Economic development for Jeff Davis Parish. Washington-based Greenberry Industrial will re-purpose a shipyard near Jennings to expand on its pipe-making and fabrications in Sulphur. Greenberry plant manager Aaron Reeves says that means about 100 new jobs at around $60-thousand a year, plus 144 indirect jobs. He says applicants should come visit the Sulphur plant to apply…:

CUT 14(12)      “…for those jobs.”

Firefighters rescued a driver whose vehicle went over the side of Interstate 10 in St. John Parish late last night. Authorities say it was as single vehicle accident, and they were able to lower a line and winch the motorist back up to the roadway … then retrieve the car. A routine blood toxicology sample was taken to see if impairment was behind the wreck.

From the state Department of Health, COVID cases continue to decline. LDH reports just 205 new cases of coronavirus, with only 171 persons in the hospital. They also report 16 more COVID-related deaths; bring the pandemic total for Louisiana to just under 17-thousand.

Louisiana dinner table staple Tony Chachere’s observes 50 years of spicing up your meals. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. The company is taking over the former Gulf Islands Shipyards facility near Jennings. Greenberry’s Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves says the capable and readily-available workforce in the area was a key factor for Greenberry. Over the next four to six months, the company expects to create 100 new direct jobs with an average salary of $62-thousand, with 144 indirect positions as well…:

CUT 13(07)      “…people reaching out.”

Reeves encourages those looking for work to visit the company’s site in Sulphur in person.

Just after Florida passed bill banning teachers from discussing sexual orientation in the classroom, Bossier Parish state Representative Dodie Horton proposes Louisiana do the same thing. Under her bill, gender identity and sexual preference would be forbidden topics for K through 8^th grade classrooms. Opponents in Florida have dubbed that bill the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions, the availability of herbicides and other factors. Deliberto says only 12-cents from every dollar on retail food sales comes back to the individual farmer and the increase at the grocery store is paying for transportation, advertising, and marketing…:

CUT 05(08)      “…store shelves.”

Between 20 and 30 people safely escaped from a fire at a Golden Corral restaurant in Shreveport Thursday evening. Firefighters say the fire seems to have started in a grease collector. They credit Golden Corral staff with getting everyone to safety quickly. Despite all the thick black smoke, damage to the building was actually minimal.

Washington-based Greenberry Industrial is ready to set up shop in Jefferson Davis Parish. The company is taking over the former Gulf Islands Shipyards facility near Jennings. Fabrication Manager Aaron Reeves says the site offers everything that Greenberry was looking for.

Cut 12 (11) “…bare floor up.” 

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of things like fertilizer, which makes up a large portion of farming expenses. He says trade sanctions with Russia are impacting costs.

Cut 4 (10) “…will us.”

It was 50 years ago when then 65-year old Tony Chachere published his now legendry Cajun Country Cookbook that included his Original Creole Seasoning. Director of Marketing and Tony’s Chachere’s granddaughter, Celeste Chachere says they’re celebrating the golden anniversary with a commemorative can of their Original Seasoning.

 Cut 6  (07) “…from the 70s” 

The commemorative can is rolling out in stores now.

LSU will play Iowa State in the NCAA tournament tonight in Milwaukee and tipoff is at 6:20.

Weather-wise it’s a perfect weekend for the Wearing of the Green St Patrick’s Day Parade in Baton Rouge and the Festival Acadiens in Lafayette. COVID postponed both events in the past and fortunately, the weather couldn’t be more ideal now that storms passed through early this morning. Highs 70s will be and lows in the 40s.

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of herbicides…

Cut 3 (09) “…fuel markets.”

—

LSU takes to the court tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, facing Iowa State. Senior forward Darius Days says at this point the opponent doesn’t matter, what the Tigers do is what will decide the outcome.

Cut 15 (16) “…with the win.”

—

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20 pm.

Production costs for farmers in the Bayou State could go up as much as 40-percent this year, depending on the crop. LSU AgCenter Economist Mike Deliberto, says the market volatility is due to a number of issues, like supply chain disruptions and the availability of herbicides…

Cut 3 (09) “…fuel markets.”

