An effort to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational use will be up for debate in the legislative session that begins next week. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A new legislative session is now less than a week away, and one of the big issues lawmakers will be tackling will be carbon capture. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announces his retirement. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana, but only at a few locations. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s legislation would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana by businesses that have a license to dispense medical marijuana, but the recreational weed must be sold at a separate location.

Cut 4 (07) “…recreational can work.” 

There are nine companies in Louisiana licensed to sell medical marijuana in the nine different regions of the state. So under Newell’s bill, these businesses would have the opportunity to sell recreational marijuana at a location separate from the medical marijuana pharmacy.

Weed is legal in 24 states, and Newell believes Louisiana should join that growing list and benefit from the tax revenue that can be gained from the sale of marijuana.

Cut 5 (12) “…to sustain ourself.”

Newell’s legislation will be debated in the regular session that is set to begin on Monday. She’s not optimistic her legislation will pass, but the legalization of recreational marijuana use needs to be debated.

Cut 6 (10) “…get 53 yes’s.”

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Carbon capture will be one of the big issues in the upcoming legislative session, which gets underway in less than a week. Senate President Cameron Henry acknowledges that it’s a hot-button issue relating to the oil and gas industry.

Cut 7 (06) “…medium to it.”

Henry says the oil and gas industry is a major economic driver for the state, and local governments need to keep that in mind when navigating the issue.

Cut 8 (13) “…chased one away.”

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says he supports carbon capture.

Cut 9 (10)  “…it safely there.”

DeVillier acknowledges, though, that this is something that people have a lot of concerns about, and he has an open door to listen to those concerns.

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The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announces his retirement. After 43 years in the LSU system, Dr. Paul Coreil will retire at the end of this academic year. The 70-year-old says the 13 years he spent in Alexandria, the last eight of which were as LSU-A’s chancellor, have been the best years of his career.

Cut 10 (07) “…an LSU position.”

Dr. Coreil says the one accomplishment that stands out to him the most during his time in Alexandria was rebranding the school to utilize the same colors, fonts and styles as those of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge.

Cut 11 (14) “…State of Louisiana.”

Soon afterwards, all other schools in the LSU system followed suit, as will the University of New Orleans when it becomes LSU-New Orleans on July 1st.

This is not the first time Coreil will retire. Coreil originally attempted retirement following 30 years at the LSU Ag Center, but that was the one and only thing he had ever failed at in his life. He says this time, he and his wife have a plan to make retirement more successful this time around.

Cut 12 (07) “…going to have.”

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Crude Oil prices surged above 70 dollars a barrel since the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran began. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says it’s not a surprise to see the market respond like this.

Cut 13 (08)  “…more than that.”

Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly disrupted. Twenty-percent of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait. Faucheux says this is why America needs to continue to rely less on international oil and gas supplies.

Cut 14 (11) “…will do that.”

The next Gulf lease sale is scheduled to take place next week. Faucheux says this latest conflict in the Middle East is another example on why domestic energy production is so important.

Cut 15 (11) “…down the road.”

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The ULM baseball team is riding a six-game winning streak, and the Warhawks look to make it seven straight tonight when they host Southeastern at six p.m. ULM scored 34 runs in its three-game sweep over Western Illinois. Coach Ford Pemberton says he likes how his team executed in the batter’s box.

Cut 16 (13) “…miss a beat.”

Senior third baseman Jake Haggard had one of the best weekends of anyone in college baseball. Haggard batted .411 with one homer, two doubles, and 9 RBI in ULM’s series against Western Illinois. Pemberton says he’s proud of Haggard’s hot start.

Cut 17 (15)  “…continue doing it.”

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The Louisiana Tech baseball team looks to bounce back against Arkansas State tonight after being swept by Southern Miss last weekend. Head coach Lane Burroughs says his team has to forget about the sloppy weekend and get ready for the next opponent.

Cut 18 (15)  “…keep getting better.”

Tech was without junior catcher Hayden Gustavson this weekend, but Burroughs believes the Bulldogs will be dangerous when they are at full capacity.

Cut 19 (08) “…we’ll be fine.”

First pitch is at six p-m.

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The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team will have an opportunity to strengthen its case for a number-one seed with a strong showing in the SEC Tournament this week. While the Tigers could improve their NCAA Tournament positioning, head coach Kim Mulkey is not placing significant emphasis on the tournament.

Cut 20 (21) “…conference to postseason.”

LSU’s first game of the tournament will be Friday at 1:30 p.m.

