The LSU Tigers’ bats were cooking last night….
cut 30 (14) “…LSU”
That’s Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network, who was on the call for the 15-2 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels. LSU can win the series tonight with another win over the Rebels. Jared Poche will start on the hill for the Tigers and before the game the jersey of LSU great Todd Walker will be retired.

Louisiana Tech begins a three-game series against Old Dominion tonight. Tech is seeking its second consecutive Conference USA series victory. The Ragin Cajuns blanked Arkansas State eight to nothing last night. UL Lafayette will go for the series win tonight.

In the Southland, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State were all winners last night.

The NCAA has given its blessing to an early signing period for high school football players. It would allow recruits to sign with the school of their choice in December, instead of February. The Collegiate Commissioners Association still has to approve the change. The Division One Council also supports a proposal to abolish two-a-day practices in August.

In the NFL…former Saints assistant coach Joe Vitt has been hired as a consultant for the Dolphins. Vitt is Miami head coach Adam Gase’s father-in-law.

The LSU gymnastics team seeks its first national title in program history as they are one of the favorites to win at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis this weekend. Head Coach D-D Breaux says the girls have a lot of confidence after winning the school’s first SEC title since 1981…
cut 17 (14) “…get more”

The burning of improperly stored M-6 propellant at Louisiana National Guard’s Camp Minden in Webster Parish has finished, but the company that owns the burn chamber has expressed interest in disposing other explosive material. LSU Shreveport Science Professor Brian Salvatore says the National Guard has been non-committal about the future of the burn chamber, so….
cut 11 (10) “….John Bel Edwards”

The National Retail Federation has determined consumers will spend 152-dollars on Easter candy, food and gifts. Spokesperson Anna Serfain Smith says Easter continues to be a traditional holiday for all ages…
cut 14 (09) “…entire family”
Another report finds Reese’s eggs are Louisianian’s favorite Easter candy.

Louisiana S-P-C-A urges families to think twice before giving a child a real live bunny for Easter. Spokesperson Deepak Saini says every year hundreds of rabbits are abandoned after Easter…
cut 7 (10) “…of work”
Saini recommends marshmallow chicks or candy rabbits in Easter baskets instead.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is looking for the person or persons who dragged a pit bull from a moving vehicle in Acadia Parish. Executive Director Jeff Dorson…
cut 5 ()10) “…he or she did”
Dorson says the three-year-old dog suffered injuries to his body, but is expected to pull through. The owner of the dog found the wounded canine in a ditch.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to figure who dragged a pit bull by a moving vehicle near St. Landry Parish. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Kentwood man is dead after another man pulled a knife in a bar fight in Metairie. Authorities say they found 53-year-old Braun Schneider dead from multiple stab wounds in the parking lot of Westgate Tavern. Deputies reportedly arrested 52-year-old Christopher Farley in connection with the murder.

Camp Minden has finished burning off the M6 propellant, but they now have the option to burn other hazardous materials. LSU Shreveport science professor Brian Salvatore says the Webster Parish Police Jury passed a resolution in December to remove the burn chamber, but last week they voted to rescind the resolution.

Cut 10 (08) “their heads”

Salvatore sits on a concerned citizen’s board that’s trying to put a stop to the burning.

Easter spending is expected to reach an all-time high, according to the National Retail Federation. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith clothing spending is at its highest level in a decade, with 50 percent of consumers planning to buy new Easter attire.

Cut 13 (08) “Easter Sunday”

She says 87 percent of shoppers will spend a combined nearly $6 billion on food.

According to an annual survey from the National Retail Federation, Easter spending is expected to reach an all-time high..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to figure out who is responsible for apparently dragging a pit bull from a moving vehicle in Acadia Parish near St. Landry. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the 3-year-old dog was found by its owner in a ditch with horrible injuries..:
Cut 3 (08) “terrible shape”
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

The burning of M6 propellant at Camp Minden in Webster Parish is complete, but the job might not be done yet. The Louisiana National Guard has the option to extend their contract with ESI and allow them to continue to burn off hazardous substances there. But LSU Shreveport science professor Brian Salvatore, who sits on the concerned citizens’ advisory board, wants the burning to stop now…:
Cut 9 (11) “explosives business”
The Louisiana National Guard, he didn’t want to comment on whether the burn chamber will continue to operate on the Guard’s property.

The LSU Gymnastics team can win its first national title in program history this weekend as they compete in the NCAA Championships in St. Louis. Head Coach D.D. Breaux says if everyone brings their A game, they will come home with a trophy…:
Cut 18 (09) “right stuff”

Procrastinators have a few extra days to file their federal income taxes this year, as the deadline is April 18th. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Parks Director Robert Barham says Louisiana should be ashamed about being the trashiest state. He says out of every state he’s visited, there is more trash here than anywhere else, and it’s up to everyone to make it better…:
Cut 9 (07) “will not litter”
Barham urges law enforcement to ticket those who litter.

