Gambling addictions have become a growing concern as a study from 2016 indicates nearly 8% of people in the state say they have a problem, up about 5% from 2008. Executive Director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Janet Miller says they want to highlight this during Problem Gambling Awareness Month to let addicts know that help is available…:
CUT 9 (09) “gambling”
The Problem Gambler’s Helpline is 1-877-770-STOP.

Middle District U.S. Attorney Walt Green announces his resignation. He is one of many presidentially appointed US attorneys asked to step down by the Trump administration so that “a uniform transition” can take place. Legal and law enforcement leaders from across the state co-signed a letter to the White House Sunday urging them to keep Green, praising his leadership and service. Green said today the resignation was effective March 10.

A $10 million investment raised with the help of Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will go to expand the Lake Charles founded food delivery platform, Waitr. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful has launched a Leaders for Litter campaign aimed at encouraging communities to pick up trash. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is on board and says it’s important we as a state put our best foot forward so tourists leave here wanting to return…:
Cut 11 (10) “absolutely beautiful”

The popular meal delivery app Waitr, which was founded in Lake Charles, is getting a $10 million dollar boost to help with expansion from an investment group led by Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. Waitr CEO Chris Meaux says they already have a connection with Brees…:
CUT 14 (10) “on our team”
Meaux says Alexandria and Monroe are next to get Waitr, and maybe Houma after that.

A former Marksville City Marshal who is one of two accused in the death of a 6-year-old boy is headed to trial as jury selection is slated to get underway this morning. Derrick Stafford is facing charges of second-degree murder, and attempted second-degree murder for Mardis’ father Chris Few. Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr. are accused of firing at the victims’ vehicle in late 2015 when the first grader was killed, and Few critically injured. Greenhouse Jr. is slated to be tried beginning June 12th.

Community leaders participate in statewide litter-a-thon for Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Leaders Against Litter. Don Molino has more.:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

One of Governor John Bel Edwards’ priorities is finding ways to reduce the state’s incarceration rate, and a Loyola law professor has released a report with some ideas. Bill Quigley says sentencing reform is needed, particularly for repeat offenders..:
Cut 5 (11) “of themselves”
He also believes nonviolent suspects shouldn’t sit in jail while they await trial.

A Loyola law professor releases a report on ways Louisiana can reduce its highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. Professor Bill Quigley says one way to solve the issue would be to let people out of jail while they’re awaiting trial…:
Cut 4 (11) “nonviolent crimes”
Quigley says classifying drug offenses as victimless crimes is another step Louisiana could take to reduce prison populations.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore has written a letter to the White House in support of US Attorney Walt Green of the Middle District of Louisiana. Green was among many who were asked by the Trump Administration to resign. Moore said he’d put Green against all other 46 that are asked to leave, and every other DA in the district agrees. Green will have the option to reapply for the vacant seat.

The percentage of people who admit to having a gambling problem in Louisiana went from 2-3% in 2008, to 8% in 2016. Emelie Gunn reports on this with March being Problem Gambling Awareness Month…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has Partnered with Keep Louisiana Beautiful in the new Leaders Against Litter campaign. He says it’s important for state officials to encourage the education of young children the importance of picking up litter…:
CUT 12 (09) “be proud of”

Jury selection begins today in Marksville in the trial for one of the two former city-marshalls accused in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Derrick Stafford is facing a charge of second-degree murder in Mardis’ death, and the attempted murder of the child’s father. The other man accused, 25-year-old Norris Greenhouse Jr., is scheduled to go on trial June 12th.

Gambling addiction has become a growing problem in Louisiana as it affects an estimated 180-thousand people statewide. Executive Director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling Janet Miller says gambling addictions in Louisiana were at about the 2-3% mark in 2008…:
Cut 8 (11) “dramatic jump”
This is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and Miller encourages anyone affected to call the Problem Gambler’s Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP.

