Jury selection is underway in the re-trial of Cardell Hayes. He fatally shot former Saints star Will Smith in 2016. Hayes says the shooting was in self-defense after an argument erupted following a car crash in the Garden District. Hayes was convicted of manslaughter, but it was tossed out due to a non-unanimous jury verdict. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says typically the defense has an advantage in re-trials.

Cut 12 (10)  “…and accuracies”  

10 of the 12 jury members who sat through Hayes’ first trial determined he was guilty of manslaughter.

Get ready for a warm and wet week. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the first round of heavy rainfall will arrive later tonight and into Tuesday and flood watches and warnings are possible…

Cut 8 (09) “…do occur” 

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the new Congressional district map approved by lawmakers. Jeff Palermo reports the new map makes it harder for Republican Garret Graves to get re-elected this year…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

In Caddo Parish, the family of a 44-year-old Dottie Yates-McCathran is asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact the sheriff’s office. She went missing four years from her residence on Vivian Airport Road.

The political future for Baton Rouge Republican Garret Graves is cloudy after the Louisiana Legislature approved a new Congressional map that turns his district into a second Black-majority district. A federal judge ordered a new map after it was determined the previous one approved in 2022 underrepresented the Black vote by not having two majority-minority districts. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects a lawsuit contesting the newest map…

Cut 10 (05) “…the Constitution”

A wet week is coming up for the Bayou State. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says to expect heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding through Thursday with average rainfall totals between four and eight inches through the week…

Cut 7 (12) “…of Louisiana.” 

The first round of heavy rainfall will arrive later this evening…

After last week’s deep freeze, chances are your lawn isn’t as attractive as it used to be, and you might be tempted to prune away unsightly foliage. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says not to because the damaged leaves will protect the plants from the next freeze. She says to hold off until late March, or early April to prune and fertilize your garden.

Cut 4 (10) “…that time.”

If you have already prunes she says to cover those tender plants and to add a layer of mulch for added insulation.

The political future for Baton Rouge Republican Garret Graves is cloudy after the Louisiana Legislature approved a new Congressional map that turns his district into a second Black-majority district. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Graves has served in Congress since 2015 and his re-election chances for this year have taken a major hit…
cut 9 (04) “…big disadvantage”
Graves’ current district includes the Baton Rouge capitol region, down the Mississippi River and into Thibodaux, Houma and Morgan City.

The new sixth Congressional district will stretch from Baton Rouge through Alexandria and Natchitoches and into Shreveport.

In last week’s special session, lawmakers also passed a bill that moves federal elections, along with elections for Louisiana Supreme Court, PSC and BESE to party primaries starting in 2026. State elections will continue to use the open primary system. PAR President Steven Procopio opposed the move to party primaries…
cut 10 (08) “…Public Service”

After last week’s deep freeze, chances are your garden and flower beds are not as attractive as they used to be, and you might be tempted to prune away unsightly foliage. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard says do not get the pruning shears out, because the damaged leaves will protect the plants from the next freeze and…
Cut 3 (09) “…bounce back.”

Last week it was cold temperatures and this week it will be wet weather. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says expect heavy rainfall and the possibility of flooding through Thursday..
Cut 6 (07) “…higher amounts”
Jacquemin says the first round of heavy rainfall will arrive late tonight into Tuesday and flood watches and warnings are possible.

The special session is over, and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift from open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Governor Jeff Landry says the outcome of the special session is a win for the people of Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “…great state” 

The state will move to closed party primaries but only for federal elections, and elections for State Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE. Public Affairs Research Council President Steve Procopio says the changes will impact many Louisiana voters…

Cut 11 (10) “…state level.” 

Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in the party primaries, but registered Independents, Libertarians, and other Third-party registered voters will not.

Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley has unanimously been reappointed to continue to serve in his position by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. And with the disruptions of the pandemic and multiple hurricanes behind him, Brumley says the department can now focus on getting back to the basics…

Cut 9 (12)  “…kid’s education.”

We’ve already heard the 2024 crawfish season could be one of the worst ever in terms of supply and prices due to last summer’s historic drought. And LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley warns the outlook for next year isn’t promising either.

Cut 4 (06) “…next year.”
He says the fields that don’t have crawfish this year will have to be restocked and with limited availability, it creates issues for the 2025 crop.

The special session is over and two major pieces of legislation came out of it. Lawmakers approved a Congressional map with two majority Black districts and Louisiana’s federal elections will shift from open primaries to party primaries starting in 2026. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Landry advocated hard for party primary elections…
Cut 13 (11) “…change that.”
Elections for the Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will also move to party primaries in 2026. Unaffiliated voters will be able to vote in those primary elections.

Under the new Congressional map, Congressman Garret Graves’ sixth district turns into a majority-minority district, increasing the chances greatly that an African-American could be elected to that district.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will continue in his role after BESE unanimously voted for his reappointment.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Last summer’s 2024 historic drought is expected to lead to a smaller crawfish harvest this year. LSU Ag Center crawfish expert Mark Shirley says the current water level in the Atchafalaya Basin is extremely low at one to two feet….
cut 5 (06) “…the winter”

Governor Landry wanted to change Louisiana elections from jungle primaries to a closed-party primary system and the legislature passed a bill, but it wasn’t everything Landry proposed. Colleen Crain has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The next special session which will convene next month will focus on addressing crime in the Bayou State. What’s happening in New Orleans is a focus for the new governor. NOLA-dot-com reports State Police will deploy 40 troopers to New Orleans in March to help city police fight crime.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has reappointed Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley
Cut 7 (11) “…to go.”
Louisiana’s K-through-12 education earned its highest place ever in the U-S News and World Report, moving from 46th to 41 from 2019 to 2022.

We’ve already heard the 2024 crawfish season could be one of the worst ever in terms of supply and prices due to last summer’s historic drought. And LSU Ag Center Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley warns the outlook for next year isn’t promising either.
Cut 4 (06) “…next year.”
He says the fields that don’t have crawfish this year will have to be restocked and with limited availability, it creates issues for the 2025 crop.

Governor Jeff Landry calls the results of the special session an exciting day for Louisiana. Jeanne Burns has more…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio is concerned moving some of Louisiana’s elections to party primaries will create confusion among voters and some might not like it…
cut 12 (09) “…thinking”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has reappointed state superintendent of education Doctor Cade Brumley. Brumley has been Louisiana’s education chief since 2020 and there are signs the state’s public education system is improving. Brumley says the Nation’s Report Card has moved Louisiana’s overall ranking from 46th to 42nd and fourth graders are number one in the nation for reading growth…
cut 8 (06) “…to go”

The historic drought this past summer could result in fewer crawfish this year and next year. LSU Ag Center crawfish specialist Mark Shirley says water levels are low in the Atchafalaya Basin and that will affect the wild crawfish catch…
cut 6 (10) “….the Basin”
A wet week is coming up as four to six inches of the rain could fall across the state through Thursday.