Nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed for the 2022 legislative session that begins a week from today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Health reported that coronavirus cases increased by 535 over the weekend. COVID-related deaths also increased by 31. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 1.2 million reported cases in Louisiana with 16,785 people ultimately losing their battle with the virus. LDH also reports that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents accounted for 61 percent of new cases and 56 percent of all death from Feb. 17 to Feb. 23.

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Since last week the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline has risen by 40 cents and there’s a possibility that the U-S could break the record of $4.11 set in July of 2008. David Dismukes, executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies says the Russian/Ukrainian conflict isn’t the only thing driving up prices.

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Louisiana currently averages $3.72 per gallon for regular gasoline.

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David Rester, Jr. of Vidalia, who’s wanted in connection with the March 3rd murder of Marl Wayne Smith in Washington Parish has been arrested after a multi-state, parish, and county crime spree. Rester is also wanted in St. Tammany for the physical and sexual assault of a convenience store clerk that took place during a robbery. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says prior to this rampage, Rester did not have a criminal record.

Cut 10 (07) “…that yet.”