The Lenten season is now underway and many people will be eager to get their share of seafood. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

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There’s been another call for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Will Louisiana be the next state to get on board with a poison to control the feral hog population, after Texas recently approved it. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Bankrate.com ranks Louisiana the fourth worst state for first time home buyers. Analyst Claes Bell says one reason for the low ranking is the tightness of the housing market. He says there are fewer homes on the market in Louisiana because construction isn’t keeping up with demand.

Cut 4  (10) “first time buyers”

Bell says first time buyers in a tight housing market have a hard time competing for a home that has multiple offers, because they tend to put less money down. He adds that a big issue for first time buyers is the inability to get a loan. He says Louisiana’s high unemployment rate could be a factor for lenders.

Cut 5  (09)  “in the area”

Bell says going to a local lender instead of a national bank could give first time buyers a better shot at getting financed. He says young buyers also might not have as much credit as older buyers, and that coupled with a small down payment could make it more difficult to get a home loan.

Cut 6 (09) “as well”

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It’s Ash Wednesday and that means the start of the Lenten season, so many people will be lining up to get their share of seafood over the next 40 days. Chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board Chalin (Shal-in) DeLaune (De-lawn) says the supply of Louisiana oysters and crawfish is excellent.

Cut 7 (09)  “crawfish season”

But DeLaune says unfortunately the crab harvest is struggling in Louisiana, as there is a 30 day closure on commercial crabbing.

Cut 8 (09) “a way”

DeLaune also says shrimp is on the downside in the Bayou State this season, as the size of the prawns are relatively small. He says the size is perfect for a soup or gumbo but not so much for a boil or to fry.

Cut 9 (10)  “as well”

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Another person is calling for State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson to resign. Lloyd Grafton has recently resigned from the State Police Commission, and in his resignation letter to Governor John Bel Edwards, Grafton says Edmonson does whatever he chooses to do. He says when the commission approved a pay raise for LSP, they believed it would go to the troopers on the ground. But he says instead some of the highest ranking officials received $40-thousand pay increases.

Cut 10 (09) “management people”

In the letter, Grafton says Edmonson has no credibility when it comes to the truth and lavish spending. He says that is evidenced by the recent travel scandal where four troopers made stops in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon on their way to a training conference.

Cut 11 (11) “at all”

Grafton says LSP would be better off under new leadership, and US Senator John Kennedy has also called for Edmonson’s resignation. But Edmonson says he is not affiliated with the Louisiana State Police Commission.

Cut 12 (08) “state police”

An investigation into the travel incident is being conducted out of the Governor’s Office, and LSP is conducting their own internal investigation. Edmonson says they are going to get to the bottom of what happened, and then it’s time to move on.

Cut 13 (09) “moving forward”

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The Texas agriculture commissioner has approved a poison that farmers and ranchers can use to kill destructive feral hogs, so when will Louisiana get on board? Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Kaput Feral Hog Lure could become available here in a month or two, but it will only be sold to those individuals who receive proper training.

Cut 14 (09) “this product”

Strain once you complete training, you can get an endorsement needed to buy Kaput. He says they’ll keep records of who is purchasing it to make sure it’s being used properly. He says the pigs will have to be fed corn for a few weeks to get them to come in to the feeder.

Cut 15 (08) “burying them”

It’s estimated there are 500-thousand feral hogs in Louisiana and they are known for destroying fields and pastures. Strain says they hope to have the product registry open in about a week and the state will do everything it can to make sure it is used as safely as possible. He says Kaput is 98 to 99-percent effective.

Cut 16 (08) “of regiments”

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The Pelicans will look for their first win with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins in the starting line-up tonight when New Orleans hosts Detroit. Despite all the buzz the trade created, New Orleans is 0-3 since acquiring Cousins from the Sacramento Kings. Head Coach Alvin Gentry is optimistic the victories will come soon…

Cut 17 (15)  “what happens”

Cousins also feels good about the future of his new team, but it will take time…

Cut 18 (15) “starts clicking”

Both Cousins and fellow All-Star Anthony Davis are putting up good individual numbers in the three games they’ve played with each other. But the dynamic duo is not getting much help. Cousins says he’s spoken with A-D about how to get their teammates going

Cut 19 (19)   “of time”

Us News & World Report’s list of best states ranks Louisiana dead last in the nation. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A North Louisiana state House candidate is coming under fire over a blackface photo. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Tonight President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress, and even political experts don’t know what to expect. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says this address will be unlike any we’ve seen in a while, as a Republican president will go before a GOP dominated Congress. But he says that doesn’t mean either chamber will fully support the President’s proposals.

