BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Texas-based IDEA Public Schools came into Louisiana seven years ago, promoted as a "proven operator" of charter schools that were ranked among the best in the nation. The performance of its schools in the state slumped badly during the pandemic, however, and now the organization is pulling out as it closes its final two schools here. This means the end for two of the largest charter schools in Baton Rouge, IDEA Bridge and IDEA Innovation, which both opened in 2018 but will shut their doors in May. IDEA Bridge has about 1,100 students, while IDEA innovation has about 750. Both currently have F letter grades from the state. See what this means for the schools' students and facilities. Livingston Parish is working to finalize a new set of zoning and development codes. Before that is completed, however, the parish's moratorium on applications for new housing subdivisions will conclude. So, members of the Parish Council have been discussing an extension of the ban, and a vote on the issue is expected to come Thursday. See how council members stand on the extension. The LSU baseball squad will open its season Feb. 14 with a host of new pitchers and increased depth to its lineup, as the team has added 12 transfers, three junior college players and 10 freshmen since last year. The Tigers will go into 2025 play highly ranked, and coach Jay Johnson says "I love our talent." Read about Johnson's plan for his players. | 