A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20 pm.

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of herbicides…

Cut 3 (09) “…fuel markets.”

He says both of those markets follow the price of crude oil and natural gas.

Ville Platte Senator Heather Cloud wants to see a plan of action to address the psychological, physical, and educational needs of juveniles in detention and has asked for one from three separate secretaries. She hopes that with more legislators behind her and the cooperation of Office of Juvenile Justice, there will be one soon.

Cut 8 (10)  “…path moving forward.”

Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. The Republican says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and juveniles should not make such a decision and even science & medical experts are in the process of changing their position on gender reassignment procedures.

Cut 5 (15) “…children under 18.”

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing the Angola Prison Rodeo April 23^rd and 24^th. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick…

Cut 12 (12) “…experienced before”

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at AngolaRodeo.com

State Senator Heather Cloud is demanding changes at the Office of Juvenile Justice. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The LSU men’s basketball team plays tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, it’s their third appearance in the last four years. The Tigers take on Iowa State in Milwaukee at 6:20 and the game will air on TBS and LSU Sports Radio.

With COVID cases in a lull, the Department of Corrections is bringing back visitation; and a beloved Louisiana rodeo…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana now as its own version of the controversial Florida bill called “Don’t Say Gay,” which seeks to prevent school workers from discussing sexual orientation in classrooms. Republican State Representative Dodie (“Doe-Dee”) Horton of Haughton’s measure filed Thursday would also keep teachers from talking about their own sexual orientation to students through grade 12.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20pm.

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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State Senator Heather Cloud is demanding changes at the Office of Juvenile Justice. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

With COVID cases in a lull, the Department of Corrections is bringing back contact visitation and the beloved Angola Prison Rodeo. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

A Grant Parish lawmaker proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. Pollock Republican state Representative Gabe Firment says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and a decision best not left to juveniles to decide. He says his bill is about protecting them…:

Cut 4 (15)  “…serious side effects.”

Firment’s House Bill 570 would prohibit a whole group of medical procedures for anyone under 18, IF the service is part of a gender transition. Firment says there are already numerous cases of young people who had that done and then regretted their decision. He says science & medical experts are in the process of changing their position on gender reassignment procedures…:

Cut 5 (15) “…children under 18.”

Firment says there is little evidence of improved psychiatric outcomes after a person has had transgender surgery, so he thinks Louisiana should take steps to assure that minors don’t make a decision they may regret…:

Cut 6 (07)  “…social media and peer pressure.”

Firment says there are also serious medical risks from these procedures, so these decisions should be left up to adults.

_______________________________________

State Senator Heather Cloud didn’t think that juvenile justice would be her calling in the legislature. But after visiting a detention center in her district and seeing a rise in violence at facilities as well as numerous escapes, she says enough is enough.

Cut 7 (12) “..flaws and gaps.”

Cloud wants to see a plan of action to address the psychological, physical, and educational needs of juveniles and has asked for one from three separate secretaries. She hopes that with more legislators behind her and the cooperation of OJJ, there will be one soon.

Cut 8 (10)  “…path moving forward.”

Funding hasn’t been an issue, according to Cloud, pointing out that OJJ has received regular increases to its budget. She says the department has failed at both rehabilitating young offenders and protecting its employees, and that taxpayers deserve and demand better.

Cut 9 (12)  “…in the wind.”

____________________________________________

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing back contact visitation and they are also set to bring back the Angola Prison Rodeo next month. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick says they are also taking precautions.

Cut 10 (12) “…fully vaccinated.”

You can find out more information about reservations, hours, and requirements for contact visitation at doc.la.gov.

Pastorick says it’s been a long two years of non-contact visitation and they are hopeful COVID cases will continue to decline so family and friends can visit once again in person…

Cut  11 (11)  “…incarcerated.”  

And DOC is also excited to announce the return of the Angola Prison Rodeo, on April 23 and 24^th. Tickets for the event usually sell out and after a two-year hiatus, Pastorick says he wouldn’t put off buying your ticket this year.

Cut 12 (12) “…experienced before”

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at AngolaRodeo.com

____________________________________________

LSU takes to the court tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, its third appearance in the last four years. It will do so without its head coach and with a very young roster. Senior Darius Days has embraced the task of keeping the team together.