Community leaders around the state are teaming up with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for the fight against litter. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says high ranking officials are taking part in Leaders against Litter…:
Cut 10 (12) “in Louisiana”
The litter-a-thon comes ahead of the Great American Cleanup, which takes place April 22.

The Lake Charles founded Waitr app is expanding thanks to a $10 million investment from an investor group led by Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. President and CEO of food delivery platform, Chris Meaux:
CUT 13 (10) “of California”

A shooting in a New Orleans home has left a woman and two children dead, and a second female in serious condition at a hospital…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s secured indictments against Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa on a bribery scheme in which he allegedly tried to have a candidate drop out of a city council race in exchange for political favors. A businessman is also accused along with Matassa of offering a Gonzales City Council candidate money and a government job if he withdrew from the election.

As many folks around the state are having crawfish boils this weekend, one lucky crawdad won’t be in a sack. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarain’s to pardon a mudbug.
cut 12 (07) “every year”
Nungesser says of the more than 120 million pounds of crawfish we eat every year, they thought it was only fair to set one free.

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones is no longer the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost a school record 15 in a row in Jones’ final season, but Athletic Director Joe Alleva said it’s appropriate to wait until now to fire Jones…:
CUT 11 (08) “right thing to do”
All of Jones’ assistants have been fired as well.

US Attorney Kenneth Polite Jr, who served as a top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Louisiana, says he’s resigning effective March 24th. Appointed by President Obama, Polite was widely expected to be replaced by the Trump administration.

A mother and her two sons were killed, and her daughter injured in a tragic shooting incident in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says it was one of the most horrific scenes they’ve ever encountered…:
Cut 3 (10) “rattles everybody”
A cash reward of $5,000 is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the killer.

Early voting for the March 25th elections begins today. Four candidates in northwest Louisiana are on the ballot in the District 8 state House race to fill the seat vacated by US Rep Mike Johnson. There are four judicial elections, and Lake Charles will be choosing a new mayor.

Admitted rapist and former Saints star Darren Sharper’s lawyers are arguing that a judge didn’t properly explain the details of a “global” plea agreement which put their client behind bars 18 years. Sharper plead guilty to drugging and raping women in four states. An appeal was filed Friday.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a 25-year-old Oakdale man died as a result of injuries suffered in a residential fire earlier this month. They say Joey Hampton Jr sustained third-degree burns to 70% of his body and was being treated at a Lafayette hospital where he died. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office says two suspects have been arrested for the threatening graffiti found at East Jefferson High School this week. Among the messages found scrawled in black paint Wednesday were “#Sandyhook2017” and “Shooting the school up — Crazy White Boy.”

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva announces the firing of Johnny Jones as men’s basketball coach…:
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Don Molino”

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa has been indicted on charges of bribery for allegedly offering a former Gonzales City Council candidate money and a job if he would drop out of the election. Audio recordings were released of the incident.

Don’t forget if you’re heading east on I-10 today towards New Orleans that both lanes are closed south of Sorrento. Eastbound drivers will have to get off at Airline Highway in southern Ascension Parish and take Airline southeast to Gramercy and La. 641…:
CUT 25 (10) “corridor”
That’s DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallet. The closure lasts through Monday morning.

Now that Johnny Jones is out as head coach of the LSU men’s basketball program, Athletic Director Joe Alleva says the search is on for the perfect candidate..:
Cut 10 (11) “it just didn’t work out”

According to the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, a woman was shot in the elbow by a deputy who was attempting to stop a man for allegedly bringing drugs into the area. They said 32-year-old Gregory Hardin of Addis, who’s had his share of run-ins with cops, did not stop his vehicle that was moving towards the deputy who then fired hitting the female passenger who was treated for a non-life threatening injury. Hardin was arrested and LSP is taking over the case.

As we sit in the heart of crawfish season, there’s one lucky mudbug who’s living the life in a Westwego swamp as he was pardoned this week by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. He says they named the crawfish Emile
after the founder of Zatarain’s…:
CUT 13 (08) “great seasoning”
He says Zatarains will sponsor the crawfish pardoning event ever year.

