It’s the end of a great era for Saints fans, as their beloved quarterback, Drew Brees, has announced his retirement at 42-years-old. During 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees led the Saints to nine playoff appearances, seven division titles, including the last four, and a Super Bowl Championship in 2010. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Brees’ relationship with Coach Sean Payton helped produce a winning atmosphere…
cut 14 (10) “….get involved”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is among a group of Republican U-S House members who are in Texas today to assess the increase of unauthorized crossing attempts from Mexico. Higgins says what was a manageable situation during the Trump administration has turned into a crisis
Cut 10 (10) “…illegal crossings” (2x)

As COVID hospitalizations continue to decline in Louisiana and vaccinations on the rise, state health officials are hopeful the pandemic is making a positive turn. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana’s public schools are set to receive two-point-six billion dollars from the COVID-19 relief bill approved by Congress last week. State education leaders are still trying to figure out how to spend the one-point-two billion dollars it received in December from another federal aid package.

You knew the Drew Brees retirement announcement was coming you just didn’t know when. The 42-year-old decided to make the announcement on the 15-year anniversary of him signing with the Black and Gold. During that 15 year run, Brees set numerous NFL records and led the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says to think it almost never happened…
cut 15 (10) “…ever play”
Brees might also go down as the greatest free-agent signing in NFL history considering everything he did for the Saints franchise and the New Orleans area.

The number of COVID patients in the hospital fell again yesterday to 457. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s an encouraging sign…
cut 7 (11) “…working”

As we enter spring and more people are being vaccinated, they are also taking to the roads, and prices at the pump are on the rise. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

According to Gas Buddy-dot-com, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.54, a 60-cent increase since the beginning of the year.

Governor Edwards declares tomorrow a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Louisianans who died from COVID-19 as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the state’s first confirmed coronavirus-related death. Over nine-thousand flags have been placed on the front lawn of the State Capitol. Communications director for the governor’s office, Shauna Sanford says each flag represents a Louisiana life lost due to COVID-19.
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The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 9,861.

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital is below 500 for the first time since the early days of the pandemic. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the continuing decline in hospitalizations is proof that vaccines work.
Cut 7 (11) “…working.”

LSU is facing calls for additional punishments for those involved in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Don Molino has more…
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Don Molino”

The LSU Tigers won their first SEC Tournament basketball game since 2016 last night by beating Ole Miss 76-73. Trendon Watford led the way with 24 points. The Tigers face Arkansas in the semi-finals at around 2:30. And If Nicholls beats Abilene Christian tonight, the Colonels will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tourney.

The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the 77-year-old caretaker that authorities say was killed by her special needs client. 77-year-old Barbara Bridges of Harvey was found dead in a Terrytown home yesterday morning. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the special needs woman is non-verbal and he believes a fight led to Bridges’ death…
cut 13 (10) “…why”
The suspect is being held in the psychiatric ward at University Medical Center in New Orleans.

It was eight days ago today the Husch Blackwell report came out, which detailed how LSU has mishandled sexual misconduct cases. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says they are implementing the report’s 18 recommendations, which includes beefing up the Title Nine Office…
cut 4 (11) “…our size”

Today is the last day for early voting as two special Congressional elections need to be decided. In the predominantly New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District, JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon predicts a runoff between Democratic state lawmakers Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson, or social justice advocate Gary Chambers or possibly…
Cut 10 (09) “…party.”
There’s also the fifth district congressional race. Election day is next Saturday.

There were two more boating fatalities in the past couple of weeks bringing the total to seven before we hit the spring and summer boating season. At this time last year, the state reported only two boating fatalities. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Lieutenant Dean Aucoin says boaters need to be aware of their surroundings.
Cut 6 (12) “..everybody else safe”
Aucoin is also asking boaters to please wear a life jacket.

Early voting for the March 20th election for two Louisiana congressional seats in the 2nd and 5th districts ends today. Taylor Sharp has a look at how the races are shaping up…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

President Biden wants COVID vaccine eligibility expanded to all adults by May. A spokesperson for Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s possible Louisiana will exceed that goal as long as the state continues to get the number of doses promised by the federal government.

LSU heard a lot of criticism this week from sexual assault victims, students, and state lawmakers that the Husch Blackwell report didn’t lead to firings within the athletic department for its mishandling sexual abuse cases. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan suspended two high-ranking athletic department officials and will continue to listen to what others have to say…
cut 5 (12) “…this situation”
Galligan says LSU is working to implement the 18 recommendations found in the Husch Blackwell report.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries says seven people have died this year in boating fatalities. At this time last year, there were only two. Lieutenant Dean Aucoin is asking boaters to wear a life jacket…
cut 7 (11) “…concerning to us”

LSU is facing calls for additional punishments for those involved in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Don Molino”  

On Friday, the state department of health reported COVID hospitalizations under 500. Another milestone for a week that is the one-year anniversary of the first reported case and death from the pandemic in Louisiana. More people in the state have now completed their vaccinations than the number of reported positive cases in the state since the pandemic began.

