Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican, and New Orleans is buzzing about the Duke legend’s selection as the first pick in the NBA Draft last night. Zion is from Spartanburg, South Carolina so he’s used to the south and he visited the Big Easy earlier in the week to take in some of the sites. He had a meal at Commanders Place and started fielding questions about his future home the birthplace of jazz.

Cut 5 (10) “…question.”

Williamson averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists and a game shooting unbelievable 68 percent from the floor at Duke last year.

Zion is hot and so is the state according to state climatologist Barry Keim. The long range forecast from the climate prediction center are higher than normal temps.

Cut 14 (08) “…summer even worse.”

The state of Louisiana has reached a settlement with Bell Helicopter over an economic development deal that never took flight in Lafayette. The Daily Advertiser reports Bell Helicopter is ordered to pay the state about $9.5 million in cash. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson also told the newspaper that the state will keep a helicopter valued at $4 million. The deal with Bell Helicopter was highly touted when announced by former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration in 2013, but when Bell Helicopter failed to meet hiring goals the deal was off. The company moved its operations to Amarillo last year.

An anonymous individual donates a 2-point-52 million dollar gift to the Nicholls State athletics department to contribute to a 6-point-5 dollar million building project. Athletics Director Mike Roan says the success of the program as well as the culture established by the coach and players is a big reason for the donation.

Cut 12 (09) “…to our program.”

The donor will be revealed at a future date, along with naming information of the new center.

Duke legend Zion Williamson is on his way to New Orleans to greet the fans after being selected first in the NBA Draft last night…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Zion isn’t the only thing that’s hot right now, State Climatologist Barry Keim says two factors are likely contributing to the hotter than normal temps in the Bayou State.

Cut 15 (10) “…less cloud cover.”

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards responded to criticism of his signature of a fetal heartbeat abortion ban from pro-choice voters. Edwards tried to alleviate concerns of pro-choice Democrats before the governor’s race this fall that Louisiana’s economic progress under his watch will allow the state to invest in programs championed by progressive voters.

Cut 9 (11) “…investments.”

An anonymous individual donates a 2-point-52 million dollar gift to the Nicholls State athletics department to contribute to a 6-point-5 million dollar building project. The project will fund the expansion of Barker Hall to include a football operations center. Athletics Director Mike Roan says the size of the gift is one of the record books.

Cut 10 (10) “…Nicholls State University.”

Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican now and the phenom joins one of the youngest teams in the league, a team that is brimming with potential after trading for Lakers young guns Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. Zion says that kind of foundation makes New Orleans a perfect jumping off point for his young career.

Cut 4 (10) “…over there.”

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards responded to criticism of his signature of a fetal heartbeat abortion ban from pro-choice voters. When asked what the state is doing to help poor families afford to raise kids they haven’t planned for, Edwards responded by mentioning this year’s budget focused on educating working class families’ children…

• Cut 8 (06) “…of that.”

The battle against the opioid crisis moves to the courtroom. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

• Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today marks the first day of summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim indicates this summer is going to sizzle.  Keim says the hot temps are already in the Bayou state as the month of June has exceeded the historical average.

Cut 13 (07) “…the low 90s.”

Keim says the long range forecast from the climate prediction center is forecasting normal rainfall patterns for the summer and says the temps are expected to run above normal for the entire summer.

Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican, and New Orleans is buzzing about the Duke legend’s selection with the first pick in last night’s NBA Draft. After shaking hands with the commissioner, Zion, his mom, and his little brother gathered for an interview where the top pick was overcome with emotion. He spoke about it afterwards…

Cut 3 (09) “…through it.”

Pelicans’ Executive Vice President David Griffen sat triumphantly at a post pick press conference. He says the pick is a watershed moment for the franchise, but for the upcoming 2019-2020, it’ll still be established All-Star point guard Jrue Holliday’s team…

Cut 8

The team also grabbed hyper-athletic Texas Center Jaxson Hayes and sharpshooting Virginia tech guard Nikeil Alexander-Walker in the first round.

Not a great night for LSU basketball in the draft though. Tremont Waters did manage to get picked up by the Celtics in the second round with the 51^stoverall selection, but former five-star recruit, two-year Tiger Naz Reid fell out of the draft completely after being thought of as a lottery selection in the pre-season. Reid underwhelmed at the athletic testing portion of the combine, and reportedly scared away teams with his inconsistent effort levels throughout the season.

