12 US Senate Republicans voted against the President’s national emergency declaration that would allow him to access billions in construction dollars to build additional physical border wall. Senator John Kennedy was not among the 12, and says history shows the President’s move is quite legal.

Cut 9 (12) “…power”

The President says he will veto the Congressional action, and it appears highly likely that vetoed will be sustained, as Congress would need a 2/3rds vote to overturn it.

Seven Angola employees has resigned and are facing serious criminal allegations that they were helping smuggle contraband into the prison, and even having “inappropriate” relationships, in one case involving sex, with the inmates at the facility. Sex between a guard and inmate, even if consensual, is considered rape.
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A bill to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana will soon be filed as the debate about capital punishment continues on the national level. State Senator Dan Claitor says he’s taking the action because he believes the death penalty cheapens life in society, adding there are errors that occur, as well as a list of other issues.

Cut 6 (08) “…that it’s immoral.”

Claitor says victims’ families will get to be a part of the discussion as the bill is pushed forward.

LSU basketball freshman guard Javonte Smart has been cleared to play in today’s contest against Florida in the Tiger’s opening game of the SEC tournament. Smart was held out of the regular season finale against Vanderbilt in the wake of an FBI wiretap that may include evidence that Smart’s family received improper payments for the talent to come to Baton Rouge. Coach Will Wade, who allegedly spearheaded the improper payments, is still suspended by LSU. Smart was the number one high school prospect in the state in 2018.

US Senator John Kennedy says progress is being made to help an estimated six-thousand Louisiana residents who have not been able to access recovery dollars because they received a Small Business Administration loan following the 2016 floods. Kennedy says he had a productive meeting with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson…
cut 7 (10) “…HUD”
President Trump signed a law last October that closes the duplication of benefits loophole. But HUD has yet to release the guidance required.

LSU announces freshman guard Javonte Smart can play in the SEC Tournament. The school says Smart fully cooperated and participated in a joint investigation with LSU and NCAA officials and after multiple interviews no evidence was found that Smart committed any violations. The Tigers take on Florida in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament at noon.

Louisiana’s Division of Administration is trying to recover 26-million dollars mistakenly sent to about 66-thousand taxpayers. These individuals received their state tax refunds twice, because of a computer system error. The problem has been fixed and since most of the money went into accounts as a direct deposit, the state believes the money can be quickly recovered.

A Caddo Parish manhunt ended Thursday when the suspect was found dead in a Shreveport home. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Senator John Kennedy says progress has been made towards fixing the duplication of benefits problem that’s prevented some six-thousand 2016 Louisiana flood victims from receiving thousands of dollars in recovery money. Kennedy says he and Senator Bill Cassidy met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and they’ve received assurances from HUD that they’ll do their part. Kennedy says now they need to get the office of management and the budget to act and he’s not afraid to call the president if O-M-B keeps dragging its feet….
cut 9 (09) “…meeting set”
Kennedy says he’ll meet with budget officials by the end of this month.

Meanwhile both Kennedy and Cassidy voted against a measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump from calling a national emergency so that he can free up funds to build a wall along the Southern border. But 12 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the president, who will veto against the legislation.

LSU faces Florida in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament today at noon and it remains unclear if freshman Javonte Smart will be able to play. He was held out last Saturday over concerns that Coach Will Wade may have worked on an arrangement so that’s Smart family can receive money on the side. If Smart doesn’t return to the court, how does that impact LSU’s seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Jerry Palm is a bracketologist for CBS Sports…
cut 6 (08) “…the tournament”
Smart has been a valuable player off the bench this season.

A four member crew had to escape a tugboat that sunk in the Mississippi River near LSU….
cut 14 (10) “….the four crew members”
That’s Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles says the vessel went under after hitting another boat’s anchor chain.

Will LSU’s recruitment scandal weigh down their chances of getting a high seed in the NCAA tournament? A CBS Sports bracketologist has the answer…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana officials are working to recover 26-million dollars mistakenly handed out to taxpayers. The Division of Administration says about 66-thousand residents received their state tax refund twice and they are asking individuals who may have received an extra tax refund not to spend that money.

Senator John Kennedy says after meeting with HUD Secretary Ben Carson, he expects the federal agency to finally issue the long awaited guidance next month so that 2016 flood victims who received an SBA loan can also receive federal recovery dollars. Kennedy says they also need the Office of Management and Budget to act as well and he’ll meet with the office’s acting director in two weeks…
cut 8 (11) “….Congress”

A man wanted for shooting his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend in the buttocks and then tying up the woman and her two children has been found dead in a separate home. Caddo parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says they spent hours looking for 56-year-old James Salone…
cut 12 (10) “…inside the residence’
Investigators also believe Salone may have killed a man in Texas.

