Rough night for the LSU baseball team last night as they were blasted by South Carolina 11-0. Tigers starting pitcher Zack Hess gave up three runs in six innings, while the bullpen was torched for six runs in the eighth inning. LSU was held to just two hits.

Louisiana Tech thumped Marshall 15-2. Cajuns blanked Little Rock 1-0, McNeese over Northwestern 2-1 in 13 innings.

The Pelicans can wrap up their playoff series with Portland with a win today versus the Trail Blazers. New Orleans took a commanding three games to nothing lead on Thursday night with a 119 to 102 victory in front of a raucous crowd at the Smoothie King Center. Head Coach Alvin Gentry wants the fans to bring the noise again today….

Cut 14 (08) “….on Saturday’
The game tips off at 4 PM.

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LSU fans will get a chance to see how the battle is shaping up to be Tigers starting quarterback next season when Myles Brennan, Justin McMillian and Lowell Narcisse (Low-el Nar-cease) take snaps in today’s spring game. Gordy Rush of the LSU Sports Radio Network says it’s also a chance to see how the offense will look under new O-C Steve Ensminger…

Cut 30 (20) “…wide receiver”

Spring game begins at 5 PM.

In NFL news, the Ravens have reportedly have signed Saints wide receiver Willie Snead to a two-year offer sheet worth seven million dollars. New Orleans has five days to match it.

Former Saints backup Luke McCown (Mick-cow-in) has announced his retirement. McCown spent four seasons as Drew Brees backup in New Orleans.

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says that puts us number one in the nation for new jobs added.

Cut 9 (08) “with Alabama “

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel thinks the bill will only get the state sued and he voted against it.

Cut 5  (09) “nobody prayed”

The measure moves to the Senate floor.

Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou to help ULM kick off the new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says it’s a chance for fans to get to know the highly regarded NFL coach.

Cut 16  (09) “along the way”

The “2018 Kickoff with Doug Pederson” is Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

And three alleged crawfish bandits have been arrested in connection with the theft of 756 dollars’ worth of mudbugs from Lafayette farmers. Allan Turner was arrested by deputies, and warrants are out for Haley Briscoe and Chirstopher Prejean, who are suspected of stealing from local farmers on a nightly basis. The trio is suspected of lifting over 165 pounds throughout their spree.

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says one high paying sector in particular is starting to show some explosive growth.

Cut 11 (10) “particular careers.”

The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Head coach Alvin Gentry says a bit reason for the blowout win was a raucous fan base that was locked in.

Cut 14 (08)  “on Saturday”

Saturday’s game tips off at 4pm.

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says the improved legislation will give children more freedom.

Cut 4 (:08) “law suits”

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the United States Trade Representative to consider whether 100-billion dollars in additional tariffs would be appropriate. Kennedy says he’s asked the Trump administration to give full consideration to the inclusion of Chinese crawfish and shrimp.

Cut 7 (07)  “their product”

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S. He says a higher tariff on Chinese crawfish and shrimp would help our seafood industry, which has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 8 (:10) “cut rate prices”

The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Power Forward Nicola Mirotic says last night’s big win gives the team the momentum it needs to close out game four.

Cut 13 (10) “better job too.”

Mirotic dropped 30 on Portland last night.

The Senate Education committee approved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students, if the child’s parents sign a permission slip. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And the volunteer firefighter who stands accused of setting a house fire that killed his wife and her service dog has had his charges upgraded to First Degree Murder, along with his existing charges of Aggravated Arson, Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and Aggravated Cruelty to Persons with Infirmities. Police say Richland Parish volunteer Kenneth Fulford set his house alight, to “end his ailing wife’s suffering” early Monday morning.

Louisiana’s jobless rate is down to 4.4 percent as shown in the March employment data. Over the past 12 months, 46-thousand people in the state got jobs. State Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WW-AH) says Lafayette, is recovering jobs lost from the oil bust. Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WW-AH) says rising prices at the pump are paying dividends in Acadiana’s job gains.

Cut 10 (07) “more stable.”
Dejoie (DAY-ZZ-WAH) encourages job seekers to visit www.LaWorks.Net for opportunities.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to increase tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the United States.

Cut 6 (:10) “is cheating”

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, and student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti.

Cut 3 (:12) “get sued”
The measure will now move to the Senate floor.

Super Bowl wining head coach of the Eagles, Doug Pederson, is back in bayou state to help kick off ULM’s new football season. ULM Director of Marketing and Communications Julia Letlow says the former War Hawk Quarterback is ready to help improve season-ticket sales and raise money.

Cut 15 (08) “our program.”
Tickets to this Saturday night’s event with Pederson are still available.

March Louisiana unemployment numbers had their biggest year to year drop in years. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A 41-year-old Slidell woman faces up to ten years in prison after she was found guility of using another woman’s I-D to get a job as a human resources manager, a job that paid her six figures. Diversified Food and Seasonings knew something wasn’t right when Cindy White wasn’t able to do the jobs she claimed to do on her resume, which she stole from LinkedIN and got the rest of the victim’s identity from another website.

Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy is pushing the Trump administration to place higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp. Kennedy says it would be a boost to our seafood industry, which he says has a 2.4 billion dollar impact on Louisiana’s economy…
cut 8 (10) “…cut rate prices”
The Trump administration is looking at adding million dollars of in additional tariffs on Chinese products shipped into the United States.

Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson is back in Louisiana, as he’s the headliner for a ULM fundraising event on Saturday night in Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Pederson was a three-year starter at ULM and just helped the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl. School spokesperson Julia Letlow says Pederson will speak about his time in Monroe, which helped shape him into a successful football coach…
cut 16 (09) “…along the way”
Tickets for the event are still on sale.

United States Senator John Kennedy is asking President Trump to put even higher tariff’s on Chinese Crayfish and Shrimp. In a letter to the White House, Kennedy accused the Chinese of not trading fairly with the U-S.

Cut 6 (:10)  “is cheating”

Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the United States Trade Representative to consider an additional 100 billion in tarrifs.

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong jobs numbers. According to the March employment figures, 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months and state Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says one high paying sector in particular is starting to show some explosive growth.

Cut 11 (10) “particular careers.”

The Pelicans are on the verge of a series sweep after crushing the Trailblazers in game three 119-102. The Pels have been prolific, with an average margin of victory in the series of 9.3 points a game. Super Star Center Anthony Davis, who’s averaging nearly 28 points a game in the series, says the key to moving on is to continue to play suffocating defense.

Cut 12 (06)   “whole playoffs”

Saturday’s game tips off at 4pm.

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. But Metairie Senator Conrad Appel thinks the bill will only get the state sued. He voted against the bill.

Cut 5  (09) “nobody prayed”

Unemployment is down to 4.4 percent in Louisiana, capping a three month run of strong job numbers.
cut 9 (08) “…with Alabama”
That’s Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie, who says 46-thousand people have joined the workforce over the last 12 months.

U-S Senator John Kennedy has written a letter to the President urging his administration to place higher tariffs on Chinese crawfish and shrimp….
cut 7 (07) “…their product”
Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the United States Trade Representative to consider whether 100-billion dollars in additional tariffs on China would be appropriate.

The Senate Finance Committee meets on Sunday where they’ll begin to discuss the House approved budget that Governor Edwards says contains deep cuts to health care services for the poor, disabled and elderly. Edwards says the Senate will also not be able to provide a responsible spending plan either, because there’s not enough revenue to fund all of the state’s priorities….
cut 15 (12) “…special session”
Edwards says he’s spoken with legislative leaders about ending the regular session early and starting a special session in mid-May to pass tax bills to make up the revenue shortfall.

The Senate Education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti.

Gatti says the improved legislation will make it easier for the kids to do what they want to.

Cut 4 (:08) “law suits”

Four former LSU students pleaded not guilty this morning in the Maxwell Gruber hazing case. 20 year old Matthew Naquin faces negligent homicide charges, Sean-Paul Gott, Patrick Forde, & Ryan Isto were charged with hazing. Naquin faces up to five years while the other three are facing 30 days. All four were indicted last month by an east Baton Rouge parish grand jury for the alcohol related death of Maxwell Gruber in September. District Court Judge Beau Higginbotham has set a September trial date.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections is rolling back a policy that allowed state prisons to bar inmates from talking to the media. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Michael Farrar

A ceremony is being held today for a Korean War Veteran from Ferriday whose remains are being returned home after 68 years. 19-year-old Sergeant Lester Walker was deployed to Korea with an anti-air craft weapons battalion. Congressman Ralph Abraham says Walker was lost during the first months of the war.

Cut 4  (11) “M-I-A” 

The senate education committee moved a measure that allows public school teachers to pray with students. The bill would further existing law that allows school employees to volunteer to supervise voluntary student-initiated, student-led prayer. Bossier Senator Ryan Gatti.

Cut 3 (:12) “get sued”

Four former LSU students pleaded not guilty in the Maxwell Gruber hazing case. 20 year old Matthew Naquin faces negligent homicide charges, Sean-Paul Gott, Patrick Forde, & Ryan Isto were charged with hazing. Naquin faces up to five years while the other three are facing 30 days. All four were indicted last month by an east Baton Rouge parish grand jury for the alcohol related death of Maxwell Gruber in September.

The remains of a North Louisiana Korean War vet are being returned home after 68 years. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A seven year old policy barring inmates from talking to the media about their cases has been lifted by the Louisiana Department of Corrections after a challenge from the ACLU. ACLU Staff Attorney Bruce Hamilton says the gag order was a gross violation of inmates civil rights.

Cut 7 (09)  “constitutional rights”