LRN PM Newscall February 24

The director of the LSU’s Center for Energy Studies says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not good for our wallet. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Now that Russia has begun its invasion of Ukraine, Congressman Mike Johnson says U-S action must be swift. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington,”  

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked oil prices to soar past 100-dollars this morning for the first time since July 2014. Executive director at the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, David Dismukes, says inflation is already high and the Russia-Ukraine will only push prices higher

Cut 3 (10) “…even worse”

Gasoline prices are also expected to rise. According to Louisiana Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.31. That’s the highest they’ve been in eight years. Dismukes says gasoline prices could exceed four dollars a gallon if demand remains high…

Cut 4 (11) “…prices go.”

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The Public Service Commission is urging Louisiana utilities, electric, gas, and water to step up their vigilance on cyber security as a result of the unrest caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PSC member Lambert Boissiere says Russia’s aggression may not be limited to military airstrikes on Ukraine

Cut 5 (08) “…computers these days.”

Several utility companies have already been victims of cyberattacks in recent years and there have been reports that US utilities’ are extremely vulnerable to future attacks. Most cyber-attacks are financially motivated, but Boissiere says attackers are also looking to disrupt businesses..

 Cut 6 (09) “…power flowing.” 

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Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee says they’ve been receiving intelligence for some time the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a real possibility.

Cut 7 (13) “…real threat.” 

The Republican Congressman says the threat goes even beyond Ukraine but to other nations, like the US, and not just from an economic standpoint, Johnson worries the invasion could prompt other dictators to attack other countries.

Johnson says even with the Biden Administration announcing a new set of sanctions aimed at Russian banks and technology firms he feels it’s too little too late.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the US.” 

As U-S for boots on the ground in Ukraine, Johnson says we don’t have the capability of doing that right now and that’s why the Biden Administration needs to evoke strict sanctions as soon as possible.

Cut 9 (09) “…since WWII.”

Johnson is also hopeful that both parties in Congress agree on decisive action and he encourages the White House to do the same.

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Hosting the Tigers for the first time since 1998, number 15 Louisiana Tech defeated 8th-ranked LSU 11-6 last night in an early statement game by the Bulldogs, who are off to a 4-0 start. After dominating one of the top teams in the country, Tech broadcaster Dave Nitz likes the potential in Ruston but says there isn’t much time to celebrate this win with some big games ahead.

Cut 10 (12)  “..next week.” 

On a night when temperatures dropped into the 40s, an evening so cold that Coach Lane Burroughs said he might not have sat through if he didn’t have to, the crowd showed up early and was there to support the Bulldogs throughout the ballgame. Nitz says it was an electric atmosphere and a sign of things to come.

Cut 11 (12)   “…at Louisiana Tech.”  

While the victory on the field was very important, Nitz says the biggest impact of this win may not come until the end of the season for the Bulldogs, when the NCAA selection committee is putting together its postseason tournament brackets.

Cut 12 (12) “…end of the year.”  

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Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is worried about rising prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Strain says Ukraine has some of the most fertile soil in the world and is a major exporter of wheat and grain and now the supply for these bread-making ingredients is tightening…

cut 13 (08) “…very significant”

Strain says Russia is a major exporter of natural gas, which is needed to produce fertilizer. He says the cost of fertilizer is already high…

Cut 14 (10)  “…at the grocery”