Cut 3 (07) “Obamacare”

Hogan says healthcare will be a big topic, as will the budget. He says typically presidents use this address as an opportunity to push their legislative agendas, including taxes and spending. He expects there to be more support from the GOP for Mr. Trump’s spending plan.

cut 4  (11) “cost savings”

Hogan says it’s unclear whether Mr. Trump will offer an olive branch to ease tensions or go in for the attack. He says generally presidents deliver a well thought-out, rehearsed address that clearly outlines their priorities. But he say Mr. Trump is anything but predictable.

Cut 5  (07)  “will go”

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Mardi Gras 2017 could go down as the warmest Fat Tuesday on record in the Bayou state. Forecaster with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, Phil Grigsby, says the current record was set back in 1917 at 83 degrees. He says temperatures could surpass that today…

Cut 6 (10) “of year”

Grigsby credits the warm temperatures throughout the carnival season to the lack of cold fronts in Louisiana so far this winter.

CUT 7 (08)  “below normal”

Grigsby says the coldest Mardi Gras on record was set at 30 degrees back in 1899. He says today’s weather is perfect for parade watching…

Cut 8 (08) “of this guy”

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Louisiana came in dead last on Us News & World Report’s new best states ranking. Analyst Lindsey Cook says Louisiana ranks near or at the bottom for the economy, government, crime, and opportunity. She says healthcare was one of their biggest weighted categories, and in that Louisiana did poorly across the board.

Cut 9 (10)  “32”

Cook says even with the recently expanded Medicaid program, health rankings like obesity won’t improve overnight. She says Louisiana ranks 39^th for infrastructure and 42^nd for transportation. She says education was also a big category, and the Bayou State came in at number 46.

Cut 10 (09) “ranks 44”

Cook says Louisiana was knocked down on the list for its high incarceration and crime rates, as it came in last for corrections. But she says Louisiana did fare well in some areas.

cut 11 (11) “wellness visits”

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A picture has surfaced of Robbie Gatti, who is a white Republican running for a seat in the state legislature, wearing black face paint as part of a Tiger Woods costume. Gatti says this photo was taken 15 years ago during a church function when the golfing star was at the height of his career. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the photo will certainly not help Gatti’s campaign…

cut 12 (11) “judgement”

Gatti claims the church held a fall festival and he was told to dress up as a famous person. Stockley says Gatti probably didn’t know what his political future would hold 15 years ago. But he says the Bossier City politician should’ve know better…

Cut 13 (10) “address that” 

Gatti is one of four candidates running for the district 8 seat vacated by Mike Johnson. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says 15 years ago, Gatti likely didn’t expect social media to blow up as it has today.

cut 14 (10) “these days”

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The accused drunk driver in the Endymion parade crash is facing more and more charges and the victim count rises. Neilson Rizzuto has been charged with an additional 22 counts of negligent vehicular injury. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says that number could still go up because the victim count is up to 32.

Cut 15 (11) “his life”

The 25-year-old was originally booked on four charges, including two counts of negligent vehicular injury, hit and run causing serious injury, and careless operation. Ciolino expects Rizzuto to be sentenced to at least 10 years behind bars.

Cut 16  (07)  “is significant”

Ciolino says we can also expect a host of civil suits against Rizzuto to be filed by the victims.

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A local businessman stepped up to ensure the annual Opelousas Mardi Gras parade will roll on. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

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It looks like there’s no shortage of crawfish for today’s Mardi Gras celebrations and the upcoming Lenten season.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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For most people Mardi Gras means a big party, but for the city of New Orleans, it also means big bucks. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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It is Fat Tuesday a day filled with Mardi Gras parades and celebrations that are centuries old. New Roads native Brian Cosetllo recently wrote a new book called “Carnival in Louisiana: Celebrating Mardi Gras from the French Quarter to the Red River.” He says everyone is familiar with the large Krewe parades in cities like Lafayette and New Orleans, but small towns also get in on the fun.

Cut 4  (11) “community participation”

Costello says one of the more unique traditions that’s rooted in ancient Catholic tradition continues today in coastal Louisiana.

Cut 5  (11)  “their prayers”

Costello says several Cajun communities will not have any parades or floats today, instead they’ll continue the tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras, which goes back to the 18^th Century.

Cut 6 (07) “day’s end”

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The Opelousas Mardi Gras parade will go on as planned today, even after a risk of cancellation, all thanks to businessman Bob Giles. The parade was in jeopardy as the police department faced extreme cuts, making it impossible for them to provide the security detail for the Krewe of Frank Parade. Giles, of Giles Automotive, stepped up to support the community…

Cut 7 (11)  “take place”

The parade will roll at 11:00 a.m. today. Giles says about 20 police officers are needed for three hours to mediate traffic before and after the parade. He says Mardi Gras is a huge part of Louisiana culture and he didn’t want the parade to be canceled due to a lack of funding.

