Twenty-one individuals from around the country have applied to become Louisiana’s next education superintendent. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

31-year-old Mandy Rochelle was arrested after allegedly torching a home she was renting, while her three children were still inside. Investigators say Rochelle had just had an argument with her estranged husband prior to the arson, but that the husband was not currently at the home at the time of the fire. She was booked into the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail. Her three children are 12, 9, and six.

Louisiana Democrats are set to vote April 4^th for their choice in the Democratic presidential primary, but LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow says recent developments in the primary indicate the race will likely no longer be competitive by the time you go to cast a ballot. Sadow says today is Super Tuesday, and a likely insurmountable lead of delegates are likely to go to Senator Bernie Sanders.

Cut 14 (07) “…nomination.”

Former VP Joe Biden, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg remain as the only other contenders in the race.

Farmers of soybeans and other crops beware, the LSU Ag Center predicts a larger than usual stinkbug menace for the upcoming season thanks to an unusually mild winter. LSU Entomologist Doctor Sebe Brown says it takes temperatures below 20-degrees to kill off the redbanded stink bug which is from South America.

Cut 3 (09)  “…this year”  

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick thinks so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

In an Ascension Parish courtroom today, a Dutchtown High School Teacher pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent behavior with juveniles. Thirty-two-year-old Mark Ebarb is accused of sending inappropriate messages and photographs to underage students. He’s a former Ascension Parish teacher of the year.

Today is Super Tuesday as voters in 14 states go to the polls to select who they want on the ballot in November for president. Louisiana usually holds its primary the weekend after Super Tuesday, LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says they could not do that for this election cycle…
cut 13 (09) “…essentially”
Sadow says for the other items on the ballot, any run-offs would have to take place Easter weekend, if the primary election was this Saturday.

Twenty-one people have applied to be the state’s next education superintendent. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he’s surprised to see that many people interested in replacing John White as the state’s public schools’ leader…
cut 11 (07) “…outside of the state”
BESE will meet next month to vote on a new superintendent.

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick files a Senate bill that would allow compensation in Louisiana. The topic of financial benefit for students is a nationwide issue, with thirty other states filing legislation making the push for compensation. Connick says the legislation is vital for Louisiana schools to remain competitive.

Cut 7 (12) “…of their future.”

NCAA rules currently restrict students from making any money.

It’s Super Tuesday and an LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor says recent developments in the Democratic primary indicate it’s likely the race will not be competitive by the time Louisianans vote on April 4^th. Jeff Sadow says the consolidation of candidates and the massive share of delegates up for grabs today means the race may be functionally over either by tomorrow or in the coming weeks.

Cut 12 (06) “…Louisiana.”

Twenty-one people have applied to be the state’s next education superintendent. Jefferson Parish school superintendent Cade Brumley and Central Louisiana Technical Community College Vice-Chancellor Heather Poole are among the local candidates. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says there’s also several out of state candidates as well

Cut 9 (08) “…good candidates″

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education plans to meet in April to pick a successor to John White, who is stepping down next week.

LSU Ag Center researchers are warning farmers that stink bug numbers will be high this year because of a series of mild winters. LSU Entomologist Doctor Sebe Brown says stink bugs are able to survive a mild Louisiana winter by living under clover and weeds…

Cut 5 (09)  “…they go.”

Stink bugs are capable of destroying soybean fields and other crops.

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick files a Senate bill that would allow compensation in Louisiana. Connick says one potential revenue stream is off merchandise sales.

Cut 6 (10) “…university is getting.”

The topic of financial benefit for students is a nationwide issue, with thirty other states filing legislation making the push for compensation.  NCAA rules currently restrict students from making any money.

LSU Ag Center researchers are warning farmers that stink bug numbers will be high this year because of a series of mild winters. Stink bugs are capable of destroying soybean fields and other crops. LSU Entomologist Doctor Sebe Brown says early season control is vital…

Cut 4 (10) “…of damage”

A Franklinton Senator brings legislation that would bar trans women from playing women’s sports at Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Governor Edwards backs an effort by a New Orleans Senator to raise the minimum wage to ten dollars and hour by summer of 2021. It’s an increase from his previous support for legislation that would only raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour. Edwards says Louisiana cannot continue to keep falling behind.

Cut 7 (09) “…on that”

Edwards made raising the minimum wage a pillar of his 2015 election, and 2019 reelection efforts.

LSU Ag Center researchers are warning farmers that stink bug numbers will be high this year because of a series of mild winters. LSU Entomologist Doctor Sebe Brown says it takes temperatures below 20-degrees to kill off the redbanded stink bug which is from South America

Cut 3 (09)  “…this year”  

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would ban transgender girls from playing on organized female sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there are cases where transgender girls are outperforming biological females…

cut 14 (08) “…against that”

Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack says women’s equality organizations have signed an open letter denouncing the legislation.

