Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The national emergency frees up billions of dollars to enhance the southern border wall.  Cassidy says he’s for improved border security, but is concerned about the precedent the president is setting by calling a national emergency

Cut 4 (07) “…would not like″

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Policy Director Rachel Gassert says the system has been preparing for the change.

Cut 6 (09) “…achieve those goals.”

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says it’s not all bad news for the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…brought that down.”

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a definitively Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Brewery founder Karlos Knott says like most good ideas, the plan started with a few drinks to get the team in the right frame of mind to think up their next great beer. The owner says they’ve been wanting to take on a breakfast stout, but do it with a bayou twist.

Cut 14 (10) “…came up.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The Democratic controlled U-S House of Representatives is expected to vote on the resolution today and Cassidy says he wants to read the legislation before he decides on how he’ll vote

Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”

The LSU hazing case related to the death of frat pledge Maxwell Gruver has seen a new court filing from the attorney of Matthew Naquin that paints Gruver as a party animal who willingly consumed alcohol and used marijuana on a daily basis.  It alleges Gruver showed up high to the ill-fated hazing ritual in September of 2017, where pledges would chug hard liquor if they answer questions incorrectly.  Gruver died following that event.

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says many factors came together to formulate the results.

Cut 11 (12) “…further extrapolations.”

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a definitively Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Brewery founder Karlos Knott says they don’t just brew up a stout, toss some sausage into the bottle and call it a day either. The boudin is introduced early in the process, during mashing, when the grains that will become your drink get converted to sugar.

Cut 15 (11) “there.”

The Raise the Age Act legislation approved in 2016 goes into effect Friday. It says 17-year-olds charged with non-violent crimes will be prosecuted in the juvenile justice system, instead of as an adult. Rachel Gassert, with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights says it’s a good thing for troubled 17-year-olds, because there is a better chance these teenagers will not re-offend if they are in the juvenile court system compared to the adult system…
cut 5 (12) “….the process”

Yahoo Sports reports LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade will be subpoenaed for a federal basketball corruption trial that will begin in April. Wade says he has not been following the case and his focus is on tonight’s game against 13th ranked Texas A-and-M. Back in October, Wade’s name reportedly appeared in a transcript from a separate federal trial involving a man who was found guilty of multiple felony fraud charges.

Senator Bill Cassidy says he wants to see more of an an effort in freeing a Lake Charles man from a Venezuelian prison. Tomeu Vadell is one of six Citgo executives who faces what their families claim to be trumped-up corruption charges. Cassidy says political unrest in the country is complicating their efforts….
cut 8 (10) “…war criminals”
Cassidy says he’s working to maintain diplomatic contact with Vadell, even as the political situation in Venezuela grows more chaotic.

Bayou Tech Brewing in Arnaudville will release a new limited-edition beer on March 2nd called Cajun Breakfast Stout. It’s a beer brewed with coffee, cane syrup and boudin.Karlos Knott says it tastes like nothing, you’ve sipped before…
cut 13 (10) “…the hops”
Knott says they are sure that this is the first beer to ever include boudin in its recipe.

Louisiana is one of the few states that automatically tried 17-year-old suspects as adults, but that changes Friday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Bonnet Carre Spillway opens tomorrow for the third time in four years to siphon water off the Mississippi River following an unprecedented wet winter. The decision to open the spillway was made when the river rose 11 feet, high enough to force levee inspections. Heavy rainfall in the Ohio River Valley has the Mississippi River above 15 and a half feet and rising toward the 17-foot height that levees are designed to handle.

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Alec Sears of Att Savings.com says Louisiana’s violent crime rate, STD rates and gender rates put Louisiana in last place.

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Founder Karlos Knott says like most good ideas, the plan started with a few drinks to get the team in the right frame of mind to think up their next great beer. The owner says they’ve been wanting to take on a breakfast stout, but wanted do it with a bayou twist.

Cut 14 (10) “…came up.”

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Policy Director Rachel Gassert says the system has been preparing for the change.

Cut 6 (09) “…achieve those goals.”

Louisiana political leaders are keeping a close eye on the developing situation in Venezuela, as Houston based Citgo, the American subsidiary of the country’s state own oil company, is responsible for the direct and indirect employment of thousands of Louisiana workers. Senator Bill Cassidy says of particular concern is the government’s yearlong detainment of a dual national, Tomeu Vadell, from Lake Charles.

