Georges Media Group – the parent company of The Advocate & The Times-Picayune – announces it is expanding to Shreveport-Bossier City with a new digital news service. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A Danish development company proposes building a $4-billion eco-friendly ammonia plant in St. Charles Parish. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A bill to legalize the practice of having the cremated remains of pets buried with their owners’ advances from House Commerce. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The parent company of  The Advocate and The Times-Picayune will expand its reporting duties to Shreveport-Bossier City with a new digital news outlet – The Shreveport-Bossier Advocate. The Georges Media Group publishes print and digital news products in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette. Publisher of The Advocate and Times-Picayune Newspaper Group Judi Terzotis says their goal is to cover every area of the state.

Cut 4 (10)  “…about July.”

From 2000 to 2020, newspaper circulation fell from 55.8 million households to below 25.6 million and since 2004 more than 1,800 local newspapers across the nation. Terzotis says expanding to Shreveport is about filling a gap in local news.

Cut 5 (11)   “…that market.”

Terzotis says the digital news outlet will cover general topics like city government, education, health care, sports, culture, and entertainment, and spotlighting local restaurants.

Cut 6 (13)  “…to tell.”

A new bureau of a dozen journalists and local sales staff will begin producing content in July.

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A Danish-based energy investments group proposes building a $4-billion reduced-carbon ammonia plant in St. Charles Parish. The company, called St. Charles Clean Fuels, is exploring the ammonia production and export facility near St. Rose. Company project director Ramesh Raman (rah-MESH ROM-un) tells LRN they plan to create over 200 new direct jobs manufacturing so-called “blue ammonia”…:

Cut 7 (06) “…states as well.”

Blue ammonia is reduced-carbon ammonia; a product that will be in increasing demand as more and more industries seek to lower carbon emissions. Raman says their process captures greenhouse gasses while producing their product…:

Cut 8 (13) “…sequestration site.”

Louisiana Economic Development confirms the St. Charles Clean Fuels facility would mean 216 new direct jobs, at salaries over $90-thousand. But it will also mean over 900 new indirect jobs for St. Charles Parish and the surrounding area. Raman says tax incentives from the state was one reason to choose Louisiana, but they also were drawn to the existing ports and infrastructure St. Charles Parish offers…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…for the incentives.”

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Legislation to make it legal to have cremated pet remains buried with their owner advances from House Commerce. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen filed the legislation last year but pulled the bill after pushback from the Cemetery Association.

Cut 10 (11) “…or not to.” 

The bill makes it legal to have cremated animals’ remains declared as personal property and it’s still up to each individual cemetery to allow the practice or not. Boyd Mothe of Mothe Funeral Homes opposes the legislation on the grounds that cemeteries are dedicated properties for human remains only and are considered sacred.

Cut 11 (10)  “…property.”

Despite opposition from Mothe, McMahen reminded committee members that each cemetery could opt to either allow pet remains or not, the bill only makes it no longer illegal to do so.

Cut 12 (07)    “…want to.” 

The bill passed without opposition and moves to the House floor.

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The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Sportsman’s Paradise is $3.25. Usually, at this time of the year, the price at the pump is rising, but it’s actually fallen a nickel in the last week. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says lower crude oil prices are driving prices down.

Cut 13 (12) “…last week.” 

In terms of the economy and demand and supply, the country’s inventory of crude is up by 51 million barrels compared to this time last year. Redman says the decline at the pump is due to a combination of weather, ease in demand, and crude oil costs.

Cut 14 (12)  “…short term.”

Redman says crude oil is selling for about $79 a barrel, at this time last year it was selling for $102 a barrel, so gas prices are significantly cheaper…

Cut 15 (12)  “..right now”

Redman says prices are stabilizing but forecasts a continuous drop in prices to as low as $3.15 a gallon. Oil refineries are expected to wrap up the transition of winter-grade gasoline to summer-grade by May 1^st.

