An amped up LSU crowd celebrated an SEC title in basketball on Saturday, but before and during the contest they expressed anger towards athletic director Joe Alleva for suspending coach Will Wade. Freshman Javonte Smart was also held out, because of reports the FBI has a recorded conversation with Wade trying to set up a payment for a recruit, believed to be Smart. With Smart out, Marshall Graves hit four three-pointers. He says the players fed off the crowd’s energy…
Cut 13 (15) “…represent them well.”

The search is ongoing for a downed helicopter in the Gulf of Mexico near LaFourche Parish. The Bristow Group says a Bell 407 chopper operating between Galliano and Venice crashed at around noon yesterday. A crew member and passenger were on board, no word on if they are injured or missing.

The flu season may get worse, because of the emergence of a more serious strain of the flu. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says there have been widespread cases of the H1N1 strand, but…
Cut 7 (11) “…out.”
That strain killed 80-thousand Americans last year in what was one of the most severe flu seasons in recent history.

The US House has passed a sweeping election reform bill, but the republican controlled Senate does not plan on bringing the legislation up for a vote. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has a big problem with the measure, including the proposal to subsidize federal candidates by giving a six to one match for every dollar under 200 bucks donated to a candidate…
cut 11 (08) “….go for”
The legislation allows federal workers six paid vacation days a year to work at polling locations.

Could the federal government bring forward criminal charges against suspended LSU basketball coach Will Wade, if the reports are true the FBI has a recorded phone call between Wade and a recruiting middleman where they discuss a monetary offer for an LSU player believed to be Javonte Smart? The man Wade is allegedly speaking with has been sentenced to six months as part of an investigation into corruption in college basketball. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 5 (10) “…wire fraud theory”
Meanwhile, LSU is getting ready for this week’s SEC Tournament. Smart didn’t play in Saturday’s blow out win over Vanderbilt and interim head coach Tony Benford says there’s a chance Smart can return…
cut 15 (15) “…we practice”

Health officials say another strain of influenza has emerged and it’s H-3-N-2. That’s the strain that killed 80-thousand Americans last year. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist, Doctor Fred Lopez, says so far this year’s influenza season has been much more mild than last year…
cut 8 (09) “….incidents”
He says the best protection from the H-3-N-2 flu strain is to get vaccinated against the flu.

The U-S House has approved a sweeping election reform package, but Republicans oppose it. The proposal would create independent redistricting commissions to draw voting districts. But Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says that’s a duty best left to the states….
cut 12 (06) “…untenable”
The proposal is not expected to get a vote in the Senate.

Could LSU basketball coach Will Wade see any criminal charges if the reports are true that the FBI has a recorded conversation involving him and a recruiting middle man discussing a payment to a recruit’s family? Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s hard to say right now…
cut 4 (11) “…this activity”
Wade has been subpoenaed for a second college basketball corruption trial that will take place next month.

On Capitol Hill, House Democrats passed a sweeping elections reform package that would make voting days federal holidays, automatic voter registration, and other substantial changes. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham voted against it.
Cut 10 (09) “…American history.”
Democrats say the legislation would dramatically increase voter participation.

Flu season may see the worst to come as Louisiana has a second round of flu on the way…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

Opelousas Police say 33-year-old Kevin Savoy, who was wanted on kidnapping charges, has turned himself in. Authorities say Savoy (Suh-voy) abducted 26-year-old Tiquencia Laws in broad daylight after he crashed his car into the car she was traveling in. Police believe Laws was not harmed.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his recruiting of a current LSU player. Assistant coach Tony Benford is taking over the team, and Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says he won’t have much time to get the team’s head straight with a game against Vandy set for 730 tonight.
Cut 11 (06) “…over things.”
Vandy is windless in conference play this year, and is riding an 18 game losing streak. LSU is ranked 10th in the nation and could seal at least a portion of an SEC Championship with a win tonight.
It’ll be a rainy weekend, but after the rain clears state climatologist says Louisiana looks set to get it’s first real run of spring temperatures…
Cut 5 (09)“…time of year”
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Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says so far, these charges are best suited for the disturbing situation, but that could change if more information comes to light…
Cut 14 (07) “…have done that.”
Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.
A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says avoid situations like this by locking up your guns.
Cut 7 (09) “…injured.”

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his actions recruiting a current LSU player. The administration says he was suspended after refusing to provide more information to the school about the report, so now interim head coach Tony Benford is left to take the helm. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Benford will have all the support personnel needed to keep the Tiger’s momentum going in a year that until recently was a lot of fun…
Cut 10 (09)“…he makes”
The Tigers are the 10th ranked team in the nation heading into their game tonight against Vandy.
Rain is in the forecast for the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says look out for severe weather starting tonight…
Cut 4 (07) “…high winds and tornados″
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A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son allegedly shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s officer Major Ginny Higgins says it was completely avoidable, and there are simple steps every family can take to prevent gun injuries…
Cut 8 (11) “…slide.”
Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois  says it appears the suspect hired someone in an effort to try to stage a credible looking attack on his girlfriend, who was carry his child.
Cut 13 (10) “…miscarried the child.”
The hit allegedly called on the attacker to focus stabbing efforts on the woman’s stomach.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended and LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says the school made the call after Wade declined to provide further information on the media reports that came out Thursday from an alleged FBI wire tap. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says it’s clear LSU is taking no chances.
Cut 9 (11) “…came out.”
Wade says the various media reports do not begin to tell the full story.
Rain is in the forecast for the rest of the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is headed over that will likely bring widespread rain to Louisiana, but only generally with rain fall totals of less than an inch.
Cut 3 (08) “…the Louisiana coast.”
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A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says Wiltz initially skirted the truth about her child’s injury…
Cut 6 (11) “…happened.”
The child was released from the hospital the following day.
Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois.
Cut 12 (09) “…have the child.”

Bourgeois says the attack was requested to target the victim’s stomach.

LSU head basketball coach Will Wade has been suspended by LSU in the wake of reports of an FBI wiretap involving his activities in a college basketball corruption scandal, specifically his actions in recruiting Javonte Smart. The Purple and Gold won’t have much time to adjust, with a game against Vanderbilt set for 730 Saturday night. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Nunez says the players will have to put that aside and play a game with major significance.

Cut 11 (06)   “…over things.”

Vandy is winless in conference play this year and is riding an 18 game losing streak.

Rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s the result of a storm system that is winding up in the Great Plains, with a cold front that will likely bring widespread rain to Louisiana, generally with rainfall totals less than an inch.

Cut 3 (08) “…the Louisiana coast.”

A St. Parks woman, 22-year-old Chelsey Paige Wiltz, was arrested after her two-year-old son shot himself in the arm with an unsecured gun. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says there are simple steps every family can take to prevent gun injuries…

Cut 8 (11) “…slide.”

Authorities say Wiltz was charged with illegal use of weapons, illegal possession of narcotics, and obstruction of justice. The child was treated of his injuries and released from the hospital the following day.

Alexandria Police have arrested 25-year-old Mohammed Abudayeh of Alexandria, for attempted first-degree feticide and criminal conspiracy to commit feticide, after investigators received a report he attempted to put a hit out on his unborn child.  Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says the suspect allegedly wanted a staged attack focusing on his girlfriend’s stomach.

Cut 12 (09)   “…have the child.”

Bourgeois says after consulting with the district attorney, the charges look to be the most appropriate for the situation.