Louisiana’s oldest death row prisoner, who was set to be executed on March 17^th has passed away. 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado died over the weekend after spending more than 30 years on death row. He was convicted in 1992 in the DeSoto Parish murder of his six-year-old stepson, Wesley Allen Mercer.

Those of you in North Louisiana should dial ten digits for all calls starting today. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher pay stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

There is a lawsuit filed against Constitutional Amendment Two as plaintiffs claim the amendment is misleading to voters and they claim every teacher will not see that two-thousand dollar permanent pay bump.

The Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association have teamed up to strengthen and grow the bed and breakfast industry. LTA President Chris Landry says the collaboration aims to increase memberships while also providing valuable resources to help B&Bs

Cut 10 (08) “…Bed and Breakfast Association.”

Landry says L-T-A plans to offer marketing support, educational opportunities, and networking to enhance visibility and attract more visitors.

Those of you in North Louisiana should dial ten digits for all calls starting today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Chairman of the Louisiana House Insurance Committee says an effort will be made in the upcoming legislative session to lower auto insurance rates. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Louisiana Travel Association is teaming up with the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association to help grow the B&B community in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you’re in the 318 area code, start dialing ten digits for all calls, including local calls, today. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s to prepare for the upcoming introduction of the new 457 area code.

Cut 4 (09) “…was pretty logical.”

Campbell says you have six months to get used to dialing ten digits for local calls in the 318 area code before it becomes mandatory August 25th.

Cut 5 (08) “…I don’t think.”

New telephone numbers in the current 318 service area will be assigned the new 457 area code starting September 25th. Campbell says there’s an easy way to remember the new area code.

Cut 6 (07) “…100 plus 357.”

Those who get the new 457 area code will also be required to dial ten digits for all calls.

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We are just under 50 days away from the regular legislative session which will begin April 14th. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment from Grant Parish says his committee will have a busy agenda….

Cut 7 (08) “…issue to our constituents.”

Firment says this year the priority is auto insurance, in particular the commercial auto insurance sector, where high costs are forcing businesses to park trucks and lay off workers.

Cut 8 (12) “…automobile insurance.”

Firment says legislators approved a package of property insurance reforms last year that will hopefully soon provide relief to rising property insurance premiums. This year Firment expects legislators will look to expand the Fortified Roof Program…

Cut 9 (10)  “…insurance companies”

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The Louisiana Travel Association and the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association have teamed up strengthen and grow the bed and breakfast industry in the state. LTA President Chris Landry says the collaboration aims to increase memberships while also providing valuable resources to help B&Bs expand their businesses.

Cut 10 (08) “…Bed and Breakfast Association.”

Landry says by joining forces, the organizations plan to offer marketing support, educational opportunities, and networking events to enhance visibility and attract more visitors.

Cut 11 (09) “…be successful.”

The partnership will also provide advocacy efforts to address industry challenges and ensure B&B owners have access to the tools they need to succeed. Landry says ultimately, the goal is to provide B&B owners with greater opportunities to grow while enriching Louisiana’s tourism industry as a whole.

Cut 12 (13) “…connect them with.”

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The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

Lawmakers will start making changes to the governor’s proposed budget when the regular session begins April 14^th. Procopio says there are unanswered questions about state and federal financing sources which brings murkiness to this budget cycle…

Cut 14 (14) “…disrupted.”

The governor is proposing to double state funding for the state’s new voucher program known as the LA Gator scholarship program. 55-hundred students are currently able to attend private schools thanks to 46-million dollars in funding. Procopio says Landry is proposing to increase that funding to 100-million dollars, after he me made a nine-million dollar cut to early childhood education last year….

Cut 15 (12) “…test scores.”

The state’s new voucher program will not only go towards private school tuition, it will also help pay for homeschool materials and other education expenses.

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The LSU Lady Tigers flip the script from last week as they went into Lexington and beat Kentucky, 65-58. Last week at Texas, LSU blew a 12-point third quarter lead in dropping their second game of the season. Yesterday, the Lady Tigers stormed back from down 16 late in the second quarter and outscored them 23-6 in the third to take control of the game. After the game, Coach Kim Mulkey said they didn’t make too many adjustments after halftime.

Cut 16 (17) “…to keep going.”

LSU improves to 27-2 overall and 12-2 in the SEC, and the win clinched them a double bye in the SEC Tournament. Mulkey said her team is focused on the big prize.

Cut 17 (21)  “…a tremendous year.”

The win was also Mulkey’s 750th win in her 25-year head coaching career, which includes four national championships – three at Baylor and one at LSU. Mulkey said she had no idea that this win was a milestone win for her, even after her players drenched her in the locker room after the game.

Cut 18 (20)  “…it was 750.”

LSU has two more regular season games before the SEC Tournament – on Thursday against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Sunday against Ole Miss at the P-MAC.

