An earthquake shook Red River Parish early this morning. Rob Skoumal (SKO-mall) with the U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 4.9  earthquake is not expected to cause damage. Skoumal says we may never know the cause of the earthquake, but humans cannot be completely ruled out.

Cut 11 (10) “…by wastewater disposal.”

Governor Landry endorsed Julie Letlow in the U.S. Senate race. John Fleming, who is also seeking the senate seat, blasted the endorsement in a social post. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says in that same post, Fleming said before Ralph Abraham announced his departure from the CDC, he offered him his position in an effort to get him out of the senate race. Cross says.

Cut 15 (10) “…smoother for Letlow.”

One week after resigning from the CDC, Abraham was announced as Letlow’s campaign manager.

A proposed bill that would crack down on potentially misleading political ads created with artificial intelligence. Democrat Mandie Landry’s bill would political material created with A-I be clearly disclosed as such. She told Tommy Tucker on WWL radio that she filed a similar bill last year and it made it all the way to the Governor desk.

Cut 4 (10) “…was very interesting.”

Wednesday night was a special night for Ragin Cajun baseball fans — not so much for LSU as U-L Lafayette defeated second ranked Tigers seven to two. Coach Matt Deggs team scored three runs in the first and never trailed. Coach Jay Johnson started junior right-hander Gavin Guidry. Two errors in the first inning helped produce the three runs in the first inning…

Cut 7 (12) “…credit.”

Governor Landry has weighed in on the U.S. Senate race, aligning with President Trump and giving his endorsement to Julia Letlow. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he’s not surprised at all.

Cut 13 (12)  “…supporting Julia Letlow.”

Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts has been convicted of having sex with 16-year-old during a party at her house while she was still in office.  Pamela Sleezer covered the case for the American Press and says many in Beauregard Parish worried she would be found not guilty, however…

Cut 5 (07) “…did this”

Sentencing is set for April 17^th.

Gas prices continue their skyward climb.? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

PVC producer, Shintech Louisiana, is expanding their Iberville Parish operations with a 3.4-billion-dollar investment. The expansion is expected to create 163 direct new jobs with an average salary over $117,000. It’s expected to add 800 new job opportunities to the Capital Region and Iberville Parish President, Chris Daigle, says…

Cut 7 (08) “…in itself”

Governor Landry has announced his endorsement of Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate race. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says while Landry’s endorsement likely will not prevent a runoff, it will likely be effective in defending Letlow against incumbent Bill Cassidy.”

Cut 14 (11) “…as a liberal.”

Landon Lemoine, the strategic investments director at Louisiana Economic Development, says Louisiana’s new FastSites program has selected 19 sites in 16 parishes that will share 140-million dollars in state funding to prepare their sites to attract commercial projects. Lemoine points out that this is not a grant program.

Cut 11 (09) “…the next site.”

Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been found guilty on felony charges for having sex with a 16-year-old boy during a party at her home when she was mayor in 2024. It took a six-person jury less than an hour to convict the 42-year-old Roberts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior. Reporter Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says the evidence was stacked against Roberts…

Cut 4 (16) “…for her.”

Sentencing is April 17th.

Gas prices are climbing on a daily basis. Greg Upton, the executive director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says while you were sleeping, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline went up another 12 cents.

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon so far.”

A house fire claimed the lives of two people in Mamou Tuesday. The Mamou Fire Department says a 67-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman died as a result of the fire. The cause is not yet known but reportedly started at the front of the residence. The damage was too severe to determine whether there were working smoke detectors in the home but the State Fire Marshall’s office urges Louisianans to ensure they have working smoke detectors in their homes.  If you cannot afford one, ask your local fire department or the State Fire Marshall’s office about the Operation Save a Life program to receive a smoke detector. Louisiana is ranked 7^th in the nation for fatal house fires.