53-year-old Phillip Dewoody of Opelousas was arrested in connection with the disappearance and discovery of the body of a missing deaf and mute woman from Ville Platte. Search teams found the body of Joyce Thomas along I-49 between Sunset and Opelousas. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says he is unsure of a previous connection between the victim and the suspect, adding the woman had been reported missing on February 26^th.

Cut 11 (07) “…a remote wooded area.”

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack says women’s equality organizations have signed an open letter denouncing the legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s supporting a series of bills by Alexandria Senator Jay Leneau that would prohibit insurance companies from determining rates based on factors like credit score, gender, marital status and whether you served overseas….
cut 9 (10) “….to do”
Republicans say tort reform is needed to lower auto insurance rates.

Today is Super Tuesday, but Louisiana’s Presidential Primary is not until April 4th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says early voting will begin March 21st and run through March 28th…
cut 5 (06) “…6 PM”
Ardoin says to vote in the Democratic or Republican Presidential Primary you must be registered with one of the parties. The deadline to register online is March 14th and in person at your local registrar of voters’ office by tomorrow.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody is expected to be charged in murder for the death of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte. The 72-year-old’s body was found Monday along Interstate-49. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a surveillance photo from her apartment complex shows that Dewoody was the last person with her…
cut 10 (11) “…was his photo”
Dewoody is also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge from a separate case and the Department of Corrections records show he was paroled in June.

Deadlines to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary in Louisiana are fast approaching. Brooke Thorington spoke with Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Caddo Parish authorities are investigating a fatal-deputy involved shooting that happened yesterday afternoon in Keithville. Sheriff Steve Prator believes the incident may have been suicide by cop.

Hundreds of bills have been filed ahead of the start of the 2020 regular session one of the measures is called the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It would prohibit trans gender girls from playing in female sports. Louisiana Trans Advocate President Dylan Waguespack calls the measure discriminatory…
cut 16 (11) “…can’t
But Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says women’s sports should only be for biological females.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody’s criminal charges are expected to be upgraded today now that 72-year-old Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte’s body was found Monday along a stretch of I-49. DeWoody was arrested Friday and authorities believe he’s responsible for Thomas’s death. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says DeWoody has been in prison before…
cut 12 (10) “…with his background”
Department of Corrections records show DeWoody was paroled in June. He had been in prison on armed robbery and prison escape convictions.

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack opposes the bill and says a similar ban already exists at the high school level, but this would target all Louisiana trans students.
Cut 15 (12) “…with”
The regular session begins Monday and this could be one of the hot button issues of the session.

Governor Edwards will once again push the state legislature to raise the minimum wage. Edwards also supports a bill by Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter that would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their salaries with co-workers. He also wants to see laws passed to reduce the pay gap between men and women
cut 8 (09) “…employer”
Similar bills have failed to pass in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Today is Super Tuesday and if you want to vote in the April 4th Louisiana Presidential Primary, you need to be registered Democrat or Republican. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin…
cut 6 (11) “….for Republicans”
Ardoin says the deadline to register in person is tomorrow, but you have until March 14th to register online at geaux-vote-dot-com.

Governor Edwards names his three non-budgetary legislative priorities for the year. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would ban transgender girls from playing on organized female sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there are cases where transgender girls are outperforming biological females…
cut 14 (08) “…against that”

Voter registration deadlines for the April 4th Presidential primary are fast approaching. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary and only Republicans in the GOP Primary. Ardoin says the deadline for in person or by mail registration for the primary is tomorrow and…
Cut 4 (09)_ “…registration.”
Early voting begins March 21st.

The search for a missing deaf and mute elderly Ville Platte woman has had a sad conclusion.
cut 11 (07) “…remoted”
The 72-year-old’s body was along a stretch of Interstate 49 between Sunset and Opelousas. She had been missing since Wednesday. 53-year-old Phillip DeWoody of Opelousas was arrested Friday on kidnapping charges and authorities are expected to now charge him with murder.

Governor Edwards will once again push to raise Louisiana’s minimum wage in the upcoming legislative session. During an appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Edwards announced his support to New Orleans Senator Troy Carter’s bill that would lift the minimum wage from 7.25 to nine dollars an hour by January 2021 and ten dollars an hour by July 2021.
Cut 7 (09) “…on that”
The proposal faces strong opposition from business organizations.

Criminal charges will soon be upgraded for 53-year-old Phillip Dewoody, who is in custody in connection with the disappearance of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte. The 72-year-old’s body was found Monday along Interstate-49. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a surveillance photo from her apartment complex shows that Dewoody was the last person with her…
cut 10 (11) “…was his photo”
Dewoody is also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge from a separate case.

Legislation has been filed in the House and Senate that would bar trans women from playing women’s sports at Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”