A man wanted for murder was fatally shot during a shoot-out with New Orleans Police officers in Central City this morning. NOPD Chief Deputy Superintendent Christopher Goodly says officers and U-S Marshals were serving a “high-risk” warrant. Goodly says the subject was armed with a rifle

 Cut 6 (10) “…now deceased.” 

He’s been identified as a 22-year-old male.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder creates a special committee to investigate the death of Ronald Greene, after he was beaten by State Troopers in 2019. There are accusations a cover-up and allegations the governor was involved. Edwards says he welcomes legislative oversight. Committee Chairman Representative Tanner Magee promises a fair investigation…

Cut  11 (12)   “….to investigation”  

Alliance Compressors is expanding its Natchitoches facility with a $45-million investment. Chairman of Alliance Compressors, Brent Schroder says due to the increasing demand from partners, Emerson, Trane Technologies, and Lennox Industries they need to expand.

Cut 4 (12) “…assembly line.”

The expansion to the existing 400,000-square-foot facility is expected to create 78-direct jobs and increase efficiency and productivity by 30-percent.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder forms a committee to investigate the 2019 fatal State Police arrest of Ronald Greene and if there was a cover-up. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement in regard to the committee, saying he welcomes any and all legislative oversight and hopes it will be a productive nonpartisan discussion on how to continue ongoing reforms at State Police, so what happened the night of Greene’s death will never happen again.

Alliance Compressors is expanding its Natchitoches facility with a $45-million investment. Chairman of Alliance Compressors, Brent Schroder says the investment allows them to add a third assembly line to the plant, which will create 78 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $47,000.

Cut 3 (06) “…in the area.”

Schroder says the expansion allows them to continue to support their partners, Emerson, Trane Technologies, and Lennox Industries.

More than a million people suffer burns annually and half go to an ER or are treated at a burn care center. LSU Health New Orleans professor of surgery Dr. Jeffrey Carter has been working on a more advanced way to assist burn victims with a type of spray-on-skin and speed up recovery.

Cut 14 (12)  “…few weeks”

The spray-on-skin also generates the same pigmentation.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder creates a special legislative committee to look into the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died in 2019 after he was beaten by State Troopers following a high-speed chase. Houma Representative Tanner Magee will serve as the committee’s chairman and hopes to bring some closure to Greene’s family…

Cut 10 (07)  “…this committee.” 

Schexnayder says the truth must come out and no cover-up will be tolerated.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath is proposing bills to protect citizens from discrimination based on their COVID vaccination status. One bill allows those who may be immune to not have to prove they’ve been vaccinated.

Cut  11 (10)  “…step in the process.”  

The bills have been filed for the upcoming session in March.

More details about the law firm involved with redistricting maps before the Louisiana legislature. Republicans, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, and Senate President Page Cortez reportedly hired the firm of BakerHostetler in December. It’s unclear how many lawmakers knew of the relationship and the firm will be paid $10,000 a month for advice and $60,000 monthly should litigation ensue.

At a time when the nation continues to struggle with its history with race, U-S Congressman Troy Carter asks Louisiana’s youth to look to the future.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has created a special legislative committee to look into the death of Ronald Greene. a Black man who died in 2019 after he was beaten by State Troopers following a high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. There are accusations of a cover-up and allegations the governor was involved. Houma Representative Tanner Magee will serve as the committee’s chairman

Cut 9 (09) “…four democrats.”

Governor John Bel Edwards denies that he tried to cover up Greene’s death.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath is proposing bills to protect citizens from discrimination based on their COVID vaccination status for the March session. McMath feels there isn’t enough regard for real scientific data in the pandemic discussion and policies…:

Cut 12 (07) “…the vaccine mandate.”

The next time you get a COVID test you can have your results sent to your LA Wallet. Just request that your PCR test be sent to Orion Laboratories and be sure they have your driver’s license number. Rachel Slaughter, President of Orion Laboratories says the new feature will simplify displaying results.

Cut 7 (07) “…your negative test.”

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter announced the Black History Month Essay Contest. He encourages students of all backgrounds to enter and have their voices heard.

Cut 6 (13)  “…of the process. “

It’s open for 10^th and 11^th graders in the 2^nd Congressional District.

The state Senate approves a new Congressional district map that maintains one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment to create a second-majority Black district by taking voters from Representative Julia Letlow’s 5th district…

Cut 12 (11) “…with the law”.  

Fields amendment failed on a party-line vote.

House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new state House map that keeps the number of majority-minority districts at 29. Opponents say the new map prevents more blacks from being elected. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski asked teenagers if they knew the definition of gerrymandering…

Cut 5 (15) “..gerrymander.”

State Police are investigating two officer-involved shootings, one in Lake Charles the other in New Orleans. A Lake Charles officer shot a man who hit a police car with his vehicle early Wednesday morning. And in New Orleans an officer shot a man just north of the Superdome Tuesday evening. Police were searching for an armed robbery suspect; the man was hit three times in the leg. Injuries are considered nonlife-threatening injuries.

He’s a Lafayette native, a political science major at LSU, and is the second quarter-final winner of Jeopardy’s National College Champions for 2022. Who is Steven Privat. (Pre-vot). Privat was a guest on Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge this morning, and even though he wasn’t able to discuss anything beyond Tuesday’s episode he says been a great experience.

Cut 9 (11) “…some questions.”

The Jeopardy College Championship continues tonight at 7 pm on ABC.

The Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional district map that doesn’t create a second majority-minority district. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says even a law firm hired by the Legislature says it’s legal. But New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson questioned her…

Cut 14 (15)  “…it matter.” 

In his latest ad, U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a Confederate flag on fire, while talking about systemic inequalities in criminal justice, economics, and voting rights. It’s getting attention, but UL-M Political Science professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances.

 Cut 6 (13) “…needle too much.” 

The National Federation of Independent Business says one out of every five small businesses continue to report inflation is their business problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says many mom and pops remain pessimistic about future economic conditions, but there is some hope…

Cut 15 (11)  “…begin to improve.”

LSU student and Lafayette native Steven Privat (Pre-vot) advances to the semifinals in Jeopardy’s College Champions. And he’s not the only one with Louisiana ties on the collegiate game show special.

Cut  11 (10)   “….who’s competing.”  

Liz Feltner representing Northeastern will compete in episode four and Tulane’s Fiona Hellerman will appear in episode six.

The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map which maintains one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment to create a second-majority Black district which failed on a party-line vote. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says his proposal would dilute the black vote in the two majority-minority districts he’s trying to create.

Cut 20 (10) “…whatsoever.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy shares good news for college students in that his bill the College Transparency Act, also known as the CTA, cleared the House of Representatives, as part of a larger package in DC.

Cut 10 (11) “…be the same.”

Information like the potential of debt they could incur and the likelihood to graduate.

The National Federation of Independent Business says one out of every five small businesses nationwide continue to report that inflation is their single most important business problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says mom and pops are having to raise prices to mitigate supply chain issues and offset increases in higher labor costs.

Cut 13 (12) “…labor costs.”

A record 31 million Americans are expected to place bets on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says ever since Louisiana sports wagering went live at casinos in November and now with online gaming, it’s more accessible to legally bet on the big game.

Cut 8 (11)  “….pretty big numbers.”

More than $7 is expected to be wagered in the US.

A proposed new Louisiana House District map would move a Black-majority district from central Louisiana to New Orleans’ Mid-City Neighborhood. The district being eliminated is currently occupied by Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox who is not happy about the proposal…

Cut 3 (08) “..five different people.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to approve this GOP drawn map tomorrow.

COVID seems to be declining in Louisiana. Over 250 fewer people are in the hospital with the virus from just over a week ago. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says she does worry about Mardi Gras being a super-spreader that will cause another surge.

CUT 09(09)      “…it’s outside.”

A Louisiana Workforce Commission program to help train new commercial truck drivers has had an overwhelming response. The Drive Your Future program, found online at “LAworks.net”, offers applicants a chance to get federal grant money for CDL training. Louisiana Motor Transport Association executive director Renee Amar says LWC is helping fill a shortage that’s been building for years…:

CUT 10(09)      “…across the nation.”

LMTA also offers a training scholarship program to cover the $5,000 cost.

In honor of quarterback Joe Burrow, a Cincinnati bakery is cooking up a King Cake with a Bengals twist. It’s called a King of the Jungle Cake, complete with a Baby Joey. Dan Busken of Busken Bakery has also been educating Bengal fans about what it means if your slice of the cake contains a Baby Joey and so far, it’s kept them busy.

Cut 14 (06)  “…be true.”

The chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Lafayette Representative Vincent Pierre, says they still have a great relationship with the governor despite controversy over how John Bel Edwards responded to Ronald Greene’s death. Pierre says the caucus also supports current State Police Superintendent, Colonel Lamar Davis…

Cut 6 (13)  “…Greene family “

Davis has led State Police since October 2020.

COVID cases and hospitalizations continue on a downward trend in Louisiana. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig warns there is a variant that’s been referred to as the sister of Omicron, which is circulating in the U-S, but she believes it will have a hard time making a foothold…:

Cut 8 (12)  “….point and time.”

When the Louisiana Workforce Commission unveiled their Drive Your Future program which pays for CDL training to enter the trucking industry they received an overwhelming response. Louisiana Motor Transport Association executive director Renee Amar praises their efforts to help with the trucker shortage and they also offer a program.

Cut  11 (11)  “…our scholarship program.”  

In honor of quarterback Joe Burrow, a Cincinnati bakery has cooked up a King Cake complete with a Baby Joey. Dan Busken of Busken Bakery was asked what Burrow thinks of his LSU influence on the Cincinnati twist on the beloved pastry…

Cut 15 (06)  “…or gets one.”

You can order a King of the Jungle Cake at busken.com b-u-s-k-e-n

Former LSU Associate Athletic Director Sharon Lewis alleges a male coach exposed himself to her in 2013. That’s according to her attorney Larry English, who appeared this morning on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana. English says the incident was documented when it occurred…

Cut 9 (05) “…nothing.”

English did not identify the coach, but says he has since been hired back. Lewis filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against LSU last year claiming her superiors and co-workers retaliated against her and created a hostile work environment after reporting that former head football coach Les Miles allegedly sexually harassed female student workers. Lewis was the associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations until she was dismissed in January by Athletics Director Scott Woodward.

Gas prices are creeping back up, and AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says even though demand is down, a gallon of gas in Louisiana is up about $0.15 from last month at $3.18 a gallon.

Cut 12 right now :12

After confirming that a deer found in Tensas parish does indeed have Chronic Wasting Disease, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is imposing a feed and carcass export ban on deer in Tensas, Franklin, and Madison parishes. Both bans are currently in effect. Jim LaCour explains the need for this action…

 Cut 6 (11) “…those animals gathering.” 

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease visit LDWF’s website.