A new UL-Lafayette jobs report indicates a slow rebound for post-pandemic employment in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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In his State of the Nation President Biden set out goals to help reduce inflation. Brooke Thorington has more on his plans from the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Now that Fat Tuesday has come and gone, it’s time to get ready for Fish Fridays. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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A new report from U.L.-Lafayette indicates recovery of Louisiana jobs in the wake of the pandemic will be a slow process. ULL economics professor Gary Wagner says there was a slight boost of nearly 28-thousand jobs in the last quarter of 2021, and jobs are coming back nicely on a national scale. However…:

Cut 4 (14)  “…ticked back up yet.”

In his Louisiana Economic activity Forecast for the earlier part of 2022, Wagner says another 33-thousand jobs are expected to be added through the end of this year and be back at pre-COVID levels by about a year from now. He says the current post-pandemic economic recession threatens that progress, though…:

Cut 5 (12) “…growth in Louisiana.”

Wagner says job growth is expected to be slowest in cities like Alexandria, Houma & Thibodaux, while Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and New Orleans will grow fairly quickly over the next six months. He says record high inflation – coupled with very high fuel costs – is adversely affecting employers’ ability to fill needed jobs, and he doesn’t see that getting better very soon…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…recover all those jobs.”

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In his State of the Union Address, President Biden highlighted accomplishments from his first year in office and also laid out future initiatives to help ease inflation. In an exclusive interview with Louisiana Radio Network, Bharat Ramamurti (Rom-ah-more-tee) Deputy Director of the National Economic Council says Biden will address price gouging in the ocean shipping industry.

Cut 7 (12) “…consumers are paying more.”

Ramamurti says the agriculture industry has been heavily impacted by the ocean shipping price gouging. And while inflation is caused by a multitude of factors, he says shipping prices is a large one.

Another sector of the economy that’s responsible for a large part of inflation is the automobile industry. Ramamurti says one-third of inflation last year was in vehicles and the severe shortage of semiconductors or chips that go into cars.

Cut 8 (12)  “…right now.”

When asked about the energy production in the United States, many criticize the Biden Administration saying their clean energy policies have limited production thus causing inflation at the gas pump. Ramamurti says Biden is all for the U-S producing more oil and gas however…

Cut 9 (12)  “…is incorrect.”

Other inflation issues the Biden Administration is asking Congress to address is pharmaceutical prices and capping childcare costs.

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The Lenten season starts today. Fish on Fridays as a tradition dates back to the late 1960s, and perhaps no state takes to it like Louisiana. Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute, says there should be no shortage of options for your plates even if the weather has slowed the harvesting of favorites like crawfish.

Cut 10 (13) “…really quickly here.”

Oyster beds have been impacted as well, with lower than normal numbers due to Hurricane Ida, but Pearce says they should bounce back and that Louisiana’s other favorite crustacean, shrimp, is coming in with record numbers to start the year that should only improve as the year goes on.

Cut  11 (10)  “…still shrimp around.”  

For those who may not be looking for shellfish, inshore fisheries have been doing their part as well. Pearce says there should be plenty of finfish available during Lent, including black drum and of course, Louisiana wild catfish.

Cut 12 (12) “…local catfish.”

Pearce also encourages shoppers to look for reasonable prices where they can find them until they begin to stabilize.

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The Lenten season is upon us and for the last two years COVID has greatly limited in-person church services, but Associate Professor at LSU’s Department of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier says he expects to see parishioners take a more active role in Lenten services this year.

Cut 13 (11) “…Lenten season.”

And while many are concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine Pasquier says Lent is traditionally a time when parishioners concentrate on their immediate surroundings.

Cut 14 (09)  “..in the world.”

Pasquier says he feels Christians in Louisiana have been looking forward to getting back to normal or the new normal since the pandemic and that feeling has grown especially in the last few months.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the state.”

Today is Ash Wednesday and Easter is April 17^th.

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The annual NFL Scouting Combine started Tuesday, with several prominent LSU prospects looking to impress as the draft nears. The Tigers have nine players in Indianapolis this week, and one of those under the most scrutiny will be former cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley’s season ended early due to foot surgery and he won’t be taking part in the drills in Indy. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Stingley will still have an opportunity to prove his worth.

