Governor Jeff Landry has removed a job creation requirement for manufacturers to receive a significant property tax break. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

If you think something is wrong with your cellphone, it’s most likely not your phone, it’s the network. Multiple carriers are reporting outages. If you have wi-fi on your phone, you can make calls and receive through that versus the cell carrier. A reason for the outage has not been released.

A bill that for the most part would eliminate parole opportunities advances to the House floor. Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on the bill to speak against House Bill 9. Marino says there’s proven that data showing rehab programs work and that severely limiting one’s opportunity for parole doesn’t….

Cut  14 (14) “..the smartest.”

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25-ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th-ranked Kentucky 75-74 on a buzzer-beating. Coach Matt McMahon says it was an amazing ending.

Cut 8 (10) “…buzzer.” 

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that keeps a big property tax break in place for manufacturers, but it removes the job creation requirement that was added during the Edwards’ administration. Landry says the job creation requirement only created bureaucratic red tape…
cut 9 (06) “…into Louisiana”
But the faith based group, Together Louisiana, says the change to the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program is just a gift for corporations.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife agents have charged a Morehouse Parish man for killing a black bear. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says 45-year-old George Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October…
cut 14 (12) “…2024 hunting season”
Mosely faces hundreds of dollars in fines and could spend a few months in prison.

There are three bills sponsored by Kenner Republican Debbie Villio that will gut the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiatives and drastically reduce a prisoner’s opportunity for early release. In House Criminal Justice, Villio advocated for House Bill 9 that eliminates parole eligibility for crimes committed after August 1st of this year.
Cut 12 (13) “…a difference.”
Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the hearing to speak against the bill. Marino says eliminating parole and forcing prisoners to serve 85% of their sentence…
Cut 13 (13) “…to want.”
The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

The LSU men’s basketball team is turning the season around after showing great determination in their 75 to 74 buzzer beating win over 17th ranked Kentucky. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the three point line, but won the game on a late tip-in by Tyrell Ward. LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon says that the fans created a winning atmosphere for the Tigers.

Cut 21 (14) “…build on.”

LSU will host Mississippi State at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

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The LSU women’s basketball team will look to avenge their loss to Auburn tonight when the two face off in the P-MAC at 8 pm. LSU only shot 41.8 percent from the field in the previous matchup and that’s an aspect of the game that Head Coach Kim Mulkey says needs to be fixed in order for Tigers to win tonight.

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And the Pelicans will resume their season after the All-Star break by hosting the Rockets tonight at 7 pm.

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LSU baseball will open its second 4 game series today at the Box against Northern Illinois. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson will start UCLA transfer Gage Jump tonight. Johnson says that Jump will only get about 40 to 50 pitches in his start, but Jump says that he’s excited to just get on the mound.

Cut 19 (15) “… be fun.”

The Tigers will host Northern Illinois in the Box at 2 pm on the SEC Network+.

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In college basketball news, ULM and UL-Lafayette will face off tonight in Monroe with tipoff at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. UL-Lafayette won the previous matchup between these two teams 80 to 72 on January 31st and the Cajuns are favored to win again tonight. Louisiana Tech will also be in action tonight as the Bulldogs will travel to El Paso to take on UTEP at 8 pm.

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And in college softball news, LSU will host Boise State tonight at 6 pm to kick off the Tiger Classic.

A bill to get rid of the state’s vehicle inspection sticker once again heads to the capitol for debate in the upcoming regular session. Louisiana car owners pay a 20-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker. Bill’s author, Stonewall State Representative Larry Bagley’s the sticker is an unnecessary nuisance especially if you forget to renew it.

Cut 9 (12)  “…that again.”

If approved, the measure would go into effect July 1^st.

More than 32 thousand Louisiana high school students enrolled in courses at colleges during 2022-2023 school year, showing an increase in dual enrollment participation for the third year in a row. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says minority student participation has increased over three years by seven percentage points.

Cut 4 (09) “…the board.”

Hunter-Reed says they are committed to dual enrollment opportunities for all students. She points out a virtual instruction program is accessible to students in underpopulated parts of the state.

