One state lawmaker wants voters to decide whether to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour. Business groups have said, let the market determine wages, but Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says $7.25 is not a livable wage…

Cut 14 (07) “…7.25 a n hour”

Barrow’s proposed constitutional amendment would set Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, and it would task a state agency to adjust it annually based on the consumer price index.

The McNeese Men’s basketball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive season after beating Stephen F Austin 76-59 in the Southland Tournament Championship game. Coach Bill Armstrong took over for Will Wade and keeps the streak of Big Dance invitations going, but Armstrong credits the players…

Cut 3 (12) “…..work to do”

Armstrong becomes the first coach in Southland history to earn an NCAA Tournament bid in his first season as a Division One head coach.

Small businesses reported higher sales in February according to the monthly survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB State Director Leah Long says small businesses are starting to see stronger sakes and she’s eager to see how the Louisiana Legislature can continue to help small businesses…

Cut 8 (08) “….workforce in Louisiana”

The One Door policy helps those individuals on government assistance receive job training and placement.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has charged two crawfish farm workers for allegedly killing whooping crane in Evangeline Parish. Corporal Tib Guillory says many of these birds are tracked, because there is not a lot of them in the wild. He says this particular whooping crane’s transmitter stopped sending data on February 28^th…

Cut 5 (10) “…check on them”

The whooping crane was fatally shot in Evangeline Parish and the two men face civil restitution totaling 15-thousand dollars.

Small business owners are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge now that the legislative session is underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Entergy is reporting 16-thousand customers in Louisiana are without power because of the severe weather that rolled through the state last night. Tangipahoa Parish has numerous trees down and they’ve delayed the start of school.

McNeese is heading back to the Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Cowboys beat Stephen F Austin yesterday for their third consecutive Southland title.

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow wants voters to decide whether to raise the minimum wage from the current wage of $7.25 an hour. The wage has not changed since 2009 and previous attempts to raise it have been defeated, with business groups telling lawmakers it will raise costs and lead to fewer jobs. But Barrow says the business owners she spoke with, say that’s not the case…

Cut 15 (12) “…with your employees”

Barrow’s proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the minimum wage to $10.25 an hour and adjust it annually based on the consumer price index will be debated sometime in this session.

A bill advancing to the Senate floor would allow the Louisiana Wildlife Fisheries Commission to establish a recreational alligator hunting season. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth there’s a commercial alligator hunting season which the reality show Swamp People made popular, but they want to open it up to five-thousand recreational hunters…

Cut 12 (08) “…want to experience”

A lottery would determine who can hunt alligators.

One lawmaker wants to let voters have the final say on the minimum wage. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Gas prices increased a few more pennies over night to a statewide average of $3.23 for a gallon of regular gasoline. According to AAA, gas prices are 33-cents higher than this time last week and 72-cents higher than a month ago. The International Energy Agency says it will release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve, but analysts say that will not help bring gas prices back down.

Two men are cited for allegedly shooting and killing a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish last month. LDWF agents cited 36-year-old Logan Thrasher of St. Landry and 33-year-old Manuel Luis of Mexico for violating the migratory bird treaty act in killing the bird. Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Tib Guillory says whooping cranes are federally protected.

Cut 4 (06) “…lot of them”

Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing in the state, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters.

Cut 10 (09) “…to hunt alligators.”

According to the bill that’s heading to the senate floor, recreational hunters would not be allowed to shoot alligators; it would be hook and line harvesting from land.

Small business owners are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge now that the legislative session is underway. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Legislation that would allow the Louisiana Wildlife Commission to establish a recreational alligator season has received approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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One lawmaker wants to let voters have the final say on the minimum wage. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two men are cited for allegedly shooting and killing a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish last month. LDWF agents cited 36-year-old Logan Thrasher of St. Landry and 33-year-old Manuel Luis of Mexico for violating the migratory bird treaty act in killing the bird. Wildlife and Fisheries Corporal Tib Guillory says whooping cranes are federally protected.

