The New Orleans Pelicans‘ playoff run has come to an end.

The Pelicans showed some fight early on, and again late in the fourth quarter, but the Golden State Warriors’ third-quarter surge was too much to overcome in a 113-104 triumph at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night (May 8), claiming a 4-1 victory in the Western Conference semifinals.

Golden State will advance to the Western Conference finals for the fourth consecutive year to face the top-seeded Houston Rockets.

The Saints will not have Mark Ingram for the first four games of the 2018 season as the NFL has suspended the running back for violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. Ingram rushed for 11-hundred yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Alvin Kamara will be the focal point in the backfield, but they’ll need a couple of other guys to step to…

cut 14 (13) “…veteran running back”

Ingram is entering the final year of his contract.

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LSU running back Jerry Stovall will have his number 21 retired. It will be hung in Tiger Stadium in a place of honor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU has reportedly received permission to speak with Joey Burrow. The redshirt sophomore is transferring from Ohio State. Since he’s graduating, he’ll be a graduate transfer and can play in 2018. Burrow has two years of  eligibility left.

Northwestern State defeated Grambling seven to three last night. Tonight, it’s LSU hosting McNeese State at 6:30.

A bill setting up statewide rules and expanding service to rural parishes for Uber and Lyft has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Lyft Public Policy Manager Jonathan Buckner tried to reassure lawmakers that the service is safe, and offers multiple ways to ensure a trustworthy ride around town.
Cut 9 (11) “you up”
But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny objected to the legislation because it sets up different rules for Uber and Lyft than taxi cab operators.

Passing out of the House Education Committee is a bill that allows teachers to participate in student led prayer during the school day. Baton Rouge Representative Representative Rick Edmonds is concerned the measure is not constitutional and undermines other religious liberty laws….
cut 14 (10 “..already have”

Oil prices in the U.S. have climbed over the 70 dollar mark for the first time since 2014. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and the New Orleans areas are an air quality alert and people sensitive to ozone should avoid prolonged outdoor activity….
Cut 4 (11) “expose yourself”
That’s D-E-Q Environmental Sciences Manager Vivian Aucoin.

Legislation that would set up statewide rules for ride-sharing services and expand Uber and Lyft to rural areas has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tangipahoa Parish authorities arrest a 25-year-old Hammond man, who is accused of killing a five-year-old child in a hit and run. Deputies say Davonta Abron’s vehicle struck a child at an intersection in Hammond and then fled the scene. He was taken into custody early this morning.

School employees would be able to pray with students during the school day under a Senate approved bill that recieved the blessing of the House Education committee. The vote was 10-4. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says he wanted to vote for it, but he’s concerned its unconstitutional…
cut 13 (09) “…of religion”
Despite those concerns the bill heads to the full House for final passage.

The price of oil has hit 70-dollars a barrel for the first time since 2014. Gifford Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says the industry is still struggling because of a wave of lawsuits by parishes accusing the industry of damaging wetlands…
cut 8 (12) “…south Louisiana land”

Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and the New Orleans area are under ozone warnings due to unseasonably warm weather that could temporarily lead to more polluted air. DEQ Environmental Sciences Manager Vivian Aucoin says they ask residents in affected areas to help reduce emissions
Cut 3 (11) “to lunch”
She says those with respiratory problems should try to stay indoors.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is looking into giving the French Quarter State Park designation as a way to help clean up the area and reduce crime….
cut 5 (09) “…really changed”
Nungesser says if the French Quarter is considered a state park, it would allow lawmakers to allocate more funding. As of right now it’s just an idea and nothing has been set in stone.

A bill that attempted to put statewide regulations in place for Uber and Lyft so the companies can offer ridesharing services statewide has died in a Senate committee for a second straight year. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny was a vocal opponent against the proposal during a lengthy debate. He says these companies should meet the same requirements as cabbies.
cut 11 (12) “…regulating it”
The bill passed the House and also had the support of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

LSU announces it will retire the jersey of former player and coach Jerry Stovall, who wore number 21.

37,000 eviction notices will be sent this week to Louisiana medicaid recipients in nursing homes, because of potential budget cuts….
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An Air Quality Alert goes into effect at noon until seven o’ clock for several south Louisiana parishes. People with respiratory problems, like asthma, should not spend a lot of time outside. Residents are being asked to help reduce emissions, by waiting until after 6 PM to refuel your car.

