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.

The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announced 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.”

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.”

One of the big issues in the upcoming session will be Carbon capture. 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.”

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier supports carbon capture and has seen it done safely in Texas, but he acknowledges it’s something people are concerned about.

The joint U-S-Israeli attacks on Iran will result in higher gas prices. That is according to AAA’s Nick Chabarria, who says oil prices rose sharply after the initial strikes on Iran which will lead to an increase the price at the pump. He says gas prices were already increasing upward because of the shift from a winter blend gasoline to a summer blend…

Cut 12 (07) “…local pumps.”

Shreveport is under a citywide boil advisory after a water main burst over the weekend resulting in low water pressure for many residents. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says it will take until Friday for workers to complete the temporary fix. Until then, he’s asking residents to conserve water to help with water pressure…

Cut 10 (12) “…at night.”

Southeastern Louisiana University is experiencing historic enrollment growth and its largest Spring enrollment in history. President William Wainwright says SLU’s growth is important as the state focuses on economic growth. Chief Enrollment Management Officer, Kay Maurin credits a comprehensive campus-wide plan that includes faculty and staff for the enrollment success that is important to their economic impact.

Cut 8 (10) “…enrollment strategies.”

LSU Alexandria Chancellor Paul Coreil announces he will retire at the end of the academic year. LSU president Wade Rousse said Chancellor Coreil’s impact on the region is immeasurable and will be felt for years to come. He praised Coreil’s leadership in enrollment growth, and projects like the recently opened Martin Family Student Success Centers. Coreil said he was especially proud of the collaborative spirit that defines LSUA.

Louisiana’s early morning sky will put on a show tomorrow with a total lunar eclipse where the moon will appear red. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says unlike in a solar eclipse, in which the path of totality is only a few miles wide, in a lunar eclipse it’s several hundred miles wide. This eclipse will encompass the entire state at the same time, with the change starting around 2:44 a.m.

Cut 4 (08) “…around 6:02 a.m.”

Shreveport is dealing with a water crisis as a citywide boil advisory has been issued after a water main burst over the weekend resulting in low water pressure for many residents. 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.”

Southeastern Louisiana University is experiencing historic growth with their largest Spring enrollment in history. Chief Enrollment Management Officer, Kay Maurin says a key component of the historic growth came in the category of dual enrollment students with over 5,000 high school students across the state earing college credit at SLU.

Cut 7 (12) “…classes early.”

LSU applicants will once again have to submit their ACT or SAT scores when applying to the Baton Rouge campus. LSU has been operating under a test-optional policy since June 2022. LSU Board of Supervisors James Williams opposes changing the policy. He says it will put low-income families at a disadvantage because they cannot afford A-C-T tutoring…

Cut 25 (08) “…on testing.”

The National Guard will be in the New Orleans area for another six months. Governor Landry made the announcement today. There are approximately 120 Louisiana National Guard Soldiers remaining to help with public safety operations that the governor says are focused on crime reduction, enhanced responsiveness, and maintaining a visible presence to deter criminal activity throughout New Orleans. Mayor Moreno expressed her gratitude and added that this past Mardi Gras was one of the safest.

A House committee begins holding hearings today on Governor Landry’s spending plan for the next fiscal year. The governor’s office is seeking an 82-million-dollar increase in state funding for its corrections department as the prison population has grown. Appropriations Chair Jack MacFarland says some of the additional funding is for offender rehabilitation.

Cut 4 (10) “..tax dollars.” 

If you’re an early riser, you’re in for a treat tomorrow morning. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated its 100^th anniversary last year and this spring the university celebrates its historic growth with over 15,000 students enrolled for the first time in 10 years and the largest Spring enrollment in SLU history. Chief Enrollment Management Officer, Kay Maurin says it wasn’t luck.

Cut 6 (13) ” …this year”

An Alabama man is accused of 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 and coerced her to send him nude photos of herself and harm herself. Matherne says incidents like this underscore the importance of parents monitoring their kids’ online activities.

Cut 16 (12) “…all of them.”

Westfall has been booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex.