Cut 4 (06) “…lot of them”

Guillory says as such, whooping crane biologists place GPS collars on as many of them as they can so that they can alert certain people that the birds are near them and they should be left alone.

Cut 5 (10) “…check on them.”

LDWF agents were led to Thrasher and Luis because they were working on the farm where the whooping crane was found shot to death and on the day when he stopped sending data. Guillory says the two men face up to 120 days in jail and a 950-dollar fine, along with restitution.

Cut 6 (03) “…15-thousand dollars.”

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Small businesses in Louisiana are keeping a keen eye on Baton Rouge as the legislative session gets underway. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one issue facing many small business owners is the quality of labor, and that’s something that she’d like the legislature to address.

Cut 7 (10) “…go to work.”

Concerns over labor quality caused a slight drop in the monthly Small Business Optimism Index, but that was tempered somewhat by strong sales and profit figures that are causing them to feel more certain in the coming months. Long says the legislature made great strides last year, and she wants to see that momentum continue.

Cut 8 (08) “…workforce in Louisiana.”

Long says navigating Louisiana’s complex taxation system continues to be a minefield for small business owners, and she says that can be alleviated by the legislature implementing a centralized sales tax.

Cut 9 (09)  “…remit sales tax.”

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Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing in the state, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters.

Cut 10 (09) “…to hunt alligators.”

About 50 years ago, the state’s alligator population was below 100-thousand; but thanks to conservation efforts, there are now more than three-million gators in the state, with about two-million in the wild. Wildlife and Fisheries General Counsel Garrett Cole says interested recreational hunters would be chosen through a lottery.

Cut 11 (10) “…the secretary said.”

The recreational hunters would not be allowed to shoot alligators; it would be hook and line harvesting from land. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says they want to provide this recreational opportunity for the common folk of Louisiana.

Cut 12 (08) “…want to experience.”

The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season. It now heads to the Senate floor for more discussion. It would be the Louisiana Wildlife Commission that would set up the official rules and regulations.

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A lawmaker wants to give voters the final say on a minimum wage increase. Louisiana is one of 20 states in which the minimum wage aligns with the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since July of 2009. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Barrow’s proposal would set Louisiana’s minimum wage to $10.25 an hour, and it would task a state agency to adjust it annually based on the consumer price index. Barrow says too many people in Louisiana still make minimum wage.

Cut 14 (07) “…$7.25 an hour.”

This is by no means the first time someone has proposed an increase to the state’s minimum wage. In all previous attempts, business groups have pushed back, saying raising the minimum wage would lead to higher consumer prices and fewer jobs. Barrow says business owners she’s spoken to disagree with that notion.

Cut 15 (12) “…with your employees.”

Since this is a proposed constitutional amendment, it will require a two-thirds majority in both houses before it goes to the voters.

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The number-13 LSU baseball team ended its two-game losing streak Tuesday with an 8-4 win over Creighton. The Tigers also appeared to shake off their hitting slump, recording nine hits, including two home runs. Junior outfielder Jake Brown said the team held a players-only meeting before the game to address the struggles.

Cut 16 (12) “…next to you.”

Brown hit his ninth home run in Tuesday’s win and leads the Tigers in home runs, batting average, RBI and stolen bases. He credits his offseason work to helping him get off to a fast start this season.

Cut 17 (11)  “…perform so far.”

After missing the last 15 games with a hand injury, LSU senior outfielder Chris Stanfield made his return to the lineup. Coach Jay Johnson says having Stanfield in the lineup makes the Tigers better.

Cut 18 (15)  “…to be made.”

Johnson says whether or not Stanfield will start this weekend is still up in the air.

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The LSU men’s basketball season ended Wednesday with an 87-82 loss to ninth-seeded Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. The Tigers finished 15-and-17, marking the second consecutive and third overall losing season under head coach Matt McMahon in his four years in Baton Rouge. McMahon acknowledged the criticism surrounding the program.

Cut 19 (18) “…make moving forward.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says with his legislation, he’s not trying to infringe upon the First Amendment right to protest…

Cut 9 (09)  “…day of it.”

