The head of the state Department of Corrections tells the Senate Finance Committee staffing prisons is their top challenge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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For the sixth consecutive year, a Crawfish is pardoned to celebrate the mudbug eating season. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The average price for a gallon of diesel in Louisiana today is $4.56 and Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association says prices at the pump are also forcing those who depend on the trucking industry to reevaluate their business plan. Amar says typically fuel costs are just behind labor.

Cut 3 (05) “…their business.”

As for increasing methods on how to best utilize fuel, Amar says the trucking industry is extremely sophisticated logistics-wise and already incorporates such measures.

Cut 4 (10) “..properly.”

Amar says during the pandemic when more individuals stayed home, there were high demands on the trucking industry, and she doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. And Amar says get ready to pay more for goods due to the rising cost of getting them to you.

Cut 5 (11) “…charge today.”

The cost of diesel typically runs 25 to 50 cents higher a gallon than regular gas prices.

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The state’s most well-known, or notorious, prison is dealing with a staffing crisis that has shown no signs of ending. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says there are more than 300 guard positions currently unfilled at Angola state penitentiary, a facility that houses more than 5000 inmates.

 Cut 6 (08) “…our top challenge.” 

A starting salary of just over $15 an hour for guards is just one of the obstacles in attracting employees says LeBlanc. Extreme heat, aging buildings, policy and procedural issues, and the prison’s location in rural West Feliciana are all factors.

Cut 7 (14) “…help recruit people.” 

The Department of Corrections is asking the legislature for $2 million in order to help with the transfer of 600 prisoners to the Allen Correctional Center and with ongoing capital improvements to Angola, including adding air conditioning to a number of the prisons aging buildings.

 Cut 8 (06) “…next year.” 

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A lucky crawfish was officially pardoned by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Baton Rouge this morning. For the last six years on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, the state officially pardons one crustacean to celebrate the mudbug season. Nungesser says the pardoned crawfish will enjoy the rest of his days at Tickfaw State Park.

Cut 9 (08) “…good deal.”

The Annual Pardoning of a Crawfish also puts Louisiana in the national spotlight and highlights the industry’s importance to the state. Nungesser fondly remembers attending a campaign event in which former Vice President Mike Pence bragged about the ability to pardon a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Cut 10 (12)  “…pardoning a turkey.”

This year’s pardoned crawfish is named Arrigeaux in honor of retiring Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo, (Aay-reego). Nungesser says Arrigo and his team have done so much to help the tourism industry and he hopes Arrigo can enjoy his retirement and plenty of crawfish in the near future.

Cut 11 (09)  “…going to go.”  

This year’s most fortunate crawfish was chosen by Barry Toups, the owner of Crawfish Haven and Mrs. Rose’s Bed and Breakfast in Kaplan.

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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s time to get U.S. oil & gas production rolling again, and he’s about to propose a new energy policy. Cassidy says this is the best way to send Russia a message; by competing with them for energy exports. He says Republicans on Capitol Hill are working on that; not just for Americans’ benefit, but to shop out to other countries…:

Cut 12 (12) “…that benefits Louisiana.”  

Tomorrow Cassidy will propose new policies to help cut red tape with permitting of domestic & foreign exports and explorations, and more. He  says ramping up energy production,  refining and exports will be beneficial to Louisiana in terms of revenue and jobs…:

Cut 13 (05) “…LNG export terminals.”

Regular gas is at a statewide average of $3.95-a-gallon. The price run-up had been slow over the past year, but spiked sharply with the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Cassidy says Russia has the majority of oil & gas exports to European nations, and losing a piece of that business would make a strong point. He says there is bipartisan support for restarting U.S. oil & gas production to send the message, and what the U.S. HAS been doing isn’t working…:

Cut 14 (08)  “…allies in Europe.”  

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s time to get U.S. oil & gas production rolling again, and he’s about to introduce new proposed energy policy to do that. The Baton Rouge senator says this is the best way to send Russian a message; by competing with them for energy exports. He says there is bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for doing that; not just for Americans’ benefit, but to shop out to other countries…:

CUT 12  (12)        “…benefits Louisiana.”

Regular gas is at a statewide average of $3.95-a-gallon.

The average price for a gallon of DIESEL in Louisiana today is $4.56 and Louisiana Motor Transport Association director Renee Amar says that’s translates to about a dollar per mile for big rigs. She says member truckers are doing everything they can to conserve…:

CUT 04(10)      “…properly.”

