 BY VICKI FERSTEL | Staff writer He's almost there. Louisiana's John Foster jumped into the top 5 Sunday on "American Idol." Staff writer Judy Bergeron reports the pre-med LSU student performed "Almost There" from the Disney film "The Princess and the Frog" and sang "Believe" to his mother, Amanda Benoit, on the Mothers Day episode. Click here to watch his performance. Foster, 18, of Addis, competes again tonight at 7 p.m. for the top 3. If he makes it, he'll head to the Sunday, May 18 finale.
Premiums and politics. Various automobile insurance bills get a first hearing in the Senate this week. Many go Tuesday before the Judiciary A Committee, which last year derailed almost all of the insurance bills it heard. The spiciest battle — the one between Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple — comes to a head with Senate Bill 214, which would make the commissioner post an appointed one. That bill goes to the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday. Staff writer Tyler Bridges has all the details here.
Play ball! The LSU baseball team's hopes of earning a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament were dashed Sunday when the Tigers fell 7-4 to Arkansas at Alex Box Stadium. Staff writer Koki Riley reports how the Tigers failed to hold onto their early lead. The Tigers next will face South Carolina in their final SEC series of the year beginning Thursday. LSU's softball team will play at 4:30 p.m. Friday as the No. 10 national seed against Southeastern Louisiana in the NCAA Tournament. Read more here from contributing writer Jim Kleinpeter. | 
