The increase in SNAP benefits from the pandemic has ended and many are struggling to make up for the reductions. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A Jefferson Parish couple’s pet nutria is set to be relocated to the Baton Rouge Zoo because of illegal ownership. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Calls to Louisiana 2-1-1 seeking food assistance have tripled since February after the announcement that SNAP benefits are returning to pre-pandemic amounts this month. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Terri Ricks says the reduction comes at a difficult time.

Cut 3 (03) “…time high.” 

The Pandemic SNAP benefits totaled more than $70 million monthly in Louisiana and Ricks says it’s not just families who will struggle, the decrease also directly impacts the state’s economy.

Cut 4 (05)  “…jobs.” 

More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed some 953,000 people. Ricks says DCFS cannot replace the loss of those extra benefits.

Cut 5 (08) “…not there.”

More than 471,000 households in Louisiana receive food stamps which help feed some 953,000 people.

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents are on the hunt to seize Neuty, a Jefferson Parish couple’s 22-pound pet nutria. State law says nutria are considered invasive species and are to be kept in the wild. LDWF Spokesperson Ed Pratt says there is no state license or permit that allows an individual to own a nutria.

Cut 6 (04)  “…your home.” 

News stories began circulating about the couple’s relationship with the rodent on Wednesday. Pratt says when the status was made public – the department decided to move forward to confiscate the animal.

Cut 7 (11)  “…of it.” 

LDWF biologists and Zoo officials believe because the animal has been habituated to humans, it would not be able to survive in the wild. Pratt says the agency appreciates the owner’s affection for Neuty but the rodent can no longer live with them.

Cut 8 (07)  “…is safe.” 

If the state is able to get custody of Neuty, the nutria will become a part of an educational exhibit at the Baton Rouge Zoo.

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Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair officially announces his candidacy for Secretary of State this fall. Trosclair is a conservative Republican, who owns the 13-store chain of Ralph’s Markets here in Louisiana. He says the state’s elections system has been “tarnished by years of mismanagement and controversy”…:

Cut 9 (09) “…a broken system.”

Trosclair will challenge Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s bid for re-election. Also in the race, District 4 Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis. Trosclair says our elections system needs fixing, but Ardoin points out the Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana #6 of 50 states for election integrity. Trosclair says that’s true, but a closer look at the data from Heritage gives Louisiana a 75 out of 100 rating for overall election quality…:

Cut 10 (13) “…proof of citizenship.” 

Trosclair says, if elected, he’d get rid of Louisiana’s Dominion voting machines. The company’s voting systems – used here in Louisiana – drew criticism after the 2020 Presidential election for security flaws and possible vote tampering. Trosclair says he’d end the deal with Dominion…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…implement that statewide.”

No allegations made against Dominion machines has been substantiated with proof. S.O.S. Ardoin sys Louisiana’s voting systems are secure.

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Eleven-year-old Matthew Fortenberry was killed last night while sitting in a car in North Baton Rouge and a 17-year-old suspect is in custody. BRPD Spokesperson Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the suspect approached the car on foot where the victim was inside with family members and held them at gunpoint.

Cut 12 (12) “…his injuries.” 

McNeely says the suspect had personal issues with one of the family members of the 11-year-old.

Cut 13 (08) “…he was.”

The suspect was located less than a mile from where the shooting took place suffering from gunshot injuries. McNeely says he was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.

Cut 14 (11)  “…of a Firearm.”

Instead of being booked into a juvenile facility, the 17-year-old was taken to EBR Parish Prison because of the murder charges.

(Charges: First Degree Murder, four counts of First Degree Attempted Murder, False Imprisonment with a Dangerous Weapon, and Illegal discharge of a Firearm)

The owner of Fat Daddy’s Crawfish in Shreveport was killed in what authorities are calling a home invasion at his residence in Natchitoches Parish. Teiko Foxx has more

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Pineville, Louisiana is where you’ll find the only dental robot in the state. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating a home invasion that killed a local business owner Tuesday night. 71-year-old, Mark Hailey, owner of Fat Daddy’s Crawfish in Shreveport was found unresponsive in his home on Jim Bell Road north of Campti. Captain Tony Moran says Hailey’s body was initially discovered by a relative who went to do a wellness check.

Cut 3 (09) “…the residence.” 

Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office preliminary autopsy determined Hailey’s cause of death as apparent blunt and sharp force trauma. On Wednesday morning, Moran says they received a lead in the case.

Cut 4 (08)  “…near Natchitoches.” 

Hailey’s 2015 Ford F-350 truck was found at the location. Moran says detectives are working to identify the person or persons responsible for this senseless act of violence.

Cut 5 (08) “…three zero.”

Anonymous tips can be reported by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.

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Crude oil dropped below $70 a barrel in trading Wednesday, for the first time in more than a year. So, what does that mean for consumers at the pump? Triple A analyst Don Redman says a drop in prices goes against what we typically see in the Spring when fuel costs increase due to demand and the transition to summer-grade gasoline.

Cut 6 (09)  “…fall accordingly.” 

Redman believes the drop in crude oil prices is reflective of the markets after the collapse of a couple of banks. And whether that scenario changes in terms of the outlook for the markets, he says it suddenly could reverse and prompt demand for crude oil, and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine adds uncertainty.

Cut 7 (10)  “…on politics.” 

Crude oil prices account for 50 to 60 percent of the price of gasoline, and even with the current drop in barrel prices, Redman says he’s still advising Triple-A members to continue to budget for gas prices around the $3.00 mark. As for the typical price increase due to demand in the spring, we’re not having a typical spring.

Cut 8 (11)  “…uptick in demand.” 

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $3.09

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Most of the northern half of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather this afternoon and tonight as a result of strong cold front that will kick up spring storms. L-R-N Meteorologist John Wetherbee says one and a a half to two inches of rain could fall, there’s also the possibility of tornadoes and hail is a concern…

Cut 9 (07) “…through the state.”

A wind advisory is in effect for southwest and central Louisiana today. Wetherbee says tomorrow the heavy rain and severe weather event shifts to southeast Louisiana….

Cut 10 (09) “…Friday evening” 

Wetherbee says the rain will be out of the state for St. Patrick’s day on Saturday, but you’ll need a jacket…

Cut 11 (06)  “…festivities”

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If you were told one of only 150 dental robots in the world was in Louisiana, the city of Pineville most likely wouldn’t be your first guess. Dr. Jonas Gauthier of Today’s Dental says since January they’ve performed dozens of dental implant surgeries with the Yomi Robotic Dental System and it drastically reduces recovery time.

Cut 12 (12) “…for the patients”. 

In addition to reducing recovery time, Gauthier says the robot helps dentists avoid nerves, sinuses, and blood vessels during the placement of dental implants.

Cut 13 (09) “…some challenges.”

And with the cutting-edge technology available in central Louisiana, you might think you’d have to pay more…

Cut 14 (11)  “…Yomi robot.”

Gauthier says robotic surgery started in orthopedics and in 2017 the first dentistry robot received FDA approval.