Governor Jeff Landry has signed a disaster declaration for the crawfish industry. Landry says the mudbug shortage is not only affecting Louisiana’s economy but also our way of life. The severe drought in 2023 has led to a huge shortage t in crawfish this year.

But there is some good news. Brooke Thorington reports the average price of a pound of mudbugs is down a dollar this week…
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he is running for re-election and he’ll seek to represent the sixth district again. A new Congressional map approved this year dramatically changes Graves’ district, giving a Black Democrat a much better chance of representing it. But Graves says he’s in line to become the next chairman of House Transportation, which would be huge for Louisiana…
cut 5 (12) “….to flod”

Entergy Louisiana is seeking approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 411-million dollar natural gas power station that would be build on top of a barge. Entergy’s Laura Beauchamp says the facility would provide essential backup power for industries located at Port Fouchon…
cut 14 (12) “…critical base”

One of former Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature pieces of legislation has been changed as a result of a new law signed by Governor Jeff Landry. Teiko Foxx has the story…
cut 2 (34) “…Teiko Foxx”

Starting next year, high school seniors will no longer be required to submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms. BESE has voted to scrap that requirement. Republican lawmakers and Education Superintendent Cade Brumley say the FAFSA requirement put an undue burden on students and forced families to share personal info with the federal government.

Entergy Louisiana is seeking approval to construct a floating natural gas power station off the state’s southeast coast. Director of Resource Planning and Market Operations Laura Beauchamp (Beach-um) says the project will enhance coastal reliability and resilience for a vital part of the state.
Cut 13 (10) “…communities.”
The project must first receive approval from the Public Service Commission and will come with a price tag of $411 million.

Finally, some good news about crawfish. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says mudbug prices are down a dollar a pound this week. She says boiled crawfish average $5.99 a pound and you can find a sack for about $160. King says the outlook has definitely improved.
Cut 7 (11) “…prices down.”
King says now is the time to visit your favorite crawfish spot because they’re at a good size and prices are reasonable.

Crawfish lovers can rejoice because the average price for a pound of mudbugs is down a dollar this week. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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One of former Governor John Bel Edwards’ signature pieces of legislation has been changed as a result of a new law signed by Governor Jeff Landry. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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Entergy is seeking approval from the PSC to build a floating natural gas power station and microgrid for southeast Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says he’s definitely running for re-election this year and he’ll seek to continue to represent the sixth district despite major changes to the district’s political boundaries. Graves says he does not want to leave Congress when he’s set to be the next Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee…

Cut 4 (09) “…do that.”

Graves says as chairman of House Transportation he’ll have a major say on federal funding for infrastructure projects desperately needed in Louisiana..

Cut 5 (12) “…it’s going to flood.” 

State lawmakers approved a new Congressional map that stretches the sixth district from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. It gives a Black Democrat a better chance at winning the seat. Graves believes the new Congressional map is unconstitutional and expects to continue to represent the district he’s currently serving…

Cut 6 (12) “…to earn.”

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Finally, some good news about crawfish this week. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says mudbug prices dropped a dollar a pound this week. She says boiled crawfish average $5.99 a pound and you can find a sack for about $160. After a rough start to the season, King says the outlook has definitely improved.

Cut 7 (11) “…prices down.”

If you’ve tried to delay your craving for crawfish due to cost, King says we’ve entered that sweet spot for the best prices you’ll see this season especially with Easter at the end of the month.

Cut 8 (12) “…some crawfish.” 

King says now is the time to visit your favorite crawfish spot because they’re at a good size and prices are reasonable.

Cut 9 (13)  “…every week.”

You can find the Crawfish App available for download on your smartphone.

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At a press conference in New Orleans, Governor Jeff Landry signed the remaining bills approved during the crime special session. Many of the new laws will lead to longer prison sentences. Landry highlighted the bill that will raise the minimum sentence for a carjacking from two to five years

Cut 10 (12) “…long time.”

Joining Landry for the bill signing ceremony were law enforcement officials and victims and victim family members of carjackings. Landry also signed the bill that would result in a 25 to 99 prison sentence for anyone who packages fentanyl to attract minors…

Cut 11 (08) “…our children.” 

Landry has also signed House Bill 5. It says that the illegal use of a weapon should be designated as a crime of violence, which would lengthen prison sentences for anyone illegally shooting a gun, including shooting into the sky on July 4th and New Year’s Eve. Landry hopes this legislation can reduce gun violence

Cut 12 (09) “…long time.” 

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Entergy Louisiana is seeking approval to construct a floating natural gas power station off the state’s southeast coast. Director of Resource Planning and Market Operations Laura Beauchamp (pronounced Beach-um) says the project will enhance coastal reliability and resilience for such a vital part of the state.

Cut 13 (10)  “…communities.”

Beauchamp says it will be a first of its kind for Louisiana, situated atop a barge across from the substation in Leeville. She says that part of Louisiana is not only important for the state’s tourism and seafood industries but also from the perspective of the country’s energy security.

