Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting another active Atlantic hurricane season for 2022, with 19 named storms. CSU Ph.D. candidate Alex DesRosiers (Dee-rose-ee-ay) says we are still currently in a weak La Nina pattern:
Cut 5 (06) “and intensify”
This is the third year in a row forecasters have called for an “above average” season.

The LHSAA executive committee approved a positioning statement to allow high school student-athletes to profit from name, image, and likeness deals. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the association has also entered a partnership with Eccker sports to provide educational NIL services…:
Cut 13 (10) “learning tool”
He says these NIL deals are already happening this approval is all about making sure folks are educated on the process.

After a two-year absence organizers are chomping at the berry for things to get underway at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Police in Slidell have arrested a headmaster at a local Christian School for allegedly taping three students’ mouths shut last month. 60 year old Pastor John Raymond is charged with three counts of child cruelty.

Most of the state is under a red flag warning which means weather conditions are ripe for small fires to be easily spread so it’s a good idea to avoid outdoor burning today.

A bill heading to the House floor would remove party affiliation from the ballot for judicial candidates. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you enjoy smoking your medical marijuana in the car you would face a fine of $100 if a bill that advanced in the House Wednesday ends up passing as law. Some lawmakers questioned Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel about how this would actually be enforced…:
Cut 16 (12) “…hold them accountable.”
The Senate will take this up next.

Testimony will begin today in the trial of a Baker man accused in the September 2018 slaying of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. A jury was chosen Wednesday. 23-year-old Dyteon (Die-Tee-On) Simpson is charged with second degree murder and faces a mandatory life sentence if found guilty. Authorities say Simpson shot Sims in the face when Sims was trying to defend a friend at a frat party just off Southern University’s Campus.

Research continues to point to us blocking out memories of the pandemic and the stressful situation of the past couple of years. Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey says they are working on ways to help folks who are struggling with some cognitive impairment…:
Cut 9 (10) “helpful”
You can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Republican lawmakers are trying again to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports. The measure is set to be heard in Senate Education today. It passed in both chambers last year but failed in a veto override attempt. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk:
Cut 5 (08) “for quite a while”
The bill seeks to assure female athletes do not have to face competition from athletes who were born men.

A House committee approves a bill that would remove the party affiliation of a judge on a voting ballot. The vote was 9-3 with a few GOP lawmakers opposing like Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…:
Cut 11 (07) “adheres to”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Recent research points to memory loss being one of the side effects of the pandemic. Brooke Thorington has that report…:
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Police in Shreveport are investigating a Wednesday night shooting at a local gas station which left the clerk hospitalized after being hit 3 times. They say a customer called the cops after entering the Circle K to find the employee on the floor suffering gunshot wounds. The victim is at a local hospital with life threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made at this time. More on this as it develops.

A House Committee approves a bill that would remove from a voting ballot the party affiliation of a candidate running for judge. Marrero Representative Kyle Green:
Cut 10 (12) “on the ballot”
The bill was approved by the committee on a nine to three vote with some GOP members in opposition arguing voters deserve to know the politics of judges on a ballot.

A bill that would prohibit smoking weed while driving or riding in a car advances out of the House Wednesday. The measure is by Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel…:
CUT 15 (11) our roads safe”
The proposal passed the House 66-31 and now heads to the Senate.

A Senate committee is scheduled today to take up a second attempt to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports..:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

There’s growing evidence that one side effect of the pandemic is memory loss. That’s due to anxiety according to Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey:
Cut 7 (10) “…forward with them”
If you need counseling, you can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

Today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a transgender athlete ban. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell brings the bill again after it was vetoed by Governor Edwards last year. An attempt to override that veto failed. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards nixed the bill because he saw it as a “solution looking for a problem”, however…:
Cut 4 (15) “in Louisiana”
He says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk again.

Officials in Lake Charles are slated to hold a news conference this morning to discuss a rise in crime in the area, including the shooting of 6-year-old Draya Michelle Guillory who was killed during a drive by. Police have confirmed one arrest in connection with Guillory’s death.

On the House Floor Wednesday, Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel continued to make her case for HB 234, which would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana while driving or riding in a motor vehicle on public highways…:
Cut 14 (10) “while it’s operating”
The bill passed the House on a 66-31 vote and now heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Gas prices continue their slow but steady decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is 3.93, down from $4 a week ago.

With COVID cases in a lull, the Department of Corrections is bringing back visitation; and a beloved Louisiana rodeo…:
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Louisiana now as its own version of the controversial Florida bill called “Don’t Say Gay,” which seeks to prevent school workers from discussing sexual orientation in classrooms. Republican State Representative Dodie (“Doe-Dee”) Horton of Haughton’s measure filed Thursday would also keep teachers from talking about their own sexual orientation to students through grade 12.

New Orleans Representative Kyle Green says he’s not moving forward with his bill to rename the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans after late former Governor Edwin Edwards. According to the Advocate Newspaper, the bridge is named the Crescent City Connection as a result of a publicly-voted contest and the person who proposed the name objected to naming it after Edwards.

LSU takes to the court tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, its third appearance in the last four years. It will do so without its head coach and with a very young roster. Senior Darius Days says they just have to get back to doing the things that helped them start the season 15-1…:
Cut 14 (16) “early in the game”
Tipoff is 6:20pm.

Authorities are still looking for one of five juvenile offenders who escaped from the Bridge City Detention Center for Youth Thursday morning, and one state lawmaker is not happy with the Office of Juvenile Justice. Senator Heather Cloud of Turkey Creek says the department has consistently failed at both rehabilitating young offenders and protecting its employees, and taxpayers demand better…:
Cut 9 (12) “in the wind”
She hopes other lawmakers will get on board with asking for reform within the OJJ.

Gas prices continue to inch down. AAA reports the statewide average for a gallon of regular fell another 2 cents from yesterday to $4.08 — that’s still 78 cents higher than just one month ago.

A Grant Parish lawmaker proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. Pollock Republican state Representative Gabe Firment says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and a decision best not left to juveniles to decide…:
Cut 4 (15) “serious side effects”
Opponents of the measure contend the bill is a scare tactic to discriminant against a population that some don’t want to accept.

With Covid cases falling, state prisons are bringing back contact visitation.
Cut 11 (11) “incarcerated”
That’s Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick. For requirements and hours, visit doc.la.gov.

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing back contact visitation and they are also set to bring back the Angola Prison Rodeo next month. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick…:
Cut 10 (12) “fully vaccinated”
And the Angola prison rodeo will return April 23rd and 24th.

The Livingston Parish Sherriff’s Office says the hitchhiker walking down I-12 in Walker who allegedly stabbed a kind person who offered him a ride, then stole the truck has been arrested. They say the suspect 29-year-old Alex Bradley of Fenton will be booked on charges of carjacking, attempted first-degree murder, and theft of a motor vehicle.

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20pm.