Oil prices in the U.S. have climbed over the 70 dollar mark for the first time since 2014. But Gifford Briggs, the executive director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas association, says the rise in crude prices is not jump starting an industry that’s been struggling .
Cut 6 (10) “seen that”
Briggs says numerous lawsuits filed by local governments in south Louisiana seeking money for coastal restoration has had a chilling effect on the industry.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s Race. U-S Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish both say they are interested in challenging Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says Abraham’s biggest weakness is that he’s from north Louisiana….
cut 28 (11) “…not enough”

Some 37-thousand letters will go out this week informing Mediciad recipients, many in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, they could lose their benefits, if the state legislature is unable to come up with the money by June 30th. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 14 (09) “….live here”

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s race. Pollster John Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards as he seeks re-election is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now, compared to when he was elected…
cut 12 (08) “…two and a half years”
Republican Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham are potential challengers to Edwards.

The Lt. Governor has an idea for cleaning up the streets, and crime in the French Quarter: designate it a state park…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

78.5 million dollars in unclaimed property has been deposited into the state’s unclaimed property fund this fiscal year. State Treasurer John Schroder says they are renewing their push to get this money back into the hands of the rightful owner…
Cut 7 (07) “recently done”
Residents should periodically check Unclaimed Property website to see if old deposits or insurance money is owed to you and waiting for you to claim it.

Letters are set to go out on Thursday to 37-thousand Medicaid recipients informing them they could lose their benefits, because of a lack of state funding. About 20-thousand of those live in nursing homes. Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Secretary Michelle Alletto says anyone who receives the letter needs to apply for other programs…
cut 13 (11) “….do so”
A House approved budget does not fund four Medicaid programs for the disabled and elderly.

Lafayette Police announce the arrest of four juveniles in “Flash Mob” incident. They are facing charges of terrorizing and Disturbing the Peace. Authorities say they caused a large crowd of festival goers to suddenly run in fear from the downtown area on April 28th. More arrests are possible.

We are 15 months away from qualifying for the 2019 Louisiana Governor’s race and waiting to find out if Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy will challenge Governor Edwards. Pollster John Couvillon says Kennedy was elected as a Senator in 2016 and Edwards re-election campaign will likely attack the St. Tammany Parish Republican about running for another statewide office…
cut 10 (12) “…loves him”

Designating the New Orleans French Quarter as a State Park is an idea Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is considering. He says it could lead to more funding to pay for infrastructure improvements and security…
cut 6 (11) “…Louisiana better”
Nungesser says such a move requires local input.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is looking into giving the French Quarter State Park designation as a way to help clean up the area and reduce crime….
cut 5 (09) “…really changed”
Nungesser says if the French Quarter is considered a state park, it would allow lawmakers to allocate more funding. As of right now it’s just an idea and nothing has been set in stone.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s race. Pollster John Couvillon says the big challenge for Governor Edwards as he seeks re-election is that there are 41,600 fewer Democrats registered to vote now, compared to when he was elected…
cut 12 (08) “…two and a half years”
Republican Senator John Kennedy and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham are potential challengers to Edwards.

Could thousands of Medicaid patients be kicked out of nursing homes after July 1st, because of state budget problems. That possibility will be presented to them in a letter from the state that will go out on Thursday. The letter will also provide those patients with options, but Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 15 (09) “…up homeless”
One solution to the problem is to raise revenue in a special session in order stave off deep health care cuts.

State Treasurer John Schroder says 78.5 million dollars has been dumped into the state’s unclaimed property fund this fiscal year and that money belongs to some 100-thousand residents…
cut 9 (09) “…government takes”
Schroder is making a renewed push for residents to check the state’s Unclaimed Property website.

Some 37-thousand letters will be going out to Mediciad recipients in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities that they could be losing their state funding, if the legislature is unable to come up with money byu June 30th to fund health care programs. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says…
cut 14 (09) “….live here”
The governor’s office will provide more information tomorrow.

State Treasurer John Schroder is making a renewed push to return unclaimed property to Louisiana residents. The Treasury has deposited over 78-million dollars in new Unclaimed Property collections this fiscal year and Louisiana ranks 32nd for Unclaimed Property returns….
cut 8 (06) “…give out”
Schroder says his office is ramping up technology and outreach efforts to drive more people to the Unclaimed Property website.

In 15 months, qualifying will be underway for the 2019 Governor’s Race. Two members of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation are considering a run for the governor’s mansion, Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish. Pollster John Couvillon says Abraham’s biggest weakness is that he’s from north Louisiana….
cut 11 (11) “…not enough”
Couvillion says the big challenge for Governor John Bel Edwards is that there are 46,000 fewer Democratic registered voters, compared to when he was elected.