He says both of those markets follow the price of crude oil and natural gas.

Ville Platte Senator Heather Cloud wants to see a plan of action to address the psychological, physical, and educational needs of juveniles in detention and has asked for one from three separate secretaries. She hopes that with more legislators behind her and the cooperation of Office of Juvenile Justice, there will be one soon.

Cut 8 (10)  “…path moving forward.”

Grant Parish Representative Gabe Firment proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. The Republican says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and juveniles should not make such a decision and even science & medical experts are in the process of changing their position on gender reassignment procedures.

Cut 5 (15) “…children under 18.”

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing the Angola Prison Rodeo April 23^rd and 24^th. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick…

Cut 12 (12) “…experienced before”

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at AngolaRodeo.com

State Senator Heather Cloud is demanding changes at the Office of Juvenile Justice. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The LSU men’s basketball team plays tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, it’s their third appearance in the last four years. The Tigers take on Iowa State in Milwaukee at 6:20 and the game will air on TBS and LSU Sports Radio.

With COVID cases in a lull, the Department of Corrections is bringing back visitation; and a beloved Louisiana rodeo…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana now as its own version of the controversial Florida bill called “Don’t Say Gay,” which seeks to prevent school workers from discussing sexual orientation in classrooms. Republican State Representative Dodie (“Doe-Dee”) Horton of Haughton’s measure filed Thursday would also keep teachers from talking about their own sexual orientation to students through grade 12.

New Orleans Representative Kyle Green says he’s not moving forward with his bill to rename the Crescent City Connection in New Orleans after late former Governor Edwin Edwards. According to the Advocate Newspaper, the bridge is named the Crescent City Connection as a result of a publicly-voted contest and the person who proposed the name objected to naming it after Edwards.

LSU takes to the court tonight in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, its third appearance in the last four years. It will do so without its head coach and with a very young roster. Senior Darius Days says they just have to get back to doing the things that helped them start the season 15-1…:
Cut 14 (16) “early in the game”
Tipoff is 6:20pm.

Authorities are still looking for one of five juvenile offenders who escaped from the Bridge City Detention Center for Youth Thursday morning, and one state lawmaker is not happy with the Office of Juvenile Justice. Senator Heather Cloud of Turkey Creek says the department has consistently failed at both rehabilitating young offenders and protecting its employees, and taxpayers demand better…:
Cut 9 (12) “in the wind”
She hopes other lawmakers will get on board with asking for reform within the OJJ.

Gas prices continue to inch down. AAA reports the statewide average for a gallon of regular fell another 2 cents from yesterday to $4.08 — that’s still 78 cents higher than just one month ago.

A Grant Parish lawmaker proposes legislation to prevent minors from receiving transgender medical procedures. Pollock Republican state Representative Gabe Firment says sexual reassignment is a major undertaking and a decision best not left to juveniles to decide…:
Cut 4 (15) “serious side effects”
Opponents of the measure contend the bill is a scare tactic to discriminant against a population that some don’t want to accept.

With Covid cases falling, state prisons are bringing back contact visitation.
Cut 11 (11) “incarcerated”
That’s Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick. For requirements and hours, visit doc.la.gov.

As COVID cases remain in a lull, Louisiana State Prisons are bringing back contact visitation and they are also set to bring back the Angola Prison Rodeo next month. Department of Corrections Spokesperson Ken Pastorick…:
Cut 10 (12) “fully vaccinated”
And the Angola prison rodeo will return April 23rd and 24th.

The Livingston Parish Sherriff’s Office says the hitchhiker walking down I-12 in Walker who allegedly stabbed a kind person who offered him a ride, then stole the truck has been arrested. They say the suspect 29-year-old Alex Bradley of Fenton will be booked on charges of carjacking, attempted first-degree murder, and theft of a motor vehicle.

A Grant Parish lawmaker seeks a ban on gender reassignment surgery for minors. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The NCAA says less than 2% of brackets remained perfect on the second day of the men’s basketball tournament, where LSU will make its third appearance in the last four years later this evening. The Tigers will face Iowa State at 6:20pm.