The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a hiring freeze within the state’s executive branch. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The world is bracing for a big announcement by President Trump on global tariffs. U-N-O economics professor Dub Lane says while countries will pay a tax on the goods they export to the United States, those extra costs will end up being passed along to the consumer.

Cut 3 (10) “…be U.S. citizens.” 

Lane says there’s a reason that many goods are manufactured overseas in the first place.

Cut 4 (09) “…be more expensive.”

President Trump says one purpose of the tariffs is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Lane says if China loses jobs because of the tariffs, those jobs would most likely go to Vietnam or Bangladesh and not the U.S.

Cut 5 (12) “…over other people.”

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A warrant has been issued for a Slidell man after investigators say he forced his way into a home and assaulted a woman. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home U-S Highway 190 East, learning that 52-year-old Tyrone Mercadel (MERK-a-dell) had kicked in the door and attacked the woman.

Cut 6 (08) “…actively fighting them.”

Carboni says in self-defense, the woman fired two shots, hitting Mercadel in the leg.

Cut 7 (12) “…shoot out his tires.”

Authorities later located Tyrone Mercadel and transported him to a hospital. Carboni says once released, he will be arrested for aggravated battery.

Cut 8 (12) “…fired upon the vehicle.”

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Governor Landry has ordered a temporary hiring freeze for the executive branch of state government. In a statement, Landry’s office says the goal is to save 20-million dollars in the general fund. In a statement, Landry’s office says the upcoming fiscal year’s budget was prepared using a standstill approach, removing one-time items and incorporating cost-saving measures. While the statement puts some of the blame on the prior administration that’s now been out of office for more than a year, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says changes to the tax law may have had something to do with it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the entire budget.”

Pinsonat says work had already been underway on how to shave money off the state budget.

Cut 10 (09) “…to do that.”

Landry says part of the reason for the hiring freeze is the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box. Pinsonat says that has an indirect effect on state revenues.

Cut 11 (12) “…have no choice.”

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Experian has teamed up with LSU women’s basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to help relieve five-million dollars of consumer debt for five-thousand families in Louisiana. Christina Roman with Experian says the partnership is perfect since Experian and Johnson both promote financial literacy…

Cut 12 (09) “…tangible difference.”

Roman says Experian originally committed five-million dollars to this initiative and they tacked on an additional 100-thousand dollars for every game LSU won in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which was three.

Roman says Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the country and relieving five-million dollars in consumer debt could be life changing…

Cut 13 (13)  “…in Louisiana.”

Johnson says money management is extremely important and she’s learning firsthand as she is one of the biggest NIL earners in college athletics.

Roman says the five-thousand families who will have their debt relieved were chosen by ForgiveCo…

Cut 14 (10) “…debt payoff.”

Two death row inmates in Caddo Parish have learned their execution dates this week. Andrew Greenstein reports Caddo Parish has a disproportionate number of death row inmates in the state – despite it having a Democratic district attorney.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Baton Rouge prosecutors reach a plea deal with a man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son three years ago. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Louisiana tax filers can use United Way Southwest Louisiana’s My Free Taxes app, a free online tax filing service. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Despite having a Democratic district attorney, Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport, has a disproportionate number of inmates on death row. In general terms, Republicans tend to support capital punishment much more than Democrats. So why the anomaly? LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow (SAD-ow) says many of those death row inmates were sentenced years ago.

Cut 4 (09) “…anti-death penalty.”

In fact, those district attorneys employed prosecutors who were very aggressive in seeking the death penalty. Sadow says the current district attorney, James Stewart, fully supports the judgement of his predecessors.

Cut 5 (08) “…to capital sentences.”

Sadow says Stewart will not stand in the way of judges signing death warrants, like what Judge Donald Hathaway did this week in setting execution dates for Darrell Draughn and Marcus Reed.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the past”

The 53-year-old Draughn is scheduled to be executed May 28th for stabbing his neighbor, 64-year-old Lauretta White, to death in 2000.  The 47-year-old Reed will be put to death June 4th for killing three young men who he had erroneously thought had stolen his ex-girlfriend’s X-Box.

