Over the weekend, NOLA-dot-com published proposed plans for a major upgrade to the Smoothie King Center, the home of the New Orleans Pelicans, aimed at bringing the arena up to modern NBA standards. NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan says adding more seats to the lower bowl is one of the more significant aspects of the plan.

Cut 13 (14)  “…sit up high.”

Diesel prices have reached an average of $5.00 per gallon in Louisiana, up from $3.25 a month ago. Regular gasoline is averaging $3.59 per gallon today up from $2.52 a month ago, according to AAA. Prices typically rise in the summer months but the situation in Iran has intensified the spike in prices. Some bargain shoppers are joining merchants’ discount clubs or using apps to find the lowest prices.

A Gonzales Republican is proposing that proceedings in the Family Court for East Baton Rouge Parish be live streamed for remote public access. Representative Kathy Edmonston says she’s proposing the bill to bring transparency to the court and under her bill, the only way the cameras can be turned off is by mutual agreement.

Cut 9 (07)  “…the cameras off.”

A bill that would name a planned new Mississippi River bridge south of Baton Rouge after President Trump is heading to the Senate after the House approved an amended version of the bill to say the bridge will only be named after President Trump if the federal government provides a substantial amount of funding for construction by January 20^th, 2029. The author of the legislation, Monroe Representative Michael Echols, says a new bridge is needed to alleviate traffic congestion in the capital city.

Cut 11 (07) “…across that river.”

The full House approved a bill to the name a planned new Mississippi River bridge south of Baton Rouge after President Trump. Monroe Representative Michael Echols says he introduced the legislation to get the President’s attention that another bridge is needed in the Baton Rouge area, and it needs support from the federal government.

Cut 12 (06) “…for 30 years.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Entergy Louisiana announces money saving programs. Nyka Scott, the vice president of customer service, says Entergy is giving rebates on up to two smart thermostats – and that’s not all.

Cut 5 (12) “…that as well.”

That EV charging credit is for charging your vehicle during off-peak hours. These programs are for Entergy Louisiana customers as Entergy New Orleans customers have separate programs.

Proposed upgrade plans for the Smoothie King Center aimed at bringing the arena up to modern NBA standards were released this weekend. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A hit and run crash claimed the life of former Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton yesterday. The crash occurred just before 1:00 PM and the suspect driver allegedly ran over Hilton who was transported to a hospital by helicopter but succumbed to his injuries.  Authorities say they used spike strips to finally stop the suspect, driving a blue Nissan Moreno at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The incident is still under investigation and Sheriff’s office asked for prayers for the former sheriff’s family, friends, and the RPSO family.

A proposed bill would live-stream East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court proceedings. Representative Kathy Edmonston says she’s proposing the bill to bring transparency to the court. Edmonston says she is aware of privacy concerns involving children and she will likely amend her bill to protect juveniles…

Cut 8 (12) “…the general public.”

The bill only applies to the Family Court for East Baton Rouge Parish, since it’s the only constitutionally mandated family court in the state.

The House approved a bill to name a new Mississippi River bridge after President Trump.  The state is looking at building a bridge south of Baton Rouge in Iberville Parish with a three-billion-dollar price tag. Livonia Representative Jeremy Lacombe says if naming the bridge after the President helps bring home the federal dollars to build it, he’s all for it.

Cut 10 (11) “…host of issues.”

If you’re an Entergy Louisiana customer, you will soon have three new ways to take a load off the power grid – and to save yourself some money. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Diesel prices have reached an average of $5.00 per gallon in Louisiana, up from $3.25 a month ago. Regular gasoline is averaging $3.59 per gallon today up from $2.52 a month ago, according to AAA. Prices typically rise in the summer months but the situation in Iran has intensified the spike in prices. Some bargain shoppers are joining merchants’ discount clubs or using apps to find the lowest prices.

Entergy Louisiana customers will soon have three new ways to save money. Nyka Scott, the vice president of customer service at Entergy Louisiana, says those who install smart thermostats can turn the temperature up by a degree or two during peak hours. She says by doing so, they can take a huge strain off the grid, creating a win-win situation.

Cut 4 (05) “…reliable as well.”

Scott says Entergy is giving rebates on up to two smart thermostats

Over the weekend, NOLA-dot-com published proposed plans for a major upgrade to the Smoothie King Center, the home of the New Orleans Pelicans, aimed at bringing the arena up to modern NBA standards. NOLA-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan says if approved, it would be the most extensive renovation to the Smoothie King Center since it opened in 1999. He expects the Pelicans to use the 400 to 500-million dollars they could receive from the two new NBA franchises to help pay for the renovations.

Cut 15 (07) “…Pelicans’ front office.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill to name a proposed new bridge in Baton Rouge after President Trump, but only if there’s a strong financial commitment from the federal government. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Gonzales Republican is proposing that proceedings in the Family Court for East Baton Rouge Parish be live-streamed for remote public access. Representative Kathy Edmonston says she’s proposing the bill to bring transparency to the court.

