The House Education Committee approves legislation that would give Louisiana public colleges the authority to increase tuition by as much as 10-percent for all graduate, professional and specialized programs and any undergraduate program identified as high-cost. Lobbyist Norby Chabert (Sha-bear) testified in favor of the legislation. Chabert says the money generated from the higher tuition costs would be put to good use…

Cut 10 (08) “…to student ratios.” 

The bill passed on an eight to three vote and heads to the House floor. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson says if you raise tuition, fewer students will attend college.

Cut 11 (06) “…lower demand.”

Tuition increases are necessary, since the state no longer funds higher education to the level it once did.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would increase the amount the state compensates the families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty from 250-thousand to 404-thousand dollars. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says a cost-of-living adjustment should be tied to the bill.

Cut 14 (08) “…inflationary increase.”

The bill’s author, Jeff Wiley of Ascension Parish, says he will look into Green’s amendment proposal before he brings the bill up for debate in the Senate.

A House bill requiring the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to publish prison data on its website advances to the Senate. The bill by Baton Rouge Democrat Barbara Carpenter passed in the House on a vote of 59 to 32. Data that would be required to be posted online in accordance with Carpenter’s bill include demographics, in-custody deaths and prisoner releases. No personal information protected under state and federal law would be released.

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.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would increase the amount the state compensates the families of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty from 250-thousand to 404-thousand dollars. State Representative Jeff Wiley of Ascension Parish is the author of the bill.

Cut 12 (06) “…an increase.”

Five law enforcement officers and two firefighters lost their lives while on duty last year, and Wiley says the family members left behind deserve adequate financial support from the state.

Getting the fuel gauge to “full” continues leaving many bank accounts “empty.” Regular unleaded gasoline is now averaging $3.73 a gallon – an increase of five cents overnight. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the average price of diesel, meanwhile, remains just above five-dollars a gallon.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the summer.”

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.”

Those of you in north Louisiana, you’ll want to be weather aware today, as a tornado watch is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster parishes until seven this evening. National Weather Service Meteorologist Gary Chatelain says along with damaging winds, large hail and heavy downpours are possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…watching radars.” 

A candlelight vigil is held in Baton Rouge for the 17-year-old girl who was shot and killed at the Mall of Louisiana. Lafayette State Representative Annie Spell read some of Martha Odom’s writings from her theology class at Ascension Episcopal School.

Cut 5 (16) “…are passed away.”

Unless you drive an EV, you’re likely finding yourself curtailing your driving to save as much money as you can. 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.”

LIV Golf tells Louisiana officials it has to postpone its tournament in New Orleans scheduled for next month. Joe Gallinaro has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Those of you in North Louisiana, you’ll want to be weather aware for the rest of the day today. A tornado watch is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster parishes until seven this evening. The National Weather Service says a strong cold front is responsible for the severe weather threat. Large hail and heavy downpours are also possible.  

There is an enhanced risk of severe weather through this evening for areas of the state north of Natchitoches. A tornado watch until 7 PM is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster Parishes. Gary Chatelain with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says large hail is another threat…

Cut 9 (11)  “…incident from occurring.”

Damaging winds and heavy downpours are possible as well.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up five cents overnight to $3.73. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the sudden jump at the pump coincides with a spike in oil prices as a result of what’s happening in the Middle East…

Cut 6 (09) “…OPEC.”

People gathered at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge yesterday evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of 17-year-old Martha Odom, who was killed when she was caught in the crossfire of a shooting at the food court last Thursday. Community activist Cathy Tolivar says gun violence is out of control, and it has to stop.

Cut 4 (12) “…pull them in.”

A downtown Baton Rouge hotel will soon be converted into a year-round sports hospitality destination. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and will reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says one man behind this venture happens to be an LSU institution – Shaquille O’Neal.

Cut 16 (11) “…particularly at LSU.”

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.