US Senator John Kennedy says progress is being made to help an estimated six-thousand Louisiana residents who have not been able to access recovery dollars because they received a Small Business Administration loan following the 2016 floods. Kennedy says he had productive meeting with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson…
cut 7 (10) “…HUD”
President Trump signed a law last October that closes the duplication of benefits loophole. But HUD has yet to release the guidance required, so the state can legally distribute the money to newly eligible homeowners.

Louisiana’s Division of Administration is trying to recover 26-million dollars that mistakenly went to about 66-thousand taxpayers. According to officials, these individuals received their state tax refunds twice, because of a computer system error. The problem has been fixed and since most of the money went into bank accounts as a direct deposit, the state believes in most cases the money can be quickly recovered.

A Caddo Parish family is trying to recover emotionally from a harrowing experience on Wednesday. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says 56-year-old James Salone forced his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend. Her current boyfriend was there and her two children. Chadwick says Salone shot the boyfriend in the buttocks and he escaped, but the woman and the kids were tied up…
cut 11 (12) “…the mother free”
Salone eventually fled the home and he was found dead yesterday in another home.

Selection Sunday is three days away and will the growing off the court controversy involving suspended LSU coach Will Wade impact the Tigers NCAA tournament seeding? CBS Sports bracketologist Jerry Palm…
Cut 4 (07) “…the court.”
Palm has LSU a two-seed in his latest bracket. The Tigers face Florida today in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.

Senator John Kennedy says they’re getting closer to resolving the duplication of benefits nightmare that’s plagued thousands of flood victims since 2016…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The LSU basketball team faces Florida today in the SEC Tournament at noon and CBS Sports Bracketologist Jerry Palm says if the Tigers can win the tourney, they could be a number one seed in the Big Dance…
cut 5 (09) “…teams do”

A four-member towboat crew had to abandon ship after its vessel sank in the Mississippi River yesterday morning near Baton Rouge. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles says the Army Corp of Engineers deployed a safety unit team to locate the sunken vessel. Giles says they are also checking for environmental impacts.
Cut 13 (09) “…signs of pollution.”
Late last night, the Coast Guard reported an oil sheen in the water at the site of the incident and they believe the Michelle Anne has about 18,500 gallons of fuel aboard.

A manhunt in Caddo Parish ended with authorities finding the suspect dead in a Shreveport home. Deputies say James Salone allegedly busted into his ex-girlfriend’s residence and shot her current boyfriend, Terry Thomas…
cut 10 (12) “….in the buttocks”
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says Salone fled the scene after deputies arrived and he was later found in a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. Investigators say Salone may have also killed a man in Texas earlier this week.

Will LSU’s recruitment scandal weigh down their chances of getting a high seed in the NCAA tournament? A CBS bracketologist has the answer…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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 Senator John Kennedy says they’re getting closer to resolving the duplication of benefits nightmare that’s plagued thousands of flood victims since 2016…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m matt Doyle”  

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A Caddo Parish manhunt ended Thursday when the suspect is found dead in a Shreveport home.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Selection Sunday is three days away and the LSU basketball team has to wonder just how the growing off the court controversy involving suspended coach Will Wade will impact their NCAA tournament seeding. CBS Sports bracketologist Jerry Palm says the recruiting scandal will not factor into the selection committee’s analysis.

Cut 4 (07) “…the court.”

LSU plays it’s first SEC tournament game today against Florida at 12PM. Palm says more so than any scandal, it’ll be their performance in this weekend’s competition that will have the biggest say in where they land…

Cut 5 (09) “…teams do.”

Palm notes the top eight teams are all from three conferences, meaning the majority of the teams ahead of LSU will suffer a loss.

We are still awaiting the fate of freshman guard Javonte Smart, who’s family may have received improper payments for his decision to attend LSU. Smart is still being held out, and Palm says if that holds then it weigh down LSU’s seeding…

Cut 6 (08) “…the tournament.”

Smart averaged 11.5 points a game this year in 30 minutes a game for the Purple and Gold.

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Senator John Kennedy says HUD has agreed to implement rules allowing those who received SBA loans after the 2016 flood access to RESTORE funds by late April, but that won’t be finalized until the Office of Management and Budget OKs the rule change. Kennedy says Thursday’s meeting with HUD Secretary Ben Carson was progress, but…

Cut 7 (10) “…HUD”

Congress passed a law that was signed by the President late last year closing the duplication of benefits loophole, but various federal agencies have refused to implement the law.
While the HUD side of the issue appears to be resolved, Kennedy says they’re still unsure whether or not OMB will allow the rule change. Kennedy says he’ll have a face to face meeting with OMB Director Mick Mulvaney two weeks from now to settle the issue.

