According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has jumped seven cents over the last 24 hours to $3.48. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing prices higher…

Cut 3 (08) “…upward.”

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Former LSU basketball player and Ukraine native, Roman Rubchenko (pronounced: roob-CHENK-oh) shares his feelings on the Russian invasion; now in its second week. Rubchenko and some family and friends are currently safe in a rural community area several miles south of the capital city of Kyiv. He says the resolve of the Ukraine people to resist the invaders is strong.

Cut 24 (10) “…something like that.”

Earlier today it was reported that Russian troops had taken more areas on Ukraine’s southern coast with President Putin pledging to achieve his goals in Ukraine “no matter what.”

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Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will begin on March 21. If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black female to be seated on the Supreme Court bench. That historic possibility has stirred emotions and inspired the next generation of the Black legal community. Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris is among them.

Cut 7 (11) “…going to do so.”

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The Lake Providence Police Department is closed for business after Mayor Jerry Bell says Police Chief Leroy Threats exhausted his annual budget in mid-February. Threats reportedly says he doesn’t know how the department is out of money when he’s only been there a year and hasn’t spent technically anything. Bell says he’s not sure what Threats is thinking because he’s been in communication with him about the fiscal budget that runs from July to June for the last seven months.

Cut 14 (11) “…and helping.”

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A lawmaker wants to change the state’s term-limit law, giving legislators the ability to serve four four-year terms, instead of three. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Senator Bill Cassidy says the US should add troops in the NATO countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to deter Putin from invading them in the future.

Cut 4 (10) “…NATO country.”

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As the backlash against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine continues, there have been calls for boycotts of Russian products, including vodka. Michael Fruge, founder and owner of Acadiana Parish-based JT Meleck Distillers, sees an opportunity to reach new customers and his distillery is looking to take advantage of a market that may be ready to move away from its traditional tastes and towards his rice-based vodka.

Cut 7 (09) “…one of them.”

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Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is disappointed with President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Senator John Kennedy says the President has mismanaged the economy, mismanaged COVID, and has forfeited America’s energy independence and Mr. Biden’s only plan is to stay the course

Cut 12 (08) “…doing it”

But Democrat and New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the President laid out a clear vision to lowering costs for American families.

Senator Bill Cassidy says sanctions imposed by the US and other countries are beginning to cripple Russia financially as they continue to invade Ukraine. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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At least three states have implemented bans on Russian-made vodka. Louisiana vodka maker Michael Fruge sees an opportunity to reach new consumers and take advantage of a market that may be ready to move away from its traditional tastes and towards his rice-based vodka.

Cut 7 (09) “…one of them.”

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A Louisiana constitutional amendment went into effect in 2007 limiting legislators to three full-consecutive terms in one House, which is 12 years. Lafayette representative Stuart Bishop says that’s not enough time to know all of the inner workings of law-making. He says a business would not limit a person’s occupation to 12 years…

Cut 10 (10) “…fire you”

Bishop serves as House Ways and Means Chairman.

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In Alexandria, United Airlines will suspend service to AEX beginning in June. Executive Director of Alexandria International Sandra McQuain says the suspension is indefinite and next month American Airlines will halt service from Alexandria to Charlotte.

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It’s Ash Wednesday and thousands will get their ashes today. COVID has 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 during the Lenten season this year…

Cut 15 (07) “…the state.”

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, James Reiss III. He asked that citizens do only one thing today.

Cut 10 (10) “…Hail Rex.”

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As President Biden preps for his State of the Union Address, US Senator Bill Cassidy says he believes it will be 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. Cassidy also believes the best way to address Russia, as they invade Ukraine, is through a tough energy policy. The State of the Union will air at 8 pm tonight.

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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.

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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. Reports show that from 2011 to 2015 Briles ignored or covered up more than 50 sexual and physical assaults by players during his time at Baylor. Dr. Jim Henderson, president of the U-L system says that Jackson may have had good intentions in trying to redeem Briles, but the decision was poorly considered.

Cut 5 (12) “…student population.”

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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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.

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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. 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. UL system president Dr. Jim Henderson says while the intentions may have been good, the decision was not.

Cut 5 (12) “…student population.”

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

Cut 10 (10) “…Hail Rex.”

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For the first time, the Board of Regents is requesting level-funding for the 22-23 fiscal year, that’s because TOPS enrollment is down. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A two-vehicle crash last night in Acadia Parish has claimed the lives of two men.  20-year-olds Derrick Ceasar Jr. and Tywon Thorn, both of Crowley, were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says their Buick Century crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a Ford Expedition…

Cut 6 (08) “…on the shoulder.”

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Mardi Gras has been a welcome boost to the state, especially in the metro-New Orleans area but also in the Hub City, where President of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot says they’ve seen an influx of tourists, and hotel occupancy is up.

Cut 3 (11) “…Mardi Gras back.”

On Fat Tuesday, Berthelot says they’ll have three parades rolling with things kicking off at 10 am with King Gabriel and culminating with the Independent parade.

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As the Russia-Ukraine crisis continues, so does the steady rise in fuel prices. According to Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for gasbuddy.com, concerns about overseas oil production and increasing demand should keep prices up for a while.

Cut 12 (10) “…a gallon.”

With this conflict coming on the heels of the pandemic, the pace of production has not been able to keep up with demand as countries try to get back to normal. Louisiana currently averages $3.35 per gallon, up 97 cents from a year ago.

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