An initial report released by the FAA reveals a helicopter appeared to have struck a tree before it crashed into a sugar cane field – killing two officer pilots in West Baton Rouge Parish yesterday. Reports indicate the helicopter took off from the Baton Rouge Metro Airport at 2:26 am and crashed in a field 12 minutes later.  Several hours passed before anyone realized the helicopter was missing and was not found until 11:30 am after the pilots did not return home. The helicopter crew was dispatched to assist with a vehicle pursuit. The names of the officers will not be released until family members have been notified.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment has filed a bill requiring insurance companies to offer policyholders an endorsement where the insurance company would pay to upgrade a damaged roof to fortified standards. Firment says it’s a way to lower costs and decrease damage.

Cut 3 (06) “…much less” 

Legislators held a special session earlier this year to put $45 million in an incentive fund to attract insurance companies to write policies. 

The United Cajun Navy is assisting people in the small town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi after a tornado leveled the community Friday night. UCN founder and president Todd Terrell says they’ve shifted from search and rescue to distributing supplies and food.

Cut 6 (11)  “…doot-to-door.” 

At least 26 people were killed in Mississippi by the EF4 twister.

The FAA’s initial analysis of the fatal Baton Rouge Police helicopter crash indicates the tail rotor struck a tree before crashing in a sugar cane field in West Baton Rouge Parish around 2:30 Sunday morning. The two officers’ names have not been released BRPD Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers…

Cut 13 (09) “…lost today.”

The crash was discovered at 11:30 Sunday morning.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry wants voters to have the option of a ballot initiative. It allows voters to petition for a vote from the public on an issue instead of lawmakers. A constitutional amendment is required for the option and must have a two-thirds majority of the legislature, then it would go before voters.

Cut 11 (10)  “…be changed.”

Will lawmakers rely on modified fossil fuel energy production or jump-start renewable energies? LRN spoke with Congressman Garret Graves on the topic.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Final Four in the NCAA tournament, after defeating Miami Sunday 54-42. It will be the sixth Final Four appearance for the women’s basketball team and their first since 2008. The Tigers will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State in the national semi-finals Friday night in Dallas.

Data released by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows employment level is at an all-time high statewide.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Baton Rouge Police helicopter crashed early Sunday killing two police officers near Port Allen, Louisiana. The helicopter was assisting with a car pursuit leading out of Baton Rouge into West Baton Rouge Parish around 3 a.m. The Federal Aviation Administration says the Robinson R-44 helicopter went down in a sugar cane field. Officials are withholding the names of the pilots until family members are notified. Chief Murphy Paul is asked for prayers for the officer’s family member.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Acts” – a bill to restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries – is in negotiations by congressional leaders. Congressman Garrett Graves says there are some outstanding concerns, including offshore oil and wind in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 6 (10)  “…global demand.” 

The House will meet this week to choose which amendments will be considered.

LSU Tigers women’s basketball is heading to the final four – it’s first since 2008 as the Lady Tigers beat Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina yesterday. It will be Coach Kim Mulkey’s fifth Final Four during her 23-year career as a head coach…

Cut 15 (15)  “..to do.”

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State in the national semi-finals on Friday night in Dallas.

Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on the “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says the measure would mandate offshore lease sales, streamline permitting processes, and increase state shares of federal royalties for offshore oil and gas production and wind farms…:
Cut 5 (11) “for Louisiana”
The House will meet this week to choose which amendments will be considered.

Two Baton Rouge Police Officers died when their helicopter crashed over the weekend in West Baton Rouge Parish while in pursuit of a vehicle running from cops. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the helicopter was a Robinson R-44 and went down around 3am Sunday. The FAA is investigating why the crash happened.

Should voters be able to put items on a statewide ballot? It’s not an option in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington dives into this…:
CUT 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU women’s basketball is off to the Final Four after beating Miami last night 54-42. The Tigers shot just 30 percent from the field, with Alexis Morris leading the way with 21 points…:
Cut 16 (10) “our game”

Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over two million employed for February 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor statistics. Education and Health services saw an increase in 3,400 jobs since January and the leisure and hospitality industry gained 1,200 jobs, which Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says is common:
Cut 8 (12) “in manufacturing”
New Orleans led the way, adding 2,700 jobs this month especially in the leisure and hospitality industry.

The FAA is investigating the Baton Rouge Police Department helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two officers Sunday morning. The chopper was in pursuit of a vehicle running from BRPD, and it’s reported no one was aware it had crashed for many hours. Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers for the families of the victims.

Will lawmakers rely on modified fossil fuel energy production or jump-start renewable energies? We spoke with Congressman Garret Graves on the topic. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The LSU Women’s Basketball team has punched a ticket to the Final Four following a 54-42 win over Miami last night in the Greenville regional. It’s the Tigers first trip to the Final Four since 2008, and the fifth time Coach Kim Mulkey has made it there during her 23-year career.

Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul is asking for prayers this morning for the families of two fallen officers who died in a helicopter crash in West Baton Rouge Parish. They were in pursuit of a vehicle running from police. Paul says the FAA is the lead investigator..:
CUT 14 (14) “community”
The officers are not being identified at this time.

