Governor John Bel Edwards’s proposes allocating $500-million toward building a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but his plan faces pushback from legislative leaders. Senate President Page Cortez says that’s a lot of money to set aside, when environmental impact studies haven’t been done or even a place to put the bridge not selected…:

CUT 03(08)      “…before it gets spent.”’

One plan to build that bridge is a public-private partnership that would make it a toll bridge – at least for a while. The trucking industry doesn’t like that idea. Louisiana Motor Transport Association director Renee Amar says that’ll just drive the overall cost of the project up…:

CUT 07(07)      “…just to break even.”

The most recent estimate for the project is $600-million to $800-million. Amar believes the administration needs to give the Calcasieu I-10 Bridge top priority in the near term.

Lawmen are on the lookout for three of five violent and potentially dangerous juvenile offenders, who escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth last night. All are between 16 and 18. Officers caught up with them in a stolen truck on I-19, but three got away. The search for those three is ongoing.

One of new LSU President William Tate’s priority projects is becoming at leader in cybersecurity. LSU Provost Matt Lee says a strategy of cross-training of students in different disciplines is one way to help that happen. Lee says LSU will strengthen its ROTC program with facility and training upgrades and add new skill development tracks for civilian students as well…:

CUT 10(12)      “…development.”

They also plan to expand faculty and research at the LSU engineering school.

A proposal to use tolls to fund the construction of a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles receives strong opposition from Louisiana truckers…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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.

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…:
Cut 12 (08) “…the week before.”
Morris says, yes, the rate increase will mean buying a home may be a bit harder – especially for first-time buyers

Positioning the state’s flagship university as a leader in cybersecurity is one of LSU President William Tate’s top priorities, and now the university has a strategy in place to make that happen. Provost Matt Lee said that step one is increasing faculty and expanding research in LSU’s highly-respected engineering college.
Cut 9 (12) “…at a university.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’s proposal to allocate 500-million dollars towards building a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge is facing some pushback from legislative leaders. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins of Shreveport is one of them. He’s also concerned about using 550-million dollars in federal pandemic aid to help replenish the Unemployment insurance trust fund.

Cut 5 (06) “…different direction.”

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The state’s trucking industry says they’re not happy with proposals of tolls to build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles. Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association Renee Amar says that while members agree the Calcasieu Bridge is in dire need of replacement, not a single one is in favor of tolls to fund the project.

Cut 6 (12) “…deliver goods”

Amar says not only does a toll bridge place a burden on truckers, but the ultimate cost is passed on to taxpayers.

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A new report says Saints executives and owner Gayle Benson met with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson for a second time on Wednesday night. Nick Underhill of New Orleans-dot-football says the meeting took place in Atlanta following Watson’s visit with the Falcons. Watson is in control, holding a no-trade clause, so the decision on his destination is his to make. ESPN reported that the Browns and Panthers have pulled out of negotiations, leaving the choice between the Saints and their most-hated rival. The 28-year-old QB has four years remaining on his contract and is due to make $35 million in 2022.

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The NCAA men’s tournament tipped off this morning as teams take their first steps on the road to the Final Four that ends at the Ceasar’s Superdome in New Orleans on April 2^nd.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is in Milwaukee today getting ready for tomorrow night’s NCAA Tournament matchup with Iowa State. Interim head coach Kevin Nickelberry says with Will Wade no longer around to lead the team, he’s asked senior Darius Days to step up his leadership skills…

Cut 16 (16) “…this moment.”

Davis was a freshman when the Tigers made a run to the Sweet 16 in 2019.

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Nicholls State’s season came to an end in the first round of the NIT, as the Colonels fell to SMU, 58-68. Devante Carter had 20 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, with Latrell Jones adding 18 points in the losing effort. The Colonels finish the season 21-12.

–Break

It’s been a long time coming, but LSU is once again hosting games in the NCAA women’s tournament after earning a top-16 seed for the first time in 14 years. All season, large crowds came out to support the Tigers, and Coach Kim Mulkey says that with all of the other things happening on and around campus this weekend, she still expects the P-Mac to be packed.

Cut 18 (21) “…just a reward.”

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Games tonight in the women’s NIT…Tulane faces Jacksonville State and Louisiana Tech takes on Houston.

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In college baseball, the U-L Ragin’ Cajuns topped McNeese 10-8 and Tulane knocked off Nicholls 5-3. The Cajuns weren’t as fortunate on the softball diamond, dropping a double-header to Texas. Nicholls lost to South Alabama, and McNeese routed Southern.

The search is on for five juvenile offenders who escaped a detention center in Jefferson Parish. The escape happened at the Bridge City Center for Youth and residents who live in Bridge City. WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge reports the juveniles are serving time for violent offenses.

First responders located an abandoned infant in north Baton Rouge by helicopter yesterday, alive and well in a church parking lot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
On his Ask the Governor Show, Governor Edwards said he hopes Louisiana’s U-S Senators will vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U-S Supreme Court…
cut 10 (11) “….for her”
Edwards says Judge Jackson has support from groups of different political leanings. Confirmation hearings for Jackson begin Monday.

