LSU announces Bo Pelini is back as defensive coordinator. Pelini was the D-C for the Tigers for three seasons and helped LSU win a national title in 2007. LSU was 34-6 during Pelini’s three seasons in Baton Rouge.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s death in a California helicopter crash is a difficult blow for many people who loved watching Bryant play basketball. Pelicans players and coaches reflect on the Black Mamba’s legacy…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Lawmakers have begun to file bills for the 2020 regular session that starts in March and there are two pieces of legislation that attempt to tackle the state’s sky-high auto insurance rates. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has authored a bill that allows the civil court system to take into account whether the plaintiff was wearing a seat belt…
cut 14 (10) “….legislature this year”
Hewitt is hopeful her legislation can pass out of a House chamber that’s nearly two-thirds Republican.

Two people from Kaplan, 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, died this morning in a head-on crash on Highway 14 in Vermilion Parish. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says Mitchell crossed the center lines while trying to negotiate a curve
Cut 6 (10) “…the crash”
Broussard, who graduated last year, was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School.

The country is mourning the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash. Despite the terrible news, the Pelicans played and defeated the Celtics yesterday. Afterward, rookie Zion Williamson reflected on Kobe’s legacy…
Cut 3 (11) “…tough man”

Two people are dead as a result of a drag race that happened on a Baton Rouge street. Sergeant Don Coppola says the two cars bumped each other, sending them off the roadway, killing a bicyclist and one of the drivers. Coppola says the driver who survived, 57-year-old Lattimore Brock of Baton Rouge faces multiple charges…
cut 10 (06) “….reckless driving”
The bicyclist who died has been identified as 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette.

Louisiana has some of the highest insurance rates in the nation and Republican lawmakers say they want to do something about it. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has filed legislation for the session that begins in March that would allow the court system to consider whether a plaintiff was wearing a seatbelt when determining damages. Hewitt says there is hope this bill could result in lower claims and lower settlements with insurance companies.
Cut 13 (09) “…by the consumers.”
This is third straight year Hewitt has filed this bill.

Two people not wearing a seatbelt were killed in a head-on crash in Vermilion Parish this morning on Highway 14. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell drifted into the other lane on the curvy highway…
cut 8 (09) “…pending”
Mithcell died and the other driver was pronounced dead too, 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, a former star running back at Vermilion Catholic.

The Pelicans may have scored a big win over the Celtics yesterday but the specter of NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s sudden death hung over the contest. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says it was tough for the team to prepare mentally for the game, and even after blowing out one of the best teams in the league, it was hard to really enjoy it.

Cut 5 (08) “…life.”

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash yesterday.

An alleged drag race in Baton Rouge kills two, one of the victims being a nearby bicyclist. 56-year-old Christopher Brock of Baker, one of the alleged racers, died at the scene. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says Twenty-four-year-old Deondrick Rudd of Jeanerette is the bicyclist who also died at the scene…

Cut 11 (10) “…unfortunate situation.”

A bill pre-filed by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt aims to reduce auto insurance premiums by disclosing if someone injured in a car crash was wearing a seatbelt.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard died this morning in a head-on crash in Kaplan. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says investigating troopers say the victims were not buckled up…

Cut 7 (08) “…get the message.”

Broussard was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School and graduated in 2019.

Juries may soon get to know if someone injured in a car crash was wearing a seatbelt, something not allowed under current law.  Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has pre-filed a bill for the change and says the juries should be aware if someone is negligent in mitigating damages from not being properly restrained.
Cut 12 (10) “…wearing your seatbelt.”
Hewitt says there is hope this bill could result in lower claims and lower settlements with insurance companies, with that savings being passed along to consumers.
Two people from Kaplan, 29-year-old Kiristan Mitchell and 18-year-old Kalix Broussard, died this morning in a head-on crash on Highway 14 in Vermilion Parish. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says Mitchell crossed the center lines while trying to negotiate a curve
Cut 6 (10) “…the crash”
Broussard, who graduated last year, was a star running back at Vermilion Catholic High School.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others died in a helicopter crash yesterday. Pelicans players and coaches look back at the Black Mamba’s legacy…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Starting today you can submit your 2019 state and federal tax returns. Federal taxes are due April 15th, state taxes are due May 15th. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber says his number one tip for filers every year is organizing your tax information either for yourself or your preparer.
Cut 7 (11) “…returns”
Schreiber says unlike last year, there are no major changes with this year’s forms.

Several members of the Pelicans organization are taking the sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant hard. Brandon Ingram is a former member of the Lakers and was given Bryant’s locker as the heir apparent to the scoring machine’s legacy and was visibly upset after last night’s game…
cut 4 (10) “…around”
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter are among the nine dead from a helicopter crash in California.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study which explores how early life nutrition and nutrients impact the brain and cognitive development. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a man who died after he stabbed by his wife. Deputies say Renada Celestin stabbed Eric Darnell Celesting in the upper right chest. Eric died from his injuries, while Renada was questioned and released pending the location of additional witnesses. The investigation is ongoing.

The country is mourning the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash. Despite the terrible news, the Pelicans played and defeated the Celtics yesterday. Afterward, rookie Zion Williamson reflected on Kobe’s legacy…
Cut 3 (11) “…tough man”
Both the Celtics and Pelicans began the game with 24-second shot clock violations in honor of Kobe, who wore 24.

