The LSU baseball team got off to a quick start last night by scoring two runs in the 1^st inning off of Vanderbilt starting pitcher Drake Fellows, but it was all Vanderbilt after that. The Commodores hit two, two-run home runs off LSU starting pitcher Zack Hess and beat the Bayou Bengals 4-2. Game two is tonight at 7:30.

Elsewhere, U-A-B blanked Louisiana Tech 3-0 as the Bulldogs were held to four hits.

ULM shutout Arkansas State 2-0. Senior Chase Beal struck out six over 5.2 innings for the victory. The Ragin Cajuns committed two errors and had just five hits in a 6-2 loss to Troy.

Southeastern Louisiana downed Houston Baptist 4-1, Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi knocked off Northwestern State six to one, Nicholls shutout McNeese 1-0. A throwing error resulted in the only run of the night.

And Kennesaw State clobbered Grambling 26-7.

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It was quite the send off for a New Orleans as hundreds were in attendance for the funeral of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says Benson will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him…

Cut 16 (10) “…alive”

Following, the service inside St. Louis Cathedral and a second line through the French Quarterback brought Benson to his final resting place.

The Pelicans take a four-game winning streak to Houston to face the Rockets, who have won an NBA best seven straight games. New Orleans is battling for home court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. They are currently in fifth place in the West, a half-game back of Oklahoma City, who beat the Heat 105-99.

And tonight the second ranked LSU gymnastics attempts to go after back-to-back SEC Titles when they compete at the SEC championships in St. Louis at 6 PM on ESPN Two.

You could be fined up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport feral swine. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Malino”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not like the idea of arming teachers in the classroom. Edwards says he’s speaking with the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association and State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves on a comprehensive school safety program…

Cut 6 (09)  “properly trained”

Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who died last week at the age of 90, occurred today with hundreds of people in attendance at a St. Louis Cathedral  in the French Quarter. Archbishop Gregory Aymond officiated the Mass and spoke about how Benson grew up poor but worked hard to become a very successful businessman

Cut 14 (13) “generoristy”

The second report from the Louisiana Survey finds that most state residents believe state spending can be cut without reducing services. The questions were focused on how to address the billion dollar budget gap the state will face come July. But LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says like many legislators, the public isn’t exactly sure where those cuts should come from.

Cut 11 (11) “think so.”

Gun control bills are popping up in state houses around the country, but that doesn’t mean there will be much movement on the issue in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards, generally a support of gun rights, did say he’s not a fan of one idea that’s been floating around: arming teachers. Edwards says he’d rather build a plan around law enforcement, then putting iron in a teacher’s hand…

Cut 6 (09)  “properly trained”

There are several bills filed by Republican lawmakers seeking to allow teachers and other school officials carry concealed handguns.

And River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot is looking to take care of the state’s feral hog problem with some new legislation that would put a hefty fine on anyone who illegally transports the pigs. Talbot says the wild pig population has reached over 700-thousand and they are very destructive.

Cut 4 (11) “become epidemic”

And lawmakers may have some of their first glimpses at public opinion on the billion dollar deficient after the second report from the Louisiana Survey found that most state residents believe state spending can be cut without reducing services. But LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says the public isn’t exactly sure where those cuts should come from.

Cut 11 (11) “think so.”

Henderson says maintaining the 5 percent sales tax isn’t popular, but folks are willing to entertain the idea of income tax reforms.

Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson, who died last week at the age of 90, occurred today with hundreds of people in attendance at a St. Louis Cathedral  in the French Quarter. Archbishop Gregory Aymond officiated the Mass and spoke about how Benson grew up poor but worked hard to become a very successful businessman

Cut 14 (13) “generoristy”

The second LSU Manship School Public Policy Lab report is out, showing light consensus on how to fix the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson has been laid to rest in Metairie Cemetery following a private funeral at St. Louis Cathedral attended by notables in sports and politics. Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Pelicans forward Anthony Davis were in attendance. After the services, Benson’s casket was taken along a second line of mourners that was four blocks long in the French Quarter.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s fine with small changes to the criminal justice reform package approved last year. There are bills that have been filed to refine some of the laws, but Edwards says he doesn’t want to see a huge overhaul of the reform.   He says the legislation has been effective in lowering the state’s incarceration rate and puts more money towards offender rehabilitation programs…

Cut 8 (12) “able to make”

An unrestrained Jonesville teenager was killed and two other teens moderately injured in a single vehicle wreck in Catahoula Parish. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says investigators believe the car 18-year-old Delicia (Da-leash-she-a) Ceasor was in was traveling at a high rate of speed, but are unsure if she was the driver…

Cut 10 (06) “and ongoing.”

