The 13th ranked LSU Lady Tigers won easily over the Vanderbilt Commodores last night 85-62. Flau’jae Johnson had 17 points and Angel Reese had 15 points and 16 rebounds. The Lady Tigers will host Alabama on Sunday. The Crimson Tide have won four in a row. Tip off is at 3 PM.

Tonight the Pelicans are at the Lakers. New Orleans is seeking its fifth straight win. The Pels are 30-21 on the season and in sixth place in the West. The Lakers are 27-26 and in ninth place.

Looking ahead to college basketball tomorrow, LSU hosts 16th ranked Alabama. Louisiana Tech visits Liberty in a game that can be seen on ESPN U. ULM hosts Eastern Michigan in the Sun Belt-MAC challenge.

Southeastern Louisiana is at Northwestern State. McNeese hosts Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. Grambling hosts Alabama State and Southern hosts Alabama A-and-M at 5:30.

First-year ULM football coach Bryant Vincent believes the Warhawks signed the best running back out of the state of Mississippi. Vincent says Ahmad Hardy rushed for 22-hundred yards his senior season…
Cut 19 (16) “…big ones.”
ULM signed 11 players on Wednesday.

With the Super Bowl on Sunday, this is a big weekend for sports betting. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says the American Gaming Association is predicting more than 23-billion dollars will be legally wagered in the U-S. He says it’s hard to predict how much will be wagered in Louisiana…
cut 13 (12) “….a month”

The 13th ranked LSU women’s basketball team raced out to a 16 to 2 lead and another looked back in an 85-62 win over Vanderbilt last night. All five starters scored in double figures for LSU and they held the Commodores to 31-percent shooting from the floor. LSU hosts Alabama on Sunday afternoon.

The softball season got underway yesterday…14th ranked LSU blanked Nicholls 8 to nothing. 21st ranked U-L Lafayette crushed Chattanooga 21 to 2 in five innings.

A week from today the college baseball season gets underway. Sophomore Paxton Kling is expected to be the Tigers starting center fielder, replacing Dylan Crews. Coach Jay Johnson is expecting big things from Kling…
cut 18 (15) “…in that spot”

The Pelicans visit the Lakers tonight. Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas are questionable with injuries. L-A lost to Denver 114 to 106 last night.

The SEC has distributed 741-million dollars to its 14 schools. That means LSU gets about 51-million dollars from the league.

The ULM football program signed 11 players on Wednesday after signing 30 during the early signing period in December. Warhawks coach Bryan Vincent believes they addressed a lot of needs, but there’s still more work to do…
cut 20 (25) “….to play”

The Pelicans started a four game road trip last night with an impressive 117 to 106 win over the Clippers. Los Angeles went into the game with the best record in the West. CJ McCollum hit five 3-pointers and had 25 points. Zion Williamson added 21 points and ten assists. Today was the trade deadline, but the Pels didn’t make any moves. They visit the Lakers tomorrow.

Tonight, the 13th ranked LSU Lady Tigers visit Vanderbilt. Reserve point guard Last-Tear Poa had her best game of the season against an SEC foe last Sunday against Florida. Coach Kim Mulkey hopes to see more of that, because it also helps Hailey Van Lith…
cut 17 (13) “….off guard some”
Tip off is at 8 PM in Nashville.

LSU, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech men’s basketball all lost last night. The Tigers were outclassed by the sixth ranked Volunteers as they fell to Tennessee 88-68. LSU fell behind 15-to-3 and never could catch up. Jalen Cook did not play because of a hamstring injury.

The Ragin Cajuns were outscored by 18 points in the second half and lost to Georgia State 78-69. The loss snaps Louisiana’s seven game winning streak.

Louisiana Tech’s six game winning streak ended with an 81-76 defeat to Western Kentucky.

But U-L-M won, beating Coastal Carolina 79-75.

The college baseball season gets underway next week. The 2024 SEC Baseball preseason poll came out today and the Tigers are picked to finish second in the west behind Arkansas.

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt, ULM 13th in the 14-team league.

Nicholls is the preseason favorite to win the Southland after winning the conference tournament last year.

Big win for the Pelicans last night, ULM was also victorious, while LSU was routed at 6th ranked Tennessee and Louisiana Tech and U-L Lafayette’s long winning streaks are over. That was night of basketball in the boot.