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A Baton Rouge man who killed his pregnant girlfriend and her two-year-old son reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. Three years ago, 23-year-old Brynnen (BRIN-in) Murphy shot and killed his pregnant girlfriend, 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson, and he threw her two-year-old son, Kaden, off a bridge. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar (HILL-er) Moore says Johnson’s family wanted to avoid a trial.

Cut 7 (15) “…for some time.”

Murphy pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and one count of first-degree feticide. Moore says he would have had no trouble convicting Murphy of the second-degree murder charges he was originally facing.

Cut 8 (11) “…and their future.”

Despite the lesser charges that Murphy pleaded guilty to, Moore says he will never see the light of day again from outside a prison setting.

Cut 9 (14)  “…a life sentence.”

Murphy will be formally sentenced June 10th.

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United Way Southwest Louisiana has launched My Free Taxes, a free online tax filing service for U-S tax filers earning up to 84-thousand dollars a year. The platform helps users file federal and state taxes quickly, with most completing their returns in under an hour. United Way Southwest Louisiana Associate Director of Community Impact Kimberlie Heckard says it includes guides for small business owners, gig workers, and those affected by federally declared disasters.

Cut 10 (11) “…My-Free-Taxes-dot-com website.”

Heckard says since 2020, the program has saved nearly 30-thousand people over three-million-dollars in tax prep fees while ensuring they claim eligible deductions and credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Cut 11 (12) “…forms that you get”

Heckard says the program guarantees secure and accurate tax filing.

Cut 12 (14) “…the tax client.”

Free services cover W-2 income, self-employment, education expenses, and more. Taxpayers can file online at MyFreeTaxes.com, or they can schedule an appointment with a volunteer at unitedwayswla.org/vita or by dialing 211.

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Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced “The Defining Male and Female Act.”

Cut 13 (16)  “…to chest-feed.”

Senator Cassidy says the legislation he introduced last week with Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, who like him is also a doctor, would codify one of President Trump’s executive orders.

Cut 14 (10) “…identity or sex.”

Cassidy says his legislation would make accommodations for people born with chromosome variations.

Cut 15 (10) “…allows for that.”

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Derek Carr is set to return for his third season as the Saints starting Q-B but that hasn’t stopped first-year head coach Kellen Moore from doing his homework on the quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. Moore traveled to see Miami’s Cam Ward and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart perform at their pro days. Moore on what he looks for when he’s evaluating a quarterback…

Cut 16 (14) “…you can.”

Moore spoke with reporters at the NFL Owners’ meetings. Moore says the team added real value during free agency, highlighted by the signing of safety Justin Reid, who just won a Super Bowl with Kansas City….

Cut 17 (22) “…up with him.”

The Saints also re-signed tight end Juwan Johnson to a three-year, 30.8 million dollar deal. The 28-year-old Johnson had a career-high 50 receptions last season, but Moore believes he can make Johnson an even bigger threat in the passing game.

Cut 18 (20) “…add to his game.”

Louisiana voters voted “NO” on a constitutional amendment that would have funded permanent teacher pay raises, leaving the future of educator salaries uncertain.   Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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For those of you who cross North Louisiana on I-20, get ready for some delays. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 by voters leaves the future of educator salaries uncertain. Passage of Amendment 2 would have made a temporary $2,000 pay increase for teachers and $1,000 increase for support staff permanent. Without its passage, these stipends will expire after this school year, potentially lowering pay unless new funding is secured. Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees President Larry Carter…

Cut 3 (12) “…local school districts.” 

Landry warned before the vote that no alternative plan existed, and his administration has not confirmed whether it will support additional stipends. The amendment would have dissolved education trust funds to pay down teacher retirement debt, freeing up about $200 million annually for raises. Carter says the complexity of the amendment led to its defeat.

Cut 4 (09) “…that was needed.” 

With a budget shortfall and no current funding allocated, securing teacher pay hike is a challenge. Carter says the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is working with legislators to explore solutions, but funding is uncertain.

Cut 5 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

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Construction is underway in Lincoln Parish on a nine-mile stretch of I-20. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says crews will be replacing the asphalt.

Cut 6 (11) “…of course with new.”

Buchanan says the work stretches between the Bienville Parish line to the Highway 149 overpass near Grambling. Buchanan says since this is a heavily-traveled section, they will be implementing a queue-detection system to give motorists real-time traffic conditions.