Current and former athletes, along with Saints and Pelican staff members poured into St. Louis Cathedral this afternoon in New Orleans for the invitation only funeral of Tom Benson. Former Governor Bobby Jindal and current Governor John Bel Edwards were also on hand. Archbishop Gregory Aymond says Benson will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him.
cut 16 (10) “…alive”

An unrestrained Jonesville teenager was killed and two other teens moderately injured in a single vehicle wreck in Catahoula Parish. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says investigators believe the car 18-year-old Delicia (Da-leash-she-a) Ceasor was riding in was traveling at a high rate of speed…
Cut 9 (10) “it’s roof.”
Authorities are not sure who was driving.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has approved a bill that would result in a fine of up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport wild hogs. State Veterinarian Jim LaCour says the feral hogs have infested every parish and by stopping the transportation of the hogs, it will slow the reproduction rates.
Cut 5 (13) “those properties”.
The bill’s author, Kirk Talbot, says people are trapping wild hogs, keeping them alive and then releasing them in a different location.

The St. Martin Sheriff’s office is seeking information on who was responsible for the fatal shooting of four Labrador retrievers at a camp located in Stephensville. Investigators believe the dogs were shot, because they were trying to prevent a burglary. The canines were found by the owner in a bayou next to the camp. The incident happened between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

The funeral service for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago in New Orleans. It was officiated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond…
cut 15 (12) “….go marching in”
Following the Mass, a second line started outside leading Benson to his final resting place.

The House Criminal Justice committee passed the latest legislation designed to fight the wild hog population. It fines individuals up to 900-dollars for the illegal transportation of feral swine. The bill’s author is River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot…
cut 4 (11) “…epidemic”
The measure heads to the full House for more discussion.

Several bills have been filed for the regular session calling for a constitutional convention. Some legislators believe that’s the best way towards accomplishing budget reform and preventing cuts to higher ed and health care during times of budget deficits. Governor John Bel Edwards prefers a study group first, so a consensus can be built on what areas of the constitution should be changed.
Cut 7 (07) “be everything”
LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says there isn’t a clear support for a constitutional rewrite in their latest Louisiana Survey. Henderson says even amongst those who like the idea, once you dig down into the details, support tapers off….
cut 13 (08) “…of those”
Currently, areas of the budget are protected from cuts during tough fiscal times.

Funeral services for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson concluded a short time ago at St. Louis Chathedral in New Orleans. Archbishop Gregory Aymond delivered the eulogy and spoke about Benson’s dedication which led to him becoming one of the most successful businessmen in Louisiana history…
cut 14 (13) “…genoristy”
Aymond joked that the road Tom Benson Way in front of the Saints and Pelicans team headquarters was a one-way street.

Thirty-five hard individuals worked hard over the last 20 weeks and they are now State Police Troopers as Cadet Class number 97 held a graduation ceremony in Baton Rouge. The newly graduated Trooopers will deploy across the state where they will participate in a 10-14 week field training program supervised by a senior Louisiana State Trooper.

You could be fined up to 900-dollars if you illegally transport feral swine. Don Molino has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Malino”

Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the passage of a criminal justice reform package last year and in this legislative session there are attempts to scale some portions of the overhaul back. Edwards is watching those bills closely….
cut 8 (12) “…able to make”
Edwards says the legislation passed last year will lower prison costs, lower the incarceration rate and provide more help to offenders.

The legislature is looking at a way to spank the wild swine in the state. Feral hogs are a menace for landowners in all 64 parishes and a House committee has moved legislation to fine people up to 900-dollars who illegally transport the hogs. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot explained why this legislation is needed..

Cut 3 (11) “so quickly”

An unrestrained Jonesville teenager was killed and two other teens moderately injured in a single vehicle wreck in Catahoula Parish. Master State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor was pronounced dead but they are not sure if she was the driver…

Cut 10 (06) “and ongoing.”

The two other injuries are described as moderate.

LSU’s Manship School for Mass Communication released its second report of the year that surveys Louisianans on pressing state issues. The questions were focused on how to address the billion dollar budget gap the state will face come July. Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says those surveyed believe the state could shave some excess spending, but like many legislators, aren’t exactly sure where those cuts should come from.

Cut 11 (11) “think so.”