A water crisis in Shreveport. A citywide boil advisory is in effect after a water main busted over the weekend, resulting in low water pressure for many in the city. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says to restore water pressure to all customers, crews will need to complete a temporary fix.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a break.”

The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran will mean higher gas prices here at home. Triple-A’s Nick Chabarria says oil prices rose sharply after the initial strikes, and that will lead to higher prices at the pump. He says that’s on top of the prices that were already on the way up due to the shift from winter blend to summer blend.

Cut 12 (07) “…local pumps.”

If you can conjure up the energy to get out of bed early tomorrow morning, do it. Because you’ll be in for a very special treat up in the sky – a total lunar eclipse. During the 5:00 hour, the sun, the Earth and the moon will all be perfectly aligned, and that will turn the moon red. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says take full advantage – your next opportunity will not come around for a while.

Cut 5 (08) “…years from now.”

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated historic growth with over 15-thousand students enrolled for the first time in 10 years and the largest Spring enrollment in school history. Chief Enrollment Management Officer Kay Maurin says it wasn’t luck.

Cut 6 (11) “…categories of student.”

A water crisis in Shreveport. The entire city is under a boil advisory after a water main busted over the weekend, resulting in low water pressure for many in the city. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says the break occurred in a 42-inch pipe installed in 1979. He says the city realizes its water infrastructure is old, which is why have they have already started upgrading the water system

Cut 11 (13) “…occurred.”

Be prepared to pay more at the gas pump in light of the attack on Iran by joint U.S.-Israeli forces. Triple-A’s Nick Chabarria says it’s hard to say exactly how much the war in the Middle East will affect gas prices

Cut 13 (09) “…Middle East.”

For now, the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.57.

The Louisiana National Guard will remain on patrol in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One week ago, Ralph Abraham resigned from the CDC due to what he said was unforeseen family obligations. It’s possible that that family he was referring to is actually the Julia Letlow campaign, and those obligations are now tied to his new role as her campaign chair. Letlow made the announcement of Abraham as her new campaign manager today.

Governor Landry is going to have another tough sell on his hands with the L-A GATOR program. Senate President Cameron Henry is looking to keep funding at 43.5-million dollars, while Landry wants to bump it to 88-million, which Henry says is untenable.

Cut 12 (07) “…to stop it.”

Landry, meanwhile, wants to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial district to the Western District to ease the caseload in the Middle District. But legal analysts say he has an ulterior motive – to move cases involving prisoners at Angola from courts with all judges appointed by Obama to courts with most judges appointed by Trump. Franz Borghardt says the nominating president is no indication of how the judge will rule in future cases.

Cut 5 (09) “…conservative or liberal.”

In a ceremony hosted by Louisiana Radio Network, three vital members of the state’s ag industry were inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. Among them is David Cupp, the president of the Walsh Timber Company in Sabine Parish. He’s spent 45 years working in the forestry industry.

Cut 6 (09) “…faboulous.”

The other two are Billy Rogers Leonard and Jim Simon (Sea-mon).

Crawfish season is officially underway – and with that, prices are starting to come down. According to The Crawfish App, live crawfish is averaging $4.50 a pound, while boiled crawfish is about $7.25 a pound. Co-founder Laney King says those are down about a dollar from two to three weeks ago.

Cut 10 (09) “…sell to us.”

Senate President Cameron Henry says he will not support Governor Landry’s push to more than double the funding for the L-A GATOR program from the current 43.5-million dollars to 88-million dollars. Henry says the program is too new to examine any results to determine whether it’s worth increasing the state’s investment on it.

Cut 14 (11) “…it every year.”

Now that Tony the crawfish has been pardoned, crawfish season is officially underway – and that means it’s time to start tracking crawfish prices. Laney King is the co-founder of The Crawfish App.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for boiled crawfish.”

Those prices are about $1.50 a pound higher than what they typically are at this time of year.

Governor Landry wants to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial districts. Andre Champagne reports while Landry stated his reason to Congress, there’s an ulterior motive in play.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Actor Shia LeBoeuf is ordered to drug and alcohol rehab following his arrest for assault and battery in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras earlier this month. A stern Judge Simone Levine told him he does not take his addiction seriously.

Governor Landry is asking Congress to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial district from the Middle District to the Western District. Landry says it’s to ease the caseload in a district with a growing population. However, legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there’s an ulterior motive – to shift cases involving prisoners at Angola to a court where Landry could get more favorable rulings.

Cut 3 (09) “…the Middle District.”