The legislation, which is headed to the Senate floor, is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer.

Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it is unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” so it does not infringe on free speech rights…

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters…

Cut 10 (09) “…alligators.”

About 50 years ago, the state’s alligator population was below 100-thousand, but thanks to conservation efforts there are now more than three-million gators in the state. The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season, it now heads to the Senate Floor for more discussion.

A state lawmaker wants to give voters the opportunity to decide if the minimum wage should be raised from $7.25 an hour. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Previous attempts to raise the minimum wage have been defeated because opponents say it will lead to higher costs and fewer jobs.

The LSU men’s basketball season came to an end today as the Tigers fell 87-82 against ninth-seeded Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. LSU finishes the season 15-and-17, which is head coach Matt McMahon’s second consecutive and third total losing season in Baton Rouge.

McNeese women’s basketball defeated Texas Rio Grande Valley 67-52 to win their 21st straight game. With the win, the Cowgirls advance to the Southland Tournament championship game, where they will play either Lamar or Stephen F. Austin tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team throttled Delaware, 72-43, this afternoon to advance to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals. The Lady Techsters will face either Liberty or Sam Houston on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Grambling State fell 68-65 to seventh-seeded Jackson State in the second round of the SWAC Tournament to end the Tigers’ season.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will open Conference USA Tournament play tomorrow against Middle Tennessee at 5:30 p.m.

The Saints’ several new free agency signings are now official. New Orleans addressed a key positional need by signing offensive guard David Edwards. Edwards, who spent the past three seasons with Buffalo and won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022, is expected to start at left guard. According to WWL Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak, Edwards’ addition gives the offensive line the potential to be something special next season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…looking offensive line.”

The thirteenth-ranked LSU baseball team ended a two-game losing streak last night after defeating Creighton 8-4.

UL-Lafayette baseball improved to 13-and-4 last night after beating Texas Rio Grande Valley 11-7.

Louisiana Tech only tallied one hit in its 6-0 shutout loss to Lamar last night.

There’s a strong line of thunderstorms moving across the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says it could get rough across southeast Louisiana after bedtime…

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area”

There’s a medium risk for damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and isolated flash flooding.

A Senate committee advances a bill that would make it a crime to stage a disruptive protest inside a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says his bill would not prohibit someone from holding a sign in front of a place of worship; but causing a disruption would lead to a 500-dollar fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Cut 10 (12) “…disruptive service.”

Free speech advocates say the legislation is unconstitutional.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines as it needs to come up with legislation to regulate NIL deals in college athletics. Cassidy says legislation needs to be put in place protect student athletes who are signing these deals that result in agents receiving a 40-percent commission.

cut 12 (12) “…go to pros”

Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of the discussion. Tuberville says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put restrictions in place…

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

Cassidy says Congress needs to tackle this issue, because he says an executive order can be overturned by the next president.

There’s potential for severe weather tonight and during the overnight hours. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says wind gusts stronger than 60 miles per hour and isolated flooding is possible, along with tornadoes…

Cut 7 (11) “…EF1s, EF2s”

Cooler temperatures tomorrow, with highs only in the 60, but it will be sunny.

A Senate committee approves a bill making it a crime to conduct a protest that disrupts church services. Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” …

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

US Senator Bill Cassidy held a hearing on college athletics that focused on NIL deals. Cassidy says some of these student athletes are being taking advantage of by their agent and the transferring from school to school is preventing them from workings towards a degree. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy raised concerns about trying to restrict what students can receive through NIL deals…

Cut 15 (10) “…professional sport.”

Cassidy plans to hold additional hearings on the issue.

March Madness is peaking right now in Lake Charles as the city is hosting the Southland Conference basketball tournament and the boys high school basketball championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler….

Cut 3 (07) “…be fantastic”

Big upset in the boys’ basketball tournament today as 12^th seeded Northside upset top seeded Madison Prep 65 to 61 in the Division Two select semifinals.