A poll on the 5^th District Republican Primary Congressional shows it’s a two-person race. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Finally, some good news when it comes to gasoline prices. Jeff Palermo reports the price at the pump has dropped a few pennies since last week.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A poll paid for and conducted by the Rainey Center Freedom Project shows that the 5^th District Congressional Republican Primary is a two-person race between state representative Michael Echols and state senator Blake Miguez. Rainey Freedom Project director Russ Walker says the survey of nearly 900 likely voters, has Miguez receiving 23-percent of the vote and Echols getting 20-percent…

Cut 3 (11) “…Echols has.”

Twenty-two-percent of the respondents found Miguez unfavorable as compared to Echols who had the highest favorability rating and only 10-percent found him unfavorable. Walker says Miguez living outside of the 5^th District Congressional boundary hurts his campaign…

Cut 4 (12) “…single fact.”

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds finished third in the poll at 10-percent, while Board of Regents Chairperson Misti Cordell is only receiving three-percent of the vote. Miguez has the endorsement of President Trump, but Walker says 45-percent of respondents said Trump’s endorsement is not important to their vote…

Cut 5 (06) “…as well.”

The 5th District Republican Primary is May 16th.

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A single-vehicle crash in Bossier Parish claimed the lives of 10-year-old Bella Cassell and 31-year-old Callie Durbin, both of Benton, and left another person injured on Saturday. State Trooper Eddie Thomas says the three were traveling on Merritt Road in a UTV driven by Cassell when the vehicle suddenly left the roadway and overturned.

Cut 6 (12) “..from the ranger..”

Durbin was pronounced dead at the scene, while Cassell was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The third juvenile passenger suffered moderate injuries.

Thomas says that the State Police are still investigating the crash.

Cut 7 (12) “…under investigation.”

All three passengers were not wearing seat belts or DOT-approved helmets and were ejected from the UTV after it overturned. Thomas encourages those who operate or ride in UTVs to significantly reduce their chances of injury or death by taking the proper safety measures to protect themselves.

Cut 8 (13) “…on your four-wheelers.”

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Gas prices are actually a few pennies cheaper compared to last week. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for regular gasoline is $3.76 a gallon, which is three cents cheaper than a week ago. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says despite the slight break, drivers are paying way more than they did last year…

Cut 9 (04)  “…last year.”

Redman says the statewide average a year ago was $2.79. But he says it’s good to see prices at the pump have leveled off for the first time since the war with Iran began on February 28th…

Cut 10 (06) “… that lasts .”

There is currently a two-week ceasefire, but a deal to end the war is not in place after 21 hours of negotiations over the weekend.  Redman says even if a long-term peace deal is reached soon, expect to pay high gas prices for the next several months…

Cut 11 (07) “…of the summer”

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The Pelicans closed out the 2025-26 season with a 132-126 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday night. New Orleans finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 26-56 record, the third-worst mark in franchise history over an 82-game season. Interim head coach James Borrego, who took over in November and led the team to a 24-46 record, says the team made significant improvements this season under his leadership.

Cut 12 (13) “…long ways to go.”

The Pelicans will now begin the formal process of finding a new head coach, with Borrego among the candidates expected to be considered. Borrego says he has spoken with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars about the season, but the two have not discussed the possibility of him returning. Borrego says that one of the reasons he believes he’s a strong fit for the job is his ability to connect with players.

Cut 13 (10) “…moving forward.”

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In Acadia Parish a seventeen-year-old lost his life when the ATV he was driving on Hwy 95 near Wikoff Cove Drive was struck from behind by an Audi Q7 Saturday around 8:00 pm.  State Police Trooper, Monique Laverne…

Cut 14 (10) “…in the crash.”

Impairment is not suspected but the accident is under investigation.

After a this kind of tragedy, Trooper Laverne says State Police want to remind the public that UTVs and ATVs are not allowed on roadways after dark and only allowed for farming activities during the day. She also says, wearing safety gear can save lives.

Cut 15 (05) “…proper safety gear.”