An Alabama man is potentially facing the rest of his life in prison after being arrested for indecent conduct with a Lafourche Parish teenage girl on an online gaming platform. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 24-year-old Landen Westfall contacted the girl while playing Roblox.

Cut 14 (12) “…and harming herself.”

It’s likely to happen at any moment – the U-L Board of Supervisors is expected to remove the interim tag from Dr. Ramesh Kolluru and to name him the permanent president of U-L Lafayette. Kolluru is answering the board’s questions at this hour in a special meeting in Baton Rouge. System President and CEO Rick Gallot (“gallow”) says the Presidential Search Committee’s decision to name Kolluru as its sole finalist was obvious.

Cut 12 (11) “…that he’s garnered.”

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce purchases the West Carroll Gazette, allowing it to continue publishing. Adam Holland owns KWCL Radio and is on the board directors for the chamber; he says the community did not want to lose its local weekly paper.

Cut 4 (09) “..can’t be replaced.”

Extra! Extra! Hear all about it! The West Carroll Gazette has been saved. Joe Gallinaro has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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The Public Service Commission says it will conduct an audit of Delta Utilities billing and costs after hearing complaints about high gas bills from Baton Rouge and New Orleans customers. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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An Alabama man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after being arrested for indecent conduct with a Lafourche Parish teenage girl. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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West Carroll Chamber of Commerce has purchased the West Carroll Gazette from Louisiana State Newspapers, which means the newspaper will continue publishing on a weekly basis. Adam Holland owns KWCL Radio and is on the board directors for the chamber; he says the community did not want to lose its local paper.

Cut 4 (09) “..can’t be replaced.” 

A couple of weeks ago, Louisiana State Newspapers announced it would no longer publish the West Carroll Gazette, and Holland says that caused an uproar within the parish. The paper has been in existence for 116 years, and Holland is pleased to announce it will continue to be a part of West Carroll for many more years.

Cut 5 (11) “…of this community.”

Holland says many people in Oak Grove and throughout West Carroll Parish are elated with the news.

Cut 6 (07) “…thing’s been saved.”

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Many Delta Utilities customers in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas are upset over their high gas bills. Rahsha Williams is the head of a community center in Baton Rouge, and she told the Public Service Commission that Delta Utilities natural gas bills are a real problem.

Cut 7 (10) “…their grocery budget.”

On July 1st, Delta Utilities acquired Entergy’s natural gas utilities in East Baton Rouge Parish and New Orleans. It’s caused confusion, because these customers are now getting separate electric and gas bills. Williams says energy bills are already high, and now seniors on fixed incomes are trying to figure out how to pay their gas bills.

Cut 8 (10) “…public health impact.”

Delta Utilities spokeswoman Sarah Porteus says gas bills are high because demand is higher in the winter months, and the cost of natural gas increased 150-percent from September to February.

Cut 9 (08)  “…their March bill.”

Porteus says customers who are unable to pay their bill can contact Delta Utilities to work out a payment plan, and she also encourages customers to utilize levelized billing.

Cut 10 (06) “…amount every month.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will perform an audit of Delta’s billing and costs this summer.

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The worst-kept secret in Lafayette was let out of the bag this week; and today, it’s expected to become official – Dr. Ramesh Kolluru will lose the “interim” tag and will officially be named the next president of U-L Lafayette. Kolluru had been serving as interim president since the retirement of Dr. Joseph Savoie and had been widely expected to land the job permanently since day one. UL System President and CEO Rick Gallot (“gallow”) says making Kolluru the seventh president of U-L Lafayette is the right move.

Cut 11 (10) “…fiber and DNA.”

Kolluru was named as the sole finalist for the job earlier this week, beating out 11 other candidates. Gallot says the choice among the Presidential Search Committee was obvious.

Cut 12 (11) “…that he’s garnered.”

Gallot says Kolluru has been very effective during his time as interim president, so it only makes sense to give him the job permanently.

Cut 13 (08)  “…change and evolve.”

The search committee will present Dr. Kolluru to the Board of Supervisors during a special meeting in Baton Rouge today, at which time the board is expected to make the appointment official.

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An Alabama man is potentially facing the rest of his life in prison after being arrested for indecent conduct with a Lafourche Parish teenage girl on an online gaming platform. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 24-year-old Landen Westfall contacted the girl while playing Roblox.

Cut 14 (12) “…and harming herself.”