Should voters have the ability to put an initiative, like raising the minimum wage or legalizing marijuana, on a statewide ballot? New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says Louisiana does not have any type of ballot initiative protocol so she’s proposing a change..:
Cut 10 (12) “give another option”

At least 4 people have been shot at a gathering in Webster Parish at a Minden Park. Police Chief Jared McIver said they are still trying to sort out the details of what happened. Minden police are investigating. At least one of the injured was flown to Ochsner LSU Health Hospital in Shreveport.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing Louisiana’s employment numbers are reaching historic levels…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

The Baton Rouge Police Department is mourning the death of two officers who were killed when their helicopter crashed in a sugarcane field in West Baton Rouge Parish while pursuing a vehicle running from police. Chief Murphy Paul says they are waiting to release the officers’ names:
Cut 13 (12) “in prayer”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating why the chopper wjent down.

The federal Bureau of Labor statistics shows Louisiana is putting up record employment numbers with over 2 million estimated employed for February 2023, the eighth highest in the history of the series. Mark Jones with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says Louisiana added more than 6,000 jobs from January to February..:
Cut 7 (10) “among the nation”

Congressional leaders from both parties are in negotiations on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s “Lower Energy Costs Act” which supporters, like Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves, say would restore energy independence instead of relying on foreign countries…:
Cut 4 (08) “energy needs”
He is hopeful that with some modifications it will pass in the House this week.

LSU women’s basketball is heading to its sixth final four and its first since 2008 as the Tigers defeated Miami 54-42 in Greenville, South Carolina last night. LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between Virginia Tech and Ohio State.

Coach Kim Mulkey was asked about the Elton John like pink feathered blazer she wore in LSU’s 66-63 win over Utah Friday sending The Tigers to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008. She said we like to be flashy in Louisiana, and she’s just filling the bill for her home state. The score remained close the entire game and Mulkey says it was one tough matchup…:
CUT 28 (12) “we just made a few more plays”
LSU will face Miami tomorrow at 6pm with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Today is an Election Day in Louisiana where voters will decide on several races and proposals. The Secretary of State’s Office says 7 parishes have races on the ballot, 12 have propositions and 9 have both. Polls close at 8pm tonight and anyone in line by that time will still be allowed to vote.

If you’re craving crawfish, you’ll be pleased to know prices continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The St. Mary Parish Sherriff’s office says a high school student has been arrested and charged with assault in connection to a threat made to a teacher on Snapchat. The suspect is identified as 18-year-old Dravian Morris of Berwick who allegedly threated bodily harm to a local teacher on the social media platform.

The LSU Women’s Basketball team is headed to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2008 following a 66-63 victory over Utah Friday. Angel Reese picked up her 31st double double this season to tie an SEC record with 17 points and 12 rebounds in the game. She says it was a tough game but they were determined…:
CUT 29 (08) “for this team”
The Tigers will play Miami Sunday at 6 with a trip to the Final 4 on the line.

Governor John Bel Edwards warned of severe weather last night, but Louisiana dodged a bullet as the hardest hit area was rural Mississippi where officials there say tornadoes claimed the lives of 23 people and injured dozens more.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the potential risk for severe thunderstorms returns to mainly Central Louisiana on Sunday as a warm front continues to move through the area.

With March Madness in its most exciting days, state officials are urging people to be responsible if you’re going to place a sports bet. Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health Program Manager Robert Henson says with any form of gambling knowing your limits is critical..:
CUT 13 (04) “to spend”
Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources announce more than 100 orphaned well sites in the Monroe and Shreveport areas have been plugged with funding from the federal Infrastructure Law since work began in January. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says another 30-plus wells should be plugged by the end of the month…:
Cut 3 (09) “state funding”
The state Office of Conservation normally plugs 120 to 200 wells a year and there are over four-thousand orphaned well sites in Louisiana.

Parts of Louisiana were bracing for severe weather Friday, but the worst of the storm system hit Mississippi overnight where emergency officials there say a strong tornado killed 23 people, injured dozens and left 4 missing.

Calmer weather is taking over The Bayou State today, but tomorrow is a different story. The National Weather Service says there is potential for severe storms Sunday mainly across central Louisiana.

Today is an Election Day as voters head to the polls for the municipal primaries. 9 Parishes have both local races and local propositions on the ballot. 12 parishes have only local propositions on the ballot.

In Ouachita Parish voters will consider just one thing and that’s a new property tax to pay for the construction and operation of a new facility to house the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.

Today will be a perfect day for a crawfish boil in Louisiana and if you’re planning one get ready to see prices down for the 4th weekend in a row. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says this week prices went down another 25 cents per pound of live mudbugs to $2.77, and you’ll also be pleased if you just want to grab and go…:
CUT 6 (09) “$3.99 a pound”
She says you should have no problem finding a $75 or less sack of crawfish this weekend.

Did you happen to catch Coach Kim Mulkey’s pink feathered blazer in LSU’s 66-63 Sweet Sixteen victory over Utah Friday? She was asked about it after the game…:
CUT 30 (11) “for my home state”
The Tigers advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in 15 years and will play Miami tomorrow at 6.