During the governor’s State of the State address, Edwards proposed a 500-million dollar allocation for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Speaker Pro Tem and Houma Representative Tanner Magee says he supports funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge, but he would like to see a plan to secure the rest of the funding so the project is more shovel-ready…
Cut 4 (12) “…the sidelines”

Governor Edwards’s proposal to allocate 500-million dollars towards building a new Mississippi River Bridge is facing some pushback. Senate President Page Cortez says that’s a lot of money to set aside when environmental impact studies have not been done or a corridor for a new bridge has yet to be selected

Cut 3 (08) “…it gets spent.”

DOTD is accepting bids for construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, in Shreveport-Bossier. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says while the new, four-lane bridge will be the connection between Bossier and Caddo parishes, he believes the old bridge could be repurposed into a park linking existing bike and pedestrian trails.

Cut 9 (10)  “…local community.”

Construction is set to begin in early 2023.

A Baton Rouge infant was found safe in a church parking lot Wednesday after most likely spending the night outdoors alone. Baton Rouge Fire Department Spokesperson Curt Monte says the mother visited a firehouse in the area Tuesday night and from there was taken to the hospital. They narrowed a search area from the firehouse to the child’s home.

Cut 15 (11)  “…original area.”

A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. Senator Bill Cassidy says the report is – at this time – just a report. And while it has fairly low occupancy, Cassidy finds the sudden desire to close it (quote) “infuriating”…:

Cut 5 (08) “…he or she lives.”

A baby who went missing in North Baton Rouge has been found alive and with no signs of obvious trauma. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says they believe the eight-month-old spent the entire evening outside alone in a church parking lot and fortunately, weather conditions overnight were mild, otherwise, the outcome could have been much different.

Cut 14 (07)  “…child so.”

The child was spotted via helicopter in the parking lot.

A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. Senator Bill Cassidy who is also a physician, says closing the hospital would be a mistake, but he also cannot help but look at the issue through a doctor’s eyes…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…quality health care.”

The construction of a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, in Shreveport-Bossier, has taken a big step forward. Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson says they are preparing to accept bids on the project.

Cut 7 (12) “…$150 million bridge.”

A contractor should be chosen by late summer, with construction set to begin in early 2023.

The first week of the legislative session concludes today. During his Ask the Governor show, Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s hopeful positive bills, not divisive ones reach his desk..

Cut 12 (12) “…look forward”
The session ends on June sixth.

A federal report recommends closing the veteran’s hospital in Alexandria, and Senator Bill Cassidy says that’s infuriating. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather across the state, starting late this afternoon for north Louisiana and during the overnight hours in south Louisiana. Large hail, damaging winds, and of course lightning are the biggest threats from this latest storm system. The weekend looks really good weather-wise.

After an hours-long search, first responders located an abandoned baby in a field near the Baton Rouge Airport yesterday and miraculously the eight-month-old survived the ordeal with no obvious trauma. Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says EMS received a call yesterday morning from a local hospital that a patient referenced a lost infant so they along with other agencies began searching.
Cut 13 (11) “…BRPD helicopter.”
Authorities suspect the child’s mother is suffering from mental health issues.

The LSU men’s basketball team is in Milwaukee getting ready for its NCAA Tournament game tomorrow against Iowa State. Governor John Bel Edwards says based on the recruiting violations alleged by the NCAA, LSU made the right decision to fire Coach Will Wade…
cut 11 (10) “….so forth’

The state health department is reporting the number of COVID hospitalizations is down to 182. That’s the lowest that number has been since the state began keeping track of COVID hospitalizations two years ago. The Ochsner Health System says the state is reporting a seven-day average of 182 cases a day, also a new low.

First responders located an abandoned infant in north Baton Rouge by helicopter, alive and well in a church parking lot. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state department of transportation says they’ve identified three contractors who can build a new Jimmie Davis Bridge, which connects Caddo and Bossier parishes. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says in order to speed up the process and control costs, DOTD is utilizing the design-build method…
cut 8 (13) “….delivery method”
The 150-million dollar project is fully funded through a combination of federal and state dollars and construction is expected to begin early next year.

The first week of the legislative session concludes today. During his Ask the governor show, Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful positive bills, not divisive ones reach his desk..
cut 12 (12) “…look forward”
The session ends on June sixth.

On his Ask the Governor Show, Governor Edwards said he hopes Louisiana’s U-S Senators will vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U-S Supreme Court…
cut 10 (11) “….for her”
Edwards says Judge Brown is qualified and experienced and has support from groups of different political leanings. Confirmation hearings for Jackson begin Monday.

A report from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs recommends the closure of the Alexandria VA hospital. The report is the result of the 2018 Mission Act, which required an assessment of American vets’ current and future health care needs. Senator Bill Cassidy says the same law also requires a safety net for those the Alexandria VA facility would treat…:
Cut 4 (09) “…their private doctor.”
The senator says the report is – just a report. No action has been taken and, there’s no assurance the VA medical center in Pineville WILL close.

A new Jimmie Davis Bridge in northwest Louisiana has taken another step closer to becoming a reality. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”