| BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer |
Fest time! One of New Orleans’ favorite festivals kicks off today – and it’s free. Well, the music, anyway. Kieth Spera has the latest on the French Quarter Festival, which has expanded this year. Awesome, no? Floods and tornadoes: Speaking of a festival, we can sure use a break after the pummeling we took yesterday after waves of severe weather rolled through the region. Flooding in New Orleans. A tornado tearing through Slidell. Here’s the latest – and stay with NOLA.com for updates. Fists in the courtroom: A New Orleans courtroom erupted in chaos this morning after the man accused of killing three children in a house fire entered a plea in the horrific crime. Jillian Kramer has the story. Pels playoffs scenarios: With three games left in the regular season, the Pelicans control their postseason destiny. Beat writer Christian Clark tells us what the birds have to do to assure themselves a decent spot. Louisiana billionaires: Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is back on the list of the world’s wealthiest people. But a newcomer with Louisiana ties has jumped ahead of her in the rankings. Like the Lunch Line? Sign up here. Want to subscribe to NOLA.com? Boom! Here ya go. Be excellent today, Bob | 