Reid eventually found a potential pathway into the NBA when the Minnesota Timberwolves negotiated a two year “two-way” contract that will see the former Tiger likely spend most of the first year or two of his career playing in the G-League with the Wolves evaluate his progress.

Saints Defensive End Cameron Jordan congratulated 1^st overall pick Zion Williamson before the draft, telling him to just embrace the community, and if you buy all the way in, the community will too.

Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican, and New Orleans is buzzing about the Duke legend’s selection with the first pick in last night’s NBA Draft.  After shaking hands with the commissioner, Zion, his mom, and his little brother gathered for an interview where the top pick was overcome with emotion. He spoke about it afterwards…

Cut 3 (09) “…through it.”

The phenom joins one of the youngest teams in the league, a team that is brimming with potential after trading for Lakers young guns Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. Zion says that kind of foundation makes New Orleans a perfect jumping off point for his young career. The Pels also scooped up Center Jaxson Hayes and shooting guard Nikeil Alexander Walker with the 8^th and 17^th picks they received in a trade with Atlanta.

It’s the first day of summer and the Climate Prediction Center says it is going to be a scorcher for the Bayou State.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Allegiance Health Management facilities across Louisiana are fighting against the opioid crisis to the courtroom.  The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, seeks damages for hospitals and emergency rooms impacted by the opioid epidemic.  New Orleans attorney Mark Stein says the lawsuit aims to stop the overuse of opioids.

Cut 6 (12) “…of these drugs.”

Zion is coming to New Orleans and Pelicans fans are ready to liftoff into a new era of basketball led by the most hyped prospect to enter the draft since Lebron James. The team’s first overall pick in last night’s draft visited the city earlier in the week and got a taste of the culture that he’ll be stewing in for at least the next half decade. At his post draft press conference, Williamson got a taste of the kinds of questions he’ll be faced with in the Big Easy.

Cut 5

New Pelicans executive vice president David Griffen spoke about their pre-draft interview, where he says newly extended coach Alvin Gentry and Williamson connected over their shared roots in the Carolinas…

Cut 7

The Pels also scooped up Center Jaxson Hayes and shooting guard Nikeil Alexander Walker with the 8^th and 17^th picks they received in a trade with Atlanta.

An anonymous individual donates a $2.52 million gift to the Nicholls State athletics department to contribute to a $6.5 million building project. The project will fund the expansion of Barker Hall to include a football operations center. Athletics Director Mike Roan says shovels could be in the ground within a couple of weeks with the facility ready for the 2020 football season. The expansion will be placed at the south end zone of John L. Guidry Stadium and will include coaches’ offices, a new locker room, and players’ lounge among other amenities.

Cut 11 (08) “…several other programs.”

Roan says shovels could be in the ground within a couple of weeks with the facility ready for the 2020 football season.

Today marks the first day of summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim indicates this summer is going to sizzle. says two factors are likely contributing to the hotter than normal temps.

Cut 15 (10) “…less cloud cover.”

June has already seen above average temperatures.

Zion Williamson is officially a Pelican, and New Orleans is buzzing about the Duke legend’s selection with the first pick in last night’s NBA Draft. After shaking hands with he commissioner, Zion, his mom, and his little brother gathered for an interview where the top pick was overcome with emotion. Williamson discussed shedding those tears of joy…

Cut 3, 9 seconds, through it

After the pick new Pelicans’ Executive Vice President David Griffen chimed in…

Cut 6, 12 seconds, franchise

The team also picked Jaxson Hayes at 8, and Nickeil Alexander Walker at 17.

Allegiance Health Management facilities across Louisiana are fighting against the opioid crisis to the courtroom.  The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, seeks damages for hospitals and emergency rooms impacted by the opioid epidemic.  New Orleans attorney Mark Stein says the deceptive practices by opioid makers are very broad.

Cut 5 (12) “…prescription of opioids.”

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards responded to criticism of his signature of a fetal heartbeat abortion ban from pro-choice voters. Edwards tried to alleviate concerns of pro-choice Democrats before the fall governor’s race that Louisiana’s economic progress under his watch will allow the state to invest in programs championed by progressive voters.

Cut 9 (11) “…investments.”

Edwards made the comments on his monthly talk show Ask the Governor yesterday.

