An agreement has been reached between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA that allows Tech to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt this summer. Terms of the out-of-court settlement have not been released. It’s been reported that La Tech would have to pay an eight-million-dollar exit fee.

LIV Golf has cancelled the golf tournament it was planning to hold in June at City Park in New Orleans. The announcement is not a surprise. It was previously reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pulling back funding after providing the professional golf league with billions of dollars. LIV will reportedly pay back the one-million dollars it received from the state. Two-million dollars in state money has already gone to upgrades at City Park golf course.

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson says Casan Evans may pitch this weekend against South Carolina. He was scratched from his start last Friday because of arm soreness.

The Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana tonight and La Tech is at ULM.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin spoke to the media to talk about the end of spring practice. Kiffin says that quarterback Sam Leavitt participated in 7-on-7 drills in Saturday’s final day of practice. Kiffin says Leavitt only had limited snaps, but he’s trending in the right direction.

Cut 16 (16): ‘with the guys more.”

LSU junior linebacker Davhon (DAY-von) Keys led the team with 92 tackles last season after stepping in for the injured Whit Weeks. Keys says the opportunity to play significant snaps last year has been very helpful to his development.

Cut 19 (15) “…those throwing windows.”

A candlelight vigil was held at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge in memory of the Lafayette Parish girl who was killed in a shooting at the mall last week. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Federal prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old Fort Pok soldier who threatened to walk into a synagogue with his assault rifle and kill every single jew inside. The U-S Attorney’s Office says Jakob Marcoulier made the threat on the platform known as Discord.

Gas prices rose another five cents overnight, and regular unleaded is now averaging $3.73 a gallon in Louisiana. Don Redman with Triple-A says stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran have led to an increase in oil prices.

Cut 7 (07) “..energy up.”

The average cost for a gallon of diesel is just above five dollars.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that raises the amount the state compensates spouses and dependents if a police officer or firefighter is killed in the line of duty. Retired Ascension Parish sheriff and now state lawmaker, Jeff Wiley, is the author of the legislation. Wiley says family members left behind deserve adequate financial support from the state…

Cut 13 (07) “…as this”

The measure, which would raise the compensation to 404-thousand dollars, heads to the Senate for more discussion.

For two years, the Canadian-based owners of Cleco Power have been trying to sell the utility. Now, it has a deal in place to do just that. Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has reached a deal to sell the company to Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners. Jennifer Cahill with Cleco says the company’s leadership team fully supports the deal.

Cut 4 (09) “…serve throughout Louisiana.”

The new prospective owners plan to keep Cleco’s headquarters in Pineville.

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather through this evening for areas of the state north of Natchitoches. A slight risk exists for central Louisiana. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says there is a chance for tornadoes and even baseball size hail…

Cut 9 (10) “…intensity”

Damaging winds are also possible. A tornado watch until 7 PM is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster Parishes.

People gathered at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge yesterday evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of Martha Odom. She’s the 17-year-old Lafayette girl who was killed when she was caught in the crossfire of a shooting at the food court last Thursday. East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards told those gathered that last week’s incident has deeply affected the entire city.

Cut 3 (08) “…our whole city.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has called on the three major Republican candidates for U-S Senate to hold a televised debate before the May 16the primary. Last week, the three Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate held a televised debate in Baton Rouge. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that likely had no bearing on Higgins’ call for the Republican candidates to follow suit.

Cut 10 (13) “…of the aisle.”

Early voting for this election starts Saturday.

Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the three major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a statement regarding the suspected roadkill case over at Pineville’s China Queen restaurant.  The agency saying they did an inspection of the restaurant and found the claims to be valid and the animal was removed from the premises.  For its part restaurant owners had posted a sign saying the animal was never intended to be served to customers.

A new poll finds the number of young men in the U.S. who say religion is a very important component of their lives is increasing. Gallup says its survey shows 42-percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 say religion is very important to them. That’s up from 28-percent in 2022-23. Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has a theory on why that might be.

Cut 11 (08) “…than ever before.”

Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners has reached an agreement to buy Cleco Power. The Public Service Commission will need to approve the deal. State Representative Mike Johnson from Pineville…

Cut 7 (07) “…to our members”

Stonepeak and Bernhard have already said they will keep the utility company’s headquarters in Pineville.

Stonepeak Energy and Bernhard Capital Partners are purchasing Pineville-based Cleco Power for a reported six billion dollars. Stonepeak and Bernhard say they will keep the company headquarters in Pineville, which employs about 12-hundred workers.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson is glad the new owners will honor the resolution that the legislature adopted strongly requesting that the company’s headquarters remain in the city.

Cut 6 (12) “…it is now.”

Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says Cleco will be in good hands with its new owners….

Cut 5 (08) “…presence in Louisiana”

Louisiana’s Public Service Commission will have to approve the deal.

A new poll finds that the number of young men in the U.S. who say religion is a very important component of their lives is increasing. Gallup says its survey shows 42-percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 say religion is very important to them, up from 28-percent in 2022-23. Doctor Justin Langford with Louisiana Christian University in Pineville says many young men maybe turning to religion because they may feel that the social media community  they belong to is not genuine.

Cut 12 (08) “…that really matters.”

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will receive a 40-million makeover and will reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort in 2027. Chief operating officer at Travel and Leisure Company, Geoff Richards, says one man behind this venture happens to be an LSU institution – Shaquille O’Neal.

Cut 16 (11) “…particularly at LSU.”

Former Louisiana high school football star Trey Holly has avoided jail time by entering a no contest plea. Holly was accused of illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property for a 2024 shooting that took place in his hometown of Farmerville that wounded two people. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says Holly did not plead guilty to anything…

Cut 6 (05) “…didn’t do it.”

Holly was sentenced to one year probation and a one-thousand dollar fine and he’ll continue playing football for Southern

Three of the eight Saints draft picks were receivers as they provided starting quarterback Tyler Shough with more options in the passing. In the first round, New Orleans took Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, and in the fourth round, they made an interesting pick in six-foot-three Bryce Lane from North Dakota State. General Manager Mickey Loomis…

Cut 18 (20)  “…to Chris .”

LSU women’s basketball and Coach Kim Mulkey announced the addition of 6-3 forward Noa Morro on Monday. Morro joins the Tigers after playing in Spain and competing at a high level in EuroLeague action. Through 25 games this season, she averaged 8.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. She also shot 36.5% from three-point range. She becomes the third true post player on LSU’s roster, joining Grace Knox and Kate Koval.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin added nine wide receivers through the transfer portal this offseason. Sophomore wide receiver Winston Watkins believes the Tigers’ receiver room is loaded with playmakers and says they can hurt defenses in a variety of ways.

Cut 21 (20): “take the top off, all that.”

Former Louisiana high school football star and current Southern Jaguars running back Trey Holly has avoided jail time after he pleaded no contest to charges in connection with a shooting that took place in Farmerville in 2024 that wounded two people. Holly’s attorney, Mike Small, says he had a decent shot at acquittal, but it would have been a gamble…

Cut 7 (10) “…probation”

Instead, Holly was sentenced to one year probation and a one-thousand dollar fine and he’ll continue playing football for Southern.

Lafayette Police came upon an argument between two groups in downtown Lafayette on Saturday night and 19-year-old Jai’Quan Pierre of Crowley was allegedly in possession of a gun. Sergeant Robin Green says Pierre is facing three charges…

Cut 11 (11) “…terrorizing slash menacing”

Green says an officer fired his weapon, but no one was injured.

House Speaker Mike Johnson describes the tense moments that occurred at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The man accused of opening fire near the food court at the Mall of Louisiana is being held without bond. Seventeen-year-old Markel Lee faces one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder. According to arrest documents, surveillance video shows Lee was firing a semi-automatic pistol. Also, Baton Rouge Police says they are no longer looking for a second suspected shooter, the man they showed an image of as wanted, has now been identified and B-R-P-D says he’s only wanted for questioning.