Anthony Davis lead all scorers with 29 points and Quincy Pondexter added 20 as the Pelicans upset the Golden State Warriors last night 103-100. This was the Pels first victory over Golden State since April 24th, 2012. With the win, coupled with Oklahoma City’s 113-88 loss to San Antonio, New Orleans is now a half game ahead of the Thunder for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are in Memphis tonight.

In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said that he is diabetic. The former LSU Tiger said that he’s been working with doctors on a plan to reverse the symptoms and that his health is back to normal.

Northwestern State guard Zeek Woodley has been named the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Year. The sophomore ranked second in scoring in the country last season with 22.2 points per game while maintaining a 3.30 grade-point average.

In college baseball, the third ranked LSU Tigers combined for 14 hits as they blew past UNO 11-2. LSU has now won five straight as they improve to 28-5 on the season. The Tigers look to make it six in a row tonight when Northwestern State comes to the Box.

Speaking of the Demons, they will be looking to bounce back after their 8-5 loss to Sam Houston yesterday.

ULM took a 7-3 win over McNeese State. Today the Warhawks will face Nicholls State at 2 PM and turn around and play McNeese again at 6PM.

Junior outfielder Brian Mills drilled a walk-off RBI double as UL-Lafayette scored three in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Houston 6-5. The Cajuns hope to keep it going tonight when they travel to Southern.

Southland Conference leader Southeastern Louisiana crushed South Alabama 12-2. The Lions head to Salt Lake City this weekend for a series against Utah.

Louisiana Tech blew a six run lead, but were able to recover to pull out a 9-7 win over Arkansas-Little Rock. The Bulldogs and Trojans will meet again this afternoon at 4.

Tulane upended Nicholls State 7-1.

Five major health advocacy groups are teaming up to launch a campaign in support of a bill to raise the state’s tax on cigarettes by $1.18 a pack. The American Heart Association is part of the “Invest in a Healthy Louisiana” campaign and its spokesperson Stasha Rhodes says it’s time to bring the state’s tax on cigarettes to the national average, which is a $1.54 a pack…

cut 7 (08) “state’s budget”

Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie is sponsoring a bill to raise the state’s cigarette tax to the national average.

The 2015 Louisiana Survey finds that state residents support the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes, but not personal use. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Michael Henderson says 52-percent of residents oppose the personal use of marijuana, but the difference between support and opposition is shrinking…

cut 4 (08) “seven points”

The Department of Health and Hospitals has cut the ribbon on a new public health laboratory that will be used to test water, screen for genetic disorders and help the state respond to public health threats such as Ebola. DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert says this is a ultra modern lab with all of the latest technology…

cut 10 (11) “water is safe”

Kliebert says the goal of the Office of Public Health Laboratory is to protect the health and safety of Louisiana residents by providing accurate and timely data to state officials, public health program and citizens.

A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll shows support for legal same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags is lagging behind the national average…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

In state budget news, Superintendent of Education John White told lawmakers today he doesn’t have enough money to provide standardized tests next year, which would violate state and federal student testing requirements. The Jindal administration has previously stated it’s up to White on what he wants to cut to make things work.
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A Kenner lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that would criminalize so-called “revenge porn,” making it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone without their consent. Representative Julie Stokes says House Bill 489 would ensure that people who spread private pictures without permission are held accountable…:
CUT 6 (05) “in Louisiana”
Governor Bobby Jindal is already on record saying the bill has his full support.

A new twist today in the Darren Sharper case today, as a New Orleans judge delayed the arraingment until the federal drug charges are resolved. That move means the previous plea deal for the former Saints star on drug and rape charges, is likely to change. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Orleans Parish DA Leon Cannizzaro may not like -what many refer to as- a sweetheart deal…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ‘Orleans Parish’

A Kenner lawmaker is sponsoring legislation would make it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone without their consent. The proposed law would protect adults from physical exposure bullying via text or online, but Representative Julie Stokes says the best protection is…
CUT 8 (05) Q: ‘these images’

A twist in the Darren Sharper case today, as a New Orleans judge delayed the arraignment until the federal case of the drug charges is resolved. The former Saints star was expected to plead guilty in state court to charges related to drugging and raping women, in order to enact a global plea deal that would send Sharper to jail for 9 years. Legal Analyst Chick foret says the Orleans Parish DA is holding all the cards…
cut 13 (12) Q: ” this deal is gonna get done”
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Louisiana public support for same-sex marriage is lagging behind the national average, but a recent LSU Public Policy Research Poll shows the gap between support and opposition is shrinking. A large majority of older Louisianians are opposed, while almost 60 percent of adults under 30 support it. Director Michael Henderson says as time goes on, the numbers will change…
CUT 5 (07) Q: ” those trends”

Four underaged college students from Louisiana have been cited in Alabama for hauling a large amount of alcohol, headed toward Gulf shores for Spring Break. The booze was seized, and since no drugs of weapons were found, they were allowed to go on their way. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Lt. Paul Burch says he wasn’t sure if they continued to the beach…
CUT 11 (09) Q: ‘headed back out”

It’s called “revenge porn,” and a lawmaker from Kenner is sponsoring legislation that would criminalize it…
CUT 2 (30) Q: “reporting”