Cut 8 (10) “do so”

Giles previously donated 55 bulletproof vests to the Opelousas Police Department. Giles says the feeling he gets for helping the community can’t be beat…

Cut 9 (09)  “do something”

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Although the crawfish season got off to a relatively slow start, there is no shortage of mudbugs for the Mardi Gras holiday. That’s according to Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag Center who says the mild winter Louisiana has helped crawfishermen catch up. But he says because supplies are up, everybody wants to get their hands on a sack.

Cut 10 (09) “as well”

Lutz says when the weather starts to warm up, people start to have crawfish boils plus the Lenten season is set to start…

Cut 11 (10) “the market”

Lutz says the further we get into the season, the more helpful rain becomes to freshen up the ponds but currently the weather is doing just fine for the harvest. He says the prices per pound for mudbugs all depend on supply and demand.

Cut 12 (09) “two days”

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It’s Fat Tuesday, and a report by WalletHub finds more and more people are letting the good times roll in the Bayou State. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says Mardi Gras has an economic impact of $465 million for New Orleans alone. She adds that it’s growing every year as more and more people save up to visit the Big Easy for the Carnival season.

Cut 13 (10) “higher numbers”

Everyone knows the crowds in the French Quarter are hard to navigate during Mardi Gras. Gonzales says that’s because there’s a huge influx of visitors in the Crescent City.

Cut 14 (10) “city’s population”

Gonzales says float riders spend about $500 on beads and throws, and a ticket to a Krewe ball averages $150. She adds the average Mardi Gras mask is about $6, and King Cakes usually run $35. She says the festivities can get expensive.

Cut 15 (07) “to add up”

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The NFL Scouting Combine gets underway today in Indianapolis and 10 former LSU Tigers will participate. It’s an opportunity for running back Leonard Fournette to show NFL teams he’s over an ankle injury that limited him to seven games last season. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says teams near the top of the first round will also be interested in talking with Fournette

Cut 16 (20) “on the track”

Detillier says wide receiver Malachi Dupre has the most the gain out of the former LSU Tigers, because the former John Curtis star had trouble catching passes early in 2016

Cut 17 (19)  “quarterback play”

Detillier says outside linebacker Duke Riley is moving up the draft boards the fastest out of the former Tigers. He says the Buras native was an unknown player before the start of the 2016 season, now he has a chance to be a second-third round pick if he runs well in the 40-yard dash

Cut 18 (17) “at LSU”

A legal analyst says the man accused of injuring more than two dozen Endymion parade goers in New Orleans may only face 5 years in jail. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Sneezing more than normal? Itchy/watery eyes? Experts say allergy season is hitting Louisiana with a bang this year. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Volunteers from around the country are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says a lot of families either aren’t getting what they need from insurance or there’s delays on getting help from FEMA. She says Let’s Rock is collecting donations to help cover the cost of the sheetrock needed to make their homes livable.

Cut 3 (10) “their houses”

Forrestall credits the hard work of Melissa Armand and Janet Rhodus for getting the campaign moving, and giving her a way to get involved, as the Gonzales native now lives in Los Angeles. She says through the donations, flood victims are given a gift certificate to cover the cost of their drywall, and 100-percent of the donations go directly to flood victims.

cut 4  (10) “those walls up”

Forrestall says the donations are going to families who need it the most, those with elderly, disabled and special needs members. She says donations can be made at LaunchLouisiana.com and encourages everyone to share the link on social media to raise awareness for the cause.

Cut 5  (10)  “that are hurting”

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The man accused of drunkenly plowing into parade goers at Endymion in New Orleans may not face much jail time. That’s according to legal analyst Tim Meche, who says 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto is only charged with negligent vehicular injury, a hit and run with serious injury, and reckless operation after police say he crashed his truck into a crowd and sent 21 people to area hospitals.

Cut 6 (10) “five year sentence”

New Orleans police say Rizzuto’s blood alcohol content was .232, nearly three times the legal limit. A judge reportedly says if the suspect can make his $125-thousand bond, he’ll be put on house arrest and not allowed to drive. Meche says Rizzuto’s circumstances aren’t really that bad.

CUT 7 (11)  “jail time”

Despite at least 28 reported injuries, Rizzuto only faces two counts of negligent injuring for two serious injuries named in the police report. But Meche says more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds. He says Rizzuto’s public defenders will likely try to play the sympathy card in court.