For the sixth consecutive year, a Crawfish is pardoned to celebrate the mudbug eating season. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

A St. Tammany Parish lawmaker’s bill for the regular legislative session would ban speed & traffic light cameras statewide. Representative Paul Hollis’ bill is a proposed Constitutional Amendment; meaning he’ll need to pass it with two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate before it would go to voters to decide. The legislature gets started next Monday.

A starting salary of just over $15 an hour for guards is just one of the obstacles in attracting employees to work at Angola says Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc. Extreme heat, aging buildings, policy and procedural issues, and the prison’s location in rural West Feliciana are all factors in creating 300 currently unfilled guard positions.

Cut 7 (14) “…help recruit people.”

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District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins says Louisiana has received about $600-million in federal aid, but red tape is slowing the speed with which it gets to those who need to rebuild their lives and businesses. In a letter sent Monday, he asks House & Senate leaders to find a way to get another $400-million for Louisiana’s recovery into a new omnibus funding bill.

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Covington Representative Paul Hollis wants to outlaw citations issued by traffic cameras in Louisiana. He has filed two bills for the session to do just that. One, House Bill 181, would prohibit the splitting of profits, fees, and commissions of traffic fines from a private entity or company.  Hollis says the traffic cameras are a money grab by municipalities and with the economy so dire their use needs to stop.

Cut 15 (09) “…big government.”

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A lucky crawfish was officially pardoned by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Baton Rouge this morning. For the last six years on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, the state officially pardons one crustacean to celebrate the mudbug season. Nungesser fondly remembers attending a campaign event in which former Vice President Mike Pence bragged about the ability to pardon a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Cut 10 (12) “…pardoning a turkey.”

A legislative committee created to investigate how State Police handled the 2019 death of Black motorist Ronald Greene meets for the first time today. Greene’s family says L-S-P tried to keep quiet the details of Greene’s death who was beaten and tased by arresting troopers. Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee is chairing the committee and he wants to know why some leaders for State Police reportedly had their phones cleaned after Greene’s death…
cut 27 (12) “…bottom of it”
The meeting begins at 1:30.

Triple-A says gas prices are up another seven cents in Louisiana today to a statewide average of $3.95 a gallon for regular gasoline, which is six cents shy of a record high set in 2008. The price of gas has risen 75-cents in the last month.

Louisiana Department of Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc tells the Senate Finance Committee there are more than 300 guard positions currently unfilled at the Angola state penitentiary, a facility that houses over five-thousand inmates.
Cut 6 (08) “…our top challenge.”
LeBlanc says the work environment is difficult for someone working 15-dollars an hour and the state’s prisons are not air-conditioned, something lawmakers say they will look at funding to help with guard retention.

A lucky crawfish was officially pardoned by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser in Baton Rouge this morning. For the last six years on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, the state officially pardons one crustacean to celebrate the mudbug season. Nungesser says the pardoned crawfish will enjoy the rest of his days at Tickfaw State Park.
Cut 9 (08) “…good deal.”
This year’s pardoned crawfish is named Arrigeaux, after retiring Visit Baton Rouge President Paul Arrigo.

The average price for a gallon of diesel in Louisiana today is $4.56 and Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association says prices at the pump are also forcing those who depend on the trucking industry to reevaluate their business plan. Amar says typically fuel costs are just behind labor.

Cut 3 (05) “…their business.”

President Biden announced this morning a ban on Russian oil imports.

Because of rising gas prices, money is becoming tight for many families, which could hurt tourism in Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes Louisiana residents consider traveling within the state and his office will also have to adjust its marketing plans…

cut 6 (12) “…here in Louisiana”

District Three Congressman Clay Higgins is urging House and Senate Appropriations to provide additional hurricane relief funding to Louisiana. Higgins says the damage done by Hurricanes Laura, Delta & Zeta in 2020 and then Ida in 2021 was massive, and so…:
Cut 10 (08) “…gonna fall short.”
So far the state has received 600-million dollars, but none of that money has been allocated yet. The state needs federal government approval on an action plan on how the money will be distributed.

Next week the legislative session begins, And Covington Representative Paul Hollis has authored a constitutional amendment that asks voters if they want the cameras that can issue tickets for speeding and running a red light…
cut 13 (12) “….what does”
Previous legislative attempts to rid the state of traffic cameras have not been successful.

A legislative committee that will look into how State Police handled the 2019 in-custody death of Black motorist Ronald Greene meets for the first time this afternoon.,
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

On a lighter note, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser pardons a crawfish today as a way to celebrate the mudbug season. The lucky crawfish will get to live out the rest of his days at Tickfaw State Park in Springfield.