The Pelicans got off to a strong start and held off the Clippers 117 to 106. CJ McCollum had 25 points, 13 of them came in the fourth quarter. Zion Williamson had 21 points and ten assists.

The LSU Tigers trailed by double digits for most of the game and fell to the sixth ranked Volunteers 88-68. Jalen Cook did not play because of a hamstring injury.

The Cajuns eight game winning streak is over as they were upset at home by Georgia State 78-69. Western Kentucky snapped Louisiana Tech’s seven game winning streak as the Bulldogs lost for the first time at home falling to the Hilltoppers 81-76.

But ULM improved to 4-8 in the Sun Belt with a 79-75 win over Coastal Carolina.

The state’s top football prospect for the Class of 2024 signed with the LSU Tigers on National Signing Day. Acadiana High’s Dominick McKinley is a consensus five-star prospect and considered one of the best defensive tackles in the country. It’s a position of need for the Tigers. Coach Brian Kelly says they still plan to add to that position group…
Cut 19 (11) “…continue to grow”

Louisiana Tech added five players during the spring signing period, including a high school football star from north Louisiana. Haynesville linebacker Alonzo Jackson. Tech coach Sonny Cumbie says Jackson is a terrific athlete…
Cut 18 (18) “..in December”

It’s national signing day and just one player signed with the LSU Tigers and he’s the state’s top prospect, Acadiana defensive tackle Dominick McKinley…
cut 14 (04) “…nationally”
Coach Brian Kelly also tried to get the country’s top athlete to flip his commitment from Texas A-and-M. But Terry Bussey, who projects as a defensive back, signed with the Aggies this morning. Both on3 and 247 sports ranks LSU’s 2024 class as the seventh best in the country.

Louisiana Tech signed five players today including Zachary defensive back Luke Wisham and Haynesville linebacker Alonzo Jackson Junior.

The Ragin Cajuns signed a couple of local running backs who put up big numbers. St. Thomas More’s Hutch Swilley who had 25-hundred yards rushing during his prep career and St. Martinville’s Steven Blanco.

According to Rivals, ULM’s recruiting class for 2024 finished fourth in the Sun Belt.

It will be a big night of hoops in the Bayou State. The LSU men’s basketball will look to upset sixth ranked Tennessee tonight in Knoxville. The Volunteers are coming off a big win against Kentucky. They scored 103 points in that contest.

The Ragin Cajuns go after their eighth straight win as they host Georgia State. La Tech seeks its seventh straight win as the Bulldogs host Western Kentucky. ULM is also home tonight to face Coastal Carolina.

McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade has a new five-year contract that pays him a school record 700-thousand dollars. The Cowboys already have 20 wins on the year, including an impressive non-conference win against Michigan. Wade says a day after beating the Wolverines, there were six-thousand unique visitors to the unviersity’s website…
cut 17 (12) “….change everything”
McNeese hosts Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi on Saturday.

Five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley from Acadiana officially signed with the LSU football team today. Because LSU is short on defensive tackles, McKinley could see the field right away for the Tigers. But the Tigers missed out on five-star athlete Terry Bussey as the Texas A-and-M committment signed with the Aggies this morning.

McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade has signed a five year contract that will pay him a school record 700-thousand dollars plus incentives. Wade has led the Cowboys to a 20-3 record and he says they are just getting started…
cut 16 (14) “…can go”
The deal also includes a 1.25 million dollar buyout if he leaves after this season and one-million dollars if he leaves after next season.

It’s a big night for basketball in the Bayou State, The LSU Tigers are in Knoxville to take on the sixth ranked Tennessee Volunteers. The Ragin Cajuns go after their eighth straight win as they host Georgia State.

La Tech seeks its seventh straight win as the Bulldogs host Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers have not won on the road in conference play, while the Bulldogs have won 11 straight at home. It’s Pack the TAC night and Coach Talvin Hester hopes the students will support their team…
cut 20 (17) “…classmatates”
ULM is also home tonight to host Coastal Carolina.

The Pelicans begin a four-game road trip tonight against the Clippers in Los Angeles. The Clippers have the best record in the West at 34-15. Zion Williamson is questionable with a left foot bone contusion and Naji Marshall is also questionable with a back spasms. Tip off is at 9 PM.