Cut 8 (11) “of this guy”

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Allergy season is in full swing a little early this year, and experts say because Louisiana had such a mild winter, there never really was a low pollen period. Dr. Kenneth Paris, head of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at LSU Health New Orleans, says warm winters typically mean pollen season will peak earlier, and last longer…:

Cut 9 (09)  “when we don’t have rain”

Paris says people who have seasonal allergies are typically bothered by itchy, drippy and sneezy symptoms. But he says the pollen season really impacts kids and adults with asthma a great deal…:

Cut 10 (10) “respiratory symptoms”

Paris says there are plenty of effective medications on the market to help people keep their allergy symptoms under control. He recommends oral antihistamines that are non-sedating, and a now-available over the counter intranasal steroid sprays…:

cut 11 (10) “the burden of illness”

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A Mansfield man has been arrested for fatally shooting a man who was allegedly vandalizing his car on Sunday night. Mansfield Police Chief Gary Hobbs says 34-year-old Cody Parker saw 50-year-old James Hewitt near his car and came outside with a firearm and shot Hewitt multiple times as he was fleeing the scene….

cut 12 (11) “pronounced dead”

Hobbs says Parker is charged with second-degree murder. He says based on the evidence, Hewitt was doing nothing other than committing the crime of property damage before he was shot.

Cut 13 (09) “deadly force“

Hobbs says detectives are working to determine if Parker and Hewitt had a previous connection. He says recently, Parker has had other issues with vandalism, as he filed multiple reports with the police department about someone vandalizing his vehicle.

cut 14 (11) “of it”

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It’s been a warm February for the Bayou State and it could turn out to be the warmest on record since 1932. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

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Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3^rd Congressional District has been appointed to a task force to stop terrorists from entering the country. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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US Senator John Kennedy believes its time for the Commander of the State Police to go. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A new study out of London finds stress may be linked to obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-AH-no) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says chronic stress can promote fat accumulation on the body. She says while it could be a physiological reason, it might also be because people change their behaviors when they’re stressed.

Cut 4  (07) “obesity”

Staiano says the 4 year study linked obesity to a stress hormone called cortisol. She says people who were obese through the entire study showed higher levels of stress hormones. She says while some stress is out of our control, there are ways people can try to reduce their stress levels.

Cut 5  (09)  “long term health”

Staiano says over two-thirds of Louisiana adults and half of the children in our state are overweight or obese, so this is an important study for the Bayou State. She hopes to see more research in this area.

Cut 6 (09) “citizens healthier”

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This February could go down as the warmest on record since 1932 for the Bayou State. That’s according to State Climatologist Barry Keim who says the average temperature in Louisiana this month is floating right around 61 degrees and the current record is 61.2 degrees.…

Cut 7 (10)  “1895″

Keim says so far for February, we’re averaging eight degrees above normal and he attributes this to a lot of warm air moving in from the coast.

Cut 8 (06) “and humid”

Keim says although Louisiana has seen a few cold fronts the last few weeks, not much Canadian air moved down south this winter…

Cut 9 (06)  “February”

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US Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3^rd Congressional District has been appointed to the Homeland Security Task Force, which seeks to close gaps in terrorist screenings and vetting procedures. Higgins says their most valuable resource is the human resource, and they want to hear what the people have to say about securing our borders.

Cut 10 (12) “to stop it”

Higgins says he wants to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective from the people directly involved in vetting the people who enter our country. He says it’s far past time for us to control our southern border. He says they’re going to explore every possible option to make our country safe.

Cut 11 (08) “for it to stop”

Higgins says the task force will search for solutions to eliminate terrorist entry into the country. But he says immigrants and visitors who come into the US legally have nothing to worry about. He says they want to take a balanced approach to ensure that those who do not mean us harm are still welcomed.

Cut 12 (08) “put in place”

The panel will begin working in March and hopes to provide their final report later this year.

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Colonel Mike Edmonson has no plans to resign even though U-S Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of the L-S-P to step down as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses while taking a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.  Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t have the facts

Cut 13 (08) “those changes”

Kennedy says enough facts have already come out and he’s disgusted as a Louisiana taxpayer over what happened….

Cut 14 (11) “get an award”

The controversial trip to the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in San Diego occurred last October. The governor has auditors within the Division of Administration looking into the incident and Edmonson says State Police is conducting its own probe…

Cut 15 (05) “change those”

But Kennedy says if Governor Edwards wants to restore taxpayer confidence he’ll call in the legislative auditor to perform an independent investigation

Cut 16 (10) “not right”

Kennedy is disappointed the legislative auditor is not being used for this investigation….

