Two people are arrested in connection with an October house fire in Shreveport that killed two girls. One of them is the girls’ grandmother, 50-year-old Rita Montgomery. The other suspect is 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way.”

Blake Miguez ends his campaign for U.S. Senate and is now instead running for the now-open fifth district U.S. House seat. It comes after President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, prompting her to enter the Senate race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with Rainbow Trout. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One person is hurt after a natural gas pipeline explodes in Cameron Parish. It happened near Johnson Bayou and Holly Beach this morning. The person injured is an operator at the Delfin LNG pipeline; the Cameron Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness says his injuries are minor. No word on the cause of the explosion.

Depth is one of the major strengths of this year’s LSU baseball team. Fifth-year senior infielder Tanner Reaves says the Tigers’ depth will benefit them in multiple ways this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…play really good.”

LSU sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel was named as a 2026 First-Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America magazine. As a freshman last season, Curiel batted a team-high .345 with 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 55 RBI’s, and 67 runs.

In D1Baseball.com’s list of top-50 college second basemen in the country, LSU senior infielder Brayden Simpson landed at No. 5. In three seasons at High Point, Simpson batted .323 with 46 doubles, two triples, 37 home runs, 136 RBI’s, 143 runs and 29 stolen bases.

Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien will remain in New Orleans, despite interviewing for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position earlier this week, according to Jordan Schultz. Tolzien will continue to play a pivotal role in developing quarterback Tyler Shough.

Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett interviewed for the passing game coordinator position with the Steelers, but will also remain in New Orleans.

Last night, the McNeese State men’s basketball team fell to Stephen F. Austin 67-60 as the Lumberjacks extended their lead in the Southland to two games.

Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 61-58 in Natchitoches last night to improve to 10- 13 overall and 9-5 in conference play. After losing five consecutive games in January, the Colonels have now won two straight.

UNO extended its win streak to three games last night after defeating East Texas A&M 94-85. With the win, the Privateers are now 10-13 on the season and 8-5 in Southland play.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball is back in action tomorrow as the Cajuns are at James Madison at 6 p.m.

In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. 50-year-old Rita Montgomery and 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey are arrested in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. says Montgomery is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 14 (12) “…and criminal conspiracy.”

Blake Miguez ends his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

In its annual State of Tobacco Control report card, the American Lung Association gives Louisiana grades that would get it sent to its room with no dinner. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says for instance, the state needs to do a better job in getting the word out that low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered by insurance for those considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

LDWF plans to complete the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state this week. Fisheries Outreach Biologist Jonathan Porter says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise.

Cut 11 (11) “…reproduce.”

State senator Blake Miguez trades in one campaign for another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A fourth person has been arrested in connection with last Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras Parade in East Feliciana Parish that injured six people, including a six-year-old child. Sheriff Jeff Travis says 21-year-old Kameron Barfield of Baker was booked on attempted second-degree murder charges. Authorities are also looking to arrest 18-year-old D’Tryelin White.

According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The state’s smoking rate is 16-percent, sixth highest in the nation.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two thousand applications.

Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”

Go the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website for more information.

After President Trump endorses Julia Letlow for U.S. Senate, State Senator Blake Miguez is ending his Senate campaign and is instead running for the fifth district U.S. House seat that Letlow is vacating. Miguez is the second candidate to drop out of the Senate race in the wake of Trump’s endorsement, following Julie Emerson’s withdrawal, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he doubts Miguez will be the last.

Cut 8 (11) “…the president’s lead.”

Louisiana earns low to failing grades in the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control report card. The association says those considered to be at risk of lung cancer can have low-dose CT scans covered by insurance, and Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says the state needs to do a much better job in informing them of that fact.

Cut 5 (06) “…low-dose CT scans.”

By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with rainbow trout. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An assistant principal at a Baton Rouge magnet middle school is arrested in connection with an illegal gambling operation at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. State Police arrested McKinley Middle Magnet Assistant Principal April Scott yesterday evening, just hours after the department of public safety and corrections addressed staffing at the facility amid a string of unexpected deaths.

Blake Miguez ends his campaign for U.S. Senate and is now instead running for the now-open fifth district U.S. House seat. It comes after President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, prompting her to enter the Senate race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

Miguez lives in New Iberia, which is not part of the fifth district. Pinsonat says when it comes to the U.S. House, that doesn’t matter.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director Meghan Jones says they’re also accepting donations to help the many families who need financial support.

Cut 15 (08) “…in our region.”

These grades would send the State of Louisiana to its room with no dinner. In its annual State of Tobacco Control report card, the American Lung Association gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products; and Cs in smokefree air and access to cessation services. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says Louisiana needs to do a better job in getting the word out that low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered by insurance for those considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

LDWF plans to complete the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state this week. Fisheries outreach biologist Joshua Porter says their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country.

Cut 10 (06) “…from anglers.”

A campaign detour for Blake Miguez just before the start of qualifying. The state senator from New Iberia announced on social media today that he’s ending his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

Like the race for U.S. Senate, Miguez will face a crowded field in that congressional race as well, with Rick Edmonds, Misti Cordell and Dixon McMakin officially announcing runs for that seat, with several more expected to also enter.

LDWF plans to complete this week the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state. Joshua Porter, who is a fisheries outreach biologist, says they stock ponds with Rainbow Trout, where bank fishing is possible…

Cut 9 (09) “….time of the year”

LDWF stocks Rainbow Trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive.

According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The state’s smoking rate is 16-percent, sixth highest in the nation.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. United Way of Northeast Louisiana President Kim Lowery says 56-percent of households in this part of the state already struggle to pay their bills.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of the time.”

You can donate on the same website, or you can text FAMILYRELIEF to 91999.

Louisiana’s Corrections Secretary held a press conference to address the string of unexpected deaths at a prison facility in Iberville Parish. Andrew Greenstein was there

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Department of Corrections has announced a 43-year-old inmate at Elyan Hunt died yesterday and the death is being classified as underdetermined and under investigation.

The first attack ad is out in the U.S. Senate Republican Primary. A super PAC supporting incumbent Bill Cassidy has labeled Congresswoman Julia Letlow, in its words, a “liberal,” accusing her of voting with former President Joe Biden more than any of the other Republican in Louisiana’s House delegation. Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM.

Cut 10 (08) “…to do so.”

Letlow responded to the ad by saying it did not take long for Cassidy and his never-Trumper, pro-impeachment allies to begin attacking her.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two thousand applications.

Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”

Go the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website for more information.