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It’s a question mark on whether LSU running back John Emery will play this season as he needs to handle his academics first. Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin did not participate in spring practice, because of injuries. So the only experience back in the spring was Noah Cain, who rushed for 409 yards and ten touchdowns last season. Coach Brian Kelly says don’t sleep on Cain…

Cut  16 (25)  “…your  team” 

Damian Ramos was 10-of-14 as the team’s primary field goal kicker last season. Sophomore Nathan Dibert completed with Ramos last fall and this spring and Kelly says that competition continues…

Cut 17 (23) “..them competing” 

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The top-ranked LSU baseball team hosts Nicholls tonight. Third baseman Tommy White, who is tied for third in the nation in RBIs with 66, is questionable after leaving Sunday’s win with soreness in his upper leg. Coach Jay Johnson says White is day-to-day…

Cut 18 (18) “…type of things”

Little-used third-string catcher Hayden Travinski was the hero in Sunday’s come-from-behind win over Ole Miss. Travinski hit a three-run homer in the ninth to stun the Ole Miss fans and give the Tigers a win. Johnson says Travinksi has been the ultimate team player, even though he’s seen limited action…

Cut 19 (18) “…great job”

A Lafourche grand jury convicts 47-year-old Travis Orso of Golden Meadow in the 2020 drowning death of his girlfriend, Dione Cheramie. Teiko Foxx has more.

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Legislation to extend the state’s film tax incentive program from its’ current sunset date of 2025 to 2035 is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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A Caddo Parish man died after being trapped between his semi-truck and his barn at his home Saturday. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Rod White says this was an unusual and unfortunate accident.

Cut 3 (12) “…a barn.”

The couple was moving the truck with a tractor into the barn. White says the wife – who was driving the tractor – did not realize her husband had gotten out of the truck while she was pushing it with the tractor. He got pinned between the tractor and the wall of the barn.

Cut 4 (12)  “…the truck” 

The man was transported to Oshner LSU Health and later died from his injuries. The name and age of the man has not been released.

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A Lafourche Parish man was found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in the 2020 drowning death of his girlfriend after a four-day trial. 47-year-old Travis Orso was arrested in 2020 after he murdered Dione Cheramie by drowning in Bayou Lafourche near Cut Off. Lafourche Parish Assistant District Attorney Jason Chatagnier says an argument occurred before the couple left a family members

Cut 5 (10) “…the bayou.”

During the investigation, Orso claimed that he and the victim were arguing in his truck when the victim decided to jump into the water and he jumped in to save her. Chatagnier says neighbors refuted that claim.

Cut 6 (13)  “…was unresponsive” 

Witnesses said the defendant was cursing and calling the victim obscene names and drinking beer of one of an individual who rushed to help. Evidence also revealed the victim had blunt force trauma, bruises, and gashes over her body. Chatagnier says after canvassing the area, video surveillance helped to convict the suspect.

Cut 7 (12)  “…her alive” 

Orso faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. His sentencing date is July 14.

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Eleven Louisiana deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease during the 2022-23 hunting season, which brings the total to 12. All of the CWD cases have been in Tensas Parish. LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says when the first one in January 2022 was detected, they implemented a control plan.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the future.” 

Approximately 2,300 hunter-harvested deer were tested for CWD.  And, while CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, it’s recommended not to consume deer that have tested positive.  When the first case was detected a CWD control plan, which included Tensas Parish, and parts of Franklin and Madison Parishes, was implemented. The plan included feeding and baiting bans to prevent the spread of the disease, free testing for hunters, and banning the export of deer central nervous tissue from the area.

Cut 9 (05) “….the area.”

And while you might assume wildlife officials would deter hunting in the area LaCour says just the opposite. LWDF will continue to test for CWD, and they are making it as easy as possible for hunters.

Cut 10 (12) “…to consume.” 

Bow hunting season begins October 1^st.

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The House Ways and Means approves legislation that would trim the state’s sales tax by two-tenths of a percent starting in July. Louisiana’s sales tax is currently 4.45 percent, but .45 percent will expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes it would be a good idea to start phasing it out this year…

Cut 11 (09)  “…future”

Bacala had a similar bill last year. It died in a Senate committee after it was approved by the House. The full House will get a chance to debate the legislation again this year.

Bacala’s bill would reduce state tax revenues by 210-million dollars, but he argues this money is going away in 2025, so the state should begin to live without it

Cut 12 (05) “…already are” 

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation that would extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in 2025. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the credits creates jobs

Cut 13 (09) “…community stronger” 

Schexnayder’s legislation not only extends the credit for ten years, a graphic must be shown during the credits that lets viewers know the movie was made in Louisiana…

Cut 14 (12)  “…tourists in.”

Independent studies have shown that despite the jobs gained, the state loses money with this program. But president of the Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association, Trey Burvant, disputes those studies…

Cut 15 (13) “…film industry.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.