Cut 17 (06)  “find the truth”

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LSU rallied back from an early 3-0 deficit to beat Maryland 9-5 on Sunday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep of the Terrapins. Right-handed sophomore Caleb Gilbert earned the win as he struck out all six hitters he faced in relief and LSU took control of the game with five runs in the 3rd inning. Coach Paul Mainieri…

Cut 18 (18) “mistaken”

LSU’s pitchers struck out 15 in the game, but also walked seven. Reliever Doug Norman left the game after throwing a pitch and Mainieri says that was tough to see…

Cut 19 (15)   “on it yet”

LSU is now 7-1 on the season. One of the big surprises so far has been freshman Rankin Woley from Atlanta. He’s 5-for-11 at the plate and Mainieri says Woley is making the case for more playing time…

Cut 20 (19)   “about that”

Today the Board of Regents will look at proposed changes to TOPS, as the scholarship program is only funded at 70-percent under the governor’s spending plan for next fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The big Mardi Gras weekend is here and celebrations are in full swing in every corner of the state. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Grambling State University officials are working to have the undergraduate nursing program reinstated by 2018. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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TOPS is not fully funded under the governor’s spending plan for next fiscal year. Officials say it will take more than 80 million additional dollars to pay for the scholarship program. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo has concerns about how students will react to TOPS once again being funded at only 70-percent.

Cut 4  (10) “differently”

The Board of Regents meets today to discuss possible changes to TOPS. Under the newest proposal, those recommended changes do not include making the award amount tiered for freshmen, sophomores, and upperclassmen. Rallo says a flat grant amount is one option on the table.

Cut 5  (08)  “their tuition”

The recommendations will go into a bill by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Hewitt that will be taken up in the regular session. Rallo says a proposal to require TOPS students to complete 30 credit hours a semester, rather than 24, is also up for consideration. He says this could ensure that students complete their degrees in four years.

Cut 6 (10) “degree program”

If approved, the changes to the program would impact the incoming class of 2018.

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The big Mardi Gras weekend has arrived as cities and towns will be celebrating the carnival season with parades and traditional Mardi Gras festivities Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Mardi Gras is not just popular in New Orleans and Lafayette, central and north Louisiana are getting into the act. He says he was recently the Grand Marshall of the first parade ever in Ball.

Cut 7 (10)  “celebrations”

Nungesser will also serve as the Grand Marshall of the Lions Club parade in Covington starting at 10 a.m. on Fat Tuesday. The Lt. Governor says the celebrations across Louisiana have really grown over the last few years.

Cut 8 (11) “Louisiana”

Thousands of tourists will be in New Orleans for the biggest celebration of them all. The big parades of Endymion and Bacchus will roll down St. Charles Ave on Saturday and Sunday night. And Nungesser says the party doesn’t stop until Fat Tuesday…

Cut 9 (09)  “Mardi Gras”

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Grambling State University is one step closer to reinstating their undergraduate nursing program. The undergraduate program was closed in December of 2015, and officials have been working to get a new program instated. University President Rick Gallot says they have the support of the University of Louisiana System Board, but he says their work is far from over.

Cut 10 (11) “Board of Nursing”

Gallot says they are confident the program will be accepted by both the Board of Regents and the Board of Nursing. He says once they are approved, they can then hire a program director and move forward on reinstating the undergraduate degree program.

Cut 11 (11) “fall of 2018″

Gallot says a requirement to have a nursing program is a passing rate above 80-percent. He says after the program fell into a period of decline, passage rates fell to around 70-percent, and the program was closed. But he says they’re doing everything they can to ensure that doesn’t happen when the program is reinstated.

Cut 12 (10) “junior year”

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While many Louisianans will be celebrating Mardi Gras this weekend, Governor John Bel Edwards is heading to Washington to discuss more federal assistance for flood recovery and the recent tornadoes in south Louisiana. The governor’s Communications Director Richard Carbo says Edwards will meet with the acting FEMA Administrator today to discuss recovery for tornado victims.

Cut 13 (09) “last month”

Carbo says on Monday Edwards and other governors from around the country will meet with President Donald Trump. He says this meeting will give the governor a chance to discuss his request for an additional $2 billion in federal flood recovery aid.

Cut 14 (07) “on Monday”

Governor Edwards has said another $2 billion is needed for Louisiana to have a full and robust recovery from the Great Flood of 2016. Carbo says that’s why Edwards will also meet with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and the new director of the Office of Management and Budget to discuss the state’s unmet needs.

