The average price for regular gasoline in Louisiana hits an all-time high at $4.19 a gallon today, surpassing the previous record of $4.16 set in March. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices have increased 33-cents in the last month and are way up over last year.
Cut 5 (11) “…the pinch.”
In addition to gas prices, the average price for diesel is up to $5.21 a gallon in Louisiana.

The state has a 20-cent gasoline tax that helps pay for bridge and road improvements, but lawmakers believe hybrid and electric vehicle owners are not paying their fair share. That’s why the Louisiana House has approved a bill that would charge EV owners 110-dollars annually and hybrid owners a 60-dollar road usage fee…
cut 4 (09) “….it yet”
The House approved the legislation 82-13 and it will also take two-thirds approval to pass the Senate, since it’s a fee.

The budget bill contains 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge, 100-million dollars to replace the Lake Charles Bridge, and 100-million dollars for extending I-49 South to New Orleans. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there’s also 150-million dollars for preservation…
cut 12 (06) “…across the state”
The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget later this week.

Today the Food and Drug Administration announced that it has authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. Dr. Mark Kline, the Chief Medical Officer at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans says this is something he’s been waiting for…
cut 8 (13) “…protective range.”
But Kline says only 10-percent of children between five and eleven have received the two-shot COVID vaccine series.

The Louisiana Senate is poised to make an unprecedented financial commitment to improving the state’s infrastructure…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has canceled its annual conference scheduled to take place in New Orleans in April 2023 because of the Louisiana Legislature’s anti-abortion views. Four-thousand people attended the conference in San Diego last month. The group says it will hold its annual conference in a state whose legislative climate is consistent with its values.

The House Civil Law Committee approves a bill that would ban hair discrimination. The legislation is to prohibit employers from not hiring or firing a person based on a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle, which would include afros, locs, braids, and other styles. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says it’s not just Blacks who could be victims of hair discrimination…
cut 14 (12) “…dreadlocks” (2x)
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The consumer price index for April rose to eight-point-three percent, another 40 year high. Economist Loren Scott says the inflation rate has hovered around the 8% mark for a few months and it’s tough for those on fixed incomes….
cut 5 (10) “…right now”

Louisiana has set a new record high for gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $4.19. That’s according to Triple-A. The price at the pump increased nearly five cents from yesterday and it’s up 15-cents in the last week and 33-cents over the last month.

According to the Consumer Price Index, the inflation rate for April was 8.3-percent. Brooke Thorington has more from a local economist.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation to begin the phase-out of a temporary sales tax has been killed by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The sales tax is set to expire in 2025, but Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would begin phasing out the tax in 2023. The tax generates 400-million dollars in revenue annually and Norco Senator Gary Smith says Bacala’s proposal will actually cause more financial problems…
cut 8 (14) “…. then later”

The budget bill contains 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge, 100-million dollars to replace the Lake Charles Bridge, and 100-million dollars for extending I-49 South to New Orleans. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there’s also 150-million dollars for preservation…
cut 12 (06) “…across the state”
The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget later this week.

The consumer price index for the month of April rose to 8.3-percent, another forty-year high. Economist Loren Scott says each month the Bureau of Labor and Statistics looks at the average price for a basket of goods, for example, gas, a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, and a month’s rent.
Cut 4 (11) “…the economy.”
Louisiana has set a new record high for gas prices, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.19 according to Triple-A.

It isn’t the $500-million that Governor John Bel Edwards wanted, but the budget bill headed to the Senate floor for approval includes $300-million in seed money for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will be used to draw down federal money….
cut 10 (09) “…more dollars”

The House Civil Law Committee approves a bill that would prohibit employers from firing an individual for a certain hairstyle. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Legislation that would result in cameras to catch speeders on the I-10 Atachalfalya Basin Bridge between Baton Rouge and Lafayette continues to cruise through the legislative process. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Senate Finance Committee approved the Senate’s version of a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. The budget proposal contains a 15-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, an additional 100-million for I-49 South, and another 100-million for a new Lake Charles bridge.

Dan Wallis takes over as Louisiana’s new State Fire Marshal today. Wallis served as the fire chief in Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish for 28 years. Wallis says he plans to address the growing decline of first responders and how to keep them in the profession…
cut 13 (12) “…safety family”
Wallis takes over for Butch Browning, who is the new executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees caused a stir yesterday when he said in a social media post he’s undecided what he’ll do next after it was reported he would not return to NBC as a football analyst. Brees said he may play football again. Saints Coach Dennis Allen was asked about Brees’ tweet today…
cut 10 (10) “…for sure”
Allen says he has not talked to Brees’ about a possible comeback and there are many who say Brees is not serious about returning to football.

Senate-backed Legislation that would result in cameras installed on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge as a way to catch speeders receives approval from the House Transportation Committee. Senate President Page Cortez says the goal of his legislation is not to generate revenue from speeding ticket fines, but to make the bridge safer, which has seen injury-related crashes double over the last decade…
Cut 7 (08) “…going 80.”

A one-vehicle fatal crash in Washington Parish over the weekend killed two people and left three juveniles seriously wounded. Trooper William Huggins says 31-year-old Pamela Brown and 16-year-old Jaquan Brown of Kentwood were buckled up and died, while the children injured were not restrained. He says statistically you are more likely to survive a crash if you are properly restrained…
cut 5 (10) “…..standpoint”

There’s new leadership at the State Fire Marshal’s Office and he brings decades of experience him. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (34) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have announced the signing of former LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry. A healthy Michael Thomas and Landry should help improve a passing game that ranked last in the NFL last year…
cut 16 “…problem”

The state Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Baton Rouge pastor who refused to comply with Governor Edwards’ COVID lockdown. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Shreveport Police have charged 43-year-old Charlene Henderson with murder after her husband was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head this morning inside a home in the Ingleside neighborhood. Police say Henderson told a 9-1-1 dispatcher she shot her husband during an argument.

The House Transportation Committee voted today for Senate-approved legislation that would result in the installation of speed cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the cameras will track vehicles as they go over the 18-mile bridge and if they get across in less than 18 minutes the driver was likely speeding
Cut 6 (04) “…60-mile per hour limit.”
Senate President Page Cortez says the goal of his legislation is not to generate revenue from speeding ticket fines, but to make the bridge safer, which has seen injury-related crashes double over the last decade.

Former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees caused a stir yesterday when he said in a social media post he’s undecided what he’ll do next after it was reported he would not return to NBC as a football analyst. Brees said he may play football again. Saints Coach Dennis Allen was asked about Brees’ tweet today…
cut 10 (10) “…for sure”
Allen says he has not talked to Brees’ about a possible comeback and there are many who say Brees is not serious about reutrning to football.

The state Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Baton Rouge pastor who refused to comply with Governor Edwards’ COVID lockdown. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Senate Finance Committee approved the Senate’s version of a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in July. The budget proposal contains a 15-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 300-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, and 200-million for I-49 South, and another 200-million for a new Lake Charles bridge.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is seeing an increase in reported COVID cases, but hospitalizations remain low as only 65 people are hospitalized statewide with COVID….
cut 8 (12) “….several weeks”
Edwards says cases could continue to go up as people stay indoors to avoid the hot weather.

There’s a change at the top of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office today as retiring State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is transferring his leadership Dan Wallis. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Wallis has been Browning’s right hand throughout his term and says the two share a similar vision that will continue the growth and development the agency has seen over the years.
Cut 14 (11) “…provide them.”