner into spring.

Cut 5 (09)“…time of year”

A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says Higgins says if parents lack gun safety this can happen in any household…

Cut 7 (09) “…injured.”

The child was treated of his injuries and released from the hospital the following day.

Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child.  Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says after consulting with the district attorney, the charges appear to be the most appropriate for the situation.

Cut 14 (07)  “…have done that.”

Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his activities in a college basketball corruption scandal, specifically his actions in recruiting Javonte Smart. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says it’s clear the school is taking no chances, particularly with the FBI involved.
Cut 9 (11) “…came out.”
Assistant coach Tony Benford has been named interim head coach. Nunez says he’ll have to manage a tough situation, but Wade has left his successor with the tools to continue the Tiger’s dream season.
Cut 10 (09)“…he makes”
The Purple and Gold take on Vanderbilt 730PM Saturday night.
____________________________
10th ranked LSU baseball begins a weekend series tonight against California. After missing Wednesday’s win over Holy Cross with a slight strain to his hamstring, Mainieri says starting shortstop Josh Smith is 100-percent and ready to play against the Bears. Smith missed most of last season with a back injury, but Mainieri says this latest injury is not a big deal…
cut 17 (17) “the season”
Zack Hess will start on the mound tonight and freshman Cole Henry will start Saturday, and Eric Walker is scheduled to start Sunday.
Also this weekend, La Tech is at Arkansas. ULM hosts McNeese and UNO is at Nicholls.

The Pelicans will play Toronto tonight at 7PM.

LSU basketball head coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Wade has been subpoenaed for a corruption trail in April.

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s the result of a storm system that is winding up in the Great Plains, and will bring with it an increased risk of severe weather.

Cut 4 (07) “…high winds and tornados″

A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says  Wiltz initially skirted the truth about her child’s injury…

Cut 6 (11) “…happened.”

Authorities say Wiltz was charged with illegal use of weapons, illegal possession of narcotics, and obstruction of justice.

Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide.  Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says it appears the suspect hired someone in an effort to try to stage a credible looking attack on his girlfriend.

Cut 13 (10) “…miscarried the child.” 

What kind of weather is expected for the weekend?  Kevin Barnhart talks with State Climatologist Barry Keim for the details.

Cut 1 (24) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________

 LSU basketball head coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s the result of a storm system that is winding up in the Great Plains, with a cold front that will likely bring widespread rain to Louisiana, generally with rain fall totals less than an inch.

Cut 3 (08) “…the Louisiana coast.”

Keim says there will be an increased risk of severe weather with this system.

Cut 4 (07) “…high winds and tornados″

Keim says with the temps that are expected for this weekend, it looks like winter may now be in the rearview mirror, and we’ve turned the corner into spring.

Cut 5 (09)“…time of year”

____________________

A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says  Wiltz initially skirted the truth about her child’s injury…

Cut 6 (11) “…happened.”

The child was treated of his injuries and released from the hospital the following day.

Higgins says if parents lack gun safety this can happen in any household…

Cut 7 (09) “…injured.”

Higgins says there are simple steps every family can take to prevent gun injuries…

Cut 8 (11) “…slide.”

Authorities say Wiltz was charged with illegal use of weapons, illegal possession of narcotics, and obstruction of justice.

_______________________

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his activities in a college basketball corruption scandal, specifically his actions in recruiting Javonte Smart. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says it’s clear the school is taking no chances, particularly with the FBI involved.

Cut 9 (11) “…came out.”

Wade has been subpoenaed for a corruption trail in April.

The accusations against Wade are on the recruiting side, but Nunez says interim head coach Tony Benford now has to deal with the dark cloud over the remainder of the season, and figure out how to adjust in time for the SEC tournament, and the NCAA tournament shortly afterwards.

Cut 10 (09)“…he makes”

The Tigers are the 10th ranked team in the nation, and riding their best season in a decade, featuring exhilarating wins over Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Purple and Gold won’t have much time to adjust, with a game against Vanderbilt set for 730 Saturday night. Nunez says the players will have to put that aside and play a game with major significance.

Cut 11 (06)   “…over things.”

Vandy is windless in conference play this year, and is riding an 18 game losing streak.

_______________________________

Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child.  Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.

Cut 12 (09)   “…have the child.”

Bourgeois says it appears the suspect hired someone in an effort to try to stage a credible looking attack on his girlfriend.

Cut 13 (10) “…miscarried the child.” 

Bourgeois says after consulting with the district attorney, the charges appear to be the most appropriate for the situation.

Cut 14 (07)  “…have done that.”