Cut 8 (06) “Congress.”

While Senators Kennedy and Cassidy pursue a bureaucratic fix, a southeast Louisiana homeowner is suing the agencies involved to force the policy into action.
Kennedy says he’s tired of bureaucrats refusing to implement a law passed by Congress, and if the departments delay any further or resist the rule change, he’s calling Trump.

Cut 9 (09) “…meeting set″

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A manhunt has ended with the suspect being found dead in a home in Shreveport yesterday.  The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says James Salone is alleged to have busted into a residence of his ex-girlfriend, her two children and current boyfriend Terry Thomas on Wednesday night.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the suspect confronted the two adults at the home.

Cut 10 (12) “…in the buttocks.”

He was treated at a medical facility for his injuries.

More shots were fired in the home, but Thomas managed to make an escape.  Chadwick says Salone tied up the remaining three in the home, holding them at gunpoint.

Cut 11 (12) “the mother free.”

When they fled, he went outside, fired several shots at police as well as the woman and children.  He then went inside the home but could not be located by police.

On Thursday the search continued for Salone when investigators received a tip of where to find him.  Deputies swarmed that home and made several attempts to make contact, but there was no response.  Chadwick says with authorities entered the home, they found the body of a man they believe to be the suspect.

Cut 12 (10) “…inside the residence.”

Further information on Salone has led investigators to believe he is connected with a Texas vehicle theft as well as the homicide of that’s vehicle’s owner.

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A tugboat crew had to abandon ship after the boat sunk in the Mississippi River. The Coast Guard got the call yesterday morning around 11 of a towing vessel sinking at Baton Rouge General Anchorage. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles (soft G) says the Army Corp of Engineers deployed survey teams in an effort to locate the completely submerged vessel. Giles says officials are also checking for environmental impacts.

Cut 13 (09) “…signs of pollution.”

The incident is still under investigation as the reason for the vessel, the Michelle Anne, to sink is currently unknown. Giles says the four crew members escaped uninjured.

Cut 14 (10) “…the 4 crew members.”

Giles says a portion of the river remained closed into Thursday evening.

Cut 15 (13) “…locate the vessel.”

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The 10th ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight as they host Kentucky. The Tigers are 12-and-5 on the season and Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s still trying to determine which guys he can really count on

Cut 16  (18) “the league” 

Kentucky brings a 13-4 record to LSU. The Wildcats lead the SEC in stolen bases and that’s a concern for the Tigers as they’ve only thrown out one would be base stealer this season…

 cut 17 (13)   “every time” 

Junior right-hander Zack Hess will start on the hill for the Tigers tonight. Hess has yet to put together a dominating performance this season, but LSU’s ace thinks he’s getting closer to where he needs to be

Cut 18 (16)  the challenge” 

LSU basketball coach Will Wade has asked for his suspension to be lifted, so he can return to his coaching duties immediately, and the school responded saying they won’t, until he talks to the admin about an FBI wiretap he’s on. LSU’s statement also point out that Wade has never denied any wrongdoing in his public statements. Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, says the relationship between the school and Wade is strained…
Cut 5 (06) coming back”
Former Avoyelles Correctional Center Warden Nate Cain has pleaded guilty to charges in his federal trial on corruption charges. US Attorney David Joeseph says Cain conspired to rip off taxpayers.
Cut 7 (09) “…taxpayers”

After a back and forth with his hometown team, the Miami Dolphins, it looks like Saints backup QB Teddy Bridgewater will be returning to NOLA after posting a picture on twitter of himself in the Black and Gold.

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The number of abortions in Louisiana last year fell to a 10-year low. 8,048 abortions were reported to have been performed in the state, and A 2017 report indicated nationwide abortion numbers have fallen to their lowest rate since Roe vs. Wade was passed in 1973. Planned Parenthood says it’s due to efforts to make contraception widely accessible to women, but Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says it’s due to a culture shift.
Cut 11 (07) “…life”
Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, responded saying “We are committed to reducing the number of abortions in Louisiana, and the data shows that is working”.
The Denham Springs police department arrests a couple in the death of a small child child in Livingston Parish. Detective Amber Fairburn says their investigation started last Friday when they were called to a home in reference to an unresponsive two-year-old female…
Cut 13 (08) “…to her injuries.”