The solar eclipse has begun and it will reach near totality at around 1:45. Much of the state will not get a good view of it because of the clouds, but it will still get dark. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Doctor Natalie Hinkle says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock can show signs of anxiety….
cut 20 (07) “….of thing”
The eclipse is set to end around 3 PM.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the map is racial gerrymandering.
Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.”
The hearing is set to end on Wednesday.

The state has announced the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program will end on April 30th so those still living in the 500 or so travel trailers will have to find a new home. GOHSEP director Jacques Thibodeaux says it’s a challenge to find these individuals still in travel trailers a place to live…
cut 14 (09) “….interested in that”
The sheltering program at its peak involved nearly 54-hundred units and more than 15-thousand people.

Legendary high school basketball coach Charles Smith has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. That’s the highest honor someone in basketball can receive. Smith has won nine state championships as the head coach at Peabody High School in Alexandria and he’s won more than 12-hundred games…
cut 4 (12) “…for me”
Smith will be enshrined in August.

Millions are excited to see the Great American Eclipse today, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, with the best totality view around 1:45. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted murder charge as a result of a shooting that occurred in Farmerville on February 15th that injured two people. A Union Parish Grand Jury has rejected the charge. LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says they felt good about Holly’s chances of avoiding serious charges…

Cut 6  (05) “…don’t know” 

The 19-year-old still faces one felony count of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. His attorney, Michael Small, says Holly intends to plead not guilty to the charge.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars for his congressional bid since announcing he would run for the newly created 6^th congressional district seat in January. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November.

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse in Louisiana today. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth. And it’s not just animals that react to a total solar eclipse, Hinkel says the weather is also impacted.

Cut 9 (10)  “…on the earth.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses.

And forecasters say the probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west. Hopefully when the eclipse gets as close to totality, around 1:45, there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

A month into the regular session, legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children is moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

The full House is scheduled to vote on the E-S-A bill today.

A campaign finance report shows Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ has raised more than 600 thousand dollars in his candidacy for the newly created 6^th congressional district seat. Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves in November. Graves reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

A federal court hearing is scheduled for today and tomorrow to hear arguments on the legality of the new Congressional map.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6^th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says  out of the 601-thousand dollars raised, 564-thousand came from individuals…

Cut 6 (13) “…opposes him.”

A month into the regular session and legislators are seeking to improve the state’s insurance market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says when it comes to insurance reform, Republican lawmakers are seeking to make changes to reduce the number of lawsuits. Opponents say it will just pad the profits of insurance companies. He says tort reform and ESAs are on the front burner of this session

Cut 15 (11)  “…their voters”

Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says even animals react to a total solar eclipse. She says crickets have been known to emerge because they think it’s nighttime and livestock often show signs of anxiety.

Cut 8 (07) “…of thing.” 

The northwest corner of the state is under a flash flood watch from Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning as multiple rounds of heavy rainfall is expected. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s the potential for five inches of rain or more

Cut 12 (09) “…systems.” 

The full House is scheduled to vote on the Education Savings Accounts bill today. It would provide thousands of dollars to families regardless of their income with the ability to tap into state dollars to send their children to private school. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s opposition to doing this…

 Cut 14 (10)  “…public education.”

 The LSU women’s basketball team has taken heat for not being on the court for the national anthem, but the football team has not been present for the anthem in decades. AD Scott Woodward says they’ll review their processes. Governor Landry is calling for college teams to be present for the anthem. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says they will do whatever the administration wants…

Cut 16 (18)  “…national anthem” 

It’s eclipse day, and in Louisiana, the moon will begin to eclipse the sun around 12:30, be at its maximum close to 1:45, and end at three.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says when the eclipse gets close to totality, around 1:45, hopefully there will be a little break in the clouds.

Cut 11 (04) “…be surprised.”

Improving the state’s insurance market and providing school choice are the main themes of this 2024 regular session. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeanne Burns” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is planning to challenge Congressman Garret Graves for the 6^th Congressional District seal in November. The Baton Rouge Republican reported $3.8 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Graves might be able to out-fund raise Fields, but the sixth district is now a majority-minority district..

Cut 5 (11) “…Cleo Fields.” 