Early voting ends Saturday for the two special congressional races for the second and fifth districts. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says the second district race is likely headed to a run-off, but the fifth district could be won outright when the election is held on March 20th. He says Republican Julia Letlow is the favorite…

cut 11 (09) “…before”
Early voting will end Saturday at 6 PM.

The weather looks great for boating this weekend. Lieutenant Dean Aucoin, with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Department, says before going on the water, make sure your safety equipment is in good shape…
cut 8 (10) “…everybody on board”
There is a marginal risk for severe weather in northeast Louisiana on Sunday.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide of a 77-year old caretaker and the suspect is the special needs woman she cared for. Sheriff Joseph Lopinto says the incident happened around 10 a.m Friday at a home in Terrytown.
Cut 12 (10) “ …sitter”

Lopinto says the suspect, who is nonverbal, has been taken to a psychiatric ward.

Saturday is the last day for early voting and in the predominantly New Orleans Democratic-based 2^nd Congressional District, JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon predicts a runoff for Troy Carter and most likely Karen Carter Peterson, or possibly with Gary Chambers or…

Cut 10 (09) “…party.” 

There’s also a Congressional race in the 5^th district, election day is March 20^th.

It was a week ago that the Husch Blackwell report on LSU’s mishandlings of sexual assault cases was released.  During a legislative hearing this week attended by victims and students, state lawmakers were furious the report didn’t result in any firings. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan says he welcomes their scrutiny.

Cut 5  (12)  “…this situation” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and fisheries is urging boaters to practice safe boating after already seeing seven boating fatalities in 2021.  At this time in last year, we only saw two boating fatalities.  Lieutenant Dean Aucoin says boaters need to be aware of their surroundings.

Cut 6 (12) “..everybody else safe”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide of a 77-year-old caretaker and the suspect is the 32-year old special needs woman she cared for. Sheriff Joseph Lopinto says it happened around 10 this morning in Terrytown and the suspect, who is nonverbal, has been taken to a psychiatric ward.

Cut 13 (10)“…why.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and fisheries is urging boaters to practice safe boating after already seeing seven boating fatalities in 2021.  Lieutenant Dean Aucoin says anyone 16 years of age or under must wear an approved life jacket, and it could have made a difference in the number of fatalities so far this year.

Cut 7 (11) “…concerning to us”

Baton Rouge TV stations are reporting a State Trooper Jacob Brown has resigned from L-S-P. Brown is accused of beating a Monroe man during an arrest in 2019. Brown was charged in December with second-degree battery and malfeasance in office.

Early voting for the March 20^th elections for two congressional seats in the 2nd and 5th districts ends Saturday and projected turnout is 15 to 20 percent. Taylor Sharp has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

LSU is facing calls for additional punishments for those involved in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Don Molino has more…
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Don Molino”

Baton Rouge TV stations are reporting a State Trooper accused of beating a Monroe man during an arrest in 2019 has resigned from the L-S-P. Jacob Brown was charged in December with second-degree battery and malfeasance in office. Aaron Bowman says he was hit with a flashlight every time he spoke during the alleged attack following a traffic stop.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto says a special needs woman allegedly killed her 77-year-old caretaker at a home in Terrytown today. Investigators believe the two women had an argument which then led to a physical altercation. Lopinto says they believe the cause of death is blunt force trauma…
cut 14 (08) “….happened’
Lopinto says a family member of the suspect discovered the body.

Saturday is the last day for early voting for the March 20th election that includes the special congressional elections for the 2nd and 5th districts. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon projects a turnout of 15-20-percent but he’s observed an increase in the percentage of mail-in ballots
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15 candidates are seeking to replace Cedric Richmond in the 2nd district and eleven candidates are seeking to represent the fifth district, which covers northeast and central Louisiana and parts of the Florida parishes.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide of a 77-year old caretaker and the suspect is the special needs woman she cared for. Sheriff Joseph Lopinto says the incident happened around 10 a.m at a home in Terrytown.
Cut 12 (10) “ …sitter”
Lopinto says the suspect, who is nonverbal, has been taken to a psychiatric ward.

Early voting ends tomorrow for the two special congressional races for the second and fifth districts. Pollster John Couvillon says the second district race is likely headed to a run-off, but the fifth district could be won outright when the election is held on March 20th. He says Republican Julia Letlow is the prohibitive favorite…
cut 11 (09) “…before”
Early voting will end tomorrow at 6 PM.

It was a week ago today that the Husch Blackwell report came out, which detailed how LSU has mishandled previous sexual misconduct cases. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan said today that they are implementing the 18 recommendations found in the report, which includes beefing up the Title Nine Office…
cut 4 (11) “…our size”
Galligan says they’ve already started streamlining the investigative process after a sexual misconduct claim is reported.

The weather looks great for boating this weekend. Lieutenant Dean Aucoin, with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Department, says before going on the water, make sure your safety equipment is in good shape…
cut 8 (10) “…everybody on board”
There is a marginal risk for severe weather in northeast Louisiana on Sunday.