West Feliciana Parish deputies say they’ve located the remains of a St. Francisville woman who went missing last week. The body of 63-year-old Dianne Young was discovered Thursday near the hardwood community. Officers do not suspect foul play.

Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a human skull found today in some woods near Keithville. The coroner says the skull had been there at least six months. Cadaver dogs are being used to try to locate the rest of the remains, so they can be identified.

Happy Silver Anniversary to Tony Chachere’s Cajun spice. Marking 50 years, grand-daughter Celeste Chachere says Tony would be proud of what his brand has become..:

CUT 07(09)      “…about it.”

A Houma teen is under arrest; accused of a hate crime. Viral video online shows the 15-year-old white student at Vanderbilt High tossing cotton balls on a younger black student and hitting him with a belt. Charged with a hate crime and simple battery, the teen is in juvenile detention.

It’s been a long wait, but LSU women’s basketball is back in the spotlight. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(35)      “…David Grubb.”

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.

A proposal to use tolls to fund the construction of a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles receives strong opposition from Louisiana truckers.  Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Deputies in Livingston Parish say they’ve nabbed the man they believe assaulted a man on Interstate 12 and stole his vehicle. The victim is being treated for multiple stab wounds. His pickup truck was recovered intact and his alleged attacker is now behind bars.

In an effort to stave off record-high inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised the prime short-term lending rate by ¼ of a percent; meaning higher loan rates for businesses and consumers. Louisiana Realtors Association CEO Norman Morris says standard mortgage rates are now at over 4-percent; their highest since April of 2019. He says that WILL mean buying a home may be a bit harder – especially for first-time buyers – but the real estate industry remains positive for the economy to stabilize…:

CUT 13(11)      “…to fight this inflation.”

Despite the interest rate hike, Morris says real estate is a sellers’ market right now, and prospective buyers will still be motivated to make that big purchase. He says home-buying is still a great way to build personal wealth and one’s credit score.

The actor known to fans as the Falcon in Marvel movies is building a film studio in Eastern New Orleans. Anthony Mackie has bought 20 acres at I-10 and Read Boulevard for the facility to house his East Film LLC.

Governor John Bel Edwards’s proposes allocating $500-million toward building a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but his plan faces pushback from legislative leaders. Senate President Page Cortez says that’s a lot of money to set aside, when environmental impact studies haven’t been done or even a place to put the bridge not selected…:

CUT 03(08)      “…before it gets spent.”’

One plan to build that bridge is a public-private partnership that would make it a toll bridge – at least for a while. The trucking industry doesn’t like that idea. Louisiana Motor Transport Association director Renee Amar says that’ll just drive the overall cost of the project up…:

CUT 07(07)      “…just to break even.”

The most recent estimate for the project is $600-million to $800-million. Amar believes the administration needs to give the Calcasieu I-10 Bridge top priority in the near term.

Lawmen are on the lookout for three of five violent and potentially dangerous juvenile offenders, who escaped from the Bridge City Center for Youth last night. All are between 16 and 18. Officers caught up with them in a stolen truck on I-19, but three got away. The search for those three is ongoing.

One of new LSU President William Tate’s priority projects is becoming at leader in cybersecurity. LSU Provost Matt Lee says a strategy of cross-training of students in different disciplines is one way to help that happen. Lee says LSU will strengthen its ROTC program with facility and training upgrades and add new skill development tracks for civilian students as well…:

CUT 10(12)      “…development.”

They also plan to expand faculty and research at the LSU engineering school.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an emotional plea to the United States Congress today that his country needs more assistance from America to help fend off Russia’s assault on his nation. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says the U.S. wants to help. President Biden announced plans to send an additional 800-million dollars in military aid to Ukraine. Kennedy says in an ironic twist it’s Russia who established the precedent when it comes to providing another country with anti-aircraft systems…:

CUT 14(11)      “…here they are.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator lowers the age requirement to become one of his deputies. The minimum age to apply is now 18. Prator says, if a person can join the military and fight a war at 18, they should be able to become law enforcement officers too. This announcement comes as the CPSO looks at an all-time high in job vacancies.

A great many of us HATE the twice annual time change, and a Bossier Parish lawmaker, who passed a bill to put Louisiana on one time year-round, says yesterday’s U.S. Senate vote to stay on Daylight Time starting next year is gratifying. Here’s Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…:

CUT 06(07)      “…energy cost saving.”

Her 2020 bill is contingent on federal approval, which came closer Tuesday as the U.S. Senate approved the measure – sending it to the House.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $4.13, down two cents from the record high of $4.15 set on Friday.  Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it’s too soon to say if pump prices have peaked…:

CUT 03(11)      “…and Russia.”