Cut 13 (16) “…gonna be alright.”

Days says the Tigers’ formula for success is already there. They just have to get back to doing the things that helped them start the season 15-1.

Cut 14 (16)  “…early in the game.”

LSU will face Iowa State, out of the Big 12. The Cyclones finished 2-22 last season, but are 20-12 this season, and were ranked as high as number 8 in the country. Days says at this point, the opponent doesn’t matter, what the Tigers do is what will decide the outcome.

Cut 15 (16)  “…with the win.”

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The 13th ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight against Texas A-and-M and the status of the Tigers’ top starting pitcher is unknown. Blake Money left last Friday’s game with a wrist injury and yesterday Coach Jay Johnson couldn’t say if he would start tonight or even pitch this weekend

Cut 16 (10)  “…different day.”

If Money can not start tonight, Ty Floyd or Ma’Khail Hilliard would likely make the start. Hilliard won his first game of the season last Sunday when he threw six shutout innings against Bethune-Cookman. Johnson plans to lean on the fifth-year senior during SEC weekends…

Cut 17 (16) “ …our advantage.” 

__________________________________________________

Governor Edwards wants to allocate 500-million dollar for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee says he supports a new bridge but he’d like to see a plan to secure the remaining funding needed, so the project is secure…

Cut 4 (12) “…the sidelines”
The Office of Juvenile Justice reported seven escapes compared to just one for the Department of Corrections in 2021, and there have been multiple so far this year. State Senator Heather Cloud says she’s seeking answers from OJJ on how to remedy the problem and others when it comes to juvenile offenders.

Cut 7 (12) “..flaws and gaps.”

Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment is proposing legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. He says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and a decision juveniles should not make. He says his bill is about protecting them

RIGHT Cut 4 (15)  “…serious side effects.”

The bill prohibits a whole group of medical procedures for anyone under 18, IF the service is part of a gender transition.

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

A proposal to use tolls to fund the construction of a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles receives strong opposition from Louisiana truckers.  Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in Livingston Parish say they’ve nabbed the man they believe assaulted a man on Interstate 12 and stole his vehicle. The victim is being treated for multiple stab wounds. His pickup truck was recovered intact and his alleged attacker is now behind bars.

In an effort to stave off record-high inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised the prime short-term lending rate by ¼ of a percent; meaning higher loan rates for businesses and consumers. Louisiana Realtors Association CEO Norman Morris says standard mortgage rates are now at over 4-percent; their highest since April of 2019. He says that WILL mean buying a home may be a bit harder – especially for first-time buyers – but the real estate industry remains positive for the economy to stabilize…:

CUT 13(11)      “…to fight this inflation.”

Despite the interest rate hike, Morris says real estate is a sellers’ market right now, and prospective buyers will still be motivated to make that big purchase. He says home-buying is still a great way to build personal wealth and one’s credit score.

The actor known to fans as the Falcon in Marvel movies is building a film studio in Eastern New Orleans. Anthony Mackie has bought 20 acres at I-10 and Read Boulevard for the facility to house his East Film LLC.

As the Fed raises interest rates a quarter-point, what effect will that have on Louisiana homebuyers? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

Former Caddo Parish Commissioner Lynn Cawthorne is sentenced to almost four years in prison along with his sister Belena Turner in a scheme to defraud the USDA of funds for a Summer Feeding Service Program. Cawthorne also pled guilty to false tax claims in a separate indictment.

Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association says her members are very opposed to the possibility of the I-10 bridge in Lake Charles being funded by tolls. She believes the administration needs to put the Calcasieu Bridge on the front burner and rethink how they will spend federal infrastructure funds.

Cut 8 (09) “…goods to us.” 

The most recent estimate for the project is $600 to $800 million.

LSU wants to set itself apart by becoming a leader in cybersecurity. Provost Matt Lee says the university is ready for the challenge and believes business and industry leaders will flock to graduates of this unique combination of cyber security and defense studies.

Cut 11 (09)  “…academic endeavors.”  

This is uncharted territory for LSU, as there isn’t another program like this in the country.