Louisiana has received 600-million dollars for hurricane recovery in southwest Louisiana and Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s sent a letter to House and Senate leaders asking for another 400-million dollars be put into a new ominbus funding bill
cut 11 (13) “…I serve”
Higgins has been criticized for not doing enough to get federal hurricane recovery dollars for his southwest Louisiana district.

Another effort will be made in the upcoming legislative session to get rid of traffic cameras that issue tickets to motorists. Covington Representative Paul Hollis calls the traffic cams a money grab by municipalities…
cut 15 (09) “….big government”
Hollis has proposed a constitutional amendment that would ask voters if traffic cameras should be banned.

Members of a bipartisan special legislative committee to oversee the events surrounding the 2019 death of Ronald Greene, while in police custody, meet this afternoon. Committee Chairman Representative Tanner Magee says today’s meeting will lay the groundwork for the committee including those they plan to call to testify before the committee.

Cut 8 (10)  “…that goes.”

As we get into festival season and the summer months, how will the rising cost of gas impact the state’s tourism industry? Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says step one is encouraging folks to be tourists at home.

Cut 4 (11)  “…set up for you.”

The statewide average for regular gas in Louisiana is $3.95 a gallon.

District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins is asking U.S. House and Senate leaders to include more disaster relief funding for Louisiana, as they race to meet the budget deadline. Higgins says money is needed for the district but the wheels of federal and state government grind slowly. He asks for patience…:

Cut 12 (12) “…required by law.”

Covington Representative Paul Hollis wants to outlaw citations issued by traffic cameras in Louisiana. House Bill 85 which if passed would allow the matter to be voted on by constitutional amendment in Louisiana and Hollis believes it would pass by a huge margin.

Cut 14 (07)  “…dust bin.”

Hollis is also proposing legislation that prohibits the splitting of profits, fees, and commissions of traffic fines from a private entity or company. Hollis says these traffic camera citations are a money grab by municipalities.

Triple-A says gas prices are up another seven cents in Louisiana today to a statewide average of $3.95 a gallon for regular gasoline, which is six cents shy of a record high set in 2008. The price of gas has risen 75-cents in the last month.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says he has a plan to keep the rising cost of gas from sinking the state’s tourism industry.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A legislative committee created to investigate how State Police handled the 2019 death of Black motorist Ronald Greene meets for the first time today. Greene’s family says L-S-P tried to keep quiet the details of Greene’s death who was beaten and tased by arresting troopers. Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee is chairing the committee and he wants to know why some leaders for State Police reportedly had their phones cleaned after Greene’s death…
cut 7 (12) “…bottom of it”

Next week the legislative session begins, And Covington Representative Paul Hollis has authored a constitutional amendment that asks voters if they want the cameras that can issue tickets for speeding and running a red light…
cut 13 (12) “….what does”
Previous legislative attempts to rid the state of traffic cameras have not been successful.

A legislative committee investigating the 2019 death of Ronald Greene while in State Police custody meets this afternoon at the capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

COVID hospitalizations have fallen below 300 statewide to 294. That’s the lowest patient count since December 22nd. The Louisiana Health Department reported yesterday 535 new cases and 31 more COVID deaths.

District Three Congressman Clay Higgins is urging House and Senate Appropriations to provide additional hurricane relief funding to Louisiana. Higgins says the damage done by Hurricanes Laura, Delta & Zeta in 2020 and then Ida in 2021 was massive, and so…:
Cut 10 (08) “…gonna fall short.”
So far the state has received 600-million dollars, but none of that money has been allocated yet. The state needs federal government approval on an action plan on how the money will be distributed.

Because of rising gas prices, money is becoming tight for many families, which could hurt tourism in Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes Louisiana residents consider traveling within the state and his office will also have to adjust its marketing plans…
cut 6 (12) “…here in Louisiana”

Triple-A says the statewide average gas price rose another eight cents in the last 24 hours to $3.95 a gallon for regular gasoline. Louisiana is set to enter a busy time for tourism with more than 400 fairs and festivals about to kick off. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says targeted marketing will be key…
cut 5 (10) “…these successful”
Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to consider staycations.

A special legislative committee looking into the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene meets for the first time today. Greene’s family believes there was a massive cover-up involving Governor Edwards and L-S-P. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is heading up the panel…
cut 9 (08) “…troubling”
The committee meets at 1:30 today.

Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins is frustrated with hurricane recovery funding for southwest Louisiana, and he’s asking for federal assistance…again. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”