Cut 7 (14) “…another route.”

Buchanan says if you’re traveling in that area, be prepared for delays for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…hopefully early summer.”

The asphalt on the ramps at highways 507 and 563 will also need to be replaced as part of the nearly 18-million-dollar project.

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LSU men’s basketball team suffered through a losing season this year, but Coach Matt McMahon is trying to bring a winner to the Boot and has much bigger NIL budget to bring in better players…

Cut 9 (13)  “…impacting winning.”

LSU signed two players on Monday. UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas, who chose the Tigers over Kentucky and Florida. He led the Runnin’ Rebels in scoring and assists, averaging 15 points and four assists a game this season. The Tigers have also signed six-foot-ten Michael Nwoko (nuh-WOE-koe), who started at Mississippi State and averaged six points a game. McMahon says they are type of players they wanted to add

Cut 10 (11) “ locked in on.”

LSU went 3-15 in the SEC and finished in 15^th place. But McMahon says Vanderbilt and Missouri were in the NCAA Tournament this season after finishing at the bottom of the conference standings a year ago…

Cut 11 (12) “…leadership standpoint.”

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Following the rejection of Constitutional Amendment Two, Governor Jeff Landry released a statement and there’s one sentence from the statement that drew the ire from voters. Landry said positive change can be hard to implement in a state conditioned to fail. The statement quickly went viral, generating thousands of reactions on social media, with many accusing him of insulting the state and its people. Political analyst Clancy Dubos…

Cut 12 (09) “…work on that.”

Users expressed anger and disbelief, questioning his leadership and tone. Some criticized the amendments themselves, arguing they were overly complex and bundled too many issues together. ubos says its not a fatal loss but could become one if Landry keeps going down this road.

Cut 13 (07)  “…on any governor.”

The overwhelming negative response highlighted public frustration, both with the governor’s remarks and the amendment process itself, showing a strong disconnect between Landry’s perspective and voter sentiment. Dubos says Landry needs to learn from this defeat and apologize for his comments.

Cut 14 (11) “…everything he wants.”

Governor Jeff Landry blames far left liberals for the defeat of Constitutional Amendment two. Sean Richardson reports voters overwhelming rejected it and Republicans were a large percentage of the no votes…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The shocking outcome of Saturday’s constitutional amendment election continues to reverberate around the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected four constitutional amendments, a political setback for Governor Jeff Landry and the Republican-led Legislature. Landry promoted Amendment 2, a tax reform measure, as part of his broader economic strategy, but 65-percent of voters voted against it. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

Landry blamed liberal billionaire George Soros for the defeat, accusing Soros and far left liberals for pouring million dollars into the state with propaganda and lies about Amendment 2 , though he provided no evidence. Moeller says Republicans also voted against Amendment Two….

Cut 4 (14) “…in the first place.” 

Moeller says the rejection reflects voter frustration and skepticism toward sweeping constitutional changes…

Cut 5 (10) “…State Constitution.”

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The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Constitutional Amendment 2, which was the one that got by far the most attention, likely failed because it was way too much to unpack in a single election.

Cut 6 (09) “…people to digest.”

While it didn’t get quite the attention of Amendment 2, Procopio says Amendment 3 which would have allowed lawmakers to more easily expand the list of crimes juveniles can be charged as adults

Cut 7 (13) “…lot of people.”

Procopio says those organizing opposition to Amendment 3 also motivated voters to vote no on all other amendments on the ballot, leading to each one failing by a two to one split.

Cut 8 (08) “…way or another.”

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Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it was just not Democrats who voted down Constitutional Amendment Two. Pinsonat says conservatives were concerned that the passage of Amendment Two would make changes to property tax exemptions for churches…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to kill it.”

Landry told voters that the passage of Amendment Two could result in the state eliminating state income taxes one day. But Pinsonat says that didn’t motivate potential supporters of the amendment to vote

Cut 10 (10) “…just stayed home.”