The full state House will soon hear a bill that aims to make it easier for people in Louisiana to cancel their unwanted subscriptions. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Department of Health. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Abita Brewing Company, a Louisiana success story, celebrates 40 years in business. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A bill that would make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions will soon be heard by the full House. The author of House Bill 750, Vincent Cox of Gretna, says the goal is to make it just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. Cox says he’s been in close contact with industry leaders to fine-tune the bill.

Cut 4 (09) “…soften their concerns.”

Cox says when he brings the bill up, he will be presenting a series of amendments.

Cut 5 (05) “…of the bill.”

Cox says should his bill become law, it would make violations a civil matter and not a criminal matter, and damages would be nominal.

Cut 6 (09) “…500-dollar violation.”

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Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says the goal is to make access to quality healthcare available to everyone, regardless of where in the state he or she lives.

Cut 7 (11) “…a rural area.”

Greenstein says one of the key priorities of the new office is to expand the healthcare workforce in rural areas.

Cut 8 (10) “…throughout the year.”

Greenstein says this new office goes beyond just the healthcare aspect, it also addresses things to improve the overall health of people living in rural areas.

Cut 9 (08)  “…in our communities.”

It’s all part of the state’s rural health transformation program, which is supported by more than 208-million dollars in federal funding.

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Abita Brewing Company, located 30 miles north of New Orleans, is celebrating its 40^th birthday this year. Abita President Troy Ashley says they are a great Louisiana growth story…

Cut 10 (12) “…the time”

Abita employs just over 100 people. Headquarters are in Covington and they also have a taproom in New Orleans.

Ashley says a big key to their success is their Louisiana roots and what Louisiana has to offer…

Cut 11 (11) “…helped us.”

The first two brews they produced were Abita Golden and Abita Amber, and in the first year, they produced 15-hundred barrels of beer. Now they have 17 year-round brews, several seasonal beers, plus craft sodas, hop water, and they’ve recently added ready-to-drink cocktails.

Cut 12 (12) “…stronger markets.”

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McNeese will introduce Bridget Martin as its new athletics director today after serving as the interim A-D following the departure of Heath Schroyer to LSU. Martin is a native of Lake Arthur and she’s worked at McNeese since 1990 when she was hired as a women’s basketball coach….

Cut 13 (09)  “…as it is today.”

Martin went into administration in 2001. She served as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator and NCAA Compliance Director. In 2023, she was promoted to Deputy AD. She’s McNeese’s first female AD and only the fourth in women’s history…

Cut 14 (15) “…to males.”

Martin takes over an athletic program that’s seeing success in several sports, especially in basketball. She says the resources are there to have a great athletic program on the FCS level.

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The Ragin Cajuns may have turned around their season as U-L Lafayette took two out of three from 10th-ranked Southern Miss. Coach Matt Deggs liked how his team played the last two days after losing the series opener…

Cut 15 (08) “…last two days.”

The Cajuns won the rubber game of the series on Sunday with a six-to-five victory. Parker Smith was the winning pitcher, and Cody Brasch threw three shutout innings for his fifth save. Deggs says Brasch is hard to hit when he’s on…

Cut 16 (14) “…hard to hit.”

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LSU scored seven runs in the seventh inning to erase a seven-run deficit, but the Tigers still lost eight to seven as they were swept by Ole Miss. Coach Jay Johnson’s team didn’t get a hit in the first six innings, but exploded in the seventh thanks to three consecutive home runs. But LSU could not handle a ground ball through the right side of the infield, which led to the go-ahead run scoring in the seventh…

Cut 17 (19)  “…cost us.”

LSU hosts Northwestern State on Tuesday night.

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LSU has crossed the halfway point of spring practice. Cornerback DJ Pickett is looking to improve on a freshman campaign that saw him lead the team with three interceptions. Pickett says the energy during the spring has been great…

Cut 18 (15)  “…are tired.” 

Pickett appeared in all 13 games last season and made three starts. He saw action on more than 500 defensive snaps on his way to receiving Freshman All-American honors. Pickett also had 37 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack.  Pickett says he had a pretty good freshman year, but believes he could’ve done better…

Cut 19 (14) “…every day.”

Pickett is learning from LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. Pickett says Coach Raymond keeps him locked in…

Cut 20 (10) “…right now.”