The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is dealing with a major backlog. David Grubb has more on how they’re tackling the problem…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

State Police in the Baton Rouge area are investigating the death of a pedestrian on Interstate 12 early this morning. Troopers say 44-year-old Ben Martel of Ponchatoula was walking IN the westbound left lane at around 3 a.m., when he was struck by a big rig. An investigation is underway as to why Martel was walking IN the roadway and not on the shoulder.

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The state Health Department reports just over 600 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations are now below 400. Many hope we are done with coronavirus, but Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says another surge in cases is still possible, though. She says not to count on the virus getting weaker as it mutates, because that doesn’t always happen…:

CUT 14(12)      “…get weaker.”

Gasoline prices have jumped 7-cents a gallon since yesterday. The statewide average price of regular is now at $3.48-a-gallon. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the Russian invasion of Ukraine is aggravating an already volatile oil & gas market…:

CUT 03(08)      “…those prices upward.”

Redman suggest we all budget $4 a gallon for gas for the next several weeks, at least.

More pain at the gasoline pump. Louisiana AAA says the average cost of regular gas is up 7 cents since yesterday; now at $3.48. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the state’s peak of $4.08-a-gallon was reached in the summer of 2008, but we could be back in that range soon…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…the coming weeks”

He says the Ukraine invasion has aggravated an already volatile energy picture worldwide.

There will soon be fewer flight available from Alexandria International Airport. Airport Director Sandra McQuain says a shortage of pilots is a big part of the problem that is impacting airports large and small across the country…:

CUT 07(07)      “…right now.”

United is cutting service to Alec. McQuain says she will seek another carrier to take their place.

Shreveport Police are investigating the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy this afternoon in the city’s Queensborough area. The teen was found dead from multiple gunshots right in his own front yard. They ask anyone who saw anything to come forward.

State troopers arrest two people from Houston after finding more than 2 pounds of cocaine in their car. The drugs were found during a traffic stop on I-10 in the Baton Rouge area. Booked with possession with intent to distribute, the pair are in the Iberville Parish jail.

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The Louisiana Health Department reported 607 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the pandemic is far from officially over…:

CUT 12(04)      “…going away.”

Hassig says there is no guaranty the COVID virus will get progressively weaker as it mutates.

State Police reports a DNA backlog of about 25-hundred cases because of staffing challenges. That means the turnaround time for expedited cases can take about four months. LSP Lt. Melissa Matey says staffing challenges are actively being addressed through increased hiring and training because they understand getting DNA samples analyzed is critical for police investigations…
cut 11 (11) “…backlog”

COVID cases continue to decline. The state reported 607 new cases today and hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig the decline in cases is encouraging, but they are monitoring a variant of Omicron that’s spreading through some parts of Europe…
cut 13 (09) “….and see”

Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson begin on March 21, inspiring a new generation of Black legal professionals. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Triple-A says gas prices are up another seven cents to 3.48 a gallon for regular gasoline. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says once you get to this price range, families start to budget for high gas prices…
cut 5 (08) “…as long”

State and local crime labs across the country face tremendous backlogs in testing DNA and it’s only getting worse. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab currently has 25-hundred DNA cases awaiting testing. Lieutenant Melissa Matey says the biggest hurdles LSP faces are job vacancies.

Cut 9 (11) “…right now.”

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut service to AEX, due to the pilot shortage.

 Cut 6 (08) “…June second.” 

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Less than 400 patients in Louisiana hospitals are being treated for COVID today. 394 people have COVID in Louisiana hospitals.

According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has jumped seven cents over the last 24 hours to $3.48. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing prices higher…

Cut 3 (08) “…upward.”

—

Former LSU basketball player and Ukraine native, Roman Rubchenko (pronounced: roob-CHENK-oh) shares his feelings on the Russian invasion; now in its second week. Rubchenko and some family and friends are currently safe in a rural community area several miles south of the capital city of Kyiv. He says the resolve of the Ukraine people to resist the invaders is strong.

Cut 24 (10) “…something like that.”

Earlier today it was reported that Russian troops had taken more areas on Ukraine’s southern coast with President Putin pledging to achieve his goals in Ukraine “no matter what.”

—

Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will begin on March 21. If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black female to be seated on the Supreme Court bench. That historic possibility has stirred emotions and inspired the next generation of the Black legal community. Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris is among them.

Cut 7 (11) “…going to do so.”

—

The Lake Providence Police Department is closed for business after Mayor Jerry Bell says Police Chief Leroy Threats exhausted his annual budget in mid-February. Threats reportedly says he doesn’t know how the department is out of money when he’s only been there a year and hasn’t spent technically anything. Bell says he’s not sure what Threats is thinking because he’s been in communication with him about the fiscal budget that runs from July to June for the last seven months.

Cut 14 (11) “…and helping.”