Good news for Louisiana agriculture as that economy sector grew to 12.7 billion dollars in 2014. Numbers out today from the LSU AgCenter says the net value was up 7.6 percent; an increase of about 900 million from 2013. The largest contributors were forestry, beef and soybeans.
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A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds 42 percent support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana. That lags well behind the national average, but the gap between supporters and opponents is shrinking; now at about 9 perent. And Director Michael Henderson says the research indicates a generation gap when it come to support…
CUT 4 (06) “strong support”

In Alabama, four underage college students from Louisiana were busted for hauling a trailer full of alcohol to Gulf shores for Spring Break. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Paul Burch says deputies found the trailer had an expired tag, then found over 100 18-packs of beer and numerous bottles of hard liquor and wine…
CUT 10 (10) Q: ‘happens in court”

A bill banning “revenge porn” will be taken up in the legislative session that begins Monday. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says this measure protects people who are 17 years of age or older and would make it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone, usually online, without their consent. She says sometimes young adults think they are sending private pictures to someone that can be trusted..:
CUT 7 (08) “or high school”
Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in jail or both.

There’s been a curve ball in the Darren Sharper case today. The former Saints safety was expected to plead guilty to drugging and raping women in New Orleans, but something derailed that plan. After some tense moments in the courtroom, it was announced that the ex-All Pro defensive back would not enter a plea today. The judge decided to take up the matter once the federal charges were resolved. Some say this could be a sign that Sharper’s global plea deal is getting re-worked.

Four underage Louisiana college students were issued summons’ in Alabama when busted hauling a trailer full of alcohol to Gulf Shores for spring break. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Paul Burch says deputies noticed a trailer traveling on Interstate 10 with an expired tag…:
CUT 9 (07) “amount of alcohol”
Burch says deputies found over 100 18-packs of beer and numerous bottles of hard liquor and wine in the trailer. The four will be charged with minor in possession of alcohol. Burch says no drugs or weapons were found on the students, so authorities allowed them to go on their way.

The US Coast Guard says three-mile stretch of the Mississippi River in south Louisiana is now one-way traffic only upriver after a ship broke free this morning and hit two other vessels causing oil to spill. The incident took place around 4pm yesterday near Convent. There are no injuries reported.

There was an unexpected turn today in the Darren Sharper case. The former New Orleans Saints star was expected to plead guilty in state court to charges related to drugging and raping women, but the judge delayed the arraignment until the federal case is resolved. Legal analyst Chick Foret says this could be a sign Sharpers “global” plea deal is going to change:
CUT 12 (09) “an alternative”
The deal that was struck would have reportedly sent Sharper to jail for nine years but now Foret says he doesn’t think he’s going to get off that easy.

Bruce Foods in New Iberia has sold it’s The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce to Georgia-based Southeastern Mills Inc. They say the purchase includes all of the property related to Bruce’s hot sauce business and under the terms of the acquisition, Southeastern Mills will keep current workers and also the plant in New Iberia.

A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags well behind the national average. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

According to a report from the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana agriculture as a whole contributed $12.7 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2014.

A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags well behind the national average, but the gap between supporters and opponents is shrinking. Director Michael Henderson says national support for same-sex marriage is between 55- and 60-percent…:
CUT 3 (09) “as the nation”
He says the disparity between supporters an opponents is down to 9-percent, compared to 17-percent two years ago.

There has been somewhat of a surprise turn in the Darren Sharper case. The former New Orleans Saints star was expected to plead guilty to drug and rape charges in state court today in New Orleans, but the judge decided to hold off the arraignment until the federal case was resolved. Some analysts say this could be a sign that there’s been a “snag” in Sharper’s global plea deal which would reportedly send him to jail for 9 years to cover the similar charges in four states.

The state Department of Education says Louisiana’s four-year high school graduation rate was at a record high in 2014 and increased for the fourth straight year. Superintendent John White says about 75% of students who entered 9th grade, graduated in 2014 which is a 1.1% increase over the prior year…:
CUT 10 (07) “four years ago”
White says this increase is a great sign for our state and a true testament to the hard work and devotion of teachers, principals and families.

The story of the Monroe girl who was reportedly told she wouldn’t be allowed to attend prom at Carroll High School if she for a tuxedo is making national headlines. Claudetteia Love, who is openly gay, claims the principal told her the dance dress code does not permit girls to wear a tux. Spring break is underway but apparently the Department of Justice has said they are going to get involved when people get back in town because they say it’s illegal to prohibit a girl from wearing a tux to the dance.

A lawmaker from Kenner is sponsoring legislation for the upcoming session that would criminalize so-called “revenge porn.” The measure would make it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone without their consent. Representative Julie Stokes says House Bill 489 would ensure that people who spread private pictures without permission are held accountable…:
CUT 6 (05) “in Louisiana”
Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in jail or both.

Former New Orleans Saints star Darren Sharper was expected to plead guilty today in state court to charges related to drugging and raping women but the judge decided to delay the arraignment until federal issues are resolved. The new state hearing was set for June 15th. It’s expected Sharper will enter a guilty plea for federal drug charges in district court on May 21st.

Republican US Senator David Vitter begins to unveil his plan on leading Louisiana into the future as governor. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

According to a report from the LSU AgCenter, Louisiana agriculture as a whole contributed $12.7 billion dollars to the state’s economy in 2014. The summary indicates net value for all sectors was up 7.6 percent, or $900 million dollars, from 2013. It’s the third year in a row Louisiana farmers broke records in the value of their commodities.