The Saints have finally made a move with Brandin Cooks. The wide receiver is off to New England as the Saints made a deal with the Patriots for draft picks.

Officials say two of the victims in the New Orleans area triple homicide are children, as well as a 30-year-old female and another sent to the hospital. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward.

Cut 5 (10) “to justice”
The victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms.

The Louisiana State Troopers Association is reportedly the subject of a federal investigation alleging the nonprofit made illegal campaign contributions. That’s according to Louisiana Voice publisher Tom Aswell, who says the association’s board funneled the money through its executive director David Young.

Cut 6 (13) “state police”

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones is no longer the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. The Tigers lost a school record 15 in a row in Jones’ final season, but Athletic Director Joe Alleva said it’s appropriate to wait until now to fire Jones.

Cut 11 (08) “thing to do”

All of Jones’ assistants have been fired as well.

As Louisianans prepare for crawfish boils this weekend, one lucky crawdad won’t be in a sack. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarain’s to pardon a mudbug. He says the crawfish was set free in the bayou to live out his days safe from crawfishers’ nets.

Cut 12 (07) “every year”

Nungesser says of the more than 120 million pounds of crawfish we eat every year, it was only fair to set one free.

The Orleans Parish Coroner has identifed the victims, including two children aged 6 and 10, in a quadruple shooting that left three dead and one wounded in home in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Police Chief Michael Harrison says the investigation is ongoing…
Cut 4 (07) “done this”

Authorities report the victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms.

After 5 seasons, Johnny Jones has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team. Athletic Director Joe Alleva made the announcement this morning says he will now look to hire his third men’s hoops coach since coming to LSU in 2008.
Cut 10 (11) “work out”

Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa has been indicted on charges of bribery after allegedly offering a former Gonzales City Council candidate money and a job if he would drop out of the election. Audio recordings were released by the owner of the Pelican Post, Wade Petite, of Matassa and Olin Berthelot, allegedly offering Wayne Lawson the bribe. Berhelot who is a local businessman was also indicted.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has kicked off crawfish season by pardoning one lucky crawdad named Emile. Nungesser says Emile was set free into the bayou and each year the pardoned mudbug will be named in honor of someone who contributes to the industry. He says it’s a tradition that will continue on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras…
Cut 14 (08) “as well”
He says more than 120 million pounds of crawfish are eaten each year.

The Orleans Parish Coroner has identified the victims, including children, in a crime that left three dead and one wounded at a home in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. Authorities report the victims are 30-year-old Monique Smith, 6-year-old Jumyrin Smith and 10-year-old Justin Simms. Police Chief Michael Harrison says they responded to a shooting at about 5 a.m. where police found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound and then discovered a horrific scene…
Cut 3 (10) “rattles everybody”

Harrison says says currently, no one is in custody and urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward.

The Johnny Jones era is now over as the LSU men’s basketball head coach has been let go after five seasons with the Tigers. Athletic Director Joe Alleva made the announcement earlier today…
Cut 9 (08) “basketball coach”

 
Reportedly, The Louisiana State Troopers Association is under federal investigation alleging the organization made illegal campaign contributions. That’s according to the publisher of the political blog, Louisiana Voice, Tom Aswell, who says the FBI served 18 subpoenas at the board of directors meeting. He says the FBI will try to get information from these individuals to learn what they may have done on Col. Mike Edmonson’s behalf. But he says his sources suggest someone is trying to hinder the investigation.
Cut 8 (07) “the FBI”

With crawfish season in full swing, one lucky crawdad won’t make it in the boiling pot. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser teamed up with Zatarains’s to pardon a mudbug and Emile the crawfish was set free. He says Emile was named after the Zatarain’s founder who introduced the boil mix in the 1920s.
Cut 13 (08) “great seasoning”