A proposed Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge could be named after President Trump. House Transportation has approved legislation by Monroe Representative Michael Echols to name the new bridge the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.” Echols says naming the bridge after the President could result in securing the needed three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction.

Cut 4 (12) “…of that reality.”

The bill passed on a 12-to-2 vote.

Shreveport Democrat Joy Walters voted against the legislation. Walters suggested that naming the bridge after the current President should be an idea coming from Louisiana’s congressional delegation. She also asked Echols if he was trying to score political points for his run to replace Republican Julia Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.

Cut 5 (10) “…get his attention.”

————————

The Department of Insurance released the benchmarks for hurricane premium discounts for those with fortified roofs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two people were cited following the shooting of a whooping crane in Evangeline Parish.  Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries whooping crane biologists reported the bird’s transmitter stopped sending date February 28^th…the dead bird was found in a crawfish pond off Millers Lake Road.  After an investigation, officials cited the two men with violating the migratory bird treaty act.

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.”

____________________________________________

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.”

____________________________________________

The Department of Insurance released the benchmarks for hurricane premium discounts for those with fortified roofs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________

A proposed Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge could be named after President Trump. The House Transportation has approved legislation by Monroe Representative Michael Echols to name the new bridge the “President Donald J. Trump Expressway.” Echols says naming the bridge after the President could result in securing the needed three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction.

Cut 4 (12) “…of that reality.”

The bill passed on a 12-to-2 vote.

Echols is also in the running to replace Republican Julia Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District.

Shreveport Democrat Joy Walters voted against the legislation. Walters suggested that naming the bridge after the current President should be an idea coming from Louisiana’s congressional delegation. She also asked Echols if he was trying to score political points for his Congressional campaign.

Cut 5 (10) “…get his attention.”

State transportation officials are looking to build a bridge south of the current I-10 bridge, connecting LA Highway 1 in Iberville Parish to LA Highway 30 in Ascension Parish to reduce congestion in the capital city. 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.”

Tolls will be used to pay for a portion of the new I-10 Lake Charles bridge. Echols’ measure heads to the House floor for more consideration.

____________________________________________________

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.”

Ebinger says the data collected from those instruments will be very beneficial.

Cut 8 (10) “…to be done.”

Ebinger says she’s done prior studies using the equipment to examine the connection between earthquakes and wastewater injection, which is prevalent in states like Texas and Oklahoma where earthquake activity is increasing.

Cut 9 (14)  “…few near Coushatta.”

________________________________________________________

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 silver and gold designations refer to higher levels of mitigation. The discounts on hurricane coverage 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. Temple says insurance companies looking to deviate from those discount percentages will need to justify their reasons.

Cut 11 (10) “…to pay claims.”

Temple says he hopes these discounts will be the overriding factor in convincing people – especially those along the coast – considering a fortified roof to make the move.

Cut 12 (09) “…in south Louisiana.”

The discounts take effect January 1st.

___________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team opens SEC Tournament play today against ninth-seeded Kentucky at 11:30 a.m. Today’s game could be the last for Matt McMahon as LSU’s head coach, as he holds a 17-and-54 record in SEC play over four seasons in Baton Rouge. However, Tiger Rag editor Glenn Guilbeau believes McMahon is likely to return next year due to LSU’s current financial situation.

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

Guilbeau says it may be too late to fire McMahon now and believes a better time would be next year, when LSU is in a stronger financial position.

Cut 14 (14) “…gets real expensive.”

If LSU ends up firing McMahon, Guilbeau says a reunion with Will Wade in Baton Rouge could be possible, given the support Wade has from the current administration.

Cut 15 (13) “…love at LSU.”

_____________________________________________________________

The Saints’ several new free agency signings will become official at three p.m. today when the new NFL league year officially begins. New Orleans’ most notable addition is former Jaguars running back and Jennings native Travis Etienne. WWL Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak says Etienne is a great pickup.

Cut 16 (15) “…his four seasons.”

The Saints 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 Nowak, his addition gives the offensive line the potential to be something special next season.

