Governor Edwards urges Medicaid recipients to check their eligibility status to avoid losing coverage in a public service announcement released earlier today. Eligibility reviews are usually done yearly but were paused due to the pandemic. Edwards says this is an important and critical process for many Louisianans.

Cut 9 (11) “…their coverage.”

It will cost the state close to $196 million to conduct outreach for eligibility reviews.

Among the legislation filed for the upcoming session is one to bestow the designation of the official state nut to the pecan. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is sponsoring the bill and he says since Louisiana sports one of the largest crops of pecans in the south and Louisianans love them and it’s time to make it official.

Cut 5 (10) “…produce them”

The average price for a pound of crawfish dropped 15-cents so you’re looking at an average of $2.64 a pound for live mudbugs, 70 to $80 a sack. And if you’re hankering for some crawfish this weekend and aren’t in the mood to boil them yourself, Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says you’ll pay about $4.00 a pound at your favorite restaurant.

Cut 8 (08)  “…can expect.” 

As we approach Easter, she’s predicting a quarter-per-pound increase.

And you might want to pick up a strawberry biscuit this weekend too. For a limited time, Popeyes has added the treat to their dessert menu. It’s their signature biscuit with reportedly the right balance of salty and sweet with strawberry bits baked in and creamy icing on top. The strawberry biscuits are available nationwide but again for a limited time.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed some nutty legislation for the upcoming session. Because Louisiana harvests an average of 17.7 million pounds of pecans annually and ranks top five among pecan-producing states he wants it to be honored as the state nut.

Cut 4 (11)  “…that designation” 

And another favorite delicacy in the Bayou State is crawfish. This weekend expect to pay an average of $2.64 a pound for live mudbugs or about four dollars for boiled. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says even though there’s been a consistent drop in prices weekly that’s about to change as we approach Easter.

Cut 7 (10)  “…quarter a pound.” 

The LSU women’s basketball team will appear in its 6th Final Four tonight and its first since 2008 when it faces Virginia Tech in Dallas. The Lady Tigers are seeking their first National championship. Senior Alexis Morris says the team that’s the toughest mentally will advance to Sunday’s championship game…

Cut 17 (13) “…these moments.” 

Tip-off tonight is at 6 o’clock.

And it was a memorable baseball game at the Box last night with 13-thousand fans witnessing the Tigers pull off a five-to-two victory over ninth-ranked Tennessee. Game two of the series is also at 6 tonight.

A 19-year-old student at Southwood High School is facing charges after a school resource officer allegedly found a fully loaded gun in his backpack. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Officer Calvin Williams confronted Caleb Morris after he allegedly threatened to kill a coach at the school…

Cut 12 (08)  “…being shot.”
Morris faces several charges including terrorizing and possession of a weapon in a gun free zone.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation some nutty legislation he wants – the pecan to be the official state nut. In a quest to identify the state nut Harris realized there wasn’t one and a constituent requested he propose one.

Cut 3 (12) “…state nut”

The legislative session begins on April 10th.

Congressman Steve Scalise’s comprehensive energy bill that would bolster oil and gas production in the United States received approval from the U-S House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’re looking for the best price for crawfish this weekend, according to the Crawfish App you can expect to pay $2.64 a pound or $70 to $80 a sack for live mudbugs and $4.83 a pound for boiled crawfish. Prices are down an average of 15-cents this weekend.

During his first seven years in office, Governor John Bel Edwards did not provide a strong opinion on the death penalty. But in an interview on KNOE-TV in Monroe, Edwards said his Catholic beliefs and pro-life stance are reasons why he opposes capital punishment…
cut 8 (10) “….death penalty”
There is a bill filed for the upcoming regular session to end the death penalty in Louisiana.

Senator John Kennedy says in an effort to combat crime in New Orleans police officers in that city should have the ability to stop and frisk potential crime suspects. Kennedy says it’s an effective and legal crime fighting tool…
Cut 14 (12) “…Supreme Court.”
But WWL-TV in New Orleans reports the NOPD already conducts these stops, they call them “Terry Stops”

The actions of a Southwood High school resource officer prevented a possible school shooting in Caddo Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to new U-S Census Bureau data, Louisiana has four parishes ranked in the top ten for largest declines in population among counties in the United States. Saint John’s population declined five percent from 2021 to 2022, Terrebonne lost four-percent of its population, while Plaquemines and St. Charles lost three percent. Hurricane Ida could be a factor.

The controversial legislation to end capital punishment received public approval from Governor John Bel Edwards. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU Tigers women’s basketball team will play in its 6^th final four and first since 2008 today against Virginia Tech in Dallas. The Tigers will be in a search of their first National Championship with second-season Coach Kim Mulkey. In order to reach the National Championship, LSU will need to go through Virginia Tech who is the No. 1 seed from the Seattle 3 region.

Good news for energy consumers. The U-S House approved Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s ‘Lower Energy Costs Act’. The bill restores the country’s energy independence and lower energy costs for families. Scalise says the legislation will reverse what he calls the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies.

Cut 5 (12) “…from China”

The GOP Energy Bill passed on a 225-204 vote. 

A 19-year-old student in Caddo Parish was arrested for threatening to kill a coach yesterday. Sheriff Steve Prator says a Southwood High School coach told Caleb Morris to stop vaping, Morris responded with a death threat and left the gym. A school resource officer stopped Morris as he walked back toward the school.

Cut 11 (04)  “…in his backpack.”

Prator says once the investigation is complete, the District Attorney’s office will take over.

Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly come out against the death penalty – after remaining neutral on the controversial issue during his tenure. Edwards told KNOE TV in Monroe he is concerned about executing an innocent person.
Cut 7 (07) “…actual executions.”
There is a bill filed by Marrero Representative Kyle Green that would end the death penalty in Louisiana. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t expect the governor’s support of the legislation will lead to legislative passage…..
cut 9 (06) “….both chambers”
The state has carried out only one execution since 2010.

A record crowd of 13-thousand fans at Alex Box Stadium saw top ranked LSU beat ninth ranked Tennessee five to two last night. The same two teams tonight at 6 PM.

A 19-year-old student at Southwood High School is facing charges after a school resource officer allegedly found a fully loaded gun in his backpack. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Officer Calvin Williams confronted Caleb Morris after he allegedly threatened to kill a coach at the school…
cut 12 (08) “…being shot”
Morris faces several charges including terrorizing and possession of a weapon in a gun free zone.

Benjamin Riggs is the new executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, which pushes for pro consumer insurance related legislation at the state capitol. There’s a bill that will be heard in the next few weeks that would prohibit the use of gender when factoring auto insurance rates. Riggs supports the proposal…
cut 21 (12) “…gender’
According to Zebra-dot-com, Louisiana is one of 25 states where women on average pay a higher annual car insurance premium than men.

On a 225-204 vote the U-S House approved House Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s Lower Energy Costs Act which he says will increase oil and gas production in the United States, instead of begging other countries to produce more oil…
cut 6 (10) “….in America”
But Democrats oppose the legislation, they call it the polluters over people act. The legislation is not expected to pass the Democratic controlled Senate.

Senator John Kennedy spent 30 minutes this week on the Senate floor discussing New Orleans crime problem and calling on the N-O-P-D to institute a stop and frisk policy. He says many other police departments use it…
cut 15 (09) “…will help”
Opponents to stop and frisk say it leads to racial profiling.

Governor Edwards is voicing his opposition to the death penalty over concerns of executing a person that may actually be innocent and because of his Catholic beliefs. There is a bill in the upcoming legislative session to end the death penalty, but ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says with a new governor coming in next year, conservative lawmakers would rather pass this issue on to the next governor…
cut 10 (07) “….new governor”

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says a school resource officer at Southwood High School arrested a 19-year-old student after a fully loaded gun was found in his backpack…
cut 13 (09) “…follow-up investigation”
Prator says the officer searched the student’s backpack after he threatened to kill a coach who told him to stop vaping in the school.

The U-S House has approved Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s energy bill. Scalise says the Lower Energy Costs Act will increase American oil and gas production and lower energy costs for families…
Cut 4 (06) “…household electricity.”
The GOP Energy Bill passed on a 225-204 vote. The bill is not expected to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House prefers legislation that supports green energy initiatives.

A Caddo Parish school resource officer is credited with thwarting a school shooting after a 19-year-old threatened to kill a coach. Sheriff Steve Prator says when Southwood High student Caleb Morris was told to stop vaping Thursday morning, he responded with a death threat as he left the gym. A school resource officer was called and stopped Morris as he walked back toward the school.
Cut 11 (04) “…in his backpack.”
Morris faces several charges including Terrorizing and Possession of a Weapon in a Gun Free Zone charges.

Senator John Kennedy says in an effort to combat crime in New Orleans police officers in that city should have the ability to stop and frisk potential crime suspects. It’s a policy not allowed in New Orleans, but Kennedy says it’s an effective and legal crime fighting tool…
Cut 14 (12) “…Supreme Court.”
During a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy said there were 280 murders in New Orleans last year, the highest murder rate in the country and twice the murder rate of Atlanta.

Minden Police make two arrests from this past weekend’s mass shooting that was gang-related. Teiko Foxx has the latest.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

And in Caddo Parish today, a 19-year-old student at Southwood High School was arrested after a school resource officer found a fully loaded gun in his backpack. Sheriff Steve Prator says Officer Calvin Williams confronted Caleb Morris after he allegedly threatened to kill a coach at the school.

State Police has arrested the driver of a log truck that slammed into a state department of transportation vehicle in DeSoto Parish killing a DOTD worker. Trooper Jonathan Odom says 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florien was not attentive behind the wheel
Cut 12 (09) “…DeSoto Parish Jail”
35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles died at the scene.

With the state legislature going to work in just over a week, a non-profit insurance watchdog group shares its hopes to see substantive help for consumers, rather than bills to make a more business-friendly environment for insurance companies. Ben Riggs is the new director of Real Reform Louisiana…
Cut 9 (11) “…and small businesses.”
Riggs says Real Reform Louisiana wants to see legislation that increases competition in the insurance market.

Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer have been arrested so far and more are anticipated.

Addiction specialists are praising the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter Narcan to help with the ongoing opioid crisis. Director of Addiction Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Lee Michals is hopeful with Narcan more widely available the number of overdose deaths will decrease.

Cut 6 (11)  “…when it’s needed.” 

Further efforts to make home and auto insurance more affordable for Louisiana consumers will be before the state legislature when they convene April 10th. Kevin Gallagher reports a watchdog group hopes they’ll make real, substantial change…:

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

Four Louisiana parishes are ranked in the top 10 in the US for population loss in 2022. St. John the Baptist ranked in second place, Terrebonne in third, and Plaquemines in fourth place. St. Charles Parish is in the 8^th spot. Hurricane Ida, which struck south Louisiana in August of 2021 impacted the four ranked parishes.