We begin the month of April with 80-percent of the state in a drought, with one-fourth of the state in an extreme drought. Burn bans are in effect in nine parishes, mostly in north-central Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says even if there’s no burn ban in your community, use extreme caution before doing any outdoor burning.

Cut 5 (10) “…the windier days.”

Louisiana Tech launches a new partnership with the Air Force Sustainment Center to create a pipeline for graduates to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in sustainment and logistics readiness. Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson says the Air Force Sustainment Center’s main goal is to ensure that warfighters are prepared to deliver their mission.

Cut 10 (10) “…to come by.”

Legislation that would keep private the income college athletes receive in a revenue sharing agreement with a public university is heading to the House floor. Lafayette Representative Tehmi Chassion is author of the legislation, and his daughter is a former college athlete…

Cut 4 (09) “…safety precaution.”

A federal settlement involving the NCAA gave universities the ability to pay their athletes directly starting with this athletic year.

Even though there was no opposition in the House Education Committee, the Public Affairs Research Council opposes this bill, because it says the revenue-sharing agreements use public money and citizens have a right to see how public money is spent. Three reporters, including Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne, recently filed a lawsuit against LSU arguing the revenue sharing agreements should be made public. Tiger Rag is owned by Kingfish Communications, which also owns Louisiana Radio Network.

The Louisiana House approves legislation requiring the Secretary of State to annually cross-reference voter information with a federal database to make sure that every registered voter in Louisiana is a U-S citizen. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu is the author of the legislation…

Cut 6 (06) “…a legal vote.”

This bill passed 74-to-29, with Democrats opposing the measure over concerns that it will disenfranchise voters. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell told fellow House members that 25-percent of naturalized citizens in certain counties in Texas were marked ineligible to vote, because the database did not have accurate information.

Cut 9 (09)  “…database.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for further discussion.

The U-S Attorney’s office has charged two young men from Columbia with arson after they allegedly burned down the only Catholic church in Caldwell Parish. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Louisiana Tech launches a new partnership with the Air Force Sustainment Center to create a pipeline for graduates to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in sustainment and logistics readiness. President Dr. Jim Henderson says it will allow students to work closely with a portion of the Sustainment Center’s nine-thousand member workforce.

Cut 11 (07) “…and the military.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that requires the Secretary of State to cross reference information of registered voters with a federal database to make sure noncitizens cannot vote in Louisiana. The bill’s author is New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu…

Cut 8 (07) “…agree with that”

That was the voice of Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan at the end of that soundbite. Democrats oppose the measure over concerns the proposal will disenfranchise voters. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says this legislation is another way to check a person’s immigration records, which could result in a legal citizen not voting…

Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana.”

The bill passed on a 74-29 vote.

The National Weather Service says there’s a good chance a majority of the state will see an inch of rain or more through Saturday night. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says rainfall is certainly needed as more than 80-percent of the state currently has drought conditions and one-fourth of the state is in extreme drought….

Cut 4 (10) “…so to speak”

Louisiana Tech has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Air Force Sustainment Center. Officials say this partnership is designed to create a pipeline of highly skilled graduates prepared to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in aircraft and warfighting sustainment and logistics readiness. La Tech President Jim Henderson says even if graduates don’t pursue a career with the military the experience they get opens them up to other careers.

Cut 12 (13) “…the job market”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that requires the Secretary of State to cross reference information of registered voters with a federal database to make sure the person is a legal citizen. Democrats voted against the legislation. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says that same database marked 25-percent of the naturalized citizens in a Texas County as a non-citizen because the database did not have up to date information…

Cut 9 ()9) “…database”

Louisiana Tech launches a new partnership with the Air Force Sustainment Center to create a pipeline for graduates to contribute to the Air Force Civilian Service in sustainment and logistics readiness. Louisiana Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson says the Air Force Sustainment Center’s main goal is to ensure that warfighters are prepared to deliver their mission.

Cut 10 (10) “…to come by.”

As we move into the second quarter of 2026, the vast majority of the state is excessively dry. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U-S Attorney’s Office has charged two young men from Columbia for setting fire to the only Catholic Church in Caldwell Parish. It happened last year on the Friday before Holy Week. Prosecutors say 19-year-old Anthony Dillon and 21-year-old James Dale Smith stole televisions and the church’s sound system before setting fire to St. John Chapel.

The Louisiana House approves legislation requiring the Secretary of State to annually cross-reference voter information with a federal database to make sure that every registered voter in Louisiana is a U-S citizen. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu is the author the legislation…

Cut  6 (06) “…illegal vote”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says Louisiana recently ran voter data through what is known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements and they found 403 noncitizens on Louisiana’s voter rolls.

A line of showers and thunderstorms is moving through northwest Louisiana at this hour and there’s a good chance of rain through Saturday statewide. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says latest data from the U-S Drought Monitor shows that more than 80-percent of Louisiana is in a drought

Cut 3 (12) “…soils moistened up”

There is a marginal risk for severe weather for most of the state on Saturday.

Despite the rising cost of producing chocolate, Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate is seeing brisk sales of their Easter Candy. CEO Rob Nelson says Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash continue to be among the most popular Easter candies in the Gulf South.

Cut 15 (06) “…in the country.”

Next year they plan to introduce new flavors for Gold Brick Egg and Heavenly Hash. If you go to Elmer’s social media channels, you can choose what you would like to see next year or give a suggestion.