It’s National signing day as LSU knows they’ll have one blue chipper signing with them today and possibly a second. Acadiana defensive tackle Dominick McKinley who committed to the Tigers on New Year’s Day will make it official today. LSU has also been heavily recruiting Terry Bussey, one of the top athletes in the country. Bussey has been committed to Texas A-and-M and he’ll make his college choice known at 9 AM.

In college hoops tonight, the LSU Tigers looking to pull off a big upset as they are at sixth ranked Tennessee.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team seeks their eighth straight win tonight when they host Georgia State in the Cajundome. The Panthers have lost six straight. U-L Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin has this scouting report on Georgia State…
Cut 18 (18) “..where we play”

Louisiana Tech goes after its seventh straight win tonight when they host Western Kentucky at the Thomas Assembly Center at 6 PM. The Hilltoppers play at the fastest tempo in the country, ranking number one with an average of 75 possessions per game. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester says they’ve worked on transition defense…
Cut 19 (19) “…for us”
Western Kentucky has yet to win on the road in conference play, while the Bulldogs have won 11 straight at home.

ULM is also home tonight as they take on Coastal Carolina.

McNeese has signed Will Wade to a new five year contract extension that will pay him 700-thousand dollars annually.

And the Pelicans begin a four-game road trip tonight in L-A against the Clippers.

Governor Jeff Landry signs a proclamation that states Louisiana’s oil and gas industry is open for business. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU Health Shreveport and Volunteers of America North Louisiana are helping raise awareness and treatment for psychosis with their new EpiCenter. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 Two 14-year-old Mandeville area high school girls were arrested after an FBI department alerted the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office to their Snap Chat Conversation. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Governor Jeff Landry has signed a proclamation that states Louisiana is open for business and his administration will work to ensure the oil and gas industry can thrive in the Bayou State. President of the Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association, Tommy Faucheux, says the proclamation speaks for itself…

Cut 4 (12) “…grow in Louisiana.”

Landry has also signed an executive order that directs the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality to streamline the permitting process with the oil and gas industry. Faucheux believes the industry can grow, but not at the expense of the environment…

Cut 5 (11) “…its job.” 

There’s been a big push to reduce carbon emissions. Faucheux believes the oil and gas industry can play a big role in producing clean energy…

Cut 6 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

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LSU Health Shreveport and Volunteers of America North Louisiana have partnered to create a mental health EpiCenter program to provide youth and adults treatment for psychosis. Vice Chair of Psychiatry at LSU Health Shreveport Dr. Pamela McPherson says psychosis is more common than you might think.

Cut 7 (11) “…in young people.”

McPherson says receiving intensive treatment in the first few years of one’s psychosis is imperative for a better outcome.  While there are common misconceptions about psychosis, McPherson says it is a medical condition that affects the brain.

Cut 8 (12) “…or see.” 

She says they may also feel scared, and suspicious, that someone is trying to control their thoughts and have beliefs that are not normal for them or people in their family or community.

McPherson urges individuals when they see someone struggling with mental issues to intervene and know that help is available.

Cut 9 (12)  “…require.”

Psychosis can be brought on by medications, substance abuse, or even toxic metals. McPherson says it can also be a symptom of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, and even depression.

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A Snap Chat conversation led to the arrest of two 14-year-old Mandeville area high school girls on Tuesday. Lt. Suzanne (Sue-zahn) Carboni of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says they were alerted to the conversation by the FBI National Threat Operations Section Exigent Threat Research and Analysis Crisis Team…

Cut 10 (07) “…they had.”

In a search of the girls’ homes no guns were found.

Carboni says these threats are no joking matter and the Sheriff’s office takes all of them seriously. They work with several agencies to keep students and school personnel safe.

Cut 11 (10) “…or not” 

Contrary to popular opinion, Snap Chat conversations do not disappear, and the St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking parents to speak to their children about the seriousness of making threatening comments, even in a joking manner. Carboni says the two girls will have to appear in court.

Cut 12 (08) “…to a parent.” 

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The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office will prosecute more cases in New Orleans as a result of a new agreement with Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams. AG Liz Murrill says their office already has five prosecutors handling cases out of New Orleans and they will now take on more cases…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Attorney General’s Office.”

