Chronic wasting disease was found in Catahoula Parish in a hunter-harvested white-tail deer. Sean Richardson reports it’s the first case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you’d better get a move on it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The McNeese men’s basketball team hopes it can become a Cinderella story at the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed a case of Chronic wasting disease in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish. This is the first confirmed case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonathan Bordelon says this brings the state’s total CWD detections to 36.

Cut 4 (07) “…Services Laboratory.”

Bordelon says CWD is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and other members of the Cervidae family. Although not proven to infect humans, Bordelon advises against consuming infected deer, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from hunters.

Cut 5 (08) “…guidence of the CDC.”

Bordelon says the surveillance of potentially infected deer and early detection are crucial in controlling the spread of CWD.

Cut 6 (11) “…threat on the landscape.”

LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

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The state is around the halfway point for early voting, and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Offices says voter turnout is strong for a spring election in the state.

Cut 7 (08) “…by mail votes.”

Watson says East Baton Rouge Parish is seeing the highest turnout due to the state’s newest city — St. George, which has mayor and council races on the ballot.

Cut 8 (07) “…in St. George.”

Watson says they are pleased with those numbers; and while spring elections historically see fewer numbers, there are items on the ballot statewide.

Cut 9 (11) “…something on their ballot”

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Do you have your REAL ID yet? If not, you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 10 (13) “…state-issued credential.”

Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says to help people meet that deadline, the OMV is opening select offices on select Saturdays so that people won’t have to take time off work. Last Saturday was the first of what was originally going to be three Saturdays; and it was such a hit that they’re adding another Saturday this week.

Cut 11 (10) “…few different offices.”

Boudreaux says when May 7th rolls around, you will not be able to use your driver’s license to confirm your identity at the TSA checkpoint unless it’s REAL ID compliant.

Cut 12 (09) “…after that date.”

The other dates are April 12th and May 3rd, and the hours of operation are eight a-m to one p-m. You can book an appointment at Express-Lane-dot-org, and they will also take walk-ins.

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The McNeese men’s basketball team will try to stay in the Big Dance longer than they did last year. The Cowboys were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year. This afternoon, the 12^th seeded Pokes will look to pull of the upset and advance to the second round when they face Clemson at 2:15 this afternoon. Coach Will Wade says his team has a different mentality this year…

Cut 13 (13)  “…more than one.”

Both teams enter the game with identical records of 27-and-6. The Tigers were 18-2 in the A-C-C and have a significant height advantage over McNeese. Wade says they must limit Clemson’s shots around the basket.

Cut 14 (09) “…said than done.”

Senior forward Christian Shumate is glad to be in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but he wants the experience to last longer…

Cut 15 (12) “…moments happen.”

McNeese has bowed out in the first round in each of their three previous tournament appearances.

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Phil Cunningham takes over as the new men’s basketball coach at ULM. Cunningham was an assistant for the Warhawks last season and takes over for the retired Keith Richard (ree-SHARD). Cunningham says he plans to win right away at ULM…

Cut 16 (17) “…win now.”

ULM just completed a 7-and-25 season. Cunningham says for the Warhawks to compete in the Sun Belt, they will need to bring in talented players and the 56-year-old says he’s learned from the best when it comes to recruiting…

Cut 17 (20)  “…as anybody”.”

Cunningham was an assistant coach for Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State under Rick Stansbury. Cunningham was also the head coach at Troy from 2013 to 2019 and took the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Cunningham says he will be active when it comes to promoting Warhawk basketball…

Cut 18 (16)  “…go to them.”

A Washington Parish mother is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 8-month-old child. The infant suffered severe injuries, including broken bones. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown believes mental health issues with 24-year-old Autumn Harper played a significant role, and he hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

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.”

McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. 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.”

But first thing’s first – McNeese faces Clemson tomorrow.

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.