Cut 15 (10) “on their feet”

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The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Maryland, who is a favorite to win the Big 10. The Terrapins are off to 1-2 start as they lost two games to Ball State. But Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says don’t be fooled by Maryland’s slow start….

Cut 16 (20) “Cape Cod”

Maryland has recently appeared in the Super Regionals in both 2014 and 2015. LSU is 3-1 on the season and Mainieri says the Tigers are still a work in progress…

Cut 17 (13)  “at bats “

Mainieri says his starting line-up is not set in stone. He says he’s waiting for someone to step up in left field between Beau Jordan and Brennan Breaux

Cut 18 (10) “my liking”

Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy faced a slew of protesters in a town hall meeting yesterday. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The governor’s spending plan for the next fiscal year has been presented to lawmakers, as they’re gearing up for the regular session in April. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy faced a rowdy crowd at a town hall meeting in Metairie yesterda6y as many upset residents screamed at him about healthcare, the travel ban, and public education. This is a trend around the country at town hall meetings with Republican lawmakers. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says in the past, these types of protests have proven effective.

Cut 3 (07) “diminished”

Cassidy is scheduled to host another town hall meeting tonight in Assumption Parish. Cross says people expressed their concerns to Cassidy about the Affordable Care Act. He says Republicans likely won’t make the changes the protesters want, but it could happen with enough uprising.

cut 4  (09) “to this”

Cross says this popular uprising can make a difference as the Tea Party effectively used this tactic in 2009. He expects this type of activism to be part of a new pattern over the next few years…

Cut 5  (11)  “to continue”

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The Edwards administration unveiled a spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1, and TOPS is not fully funded under their proposal. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it will take an additional $81 million to fully fund the scholarship program.

Cut 6 (12) “is recognized”

Dardenne says state employees have not had performance pay adjustments for a number of years. He says another priority will be providing cost of living or performance pay increases for state employees if more money is found.

CUT 7 (08)  “of the budget”

The proposed budget does not call for any additional dollars for public schools, maintenance for buildings on college campuses, or additional dollars to hire the needed 187 case workers for the Department of Children and Family Services.  He says the Department of Transportation is also facing a reduction in funding, which adds to state’s inability to repair roads.

Cut 8 (10) “bridge needs”

The governor’s proposed budget will be discussed over the next several months, and lawmakers will make changes to it. Any taxes or fee increases approved in the regular session could lead to increased funding for TOPS and roads.

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Governor John Bel Edwards expressed a serious tone when asked about the travel scandal involving four members of the State Police who took side trips to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon while attending a law enforcement conference in San Diego. Edwards, who has already ordered a full investigation, says this incident shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Cut 9 (09)  “things going on”

State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson issued a statement saying he’s instructed all administrative personnel at LSP to cooperate with the investigation. Edwards says he won’t speculate on what the findings might be until the investigation is over.

Cut 10 (12) “unbiased report”

Edmonson’s statement goes on to say they have already made internal changes to prevent any recurrence of an incident like this.

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LSU Health Shreveport will launch a Pediatric Chronic Ventilator Clinic in April to allow care for children who require mechanical ventilation. Director of the Pediatric Ventilator Unit Dr. Keith Scott says currently, families are required to travel 300 miles for a one-hour visit or their child will not get the proper care. He says the new clinic will be more convenient for patients.

cut 11 (10) “healthcare needs”

Scott says there are no other facilities in the northern Louisiana area like this clinic. He hopes this will be able to bring holistic care and improve longevity in patients who use a ventilator by providing quality care.

cut 12 (10) “appropriate”

Scott says the main goal is to ultimately get the kids off the ventilator. He says with the clinic, patients that need the service will be able to stay in their hometown and have the same doctor throughout the process.

Cut 13 (10) “to travel“

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With the special session behind us, state leaders are shifting their attention to tax reform in the upcoming regular session. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Many students are turning to GoFundMe to pay for college as the price of tuition is increasing. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The special session ended with lawmakers agreeing to use $99 million from the rainy day fund to address a $304 million shortfall. Halen Doughty reports…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is reminding pet owners to be vigilant about your animal’s physical and emotional well-being when celebrating Mardi Gras. Dr. Nancy Welborn with the school advises parade goers to leave their pets at home because most dogs and cats aren’t used to those situations.

Cut 4  (08) “a bite”

Welborn says be mindful of what you’re feeding your pets. She says king cakes, jambalaya, and fired foods are not pet friendly snacks.

Cut 5  (09)  “for us”

Welborn also reminds people to be watch out for animals playing with Mardi Gras beads or small parade throws as they can become a choking hazard. But she says if you do attend a pet friendly carnival celebration, there are some guidelines to follow.

