The U.S. Gymnastics Championships begin today at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says this is gymnastics competition at the highest level in the U.S.

Cut 3 (10) “…Los Angeles in 2028.”

Tickets are still available; go to the Smoothie King Center website or the USA Gymnastics website for more information.

Statistics show that the birth rate in Louisiana is on the decline. Just over 52-thousand babies were born in Louisiana last year, down from more than 63-thousand in 2013. Allison Plyer, the chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans, says with fewer women of child-bearing age living in Louisiana, there will naturally be fewer babies born in the state.

Cut 8 (08) “…child-bearing age population.”

Schools are opening around the state as early as today; and as such, you should especially be on the lookout for kids making their way to school. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pine) reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Getting sticker shock over your electric bill? Join the crowd. The Louisiana Illuminator reports electric bills last month reached levels not seen in three years. Utility companies say soaring natural gas prices are the biggest culprit behind the price spike, with those costs passed on to customers as “fuel adjustment” charges.