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25 ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th ranked Kentucky 75-74 on buzzer beating shot by Tyrell Ward. Coach Matt McMahon taking better care of the basketball led to the second half rally…

Cut 7 (13) “…three times”  

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 45-year-old George Mosely of Oak Ridge faces numerous penalties in connection with the killing of a Black Bear and other hunting violations. He says agents found evidence in Mosley’s Morehouse Parish residence on February 8^th.

Cut 13 (07)  “…as well.”

Enick says Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October.

The legislature is set to vote today on several of Governor Jeff Landry’s crime-focused bills. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it looks like the state will soon have a much stricter criminal justice code that would give inmates fewer options to get out of jail before their sentence is up…
cut 24 (09) “…of prison.”

For the third straight year, the number of Louisiana high school students taking college courses while in high school is up. More than 32 thousand students were dually enrolled for the 22-23 school year, up 13 percent from the previous year. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says more students are seeking early pathways to success.

Cut 3 (09) “…high school.”  

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25-ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th-ranked Kentucky 75-74 on the buzzer-beating shot by Tyrell Ward. Coach Matt McMahon says it’s a great character win…

Cut 6  (13) “…get it done” 

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

Stonewall State Representative Larry Bagley’s proposal to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker will be debated in the upcoming regular session. He says his measure has become a favorite among Louisianans.

Cut 7 (11) “…taken away.”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he’s bringing back a bill in the regular session that failed to pass in the past. This proposal would put an end to the requirement that motorists have to get a vehicle inspection sticker….
cut 2 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx”

Are you having trouble making a phone call this morning? AT&T and several other cell phone providers are reporting service outages and it’s a nationwide problem. AT-and-T encourages Wi-Fi calling until service is restored.

During this special session on crime, House and Senate committees have been approving bills that seek to limit parole opportunities for offenders, stronger penalties for car jacking and expanding the methods to execute a death row inmate. There’s also a bill that would give non felon adults the ability to conceal carry without a permit. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross…
cut 6 (13) “….other direction”

The state health department has confirmed two measles cases in the Greater New Orleans area. The individuals were diagnosed after returning from an out of state trip. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease expert Doctor Fred Lopez says measles symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after an infection…
cut 11 (11) “…can be seen”
Lopez says get vaccinated against the measles if you are not already immune.

Governor Jeff Landy’s tough on crime proposals are facing little opposition in the special session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Two criminal justice advocacy groups believe the public is not having enough of an opportunity to have their say on Landry’s criminal justice proposals and they’ve filed a restraining order in the hopes a judge will stop the Legislature from voting on these measures on the House floor.

45-year-old George Mosely of Oak Ridge faces hundreds of dollars in fines and possible jail time in connection with the killing of a Black Bear and other hunting violations. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck details what agents found in Mosley’s Morehouse Parish home….
cut 13 (07) “>…as well”
Einck says Mosely admitted to killing the black bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley will ask lawmakers in the regular session if the state should remove the requirement that motorists have their vehicles inspected every year or every other year. Bagley says it serves no purpose because law enforcement can stop you if you’re driving an unsafe vehicle…
cut 8 (12) “….each year”
The bill will be heard in the upcoming regular session.

Today the Louisiana House and Senate will vote on several of Governor Jeff Landry’s tough on crime proposals….
cut 4 (09) “…his way”
That’s U-L M political science professor Pearson Cross. The Senate convenes at 9 AM and they’ll vote on a bill that would require 17-year-olds accused of a felony to be prosecuted as an adult.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife agents have charged a Morehouse Parish man for killing a black bear. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says 45-year-old George Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October…
cut 14 (12) “…2024 hunting season”
Mosely faces hundreds of dollars in fines and could spend a few months in prison.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of measles in the Greater New Orleans area. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Two elderly residents from Saline were killed when their vehicle struck a tree that had fallen across both lanes of Louisiana Highway nine at the Bienville-Natchitoches Parish line on Tuesday night. State Police troopers say 82-year-old Clois Williams and 78-year-old Mary Williams were not buckled up and died at the scene.