A two-month long fiscal session begins in two weeks and Pinsonat says more tax reform items will likely be introduced. But he says the voters are more concerned about high insurance rates…

Cut 11 (09) “…public is.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight and now All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”

Johnson said she plans to talk over her decision with her family and Mulkey, before making an announcement on her future plans. Mulkey was Johnson’s first big recruit out of high school after she was hired at LSU…

Cut 13 (10)  “…Johnson.”

All-American forward Aneesah Morrow is not coming back next season as she’s used up her college eligibility. Morrow after transferred to LSU after two seasons at DePaul. She leaves LSU as one of the greatest rebounders in women’s college basketball history and gives a lot of credit to Mulkey…

Cut 14 (13) “…for that” .”

Mulkey finished with 1,714 rebounds, the third most in NCAA DI history.

There’s the potential for heavy rainfall for southwest Louisiana and the Alexandria area today and tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has the latest…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin.”

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The head of the Office of Motor Vehicles has resigned. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Central and southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until one o’ clock Saturday afternoon. National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Escude says it will be wet…

Cut 3 (12) “…or so.” 

Escude says the heavy rainfall is the result of a storm system moving in from southern Texas…

Cut 4 (10) “…begin falling” 

A slight risk for severe weather is expected Sunday for most of the state, north of I-10. Escude says areas north of I-20 are under the greatest threat….

Cut 5 (04) “…or two.”

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Crawfish prices have dropped 25 cents, hitting a new low for 2025. According to the Crawfish App, live crawfish are averaging $3.64 a pound, when it comes to boiled crawfish, you can expect to pay a little more than six-dollars a pound. Prices are dropping, because supply is up. Evangeline Parish crawfish farmer Jonathan Fontenot…

Cut 6 (06) “…more promising.”

Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says the start of April marks the historical true start of the heart of crawfish season, and she expects prices will continue to decline as we approach Easter weekend. Fontenot says 2025 looks like a good crawfish season…

Cut 7 (12) “…the road.”

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President Trump’s rhetoric targeting Canada, including the tariffs he’s imposed and his desire to make Canada a U.S. state, is having a profound effect on an event in Lafayette that’s intended to celebrate Canada’s influence on the Acadian people. More than half of the Canadians who had been scheduled to appear at the Great Acadian Awakening in October have cancelled their plans as a result. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that he’s very concerned.

Cut 8 (06) “…on that celebration.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the impacts on the Great Acadian Awakening could be just the start if relations between the two countries continue to go south.

Cut 9 (11)  “…country to celebrate.”

Nungesser says the souring relations between the two countries are also impacting Louisiana leaders’ travels to Canada.

Cut 10 (13) “…this thing closely.”

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Four constitutional amendments are on Saturday’s ballot. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has a nonpartisan guide available for voters. PAR president Steven Procopio says Amendment one gives the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to discipline out of state -lawyers and it gives the Louisiana legislature the authority to create specialty courts not limited to parish and judicial district boundaries…

Cut 11 (11) “…specialized cases.”

Amendment two is the big one. It would enact new tax rules like caping the state income tax rate that lawmakers can charge and double the standard deduction for anyone 65 and older. Procopio says the measure would also dissolve three education trust funds and use the money to pay down retirement debt which would provide a permanent two-thousand-dollar teacher pay raise…

Cut 12 (11) “…pay raise.”

Teachers have already received the two-thousand dollar pay raise, but if Amendment Two doesn’t pass, the two thousand dollars could go away.

Procopio says Amendment three removes the list of 16 crimes for which people under the age of 17 can be charged as an adult and puts it into state law, so lawmakers can more easily expand the list of felony laws that could result in a person under the age of being charged as an adult…

Cut 13 (12)  “…issue.”

Amendment 4 would change the timing requirements for filling a judicial vacancy or newly created judgeship, so the special election coincides with the regular elections calendar.

Go to parlouisiana.org to read up about the amendments.

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A major drug bust in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Board of Regents member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study it…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.” 

The Louisiana Legislature will have to approve a change in management for UNO from UL System to the LSU System. A bill will likely be filled in the legislative session that begins next month. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges must also approve the move.

UNO has attempted to resize the university by cutting its budget, which has resulted in lay-offs of administrators and the consolidation of some colleges. But the school is still facing a 30-million dollar shortfall.

