Shreveport Police make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Devin Myers, a basketball standout at the city’s Huntington High School. Myers was gunned down this week right in his own front yard. SPD spokesperson Sgt. Angie Wilhite says investigators talked with witnesses and obtained surveillance footage quickly after the Thursday shooting….:

CUT 06(11)      “…$350-thousand.”

Gasoline prices have jumped another 15-cents a gallon from yesterday; bringing the statewide average price of regular gas to $3.63-a-gallon. Diesel surpassed $4 many days ago, and state Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says that will certainly lead to higher grocery costs too…:

CUT 03(08)      “…from now.”

New Orleans lawmaker Matthew Willard wants Louisiana to address its past to improve its future. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Another New Orleans area legislator wants to ban single-use plastic shopping bags, like we are given at almost everywhere we shop. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says they’re a huge part of our statewide litter problem. His bill would forbid them and place fines on retailers using them.

The rising price for gasoline will mean higher prices at the grocery store. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Today’s COVID numbers from the state Department of Health; just 332 new cases of coronavirus are reported by LDH today. 368 people are in the hospital with virus symptoms. Over 75-percent of them are not fully vaxxed. LDH also reports 48 new virus-related deaths.

Shreveport Police have charged 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection with the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High basketball standout Devin Meyers. Myers was found shot to death in his own front yard. SPD spokesperson Sgt. Angie Wilhite says the public was very helpful in them making a fast arrest…:

CUT 08(07)      “…unspeakable.”

Pearson faces 2^nd-degree murder charges and is in the city jail.

A Marrero lawmaker files a bill to do away with plastic shopping bags. Senator Patrick Connick wants to impose fines of $100 to $500 for using them. He says we should use reusable bags instead. Connick says other states have done this successfully and it’s time for Louisiana to follow suit…:

CUT 14(08)      “…this litter.”

Connicks’s bill is one of hundreds lawmakers will consider when the legislature convenes its regular session, starting March 14^th.

New Orleans lawmaker Matthew Willard wants Louisiana to address its past to improve its future. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02   (34)      “…David Grubb.”

An alert fisherman on Whiskey Bay in Iberville Parish is credited with saving a man who fell over the side of Interstate 10; plummeting over 16 feet into the water below. The man had pulled over with car trouble and was checking it out when his vehicle was hit by a passing big rig. The collision tossed him over the railing. He was injured, but will be OK.

Gasoline prices shot up ANOTHER 15-cents-a-gallon yesterday; now at a statewide average of $3.63 for regular. Diesel fuel is already past $4. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says higher fuel cost for trucks translates into higher prices for groceries. He expects many Louisiana families will be forced to make adjustments…:

CUT 05(10)      “…fuel prices.”

Strain says many may want to consider growing some of their own produce to help with food costs.

A Marrero state lawmaker wants to outlaw single use plastic bags at retail stores. Senator Patrick Connick says they make up a LOT of trash seen on highways and his bill would mandate stores no longer use them. He says reusable carryout bags are better…:

CUT 13(06)      “…in the state.”

His bill would impose fines of from $100 to $500 for offenders.

Triple-A reports another large jump in gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up 15-cents from yesterday to $3.63. The price for a gallon of diesel gasoline has surpassed four dollars. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says not only is the price at the pump skyrocketing so will the cost of fertilizer because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cut 4 (09) “…challenging times.”

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Shreveport Police have arrested 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. Shreveport Police Sgt Angie Willhite says they were able to execute a search warrant on Pearson’s residence and located the murder weapon they believed was used to shoot Meyers at least five times in his back after an ongoing dispute between the two.

Cut 7 (12) “…fleeing.”

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New Orleans State Representative Matthew Willard is introducing a bill at the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays. Over the last few years, the efforts to remove symbols, statues, and other honors for Confederates have intensified. Willard expects pushback from his colleagues but believes that the state cannot move forward for all of its citizens while holding on to a shameful past.

Cut 10 (12) “…back in history.”

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If Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has his way single-use plastic bags at retailers will no longer be allowed in Louisiana in an effort to reduce the ever-growing trash problem in Louisiana. Connick says he’s tired of seeing plastic bags littering the state and he’s introducing legislation.

Cut 12 (11) “…if possible”

The upcoming legislative session begins March 14th.

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Shreveport Police have arrested 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. As for a motive Shreveport Police Sgt Angie Willhite says investigators say the two had an ongoing dispute.

Cut 7 (12) “…fleeing.” 

Bond for Pearson is set at $350-thousand.

New Orleans State Representative Matthew Willard was shocked to find out the state still had two officially recognized holidays honoring the Confederacy on the books. Now he is introducing a bill at the next session to remove both Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays.

Cut 9 (11) “…to remove those.”

The rising price for gasoline will mean higher prices at the grocery store. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state reports another decline is COVID hospitalizations today, 368 are battling COVID in Louisiana hospitals that’s a decline of 26 from the previous day.

On Thursday, we reported on a reduction in flights in and out of Alexandria International Airport, due to a shortage of pilots. What is to be done about the problem? AEX executive director Sandra McQuain says there IS a plan underway to get more people into the cockpit.

Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”

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The state will transfer more than 600 people currently serving time at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder due to a major staffing shortage. In all, 602 inmates, or about 12 percent of Angola’s current population of 5100, will be moved. Department of Corrections Undersecretary Thomas Bickham said efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results.

Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”

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Triple-A reports another large jump in gas prices as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline shot up 15-cents from yesterday to $3.63. The price for a gallon of diesel gasoline has surpassed four dollars. State Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the rising price for fuel will lead to higher prices for groceries as well.

Cut 3 (08) “..from now”

Strain also expects more family gardens in an effort to save a few bucks at the grocery store.

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Shreveport Police have arrested 18-year-old Shamichael Pearson in connection to the shooting death of 17-year-old Huntington High Student Devin Meyers. Shreveport Police Sgt Angie Willhite says investigators were able to talk with witnesses and obtain surveillance footage quickly after the Wednesday shooting.

Cut 6 (11) “…a $350-thousand.”

In Shreveport, police have arrested 18-year old Shamichael Pearson in connection with the shooting death of 17-year old Huntington High student, Devin Myers. Police say Myers was found on the 3500 block of Lillian Street Wednesday afternoon with five gunshot wounds and pronounced dead on the scene. Pearson’s bond is set at $350-thousand.

The family of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride is demanding answers on what led to her death.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Many are wearing blue today for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Shreveport Gastroenterologist Dr. James Hobley (pronounced: HOBB-lee) says research shows colon cancers are increasing in the U.S.; especially among Blacks and Hispanics under age 40. Dr. Hobley cites the sad story of the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred as Marvel’s Black Panther…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…wasn’t caught in time.”

Ages 45 and up should be routinely screened.

A shortage of pilots has forced United will halt service out of Alexandria International beginning in June and next month American Airlines will stop service to Charlotte from AEX. Airport Executive Director Sandra McQuain says they are working with England Airpark and LSU-Alexandria to train new airline pilots…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…pilot’s license.”  

In June Delta flights to Atlanta and American to Dallas will be available at AEX.

State Police arrest 69-year old Jerry Williams of Homer for second-degree murder, in connection with the death of 64-year old Johnny Gilbert. Authorities say the two were involved in an altercation at Gilbert’s Oil Miss Street residence in Homer that resulted in his death. Williams is in the Claiborne Parish Jail.

More than 600 Angola prisoners are about to be on the move. David Grubb tells us why…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

The mother of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride is demanding answers. During the early morning hours of February 19th, 21-year-old Ciaya (Kigh-ha) Whetstone called for an Uber after attending a Mardi Gras party, a few hours later, the driver brought her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her mother, Miranda Ferrannd, at a press conference on UNO’s campus…

Cut 5 (11) “..bury her.”

Ferrannd’s attorney says the police nor Uber are giving them any information.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Shreveport Gastroenterologist Dr. James Hobley (pronounced: HOBB-lee) says – it is especially crucial for Louisianans to stay ahead of potential problems…:

Cut 7 (11) “…quite a few of.”

Ages 45 old should be routinely screened.

The mother of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride is demanding answers. During the early morning hours of February 19th, 21-year-old Ciaya Whetstone called for an Uber after attending a Mardi Gras party, a few hours later, the driver brought her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Attorney Chris Stewart says Miranda Ferrand has zero information…
Cut 4 (10) “…this driver.”
Stewart says they do not know if she was drugged or sexually assaulted, which adds more emotional pain to the family.

Because of staffing issues at the State Prison at Angola, the state Department of Corrections is moving 600 inmates to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder. D-O-C Undersecretary Thomas Bickham says there are enough employees at Allen to handle the influx…
cut 14 (09) “…and keeping them”
The state expects to hire at least 60 new staff members at Allen this month.

Several commercial airlines have been impacted by a pilot shortage resulting in delayed and canceled flights and for smaller airports, like Alexandria, the suspension of service. United Airlines will no longer use A-E-X effective on June 2nd. A-E-X executive director Sandra McQuain says LSU-A and England Airpark has an aviation program trying to address the shortage of pilots…
cut 12 (07) “…back in the air”

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Shreveport gastroenterologist Doctor James Hobley advises getting a colonoscopy every few years, to seek out polyps and prevent cancers from forming…
cut 9 (14) “….and we remove them”
Doctors say regular colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45.

The family of a UNO student who died after an Uber ride say they still don’t know what led to the death of 21-year-old Ciaya Whetstone. Whetstone left a Mardi Gras party on February 19th, called for an Uber and several hours later was dropped off at the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A state representative from South Carolina, Justin Bamburg, was with the family in New Orleans yesterday as they took Ciaya’s body home to South Carolina and says the police, the hospital, and Uber are not providing any information…
cut 6 (12) “….private party’

Because of staffing issues at the Angola Penitentiary, the state department of corrections will move 600 inmates to the Allen Correctional Center in Kinder. D-O-C Undersecretary Thomas Bickham says the transfers will take place in stages…
cut 15 (12) “….third in June

A state trooper has been demoted after L-S-P learned Thomas Noto crossed the line with inappropriate behavior with college students as he accompanied the LSU band on a trip to Mississippi. A state police spokesperson says Noto was a sergeant in the patrol division, but he’s been demoted to trooper.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Do you have an idea on how things are with YOU down there? More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”