Cut 7 (10) “…Citgo”

Bayou Teche Brewing’s got some good news for fans of both Boudin and Beer. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

According to research conducted by ATT Savings.Com Louisiana ranks last for online dating in the country.

Website spokesperson Alec Sears says Louisiana is doing okay in median earnings and unemployment, and ranked highly for those that were open to online dating, but several factors bring Louisiana to last place.

Cut 12 (06) “…the gender ratio.”

Plenty of Fish is the most popular dating site in Louisana.

6:30 Newscast LRN Feb 26

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses.  Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights says the act is a big win, as the juvenile justice program has a lower rate for recidivism.  And Policy Director Rachel Gassert says in most cases you are not considered an adult until you turn 18.

Cut 4 (08) “…a lot of sense.”

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says it’s not all bad news for the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…brought that down.”

Sears says many factors came together to formulate the results.

The condition of a Lake Charles dual national detained in Venezuela is being followed closely as that nation’s political crisis deepens. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor John Bel Edwards unveiled his 30 billion dollar budget Friday, the largest in state history, and one that includes 10 million in increased spending in higher ed, 15 million more for TOPS, more healthcare funding, and the 1,000 dollar pay raise he’s touted for months. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s just one problem, the state doesn’t quite have enough revenue recognized yet to pay for it all…

Cut 3 (11) “…produce.”

House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked an increased revenue projection at the Revenue Estimating Conference that would fund those increases in spending.

Gas prices have been on a noticeable rise throughout the state recently.  In the last week, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by seven cents.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the rising trend has been happening all throughout the month of February.

Cut 9 (10) “…$2.13 a gallon.”

The Fire Marshal is asking for the public’s help IDing a suspect in a January 15^th Jonesborough suspected arson case that’s gone unsolved despite video of the person of interest. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a person wearing a light colored hoody and pants was seen leaving the scene just before a fire ignited in the kitchen of the home.

Cut 12 (10)   “…the fire.”

No one was injured in the incident.

A state of emergency has been declared in Morehouse Parish as back flood waters of Bayou Bartholomew are posing a risk to the area as more rain is being predicted in the region within the next week. The declaration led to the closure of all parish schools today due to rising waters on some roads. The risk has increased after Morehouse saw historic levels of rainfall in the last week that began posing a threat two days ago in Bayou Bartholomew.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards’ 30 billion dollar budget is only a wish list as long as an increased revenue forecast is held in limbo…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Gas prices are on the rise in Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart talks with AAA fuel analyst Don Redman to find out why.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards’ 30 billion dollar budget proposal is the first salvo in what’s expected to be a busy upcoming legislative session, but LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s nothing more than a statement of intent until the Revenue Estimating Conference approves an economic forecast that includes increased revenue.

Cut 3 (11) “…produce.”

The increased projections are being blocked by House Speaker Taylor Barras.

The proposal includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, along with a 500 dollar support personnel raise. Teachers have historically been a powerful interest group for the Democratic Governor, and Alford says if their pay raise gets stuck in partisan gridlock, expect educators to begin turning up the heat.

Cut 4 (07) “…things happen″

State teachers unions have indicated they may strike towards the end of this semester, or the beginning of the fall semester if their raise isn’t approved.

Alford says when you look at what areas are seeing funding increases, you realize this budget really is a campaign plank for the Governor who is up for reelection just six months after the session will likely end. In particular is Edwards’ promise of continuing to increase higher ed funding…

Cut 5 (05)“…bump.”

Alford says the budget is the largest in state history.

_________________________________________________

An Alexandria woman has been arrested accused trespassing in an abandoned home and simple burglary charges.  Capt. Tommy Carnline says the Rapides Parish deputies responded after the homeowner went to the home to clean and found the woman along with evidence she had been living on the property for quite some time.

Cut 6 (09) “…appliances and furniture”

The woman fled from the home.  Detectives began their investigation and identified 30-year-old Jerica Gros as the suspect.  Carnline says she’s since been located and arrested.

Cut 7 (12) “…worthless check warrant.”

