Talk Louisiana host, Jim Engster spoke with former LSU basketball player and Ukraine native Roman Rubchenko (roob-CHENK-oh), who says he’s now back at his country home outside of the capital of Kyiv. Rubchenko says he’s able to view media reports from all over about the invasion, and while the media in Russia is controlled by the government, he also points out that Ukrainian reports are not necessarily accurate with the number of civilian deaths.

Cut 4 (10) “…war effort.”

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According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.13. Gas prices have increased by 90-cents over the last month. Professor Pierre Conner director of the Tulane Energy Institute says high oil prices are producing large profits for energy companies. Conner expects oil companies will use the extra dollars to try and increase production…

Cut 8 (10) “…bit more.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the congressional redistricting map approved by the state legislature, saying it failed to include a district that would allow a second Black candidate the opportunity to serve as a member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Capitol bureau editor of The Advocate, Mark Ballard says the map offers little change to the status quo.

Cut 9 (11) “…the way it was.”

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Crude oil prices over 100-dollars a barrel mean more money for the state’s general fund as Louisiana benefits from higher than expected revenues from severance taxes and royalties. But State Treasurer John Schroder says any increase in revenue from oil and gas production could be offset in a loss of sales tax revenues.

Cut 12 (10) “…tied in.”