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

New Orleans also reinforced its tight-end room by signing Noah Fant. Nowak says Fant is a versatile player who can be used in multiple ways in Kellen Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (17)  “…on the field.”

Nowak says Etienne’s signing raises questions about what Alvin Kamara’s future in New Orleans might look like.

Cut 19 (14) “…next few months.”

A proposed Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge could be named after President Trump. The House Transportation Committee approved legislation by Monroe Representative Michael Echols to name the new bridge the President Donald J. Trump Expressway. The vote was 12-2. Echols says naming the bridge after the President could result in securing the needed three-billion dollars in federal funding for construction.

Cut 25 (12) “…of that reality”

Shreveport Democrat Joy Walters voted against the bill, suggesting that it’s an idea that should come from Louisiana’s Congressional delegation. She also asked Echols if he was trying to score political points for his Congressional campaign…

Cut 5 (10) “…his attention.”

Governor Landry used his State of the State address to push for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. Landry says the amendment would pay down debt within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana which would free up money for teacher pay raises…

Cut 26 (10) “…responsibly funded.”

As debate over funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program gets underway in the legislature, one poll indicates that the program is popular among Louisiana voters. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, says its first quarter Pelican Pulse Poll shows that 61-percent support the program. She says the biggest benefit is that it puts parents squarely in control of their children’s education.

Cut 4 (08) “…child’s unique needs.”

The LSU baseball team looks to put an end to its offensive struggles tonight when the Tigers host Creighton at 6:30 p.m. in their last game before conference play. This season, LSU is hitting .291, which ranks 14th out of 16 teams in the SEC.

The UL-Lafayette baseball team is coming off a series win against Dallas Baptist. The Cajuns will play four games at home this weekend, starting with Texas Rio Grande Valley tonight. UL-Lafayette currently holds the number-12 RPI but remains unranked after opening the season 12-and-4. Head coach Matt Deggs doesn’t want his team looking too far ahead and believes the Cajuns must focus on controlling what they can and continue to improve each day as a team.

Cut 19 (13) “…or lose focus.”

First pitch tonight is at 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech baseball looks to keep its two-game win streak going against Lamar at 6 p.m.

The McNeese men’s basketball team opens play in the Southland Conference Tournament tonight, facing Texas Rio Grande Valley at 8:30 p.m. The Cowboys split the season series with the Vaqueros, but this matchup carries more significance as both teams battle to stay alive for a chance at an NCAA Tournament berth.

McNeese women’s basketball will also face Texas Rio Grande Valley in their first game of the Southland tournament. Tipoff tomorrow is at 10:30 a.m.

Last night, Grambling State men’s basketball opened up the SWAC Tournament with a dominant 77-52 win over Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers connected on 13 three-pointers in the victory. Grambling will face seventh-seeded Jackson State tonight at 8:30 p.m.

Tomorrow, the LSU men’s basketball team will open up play at the SEC Tournament against ninth-seeded Kentucky at 11:30 a.m.

Coach Brooke Stoehr and her Lady Techsters will take on eighth-seeded Delaware tomorrow morning at 11:30 to open up play in the Conference U-S-A tournament.

LSU senior guard Flau’jae Johnson is one of five finalists for the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award, which recognizes the nation’s top shooting guard.

Northwest Louisiana has been dealing with a series of earthquakes since a 4.9 quake rattled Red River Parish last Thursday.  Doctor Justin Rubenstein says he’s not expecting another quake greater than 4.9 and the aftershocks following last Thursday’s earthquake is common. He says if the ground does start moving again, here are some things you can do to protect yourself…

Cut 14 (10) “…the shaking stops.”

Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama is more successful than expected. They projected about 71-thousand riders for the first year but exceeded 80 thousand in half the time. And Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says furthermore, riders give the line rave reviews.

Cut 10 (10) “…and customer experience.”

Governor Landry wants to double the funding for the L-A Gator voucher program. Current funding is 44 million dollars and there is a waiting list for the program that serves 56-hundred children, mostly from low-income families who use the dollars to pay for private school tuition. A recent poll from the Pelican Institute found 61-percent support for expanding the program. Vice President of the Pelican Institute Erin Bendiily…

Cut 5 (11) “…government-run school.”