Cut 14 (12) “…critical base.”

The project must first receive approval from the Public Service Commission and will come with a price tag of $411 million. Beauchamp says as with any of their investments, the average Entergy Louisiana customer would see a $1.50 increase on their bill.

Cut 15 (11) “…customer bills.”

Assuming the project receives PSC approval in the next year, Beachamp anticipates it could be commissioned in 2028.

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Big basketball game in Ruston tonight as the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team hosts Sam Houston. The two teams are tied for first place in the Conference. The Bulldogs lost to the Bearkats earlier this season, but Tech Coach Talvin Hester remembers his team’s preparation was not great for that game…

Cut 16 (15) “…play well.” 

Sam Houston beat La Tech 81-77 in Huntsville on January sixth. Hester is looking forward to the rematch…

Cut 17 (14) “…this game.” 

Both teams enter tonight’s game on a five-game winning streak. Tech is 21-8 and 13-1 at home in Hester’s second season in Ruston. A win tonight assures the Bulldogs of at least a share of the conference title, which is a big accomplishment…

Cut 18 (20)  “…guys.” 

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Cut 19 (23) “…high-level.”

Cut 20 (18) “…as a team.”

A total of four individuals were arrested yesterday for their roles in the fatal drive by shooting of a Lake Charles woman. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff-elect Stitch Guillory says 65 year old Annette Touvell was struck by one of the rounds fired from the vehicle.

Cut 9 (08) “…bullets came through.” 

The 17-year-old driver, who stole the vehicle from a family member, was arrested. And 18-year-old Jordan Jones of Lake Charles has been charged with second-degree murder…

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration Wednesday requesting federal assistance for the state’s crawfish industry after last year’s severe drought destroyed this year’s harvest. Vermilion Parish crawfish farmer Connor Popeck decided it was not worth the effort to flood his field

Cut  14 (12) “..catching anything”

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says the declaration is an important step to helping crawfish farmers in Louisiana.

Tragedy in Caddo and DeSoto Parishes has prompted the State Fire Marshal’s Office to urge Louisianans to have working smoke alarms. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Congressman Clay Higgins has announced another 14-million dollars for hurricane Laura recovery efforts. Eight million dollars will go to Jefferson Davis Electric Co-op for permanent repairs to a substation, Jefferson-Davis will get another four million for permanent restoration of their north power distribution system and one million dollars will go towards repairs at College Oaks Elementary School in Lake Charles.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order issuing a disaster declaration for the crawfish industry following the severe 2023 drought. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Brent Lamm…

Cut 12 (06)  “..surviving”  

Landry says the disaster declaration should result in federal assistance for farmers struggling to catch crawfish.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues a call to action for Louisianans to have working smoke alarms following two fatal house fires. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says in the two fatal house fires that occurred hours apart on Friday, neither home had working smoke detectors…

Cut 8 (08) “…smoke alarms.” 

Rodrigue says the majority fatal fires in the Bayou State this year have been related to improper smoking practices.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies announce the arrest of four individuals involved in the drive by shooting that killed a 65-year-old Lake Charles grandmother in her home. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Lafayette Police have arrested a male teen in connection with a carjacking and high-speed chase which slammed into a police vehicle in Acadia Parish.  Authorities say the driver led police on two high speed chases across Lafayette and Acadia Parishes. The investigation is ongoing.

Following last year’s historic drought, Governor Jeff Landry issued a disaster declaration asking the federal government to help the state’s crawfish industry. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Brent Lamm says it’s been a difficult season but he’s starting to catch more crawfish.

Cut 13 (06) “…normal year”   

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says Landry’s disaster declaration will allow for crawfish farmers to access disaster loans through the Small Business Administration.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office have arrested four people in connection to the fatal drive by shooting of a 65-year-old Lake Charles woman. Sheriff-elect Stitch Guillory…

Cut 11 (13) “…with it.“

Two adults and two juveniles were taken into custody yesterday and the search continues for one more person.

State Fire Marshall Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue is urging Louisianans to check their smoke alarms after firefighters responded to two fatal house fires on Friday. Rodrigue says the first fire was reported in Desoto Parish…

Cut 7 (07) “…smoking practices.”  

Rodrigue says the majority of fatal fires this year have been related to improper smoking practices.

One juvenile male has been arrested and another suspect is on the run following a carjacking in Lafayette which resulted in the stolen vehicle slamming into a police vehicle in Acadia Parish. Lafayette Police Lieutenant Jace Quebedeaux says the carjacking happened last night as the victim was exiting his vehicle after returning home.

Cut 3 (12) “…his vehicles.”  

Following a carjacking in Lafayette which resulted in the stolen vehicle slamming into a police vehicle in Acadia Parish, a suspect fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. Lafayette Police Lieutenant Jace Quebedeaux says officers arrested a male teen. And following the search of the vehicle.