Mire says they are also recommending that the Legislature hires a third-party to perform a financial audit…

Cut 4 (05) “…accounting firm”

Mire says a third-party also needs to be hired to do an academic programs assessment…

Cut 5 (09) “…so forth.”

UNO was previously in the LSU system, but moved to the UL System in 2011. Alumni and supporters of UNO said the school was not getting enough attention within the LSU System. Senate President Cameron Henry told the Louisiana Illuminator that the LSU System is better equipped at addressing UNO’s financial troubles.

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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva predicts 13-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes…

Cut 6 (07) “…this year.”

DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures across the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean will fuel storm development, leading to rapid intensification.

Cut 7 (11) “…to the forecast.”

DeSilva anticipates a possible early-season storm before June 1, a midseason lull, and an active end to the season, and says a developing La Niña could further enhance late-season storm activity.

Cut 8 (10) “…month of November”

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14 people are indicted in Lincoln Parish for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. It took place from January of 2022 through November of last year. The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place mainly in Ruston, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

Van Hook says these arrests are part of “Take Back America.”

Cut 10 (17) “…and drug trafficking.”

Van Hook says this is a major bust for North Louisiana.

Cut 11 (12) “…safer and flourish.”

If convicted, all 14 defendants face between ten years and life in prison. Out of the 14 people indicted, 12 are from Louisiana and eight are from Ruston.

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Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit.

Cut 12 (09) “…and Waughtal refused.”

17-year-old Michael Lanier is the third suspect charged with first-degree murder, but Lieutenant Carboni says he’s not being charged with kidnapping.

Cut 13 (05)  “…in the vehicle.”

Carboni stresses, however, that while the girls were being held in the vehicle against their will during the pursuit, they were not forced into it by the suspects.

Cut 14 (07) “…we want out.”

At this time  the two girls are not being charged with any crimes, but Carboni says the investigation is ongoing. As for Waughtal and Fischer, both were rebooked. While Fischer had previously bonded out, he is now back behind bars.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit state-funded schools from serving foods that contain additives. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A national organization gives Louisiana high marks in election integrity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new study shows that the stress level in Louisiana is one of the highest in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives.

Cut 4 (09) “…straight up toxic.”

Senate Bill 14 also requires restaurants to display on the menu if the food contains seed oils. The legislation would also require food manufacturers to label products with a warning label if the product contains specific artificial colors, additives, or chemicals. He says that stuff doesn’t need to be in our food….

Cut 5 (11) “…same company.”

McMath says U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.wants to remove artificial dyes from the nation’s food supply…

Cut 6 (12) “…food safety program.”

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Louisiana is celebrating a new ranking by the Heritage Foundation that gives the state high marks for election integrity. Secretary of State Nancy Landry:

Cut 7 (09) “…to number two.”

Secretary Landry says those efforts include new laws passed by the legislature last year that, according to her, makes it harder to cheat in elections while making it easier for people to vote.

Cut 8 (13) “…for other people.”

Landry says those efforts are continuing with new voting equipment coming. She says the new machines will have a paper component to them, printing out a voter’s ballot so that the voter can confirm his or her selections before casting that ballot.

Cut 9 (11)  “…after every election.”

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A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the third most stressed state in the country. Analyst Chip Lupo:

Cut 10 (09) “…the high costs.”

Lupo says another reason is that Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country.

Cut 11 (08) “…above fair credit.”

With credit scores at that level, that means the majority of Louisiana residents may experience trouble getting credit; and those who do end up paying more in interest rates. And Lupo says those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors.

Cut 12 (09) “…diagnosed with depression.”

The two most stressed states according to the study are, in order, New Mexico and Nevada. At the other end of the spectrum, the least stressed state in the country is Nebraska.

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A new batch of newly declassified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were recently released. What new revelations were contained in those documents? LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, an expert in U.S. political history and on conspiracy theories, says those newly released files likely do not change anything.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these 60 years.”

Earle says one reason why these files have remained under lock and key for so long is because the intelligence agencies have been trying to save face.

Cut 14 (14) “…the Cold War.”

Earle says one thing that the documents did not show was any connection that Jack Ruby had with the assassination of President Kennedy.

Cut 15 (12) “…of the assassination.”

Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald on live national television two days after Kennedy was killed. Numerous investigations have concluded that Oswald acted alone in shooting Kennedy to death from the sixth floor of what was then known as the Texas Schoolbook Depository in Dallas.

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Bill Armstrong is the new head men’s basketball coach at McNeese. Armstrong was an assistant at Baylor last season and he was the associate head coach for Will Wade when the two were at LSU. It’s the first head coaching job for Armstrong and he says it’s the perfect place to start his head coaching career…

Cut 16 (17) “…getting that third.”

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Offensive tackle Will Campbell’s arms measured 33 inches at LSU Pro Day, which was a little longer than the measurements taken at the NFL draft combine last month. Campbell says his arms did not grow over the last month. He says the measurements were messed up at the combine. A minimum of 34 inches is standard for offensive tackles in the NFL, but Campbell doesn’t think it matters…

Cut 17 (19)  “…for a reason.”

Campbell could fall out of the Top ten because of his 33-inch arms or a team might move him to guard. The former Neville star says he just wants to get on the field, but offensive tackle is his preferred spot…

Cut 18 (20)  “…play tackle”

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The eight-ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against Mississippi State tonight at Alex Box Stadium. After dropping last weekend’s series at Texas, first baseman Jared Jones is eager to snap a two-game SEC losing streak…

Cut 19 (16) “…yeah” 

LSU is 4-2 in league play, while Mississippi State is 1-5 in the SEC. But Coach Jay Johnson says the Bulldogs have enough talent to end up at the College World Series…

Cut 20 (16) “…great weekend.”

First pitch is at 7 PM.

Not everyone in Ascension Parish is happy that Hyundai will build a massive steel manufacturing plant there. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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If your favorite restaurant tells you that it serves Gulf shrimp, can you take their word for it? A new study shows while in other states the answer is generally “no”, in Louisiana it’s largely a different story. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Former four-term Louisiana U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnson has passed away at age of 92. Jeff Palermo looks back at his 24 years in the U-S Senate…

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Not everyone in Ascension Parish is happy that a Hyundai steel plant is coming. Ashley Gaignard (GAN-yard), the president of the group Rural Roots Louisiana, says having the steel mill along the Westbank of the Mississippi River is just going to add to the pollution in Ascension Parish.

Cut 4 (06) “…in the water.”

But Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) points out that the plant will be producing green steel – that is, steel produced without using fossil fuels.

Cut 5 (07) “…attractive to us.”

The 5.8-billion-dollar steel plant will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark, which at 17-thousand acres is the largest undeveloped tract along the deep-water Mississippi River. The plant would occupy one-tenth of that area. Gaignard says she would like the plant to be put up somewhere else.

Cut 6 (09) “…about the people.”

Cointment says people living near there should not worry about pollution. He says when he visited the company’s steel plant in South Korea, he didn’t realize it was a steel plant until he got inside.

Cut 7 (08) “…in the country.”

Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of next year.

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How honest are restaurants when it comes to disclosing where their shrimp comes from? A new report from SEAD (“seed”) Consulting shows Louisiana is actually doing quite well. SEAD Consulting President David Williams says they found a relatively small percentage of Louisiana restaurants being dishonest about where their shrimp is coming from – claiming that it’s coming from the Gulf Coast when in fact it’s not.

Cut 8 (10) “…quite a lot.”

The study found that 58-percent of restaurants in Shreveport are misleading customers into thinking that they’re eating Gulf shrimp when they’re not. Williams says they perform what’s known as the Rapid ID Genetic Highly-accurate Test, or RIGHTTest, right at the dinner table.

Cut 9 (11)  “…shrimp-producing states.”

Metapenaeus vannamei is also known as Pacific white shrimp or whiteleg shrimp, and it’s native to the eastern Pacific Ocean from the Mexican state of Sonora down to Peru. Williams says a big reason that restaurants, including those in Louisiana, serve imported shrimp is because it’s much less expensive than the shrimp found off the Gulf coast.

Cut 10 (09) “…for the product.”

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Starting April 5th, Mega Millions will see Mega changes.  Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says Mega Millions will have a higher starting jackpot, improved odds, a built-in prize multiplier, and no break-even prizes.

Cut 11 (12) “…on their ticket.”

