Gasoline prices are rising again. The cost of a gallon of regular gasoline is up 26 cents from a week ago to a statewide average of $3.36. Marsanne Golsby has  more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

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Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrest seven in connection with the fatal shooting a 16-year-old last weekend. More from Jeff Palermo…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In an attempt to solve an acute nursing shortage, LSU Health New Orleans will teach nurses to teach nurses.

Leanne Fowler teaches nursing at LSU Health New Orleans. She says the school has received a $3 million federal grant to create a new program to help ease the nursing shortage in four states, including Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…new nurses.” 

She says the new nursing academy will focus on the recruitment, education, and retention of licensed nurses to train to become teachers. They will receive 40 hours of training. Experts say the nursing shortage is bad everywhere, but especially in rural areas.

Cut 4 (07) “.. underserved areas.” 

In addition to Louisiana, the other states included in the program are Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Experts say the increasing number of aging baby boomers plus the COVID pandemic made the nursing shortage worse, especially in rural areas.

Cut 5 (10) “..mental health underserved.” 

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The cost of gasoline in Louisiana jumped up five cents since yesterday. Today’s statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.36 a gallon, up from $3.31 overnight. And it’s up 26 cents from a week ago.

Cut 6 (05)  “…for gasoline.” 

That’s AAA’s Don Redman. He says the war between Russia and Ukraine plus OPEC’s decision to cut production is hurting drivers worldwide—and yet, people are still driving more.

Cut 7 (05) “..of year”

Redman says demand for gasoline usually tapers off in the fall after the summer travel season. But he says when prices dropped near the end of the summer, demand surged. He’s not expecting relief anytime soon.

Cut 8 (08)  “..wait and see”

Redman adds that soaring diesel prices will hurt the cost of consumer goods.

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Tangipahoa Parish deputies have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Leonard “LJ” Williams last weekend. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says a teen party erupted into gunfire after a jealous boyfriend saw his girlfriend dancing at the party on Facebook Live…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…body-slammed her.”

Travis says the victim was not apparently directly involved in the conflict. He was in one of the cars, but decided he didn’t want to be involved in what was about to happen, so he got out and was walking away when the shooting started…but was hit by bullets and killed. Travis says it wasn’t just a shooting incident; it was a gun battle…:

Cut 10 (06) “…in front of the house.” 

Most of those arrested are 18 or younger, except for one: 64-year-old Ella Bickham – charged with obstructing justice and evidence tampering. She allegedly withheld key evidence from deputies for over 16 hours. Travis says it’s disturbing that so many local youths were apparently so well-armed, based on to 30 odd shell casings recovered…:

Cut 11 (09)  “..tactical rifle round.”

He says the fact they were so well-armed is frightening, and he says more arrests are likely.

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Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley told the Senate Education Committee the number of teacher vacancies in the classroom statewide has been cut in half in one year from 25-hundred to 12-hundred. Brumley says legislation approved by lawmakers this year helped…

Cut 12 (15) “…the classroom”

But Brumley says a backlog of teacher certification applications has grown past seven-thousand as there are not enough state workers to process them.

Cut 13 (12) “…as an agency” 

Brumley says they’ve brought in some part-time help to reduce the backlog, but another major issue is that laws concerning teacher ceritification are complex…

Cut 14 (09)  “…a year” 

There’s a new Louisiana Lottery $20 scratch-off ticket but a high price tag also brings about bigger prizes. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Will Governor Edwards take the President’s suggestion and pardon those convicted of simple possession of marijuana? Jeff Palermo has more…:

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Tennessee was the much better football team on Saturday as they trounced LSU 40-13. Jeff Palermo has a recap.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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For the first time in the Louisiana Lottery’s 31-year history, a $20 scratch-off game is part of a multiplier-themed family of games. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the new option goes on sale today they‘re called 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X, and 100X and they sell respectively for one, two, five, ten, and twenty dollars

Cut 4 (10)  “…to win.”

The odds of winning the top prize are about one in 390-thousand.

Annison says other lotteries across the country have had huge success with higher-priced scratch-off games with twenty, thirty, fifty, and even $100 tickets.

Cut 5 (10) “…of games.”

The $20 ticket will be the same size as the $10 ticket and Annison says they offer a 73% payout and more chances to win on the ticket.

Cut 6 (08)  “…prizes instead.” 

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Louisiana has received $270 million in federal cash to repair local bridges. The money comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The Department of Transportation closed 25 of them last year and 31 so far this year. Most are in rural areas. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says bridges that are too weak to carry full loads are already causing headaches.

Cut 7 (11) “…and time.”

Louisiana has more than 4,700 bridges that are owned by local governments, instead of the state. Mallett says 747 of them need to be repaired or replaced. He says the state will send the money to the parishes to use on their most urgent needs.

Cut 8 (07)  “…as well.”

Mallett says all 64 of Louisiana’s parishes have bridges that need help. He says this is also a nationwide problem.

Cut 9 (08)  “…deterioriate.”

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President Biden pardoned thousands of persons convicted of federal marijuana possession last week, and challenged state governors to follow suit. It took no time for Governor John Bel Edwards to be asked the question, and he says Mr. Biden made the right call…:

Cut 10 (09) “…actually legal.”

Edwards says many states are reforming marijuana laws; decriminalizing and even making it legal altogether. However, he says he does not have sole authority to write pardons. Louisiana has a process to follow…:

Cut  11 (12)  “…and so forth.”

Edwards says marijuana convictions shouldn’t impede one’s access to employment, housing or education. He says he will consider any such pardons that reach his desk, but it would be up to state lawmakers to assure fewer people get jail sentences for possessing marijuana…:

Cut 12 (13) “…this direction” 

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Eighth-ranked Tennessee’s decisive 40-13 win over LSU on Saturday showed the Tigers are far from being a top-ten team. The Volunteers had 502 yards of total offense,  sacked LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels five times, and held the Bayou Bengals to 55 yards rushing. Coach Brian Kelly says his staff has to coach up the players better…

Cut 13 (13) “…is going to have.”

The Tigers got behind quickly as Jack Bech mishandled the opening kick-off and Tennessee recovered which led to a touchdown a few plays later. And The Volunteers went up 10-0 after kicking a field goal that led to a long punt return. Kelly says it’s an area they keep trying to get better at

Cut 14 (12)  “…football games.”

LSU played the game without starting left tackle Will Campbell, who watched the contest from a hospital bed. The school says Campbell had to be hospitalized because he was dehydrated. Kelly didn’t add much more information…

Cut 15 (14)  “…good there.”

LSU is at Florida this Saturday for a 6 PM kick-off.

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Super utility player Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns and threw for another touchdown as the Saints outscored the Seahawks 39-32 at the Superdome. Hill says statistically it was his best game in the NFL…

Cut 16 (12)  “..when it came up” 

It was a breakout game for the Saints offense after scoring only 49 points in a three-game losing streak. Hill led a rushing attack that produced 235 yards

Cut 17 (25) “..ready for” 

It was also a big game for Alvin Kamara, who had 6 catches for 91 yards. He also rushed for 103 yards. Quarterback Andy Dalton it was good to get Kamara after missing a couple of games with a rib injury…

Cut 18 (15) “…out there” 

Dalton also had a good game in the place of the injured Jameis Winston. He threw for 187 yards and a touchdown and an interception…

Cut 19 (15) “…moving forward”