State and local crime labs across the country face tremendous backlogs in testing DNA and it’s only getting worse. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab currently has 25-hundred DNA cases awaiting testing. Lieutenant Melissa Matey says the biggest hurdles LSP faces are job vacancies.

Cut 9 (11) “…right now.”

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut service to AEX, due to the pilot shortage.

 Cut 6 (08) “…June second.” 

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Less than 400 patients in Louisiana hospitals are being treated for COVID today. 394 people have COVID in Louisiana hospitals.

A former LSU basketball player – now living in Ukraine – describes the situation there under a Russian invasion. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The average price per gallon of regular gas jumped seven cents overnight in Louisiana. Today’s average price for regular gas is $3.48, that’s up from Wednesday’s $3.41. The record high in July 2008 was $4.01  gallon and AAA spokesperson Don Redman says we could see prices like that again soon.

In two and a half weeks Senate confirmation hearings begin for U-S Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris believes Jackson’s going to bring a much-needed perspective to the court; one more reflective of the nation as a whole.

Cut 8 (12)  “…level of inclusion.”

After two tourists were killed during Mardi Gras, its renewed interest of having the state take over the French Quarter. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says before they had a plan in place with the Mayor, that included adequate police patrol, surveillance, and improved lighting.

Cut  11 (10)  “…this year.”

The French Quarter would basically be treated as a state park.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Senator Bill Cassidy says sanctions are beginning to cripple Russia financially and the U-S should still not commit troops to Ukraine, but he does support the US adding troops in the NATO countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to deter Putin from future invasions.

Cut 4 (10) “…NATO country.”

As the backlash against Putin continues there have been calls for boycotts of Russian products, including vodka. Michael Fruge, founder, and owner of Acadiana Parish-based JT Meleck Distillers, says consumers are typically loyal to the brands they like but a worldwide push can quickly gain momentum.

 Cut 6 (06) “…things definitely.” 

At least three states have already implemented bans on Russian-made vodka, and more could follow.

A lawmaker wants to change the state’s term-limit law, giving legislators the ability to serve four four-year terms, instead of three. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Lenten season is upon us, and Associate Professor at LSU’s Department of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (Pass-quay) says Christians in Louisiana have been looking forward to attending in person services again.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the state.”

Easter is April 17^th.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Senator Bill Cassidy says sanctions are beginning to cripple Russia financially and the U-S should still not commit troops, via air, sea, or ground to assist because Ukraine is not an article five-country with NATO.

Cut 3 (10) “…prepare for war.”

Countries like the Baltic States and Poland.

A state lawmaker wants to change the term limit law, giving legislators the ability to serve four terms in one House, instead of the current three. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says too much experience is being lost, giving staff and lobbyists more institutional knowledge…

Cut 9 (11) “…the Legislature”

A new jobs report from UL-Lafayette indicates a slow rebound for post-pandemic employment in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In Alexandria United Airlines will suspend service to AEX beginning in June. Executive Director of Alexandria International Sandra McQuain says the suspension is indefinite and next month American Airlines will halt service from Alexandria to Charlotte.

Many have criticized the Biden Administration saying their clean energy policies have limited gas and oil production thus causing inflation at the gas pump. In an exclusive interview with Louisiana Radio Network, Bharat Ramamurti (Rom-ah-more-tee) Deputy Director of the National Economic Council says the president is all for the U-S producing more oil and gas …

Cut 9 (12)  “…is incorrect.”

A new report from U.L.-Lafayette indicates recovery of Louisiana jobs from the pandemic will be a slow process. ULL economics professor Gary Wagner says record-high inflation is adversely affecting employers’ ability to fill needed jobs, and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…recover all those jobs.”

The Lake Providence Police Department is closed for business, Police Chief Leroy Threats says he received a call from Mayor Jerry Bell that there’s no funding for the department. Mayor Bell says the department overspent and while Chief Threats says otherwise. The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Department will respond to calls in the meantime.

Now that Fat Tuesday has come and gone, it’s time to get ready for Fish Fridays. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

President Biden’s State of the Union address is tonight, with many speculating what he may tell America and the world. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Former disgraced Baylor football coach Art Briles has stepped down as offensive coordinator at Grambling State saying he did not want to be a distraction. The decision to hire Briles was controversial, because of how his tenure at Baylor ended. He was fired in 2016 after it was learned he and his assistants took no action against players accused of sexual assault.