Today’s the big day for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse that will be visible in North America. Even though cloudy weather is expected to decrease the view in Louisiana, LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says it’s definitely worth stepping outside to see how the moon blocking the sun affects the Earth.

Cut 7 (13) “…you are.”

Ophthalmologists remind you to never look directly at the eclipse, even a partial view of one without proper eclipse glasses. Doing so can cause permanent eye damage.

The probability of viewing the eclipse isn’t ideal in Louisiana thanks to cloud cover. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are very unstable right now, with a front to our north and west…

Cut 10 (11) “…the state.”

Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces an attempted second-degree murder charge. A Union Parish Grand jury didn’t find enough evidence to indict him on attempted murder for a shooting in Farmerville on February 15th. Holly still faces a charge of illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentality. Kelly says the case could be resolved soon.

Cut 17 (16) “…welcome back” 

Cloudy conditions will make it difficult to see the solar eclipse today. Meteorologist Ryan Gallagher has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…development”

A month into the regular session and legislation seeking to improve the state’s insurance market and giving parents more options to educate their children are moving through the process with few hiccups. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Jeff Landry and GOP lawmakers ran on these issues in the fall…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Education Savings Accounts”

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ campaign finance report shows he’s raised more than 600 thousand dollars since he announced in January he would run the newly created 6^th congressional district seat, which now stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Fields is off to a good start with finances…

Cut 4 (11) “…of money.”

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward has responded to Governor Landry’s call for college athletic teams to be present for the national anthem, saying LSUwill look at its processes. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne has attended hundreds of LSU football games since 1970 and says the team has never been present when the marching band plays the national anthem. He believes the anthem controversy is being blown out of proportion.

Cut 8 (11) “…about nothing.” 

Excitement is building for Monday’s total solar eclipse but experts say mother nature may not cooperate. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport it will be mostly cloudy during the peak hours early Monday afternoon.

Cut 11 (10) “…by clouds.”

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The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tonight. Governor John Bel Edwards is being honored for his dedication to political service, as are seven others. According to Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss, those including former Senator Louis Lambert and Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster.

Cut 13 (13) “..Rag Magazine.”
Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces a charge of attempted second degree murder after a Union Parish Grand jury did not find enough evidence to indict him on that charge. Instead, Holly was indicted on a charge of illegal use of a weapon in connection to a February 15^th shooting in Farmerville. Holley’s attorney Mike Small believes his client will be found not guilty.

The Louisiana Political Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class with a ceremony in Baton Rouge tonight highlighted by two term Governor John Bel Edwards. Louisiana Political Museum director Shonna Moss says Edwards is being honored for his dedication of political service.

Cut 12 (13) “…justice reform.” 
There are seven Hall of Fame inductees this year, including Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached 1.23 billion dollars. The odds of sinning are 1 in 292 million, but Dustin Anniston with the Louisiana Lottery says while you might not win the jackpot, there are eight ways total to win and those odds are one in 25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the jackpot.”

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Forecasters say the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse that starts around 12:30 on Monday in Louisiana could be eclipsed by clouds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 
A charter bus carrying 56 students from the University of South Carolina rolled over on Interstate 10 headed to New Orleans. It happened around 3:30 yesterday afternoon when the bus had a blowout near the Diamodhead and Mississippi 603 exits. Two victims wear airlifted from the scene including the driver who was ejected during the crash. Authorities say a student grabbed the wheel and managed to stop the bus.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward and Governor Jeff Landry exchanged statements on Friday over the national anthem controversy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
Suspended LSU running back Trey Holly no longer faces a charge of attempted second degree murder. Instead a Union Parish Grand jury indicted him on a on a charge of illegal use of a weapon in connection to a February 15^th shooting in Farmerville. Holley’s attorney Mike Small believes his client will be found not guilty.

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Excitement is building for Monday’s total solar eclipse but experts say mother nature may not cooperate. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport it will be mostly cloudy during the peak hours early Monday afternoon, but there is still a chance to see the moon block the sun.

Cut 10 (12) “…pretty limited. “

Speaking of chances, tonight’s Powerball jackpot stands at 1.3 billion dollars this morning, the 4^th largest Powerball jackpot in US history. The odds of winning this one are one in 292 million. But Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says Louisiana is overdue for a win.

Cut 4 (08) “…next one.”