A poll on the 5th 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 5th 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…
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 5th District Congressional boundary hurts his campaign…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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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…
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.