A poll paid for and conducted by the Rainey Center Freedom Project shows that the 5^th District Congressional Republican Primary is a two-person race between state representative Michael Echols and state senator Blake Miguez. Rainey Freedom Project director Russ Walker says the survey of nearly 900 likely voters, has Miguez receiving 23-percent of the vote and Echols getting 20-percent…

Cut 3 (11) “…Echols has.”

Gas prices are actually a few pennies cheaper compared to last week. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $3.76 a gallon, which is three cents cheaper than a week ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says despite the slight break, drivers are paying way more than they did last year…

Cut 9 (04)  “…last year.”

Three people died and one person was injured in separate ATV and UTV crashes Saturday. In Bossier Parish 10-year-old Bella Cassell and 31-year-old Callie Durbin, both of Benton died with their UTV left the road, overturned and ejected them and another individual. In Acadia Parish 17-year-old Hayden Castille was killed when he was ejected from his ATV after being hit by another vehicle. No one in either crash was wearing seat belts or DOT-approved helmets. Especially after these tragedies, State police want to remind the public about safety measures. Trooper Eddie Thomas…

Cut 8 (13) “…on your four-wheelers.”

Both Crashes are still under investigation.

Pop Superstar and Kentwood Native, Britney Spears has reportedly entered rehab for substance use.  Last month Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. A representative for the 44-year-old pop superstar says she voluntarily checked herself into the facility.

It has been close to eight years since Spears has toured and longer since she’s released new music.

Looks like the race for the Republican Congressional seat in the 5^th district is a two-man race according to a poll by the Rainey Center Freedom Project. 23-percent of likely voters polled are choosing State Senator Blake Miguez and 20-percent are favoring State Representative Michael Echols. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds is polling at 10 percent and Board of Regents Chairperson Misti Cordell, 3 percent.  Rainey Freedom Project director Russ Walker says Miguez has the endorsement of President Trump, but…

Cut 5 (06) “…as well.”

Three people were killed in UTV and ATV crashes over the weekend. In Bossier Parish 31-year-old Callie Durbin and 10-year-old Bella Cassell were killed, and another person injured when their UTV left the roadway, overturned, and ejected all three. In Acadia Parish 17-year-old Hayden Castille was killed when the ATV he was driving was hit from behind causing it to overturn and eject him. No one in either crash was restrained or wearing helmets. Trooper Monique Laverne says State Police want to remind the public that wearing safety gear can save lives.

Cut 15 (05) “…proper safety gear.”

Finally, some good news when it comes to gasoline prices. Jeff Palermo reports the price at the pump has dropped a few pennies since last week.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

After the New Orleans Pelicans closed out the 2025-26 season with a a 24-46 record, the third-worst mark in franchise history over an 82-game season, The Pelicans begin the formal process of finding a new head coach. Interim head coach James Borrego, who took over in November, believes one of the reasons he believes he’s a strong fit for the job is his ability to connect with players.

Cut 13 (10) “…moving forward.”

An adult and a child were killed, and a juvenile was injured in a UTV crash Saturday in Benton when State police say the UTV traveling on Merritt Road left the roadway and overturned, ejecting all three occupants. 31-year-old Callie Durbin was pronounced dead at the scene. 10-year-old Bella Cassell was transported to a hospital where she died. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says State Police are still investigating crash.

Cut 7 (12) “…under investigation.”

In Acadia Parish a seventeen-year-old lost his life when the ATV he was driving on Hwy 95 near Wikoff Cove Drive was struck from behind by an Audi Q7 Saturday around 8:00 pm.

Cut 14 (10) “…in the crash”

Impairment is not suspected but the accident is under investigation.

A poll on the 5^th District Republican Primary Congressional shows it’s a two-person race. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Gas prices are down 3 cents per gallon compared to last week according to Triple-A. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s good to see prices have leveled off for the first time since the war with Iran began on February 28^th. There is currently a two-week ceasefire, but a deal to end the war is not yet in place.  Redman says even if a long-term peace deal is reached soon, expect to pay high gas prices for the next several months…

Cut 11 (07) “…of the summer”

A UTV crash in Benton claimed the lives of two. 10-year-old Bella Cassell and 31-year-old Callie Durbin, of Benton, were killed and another person juvenile was injured on Saturday. State Trooper Eddie Thomas said the three were traveling east on Merritt Road in a UTV driven by Cassell when the incident occurred.

Cut 6 (12) “..from the ranger..”

The Department of Children and Family Services has changed its customer service number saying the change will make it easier to get help for such issues as child support, child welfare, and other DCFS issues. Residents can call 877-7LADCFS Weekdays between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm.  The number for the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline has not changed and reports can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to 855-4LA-KIDS.

According to a poll paid for and conducted by the Rainey Center Freedom Project, the 5^th District Congressional Republican Primary looks to be a two-person race between state representative Michael Echols and state senator Blake Miguez. Rainey Freedom Project director Russ Walker says

Echols had the highest favorability rating with 10-percent unfavorable. Miguez had a twenty-two-percent unfavorable rating, and he says living outside of the district hurts his campaign.

Cut 4 (12) “…single fact.”

Gas prices are a few cents cheaper than last week. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $3.76 a gallon, which is three cents cheaper than a week ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the statewide average a year ago was $2.79. But he says it’s good to see that prices at the pump have leveled off for the first time since the war with Iran began on February 28th…

Cut 10 (06) “… that lasts .”

