Last month’s oil spill off the Louisiana coast could be a disaster for the state’s oyster industry.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro

Crawfish prices continue to drop as the Easter weekend approaches. That’s according to the Crawfish App, who says based on real-team pricing consumers can expect to pay an average of $3.71 per pound for live crawfish and $6.37 per pound for boiled crawfish. That’s a drop of 50-cents from last weekend.

A wildfire in Winn Parish caused some tense moments yesterday as about 250 people had to be evacuated. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

Cut 7 (06) “…aviation division overhead.”

The blaze burned at least 15-hundred acres.

Three Ochsner hospitals are ranked among the Top 250 hospitals in the United States according to Newsweek Magazine. They are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge. Regional Medical Director Dr. Quentin Alleva says Ochsner’s success is because it’s a one-stop shop for all of a patient’s medical needs.

Cut 4 (07) “…they may need.”

Some tense moments for about 250 people in Winn Parish yesterday, as they had to be evacuated due to a wildfire. Fire District Three Chief Dustin Parker says the fire started along Highway 34 in Dodson shortly before one yesterday afternoon and spread from there.

Cut 6 (08) “…some evacuations there.”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says it was likely caused by a tractor trailer tire that had caught on fire, and the fire response was tremendous.

A political action committee that supports fifth district Republican congressional candidate Rick Edmonds says it’s produced what it claims is the first-ever A-I political ad in the state’s history. Lionel Rainey with The Louisiana First Victory Fund says the commercial features four A-I generated characters that are worried about Edmonds’ conservative platform.

Cut 10 (05) “…where he stands.”

Edmonds is one of four well-known Republicans in the May 16th Republican primary election

Louisiana’s film industry is celebrating the four Oscars won by “Sinners.” Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Will McNeese fans be celebrating later this afternoon as the Cowboys will take on Vanderbilt at 2:15 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?  Senior guard Javohn Garcia is playing in his fourth NCAA Tournament game…

Cut 15 (11) “…of the tournament”

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana is clearing up what it says are misconceptions about Constitutional Amendment 3, which would give teachers in Louisiana a permanent pay raise. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A teacher in St. Tammany Parish is being accused of putting Band-Aids on seven students who were allegedly talking in class at Riverside Elementary School in Pearl River. The students’ ages range from 8 to 10. Thirty-eight-year-old George Serban faces several charges including simple battery and cruelty to juveniles.

According to a political action committee, the state’s first ever 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement will be seen on television in the fifth Congressional district. The Louisiana First Victory Fund produced the ad, which is supporting Rick Edmonds in the Republican 5^th Congressional District race. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says A-I-generated political ads can cost less than a traditional commercial, and they can be produced faster.

Cut 12 (08) “…or four days.”

Three of Ochsner’s hospitals in Louisiana are listed among the top 250 hospitals in the United States in a list comprised by Newsweek. The three hospitals are Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Lafayette General Medical Center and Ochsner’s Medical Center in Baotn Rouge. Regional Medical Director Doctor Quentin Alleva says this ranking should give patients peace of mind…

Cut 5 (10) “….outside our region”

A lot of the attention on the May 16^th ballot is on the Senate Republican Primary, but the ballot also includes a measure involving teacher pay. Constitutional Amendment would pay down teacher retirement debt so the state can give teachers a permanent 22-hundred dollars pay raise. It’s currently a stipend….

Cut 9 ()5) “…taxes”

That’s Doctor Keith Courville, the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Executive Director.

According to a political action committee, the state’s first ever 100-percent A-I generated political advertisement will be seen on television in the fifth Congressional district. The Louisiana First Victory Fund produced the ad, which is supporting Rick Edmonds in the Republican 5^th Congressional District race. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says A-I-generated political ads can cost less than your traditional commercial, and they can be produced faster.

Cut 12 (08) “…or four days.”

The NCAA Tournament begins in earnest today and for the third straight year the McNeese State men’s basketball team is in the Big Dance. The 12^th seeded Cowboys face 5^th seeded Vanderbilt at 2:15 PM in Oklahoma City. Senior guard Javohn Garcia says it will be critical for McNeese to start the tournament off hot…

Cut 15 (11) “….of the tournament”

The Southern women’s basketball team plays tonight against Samford in a First Four matchup.

The LSU baseball team plays its SEC home opener tonight against eighth ranked Oklahoma. The Tigers fielding percentage ranks 14^th in the SEC and Coach Jay Johnson says the Sooners like to pressure you with their speed….

Cut 17 (16) “…with this team”

First pitch is at 7 PM.

State Senators are demanding an action plan from the Department of Children and Family Services on how the agency can prevent child abuse deaths. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says 12 children have died this year after 53 children died last year in cases where D-C-F-S was contacted about possible child abuse in the home…

Cut 10 (10) “…the baby”

Rebecca Harris has led DCFS since August. She reorganized the child welfare division in October. The secretary says there are other areas where they can improve…

Cut 12 (09) “…and families.”

Senators have asked Harris to come up with ideas that can improve the effectiveness of the agency and want to see those recommendations in two weeks.

U-S Senator Billy Cassidy continues to criticize Congresswoman Julia Letlow for not yet agreeing to a televised debate. Letlow is challenging Cassidy in the May 16^th Senate Republican Primary Election and state treasurer John Fleming is also running. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says if the debates end up a heads-up battle between Cassidy and Fleming, there’s one way that Letlow’s absence could hurt her.

Cut 8 (08) “…Julia Letlow.”

That said, Hogan says since Letlow is Trump’s endorsed candidate, not as many people would tune in to the debates if she’s not on stage.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could result in prison time if you lie about serving in the military. It’s known as stolen valor and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says this is a way of protecting the integrity of the military service of Louisiana’s veterans, including himself.

Cut 5 (07) “…service means something (2x).”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

State Senators are fed up and want solutions on how the Department of Children and Family Services can be more effective in preventing serious injuries of deaths after the state agency gets involved in child abuse cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says there have been 12 child deaths this year after 53 child deaths in 2025…

Cut 9 (10)  “…that child.”

Barrow has a bill to abolish the Department of Children and Family Services and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is so upset, he’s ready to vote for it…

Cut 13 (09) “…do it.”

Lawmakers have asked Secretary Rebecca Harris to present a plan in two weeks on how to improve DCFS.

We are about two weeks away from the May 16^th primary and the three main candidates in the Senate Republican Primary have yet to agree on a date to hold a televised debate. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says John Fleming seems eager to debate…

Cut 7 (8) “…out there”

And Bill Cassidy keeps criticizing Julia Letlow for not committing to a TV debate.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could result in prison time if you lie about serving in the military. It’s known as stolen valor and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says this is a way of protecting the integrity of the military service of Louisiana’s veterans, including himself.

Cut 5 (07) “…service means something (2x).”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.