Cut 6 (08) “the area”

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Now that the special session is over, attention turns to the fiscal session that begins in April. The Louisiana Budget Project has released its tax reform blueprint. Senior Policy Analyst Nick Albares says we need a tax system that is fair, adequate, competitive, timely, and sustainable. He says one way to do that is to eliminate the federal income tax deduction, which is a credit only two other states offer.

Cut 7 (12)  “state priorities”

Albares says this credit costs the state nearly $1 billion a year, while only those at the top of the income spectrum benefit from it. He says they’re calling for a reduction in the state sales tax from 5-percent to 4-percent and a broadening of the sales tax base.

Cut 8 (11) “neighboring states”

Landscaping services, haircuts, internet and cable subscriptions, and security services are some things that would be newly taxed under the proposal. Albares says they also want to double the earned income tax credit, which benefits low income working families. He says lower income families currently pay taxes at twice the rate of the wealthiest families in the state.

Cut 9 (12)  “make ends meet”

Other recommendations include limiting some tax exemptions, including the film tax credit, and eliminating excess itemized deductions.

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With the rising cost of college tuition, many students are looking towards the internet to find ways to pay for school. GoFundMe Spokesperson Bobby Whithorne says nationally over the last three years, they’ve had over 130-thousand campaigns on their website raise over 60 million dollars for kids in college. He says there’s been an increase in this state, as well.

Cut 10 (09) “donations”

Whithorne says the majority of the donations come from friends and family, as students share their GoFundMe campaign on Facebook and other social media sites. But he says there are complete strangers who contribute…

Cut 11 (10) “raising money” 

Whithorne advises kids turning to GoFundMe for tuition assistance to just tell your story and show the community how hard you’ve worked to get into your dream school.

Cut 12 (10) “your story”

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After 10 days of what became some heated debates, the special session ended with lawmakers agreeing to use $99 million from the rainy day fund to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor John Bel Edwards originally asked legislators to use the full $119 million available to minimize cuts to state agencies. But he says he’s pleased with the outcome.

Cut 13 (12) “I’ll take that”

But budget cuts are still coming to state agencies. The Department of Health will take the biggest hit with a 36-million dollar cut. Statewide elected officials will have their budget cuts and there will be a reduction in spending on roadwork. But Edwards says some critical state services were spared.

Cut 14 (11) “family services”

Edwards says the most concerning part of the plan is the $12 million in attrition savings lawmakers believe they identified in funded vacancies in state government. The governor says they will work to identify every dollar that can be saved through funded vacancies, but he’s skeptical that much money is available.

Cut 15 (07) “are not there”

Changes to teacher’s tenure protections has led to more educators leaving the classroom, according to a new report from Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The National Retail Federation finds 48-percent of consumers plan to put their tax refunds into savings rather than spend it. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A study out of Tulane finds 17-hundred public school teachers have left their jobs in Louisiana because of a tougher tenure law that took effect two years ago. That’s a three-percent loss of the state’s teacher workforce. Co-author of the report is Nathan Barrett…

Cut 3 (05) “leaving”

In 2012, the legislature passed a law that made student achievement a major part of the formula to earn tenure. Barrett says many of the educators that left were close to retirement, and teachers leaving under-performing schools rose by 27-percent.

cut 4  (12) “F-rated schools”

Barrett says poorly-performing schools typically have students with troubled backgrounds, meaning teachers chance poor tests schools leading to bad teacher evaluations.  Barrett says whether or not you agree with tenure protections, it’s something many teachers appreciate.

Cut 5  (12)  “attrition rates”

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A survey from the National Retail Federation finds many consumers plan to put their tax refunds into savings rather than spend. Denham Springs financial planner Matt Kennedy says we’ve seen this trend over the past eight years ever since the 2008 stock market crash.

Cut 6 (12) “our mind”

The survey says of 66-percent of those getting a refund, only 21-percent plan to spend it on everyday expenses. Kennedy says surprisingly, millennials are the ones saving more than the baby boomers. He says younger people saw their parents suffer in the 2008 economic downturn and don’t want to risk it in the stock market.

CUT 7 (10)  “to spending”

48-percent of Americans plan to put their money into savings, second only to last year’s record high of 49-percent. Kennedy says a big reason consumers are saving is for debt reduction. He says this is especially true in Louisiana after last August’s historic flooding.