Cut 5 (08) “…back seat.”

Quebedeaux says no officers were injured in the pursuit. Police are looking for a second unknown male suspect.

Two juveniles and two adults were taken into custody yesterday for their roles in the fatal drive by shooting of a 65-year-old Lake Charles woman and the search continues for one more person. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff-elect Stitch Guillory says a 17-year-old stole the vehicle used in the drive by shooting from a family member. He says 18-year-old Jordan Jones of Lake Charles was firing the weapon and he’s been charged with second-degree murder…

Cut 10 (04) “…at houses”

Guillory says they also arrested 36-year-old Chelsea Hyatt of Sulphur because her daughter was in the vehicle and she never reported it to law enforcement. The search continues for 25-year-old Tyler Lewis of Bridge City, Texas.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging Louisianans to have working smoke alarms after firefighters responded to two fatal house fires hours apart on Friday. State Fire Marshall Spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 6  (12) “…the bedroom there.” 

Rodrigue says, later the same morning, firefighters responded to a mobile home fire in Homer where a 68-year-old male victim was discovered.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order issuing a disaster declaration for the crawfish aquaculture industry. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says the declaration will allow for crawfish farmers to access disaster loans through the Small Business Administration. Vermilion Parish crawfish farmer Connor Popeck decided it was not worth the effort to flood his field

Cut  14 (12) “..catching anything”

Four people have been arrested for their roles in the fatal drive- by shooting of a 65-year-old Lake Charles woman. Two juveniles and two adults were taken into custody yesterday and the search continues for one more person. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff-elect Stitch Guillory says multiple rounds were fired from the vehicle and one of the bullets struck Annette Touvelll…

Cut 9 (08) “…bullets came through.” 

18-year-old Jordan Jones of Lake Charles has been charged with second-degree murder

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order issuing a disaster declaration for the crawfish aquaculture industry. Landry says the declaration should result in federal assistance for farmers struggling to catch crawfish because of last year’s historic drought. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Brent Lamm says it’s been rough…

Cut 12 (06)  “..surviving”  

Tragedies in Caddo and DeSoto Parishes have prompted the State Fire Marshal’s Office to urge Louisianans to have working smoke alarms. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

State Police say a double traffic fatality in Sabine Parish Tuesday night claimed the lives of 17 -year-old-Sylvonte Aldredge and Elijah Cundiff, both of Many. Troopers say another vehicle tried to overtake the victim’s vehicle and that driver failed to yield on Highway 6. Toxicology samples of the other driver were taken and it remains under investigation.

Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin wants to make it a crime to live stream illegal activities. He says the proposal would have to identify the difference between a recording in real-time and a pre-recorded video.

Cut 8 (12) “…was live.” 

Lafayette Police have arrested a male teen in connection with a carjacking and high speed chase which slammed into a police vehicle in Acadia Parish.  When law enforcement located the vehicle, Lieutenant Jace Quebedeaux says the driver led police on two high speed chases across Lafayette and Acadia Parishes. During the pursuit in Crowley…

Cut 4 (12) “…a ditch.” 

The subject fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. Quebedeaux says officers arrested a male teen. And following the search of the vehicle.

After the high-profile case where the man accused of poisoning his wife with an abortion pill in Texas and was only sentenced to 6 months, the brother of the victim is calling for stiffer penalties here in Louisiana

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU Men’s basketball will play their final road game tonight as they face off against Arkansas. The Tigers have already defeated the Razorbacks this season 95 to 74 and a major reason for the 21 point victory was holding Arkansas senior guard Khalif Battle to 0 points. After averaging 37 points over the last three games, LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon says that there is no doubt in his mind that Battle is a special player.

Cut 19 (23) “… high-level.”

The game will tip off at 6 pm

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The New Orleans Pelicans had a very successful game against the Raptors last night winning 139 to 98. The Pelicans victory saw the team shooting almost 50 percent from the three point line and Trey Murphy the third had a season high 34 points for New Orleans.

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And in college basketball news, ULM’s season has come to an end as the War Hawks lost to Coastal Carolina in the first round of the Sun Belt Championship tournament 75 to 71.

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LSU Baseball will travel to face Southeastern tonight. The Lions look to be a promising team under first year head coach Bobby Barbier after going 9 and 4 to start this season including a win over eleventh ranked East Carolina and a 12 to 2 win over Alcorn State last night. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says that he’s excited for tonight’s matchup and environment.

Cut 16 (19) “… right now.”

The first pitch will be on ESPN+ at 6 pm

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In other college baseball news, Tulane beat Nicholls last night 14 to 12, ULM beat Little Rock 11 to 1, and Louisiana Tech is still undefeated this season as the Bulldogs defeated Xavier of Ohio 11 to 3.

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And in women’s college basketball news, Angel Reese was voted the SEC player of the year; as the Lady Tigers earned many honors at the SEC’s postseason awards.