Cut 16 (16)  “…at his pro day.”

Butkus Award Finalist Damone Clark should draw plenty of interest as well. After collecting 114 tackles in his first three seasons in Baton Rouge, Clark had 135 last season for the Tigers, including 5.5 sacks, and earned Second-team All-America honors from multiple outlets. His nose for the football and his sideline to sideline ability has pushed his name up draft boards.

Cut 17 (11) “ …in this league.” 

Football on every level is won in the trenches, and there is expected to be a run on offensive and defensive linemen in the first round. That could mean good things for Ed Ingram and Neil Farrell says Detillier, who could see their value increase as a result. He likes how both players were able to impact the game on a weekly basis.

Cut 18 (20) “ …pass rusher.” 

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Louisiana Tech closes out the home portion of its schedule tonight when they host Old Dominion at the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs are 11-and-5 in Conference USA, third place in the West. The Monarchs are 7-and-9 in league play, but Tech Coach Eric Konkol says Old Dominion is playing its best basketball of the season…

Cut 19 (18)_“…taken it” 

Fifth-year seniors Amorie Archibald and Exavian Christon will play their final game inside the TAC tonight. Both players have spent the past five seasons with the Bulldogs, combining to play in 266 career games. Konkol says they are great people…

Cut 20 (17) “ …got his” 

Former disgraced Baylor football coach Art Briles has resigned from the Grambling football staff. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union tonight, Senator Bill Cassidy says the administration needs to address inflation that’s crushing the middle class.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Less than a week after it was announced that Art Briles would be Hue Jackson’s offensive coordinator at Grambling, Briles decided to step down, resigning from the staff on Monday. The hiring was met with criticism and outrage from both within and outside of the Grambling community. UL system president Dr. Jim Henderson agrees with Briles’ decision.

Cut 3 (08) “…our process works.”

Dr. Henderson said that the UL System has made student safety a priority and that the hiring of Briles sent a message that was inconsistent with the values they have worked to promote and rules they have committed to enforce.

Cut 4 (11) “..issue to us.”

Both Jackson and Grambling athletic director Trayveon Scott said the hiring of Briles was a story of redemption for a talented coach who had made some mistakes. That goes against reports that from 2011 to 2015 Briles ignored or covered up more than 50 sexual and physical assaults by players during his time at Baylor. Henderson says while the intentions may have been good, the decision was not.

Cut 5 (12) “…student population.”

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An elderly Shreveport couple was killed Monday afternoon when the car 81-year-old Louis Flanigan was driving failed to yield to an oncoming Freightliner along US Highway 84 in Desoto Parish. Trooper Jonathan Odom says, 80-year-old Inell Flannigan, the driver’s wife was also killed.

 Cut 6 (12) “…the Jaguar.” 

Odom says the Jaguar was struck twice and the couple was pronounced dead on the scene.

The couple was not wearing restraints and while Odom says seatbelts are important in preventing fatalities, due to the severity of this crash involving such large vehicles…

Cut 7 (07) “…unrestrained.” 

Troopers do not think impairment was a factor, but toxicology samples were collected. Typically, during this time of year with carnival season, impaired driving is common. Odom says make plans to have a sober driver or call a ride-share, taxi, or a friend to drive you home safely.

Cut 8 (09) “…lot of times.” 

The statewide campaign of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over wraps up today.

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It’s a day of revelry and parades in south Louisiana as thousands are celebrating Mardi Gras Day after COVID-19 and a winter storm kept people inside last year. New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell turned over a key to the city to the King of Rex…

Cut 9 (11) “…needs”

The King of Rex is James Reiss. He’s asking the citizens to do only one thing today…

Cut 10 (10)  “…Hail Rex.” 

Grambling State is representing north Louisiana in New Orleans as the school’s marching band participated in the Zulu parade

Cut 11 (12 )  “…music fades.”  

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As President Biden preps for his State of the Union Address, US Senator Bill Cassidy says he believes it will clear in tonight’s speech, that the Biden Administration is not alleviating the pains impacting Americans, specifically record inflation that’s crushing the middle class.

Cut 12 (09) “…gas pump.”  

Cassidy says in the first year of Biden’s presidency, America’s economy has suffered greatly with inflation at a 40 year high. As energy prices continue to increase, Cassidy says it began with the closure of the Keystone XL pipeline.

cut 13 (11) “…the oil& gas industry.”

