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.

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.”

After two years, Cleco’s owners have found a buyer. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

For the first time in 25 years, young men have surpassed young women when it comes to how important religion is in their lives. That’s according to a new Gallup poll.   Dr. Justin Langford at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville says it’s good news, but…

Cut 13 (11)  “…these moral principals.”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is urging the major Republican U.S. Senate candidates to hold a statewide televised debate. Higgins is calling for a one-hour debate with solid questions posed by a moderator. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though Higgins has not issued an endorsement in the race, there does seem to be one in particular that he’s not supporting.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and MAGA generally.”

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center will get a 40-million-dollar makeover and ultimately reopen as a Sports Illustrated Resort. Geoff Richards, the chief operating officer of vacation ownership at Travel And Leisure Company, says when his company was scouting cities to establish Sports Illustrated Resorts, Baton Rouge was a logical choice.

Cut 15 (12) “…see throughout Louisiana.”