Carnline says it is common for the homeless to squat in empty homes.  It’s estimated she had lived in the home since the beginning of January.

Cut 8 (11) “…could imagine that.”

_______________________

Gas prices have been on a noticeable rise throughout the state recently.  In the last week, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by seven cents.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the rising trend has been happening all throughout the month of February.

Cut 9 (10) “…$2.13 a gallon.”

Redman says while the current prices may seem high, the average is still 20 cents cheaper than this time last year.

Cut 10 (07)“…gasoline prices.”

Redman says several contributing factors are to blame for the rise in prices, including the time of the year and supply and demand.

Cut 11 (11)   “…the higher prices..”

_______________________________

The Fire Marshal is asking for the public’s help IDing a suspect in a January 15^th Jonesborough suspected arson case that’s gone unsolved despite video of the person of interest. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a person wearing a light colored hoody and pants was seen leaving the scene just before a fire ignited in the kitchen of the home.

Cut 12 (10)   “…the fire.”

No one was injured in the incident.

Rodrigue says if you know who lit the fire, don’t approached them, and instead give the Marshals a call.

Cut 13 (11) “…seen” 

Governor John Bel Edwards’ 30 billion dollar budget proposal is the first salvo in what’s expected to be a busy upcoming legislative session, and LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says when you look at what areas are seeing funding increases, you realize this budget really is a campaign plank for the Governor who is up for reelection just six months after the session will likely end. In particular is Edwards’ promise of continuing to increase higher ed funding…
Cut 5 (05)“…bump.”

Alford says the budget is the largest in state history.
Gas prices have been on a noticeable rise throughout the state recently. In the last week, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by seven cents. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says while the current prices may seem high, the average is still 20 cents cheaper than this time last year.
Cut 10 (07)“…gasoline prices.”

Redman says several contributing factors are to blame for the rise in prices, including the time of the year and supply and demand.
An Alexandria woman has been arrested accused trespassing in an abandoned home and selling furniture and appliances from the residence. Capt. Tommy Carnline says the Rapides Parish deputies responded after the homeowner went to the home to clean and found the woman, at which point she fled. Detectives began their investigation and identified 30-year-old Jerica Gros as the suspect. Carnline says she’s since been located and arrested.
Cut 7 (12) “…worthless check warrant.”

It’s a controversial pick but southeast Louisiana filmed Green Book took home the Oscar for Best Picture last night. The film is about a black musician, pianist Don Shirley and his white chauffer in 1962. It was shot in New Orleans, Hammond, and a few other spots in the state, and joins 12 Years a Slave as the second best picture winner shot in Louisiana in the last ten years. New Orleans designer Hannah Beachler won best production design for her work on Black Panther.

LSU stays frozen in the polls at 13 after a disappointing loss against Florida last Wednesday was followed up with a statement making win over now 7^th ranked Tennessee on Saturday. The Tigers toppled the Vols 82-80 in home overtime thriller without even sporting their star guard Tremont Waters. LSU has now beaten two top ten programs, but Coach Will Wade says showing up for big games isn’t the Purple and Gold’s problem…

 cut 17 (25)   “the league” 

With four more regular season games left, 13th ranked LSU is in a three-way tie for first place in the Southeastern Conference, and The Vols and Wildcats will play each other on Saturday. LSU wraps up the season with three conference games against teams with losing records.

For the first time since 2014, LSU is off to a 7-0 start. The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of Bryant with a 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday. Josh Smith and Zach Watson each had two hits, while Antoine Duplantis drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth inning. Aaron George was the winning pitcher as he struck out three in relief and Todd Peterson had a six-out save.

Louisiana Tech split a Sunday doubleheader with Troy. The Bulldogs hit four home runs in an 11-4 victory over the Trojans. Taylor Young and Mason Mallard each had three hits, including a home run. Troy took Game two 7-5.

ULM also split a doubleheader with S-I-U Edwardsville, Sam Houston State defeated the Ragin Cajuns nine to two. Nicholls swept a doubleheader from Grambling, while Southern split a doubleheader from Northwestern State.

Texas State defeated McNeese five to three in eleven innings and Southeastern Louisiana shutout Stony Brook 8 to 0.
And in the NBA tonight, the Pelicans, who are coming off a win over the Lakers, are at the 76ers.