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This weekend, both Wicked and Gladiator 2 hit theaters, drawing comparisons to last year’s Barbenheimer phenomenon. Wicked, directed by John M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, adapts the beloved musical about the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, projected to earn $100 million in its debut. Meanwhile, Gladiator 2, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, returns 24 years after the original film, following Lucius as he tries to restore Rome. Both films, over two and a half hours long, are anticipated contenders for awards season.

Fox 14 Your Morning News: Glicked Movie Weekend.

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SUMMARY: The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office reported multiple financial deficiencies in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 across various agencies. The Louisiana Department of Health’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund mismanaged $855,606 in federal funds, while the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness approved over $19 million in improper reimbursements. Additionally, $2.5 million was reimbursed without documentation. Local agencies, including the city of Bogalusa, misused ARPA funds for employee bonuses totaling $468,125. Fraud also occurred in Mamou due to a business email compromise, resulting in a loss of $226,330, and Calcasieu Parish Waterworks District lost $481,439 due to misappropriation of payments.

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SUMMARY: Bear County law enforcement agencies express concern over a new booking policy by Sheriff Javier Salazar, which delays jail intake for suspects requiring medical screening. The directive, aimed at addressing jail deaths, mandates that suspects detoxing from substances or with serious medical conditions must be evaluated at a hospital before booking. This has led to significant delays and complications for officers, with reports of suspects being released instead of booked. Smaller agencies worry that the policy jeopardizes public safety. Despite the concerns raised, Sheriff Salazar maintains that the policy is necessary to improve health outcomes for detainees.

Several area law enforcement agencies said a new directive from Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar puts public safety at risk.

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