A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says with his legislation, he’s not trying to infringe upon the First Amendment right to protest…

Cut 9 (09)  “…day of it.”

The legislation, which is headed to the Senate floor, is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer.

Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it is unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” so it does not infringe on free speech rights…

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Louisiana could soon have a recreational alligator hunting season. There’s a commercial alligator hunting season, but Franklin Senator Robert Allain says with the number of alligators increasing, he would like to open alligator hunting to recreational hunters…

Cut 10 (09) “…alligators.”

About 50 years ago, the state’s alligator population was below 100-thousand, but thanks to conservation efforts there are now more than three-million gators in the state. The Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the bill to create a recreational alligator hunting season, it now heads to the Senate Floor for more discussion.

A state lawmaker wants to give voters the opportunity to decide if the minimum wage should be raised from $7.25 an hour. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says that’s just untenable.

Cut 13 (07)  “…a decent life.”

That’s why Barrow is proposing a constitutional amendment not only to increase the minimum wage immediately, but also to make sure it keeps up with inflation. Previous attempts to raise the minimum wage have been defeated because opponents say it will lead to higher costs and fewer jobs.

The LSU men’s basketball season came to an end today as the Tigers fell 87-82 against ninth-seeded Kentucky in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. LSU finishes the season 15-and-17, which is head coach Matt McMahon’s second consecutive and third total losing season in Baton Rouge.

McNeese women’s basketball defeated Texas Rio Grande Valley 67-52 to win their 21st straight game. With the win, the Cowgirls advance to the Southland Tournament championship game, where they will play either Lamar or Stephen F. Austin tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team throttled Delaware, 72-43, this afternoon to advance to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals. The Lady Techsters will face either Liberty or Sam Houston on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Grambling State fell 68-65 to seventh-seeded Jackson State in the second round of the SWAC Tournament to end the Tigers’ season.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will open Conference USA Tournament play tomorrow against Middle Tennessee at 5:30 p.m.

The Saints’ several new free agency signings are now official. New Orleans addressed a key positional need by signing offensive guard David Edwards. Edwards, who spent the past three seasons with Buffalo and won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2022, is expected to start at left guard. According to WWL Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak, Edwards’ addition gives the offensive line the potential to be something special next season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…looking offensive line.”

The thirteenth-ranked LSU baseball team ended a two-game losing streak last night after defeating Creighton 8-4.

UL-Lafayette baseball improved to 13-and-4 last night after beating Texas Rio Grande Valley 11-7.

Louisiana Tech only tallied one hit in its 6-0 shutout loss to Lamar last night.

There’s a strong line of thunderstorms moving across the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says it could get rough across southeast Louisiana after bedtime…

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area”

There’s a medium risk for damaging wind gusts, tornadoes and isolated flash flooding.

A Senate committee advances a bill that would make it a crime to stage a disruptive protest inside a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says his bill would not prohibit someone from holding a sign in front of a place of worship; but causing a disruption would lead to a 500-dollar fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Cut 10 (12) “…disruptive service.”

Free speech advocates say the legislation is unconstitutional.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines as it needs to come up with legislation to regulate NIL deals in college athletics. Cassidy says legislation needs to be put in place protect student athletes who are signing these deals that result in agents receiving a 40-percent commission.

cut 12 (12) “…go to pros”

Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of the discussion. Tuberville says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put restrictions in place…

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

Cassidy says Congress needs to tackle this issue, because he says an executive order can be overturned by the next president.

There’s potential for severe weather tonight and during the overnight hours. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says wind gusts stronger than 60 miles per hour and isolated flooding is possible, along with tornadoes…

Cut 7 (11) “…EF1s, EF2s”

Cooler temperatures tomorrow, with highs only in the 60, but it will be sunny.

A Senate committee approves a bill making it a crime to conduct a protest that disrupts church services. Meghan Garvey with the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled it unconstitutional to ban someone from protesting on a public sidewalk. Garvey says the bill also needs to do a better job in defining what is “disruptive” …

Cut 11 (12) “…disruptive.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

US Senator Bill Cassidy held a hearing on college athletics that focused on NIL deals. Cassidy says some of these student athletes are being taking advantage of by their agent and the transferring from school to school is preventing them from workings towards a degree. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy raised concerns about trying to restrict what students can receive through NIL deals…

Cut 15 (10) “…professional sport.”

