Much of southwest and central Louisiana is under a tornado watch. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

Cities in the watch area include Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe.

Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on legislation to regulate NIL deals in college sports. Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of it; he says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but he believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put some restrictions in place right away.

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that makes disruptive protests at or near churches a crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’d like to see the original Louisiana Purchase document, you will get your chance next month. The document that doubled the size of the United States at the outset of the 19th century will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting April 14th. Governor Landry made the announcement in his State of the State address on Monday.

This is a day when you want to pay close attention to the weather. A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the storm system will work its way across the state throughout the day today.

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area.”

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.”

Lake Charles is the undisputed capital of boys’ high school basketball this week as the city is playing host to the semifinals and championships for all ten state divisions. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says the region rolls out the red carpet for the 40 teams competing each year.

Cut 5 (09) “…big game feel”

And if that’s not enough, McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon, with a trip to the NCAA Tournament at stake.

Speaking of college sports, Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on potential legislation to regulate NIL deals. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Julie Cromer says with student athletes trying to cash in on those deals, the education component of being a student-athlete is going away, and athletic departments need help.

Cut 13 (11) “…education.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe. This, as a storm system is making its way through the state from Texas. State Climatologist Jay Grimes says a tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado formation.

Cut 7 (11) “…become EF1s, EF2s.”

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”

Lake Charles is the epicenter of March Madness in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports the Southland Conference is crowning new champions today and tomorrow and the high boys basketball tournament is taking place  at the Burton Coliseum.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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. The legislation is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

We could be in for severe weather later today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas, bringing a slight risk for severe weather – a two out of five on the scale.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana.

With all due apologies to Kim Mulkey if she’s listening, but Lake Charles is the basketball capital of Louisiana this week. McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon for the chance to return to the NCAA Tournament, and the city is also hosting the boys’ high school state championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says this is the 13th straight year the Burton Coliseum is playing host.

Cut 4 (07) “…this one.” 

The U.S. Geological Survey sent a team to northwest Louisiana to install new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. This, in the wake of a series of tremors triggered by last week’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a Vivian police officer. A Caddo Parish grand jury indicted 58 year old Nicholas Alexander last month for first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Brock.

The Department of Insurance releases its benchmarks for hurricane-only premium discounts for fortified roofs. Commissioner Tim Temple says there are a total of nine tiers, and they’re based on two factors.

Cut 10 (09) “…silver or gold.”
The discounts are set to take effect for premiums purchased or renewed after January 1^st.

House Transportation has approved legislation to name a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”   Monroe Representative Michael Echols filed the bill because he says it will help secure three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction. Denham Springs Republican Representative Kellee Dickerson says the alternative to foregoing federal funding for the bridge would draw the ire of drivers by charging tolls…

Cut 6 (06) “…a chalk board.”

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 (13) “…as they are”

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.

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

Cut 3 (07) “…be fantastic”

McNeese will play Stephen F Austin for the Southland Conference Tournament Championship game at 4 PM today. The Cowboys defeated UTRGV in three overtimes last night to survive and advance.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued benchmarks for the type of premium discount homeowners should see if they have a fortified roof.  The discounts on the hurricane portion of their premium, range from 16-percent for those in north Louisiana with a base-level fortified roof to 49-percent for those in south Louisiana with a gold-level fortified roof….

Cut 12 (09) “…in south Louisiana”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the discounts take effect January 1^st and if your insurer can’t meet these discounts, they have to justify why not.

After a series of earthquakes in northwest Louisiana triggered by Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish, the U.S. Geological Survey spent time this week installing new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. Among those on the team was Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, who says this is standard operating procedure.

Cut 7 (12) “…the ground accelerations.”

There have been no additional quakes since Monday.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays Kentucky in the SEC Tournament at 11:30 and if the Tigers lose it could be the last game for Matt McMahon as head coach. Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau believes McMahon is likely to return next year due to donor fatigue.

Cut 13 (08)  “…overextended right now.”

The NFL new league year begins today and the Saints will announce their new free agent acquisitions, including running back Travis Etienne from Jennings and former Bills offensive guard David Edwards. Saints sideline reporter for WWL Radio, Jeff Nowak, says Edwards’ addition gives the o-line the potential to be something special…

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

A bill to name a proposed new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge after President Trump has received approval from the House Transportation Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Two men have been cited in the shooting of a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish.  Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries whooping crane biologists reported the bird’s transmitter stopped sending data February 28^th…the dead bird was found in a crawfish pond off Millers Lake Road there. Officials have cited those involved with violating the migratory bird treaty act.

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The Department of Insurance releases its benchmarks for hurricane-only premium discounts for fortified roofs. The discounts range from 16-percent for those in north Louisiana with a base-level fortified roof to 49-percent for those in south Louisiana with a gold-level fortified roof. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says insurance companies looking to deviate from those discount percentages will need to justify their reasons.

Cut 11 (10) “…to pay claims.”

A team from the US Geological Survey has spent time this week installing new equipment to help in detecting earthquakes.  That’s after a series of earthquakes in northwest Louisiana triggered by last Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Cynthia Ebinger (uh-BING-er) with the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering, says the data collected from those instruments will be very beneficial.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be done.”

The U.S. Geological Survey sent a team to northwest Louisiana to install new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. This, in the wake of a series of tremors triggered by last week’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a Vivian police officer. A Caddo Parish grand jury indicted 58 year old Nicholas Alexander last month for first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Brock.  The 25 year old officer was fatally shot on Nov. 14 while attempting to serve an arrest warrant at Alexander’s home.

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House Transportation has approved legislation to name a new Mississipi River bridge in Baton Rouge the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.”   Though some questioned the naming of the bridge, the legislation by Monroe Representative Michael Echols could result in securing the needed three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction. Denham Springs Republican Representative Kellee Dickerson says the alternative to foregoing federal funding for the bridge would draw the ire of drivers everywhere.

Cut 6 (06) “…a chalk board.”

The Department of Insurance releases its benchmarks for hurricane-only premium discounts for fortified roofs. Commissioner Tim Temple says there are a total of nine tiers, and they’re based on two factors.

Cut 10 (09) “…silver or gold.”
The discounts are set to take effect January 1st.