24-year-old Rodrigo Ornelas Junior of Folsom was killed in a hit and run crash around midnight Sunday morning, and State Police is looking for the driver of a dark sedan or small SUV who struck Ornelas while he was cycling on Highway 40 near Folsom. Trooper Marc Gremillion says Ornelas was not wearing a helmet but was dressed in light-colored clothing. He died at a local hospital.

Cut 4 (08) “…unfortunate death.”

Gremillion says anyone with information is urged to contact State Police

Two men have been arrested for making threats against the lives of two Louisiana lawmakers. In the first case, investigators say Bruce Tigani, Jr of Wilmington, Delaware, made several detailed threats against State Representative Michael Echols and his family on social media. Authorities say Tigani was upset over Echols criticism of Medical Properties Trust, the landowner of a West Monroe hospital. In the second case, investigators say Charles Allen of New Orleans left a voicemail explicitly threatening the life of State Senator John C. Jay and his family.

Governor Landry is urging Louisiana voters to vote “Yes” for Constitutional Amendment Three on the May 16^th ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Amazon is purchasing a Louisiana satellite communications company for nearly 12-billion dollars. President and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc, Michael Hecht, says it’s great news for Covington-based Globalstar…

Cut 10 (10) “… Amazon Leo.”

Globalstar is the primary satellite link for Apple’s iPhone emergency SOS features and Amazon says it plans to use Globalstar’s network to enable smartphone users to connect directly to a network of thousands of satellites for voice and data service.

A bill requiring some TOPS recipients to repay the state if they lose the scholarship, without a solid reason, advances to the House floor.  Executive director of the Taylor Foundation, James Caillier, testified against the legislation, telling lawmakers, a student who loses a merit scholarship should not be forced to pay it back

Cut 11 (14) “…a scholarship.”

Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson supports the legislation…

Cut 12 (11) “…to be repaid.”

The measure was approved on a six-to-five vote and heads to the House floor.

State Police is looking for a dark-colored sedan or small SUV that struck a bicyclist at around 12:30 AM on Sunday on Louisiana Highway 40 in Saint Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 24-year-old Rodrigo Ornelas Junior of Folsom. Trooper Marc Gremillion says anyone with information is urged to contact State Police…

Cut 5 (13) “…8-0-7″

The 22nd-ranked LSU softball team no-hit UL Lafayette in its 8-0 win last night. The Cajuns fell to .500 on the season, and head coach Alyson Habetz, who also played at UL from 1990-95, was revved up after the embarrassing loss.

Cut 6 (13) “make them care more.”

The Cajuns have lost five in a row. They host Coastal Carolina this weekend.

LSU football’s defense has dominated the offense so far in spring practice. Coach Lane Kiffin says he was discouraged by his offense’s performance in Saturday’s scrimmage, where the quarterbacks combined to throw five interceptions, but he also acknowledged there will be growing pains with transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt not currently participating.

Cut 16 (17) “…doesn’t happen overnight.”

LSU baseball snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Northwestern State on Tuesday night. Trailing 2-1 in the fifth inning, junior outfielder Jake Brown launched a 424-foot, three-run home run to give the Tigers the lead. LSU will host 10th-ranked Texas A&M this weekend.

Louisiana Tech extended its winning streak to seven games with a 9-3 victory over Little Rock on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs travel to Kennesaw State this weekend.

The Pelicans finished 26-56 in Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars’ first season with the franchise. Dumars dismissed Willie Green 10 games into the season, and assistant coach James Borrego took over on an interim basis to close out the year. Dumars says Borrego has proven himself as a strong candidate for the permanent job and will be under consideration.

Cut 19 (19) “…good job with that.”

LSU softball sophomore pitcher Jayden Heavener threw a no-hitter last night as the 22nd-ranked Tigers blanked the Cajuns eight to nothing. It’s her second career five-inning no-hitter.

Southeastern Louisiana softball has set a Southland record with the longest winning streak in conference history. The Lions have won twenty-five in a row after sweeping a doubleheader from Stephen F Austin on Tuesday.

Requiring Louisiana TOPS Opportunity and TOPS Performance recipients to repay their scholarship if they drop or flunk out of college without a good reason, passes out of the House Education Committee on a six to five vote. Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor asked the bill’s author, Dennis Bamberg, if L-A Gator Scholarship recipients should also be subject to repaying the state…

Cut 13 (10)  “..everything.”

State Police is looking for a driver who struck and killed a bicyclist in St. Tammany Parish. The crash claimed the life of 24-year-old Rodrigo Ornelas Junior of Folsom. Trooper Marc Gremillion says the incident occurred at around 12:30 AM on Sunday on Louisiana Highway 40 in Folsom….

Cut 3 (05) “…fled the scene”

Ornelas Junior was not wearing a helmet but was dressed in light-colored clothing. He died at a local hospital.

