The federal government will offer up 73-million acres for oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico at a lease sale that’s scheduled for this August. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith does not have high hopes for this sale given the low price of oil, but is optimistic conditions will change as President Trump pushes for energy independence…
cut 15 (10) “…obligations are”

A Jennings woman is facing several charges after her four-year-old niece was set on fire. State Fire Mashal chief deputy Brant Thompson says 29-year-old Gail Brown was supposed to be watching the girl, but instead she was being paid by a man to have sex….
cut 8 (10) “…engulfed flames”
The four-year-old victim and another six-year-old were playing with a cigarette lighter that resulted in her receiving serious burns.

New Orleans officials are working towards taking down three Confederate monuments now that the federal appeals court has ruled they can be removed. Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office says they are taking bids and a contract will be awarded in 25 days. But Vice President of the Monumental Task Committee Gary Mason says they advocate tolerance and respect rather than removal…
cut 3 (10) >…new monuments”
Landrieu says the removal of the monuments will let the city begin to turn the page on a divisive past and chart the course for a more inclusive future.

In LSU’s starting quarterback competition, Danny Etling is the clear leader, Coach Ed Orgeron said today as spring practice begins this Saturday. Orgeron says the Tigers will install a new offense under first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada…:
cut 11 (10) “known for”
The spring game is April 22nd in Tiger Stadium.