Matherne says Westfall also got the girl to send him nude photos of herself. Westfall is facing two counts of criminal assistance to suicide, 261 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and 15 counts of child pornography. Matherne says given all the counts Westfall is facing, he may never be a free man again.

Cut 15 (11) “…for 15 counts.”

Matherne says incidents like this underscore the importance of parents always monitoring their kids’ online activities – including Roblox, which is specifically marketed towards children.

Cut 16 (12) “…all of them.”

Westfall is booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex, and bail is set at 750-thousand dollars.

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The second-ranked LSU baseball team looks to bounce back tonight against Dartmouth after suffering its first loss of the season to McNeese on Tuesday. Coach Jay Johnson gave an injury update on senior outfielder Chris Stanfield.

Cut 17 (17)  “…to the table.”

Johnson also said sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide, who exited Tuesday’s game with a foot injury, is fine and will play this weekend.

Even without Stanfield, LSU is lighting up the scoreboard, as the Tigers are averaging 11.4 runs a game. Johnson says multiple players have done a good job stepping up and producing in his absence.

Cut 18 (15)  “…great player here.”

Senior first baseman Zach Yorke has become an early fan-favorite through nine games. Yorke is tied for the most home runs on the team with four, and Johnson says he has not even reached his full potential yet.

Cut 19 (20) “…really, really well.”

A Metairie woman who investigators say was driving while impaired is charged in connection with the death of Jefferson Parish Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer during a funeral procession last month. New Orleans Police Captain Anthony Micheu did not say which drugs were in Erica Katsanis’ toxicology report, but investigators believe she ignored the warning labels for those drugs.

Cut 12 (10) “…not properly taken.”

A New Orleans-area state representative has filed a bill that would impose a 25-dollar fine for staring at your cell phone while crossing a crosswalk. Chalmette Republican Mike Bayham says if a pedestrian is looking at his or her cell phone at the same time a driver is looking at his or her cell phone, that’s a recipe for disaster.

Cut 7 (08) “…if not killed.”

This run of dry weather has put the state in a tough spot. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is asking Congress to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial district from the Middle District to the Western District. Landry says this is to ease the caseload in a district with a growing population. It would also shift cases involving prisoners at Angola from courts where all judges were appointed by President Obama to courts where most judges were appointed by President Trump.

An Alabama man is potentially facing the rest of his life in prison after being arrested for indecent conduct with a Lafourche Parish teenage girl on an online gaming platform. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Captain Brennan Matherne says 24-year-old Landen Westfall contacted the girl while playing Roblox.

Cut 14 (12) “…and harming herself.”

Westfall’s bail is set at 750-thousand dollars.

A 53-year-old Metairie woman has been charged in connection with the death of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy who was struck and killed during a funeral procession on January 30th. New Orleans Police Captain Anthony Micheu says Erica Katsanis was impaired when she struck Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer’s motorcycle from behind.

Cut 11 (05) “…come back.”

This run of dry weather we’ve had lately has pushed the state into drought conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says currently, about three-fourths of the state is in a drought, with half of the state rated as severe to extreme drought. 

Cut 3 (13) “…coast in Terrebonne.”

One state lawmaker wants you to pay attention when crossing crosswalks, or pay up. Chalmette Republican Representative Mike Bayham has filed a bill that would prohibit people from looking at their cell phones while crossing crosswalks. Bayham says it’s a modern-day safety issue.

Cut 6 (09) “…is paying attention.”

Those who are caught trying to get to the other side with their faces in their phones face fines of 25 dollars.

A Metairie woman who investigators say was driving while impaired is charged in connection with the death of Jefferson Parish Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer during a funeral procession last month. New Orleans Police Captain Anthony Micheu did not say which drugs were in Erica Katsanis’ toxicology report, but investigators believe she ignored the warning labels for those drugs.

Cut 12 (10) “…not properly taken.”

A New Orleans-area state representative has filed a bill that would impose a 25-dollar fine for staring at your cell phone while crossing a crosswalk. Chalmette Republican Mike Bayham says if a pedestrian is looking at his or her cell phone at the same time a driver is looking at his or her cell phone – which in itself is illegal, thanks to the work of the legislature last year – that’s a recipe for disaster.

Cut 7 (08) “…if not killed.”

This run of dry weather has put the state in a tough spot. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is asking Congress to shift West Feliciana Parish’s federal judicial district from the Middle District to the Western District. Landry says this is to ease the caseload in a district with a growing population. It would also shift cases involving prisoners at Angola from courts where all judges were appointed by President Obama to courts where most judges were appointed by President Trump.