Landry is also pushing for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. The measure would pay down teacher retirement debt; to make permanent a 22-hundred dollar pay raise that teachers already receive but as a stipend.  Landry says passage of the Amendment would show our public-school teachers that the public has their back…

Cut 7 (12) “…to leave.”

Governor Landry used his State of the State address to push for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. Landry says the amendment would pay down debt within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana which would free up money for teacher pay raises…

Cut 6 (10) “…responsibly funded.”

The legislature is taking up Governor Landry’s request to double the current 44 million dollars in funding for the LA Gator Scholarship program.  Vice president of the Pelican Institute, Erin Bendily says it’s a popular program. Their first quarter Pelican Pulse Poll shows that 61-percent support the program.

Cut 3 (08) “…LA GATOR program.”

Amtrak’s new service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, has been far more successful than everyone had expected. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Last Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Red River Parish was followed by several other quakes in the following days, ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.4. Dr. Justin Rubenstein with the U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 4.9 is at the upper edge of the light earthquake category with minimal damage. He says there may be additional aftershocks, but chances of another earthquake of that same magnitude…

Cut 13 (08) “…one in six.”

Amtrak’s new service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, has been far more successful than everyone had expected. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Northwest Louisiana has been experiencing a series of earthquakes over the past several days. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

____________________________________________

As debate over funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program gets underway in the legislature, one poll indicates that the program is popular among Louisiana voters. Erin Bendily, the senior vice president of the Pelican Institute, says its first quarter Pelican Pulse Poll shows that 61-percent support the program.

Cut 3 (08) “…LA GATOR program.”

The LA Scholarship program provides state dollars to an eligible family to pay for nonpublic school tuition, or it can go towards tutoring, textbooks, dual enrollment courses and uniforms.

Bendily says the biggest benefit to the LA GATOR program is that it puts parents squarely in control of their children’s education.

Cut 4 (08) “…child’s unique needs.”

Currently, the LA GATOR program is funded at 44-million dollars and serves about 56-hundred students, mostly low-income families that were involved in the state’s previous voucher program.

Governor Landry wants to double the program’s funding to 88-million, but legislative leaders are concern about growing a program they might not be able to fully fund in the future. But Bendily says interest in the program is high as families want more choices on how to educate their children.

Cut 5 (11) “…government-run school.”

____________________________________________

Governor Landry used his State of the State address to push for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. Landry says the amendment would pay down debt within the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana which would free up money for teacher pay raises…

Cut 6 (10) “…responsibly funded.”

If Amendment 3 passes, the permanent pay raise would be 22-hundred dollars for teachers 11-hundred dollars for support staff. These educators are receiving this money, but it’s considered a stipend and could go away.

Landry says passage of Amendment 3 would show our public school teachers that we support them…

Cut 7 (12) “…to leave.”

Landry is encouraging lawmakers to educate the public about the importance of this legislation…

Cut 8 (09) “…raising taxes.”

________________________________________________

People knew that Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, would be successful, but they probably underestimated how successful. Amtrak projected about 71-thousand riders on that line in its first year; it’s now exceeded 80-thousand – and it needed only half that time to do so! Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says there are many reasons why people are riding the Mardi Gras line in droves.

Cut 9 (09)  “…day of it.”

Ross says furthermore, riders give Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line rave reviews.

Cut 10 (10) “…and customer experience.”

Ross says the success of the Mardi Gras line can lead to further enhancements.

Cut 11 (07) “…on that line.”

And plans are still in the works to extend the Mardi Gras line to Baton Rouge.

_______________________________________________

As if last Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Red River Parish wasn’t enough, that was followed by several other earthquakes in the following days, including four within a ten-minute span early yesterday morning near Coushatta, ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.4. Dr. Justin Rubenstein with the U.S. Geological Survey says these additional earthquakes following an initial earthquake, sometimes referred to as aftershocks, are very common.

Cut 12 (08) “…change in stress.”