The man who’s administering Louisiana’s new FastSites program, Landon Lemoine, says the state is now prepping sites rather than hoping companies will consider raw land. Lemoine says the state used specific criteria in selecting 19 sites in 16 parishes to share 140-million dollars in state funding to prepare their sites to attract these projects.

Cut 10 (06) “…on this investment?”

Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts has been found guilty on felony charges for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at her home while she was in office. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Gas prices are climbing on a daily basis. Greg Upton, the executive director of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says while you were sleeping, gas prices went up another 12 cents. The new average is $2.84 a gallon. Those who drive electric vehicles may not need to gas up but they will feel the pinch.

Cut 8 (12) “…like jet fuel.”

Former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts has been found guilty on felony charges for having sex with a 16-year-old boy in 2024 while she was the mayor. Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says the victim’s mother had to remove herself from the courtroom because she was overcome with emotion when the verdict was read….

Cut 3 (08) “…her table.”

The crime occurred during a party at Roberts house. The victim was one of her son’s friends.

After having received President Trump’s endorsement before she entered the race, Congresswoman Julia Letlow received Governor Landry’s endorsement today in the U.S. Senate race. Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy says Letlow is using a recycled endorsement to distract voters from what he calls her liberal record. His campaign says the governor’s actions against DEI policies conflict with Letlow’s DEI policies while she was at ULM.

Gas prices continue their skyward climb. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s new FastSites program announced by Governor Landry yesterday is already going to work. Landon Lemoine, the strategic investments director at Louisiana Economic Development, says previously, the state would wait for companies to approach them before preparing a site. Now, the state will have land that’s shovel-ready.

Cut 9 (10)  “…water and sewer?”

Gas prices are climbing in Louisiana. Yesterday the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.57 and today it’s $2.71. Crude Oil prices surged above 70 dollars a barrel since the strikes 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.”

Three Northwest Louisiana men have been arrested and accused of online child exploitation. The arrests of 35-year-old Edwin Roberts II, 24-year-old Garret Godejohn, and 35-year-old David Lee Clark are a result of a joint operation hosted by the Natchitoches Parish Sherriff’s Office to identify and arrest those seeking children on online platforms for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, the Shreveport Police, and the Sheriffs’ Offices of Bossier, Ouachita, and Webster Parishes were part of the operation.

Recreational marijuana will be legal in Louisiana if New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s bill passes in the upcoming legislative session that begins Monday. Newell believes Louisiana should join the 24 other states that have legalized recreational use so the state could benefit from the tax revenue that could be gained, but she is not optimistic her bill will pass.

Cut 6 (10) “…get 53 yes’s.”

Maybe the hottest issue to be debated in the session that begins on Monday is Carbon Capture. Senate President Cameron 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.”

A bill that would allow the sale of recreational marijuana has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Recreational weed is legal in 24 states and bill sponsor, New Orleans Representative Candace 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.”

Carbon Capture is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming session. House Speaker, Phillip Devillier supports carbon capture.

Cut 9 (10)  “…it safely there.”

DeVillier acknowledges people have concerns about carbon capture, and he says he has an open door to listen to those concerns.

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

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crude oil prices are up, above 70 dollars a barrel since strikes on Iran began. The next Gulf lease sale is scheduled for next week and Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy 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.”

Crude Oil prices are above 70 dollars a barrel since strikes on Iran began. 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. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says this is why America needs to continue to rely less on international oil and gas supplies.

Cut 14 (11) “…will do that.”

More than 40 animals died in a barn fire last night in Scott. The fire destroyed the metal barn. When the Scott Fire Department crews arrived, the barn was fully engulfed in flames and threatening nearby homes but was brought under control in 10 minutes. According to Fire investigators, the cause of the fire was ordinary combustibles placed too close to a heat source. No firefighters or civilians were injured.

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

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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 by businesses that already have a license to dispense medical marijuana, but the recreational weed must be sold at a separate location.

Cut 4 (07) “…recreational can work.” 

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.