Cassidy referred to Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to be nominated to the Federal Reserve.

Cassidy also believes the best way to address Russia, as they invade Ukraine, is through a tough energy policy. He says Putin’s aggression is causing the west to consider moving away from Russian energy.

Cut 14 (07)  “…energy future.” 

The State of the Union will air at 8 pm tonight.

If you want to experience a Mardi Gras like no other, then you might want to spend it in Eunice chasing poultry, but in costume of course. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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President Biden’s State of the Union address is tonight, with many speculating what he may tell American and the world. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

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Six months since Hurricane Ida, Terrebonne Parish is still in recovery mode. David Grubb has the latest on the progress after the storm.

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One of the most unique Mardi Gras customs in the state takes place in Eunice, where instead of beads and doubloons you’ll see revelers on horseback in pursuit of live chickens. Administrative assistant to the mayor, Courtney Elkins says it’s a time-honored tradition to chase chickens in the small St. Landy Parish town.

Cut 4 (11)  “…in the gumbo.”

Elkins says they kicked off their celebration Friday with one of the largest turnouts they’ve ever had with live bands and parades. And to keep the chicken chasing tradition going, she says they limit the number of participants.

Cut 5 (06) “…and runners.”

If the act of chasing a chicken isn’t enough to get your attention, Elkins says the traditional costumes worn by riders and runners are also a sight to see.

Cut 6 (12)  “…entire face.”

Elkins says Fat Tuesday events start at 9 in the morning and continue into the night.

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Tonight President Joe Biden will address the U.S. and the world in his State of the Union speech. What may the President tell us, after what has been a fairly bad first year in office? U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Mr. Biden needs a win right now…:

Cut 7 (15) “…humanitarian crisis.”

Under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. has seen skyrocketing fuel prices and runaway inflation, a disastrous pull-out from Afghanistan, an unsecured southern border and now the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Stockley says the President would be wise to use tonight’s speech as an opportunity for some course correction…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…foreign policy perspective.”

Members of the U.S. House and Senate will be there tonight, along with other dignitaries and invited guests, to hear what Biden has to say. Dr. Stockley says he cannot predict what the president may say, but he really needs tonight’s address to “move the needle” with American and the world…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…are historically low.”

Recent polls have Biden’s approval rating in the low 40’s.

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State Police arrest three people in a suspected drunk driving crash that killed 14-year-old Zashawn Dawson of Baton Rouge early Monday morning on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the SUV Dawson was traveling in, was attempting to merge back onto the interstate after pulling off to the side and was struck by a truck driven by 24-year-old Emanual Ruiz of Pride.

Cut 10 (09) “…westbound vehicle.”

Scrantz says initially one of the passengers in Ruiz’s truck, 22-year old Tyler Melancon of Greenwell Springs told officers he was driving the truck.

Cut  11 (09)  “…the driver.”  

Investigators say Ruiz was impaired and faces vehicular homicide charges. Melancon was also arrested for obstruction of justice.

Troopers arrested a third person after taking inventory of the vehicles involved finding a stolen gun. Scrantz says 18-year old Cartara Johnson of Baton Rouge who was in the SUV with the 14-year-old who died was arrested.

Cut 12 (10) “…firearms.”

The driver of the third vehicle that struck the victim after he was ejected, was properly restrained not injured. Toxicology reports are pending.

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It’s been six months since Hurricane Ida tore its path through Louisiana. Terrebonne Parish saw catastrophic damage, as utilities were knocked offline and roads were covered with debris. But today, Parish President Gordon Dove says Terrebonne has stepped out of the rubble and moved into recovery.

Cut 13 (11) “…going along fine.”

While much work has begun, dealing with insurance providers has been a consistent issue for residents. Something not unexpected, but certainly an inconvenience with people anxious to rebuild says Dove.

Cut 14 (09)  “…don’t agree with.”

Even with three thousand residents still in FEMA trailers, there are a lot of encouraging signs in Terrebonne, Dove says. Businesses have returned, people are working both on and off shore, and dollars are starting to flow back into the parish. It’s a pace of progress that would have been hard to predict six months ago.

Cut 15 (11)  “…right now.”