The fundraising event will feature a private concert by the Chase Tyler Band, along with food, drinks, and a silent auction. Auction items include trips, a Movado watch, and sports packages. Tickets are $99 and include access to the concert and event activities.Proceeds from the gala support the Salvation Army’s local programs, where officials say 86 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to services.Tickets and event information are available at shieldofhopebr.org.

The Louisiana Travel Association will host its Women in Leadership Forum April 20–21 at the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. The two-day event focuses on leadership development, mentorship, and networking for women across industries, not just tourism and hospitality.

Louisiana lawmakers are moving into the busiest phase of the 2026 legislative session as committees begin meeting and bills start advancing. State Senator Franklin Foil says the state budget remains the top priority. Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget while deciding how to use more than $500 million in surplus funds from last year. Much of that money may go toward infrastructure projects. Foil is sponsoring several bills this session. One proposal would align legal interest payments in lawsuits against the state with the rates private parties pay, a change requested by the Attorney General’s office to protect taxpayer funds. Another bill would allow surviving spouses of disabled veterans to continue receiving a property tax exemption after the veteran’s death. Foil also supports legislation allowing Louisiana to conduct its own environmental impact studies for major projects, which could speed up infrastructure work such as a proposed new Mississippi River bridge near Baton Rouge. Lawmakers are also discussing a constitutional convention, though Foil says passing one this year will be difficult.

Guaranty Health Solutions helps healthcare organizations grow by connecting the right patients to the right care. Director of Marketing and Partner Integration Kyrin Minor says the company’s “ATTRACT” pillar focuses on data-driven marketing that aligns a practice’s brand, operations, and patient experience. The strategy goes beyond traditional advertising. It includes brand development, social media strategy, community partnerships, and improvements to the in-clinic experience. Guaranty Health Solutions works with hospitals, urgent care centers, specialty practices, and health systems nationwide. The goal is simple: build trust, improve access to care, and create long-term patient loyalty.

College athletics faces growing pressure for federal oversight as lawmakers examine the expanding revenue sharing system between universities and athletes. Sports attorney Fritz Metzinger says recent roundtables involving lawmakers, including Senator Bill Cassidy, show rising concern in Washington about the direction of college sports. One proposal gaining attention is the SCORE Act, a federal bill that would establish national standards for name, image and likeness payments and formalize revenue sharing rules. Supporters say it could stabilize the system after major legal decisions like the NCAA v. Alston case reshaped athlete compensation. Critics argue the bill may shift power back toward universities and conferences. The financial dominance of football is also driving discussions about structural changes. Some conference leaders have floated the idea of separating major football programs from the NCAA and creating a new governing system. Legal questions remain unresolved. Title IX challenges could determine how revenue sharing funds are distributed between men’s and women’s sports. Another ongoing case seeks to classify college athletes as employees, a decision that could dramatically change the business model of college athletics.

Mike Strain said Louisiana crawfish season is running into a serious labor shortage because many returning H-2B crawfish peelers still have not arrived. He said that is hurting processors, driving down prices for farmers, and could cost farmers about $121 million, with a broader economic hit near $300 million. Strain said the problem also affects rice farmers who rely on crawfish income to stay profitable. He also warned people to be careful with storm-damaged trees and to watch for more mosquitoes and West Nile risk after heavy rain. On the positive side, he said Louisiana strawberries are looking great right now and encouraged people to buy local crawfish, seafood, and strawberries.

Two recent child deaths have shaken the Baton Rouge community as Crime Stoppers urges residents to help stop violence and assist ongoing investigations.

Louisiana lawmakers are considering several tax-related proposals during the 2026 legislative session, even though it is not a fiscal session. A major focus is a bill that would centralize the state’s sales tax collection system, which supporters say could simplify the process for businesses and generate additional revenue without raising taxes. Some legislators have also filed bills to reduce or eliminate portions of the state income tax, though larger changes may come in a future session after the state evaluates recent tax reforms. Another key issue involves the inventory tax. Voters will decide in May whether parishes can reduce or eliminate it through a constitutional amendment. If the amendment fails, lawmakers may pursue a rebate plan to help businesses offset the tax. Experts say these proposals show Louisiana’s tax reform debate will continue throughout the session.

Technology continues to evolve, but consumers now approach new gadgets with more caution. During a recent discussion on Tech Gumbo, tech expert Haggai Davis broke down several emerging trends, including the potential arrival of Windows 12, the growth of smart homes, and how artificial intelligence is shaping the next generation of devices.

The Our Lady of the Lake Tiger 10K returns to LSU on April 19. Runners finish on the 50-yard line inside Tiger Stadium, creating one of the most unique race experiences in Louisiana. Organizers expect more than 6,000 participants this year.