The price of live and boiled crawfish in Louisiana continues to drop as Mardi Gras approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King, live crawfish now average $3.75 per pound.

Cut 6 (07) “…$3.00 a pound now.”

This is the fourth straight week that the price of crawfish has gone down.

For now, the budget that the legislature will be debating when the legislative session begins in April will look a lot like the current fiscal year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras (BAR-ah) says there are a lot of unknowns pending the outcome of the vote on Amendment 2 next month. As such, they had to prepare a budget that does not include the provisions contained in that amendment.

Cut 10 (14) “…one-time stipend.”

A huge drug bust in Rapides Parish. Tommy Carnline (KARN-line) with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the RADE Unit executed four search warrants, including at a suspected stash house, and it resulted in a huge seizure.

Cut 12 (12) “…and body armor.”

Six people were arrested without incident; one has been turned over to ICE for deportation.

U-L Lafayette is being recognized as a bike-friendly college campus. The school receives a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists – the only Louisiana school recognized by the organization. Gretchen Vanicor with the University’s Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement emphasized the importance of safe connections between areas on campus.

Cut 4 (10) “…intramural areas.”

When the regular legislative session gets underway in April, lawmakers will be considering Governor Landry’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras (BAR-ah) says the budget proposal could change by the time lawmakers gavel into session; but for now, it looks a lot like this current fiscal year budget.

Cut 9 (11)  “…get it legally.”

U-L Lafayette received a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists for fostering a bike-friendly campus. The University’s Office of Sustainability and Community Engagement, led by Gretchen Vanicor, credits collaboration with local governments and student groups.

Cut 3 (14) “…in and around campus.” 

With crawfish season officially kicking off next week crawfish prices continue to drop, just in time for Mardi Gras. Sean Richardson has more

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. The White House has made downsizing the federal workforce one of its top priorities. Republican Senator John Kennedy notes that layoffs are a part of American life.

Cut 5 (11) “…the private sector.”

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says he has no problem with making the federal government more efficient, but he takes issue with how it’s being done.

Cut 6 (14) “…are people’s lives.”

Carter says 19-thousand federal workers in Louisiana could lose their jobs, many of whom are hard-working people.

A group files a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping an execution via lethal gas. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

In the upcoming regular legislative session, Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says he will propose a bill that calls for earnings through name, image and likeness deals to be exempt from state income taxes. McMakin says schools outside of Louisiana are recruiting the Bayou State’s best prospects, and tax-free NIL compensation can help athletes decide to stay home.

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico and is making its way towards Louisiana. Abraham says symptoms of cough, runny nose, sore throat and rash don’t appear right away.

Cut 11 (12) “…norm of course.”

Louisiana has yet to report a case, but Abraham urged unvaccinated individuals to get the measles vaccine, calling it the best protection.

A new federal lawsuit is filed, aiming to stop Louisiana from using lethal gas as a method of executing death row inmates. The Promise of Justice Initiative Executive Director Samantha Kennedy says gassing is a gruesome method of execution.

Cut 15 (07) “…to be so.”

Hoffman kidnapped, raped and murdered a woman in 1996.

Louisiana is considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness deals in order to remain competitive in college athletics. NIL deals have become essential for recruitment, alongside a pending settlement that will allow universities to directly compensate players. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says other states are actively recruiting the best Louisiana players out of the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…we stay competitive.”

Other states, including Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia, are pursuing similar exemptions.

A man allegedly involved in a fight at a Monroe shopping mall has turned himself in. Investigators identified 24-year-old Rayshawn Hollins from surveillance footage inside the Pecanland Mall on February 8th. Hollins has a long criminal history, including drive-by shooting, illegal carrying of weapons, shoplifting and trespassing. Hollins is charged with one count of rioting in connection with the mall fight.

Opinions on Elon Musk’s treatment of federal employees vary mainly along party lines. Late last week, Musk sent an email to employees demanding that they list five things they accomplished that week or risk being fired. New Orleans Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says it’s unfair to those workers that Musk is playing games with their livelihoods.

Cut 7 (14) “…hard-working individuals.”

But Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the office.”

The White House has made downsizing the federal workforce one of its top priorities. Kennedy says while layoffs are always hard, they’re a part of American life.

Louisiana student athletes with name, image, and likeness deals could receive a tax break from the state.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Talk continues to ramp up on making Bourbon Street a permanent pedestrian mall. It’s been discussed before, with businesses pushing back on that notion. But following the New Year’s Day terror attack, the issue is now back at the forefront. A consultant group led by former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton has been talking with businesses owners, workers and residents throughout the French Quarter to develop a plan that balances safety and accessibility.

It’s being called the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades.  And now a child in West Texas has died, becoming the first person in the U.S. to die of measles in ten years. In all, Texas and New Mexico have reported more than 120 cases of the measles. Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, who recently ended state-sponsored mass vaccination promotions, maintains the vaccine is safe and effective.

Cut 13 (06)  “…it’s good for life.”

Louisiana is considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness. Other states, including Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia, are pursuing similar exemptions.  . Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin’s bill would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax, and says it’s about staying competitive.

Cut 9 (17)  “…to be competitive.”

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Mixed reaction from Louisiana lawmakers as Elon Musk shakes up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. And for the most part, that reaction seems to be split down party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach, saying layoffs are part of American life.

Cut 5 (11) “…the private sector.”

Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says he’s has no problem with making the government more efficient, but takes issue with HOW it’s being done

Cut 6 (14) “…are people’s lives.”

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, and reaction is split down party lines. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico.  That’s according to Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham who’s urging those who haven’t yet to get the measles vaccine, calling it the best protection.

Cut 12 (09) “…two-dose vaccine.”

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A new federal lawsuit has been filed, aiming to stop Louisiana from using lethal gas as a method of executing death row inmates. The Promise of Justice Initiative filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jessie Hoffman, who’s set to be executed via nitrogen hypoxia on March 18th for abducting, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Executive Director Samantha Kennedy says nitrogen hypoxia is an unconstitutional method of execution.

Cut 14 (12) “…to be painless.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill says the Promise of Justice Initiative has an uphill climb in its quest to stop the state from using nitrogen hypoxia, since it has not identified an alternate method.

Cut 16 (08) “…can’t go forward.”

A group files a federal lawsuit aimed at stopping an execution via lethal gas. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s considering tax breaks for student-athletes earning money from name, image, and likeness deals to remain competitive in college athletics. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin’s bill would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.

Cut 8 (08) “…everything we do.”

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Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham says that health officials are on alert as the worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades spreads in Texas and New Mexico. Abraham says symptoms of cough, runny nose, sore throat and rash don’t appear right away.

Cut 11 (12) “…norm of course.”

Louisiana has yet to report a case, but Abraham urged unvaccinated individuals to get the measles vaccine, calling it the best protection.

Elon Musk is shaking up the federal workforce, requiring workers to list the things they’ve done or risk being fired. Exactly how Louisiana’s delegation views his actions vary widely, mainly along party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy says he has no problem with Musk’s approach.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the office.”