As expected the Pelicans grabbed Zion Williamson last night with the first pick in the draft. He’s the most hyped NBA Draft prospect to come out since Lebron James, and shared a teary-eyed hug with his mom and little brother after the life changing selection.

That wasn’t the only big move the team made, as they traded out of the 4^th pick with Atlanta and picked up the 8^th selection, which they spent on hyper-athletic Texas Center Jaxson Hayes, and the 17^th pick, sharpshooting Virginia tech guard Nikeil Alexander-Walker.

Allegiance Health Management facilities across Louisiana are fighting against the opioid crisis, and bringing that fight to the courtroom.  The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, seeks damages for hospitals and emergency rooms impacted by the opioid epidemic.  New Orleans attorney Mark Stein.

Cut 4 (11) “…and opioid addiction.”

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards responded to criticism of his signature of a fetal heartbeat abortion ban from pro-choice voters. When asked what the state is doing to help poor families afford to raise kids they haven’t planned for, Edwards responded by mentioning this year’s budget focused on educating working class families’ children…

Cut 8 (06) “…of that.”

Edwards made the comments on his monthly talk show Ask the Governor yesterday.

Today marks the first day of summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim indicates this summer is going to a scorcher. Keim says the long range forecast from the climate prediction center is forecasting normal rainfall patterns for the summer and says the temps are expected to run above normal for the entire summer.

Cut 14 (08) “…summer even worse.”

Keim adds the month of June has seen above average temperatures.

The picks are in and the new era of the New Orleans Pelicans began last night with the selection of once-in-a-generation level talent Zion Williamson with the team’s first overall pick. Before that thought the team traded their 4^th overall selection to the Hawks in exchange for the 8^th and 17^th pick. With those two selections the team grabbed Texas Center Jaxson Hayes, a hyper athletic rim defending big man, and Virginia Tech shooting guard Nikeil Alexander-Walker, a slippery off ball sharpshooter.

The team was also able to offload the onerous Solomon Hill contract in the deal, freeing up cap space for a potentially splashy offseason free agency signing. In the second round the team grabbed a Brazillian shooting guard Marcos Silva.

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards responded to criticism of his signature of a fetal heartbeat abortion ban from pro-choice voters. Opponents say the governor’s signature shows a disregard for women’s healthcare and wellbeing but Edwards countered…

Cut 7 (11) “before.”

An anonymous individual donates a $2.52 million gift to the Nicholls State athletics department to contribute to a $6.5 million building project. The project will fund the expansion of Barker Hall to include a football operations center. Athletics Director Mike Roan says the size of the gift is one of the record books.

Cut 10 (10) “…Nicholls State University.”

Today marks the first day of summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim indicates this summer is going to sizzle.  Keim says the hot temps are already in the Bayou state as the month of June has exceeded the historical average.

Cut 13 (07) “…the low 90s.”

Keim says the long range forecast from the climate prediction center is forecasting normal rainfall patterns for the summer and says the temps are expected to run above normal for the entire summer.

Big night for the New Orleans Pelicans as the team set the mood for the next few years with the selection of generational talent Duke legend Zion Williamson with the first pick in the draft. The teary eyed Williamson celebrated with this mother and little brother after the pick was made.

Just before Zion was selected, the Pels made a trade with Atlanta, sending the 4^th pick in the draft, the pick the Pels acquired from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade, to the Hawks in return for the 8^th pick, the 17^th pick. The Pels also offloaded Solomon Hill’s terrible contract, opening up cap space for free agency.

With those two picks the team grabbed Texas center Jaxson Hayes and Virginia Tech shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Pels also snagged Brazillian shooting guard Marcos Silva in the second round.

Not a great night for LSU basketball in the draft though. Tremont Waters did manage to get picked up by the Celtics in the second round with the 51^st overall selection, but former five-star recruit, two-year Tiger Naz Reid fell out of the draft completely after being thought of as a lottery selection in the pre-season. Reid underwhelmed at the athletic testing portion of the combine, and reportedly scared away teams with his inconsistent effort levels throughout the season.

Reid eventually found a potential pathway into the NBA when the Minnesota Timberwolves negotiated a two year “two-way” contract that will see the former Tiger likely spend most of the first year or two of his career playing in the G-League with the Wolves evaluate his progress.

Saints Defensive End Cameron Jordan congratulated 1^st overall pick Zion Williamson before the draft, telling him to just embrace the community, and if you buy all the way in, the community will too.