Murrill says under the cooperative agreement, the Louisiana A-G’s office will prosecute individuals arrested by State Police or if L-S-P was involved in the criminal investigation.

Cut 14 (11) “…hard to predict.”

Reducing crime in New Orleans is a focus of the Landry Administration. The governor is looking to bring more state troopers to the city to help the N-O-P-D fight crime. Murrill says if her office can help increase the number of convictions a strong message will be sent…

Cut 15 (10) “…breaking it.”

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The McNeese men’s basketball team is having one of its best seasons in program history and they’ve rewarded first-year head coach Will Wade with a new contract that will pay him 700-thousand dollars annually over five years. The Cowboys are 20-3 and Wade says they are just getting started…

Cut 16 (14) “…can go.” 

This is McNeese’s first 20-win season 2010-11 season. One of the victories was a win over Michigan. Wade says a day after beating the Wolverines there were six thousand unique visitors to the university’s website…

Cut 17 (12) “…change everything.” 

If Wade does leave for another coaching job, the school he goes to owes McNeese 1.25 million dollars. The buyout for the following season is one million dollars.

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The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team seeks their eighth straight win tonight when they host Georgia State in the Cajundome. The Panthers have lost six straight. U-L Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin has this scouting report on Georgia State…

Cut 18 (18)  “..where we play”

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Louisiana Tech goes after its seventh straight win tonight when they host Western Kentucky at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Hilltoppers play at the fastest tempo in the country, ranking number one with an average of 75 possessions per game. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester says they’ve worked on transition defense…

Cut 19 (19) “…for us” 

Western Kentucky has yet to win on the road in conference play, while the Bulldogs have won 11 straight at home. Its a Pack the TAC night and Hester is hoping the students come out and support their team…

Cut 20 (17) “…classmates”

Brandon Ingram scored a season high 41 points last night as the Pelicans rolled past the Raptors 138 to 100. Ingram knocked down eight three-pointers, which was a career high for the veteran forward. New Orleans is on the road for the next four, starting tomorrow night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

McNeese won its 20th game of the season last night and today head coach Will Wade agreed to a new five-year contract that will pay him 700-thousand dollars annually. That’s a lucrative contract for a school in the Southland Conference. The former LSU coach says the best is yet to come for the Pokes…
Cut 12 (12) “…area up.”
Wade says his team’s upset victory over Michigan earlier this season resulted in six thousand unique visitors to the school’s website the next day.

On paper it appears LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson will have plenty of options in his bullpen. One of the newcomers is left-hander Justin Loer, who earned seven saves for the Xavier Musketeers last season. Loer says he feeds off of the pressure…
cut 18 (18) “>….mound here”
Gavin Guidry and Nate Ackenhausen are the other pitchers who have shown the ability to get the final outs in a game.

Looking ahead to the college basketball action tomorrow night, LSU is at sixth ranked Tennessee. Louisiana Tech goes after its seventh straight win when the Bulldogs host Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are 4-and-4 in league play. The Cajuns go after their eighth straight win when they host Georgia State and ULM hosts Coastal Carolina.

Big night for Brandon Ingram last night as the Pelicans forward had a season-high 41 points in a 138 to 100 win over Toronto. Ingram was 16 of 21 from the field and drained eight three-pointers. The Pels will begin a four-game road trip tomorrow night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

In college basketball last night…both Grambling and Southern won and they stay tied for first place in the SWAC. The Jaguars beat Jackson State 72-63, while Grambling had four players in double figures in a 78-67 win over Alcorn State.

McNeese got back into the win column last night with a 77-51 win over Texas A-and-M Commerce. And this afternoon the Cowboys will announce a new contract for Coach Will Wade, a five-year deal worth 700-thousand dollars.

Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls were also winners last night. The Lions have won three in a row, the Colonels have a four game winning streak.

LSU Sophomore catcher Brady Neal is back behind the plate after a back injury forced him to miss the second half of the season last year. Neal says he tried to stay involved as much as he could last year…
Cut 16 (23) “…to the park.”
Neal will be sharing catching duties with Alex Milazzo and Hayden Travinski.

Louisiana Tech baseball is picked to finish third in Conference USA. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite to win the league, while conference newcomer Liberty has been picked to finish second. Tech was 28-31 last year and they will open the season a week from Friday against Northern Colorado.