Good morning, Baton Rouge.

Today in Baton Rouge, the 11th annual Crawfish King Cookoff runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rhorer Plaza with tickets at $35 in advance and $40 at the gate, benefiting Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge and the Big Buddy Program, while Varla Jean Merman performs at Manship Theatre starting at 8 p.m. Families can visit the Baton Rouge Zoo for the Arts for Animals Festival on May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on May 4, runners can join the Tiger 10K at LSU starting at 8 a.m., with Star Wars-themed activities at LASM from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the ChiFest Louisiana Music Fest at Red Stick Social from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Detectives from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office investigated a shooting at the Reserve at White Oak Apartment complex on S.

Harrells Ferry Road on April 30, where David Turley III (25) was shot around 6:15 p.m. in the parking lot and later died at the hospital.

Baton Rouge Police released body cam footage that shows on April 20 officers responded to a disturbance at a Gwenadele Avenue hotel and encountered Kevin Vallian, who fired an AR-style rifle from his vehicle before officers returned fire and fatally wounded him while securing his weapons—both officers, David Jennings and Gene Meazell, were placed on leave as an internal investigation continues with no disciplinary action expected based on a preliminary review.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order on Thursday that bans the use of SNAP benefits for buying soda and candy.

The order directs the Department of Children and Family Services to ask the USDA for a waiver and supports a pilot project in six parishes (a step to promote healthier food choices).

Parade of Homes will run May 3-4 with 41 new homes in East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston offering tours that highlight the latest interior design trends and seminars on renovation and color trends.

Local spots will offer complimentary menu items (presented by Ferguson Home) as new leadership under Karen Profita of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge enhances the event.

No. 10 LSU softball will begin a three-game series against No. 8 Arkansas in Fayetteville on Thursday at 6 p.m. as the Tigers aim to wrap up the regular season and secure their first series win in Fayetteville since 2016 — they hold a 63-17 overall series lead.

EXHORDER Live Performance

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Chelsea's Live — Tickets from $20.00 — Experience the intense energy of Exhorder as they rock Baton Rouge.

So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Manship Theatre — Tickets available — Experience an unforgettable tribute to Neil Diamond with over 24 classic hit songs.

Vincent Neil Emerson Live Performance

9:00-10:30 p.m. — Chelsea's Live — Cost TBA — Experience the acclaimed singer-songwriter blend Americana, country, and rock n roll in an engaging live setting.

4th Annual Miles2Moms Event

7:30-11:30 a.m. — North Boulevard Town Square — Free entry with registration — Celebrate maternal mental health through a fun 2-mile walk/run with family and friends.

Disney On Ice: Let's Dance!

11 a.m. — Raising Cane's River Center — Ticketed event — Experience a magical remix of Disney tunes with Mickey and friends on ice.

2025 Pan American Masters Weightlifting Championships

May 14-18 — Crowne Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge by IHG — Early registration $149 — Witness an exciting competition featuring master lifters from across the Americas.