Crawfish prices dropped fifty cents per pound this week. It’s the second price drop this Lenten Season. Crawfish App Co-founder, Laney King, says the drop is a strong indicator that supply remains steady despite the recent cold weather. According to the Crawfish App live crawfish is running around $4.48 per pound and boiled crawfish $7.30 per pound.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will perform an audit of Delta Utilities billing and costs this summer as many Delta Utilities customers are upset over their high gas bills. Rahsha Williams who heads a community center in Baton Rouge told the Public Service Commission seniors on fixed incomes are worried about their gas bills and that is impacting their health…

Cut 8 (06) “…abstract things.”

Delta spokesperson Sarah Porteus says gas bills are high because demand is higher in the winter months, but prices are coming down and customers should see that in their March bills.

West Carroll Chamber of Commerce has purchased the West Carroll Gazette, saving the 116-year-old publication after Louisiana State Newspapers announced it would no longer publish the paper. Adam Holland owns KWCL Radio and is on the board directors of the chamber…

Cut 5 (11) “…of this community.”

Many Delta Utilities customers in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas are upset over their high gas bills. Rahsha Williams who heads a Baton Rouge community center told the Public Service Commission that seniors on fixed incomes are trying to figure out how to pay their gas bills.

Cut 8 (04) “…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.”

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

In Caddo Parish a man was found guilty of vehicular homicide in the 2022 death of his wife. The jury deliberated only 45 minutes before finding 61-year-old Steven Rubey guilty.  Reports show Steven Ruby’s blood alcohol was well over the legal limit at the time of the motorcycle crash that claimed the life of 52-year-old Tammy Lynn Rubey.

An Alabama man has been arrested for indecent conduct with a Lafourche Parish teenage girl online. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Interim UL Lafayette President Ramesh Kolluru will lose his interim title as he is named President of ULL. 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. Kolluru was named as the sole finalist for the job earlier this week. System President Rick Gallot says the choice was obvious.

Cut 12 (06) “…university well.”

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

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

While gas prices are up. Crawfish prices dropped fifty cents per pound this week. Crawfish App Co-founder, Laney King, says the drop is a strong indicator that supply remains steady despite the recent cold weather.

Great news for readers of the West Carroll Gazette. Joe Gallinaro has the details of how the paper was saved.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The UL System is expected to name Dr. Ramesh Kolluru as President of UL Lafayette today. Kolluru has been serving as interim president and was named as the sole finalist for the job earlier this week, beating out 11 other candidates. System President Rick Gallot (“gallow”) 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.”

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.”

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.” 

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.”

Many expected it and today Dr. Ramesh Kolluru will lose the “interim” tag and officially be named the 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.”

A recent survey shows Louisiana childcare costs around $10,000 per child per year. Mattilyn Karst Batson with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says the parents polled said they worried about paying for child car. She says the information will be shared with lawmakers as they make decisions on funding for childcare assistance.

Cut 6 (12) “…them to make.”

State Senator Jay Morris is proposing a constitutional amendment that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor.

Cut 15 (13) “…very high bar.”

It’s senior night for LSU women’s basketball team as they host Tennessee tonight at five and Coach Kim Mulkey expects it will be emotional as Flau’jae Johnson plays her last regular season home game.

Cut 19  (20) “…an SEC opponent.”

The Superbowl of rodeo, the Hondo Rodeo Fest is coming to the Ceaser’s Superdome in April. World champion cowboys and cowgirls have been invited to compete in eight categories, for a one-million-dollar prize.  Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs calls it adrenaline-pumping.

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s action packed.”

Some polls show Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy trailing his competitors in the race for U.S. Senate. The wild card in the Republican primary is John Fleming, who was the first to announce a primary challenge against Cassidy more than a year ago. Cross says the wrestling match between Cassidy and Trump endorsed Julia Letlow could work to Fleming’s benefit.

Cut 9 (13)  “…over to me.”

A West Monroe state senator, Jay Morris has filed a bill that would create a mechanism for the removal of a judge or a district attorney upon the recommendation of the governor. He says he filed the bill because of what he calls a disturbing and repeated pattern of breakdowns within Louisiana’s juvenile justice system.

Cut 14 (10) “…up with it.”

The Hondo Rodeo Fest, dubbed the Super Bowl of rodeo, is coming to the Caesars Superdome in April. Andre Champagne spoke with the organizers.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A poll of nearly 28-hundred parents and caregivers shows how costly childcare is in Louisiana. Mattilyn Karst Batson, the research and policy director for the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says a majority of the parents polled said they worried about paying for childcare and in some cases decided to quit their job.

Cut 5 (07) “…they’re forced too.”