A Tangipahoa Parish inmate walked off his work release job in St. James Parish Friday and has yet to be located. Ashley Rodrigue with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Taegan Howarth is serving time in Tangipahoa Parish for battery, along with drug and weapons charges. He was last seen in Convent wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat. Rodrigue is urging you to be on the lookout for him.

Cut 10 (14) “…out for Howarth.”

Early voting starts this Saturday. Four constitutional amendments are on the ballot, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson…

Cut 7am (08) “…make every year.”

Daylight saving time is again sparking debate on its effects and whether it should be abolished. While opinions vary, experts agree that clock changes impact health, particularly by disrupting sleep. LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey says losing an hour during the “spring forward” transition affects biological clocks, reducing morning sunlight exposure and delaying sleep schedules.

Cut 3 (14) “…than earlier thought”

A legendary North Louisiana high school football coach has passed away. Alton Franklin, affectionately known as “Red,” passed away over the weekend at the age of 89. Franklin was the head football coach at Haynesville High School for 35 years, winning 11 state championships along the way. Franklin’s son, David – the current head coach for the Haynesville Golden Tornadoes – says his father was more than a coach of his players.

Cut 7 (08) “…itself after that.”

Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening. Ashley Rodrigue with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says Howarth was working for a company in St. James Parish.

Cut 9 (12)  “…around 6:30 p.m.”

Haworth was last seen wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat.

A legendary North Louisiana high school football coach has passed away. Alton Franklin, affectionately known as “Red,” was the head football coach at Haynesville High School for 35 years, winning 11 state championships. Franklin’s son, David – the current head coach for the Haynesville Golden Tornadoes – says his father arrived at the school during integration.

Cut 6 (10) “…our town together.”

Many people are feeling the effects of Daylight Saving Time. Sean Richardson has more on how to catch up on your lost sleep.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says it codifies some changes in the tax laws that the legislature passed in the special session last November.

Cut 7 (14) “…make every year.”

The new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville is unveiled, designed for patients with severe mental illnesses. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the facility is needed because far fewer beds are currently available.

Cut 10 (15) “…two-thousand patients.”

Natchitoches Parish is bracing for the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. Colleen Crain has an update.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The LSU baseball team now has an 11-game winning streak after sweeping North Alabama this weekend. The Tigers are now 16-and-1 on the season as they get set to open SEC play. The LSU women’s basketball team, meanwhile, lost in the SEC Tournament semifinals to Texas.

The International Paper mill in Campti is set to close next month, with more than 400 workers affected. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says the closure of the plant means a major loss of tax revenue for Natchitoches Parish, so the state is looking at ways to repurpose the plant’s site.

Cut 6 (12) “…site from them (2x).”

Two big basketball tournaments are being held in Lake Charles this week. At McNeese’s Legacy Center, the Southland Basketball Tournament got underway yesterday. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says locals who want to see the McNeese men play will have to wait until tomorrow, with the Cowboys earning a double bye as the tournament’s top seed.

Cut 14 (12) “…six o’clock.”

Today, the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex, with scores of high school basketball fans coming from all over the state.

There’s a new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The suspect in the deadly Mardi Gras concert shooting in Mamou is captured. 19-year-old Trea’land Ty’rell Castille was found hiding in an apartment complex in Montgomery County, Texas, just north of Houston. Two people were killed and several others were hurt in the shooting. Castille is facing numerous charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. He’s being held without bond and is awaiting extradition.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is in Washington, DC, attending the annual Yale Mayor’s College Conference. It comes amid a city council-imposed travel ban, prohibiting all non-essential travel by city officials and employees through at least April amid a financial crisis. Mayor Cantrell’s office says the trip was scheduled well before the city council unanimously passed the travel ban. 

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says the passing of Amendment 2 is necessary in order to achieve the objectives of the new tax law.

Cut 9 (09)  “…functions of government.”

Early voting runs through March 22nd, and Election Day is March 29th.

Be on the lookout for a work release inmate on the loose. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Taegan Howarth walked off the job Friday evening after being terminated. Haworth is serving time for battery, along with drug and weapons charges. He was last seen in Convent wearing a yellow vest and a white hard hat.

