4:30 LRN Newscast March 8

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s time to get U.S. oil & gas production rolling again, and he’s about to propose new energy policy to do that. Regular gas is at a statewide average of $3.95-a-gallon. The year-long price run-up spiked sharply with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Cassidy says Russia has the majority of oil & gas exports to European nations, and losing a piece of that business would make a strong point. He says there is bipartisan support for restarting U.S. oil & gas production to send the message, and what the U.S. HAS been doing isn’t working…:

CUT 14(08)      “…allies in Europe.”

Cassidy says his domestic energy policy proposals will be revealed Wednesday.

The new Mississippi River cruise ship being built for Viking was floated out Monday at Edison Chouest shipyard in Houma. The 450-foot ship will carry up to 386 passengers on cruises between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota. Its maiden voyage is set for late June.

 

The state’s most well-known, or notorious, prison is dealing with a staffing crisis that has shown no signs of ending. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says there are more than 300 guard positions currently unfilled at Angola State Penitentiary, which houses more than 5-thousand inmates. He says low salaries are the biggest problem in attracting new hires. DOC is asking lawmakers for $2-million to transfer about 600 prisoners from Angola to Allen Correctional Center, and to add stuff like A/C to parts of Angola…:

CUT 08(06)      “…next year.”

Two people are dead following a hit-and-run crash involving a big rig last night on I-10 in Lake Charles. State Police say a westbound 18-wheeler sideswiped a pickup, causing it to cross the median and hit another vehicle head-on. Both drivers were killed. The big rig drove on without stopping. Troopers are seeking a yellow colored semi cab, pulling a refrigerated trailer.