Two people are dead after a drag racing accident in Baton Rouge on Saturday. One of the victims was an innocent bystander riding his bike from Jeanerette. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says one of the car’s racing lost control and struck the other…
cut 9 (11) “…vehicle”
The surviving driver, 57-year-old Lattimore Brock of Baton Rouge faces numerous charges.

Today you can start filing your 2019 federal and state tax returns. Jeff Palermo spoke with a CPA for some tips…
cut 2 (30) “…Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the latest job numbers show seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by nine thousand jobs from December 2018 to December 2019. L-W-C chief economist Ali Bustamante says manufacturing and leisure and hospitality are the two employment sectors doing the best…
cut 12 (07) “…growth throughout”

Americans United for Life names Louisiana the most pro-life state in the nation. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There are many today trying to cope with the sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. He was one of nine killed in a helicopter crash in California. LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow said on Twitter that he modeled his mentality after Bryant. Former LSU star Shaquille O Neal said there are no words to express the pain he’s going through.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is looking for new moms to help with a study they are conducting to explore how early life nutrition and specific nutrients impact brain and cognitive development in the first two years of a baby’s life. Director of biomedical imaging Owen Carmichael says mothers who participate will feed their baby one of two infant formulas and then MRI pictures of the child’s brain will be taken while they sleep…
cut 6 (12) “…two years of age
If interested, email moms at pbrc-dot-edu if you are interested.

Tax filing season begins today as the federal and state government begins accepting 2019 tax returns. New Orleans CPA Gerard Schreiber says some individuals can get free assistance to file out their return by using IRS Free File at i-r-s-dot-gov…
cut 9 (09) “…preparer”
Federal returns are due April 15th, state returns are due May 15th.

Baton Rouge hit a fourth consecutive employment record last month, and New Orleans continued it’s powerful jobs performance with another 2,100 jobs month to month, but over the year Shreveport is down 2,800 jobs, Houma is down 1,200, and Lake Charles is down 800. Louisiana Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante blames the construction industry…

Cut 11 (11) “…services and manufacturing.”

Statewide manufacturing added 5,000 jobs over the year.

Today marks the beginning of tax season, and you now have until April 15^th to file your 2019 earnings and deductions. Last year was year one for the major federal tax overhaul that eliminated many itemized deductions in exchange for a higher standard deduction. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber…

Cut 8 (10) “…last year.”

Louisiana is named the most pro life state in the nation by Americans United for Life. Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Alexandra Seghers says pro-life voters will soon have an opportunity to back up that ranking by voting on a constitutional amendment on the November ballot…

Cut 14 (07) “…constitution.”

The March for Life gathered in both Monroe and Baton Rouge over the weekend, and thousands, including the President, joined the march in D.C Friday.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center needs non-breast fed babies for a study dedicated to crafting better formula. Director of biomedical imaging Owen Carmichael says research suggests if a formula is fortified with the nutrient building blocks for the development of myelin, it promotes better brain development.

Cut 5 (08) “…of electrical wires.”

The study doesn’t restrict a baby’s diet solely to the fortified formula. 

Starting today you can submit your 2019 state and federal taxes, and you’ll have until April 15^th to get them done. New Orleans CPA Jerry Schreiber says his number one tip for filers every season is to efficiently organize your tax information either for yourself or your preparer.

Cut 7 (11) “…returns”

Americans United for Life ranks Louisiana as the most pro-life state in the nation, largely on the back of a series of bills passed last year in the Legislature.  The rankings also touted an upcoming March 4^th Supreme Court admitting privileges case originating from Louisiana. Louisiana Right to Life spokesperson Alexandra Seghers…

Cut 13 (11) “…Louisiana”

Opponents argue requiring admitting privileges at local hospitals is an undue burden designed to shutter abortion clinics across the country.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is recruiting babies who are not breastfed to be part of the CONNECT research study. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Two people died over the weekend in Baton Rouge after two vehicles believed to be drag racing collided with each other, and then struck a bicyclist. The crash claimed the life of one of the drivers, 56-year-old Christopher Brock, and the bike rider, 24-year-old Deondrick Rudd. The surviving driver of the other vehicle has been arrested.

The sports world remains stunned today over the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter. They were among the nine who died in a helicopter crash in California. Bryant won five NBA titles with the Lakers, three straight with former LSU star Shaquille O’ Neal in the early 2000s.

In a social media post, O’Neal said there are no words to express the pain. I love you and you will be missed.

Bryant’s sudden passing was in the background of Sunday night’s Pelicans game versus the Boston Celtics. Both teams started the game taking a 24-shot clock violation in honor of number 24, Kobe Bryant.

Kobe was a big fan of Zion Williamson and the rookie produced his first double-double as he had 21 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. Jrue Holiday had 25 points. New Orleans went on to beat Boston 123-108.

__________________________________________________________________________

After winning a school-record 11 games in 2019, the Ragin Cajuns football team begins offseason workouts today as they prepare for 2020. Third-year head coach Billy Napier says the goal is to build on last year’s success…
cut 19 (16) “…intend to do”

LSU baseball has started practicing for the 2020 season and freshman outfielder Maurice Hampton is trying to make the quick adjustment after helping the football team win a championship. Coach Paul Maineiri….
cut 18 (20) “…I think”