And the Humane Society of Louisiana is urging parents to choose chocolate rather than live chicks or bunnies for Easter baskets and gifts. HSLA Executive Director Jeff Dorson says live animals require a commitment…

Cut 11 (12) “…of a bunny.”

A bill is moving through the House that would allow the state to release an inmate 120 days prior to his or her expected death, instead of the current 60-day window. Department of Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott supports the legislation. Westcott says inmates up for medical early release are either terminally ill, brain dead or incapacitated.

Cut 7 (06) “…of their life.”

Louisiana’s two-month window for medical early release is the shortest in the country.

Nicholls State chemistry students are discovering a way to make biodiesel using algae and oyster shells. Samia Elashry (SAHM-yah eh-LASH-ree) says this method can slash the cost of making the fuel in Louisiana by as much as 85-percent.

Cut 5 (04) “…to collect them.”

She says since algae grows abundantly in Louisiana, this could one day be a lucrative business in the state.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is urging parents to choose chocolate instead of a live animals this Easter. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Gulf South loves Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash but according to Investors Observer, Easter Candy prices have increased 67-percent since 2020. Ponchatoula-based Elmer Candy’s CEO Rob Nelson says it has still been good year for Elmer Chocolate.

Cut 14 (09) “…be very brisk.”

Alexandria police say it was a drunk driver who hit two 16-year-olds on standing on the side of the road Tuesday night, killing one of the teenagers. Authorities have booked 45-year-old Julius Layfield with vehicular homicide, negligent vehicular injury and hit and run. Alexandria Senior High student Collin Lacaze died from his injuries.

A House committee passes legislation that allows the state to release a terminally ill inmate 120 days prior to his or her expected death. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Chemistry students at Nicholls State are discovering a way to make biodiesel and save a substantial amount of money in the process – and it involves using crops available in their own backyard. The research team discovered a way to make biodiesel using algae and oyster shells. Samia Elashry (SAHM-yah eh-LASH-ree) says they turned the oyster shells into a powder, extracted the oil from the algae and mixed them together.

Cut 4 (09) “…the top layer.”

Elashry says using this method can slash the cost of making biodiesel in Louisiana by as much as 85-percent.

Despite higher cocoa prices, which has increased the price to make chocolate candy this year, Ponchatoula-based Elmer Candy has seen brisk sales for their Easter candy. That’s according to Elmer Candy CEO Rob Nelson.

Cut 13 (08)  “…a couple years.”

According to InvestorsObserver, Easter Candy prices have increased 67-percent since 2020.

Alexandria Police have made an arrest in connection with the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of Alexandria Senior High baseball player Collin Lacaze Tuesday. Yesterday, 45-year-old Julius Layfield was arrested and charged with one count of vehicular homicide, one count of vehicular negligent injury and one count of hit and run. Tuesday night, Collin and a 16-year-old girl were standing on the shoulder of Eddie Williams Avenue when a vehicle hit them and fled the scene. The young girl also suffered serious injuries. Collin Lacaze was remembered with a moment of silence yesterday’s softball game between ASH and Pineville.

Louisiana’s two-month window for medical early release is the shortest in the country, but a proposed bill would allow the state to release an inmate 120 days prior to the inmate’s expected death. The bill’s author Houma Republican Jerome Zeringue calls himself a tough on crime legislator but says compassion can be shown to an inmate’s family in this situation.

Cut 8 (14) “…members as well.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved the bill, and the measure heads to the House floor.

This Easter, the Humane Society of Louisiana has a simple message – choose chocolate over live animals for Easter baskets and gifts. HSLA Executive Director Jeff Dorson says every year, around Easter, there’s an uptick in surrenders of these animals to shelters, and LDWF also sees an increase in calls…

Cut 12 (12) “…sick or injured.”

Despite the rising cost of producing chocolate, Ponchatoula-based Elmer’s Chocolate is seeing brisk sales of their Easter Candy. CEO Rob Nelson says Gold Brick Eggs and Heavenly Hash continue to be among the most popular Easter candies in the Gulf South.

Cut 15 (06) “…in the country.”

Next year they plan to introduce new flavors for Gold Brick Egg and Heavenly Hash next year. If you go to Elmer’s social media channels, you can choose what you would like to see next year or give a suggestion.

Nicholls State chemistry students are discovering a way to make biodiesel that saves a substantial amount of money. It involves using algae and oyster shells. Samia Elashry (SAHM-yah eh-LASH-ree) says since algae is abundant in Louisiana, this could one day be a lucrative business in the state.

Cut 6 (05) “…can grow anywhere.”

She adds if the catalyst from the oyster shells can be recycled, fewer oyster shells will be needed for the process.

A House committee passes legislation that allows the state to release a terminally ill inmate 120 days prior to his or her expected death. Louisiana’s two-month window for medical early release is the shortest in the country. Department of Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott supports the legislation and says if an inmate is released under medical parole, the inmate can be returned to state custody if his or her health improves.

Cut 9 (08)  “…back to custody.”

Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolates is celebrating another successful Easter candy season. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

And the Human Society of Louisiana is urging parents to choose chocolate rather than live chicks or bunnies for Easter baskets and gifts. HSLA Executive Director Jeff Dorson says live animals require a commitment that many are not prepared to make.

Cut 11 (12) “…of a bunny.”