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. The Southland Conference men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments started yesterday at McNeese’s Legacy Center, and the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex today. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says it’s going to be a huge economic boost for the region.

Cut 13 (07)  “…three-million dollars.”

The Southland women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. The high school champions will be crowned Friday and Saturday.

Natchitoches Parish is bracing for the upcoming closure of the International Paper mill in Campti. Colleen Crain has an update

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The suspect in a mass shooting in Mamou has been found in Montgomery county, Texas.  Officials arrested 19 year old Trea’land Castille following an intensive manhunt.  Castille allegedly opened fire during a Mardi Gras celebration in Evangeline Parish March 4^th.  He’s facing two counts of first degree murder, ten counts of attempted second-degree murder, along with several other charges.

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Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says it codifies some changes in the tax laws that the legislature passed in the special session last November and gives teachers a permanent pay raise of at least two-thousand dollars.

Cut 8 (14) “…permanent pay raise.”

The Louisiana Department of Health unveils the new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the facility includes two new patient care buildings, a utility plant, and renovated therapy and medical staff structures.

Cut 11 (13) “…or one connected building”

The Louisiana Department of Health unveiled the new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. The 33-million-dollar project focuses on rehabilitation, patient-centered care, and recovery. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says the facility is needed, but far fewer beds are available.

Cut 10 (15) “…two-thousand patients.”

More than 400 workers at the International Paper mill in Campti will soon be out of work when the plant closes next month. However, Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says most won’t be unemployed for very long but says Governor Landry is focused on the ripple effect the closure could have.

Cut 5 (11) “…International Paper jobs.”

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Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It looks like Derek Carr will remain with the Saints. The quarterback and the team have agreed to restructure his contract, converting most of his 2025 salary to a signing bonus. It’s biggest indicator that new head coach Kellen Moore will keep Carr as his starting quarterback.

The ninth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers were ousted in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament Saturday night, losing to Texas 56-49. LSU was without Flau’Jae Johnson, who’s nursing a shin injury. Aneesah Morrow left the game in the third quarter with an injury to her left ankle, and Mikaylah Williams was on the bench for long stretches due to foul trouble. Coach Kim Mulkey says she had no reason to put Morrow back in the game after she went down with her ankle injury and said both she and Johnson will be back for the NCAA Tournament.

Cut 17 (17)  “…we have everybody.”

LSU will now await their first round opponent, in all likelihood at the P-MAC. Brackets will be released Sunday night at seven.

It looks like Derek Carr will remain with the Saints. The quarterback and the team have agreed to restructure his contract, converting most of his 2025 salary to a signing bonus. It’s biggest indicator that new head coach Kellen Moore will keep Carr as his starting quarterback.

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. The Southland Basketball Tournament got underway yesterday at McNeese University’s Legacy Center. The women’s championship will take place Wednesday, with the men’s championship the following night. Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says locals who want to see the McNeese men play will have to wait until tomorrow, with the Cowboys earning a double bye as the tournament’s top seed.

Cut 14 (12) “…six o’clock.”

Today, the Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball Championships get underway at the Burton Complex, with scores of high school basketball fans coming from all over the state.

Soon, more than 400 workers at the International Paper mill in Campti will be out of work when the plant closes next month. However, Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois (BOO-zhwah) says most won’t be unemployed for very long, if at all.

Cut 4 (17) “…pulp service work.”

Early voting starts this Saturday in the state constitutional amendment election. You’ll be voting on four amendments, including Amendment 2, which for all intents and purposes rewrites Article 7 of the state constitution. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says it codifies some changes in the tax laws that the legislature passed in the special session last November.

Cut 7 (14) “…make every year.”

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There’s a new Central Louisiana State Hospital in Pineville, a modern facility designed for up to 116 patients with severe mental illnesses. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Lake Charles is a basketball mecca this week, with two tournaments being held in the city. Eric Zartler, executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, says it’s it’s an event that the Lake Charles community gets behind.

Cut 15 (05) “…miles per hour.”