Saints owner Gayle Benson responds to the controversy involving the team’s affiliation with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the release of a list of suspected abusive priests last year. Benson says Saints VP of Communications Greg Bensel was asked if he would help the Archdiocese prepare for the media related to the list’s release, and that his recommendation was to be honest, complete, and transparent. She says Bensel had no part in the creation of the list. The team is being sued by victims for it’s alleged role.

LSU hires a new passing game coordinator…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Army Corps of Engineers announces a plan to spend $85 million this year to deepen the lower portion of the Mississippi River. The goal is to deepen the river to 50 feet and Port of New Orleans spokesperson Matt Gresham says that allows for several southeast Louisiana ports to accept larger cargo ships built to take advantage of the Panama Canal’s expansion.

Cut 9 (12) “…the Panama Canal.″

The total project is expected to cost nearly $240 million, with the state covering more than $100 million, with an annual maintenance cost of $17.7 million.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The deceased has been identified at 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette. Trooper Thomas Gossen say  two officers approached Baham and that’s when things got physical and took a turn.

Cut 4 (12) “…more information.”

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night and two school systems canceled classes today due to flooding, Morehouse and West Carroll Parish Schools. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says northeast Louisiana has already seen a lot of rain

Cut 5 (09)  “…five inches.”

Fenner says the rain slacks off a little today, but more heavy rainfall is expected…

The Army Corps of Engineers announces a plan to spend $85 million this year to deepen the Mississippi River.  Port of New Orleans spokesperson Matt Gresham says the initial phase will see work done on the first thirty miles of the river.

Cut 8 (11) “…about Oak Alley.”

The goal is to deepen the river to 50 feet.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron has hired former Rams head coach Scott Linehan to be the Tigers new passing game coordinator. Linehan has also been a former offensive coordinator in Dallas, Minnesota, Miami, and Detroit. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it’s an interesting hire

Cut 11 (07) “…20 years.”

Orgeron told a Baton Rouge radio station that Linehan and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will be a great combination with the former NFL coach helping with third-down and red zone game planning.

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty to federal and state criminal charges for setting fire to three predominately black St. Landry Parish church last spring. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says Matthews didn’t have much of defense…
Cut 14 (12) “…for it”
Matthews will be sentenced in May and faces at least 10 years in prison in federal court.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The deceased has been identified at 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette. Trooper Thomas Gossen says two officers approached Baham and that’s when things got physical and took a turn.

Cut 4 (12) “…more information.”

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has declared a state of emergency as the Monroe area braces for flooded roads and rivers. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says there is an elevated risk for flash flooding…

Cut 7 (09) “…same location.”

The Lower Mississippi River is being dredged to accommodate bigger ships.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Lafayette. The deceased has been identified at 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the shooting happened Monday evening on Kaliste Saloom Road.

Cut 3 (10)  “…(x2) with a weapon” 

The subject was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office.

A 22-year-old Opelousas man suspected of burning down three African American churches in St. Landry Parish last Spring pleads guilty to federal and state criminal charges. Holden Matthews pleaded guilty to four federal counts. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenburg says Matthews faces up to 70 years in prison…

cut 15 (10) “…sentencing”

A federal judge will sentence Matthews on May 22nd.

Legislation aimed at eliminating the death penalty will once again be up for discussion by state lawmakers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says the rain slacks off a little today, but more heavy rainfall is expected…

Cut 6 (09) “…northeast Louisiana”

A man who torched three St. Landry Parish churches pleads guilty in federal and state court. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle. 

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Lafayette. They have identified 40-year old Jeremy Todd Baham of Lafayette as the victim.

Authorities say two Lafayette Police officers responded to a disturbance involving a weapon. Baham approached the officer and a physical confrontation ensued which led to the suspect being fatally shot.

North Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until six pm tomorrow night and two school systems canceled classes today due to flooding, Morehouse and West Carroll Parish Schools. National Weather Service Meteorologist Nicholas Fenner says northeast Louisiana has already seen a lot of rain.

Cut 5 (09)  “…five inches.”

In Alabama, LSU fans can show their support for the Tigers on their car tag. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynes admits the initial design is modest on school spirit.  In five years, a redesign can be submitted, it over a thousand plates are in circulation, Haynes says they then can propose a full plate design.

Cut 9 (12) “…vanilla and plain.

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty in federal and state court to burning down three historically black St. Landry Parish Baptist churches last spring. As part of the deal, Matthews pleaded guilty to three federal counts of intentional damage to religious property, a hate crime under the 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg expects Matthews will receive a lengthy sentence.

Cut 13 (10) “…sentences.”
Alabama drivers will soon have the opportunity to have their own LSU license plate. In Louisiana, a specialty tag design requires legislative approval, but in Alabama, the proposed design just needed 250 drivers to apply and prepay for the plate. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynessays they hit the goal.

Cut 8 (10) “…else after that.”

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green introduces a House bill aimed at eliminating the death penalty and allows those previously sentenced to be resentenced to life without parole.

Kyle Joekel, the man found guilty of killing two St. John the Baptist deputies in 2012 became the latest inmate to receive a death sentence.  Green expects to have to counter arguments from examples such as those killings.

Cut 6 (08) “…with those individuals.”

Last year, a bill to abolish the death penalty died on the House floor.

Louisiana gets low marks from the American Lung Association’s 2020 report for its failure to properly fund anti-smoking programs and enact anti-smoking legislation. State Director Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana maintains one of the highest smoking rates in the nation for both adults, and teens.

Cut 10 (09) “…percent.”

22-year-old Holden Matthews of Opelousas has pleaded guilty to federal and state criminal charges for setting fire to three predominately black St. Landry Parish church last spring. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says Matthews didn’t have much of defense…
cut 14 (12) “….for it”
Matthews will be sentenced in May and faces at least 10 years in prison in federal court.

Louisiana receives failing grades on its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use in the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control Report. State Director Ashley Lyerly says Louisiana also received a “C” grade for its strength of smokefree workplace laws…
cut 11 (09) “…e-cigarettes”

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green is authoring a bill for the upcoming session that seeks to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Green says the state hasn’t executed anyone in 10 years, it’s costly to have an inmate on death row and he says if Louisiana is truly a pro-life state it shouldn’t have lethal injections…
cut 5 (09) “….on death row”

Alabama drivers will soon have the opportunity to have their own LSU license plate. Webster Parish native and vice president of the Birmingham LSU Alumni Chapter Kenny Haynes decided to launch a campaign to get an LSU tag after seeing other out of state schools have their own special plate design.
Cut 7 (10) “…LSU tag in Alabama.”
Haynes says it took 250 drivers to apply and prepay for the license plate for the LSU plate in Alabama to become a reality.

A 22-year-old Opelousas man suspected of burning down three African American churches in St. Landry Parish last Spring pleads guilty to federal and state criminal charges. Holden Matthews pleaded guilty to four federal counts. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenburg says Matthews faces up to 70 years in prison…
cut 15 (10) “…sentencing”
A federal judge will sentence Matthews on May 22nd.

Marrero Democrat Kyle Green has filed a House bill to end the death penalty in Louisiana. The proposed legislation says death row inmates would be resentenced to a life sentence without parole. Green believes there are more GOP lawmakers interested in abolishing the death penalty because it would save money…
Cut 4 (11) “…it hasn’t reduced crime.”

LSU fans living in Alabama have the opportunity to show their school pride with an official license plate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints owner Gayle Benson denies an accusation that the franchise played a role in determining which priests should be named on a list of clergy accused of sexual abuse. Plaintiffs suing the church say there are emails that show team executives participated in what they call the church’s pattern and practice of concealing the crimes.