Ticket prices increase from two dollars to five dollars per play, marking the second price change in the game’s history. Chopin says there are still other options for those wanting to play in a multistate lottery…

Cut 12 (12) “…and Saturdays.”

The starting jackpot will go from 20-million dollars to 50-million dollars, and the average jackpot size will soar to 803-million dollars. The odds of winning the jackpot improve from 1 in 302.5 million to 1 in 290.5 million. Chopin reminds you to play responsibly…

Cut 13 (12)  “…keep it fun.”

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Four-term Louisiana U-S Senator J Bennett Johnston has passed away at the age of 92. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat was Johnston’s executive assistant in charge of Louisiana political operations and says the Democrat worked with Democrats and Republicans to bring back federal dollars to Louisiana…

Cut 14 (09) “…priority.”

Johnston served in the U.S. Army in the 1950s. Served in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature from 1964 to 1972.

In 1971, the Shreveport native ran for governor but lost by 44-hundred votes to Edwin Edwards in the runoff election of the Democratic primary.

The next year, Johnston challenged long-term incumbent Allen Ellender for the Democratic nomination to the U-S Senate. Ellender died during the campaign and Johnston easily won the primary and then the general election.

Pinsonat says Johnston became a powerful Senator as he had a chance to chair both the Senate Energy and Appropriations Committees at separate times during his 24 years as U-S Senator…

Cut 15 (10) “…by the budget.”

Johnston was born in Shreveport. He was a star running back at Byrd High School. Pinsonat says Johnston is a big reason why I-49 was constructed…

Cut 16 (10) “…I-49.”

Johnston defeated state representative and former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan David Duke in 1990 in his final re-election bid. Johnston retired from the U.S. Senate in 1997 and became a lobbyist. He was living in Sperryville, Virginia where he died surrounded by his family.

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Former Lafayette Christian football star Ju’Juan Johnson is spending spring practice at LSU taking snaps at quarterback. Johnson started at LSU as a defensive back, moved to running back and now he’s at Q-B. Johnson has the most total yards and total touchdowns in Louisiana high school football history and offensive coordinator Joe Sloan says Johnson wanted to play quarterback and the Tigers O-C is impressed with his skill level…

Cut 17 (17)  “…situations.”

Johnson is not Garrett Nussmeier’s primary back-up. That goes to Mississippi State transfer to Michael Van Buren. Sloan says it’s good to have a backup that started eight games in the SEC last year…

Cut 18 (15)  “…liked his growth”

Sloan says he’s excited about the skill positions on the team and the deep wide receiver room that includes returners Chris Hilton, Aaron Anderson, Kyle Parker and Zavion Thomas, plus transfer additions Destyn Hill, Barion Brown and Nic Anderson…

Cut 19 (17) “…elite level” 

The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming arrival of Hyundai’s first North American steel mill. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Former LSU football coach Les Miles’ effort to get 37-wins restored to his coaching record is not going well. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Seafood festival organizers are taking a more proactive approach amid a new state law that requires restaurants and vendors to clearly indicate whether the seafood they sell is imported. Last weekend, a vendor at the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette was caught selling crawfish imported from China without a sign at the booth indicating so. When it was brought to organizers’ attention, they quickly rectified it by giving the vendor a sign to display. Organizer Cisco Gonzales says it’s possible that it was an honest oversight by a vendor who didn’t know about the new law.

Cut 3 (09) “…other states.” 

Gonzales says he’s going to push for the Crawfish Festival to require that only Louisiana-harvested crawfish can be sold from now on.

Cut 4 (05) “…Louisiana crawfish only.”

Last year, before the new law went into effect, genetic testing at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City found that 80-percent of shrimp being sold at that festival that was marketed as local was in fact imported. Gonzales says selling imported seafood at an event that’s supposed to celebrate the state’s vibrant seafood industry is completely counterproductive.

Cut 5 (06) “…the next vendor.”

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents have cited an Abbeville man for allegedly killing a black bear in Vermilion Parish. Corporal Derek Logan says 50-year-old Shannon Parker shot the 10-year-old female weighing 200 pounds.

Cut 6 (07) “…full confession.”