State Police say 14-year-old Zashawn Dawson of Baton Rouge was killed early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Dawson was thrown into oncoming traffic from the SUV he was traveling when it was hit by a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Emanual Ruiz of Pride. Scrantz says one of the passengers in Ruiz’s truck, 22-year old Tyler Melancon told officers he was the driver.

Cut  11 (09)  “…the driver.”  

Ruiz is charged with vehicular homicide and Melancon with obstruction of justice.

It’s been six months since Hurricane Ida and Terrebonne Parish President Gordon Dove says dealing with insurance providers has been a consistent issue for residents.

Cut 14 (09)  “…don’t agree with.”

Dove says residents are anxious to rebuild.

Tonight, President Biden will address the U.S. and the world in his State of the Union speech. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says while he cannot predict what the president may say, he emphasized Biden really needs tonight’s address to “move the needle…”

Cut 9 (13)  “…are historically low.”

The Cajun Tradition of chasing ingredients for gumbo takes place in Eunice today And if the act of chasing a chicken isn’t enough to get your attention, administrative assistant to the mayor, Courtney Elkins says the traditional costumes worn by horseback riders and runners are also a sight to see.

Cut 6 (12)  “…entire face.”

An elderly Shreveport couple was killed in a crash in DeSoto Parish Monday afternoon. State Police say the three-vehicle crash claimed the lives of 81-year old Louis Flanigan and his wife 80-year old Inell Flanigan, and both were unrestrained. Troopers say it happened with Louis Flanigan’s vehicle failed to yield when turning into a driveway and was struck by a truck from behind and then another when it crossed into oncoming traffic.

Six months since Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish is still in recovery mode. David Grubb has the latest on the progress after the storm.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

Could U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy win if he ran for Governor? One political analyst says, “yes he could.”

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

New Orleans Representative and attorney Kyle Green, files a bill to eliminate the death penalty for the offenses of first-degree murder, rape, and treason. Green says his reasoning starts at one place.

Cut 13 (05) “…number one issue.”

The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010.

Louisiana is getting a major financial investment as part of the Biden Administration’s effort to narrow the digital divide. The U-S Department of Commerce has announced the state will receive more than $29 million to build and improve high-speed internet access for rural communities. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves says there’s more to come.

Cut 7 (14) “… high-speed broadband”

Mardi Gras has been a welcome boost to the state, especially in the metro-New Orleans area but also in the Hub City, where President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says they’ve seen an influx of tourists, and hotel occupancy is up.

Cut 3 (11) “…Mardi Gras back.”

Is it time for Louisiana to eliminate the death penalty? David Grubb has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A tweet from Congressman Clay Higgins went viral Sunday when he posted “You millennial leftists who never lived one day under nuclear threat can now reflect upon your woke sky. You made quite a non-binary fuss to save the world from intercontinental ballistic tweets.” Dictionary.com responded, “We’re not entirely sure what this tweet is supposed to mean and we’re literally the dictionary.”

Louisiana will receive $29 million from the Biden Administration in an effort to close the digital divide and improve high-speed internet access for rural communities. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves says the President has made solving this issue a priority, calling it an injustice.

Cut 8 (12)  “…infrastructure whatsoever”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is looking for homes for the remaining “Mardi Gras Horses.” HSLA director Jeff Dorson says extra horses are purchased annually to fill the need for carnival parades and after the parades, they need a home and in the last 5 years they’ve found them for every single horse, but it takes a lot of work from dedicated volunteers…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…a horse properly.”

Search Mardi Gras Horses on Facebook for more information.

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 crisis will only push prices higher

Cut 3 (10) “…even worse”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee says even with the Biden Administration announcing a new set of sanctions aimed at Russian banks and technology firms and new export controls also 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.

The Public Service Commission is urging Louisiana utilities, electric, gas, and water to step up their 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.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is worried about rising prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 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” 

Strain says Ukraine has some of the most fertile soil in the world and is a major exporter of wheat and grain.