Tax Day has arrived and Colleen Crain has tips from a tax professional…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Today is the last day to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration in person or by mail ahead of the May 16 closed party primary. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says that means if you want to vote in the Senate Republican Primary or a Congressional GOP primary, you must be registered as a Republican or “No Party”…

Cut 14 (09) “…vote in.”

Today’s the deadline to file your federal income tax return.  CPA John Theriot with Malcom Dienes in Metairie says if you’re rushing to complete your return to beat today’s deadline, don’t forget to fund your IRAs and HSAs. And remember there are new laws that allow exclusions of some tip income and overtime income if you qualify…

Cut 5 (09) “…your employer.”

Today is the last day to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration in person or by mail ahead of the May 16 closed party primary election. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says if you can’t register or switch your party affiliation in person, you still have until April 25th to do it online at geauxvote.com.

Cut 15 (11) “…those days.

A second LSU football player has suffered a season-ending injury this spring. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Front Office Sports is reporting that Louisiana Tech will pay Conference USA an exit fee that’s more than  $8 million. Tech is expected to join the Sun Belt Conference this summer. Louisiana Tech officials say an official agreement with Conference USA has not been finalized.

Requiring Louisiana TOPS Opportunity and TOPS Performance recipients to repay their scholarship if they drop or flunk out of college without a good reason, passes out of the House Education Committee on a six to five vote. Laplace Representative Sylvia Taylor asked the bill’s author, Dennis Bamberg, if L-A Gator Scholarship recipients should also be subject to repaying the state…

Cut 13 (10)  “..everything.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used up, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson supports the legislation…

Cut 12 (11) “…to be repaid.”

The bill could be heard on the House floor as early as next week.

Its tax day and there are some people seeing higher refunds this year. John Theriot is a CPA with Malcolm Dienes in Metairie and he says recent changes to federal and state income tax laws were designed to put more money in your pocket, but that’s not the only reason for the bigger refunds…

Cut 6 (12) “…bigger refunds”

He says he hasn’t seen the same for self-employed individuals but adjusting  quarterly payments could make a difference.

According to an Associated Press report, the average cost of a new vehicle is 50-thousand dollars. That’s up 30-percent in six years. UNO economist Walter Lane says if you are planning on buying a new car, spreading out the payments over five to seven year period can help reduce the monthly note, or just keep driving what you are driving…

Cut 9 (06) “…historically have”

Today is the last day to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration in person or by mail ahead of the May 16 closed party primary election. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says that means if you want to vote in the Senate Republican Primary or a Congressional GOP primary, you have to registered as a Republican or “No Party”…

Cut 14 (09) “…vote in.”

Today’s the deadline to file your federal income tax return.  CPA John Therio with Malcom Dienes in Metairie says if you’re rushing to complete your return to beat today’s deadline, don’t forget to fund your IRAs and HSAs. And remember there are new laws that allow exclusions of some tip income and overtime income if you qualify…

Cut 5 (09) “…your employer.”

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A second LSU football player has suffered a season-ending injury this spring. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A July sixth trial date has been set for three people charged in connection with a scheme that led to the death of a Kansas City sports reporter during the Super Bowl last year. Danette Colbert, Christian Anderson and Rickey White are accused of drugging and killing 27 year old Adan Manzano, who was found dead in a Kenner hotel room.  All three have pled not guilty.

A bill that would force a TOPS Opportunity or TOPS Performance recipient to repay their state funded scholarship makes it out of House Education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student.

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Tax Day is here and hopefully you are ready. It can be a daunting task to gather documents and work through returns or get all the required information to a tax preparer on time. If you find yourself unprepared, CPA John Therio with Malcom Dienes in Metairie says you can file form 4868 for an extension.

Cut 4 (13) “…that extension.”

The average price of a new vehicle is now almost 50-thousand dollars.  That’s according to a report from the Associated Press. That’s up 30-percent since 2020. UNO economist Walter Lane says most of the vehicles that come off the assembly line have all the new technology designed to make you a safer driver

Cut 7 (13) “…the cars.”

Tax Day has arrived and Colleen Crain has some tips from a tax professional…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New vehicles now sell for an average of nearly 50-thousand dollars according to a report from the Associated Press. That’s up 30-percent in six years. UNO economist Walter Lane says that’s mostly due to advanced technology and tariffs.

Cut 8 (09) “…in the cars.”

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TOPS Opportunity and Performance award recipients would pay back their state-funded scholarship if they lost their scholarship under a bill that barely got out of the House Education Committee. Bossier City Representative Dennis Bamburg is the author of the bill…

Cut 10 (09) “…those dollars”

Executive director of the Taylor Foundation, James Caillier, testified against the legislation, telling lawmakers, a student who loses a merit scholarship should not be forced to pay it back

Cut 11 (14) “…a scholarship.”

If this legislation becomes law, TOPS Opportunity and TOPS performance recipients would repay the scholarship dollars they have used up, even though the scholarship money goes to the university not the student.