Not that you’d notice, but gasoline prices went down just a TEENY bit this week, as oil traded Tuesday at below $100-a-barrel. The statewide average price of regular gas hit $4.15 last Friday. Today it’s 2-cents lower. Nevertheless, Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman still advises we budget at least $4-a-gallon through May, and practice fuel economy…:

CUT 05(08)      “…into one trip.”

Redman says prices always go up quickly, but come back down really slow.

Requests for drilling permits in Louisiana and coastal waters are increasing too. State Department of Natural Resources spokesman Patrick Courreges…:

CUT 10(12)      “…in December.”

He says, more permits means more oil & gas and eventually lower fuel costs for consumers.

A West Monroe man is in jail; accused of setting his girlfriend on fire, because – as he told deputies – he wanted to “see what it was like.” 18-year-old Joshua White caused severe burns on the woman’s head & neck. She says she felt he would hurt her more if she reported the abuse. White is in the Ouachita Parish jail; charged with domestic abuse battery and severe injury by burning.

A state House member is pleased to see the U.S. Senate vote to make Daylight Saving Time permanent starting next year. Houghton Representative Dodie Horton passed a bill in 2020 for our state to stay on one time SHOULD the federal government ever give us that option. Staying on DST would mean winter sunrises later than 7 a.m., but Horton feels most of us would trade that for not having to go through the time change…:

CUT 08(09)      “…their life.”

The state’s oil and gas industry is on a slow but steady climb back, after struggling through the pandemic. David Grubb reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…David Grubb.”

A Ouachita Parish teen is in jail; accused of setting his girlfriend on fire. 18-year-old Joshua White was arrested for attack, which happened a week & a half ago. The victim suffered severe burns to the right side of her head and neck. White reportedly told deputies he wanted to “see what it was like.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an emotional plea to the United States Congress today that his country needs more assistance from America to help fend off Russia’s assault on his nation. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says the U.S. wants to help…:

CUT 12(14)      “…liberty and guts.”

President Biden announced plans to send an additional 800-million dollars in military aid to Ukraine.

After the U.S. Senate voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent in 2023, one state lawmakers is saying “I told you so.” Haughton’s Dodie Horton passed a bill 2 years ago for Louisiana to end time changes should the feds give us the option…:

CUT 07(12)      “…people they represent.”

The U.S. House must also pass the Senate bill before it becomes a reality.

I’m Kevin Gallagher with today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network

A panel of state lawmakers continue investigating the roadside death of Ronald Greene in State Police custody back in 2019. At issue, what did the head of LSP at that time – Kevin Reeves – know and when did he know it? Ascension Parish Representative Tony Bacala questions whether Reeves was engaged in the case…:

CUT 13(11)      “…further details”

Reeves says, yes, he WAS responsible for LSP at the time Greene died, but he says he trusts the process and those doing the investigation…:

CUT 14 (14)      “…in the investigation”

Green’s mother, Mona Hardin, says she’s troubled at how reluctant Reeves was to answer questions posed…:

CUT 30(10)      “…directly answered.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is behind Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover’s bill that would create an independent panel to help the Legislature with reapportionment the next time the Legislature holds a redistricting session. Edwards says 18 other states have some type of commission…:

CUT 11(09)      “…rule the day.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report gives Louisiana high marks for the security and integrity of its elections. This is pleasing to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, who says his department has already accepted the Auditor’s recommendations for areas of improvement. He says they’ll looking for best practices to ensure voter record accuracy and ballot counts…:

CUT 05(12)      “…is consistent.”

Former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves tells lawmakers there was no cover-up in the 2019 fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene, but legislators believe he should have been more involved in the investigation. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Franklinton lawmaker’s bill would ban access of sexually explicit content on state-issued phones and or computers on Louisiana college campuses. Senator Beth Mizell says the tech is in place to do it, and the bill should be easy to pass through both chambers.

There’s been concern about the security and integrity of elections since the 2016 presidential election, but a report from the state Legislative Auditor gives Louisiana’s election systems two thumbs up. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says a score of 99-percent accuracy is great news, but he keeps working to improve on that…:

CUT 04(10)      “…to address that.”

While appearing on “Talk Louisiana” with Jim Engster, former LSU President F. King Alexander talked about the firing of Tigers basketball coach Will Wade. Alexander suspended Wade in 2019 for refusing to meet with university officials to discuss alleged NCAA recruiting violations…:

CUT 09(11)      “…to his suspension.”

Alexander says LSU Board members tend to cater to athletes, rather than seeking diversity and better graduation rates.