A poll paid for and conducted by the Rainey Center Freedom Project shows that the 5^th District Congressional Republican Primary is a two-person race between state representative Michael Echols and state senator Blake Miguez. Director of the Rainey Freedom Project Russ Walker says their survey of nearly 900 likely voters in the 5^th District, has Miguez receiving 23-percent of the vote and Echols getting 20-percent…

Cut 3 (11) “…Echols has”

Twenty-two-percent of the respondents found Miguez unfavorable as compared to Echols who had the highest favorability rating and only 10-percent found him unfavorable.

Gas prices are actually a few pennies cheaper compared to last week. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $3.76, which is three cents cheaper than a week ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says despite the slight break, drivers are paying way more than they did last year…

Cut 9 (04) “…last year”

Through an executive order, Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Department of Health.

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Another disappointing season for the Pelicans came to an end last night with a loss to the Timberwolves. New Orleans finished with a record of 26-56, third worst in franchise history for an 82-game season. But interim head coach James Borrego saw improvement during the season…

Cut 12 (13) “…long ways to go”

Former LSU golfer Sam Burns finished tied for seventh at the Masters, matching the best major championship finish of his professional career.

Burns entered Sunday tied for third, just one stroke behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young. However, a rough start – featuring a double bogey on hole 2 and a bogey on hole 3 – made it difficult to keep pace with the leaders.

The LSU baseball team has lost four in a row as they were swept by Ole Miss, losing eight to seven on Sunday. Louisiana Tech has won six in a row after sweeping Middle Tennessee.

The Ragin’ Cajuns may have turned around their season as U-L Lafayette took two out of three from 10th-ranked Southern Miss.  The Cajuns won the rubber game of the series on Sunday with a six-to-five victory. Parker Smith was the winning pitcher, and Cody Brasch threw three shutout innings for his fifth save. Head coach Matt Deggs says Brasch is hard to hit when he’s on…

Cut 16 (14) “…hard to hit.”

LSU has crossed the halfway point of spring practice. Sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett is looking to improve on a freshman campaign that saw him lead the team with three interceptions. Pickett says the energy during the spring has been great…

Cut 18 (15)  “…are tired.”

Kim Mulkey landed her second commitment of LSU women’s basketball’s 2026 transfer portal class, as junior Iowa State transfer guard Jaida Williams announced her decision Sunday evening.

Williams averaged 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Cyclones last season. Her 7.7 assists per game ranked third nationally.

A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (08) “…soften their concerns.”

Cox says one of the changes he’s making is to take companies that are regulated by the FCC out of it, so this legislation would not impact a subscription you may have with your cable company.

Abita Brewing, headquartered in Covington, is celebrating its 40^th birthday this year. Abita President Troy Ashley says a big key to their success is their Louisiana roots and what Louisiana has to offer…

Cut 11 (10) “…helped us”

Through an executive order. Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. L-D-H Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where a person lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

Greenstein says they will focus on rural health care workforce expansion, technology modernization, innovative care delivery models and improved coordination across health care services.

Bridget Martin is the new athletics director at McNeese state  after serving as the interim A-D following the departure of Heath Schroyer to LSU. Martin is a native of Lake Arthur and she’s worked at McNeese since 1990…

Cut 13 (08)  “…as it is today.”

Lawmakers are back at the state capitol to begin the fourth week of the regular session. One of the bills that has caught the attention of the public is a measure by Gretna Representative Vincent Cox that would require subscription-based companies to make easy for a person to cancel their subscription. Cox says he’s still working on some amendments…

Cut 5 (05) “…out of the bill”

He’s talking about your cable company or any business regulated by the F-C-C.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order establishing the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the goal is to improve the overall health of people living in rural areas…

Cut 9 (08) “….in our communities”

Nearly one-point-one million Louisianians live in rural parishes. Residents in these areas face higher rates of chronic disease, limited access to care and significant health care workforce shortages.

If former LSU golfer Sam Burns did not have a double bogey on the second hole yesterday, it might have been a different story for the Shreveport native at the Masters. Burns nearly battled back into contention with three birdies on the back nine to finish the tournament tied for seventh at nine under par. Rory McIlroy won his second straight green jacket as he finished at 12-under par.

LSU scored seven runs in the seventh inning to erase a seven-run deficit, but the Tigers still lost eight to seven as they were swept by Ole Miss. Coach Jay Johnson’s team didn’t get a hit in the first six innings, but exploded in the seventh thanks to three consecutive home runs. But LSU could not handle a ground ball through the right side of the infield, which led to the go-ahead run scoring in the seventh…

Cut 17 (19)  “…cost us.”

LSU hosts Northwestern State on Tuesday night.

The full state House will soon hear a bill that aims to make it easier for people in Louisiana to cancel their unwanted subscriptions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Coming up today at the State Capitol, the House Appropriations Committee will vote on the proposed budget for next fiscal year and several other funding bills. It will give us an idea on what the House legislative leadership’s priorities are when it comes to spending. How much money will be spent on the L-A Gator program is one area of interest.

Abita Brewing Company is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year. The first two brews they produced at their brewery in Covington were Abita Golden and Abita Amber. In the first year, they produced 15-hundred barrels of beer. Now they have 17 year-round brews, several seasonal beers, plus craft sodas, hop water, and they’ve recently added ready-to-drink cocktails.

Cut 12 (12) “…stronger markets.”

That’s Abita President Troy Ashley.

Tough weekend for the LSU baseball team as they were swept by Ole Miss. Meanwhile the Ragin Cajuns took two of three from tenth ranked Southern Miss. Coach Matt Deggs liked how this team responded after losing the series opener on Friday…

Cut 15 (08) “…last two days”