Cut 7 (07) “…bringing the bill.”

The full House approves a bill that could lead to the naming of a new Baton Rouge bridge over the Mississippi River after President Trump.  The state is looking at building a bridge south of Baton Rouge in Iberville Parish and the cost could be three-billion dollars. Livonia Representative Jeremy Lacombe says if naming the bridge after the President helps bring home the federal dollars to build the bridge, he’s all for it…

Cut 10 (11) “…host of issues.”

The author of the legislation, Monroe Representative Michael Echols, says a new bridge is needed to alleviate traffic congestion in the capital city…

Cut 11 (07) “…across that river.”

No one spoke out in opposition. The measure passed on a party-line vote, 68-26. It now advances to the Senate.

A bill that would require Louisiana driver’s licenses to display a symbol indicating one’s citizenship status clears a House committee and moves to the full House for further discussion. The bill by Haughton Representative Dodie Horton would require the OMV to place an image of an eagle in flight on the licenses of those who are confirmed to be U.S. citizens.

A Gonzales Republican is proposing that proceedings in the Family Court for East Baton Rouge Parish be live-streamed for remote public access. Representative Kathy Edmonston says she’s proposing the bill to bring transparency to the court.

Cut 7 (07) “…bringing the bill.”

Family court almost always involves children in one way or another; and with that, there can be privacy issues. Edmonston says she is aware of those concerns and will likely be amending her bill as originally filed to address them. The Family Court for East Baton Rouge Parish is the only constitutionally-mandated family court in the state.

LSU baseball dropped its second consecutive SEC series to begin conference play, and the Tigers also lost one of their weekend starting pitchers to injury. Cooper Moore had to leave Friday’s loss to Oklahoma with an arm injury. Coach Jay Johnson says an MRI showed inflammation, and so they will let that calm down…

Cut 17 (24)  “…best case scenario.”

LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow night.

Tomorrow, the UL-Lafayette baseball team will look to get back in the win column against Southeastern after being swept by Texas State over the weekend.

Following a road series loss to South Alabama, ULM will also aim to bounce back when they host Northwestern State Demons tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

Over 15 football players participated in LSU’s Pro Day workout on Monday, but the headline performer was cornerback Mansoor Delane. Delane, who did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, clocked a 4.35 today, strengthening his case as a top-ten draft pick.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looked sharp at Pro Day, completing 69 of 72 passes with his father, Doug – offensive coordinator for the Saints – in attendance.

Even though the job’s not done for the LSU Lady Tigers –it is the end of the road in Baton Rouge for one the greatest players in program history. Yesterday’s blowout win over Texas Tech marked the final game at the P-MAC for senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson. Tears welled up throughout the building when Coach Kim Mulkey took her out of the game early in the fourth quarter with LSU leading by 50. Mulkey said after the game that even though she could have left after last year, Flau’Jae chose to stay and finish what she started in Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (06) “…even know about.”

Senator John Kennedy is seeking to pass a resolution that says senators’ would not get paid during government shutdowns. Kennedy brought the resolution up on the Senate floor on Sunday as Department of Homeland Security employees are currently not getting paid. Kennedy says it’s about shared sacrifice…

Cut 9 (14)  “…your experience.”

Yesterday’s win by LSU over Texas Tech marked the end of an era in Baton Rouge as it was the last home game ever for senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson. Mikaylah Williams said Flau’Jae is an institution and deserves to be immortalized.

Cut 13 (06) “…off the court.”

The Lady Tigers do have unfinished business – they face Duke Friday in the Sacramento 2 Region semifinals.

ICE agents are lending a helping hand to TSA at airports across the country, including New Orleans. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The pilot of a small plane was killed when it went down in Rapides Parish. The Beechcraft BE20 went down at around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. First responders found it in a vegetative and swampy area near the edge of Lake Rodemacher near Sharp, which is west of Boyce. The pilot was the only one on board the aircraft at the time. The aircraft was registered to a person in California.

ICE agents have been deployed to Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner to alleviate the long lines to get through security, because of the TSA worker shortage. Kevin Dolliole, the director of aviation at MSY, says this morning, it seemed to have worked.

Cut 4 (10) “…through the morning”

Dolliole ICE agents are helping with things like crowd control and directing passengers to open lines. But they cannot screen luggage.

Radio talk show host Moon Griffon is planning a GOP Senate debate on his statewide radio show on April 28th. Griffon says it’s a chance for Bill Cassidy and his two main challengers to be in a room together at the same time and answer important questions.

Cut 7 (06) “…gotcha moment.”

While Julia Letlow and John Fleming have committed, Bill Cassidy has not as of yet, preferring a televised debate.

Yesterday’s blowout win by LSU over Texas Tech marked the end of an era for the Lady Tigers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Northwestern State is mourning the death of legendary football coach Sam Goodwin. Goodwin died Friday night at the age of 82 following complications from a recent surgery. He’s the school’s all-time leader in football victories and the Pineville native led the Demons to four conference championships.