The Pelicans landed a 115-113 victory over the Houston Rockets last night, but were delivered a big blow in the meantime. DeMarcus Cousins went down with just 10 seconds left the game, and ESPN reports he will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles. Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry was visibly shaken after the game when talking about Cousins’ injury…:
CUT 25 (07) “pushing on”
Team officials said an MRI will determine the severity of the injury.

The man who shot and killed former NFL player Joe McKnight in a 2016 Jefferson Parish road-rage incident has been found guilty of manslaughter. The prosecution argued throughout the trial that 56-year-old Ronald Gasser was the aggressor in the incident, and even if he wasn’t the shooting was not justified. He faces up to 40 years in prison and will be sentenced in March.

The Nicholls State men’s basketball team heads into tonight’s contest against against Southland and in-state rival Southeastern riding a 5 game win streak. The Colonels haven’t allowed more than 80 points a game in the last month, and Head coach Richie Riley says December was the turning point:
Cut 17 (15) “on defense”
The Lions are currently tied for third place in Southland Conference standings. Nicholls sits on top.

The LSU men’s basketball team will have its hands full this evening as they face No. 19 Auburn in a battle with the SEC’s number 1 team. Tipoff is 5pm. The Ragin Cajuns look to stay undefeated in Sun Belt play as they host Troy at 2 PM, while Louisiana Tech seeks its third straight win when they host Southern Miss tonight.

The select…non-select playoffs will continue in the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. High School principals voted to keep the current format in place.

A federal judge in Shreveport rules against an effort to stop the removal of a Confederate monument outside of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. I’m Matt Doyle.

Cut 2 (23) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A year of repairs, replacement and testing for the St. Joseph water system appears is coming to an end.  The system was shut down after dangerous levels of lead were found coming from facets last year in about a quarter of the homes State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says they are in the final stages of testing…

Cut 7 (11)  “is clear.”

An estimated ten-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march in Saturday’s Louisiana Life March North in Bossier/Shreveport.  Life March North is the second of three events being held across Louisiana. Organizer Louis Avallone says the movement is much more than just protesting abortions.  It celebrates life no matter how young or old a person is…

Cut 3 (09) “long one.”

Rain Saturday and sunny on Sunday.  That’s the forecast for south Louisiana this weekend.  After a day of heavy rains in which several inches could fall, Sunday should be mild and clear.  National Weather Service’s meteorologist Jared Rackley says it’s a good idea to put outside plans on hold till then…

Cut 11 (08) “nice out.”

We are a waiting on a decision from the jury who heard the Ronald Gasser trial. Gasser fatally shot former NFL player Joe McKnight in a road rage incident in Jefferson Parish and faces a second-degree murder charge, which carries a life sentence. Gasser did not take the stand during the six days of testimony. But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the jury still heard from Gasser on what happened as there were seven hours of taped interviews that were played during the trial….
cut 13 (08) “…video”
Gasser claims he shot McKnight in self defense.

We are seeing scattered showers across south Louisiana and more rain is coming. National Weather Service Lake Charles meterologist Jared Rackley says south Louisiana could see several inches of rain….
cut 10 (06) “….day tomorrow”
Rackley expects the rain will end Sunday morning.

Clear and healthy drinking water is coming soon to the residents of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish. Millions of dollars in repairs are complete and now the state health department is finishing its testing. State health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, says there are several aging water systems needing repair, but the state can’t afford to bail every small town out…
Cut 8 (07) “St. Joes.”
St. Joe’s rehabilitated water system is expected to be in full operation next month.

About 10-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march tomorrow from the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City to Festival Plaza in Shreveport. Organizer of the Louisiana Life March North, Louis Avallone, says it’s their goal to reduce the number of abortions…
cut 4 (04) “…do that”
The march begins at 10 AM.

A jury is deliberating the fate of Ronald Gasser, who is charged with second-degree murder of former NFL player Joe McKnight. Prosecutors argue Gasser should serve a life sentence for shooting McKnight during a road rage incident in Jefferson Parish. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the evidence shows McKnight tried to enter Gasser’s car and he feels Louisiana’s Castle Doctrine will favor Gasser…
Cut 12 (09) “the car.”

A federal judge in Shreveport ruled against the United Daughters of the Confederacy today. They are trying to stop the removal of a Confederate monument that’s been standing since 1906. The Caddo Parish Commission voted to have the monument removed. The U-D-C claims they own the land where the statue stands, but the judge says the group did not prove that it does.

Pro-life advocates will march in Shreveport-Bossier City tomorrow as it is the annual Louisiana Life March North. Organizer Louis Avallone says they will start from the Louisiana Boardwalk, cross the Texas Street Bridge and finish at Festival Plaza in Shreveport….
cut 5 (11) “….of life”
The event is sponsored by the Lousiaina Right to Life, who will host another march next week in Alexandria-Pineville.

Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow, especialy in south Louisiana where some areas could see three inches. Jared Rackley, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says if you have outdoor plans tomorrow, it might be a good idea to reschedule them for Sunday….
cut 11 (08) “…nice out”
High temperatures will be in the 60s for the weekend.

A jury is deliberating the fate of Ronald Gasser at this hour.  Prosecutors argue Gasser should spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting former NFL player Joe McKnight during a road rage incident in 2016.  Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says based on the evidence presented the chances of a second-degree murder conviction against Gasser are low…

Cut 14 (08) “deliberations go”

A year of repairs, replacement and testing for the St. Joseph water system is about ready to come to an end.  A public health emergency was declared in late 2016 after high amounts of lead was discovered.  State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there has been a complete overhaul since then…

Cut 6 (11)  “the homes.”

A federal judge in Shreveport rules against an effort to stop the removal of a Confederate monument outside of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (23) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Four New Orleans French Quarter strip clubs had their licenses suspended for alleged prostitution, illegal sexual behavior and drug activity.  Stilettos, Hustlers Barley Legal, Hunks Oasis and Ricks Cabaret were ordered to cease selling alcohol and tobacco products immediately.  NOPD, State Police and the Alcohol and Tobacco Control conducted joint operations in targeting the violations in the four clubs.

Clear and healthy drinking water is coming soon to the residents of St. Joseph in Tensas Parish. Millions of dollars in repairs are complete and now the state health department is finishing its testing. State health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, says there are several aging water systems needing repair, but the state can’t afford to bail every small town out…
Cut 8 (07) “St. Joes.”
St. Joe’s rehabilitated water system is expected to be in full operation next month.

About 10-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march tomorrow from the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City to Festival Plaza in Shreveport. Organizer of the Louisiana Life March North, Louis Avallone, says it’s their goal to reduce the number of abortions…
cut 4 (04) “…do that”
The march begins at 10 AM.

We are seeing scattered showers across south Louisiana this afternoon and more rain is coming. National Weather Service Lake Charles meterologist Jared Rackley says south Louisiana could see several inches of rain….
cut 10 (06) “….day tomorrow”
The rain will move out of the state on Sunday.

The Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans is offering a unique twist on king cakes. Matt Doyle has the scoop…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Between five and ten-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march in Saturday’s Louisiana Life March North in Bossier-Shreveport. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The FBI is investigating the what happened before Juwanna Brooks of Lafayette fell overboard on Carnival cruise ship into the Gulf of Mexico. Passengers say they observed her and her husband Scott Brooks arguing at dinner. Juwanna was reported overboard about a half hour later. The The Mexican Navy will end their search today whether they find Juwanna or not.

It’ll be a rainy Saturday across much of Louisiana. Cold weather is not expected, but the rain should come hard and heavy for most of the day. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Jared Rackley says the rain will start Saturday in the early AM hours…
Cut 9 (10) “tomorrow night.”
Heaviest rainfall totals will be in south Louisiana, where as much as three inches could fall.

There are many varieties of King Cakes available. Traditional, fruit filled, cream cheeses, almond and now, cricket. That’s right, cricket. Audubon Insectarium Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says crickets add a depth of flavor to King Cakes…
Cut 15 (13) “king cake”
The cakes are baked from scratch at the Audubon insectarium in New Orleans. You can order one there.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

An estimated ten-thousand pro-life supporters are expected to march in Saturday’s Louisiana Life March North in Bossier/Shreveport.  Life March North is the second of three events being held across Louisiana. Organizer Louis Avallone says the movement is not just protesting abortions…

Cut 3 (09) “long one.”

The program will include speakers from several different northwest Louisiana churches.

it appears the St. Joseph water system is about ready for public use again.  A public health emergency was declared in late 2016 forbidding use of the water from the system. The water was contaminated with lead. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says they are in the final stages of testing…

Cut 7 (11)  “is clear.”

LRN

There’s a nearly limitless variety of king cakes available, reflecting the hundreds of years bakers have been cooking up that classic Mardi Gras desert. There’s traditional, fruit fillings, cream cheeses, almond, and now cricket king cakes are available at the Audubon Insectarium. Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says the snack is quite filling…

Cut 14 (11) “in them”

The cakes are baked from scratch at the insectarium. You can order one there, or this Sunday at the King Cake Festival in Champions Square.

Closing arguments are underway in the second degree murder trial of the man who shot NFL and John Curtis running back Joe McKnight. Ronald Gasser shot McKnight after what he says was a road rage incident, but prosecutors say the shooting was unjustified.

Now here are this afternoons commodity prices.

Louisiana Radio Network