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.