Parker admitted to shooting at a dark silhouette, mistakenly believing it was a wild hog. Logan says Parker also lacked written permission to hunt at night and failed to notify the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Cut 7 (09) “…failed to do so.”

Parker faces fines up to $950, jail time up to 120 days, and $10,000 in civil restitution. Logan urges hunters to identify what they’re shooting before they shoot.

Cut 8 (09) “…been a child?”

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The president of Ascension Parish is hailing the upcoming construction of Hyundai’s new steel mill. President Clint Cointment (QUINT-maw) says the new 5.8-billion-dollar steel mill will have a huge impact on the entire region.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the surrounding parishes.”

Cointment says the new steel mill will create 14-hundred direct jobs and more than four-thousand indirect jobs, benefitting many other companies in the region as well.

Cut 10 (09) “…throughout our parish.”

The announcement of Hyundai building a steel mill in Ascension Parish is the latest in a string of major economic projects coming to Louisiana, and Cointment says the state is just getting started,

Cut 11 (10) “…years from now.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team looked like one of the best teams in the nation last night as they outscored Florida State 31-6 in the third quarter as they blew out the Seminoles 101-71 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Mikaylah Williams led the way with 28 points. The Bossier City native says it was great team basketball…

Cut 12 (12) “…Sweet 16.”

LSU led by just one point at halftime, but exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Seminoles by 25 points. Flau’Jae Johnson says she’s never been a part of a run like that…

Cut 13 (10)  “…rebounds”

LSU shot 56-percent from the floor and had 29 assists for the game. Senior guard Last-Tear Poa says they are playing their best basketball at the right time…

Cut 14 (13) “…having fun”

Up next for LSU, they will play North Carolina State on Friday night in Spokane, Washington.

Cataract surgery was performed for the first time in the U-S on an alligator at the Audubon Zoo. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Governor Landry announces a major reorganization of GOHSEP. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.” 

Mallett says DOTD will begin reviewing the bridges.

Cut 4 (11) “…have to do.”

Mallett says the review process will begin immediately.

Cut 5 (06) “…do exactly that.”

The bridges include the I-10 Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge, I-210 in Lake Charles, the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans, the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish and the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville. All eight bridges were built prior  to the establishment of industry guidelines in 1991.

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An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals or following shadows instead. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter diagnosed Victor with an advanced cataract in his left eye.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Victor underwent the cataract surgery on February 19th. Due to anatomical differences, the procedure required special techniques, including ultrasound for vein access and a tubing system for post-op care.  Carter says taking on this surgery was a whole new challenge.

Cut 7 (12) “…just quite different”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Cut 8 (09) “…he’s doing great.”

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

As for what effect this will have on emergency response, Pinsonat points out that Landry already has a couple emergencies under his belt in the early stages of his governorship, including Hurricane Helene and the winter storm in January. So Pinsonat says Landry has a good idea of the level of staffing needed – and not needed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this will work.”

National Guard Brigadier General Jason Mahfouz will serve as GOHSEP’s interim director, taking over for Jacques Thibodeaux, who Landry had appointed to the position last year. Pinsonat says it’s unclear what other personnel moves will take place.

Cut 11 (10) “…picture of that.”

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The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says festivalgoers can enjoy delicious crawfish dishes, carnival rides, games, and have thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Gonzales says there will be crawfish in as many ways as you can think of as well as 26 rides to enjoy all weekend.

Cut 13 (11)  “…how much fun is that?”

Gonzales says there will be more crawfish than you will know what to do with.

Cut 14 (09) “…what I’m saying?”

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The road to the Final Four begins Saturday night for the LSU women’s basketball team, who will host San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Tigers won a national championship in 2023, but last year lost in the Elite Eight, one game short of playing in their second consecutive final four. Flau’jae Johnson remembers that horrible feeling…

Cut 15 (12) “…after that”

Johnson is good to go after missing the SEC Tournament with a shin injury.

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The McNeese Cowboys will look to make history again on Saturday as they will try to advance to the Sweet 16. The Pokes won their first NCAA Tournament game in program history on Thursday with an upset win over Clemson. Coach Will Wade says Thursday’s win was life altering…

Cut 16 (14) “…and everything.”

McNeese will play Purdue at 11:10 AM Saturday.