We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson was one of two reporters who witnessed last night’s execution. Swanson says involuntary body movements stopped a few minutes after they started administering the nitrogen gas.

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says he hopes Louisiana’s recent economic wins will ultimately boost the state’s population. More than a decade ago, due to population decline, Louisiana lost a seat in Congress – Landry’s seat. He told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that he wants to see a population explosion that will give Louisiana seven Congressional seats again.

Cut 11 (07) “…than Jeff Landry.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Will Wade speculation may be over before it even had a chance to begin in earnest. On the eve of McNeese facing Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament comes word that he may be headed to North Carolina State next season. Wade has acknowledged that he’s spoken with N-C State but would not confirm that he will be the Wolfpack’s next head coach.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Hoffman was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and murder of Molly Elliot, and her husband Andy Elliot said, “There is relief that this long nightmare is over bus also renewed grief for Molly and sadness for Mr. Hoffman’s family.”

A Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after her 8-month-old infant died from severe injuries, including broken bones. The investigation began last Wednesday when the infant was brought to a hospital and later died from the injuries. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown described the case as “absolutely heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family.

Cut 7 (07) “…the worst one I’ve seen”

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. Wade has won 57 games and two Southland Conference Championships at McNeese over the last two seasons. He’s led the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. The former LSU coach says he’s been transparent with his players about his future…

Cut 13 (07)  “…with everything.”

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries. The investigation began last Wednesday when the toddler was brought to the hospital and later died. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the boyfriend and the mother.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Twenty-four-year-old Autumn Harper is being held at the Washington Parish Jail.

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face when the curtain opened at 6:20.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

Governor Landry says the state has achieved a couple big economic wins in recent months, including an 18-billion-dollar expansion of an LNG plant in Plaquemines Parish. In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Landry said he’s on the verge of a couple of other big announcements…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Landry is hopeful these economic development wins, and the passage of Constitutional Amendment Two on the March 29th ballot will lead to population growth.

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. Multiple reports say Wade has accepted the head coaching job. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”

Two reporters gave a minute-by-minute account of last night’s execution of Jessie Hoffman. One of them was WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson. She says she saw involuntary body movements a minute after the nitrogen gas started being administered.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

After the nitrogen gas was turned off after 19 minutes, the curtain lowered, and the spiritual advisor performed Buddhist chants.

In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, including a 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old infant child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU may the big Baton Rouge school in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, but they’re not the only one. Tonight, Southern takes on UC-San Diego in a 16-seed First Four matchup in Los Angeles. The winner takes on the tournament’s top overall seed, UCLA. Ironically, LSU is also playing a team from San Diego – San Diego State. That game is Saturday night.

Louisiana carried out its first execution of a death row inmate in 15 years last night and it was the first time the state used nitrogen gas as the method. Jessie Hoffman was declared dead at 6:50 PM. WDSU TV reporter Gina Swanson witnessed the execution…

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Hoffman was put to death for killing Molly Elliot in 1996. She lived in St. Tammany Parish and was married to Andy Elliot. Andy Elliot called the execution bittersweet news.

A 24-year-old Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after authorities determined she beat her eight-month old child to death. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown believes mental health issues with Autumn Harper played a significant role, and hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces a murder charge in connection with the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was found dead in a Kenner hotel during Super Bowl week.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 29 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. New Orleans Times-Picayune and Advocate reporter John Simerman was one of two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says the curtains were raised at 6:20 last night, and Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face and a gray plush blanket covering his body.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas started flowing at 6:21, and it flowed for 19 minutes. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

A mother is charged with first degree murder after her 8-month-old died from severe injuries, including broken bones. 24-year-old Autumn Harper is being held in Washington Parish Jail awaiting bond. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says the incident is “absolutely heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family.

Cut 7 (07) “…the worst one I’ve seen”

A state audit has found that more than one-fourth of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy, with Medicaid recipients being disproportionately affected. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that the findings come amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

McNeese head men’s basketball coach Will Wade is on the radars of a lot of teams with coaching vacancies. This, as he leads his Cowboys against Clemson tomorrow in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer says he hopes Wade will choose to stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”

McNeese is the 12 seed in the Midwest Regional, while Clemson is the fifth seed. Tipoff from Providence, Rhode Island, tomorrow afternoon is at 2:15.

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. After the execution, Attorney General Liz Murrill says final justice for Elliott’s family and loved ones was long overdue.

Cut 4 (15) “…State of Louisiana.”

Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert now faces second-degree murder charges in the death of a Kansas City sports reporter found dead in a Kenner hotel room while covering the Super Bowl. Authorities say Adan Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system and it’s believed Colbert drugged him. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says they believe Colbert did this to other men…

Cut 10 (10) “…Randy Smith”

A Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after her 8-month-old infant died from severe injuries, including broken bones. The investigation began last Wednesday when the toddler was brought to the hospital and later died. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the boyfriend and the mother.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Twenty-four-years-old Autumn Harper is being held at the Washington Parish Jail.

Tomorrow the McNeese’s men’s basketball team faces Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says he took a gamble in hiring Will Wade in 2023, who was fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. He says needless to say that gamble has paid off.

Cut 14 (08) “…great fit here.”

For the first time in 15 years, Louisiana has executed a death row inmate. Jesse Hoffman, who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed Molly Elliott in 1996 was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott said the execution went flawlessly.

Cut 6 (07) “…approximately 19 minutes.”

A state audit has found that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction. It found that among other things, several OBGYNs who accepted Medicaid patients didn’t provide them services. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says the state will look to make it easier for OBGYNs to provide services to Medicaid recipients.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Medicaid program.”

Three years ago, Will Wade was fired as head coach at LSU over recruiting violations. Now he’s one of the hottest coaching candidates after leading McNeese basketball to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Elsewhere in sports, the second-ranked LSU baseball team had no trouble at all last night beating UNO. The Tigers scored six runs in the first three innings to run rule the Privateers 11 to one. Jared Jones homered and had four hits on the night. Ethan Frey hit two home runs. Jaden Noot gave up one run over four innings and struck out five for the win.