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 House Transportation Committee voted 12-2 to approve a bill that would name a new proposed Mississippi River bridge after President Trump. Representative Michael Echols says, that would help get the federal government to fund the construction and possibly keep the bridge from requiring tolls. The bill is to be debated by the full house and Echols expects them to approve the legislation…

Cut 9 (10)  “…the Senate.”

A bill that would ban fluoride in public drinking water statewide will be debated in the legislature. Houma Senator Mike Fesi filed a similar bill last year that failed but, this time his bill gives local communities the option to opt back in and have fluoride added in their drinking water. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux objected to that process…

Cut 11 (13) “…can’t do it.”

An amended bill that would allow communities to keep the additive without having to opt back in and allow other communities to vote to add fluoride to their water will be debated on by the Senate.

The ten-parish economic development organization Louisiana Central is launching a regional strategic plan. CEO Chris Massingill says among four key pillars of Elevate 2030 is elevating and strengthening strategic partnerships, collaborations and initiatives.

Cut 5 (13) “…in central Louisiana.”

The LSU Lady Tigers are on their way to the Sweet 16 in Sacramento after breezing through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. LSU will play Duke in the Sacramento 2 Region semifinals Friday night. Back on December 4th, the Lady Tigers beat the Blue Devils, 93-77. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says this time, things will be different.

Cut 16 (14) “…stuff for granted.”

As TSA agents work without pay, the White House is deploying ICE agents to airports across the country including Louis Armstrong New Orleans International. Getting through TSA is taking hours. The partial government shutdown caused by the Senate’s failure to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security is now in its sixth week. Governor Landry says has said he would welcome the Louisiana National Guard to help the situation. In the meantime, Travelers are advised to arrive at least three hours before their flights.

Houma Senator Mike Fesi has again authored legislation to ban fluoride from Louisiana water supplies but this time giving local communities a path to opt back in to adding fluoride to their water. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux objected to that process and the bill was amended to allow voters in communities to vote to remove the additive or if they don’t have it, vote to add fluoride. Boudreaux on the compromise legislation…

Cut 12 (08) “…opt back in”

After two dominant performances, the LSU Lady Tigers are headed back to the Sweet 16. Andrew Greenstein is at the P-MAC.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Central, a ten-parish economic development organization, is launching the regional strategic plan Elevate2030. President and CEO Chris Massingill says there are four key pillars, including proactive marketing and communications.

Cut 6 (10) “…in legacy industries.”

The Department of Transportation is expected to choose a location south of Baton Rouge for a New Mississippi River bridge by the end of the year and the House is expected to debate a proposal to name it after President Trump today. Monroe Representative Michael Echols says the move would increase the chances the federal government will pay the three billion dollars for construction and he says this bridge is desperately needed…

Cut 8 (12) “…in place.”

Complete domination by the Lady Tigers Basketball Team yesterday – beating Texas Tech 101 to 47 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams each had 24 points. Williams credits her teammates for her high scoring output.

Cut 15 (07) “…down the shot.”

LSU plays Duke in the Sweet Sixteen in Sacramento Friday.

The debate over whether fluoride belongs in public drinking water systems is back before the state legislature again. After his bill failed in the House last year, Houma Senator Mike Fesi has again authored legislation to ban fluoride from all water supplies. Fesi says fluoride causes health issues and impacts a child’s brain…

Cut 10 (06) “…tests done.”

After objections, the bill has been amended and allow communities to vote to ban the additive but communities without fluoride in their water could call for a vote to add it.

The ten-parish economic development organization Louisiana Central is launching its regional strategic plan. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Legislation that would let communities decide whether they want fluoride in their drinking water or not is heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bill that would name a proposed new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge after Donald Trump is expected on the House floor this afternoon. Many have strong feelings about the president, but Monroe Representative Michael Echols says if the new bridge is named after the president that will increase the chances the federal government will pay for its construction and tolls will not be needed.…

Cut 7 (07) “…in Louisiana.”

The ten-parish economic development organization Louisiana Central launches its regional strategic plan, dubbed Elevate 2030. President and CEO Chris Massingill says it comprises four key pillars, including building a higher level of organizational excellence.

Cut 4 (12) “…in our region.”