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LSU baseball suffered its first loss on Saturday afternoon but bounced back that night to take the series against Omaha. The Mavericks held LSU without a hit until the eighth inning on Saturday in a five-to-four victory in game one of a doubleheader. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 19 (12) “…elite team”

LSU took game two of the doubleheader to 12 to 1. The Tigers scored all of those runs without hitting a home run as they had much better at-bats. Johnson says the loss in the first game of the doubleheader was a learning experience as LSU got into a rut of hitting pop-ups and fly outs…

Cut 20 (20) “…in my mind.”

LSU hosts Nicholls tonight at 6 p.m.

Governor Jeff Landry’s new budget will look to double funding for the state’s new voucher program known as the LA Gator scholarship program. 55-hundred students are currently able to attend private schools thanks to 46-million dollars in funding. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio says Landry is proposing to increase that funding to 100-million dollars, after he me made a nine-million dollar cut to early childhood education last year….

Cut 15 (12) “…test scores.”

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says an investigation of one complaint against 60 year old Herman Dupre led them to several additional victims. Dupre is in the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and his bond is set at 525-thousand dollars.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

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Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Lawmakers will start making changes to the governor’s proposed budget when the regular session begins April 14^th. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says there are unanswered questions about state and federal financing sources which brings murkiness to this budget cycle…

Cut 14 (14) “…disrupted.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound almost half the price it was this time last year.  And King says crawfish prices are on track to be under three-dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims. And Matherne says these assaults had been going on for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.  The overall murder numbers are down 141 since 2022.  Kirkpatrick said the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Louisiana State Troopers are partnering with NOPD and the National Guard as they get set for the busy Carnival Season.  As usual, large crowds are expected in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. Governor Jeff Landry has committed more than 150 Troopers from across the state to help the City of New Orleans in the Quarter, Central Business District, along parade routes and local roadways to enhance public safety.

There is some good news when it comes to crime in the Crescent City.  New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer. During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

Cut 10 (08) “…decrease in murders.”

In 2022, when New Orleans was known as the murder capital of America, there were 265 murders. In 2023, that number dropped to 192; and last year, it dropped even further to 124

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A Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline as Mardi Gras approaches. Co-founder of the Crawfish App, Laney King, says the average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. ..

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.”

As Mardi Gras season ramps up, crawfish prices are going down and expected to keep falling.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The governor’s proposed budget for next fiscal year does not contain the two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend educators received a couple of years ago. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says funding will become available to make that pay increase permanent if voters approve Constitutional Amendment two on March 29^th

Cut 13 (11)  “…passing.”

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New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

During a news conference at police headquarters, Kirkpatrick said all forms of crime are down, including violent crime.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says they started investigating a single complaint by the Department of Children and Family Services against 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree), and they found several additional victims.

Cut 6 (08) “…reported by DCFS.”

The former murder capital of America is shedding that dubious distinction. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says murders in the city have dropped by more than 50-percent in the last two years, from 265 in 2022 to 124 last year. She says the same downward trend is true for all other forms of crime in the city.

Cut 11 (18) “…of 27-percent.”

Crawfish prices continue to decline this Mardi Gras season. The average price for live crawfish is now $4.10 per pound, while boiled crawfish costs $6.49 per pound. According to Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, this week saw a big price dip.

Cut 3 (05) “…drop in price.” 

A 60-year-old Bayou Blue man is accused of sexually assaulting several girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) is accused of assaulting at least four girls, ranging in age between seven and 16, over the course of several years.

Cut 8 (11) “…and simple battery.”

Dupre is being held on 525-thousand dollars bond.

The Saints have reportedly named Brandon Staley defensive coordinator. Staley was the head coach of the Chargers from 2021 to 2023. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says even though Staley is only 42 years old, his head coaching experience should help the 36-year-old head coach Kellen Moore.

Cut 14 (11) “…have it.”

Crawfish is becoming more affordable as Mardi Gras approaches. The average price for live crawfish is currently $4.10 a pound, with boiled crawfish averaging $6.49 a pound. Laney King, the co-founder of the Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are on track to be under three dollars a pound during the heart of the season….

Cut 5 (09) “…normal crawfish season.”

At this time last year, live crawfish were averaging $7.49 a pound.

A Bayou Blue man is accused of sex crimes, including first-degree rape, against at least four girls. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 60-year-old Herman Dupre (DOO-pree) has been doing this for quite some time.

Cut 7 (11) “…of these incidents.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says the city is becoming safer.

Cut 9 (08)  “…26-percent reduction”

Murders have especially seen a huge drop. Two years ago, New Orleans saw 265 murders. That number dropped to 192 in 2023 and 124 last year.

The Saints have reportedly hired former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator. Staley was the head coach for the Chargers for three seasons, leading L-A to one playoff appearance. NFL analyst Mike Detillier with W-W-L Radio says it was that one playoff game that proved to be the start of Staley’s downfall in L-A.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the game.”