Cut 8 (11) “later”

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Demarcus Cousins, aka Boogie, was officially introduced today as one of the newest members of the New Orleans Pelicans. The All-Star comes to The Big Easy from Sacramento and practiced with the Pels for the first time today. Cousins says he’s excited about the opportunity to hit the court with fellow All-Star Anthony Davis…:

Cut 9 (10)  “is scary”

Cousins will suit up with the Pelicans for the first time tomorrow night against Houston in the Smoothie King Center. Pels Coach Alvin Gentry is confident Cousins will be a huge addition to the team, as he and Davis’ style of play is very complimentary of each other…:

Cut 10 (11) “on the floor”

The Kings dealt Cousins and forward Omri Casspi to New Orleans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and 1st and 2nd round draft picks this summer. Some say while Davis and Cousins are among the top 10 in the league when it comes to ball skills, they have polar opposite personalities and attitude. Gentry is optimistic:

cut 11 (08) “at all”

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Help is still available for domestic abuse survivors in St. Martin and Iberia Parishes even though the domestic violence service provider in that area is closing its shelter and ceasing services. That’s according to the interim director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski…

cut 12 (10) “be established”

Wineski says they have a statewide hotline that will connect survivors in these parishes to neighboring programs. That number is 1-888-411-1333. She says these programs provide vital support to domestic abuse victims.

Cut 13 (08) “housing assistance“

The Safety Net for Abused Persons for the greater New Iberia area closed because of financial struggles. Wineski says they are working closely with stakeholders to get plans in place for a new permanent facility. She says last year LCADV provided over 90-thousand shelter nights to domestic violence victims around the state, which is why it’s imperative services are available to survivors in these parishes.

cut 14 (07) “running shortly”

The Powerball jackpot has jumped up to 403 million dollars. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn” 

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A new movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to come to an agreement on how many rainy day dollars to use to address a $304 million midyear deficit. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping 403 million dollars, with a cash value of 244 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the 10^th largest Powerball jackpot ever. She says this drawing is the 19^th in the current run…

Cut 4  (10) “Powerball frenzy”

Chopin says every time the jackpot reaches these high numbers, more and more people start to play. She says although Louisianans haven’t won the jackpot in a while, a lot of people still win smaller Powerball prizes.

Cut 5  (10)  “winners”

Chopin says the last time the Powerball jackpot was won in Louisiana was in May 2013, where the jackpot was split between two other states.

Cut 6 (12) “or more”

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The state Office of Group Benefits is considering a 50 dollar a month surcharge on health insurance premiums for state employees who use tobacco products. OGB chief executive officer Tommy Teague says individuals who receive health insurance through the state would be required to self-report if they are a smoker.

Cut 7 (09)  “random basis”‘

The proposal would need to receive approval from a legislative oversight committee. Teague says this type of surcharge is already being used in the private sector.

Cut 8 (10) “to implement”

Teague says they are considering a surcharge against smokers and other possible surcharges because the Office of Group Benefits is facing a shortfall and they do want to raise premiums on all employees. Teague hopes these benefits will be in place by January 1^st 2018. He says the proposal could produce about 7.5 million dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “increases”

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A movie is being filmed in Monroe that highlights the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Executive Producer Rodney Ray says “Cowboy & Indiana” follows a troubled bull rider named Tulsa as he chases a million dollar bounty on a killer bull no one has been able to ride. He says Tulsa’s life spins out of control as he struggles with an addiction to pain pills and finds himself charged with a DUI.

Cut 10 (11) “named Indiana”

Ray says the filming process takes about 30 days, and they plan to begin in late May. He says from there it will take 6 to 9 months to edit the film. He says filming the bulls will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge they face during production.

Cut 11 (11) “a unique challenge”

Ray says over 1,000 actors from all over the country have applied for roles in the film. He says the support from the local community has also been tremendous. He says everything that goes into the film, from pre-production to post-production and editing, happens in Monroe.

Cut 12 (10) “to our community”

To learn more about “Cowboy & Indiana” and find out how to get involved, visit r2films.net.

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It’s the final day of the special session and the major sticking point is how much of the rainy day fund to tap to resolve a $304 million midyear deficit. Governor Edwards and the Senate proposes using $99 million from the state’s savings account, but LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Republicans want the Senate to pass a bill that frees up statutory dedications in future budgets.

Cut 13 (09) “bend first”

It will take a two-thirds vote in the House to approve using money from the Rainy Day Fund, which means 70 yes votes. Some House GOP members say $99 million is too much to take from the state’s savings account and suggest $90 million. Alford says the deadline to reach an agreement is midnight.

Cut 14 (11) “or you don’t”

Alford says it’s a possibility lawmakers will fail to pass a budget cutting plan by midnight. He says if that happens, the governor could call them back for yet another special session, or the budget shortfall could be resolved in other ways.

Cut 15 (10) “on thier own”