With Easter coming a few weeks later this year, holiday spending is expected to reach record highs. Anna Serafin Smith with the National Retail Federation says their annual survey finds 80 percent of consumers will celebrate Easter, spending a record total of over $18 billion. She credits a late Easter for the 6 percent increase in spending over last year.
Cut 12 (09) “happy Easter”
Smith says customers will spend an average of $152 per person on Easter, including food, clothing, candy and gifts.

The Louisiana SPCA is urging families to put chocolate bunnies over real bunnies in Easter baskets. Spokesperson Deepak Saini (Dee-pahk San-ee) says giving a child a rabbit for Easter might sound like a festive idea, but many don’t realize the huge responsibility and the amount of care these animals need.
Cut 6 (11) “a bunny”
He says every year hundreds of rabbits are abandoned after Easter.

Louisiana is the trashiest state in America. That’s according to former legislator and wildlife and fisheries secretary and current State Parks Director Robert Barham. He says we have got to do better…:
Cut 8 (09) “of Louisiana”
Barham calls on law enforcement to be serious about litter and ticket anyone who contributes to the trash that can be found on the side of our roads.

An active duty solider stationed at Fort Polk is in police custody after allegedly setting a fire in the Kisatche National Forest. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says authorities found chemical substances in the vehicle of 23-year-old Ryan Keith Taylor, which prompted a search of Taylor’s apparment….
cut 11 (11) “….was not live”
An Oscar-winning studio is keeping its doors open in Shreveport. Moonbot Studios founder William Joyce says he wants to bring the company back to its original purpose, which is original books, feature animation and television. There were rumors Moonbot would be sold and re-located. Joyce says he’ll be reaching out to local investors in the coming weeks.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates remains popular for the Easter holiday. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

You don’t have to file taxes until Tuesday this year since April 15th is on a Saturday and Monday is a holiday. Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde says if you’ve waited this late before getting started, you could be in trouble. He says most CPAs are slammed right now…:
Cut 15 (10) “your taxes”
You can find useful information online at irs.gov.

Authorities are still trying to figure out why an active duty soldier at Ft. Polk would be detonating what appeared to be homemade bombs in Kisatche National Forest. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says 23-year-old Ryan Keith Taylor’s alleged actions caused small fires in the woods, and he was unruly when busted…:
Cut 12 (07) “not factual”
Taylor is an active duty soldier stationed at Fort Polk, but he lived off post and Craft says Pipe bombs were located in his apartment.

Elmer’s Candy out of Ponchatoula is one of the oldest Easter traditions, especially for Louisiana families. CEO Rob Nelson says they’ve seen a big bump in sales this year since the Easter selling season has been longer:
Cut 5 (05) “manufacturers”
He says their most popular items every year are Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs.

The LSU Gymnastics Team is in St. Louis competing for a chance to win their first ever NCAA National Championship title. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Since April 15th falls on a Saturday, and the IRS is closed Monday for Emancipation Day, the tax filing deadline this year is April 18th. But you can file for an even longer extension, but you have to at least pay by Tuesday…:
Cut 14 (07) “to file”
That’s Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde who says there are tools on the I-R-S website that can help determine what you might owe or if you will receive a refund check.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is trying to figure out who is responsible for apparently dragging a pit bull from a moving vehicle in St. Landry Parish. They say the 3-year-old dog was found by its owner in a ditch with several road burns, open legions and burns on the pads of his paws. He is expected to make a full recovery. Anyone with information on who is responsible for the dog’s injuries is urged to contact authorities.

The popular LSU gymnastics team has plenty to be proud of as they are in St. Louis for the NCAA championships. The Tigers, who were national runner-ups last year, are ranked second behind last year’s national champion, Oklahoma. Head Coach D.D. Breaux says she’s confident the girls could become LSU’s first national champions…:
Cut 16 (12) “no clutter”
The semi-finals are today and the teams with the top 6 scores advance to Saturday night’s Super Six, where a champion will be crowned.

State Parks Director Robert Barham says Louisiana should be ashamed about being the trashiest state. He says out of every state he’s visited, there is more trash here than anywhere else, and it’s up to everyone to make it better…:
Cut 9 (07) “will not litter”

Time is running out to file your federal income taxes, but procrastinators have a couple extra days. Baton Rouge Tax Preparer Brandon Lagarde says tax day is traditionally April 15, but it falls on a Saturday this year, which means the deadline would usually be Monday, but this year that’s Emancipation Day…:
Cut 13 (06) “file your taxes”
Parishes declared federal disaster areas could get an even longer extnesion. Visit irs.gov “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations” for details.

Authorities are still trying to figure out why an active duty soldier at Ft. Polk would be detonating what appeared to be homemade bombs in Kisatche National Forest. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says they got a call about 23-year-old Ryan Keith Taylor…:
Cut 10 (12) “small fire”
The FBI is investigating.

Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolates remains popular for the Easter holiday. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Parks Director Robert Barham is trying to get the word out about the Litter problem in Louisiana, saying he’s traveled to all 50 states, and none are as trashy as Louisiana….:
CUT 7 (10) “in shame”
He says it’s up to everyone to keep Louisiana clean and litter-free.