—

A former LSU basketball player – now living in Ukraine – describes the situation there under a Russian invasion. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The average price per gallon of regular gas jumped seven cents overnight in Louisiana. Today’s average price for regular gas is $3.48, that’s up from Wednesday’s $3.41. The record high in July 2008 was $4.01  gallon and AAA spokesperson Don Redman says we could see prices like that again soon.

In two and a half weeks Senate confirmation hearings begin for U-S Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris believes Jackson’s going to bring a much-needed perspective to the court; one more reflective of the nation as a whole.

Cut 8 (12)  “…level of inclusion.”

After two tourists were killed during Mardi Gras, its renewed interest of having the state take over the French Quarter. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says before they had a plan in place with the Mayor, that included adequate police patrol, surveillance, and improved lighting.

Cut  11 (10)  “…this year.”

The French Quarter would basically be treated as a state park.

According to the United Nations one million people have fled Ukraine since Russia began its invasion of the country eight days ago. Former LSU basketball player Roman Rubchenko said on Talk Louisiana that he has no plans on leaving yet and says the might of the Russian infantry is overrated…
cut 5 (09) “…to fight”
That being said Russia is escalating its attacks on major cities in Ukraine.

A police department in northeast Louisiana has stopped patrols because it has run out of money. Lake Providence Mayor Jerry Bell says police chief Leroy Threats has overspent his allocated dollars…
cut 14 (11) “….and helping”
Bell says Threats was elected last year and lacks administrative experience. Threats told KNOE-TV he may retire.

After Mardi Gras ended with the shooting deaths of two visitors, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he will once again back legislation to have the state oversee the French Quarter. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The city of New Orleans has lifted its indoor mask mandate. Proof of Covid Vaccination or a negative COVID test is still required to enter restaurants, bars and indoor venues. COVID numbers continue to improve. The state health department reports 412 people hospitalized statewide.

Many Americans’ thoughts are with the people of Ukraine as Russia continues its assault on the country. Former LSU basketball player Roman Rubchenko lives in Ukraine and says Russian President Vladimir Putin has underestimated the pride and the resolve of Ukrainians, many of them have been given assault rifles to fight back…:
Cut 6 (11) “…to like it very much.”
Rubchenko says he’s living in a rural area several miles south of the capital city of Kiev.

The Lake Providence Police Department has run out of money and has been shut down. Mayor Jerry Bell says Police Chief Leroy Threats exhausted his annual budget last month and he’s waiting for Threats to provide a plan of action to address the budget shortfall…
cut 13 (10) “…that plan”
The East Carroll Sheriff’s office is handling patrols of Lake Providence.

Gas prices went up seven cents last night according to Louisiana Triple-A. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now up to $3.48. That’s a 16-cent increase from a week ago. Triple-A says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the financial sanctions placed on Russia have given the global oil market the jitters.

Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson begin on March 21, inspiring a new generation of Black legal professionals. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

It’s day eight of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Former LSU basketball and Ukraine native Roman Rubchenko (roob-CHENK-oh) is staying with family and friends in a rural area several miles south of the capital city of Kiev. He says the resolve of the Ukrainian people to resist the invaders is strong…
cut 4 (10) “….something like that”
Rubchenko was a guest on Talk Louisiana on WRKF.

During an interview on KEEL radio in Shreveport, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll once again support legislation in the upcoming legislative session that would allow Louisiana to take control of the French Quarter, designate it a state park as a way to reduce to crime, but Mayor LaToya Cantrell has not supported this proposal in the past….
cut 12 (12) “….time to shine”
The next big event for New Orleans is the NCAA men’s final four in early April.

Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has begun individual meetings with Senators at the Capitol. Confirmation hearings will begin March 21st. A black female has never served as a Supreme Court judge. Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris hopes senators look past the color of her skin…
cut 9 (10) “….excited for this”

The Lake Providence Police Department has run out of money and is no longer patrolling the streets of the East Carroll Parish town. Mayor Jerry Bell says he’s working with Police Chief Leroy Threats on developing a financial plan to get Lake Providence police department back up and running…
cut 15 (11) “….of action”
In the meantime, the East Carroll Sheriff’s Office is overseeing patrols of Lake Providence.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’ll once again push for legislation this year that would designate the historic New Orleans French Quarter as a state park. Nungesser believes the move would reduce crime…
cut 10 (10) “….do something”
Nungesser says New Orleans crime problem is hurting the city’s tourism effort and points to two tourists who were fatally shot while in New Orleans for the Mardi Gras weekend. Those two shootings did not occur in the French Quarter.

President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson has begun meeting with Senators as she could become the first female black justice on the nation’s highest court. Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris says the historic possibility has inspired the next generation of the Black legal community…
cut 7 (11) “….going to do”

A former LSU basketball player – now living in Ukraine – describes the situation there under a Russian invasion. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”