Good morning, Shreveport.

The American Red Cross will install free smoke alarms in Shreveport on Friday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.—part of its annual Sound the Alarm event to install 50,000 alarms in 30 days.

The effort comes as house fires have risen in the Sunset Acres neighborhood after a high count last year.

Detectives from the Shreveport Police Department said that 32-year-old Deven Pottorff allegedly punched a woman in the face on March 31 on the 1400 block of Natalie Street after she refused to let him drive her vehicle—officers noted blood on her face and said he was holding a knife.

A Caddo Parish jury convicted Greenwood man Donovan Phillips, 46, of first-degree rape after he repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl from age 7 until she was 12, and his sentencing is set for April 30 — he will face a mandatory life sentence with hard labor and no chance for parole, probation or sentence suspension.

Critical Mass 13 starts today in Shreveport with over 130 works by artists from nine parishes in northwest Louisiana at 869 Texas Ave. A Literary Reading will begin at 11:30 a.m. and a Performance Showcase at 4 p.m. at Caddo Common Park.

Phil Robertson, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, recalled that in 1957 when he was 11 he shot two ducks with his father's Browning shotgun on Moon Lake near Shreveport (he swam naked to retrieve the birds and ran home proud to show his father his catch).

A new study by a national research nonprofit shows that Shreveport drivers face about $2,749 in extra costs each year from poor road conditions—60% of local roads are rated as poor or average, adding roughly $955 in vehicle expenses.

The report finds that traffic delays cost drivers an extra 32 hours and about $1,019 annually in lost time and wasted fuel.

The BPCC debate team earned its sixth national championship at the International Public Debate Association tournament on April 7th and collected 76 awards this season—coaches Preston Langley and Bob Alexander praised the team’s hard work and resilience with co-captains Lindsey Brown and Jackson Csoma leading 10 rounds of debate.

Shreveport student-athletes from Huntington High were honored by the City Council after the Lady Raiders beat Woodlawn-Baton Rouge 61 to 51 for the first state girls basketball title—Councilwoman Ursula Bowman and Mayor Tom Arceneaux bought team rings to help with travel costs.

Dance His High Praise

7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Strand Theatre — Affordable tickets available — Experience an uplifting evening of dance and praise at a local venue.

Golden Girls - The Laughs Continue

7-8:30 p.m. — The Strand Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an outrageous new comedy featuring the beloved Golden Girls as they navigate a wild new chapter in their lives.

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer

6-7 p.m. — Scottish Rite Temple — Tickets selling fast — Experience the enchanting music of Hans Zimmer performed by a string quartet under candlelight.

Young Life's Fun-In-The-Sun Run 5k

8:00-10:15 a.m. — Young Life — Entry fee unknown — Participate in a vibrant community run to benefit camp experiences for local kids.

PMP Certification Training

9 AM – 5 PM — Hotel Shreveport Louisiana — $1599 — Transform your project management skills with 32 hours of hands-on training and certification preparation.

Shreveport Blues Festival

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Brookshire Grocery Arena — Enjoy soulful blues performances at the 17th Annual Shreveport Blues Festival.

Taco Wars Festival

Taco Wars — Daytime — Shreveport Municipal Auditorium — Entry TBA — Experience the Ark-La-Tex's biggest taco festival featuring local taquerias competing for the best taco and salsa!

No Guarantee Group Meeting

7-8 p.m. — St. Luke's United Methodist — Free entry — Participate in a welcoming discussion focused on recovery and support for newcomers.

Cinco de Mayo Tequila Tasting

6-7:30 p.m. — The Bell — Must be 21+ — Enjoy premium tequila paired with chocolate and authentic tacos in a festive celebration.

Derby Day 5 Miler & 5K

7:30-9:30 a.m. — D1 Training Shreveport — $25-$40 — Participate in a fun-running event featuring both 5-mile and 5k races.