BY VICKI FERSTEL | Staff writer The shortage of foster care homes is widespread across the state. In West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee parishes, there are zero foster homes available. Part of the problem, as staff writer Claire Grunewald notes, are the low daily rates for taking in foster children — an average of only $19 a day per child. Meanwhile, the number of children needing foster care is increasing. Last year East Baton Rouge Parish had the highest number of foster children in the state, with 606, a noticeable increase from 386 in 2019. John Foster makes latest "American Idol" cut! Louisiana's John Foster is now in "American Idol's" top 8 after performing Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About". The 18-year-old Addis native returns to the competition at 7 p.m. tonight on ABC. Staff writer Judy Bergeron has the details on how to cast your vote. Get ready to rumble, 19th century style: Staff writer Robin Miller relates this terrific tale about a duel on a sandbar between Vidalia and Natchez, Mississippi. It started out as a duel, devolved into a free-for-all and ended with deaths and injuries. And what started the Great Sandbar Duel of 1827? Politics, of course. | 