Cassidy plans to hold additional hearings on the issue.

March Madness is peaking right now in Lake Charles as the city is hosting the Southland Conference basketball tournament and the boys high school basketball championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler….

Cut 3 (07) “…be fantastic”

Big upset in the boys’ basketball tournament today as 12^th seeded Northside upset top seeded Madison Prep 65 to 61 in the Division Two select semifinals.

Much of southwest and central Louisiana is under a tornado watch. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

Cities in the watch area include Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe.

Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on legislation to regulate NIL deals in college sports. Former Auburn football coach and current Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville was part of it; he says he supports student-athletes getting paid, but he believes President Trump should issue an executive order to put some restrictions in place right away.

Cut 14 (11) “…more money.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that makes disruptive protests at or near churches a crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If you’d like to see the original Louisiana Purchase document, you will get your chance next month. The document that doubled the size of the United States at the outset of the 19th century will be on display at the old State Capitol in Baton Rouge starting April 14th. Governor Landry made the announcement in his State of the State address on Monday.

This is a day when you want to pay close attention to the weather. A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the storm system will work its way across the state throughout the day today.

Cut 8 (11) “…across the area.”

A Senate committee advances a bill that would make it a crime to stage a disruptive protest inside a place of worship. Ponchatoula Senator Bill Wheat says his bill would not prohibit someone from holding a sign in front of a place of worship; but causing a disruption would lead to a 500-dollar fine and up to 15 days in jail.

Cut 10 (12) “…disruptive service.”

Lake Charles is the undisputed capital of boys’ high school basketball this week as the city is playing host to the semifinals and championships for all ten state divisions. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says the region rolls out the red carpet for the 40 teams competing each year.

Cut 5 (09) “…big game feel”

And if that’s not enough, McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon, with a trip to the NCAA Tournament at stake.

Speaking of college sports, Senator Bill Cassidy recently held a roundtable discussion on potential legislation to regulate NIL deals. LSU Deputy Athletic Director Julie Cromer says with student athletes trying to cash in on those deals, the education component of being a student-athlete is going away, and athletic departments need help.

Cut 13 (11) “…education.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe. This, as a storm system is making its way through the state from Texas. State Climatologist Jay Grimes says a tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado formation.

Cut 7 (11) “…become EF1s, EF2s.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress can no longer sit on the sidelines as it needs to come up with legislation to regulate NIL deals in college athletics. Cassidy says legislation needs to be put in place protect student athletes who are signing these deals that result in agents receiving a 40-percent commission.

cut 12 (12) “…go to pros”

Lake Charles is the epicenter of March Madness in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports the Southland Conference is crowning new champions today and tomorrow and the high boys basketball tournament is taking place  at the Burton Coliseum.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to conduct a disruptive protest inside a church or near a place of worship. The legislation is in response to a protest that took place at a Minneapolis church last January where the pastor was an ICE officer. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.

We could be in for severe weather later today. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a storm system is making its way east from Texas, bringing a slight risk for severe weather – a two out of five on the scale.

Cut 6 (11) “…into the night.”

A tornado watch is in effect for much of southwestern and central Louisiana.

With all due apologies to Kim Mulkey if she’s listening, but Lake Charles is the basketball capital of Louisiana this week. McNeese is hosting Stephen F. Austin this afternoon for the chance to return to the NCAA Tournament, and the city is also hosting the boys’ high school state championships. Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority Executive Director Eric Zartler says this is the 13th straight year the Burton Coliseum is playing host.

Cut 4 (07) “…this one.” 

The U.S. Geological Survey sent a team to northwest Louisiana to install new equipment to assist in detecting earthquakes. This, in the wake of a series of tremors triggered by last week’s magnitude 4.9 in Red River Parish. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a Vivian police officer. A Caddo Parish grand jury indicted 58 year old Nicholas Alexander last month for first-degree murder in the death of Officer Marc Brock.