A magnitude 4.9 is at the upper edge of what is considered to be a light earthquake with minimal damage. Dr. Rubenstein says while there may be additional aftershocks, the chances of another earthquake of that same magnitude in the near term is fairly low.

Cut 13 (08) “…one in six.”

Rubenstein says if you do find yourself in the middle of an earthquake, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Cut 14 (10) “…the shaking stops.”

Nicholas Alexander is facing the death penalty for shooting and killing 25-year-old Vivian Police Officer, Marc Brock, last November. Caddo D.A. James Stewart Sr. made the announcement today. Alexander allegedly shot Brock through a closed door when Brock and another officer announced themselves and attempted entry to Alexander’s residence to serve him an arrest warrant for cyberstalking.

As debate over granting Governor Landry’s wish to double the funding of the LA GATOR scholarship program gets underway in the legislature, one poll indicates that the program is popular among Louisiana voters. Erin Bendily, with the Pelican Institute, says the biggest benefit of the LA GATOR program is that it gives parents control.

Cut 4 (08) “…child’s unique needs.”

Currently, the LA GATOR program is funded at 44-million dollars and serves about 56-hundred students

Northwest Louisiana has been experiencing a series of earthquakes over the past several days. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, has exceeded expectations with more than 80 thousand riders to become the number one Amtrak train among all of their trains in customer satisfaction and experience. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the success of the Mardi Gras line can lead to further enhancements.

Cut 11 (07) “…on that line.”

Plans are still in the works to extend the Mardi Gras line to Baton Rouge.

Governor Jeff Landry says it is time to retire the inspection sticker. In his State of the State address, Landry says he supports a bill, which would eliminate the need for Louisiana residents to get an inspection sticker for non-commercial vehicles…

Cut 26 (14) “…only six dollars”

State Representative Larry Bagley has once again authored the bill to eliminate the requirement for the annual vehicle inspection stickers. But as the bill is currently written, there’s no mention of changing to a Q-R code.

Landry is encouraging voters to approve Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. The governor says passage of that amendment would result in the state paying down teacher retirement debt that would convert a 22-hundred dollar teacher pay stipend, into a permanent pay raise…

Cut 8 (09) “…raising taxes”

People knew that Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, would be successful, but they probably underestimated how successful. Amtrak projected about 71-thousand riders on that line in its first year; it’s now exceeded 80-thousand – and only half the time to do so! Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says there are many reasons why people are riding the Mardi Gras line in droves.

Cut 9 (09)  “…day of it.”

Northwest Louisiana has been dealing with a series of earthquakes since a 4.9 quake rattled Red River Parish last Thursday.  Doctor Justin Rubenstein says he’s not expecting another quake greater than 4.9 and the aftershocks following last Thursday’s earthquake is common. He says if the ground does start moving again, here are some things you can do to protect yourself…

Cut 14 (10) “…shaking stops”

Governor Landry is pushing for the passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16^th ballot. The measure would pay down teacher retirement debt, to make permanent a 22-hundred dollar pay raise that teachers already receives but as a stipend.  Landry says passage of the Amendment would show our public-school teachers that the public has their back…

Cut 7 (12) “…to leave.”

Landry also wants to see more funding for the state’s voucher program known as L-A Gator. It currently serves 56-hundred children, mostly from low-income families who use the dollars to pay for private school tuition. The Pelican Institute just conducted a poll and found 61-percent support expanding the program. Vice President of the Pelican Institute Erin Bendiily…

Cut 5 (11) “…government run school”

As if last Thursday’s magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Red River Parish wasn’t enough, that was followed by several other earthquakes in the following days, including four within a ten-minute span early Monday morning near Coushatta, ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 4.4. Dr. Justin Rubenstein with the U.S. Geological Survey says these additional earthquakes following an initial earthquake, sometimes referred to as aftershocks, are very common.

Cut 12 (08) “…change in stress.”

Dr. Rubenstein says while there may be additional aftershocks, the chances of another earthquake of 4.9 or higher in the near term is fairly low.

A check on gas prices finds that they are up another seven cents today. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.11, up 61 cents from a month ago and 40-cents from a week ago.