The LSU Lady Tigers are on their way to Sacramento after breezing through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. After doubling up Jacksonville Friday night, LSU kept it going yesterday, hammering Texas Tech, 101-47. The star of the show was Flau’Jae Johnson, who was playing in her final home game. The senior guard from Savannah, Georgia, had 24 points in her P-MAC farewell, but she especially noted her team’s stifling defense.

Cut 14 (07) “…it was amazing.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed is asking lawmakers to provide at least an additional 119-million dollars in state funding for higher ed. She says higher ed is 869-million dollars short of being fully funded because of inflation, enrollment dips and Reed says institutions are also feeling the pressure because athletic expenses are increasing.

Cut 6 (11) “…of the institution.”

Louisiana is the third best state to practice medicine, says a Wallet Hub report.  19 metrics were used including annual salaries, quality of public hospital systems, number of hospitals per capita, and projected supply of physicians by 2032. Wallet Hub analyst, Chip Lupo says Louisiana is doing a good job in retaining young doctors who had just completed their residencies.

Cut 12 (11) “…tend to stay.”

Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan made some notable comments regarding free agency on Terron Armstead’s “The Set” podcast on Monday. Jordan said that just because he loves the city of New Orleans doesn’t mean the city or the organization has to love him back. Matt Paras, who covers the Saints for The Baton Rouge Advocate, says Jordan sounds open to leaving the Saints.

Cut 16 (14) “…of it all.”

The U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is stalled since the conference made a motion to move the suit to federal court. The lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech was filed in Tech’s quest to join the Sun Belt for the 2026 season. Both conferences include Tech on their 2026 football schedules. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, says even before it had issued its press release last week announcing that it plans on playing the 2026 Sun Belt schedule, Tech made it perfectly clear which direction it had planned on going.

Cut 15 (08) “…the Sun Belt.”

In the upcoming May 16th closed primary you can only vote for the party you’re registered with. If you have no party affiliation, you can choose either ballot but if there’s a run-off in June, Secretary of State Nancy Landry says if you vote in one party primary in May, you can’t switch to the other in June.

Cut 9 (12)  “…open general election.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says higher ed is 869-million dollars short of being fully funded. And that’s despite the closure of hundreds of programs. She says there are several reasons regional schools are struggling — inflation and enrollment dips can throw off their budgets.

Cut 5 (11) “…impact the institutions.”

Tomorrow’s hearing in the U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is cancelled. Here’s the latest in Louisiana Tech’s quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana is the third best state to be a doctor says a report by Wallet Hub. The states were ranked on 19 metrics, including average annual salaries, the number of hospitals per capita and the quality of public hospital systems. Another metric is projected supply of physicians by 2032.

Cut 11 (10) “…in rural areas.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that state funding for universities and colleges is not where it needs to be, as regional institutions in particular are struggling. Reed is calling on legislators to provide at least an additional 119-million dollars in state funding for higher ed.

Cut 4 (11) “…that are challenged.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation because in the upcoming May 16th primary you will only be allowed to vote on your registered party’s ballot. If you’re registered with no party affiliation, Landry says on voting day, you can declare which party’s primary you want to vote in.

Cut 8 (09) “…no party ballot?”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com.

When it comes to the best states for doctors, Louisiana ranks surprisingly high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In the UL System’s lawsuit against Conference USA, a hearing in Lincoln Parish is cancelled after Conference USA filed a motion to move the case to Federal Court. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, believes Conference USA is trying to extract as much money from Louisiana Tech as possible before its inevitable exit.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league.”

The May 16th primary is about two months away, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation on their voter registration. Landry says the May 16th primary is closed, which means only registered Republican voters or no-party voters can vote in the Republican primary, and only registered Democrats or no-party voters can vote in the Democratic primary.

Cut 7 (10) “…be affiliated with.”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com.

Tomorrow’s hearing in Lincoln Parish in the U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is cancelled. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, says Conference USA has filed a motion to move the case to federal court.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the federal level.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that many public universities and colleges are struggling financially. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A WalletHub report says Louisiana is the third best place to be a doctor. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says one key reason is Louisiana’s relatively low cost of living, which makes it much more attractive for a young doctor saddled with mountains of student loan debt.

Cut 10 (12) “…Manhattan, New York.”