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.”

The family of a UNO student who died after a Uber ride is demanding answers on what led to her death. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Former President Donald Trump will be in New Orleans this weekend as he’ll appear at a Republican National Committee event. Minority Whip and Jefferson Parish Republican Steve Scalise and Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow will also be there. No public events have been announced.

The state will transfer over 600 people currently serving time at the 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 says efforts to attract staff have failed to yield results to their prison in West Feliciana Parish.
Cut 13 (10) “…we had anticipated.”
DOC officials believe the area surrounding the Allen Correctional Center is better suited to recruit employees than Angola,

Alexandria International Airport is part of an initiative to train more commercial airline pilots. AEX Executive director Sandra McQuain…:
Cut 10 (13) “…Education Initiative.”
American Airlines and United Airlines are two major airliners that have been hampered by a shortage of pilots.

Can we be optimistic that the COVID pandemic is nearing an end? Mask mandates and attendance restrictions are being stopped all over the state, and today the Department of Health reports fewer than 400 people are in the hospital with virus symptoms statewide. Nevertheless, Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig advises we not rush an end to precautions. She says health experts are watching a virus variant that is spreading around some parts of Europe…:

CUT 13(09)      “…wait and see.”

She says there is no guarantee that the virus will weaken as it continues to mutate.

The State Police Crime Lab says a labor shortage has contributed to another backlog of DNA evidence awaiting testing. LSP Lt. Melissa Matey says about 2500 cases are languishing while the lab tries to play “catchup.” She says even cases put on the fast track are being delayed…:

CUT 10(10)      “…four months.”

How much did you pay for your last gasoline purchase? The statewide average price of regular gas is at $3.48-a-gallon today; up 7-cents from just yesterday. Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says when prices get this high, many of us will change our driving and spending behaviors…:

CUT 05(08)      “…stay as long.”

He says it would be wise to budget for gas at $4 through the summer.

The lineup for this year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans is out, and it’s once again packed with major stars. Janet Jackson and Kevin Hart are headliners, plus Nicki Minaj, New Edition, the Isley Brothers and more. The Essence Festival is one of several big festivals returning to the city after a two-year hiatus due to COVID precautions. It runs June 30^th through July 3^rd.

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

For commuters in the Monroe area, there is good news and bad news. First the good: DOTD says it will add a third lane in each direction to I-20 in West Monroe; alleviating traffic congestion. The bad news? It will take a couple years to complete, and when construction starts expect lane closures and delays. They hope to get the project underway early next year.

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily stop all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut all service to AEX. She says a shortage of pilots in the problem. McQuain says while they hate to lose a carrier and/or routes to AEX it does create the opportunity to recruit new ones…:

CUT 08(09)      “…our markets.”

State Police arrest two Houston residents on I-10 near Baton Rouge, after finding more than two POUNDs of cocaine inside their vehicle during a routine traffic stop Wednesday. 35-year-old Marco Garcia and 20-year-old Maria Hernandez are each charged with possession with intent to distribute. They are now in the Iberville Parish jail.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is dealing with a major backlog. David Grubb has more on how they’re tackling the problem…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

State Police in the Baton Rouge area are investigating the death of a pedestrian on Interstate 12 early this morning. Troopers say 44-year-old Ben Martel of Ponchatoula was walking IN the westbound left lane at around 3 a.m., when he was struck by a big rig. An investigation is underway as to why Martel was walking IN the roadway and not on the shoulder.

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The state Health Department reports just over 600 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations are now below 400. Many hope we are done with coronavirus, but Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says another surge in cases is still possible, though. She says not to count on the virus getting weaker as it mutates, because that doesn’t always happen…:

CUT 14(12)      “…get weaker.”

Gasoline prices have jumped 7-cents a gallon since yesterday. The statewide average price of regular is now at $3.48-a-gallon. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the Russian invasion of Ukraine is aggravating an already volatile oil & gas market…:

CUT 03(08)      “…those prices upward.”

Redman suggest we all budget $4 a gallon for gas for the next several weeks, at least.

More pain at the gasoline pump. Louisiana AAA says the average cost of regular gas is up 7 cents since yesterday; now at $3.48. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the state’s peak of $4.08-a-gallon was reached in the summer of 2008, but we could be back in that range soon…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…the coming weeks”

He says the Ukraine invasion has aggravated an already volatile energy picture worldwide.

There will soon be fewer flight available from Alexandria International Airport. Airport Director Sandra McQuain says a shortage of pilots is a big part of the problem that is impacting airports large and small across the country…:

CUT 07(07)      “…right now.”

United is cutting service to Alec. McQuain says she will seek another carrier to take their place.

Shreveport Police are investigating the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy this afternoon in the city’s Queensborough area. The teen was found dead from multiple gunshots right in his own front yard. They ask anyone who saw anything to come forward.

State troopers arrest two people from Houston after finding more than 2 pounds of cocaine in their car. The drugs were found during a traffic stop on I-10 in the Baton Rouge area. Booked with possession with intent to distribute, the pair are in the Iberville Parish jail.

The number of new COVID cases continues to drop. The Louisiana Health Department reported 607 new cases today and statewide hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the pandemic is far from officially over…:

CUT 12(04)      “…going away.”

Hassig says there is no guaranty the COVID virus will get progressively weaker as it mutates.

State Police reports a DNA backlog of about 25-hundred cases because of staffing challenges. That means the turnaround time for expedited cases can take about four months. LSP Lt. Melissa Matey says staffing challenges are actively being addressed through increased hiring and training because they understand getting DNA samples analyzed is critical for police investigations…
cut 11 (11) “…backlog”

COVID cases continue to decline. The state reported 607 new cases today and hospitalizations fell by another 17 to 394. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig the decline in cases is encouraging, but they are monitoring a variant of Omicron that’s spreading through some parts of Europe…
cut 13 (09) “….and see”

Senate confirmation hearings for U-S Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson begin on March 21, inspiring a new generation of Black legal professionals. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Triple-A says gas prices are up another seven cents to 3.48 a gallon for regular gasoline. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says once you get to this price range, families start to budget for high gas prices…
cut 5 (08) “…as long”

State and local crime labs across the country face tremendous backlogs in testing DNA and it’s only getting worse. The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab currently has 25-hundred DNA cases awaiting testing. Lieutenant Melissa Matey says the biggest hurdles LSP faces are job vacancies.

Cut 9 (11) “…right now.”

Jetsetters flying in and out of Alexandria will have fewer flight options beginning next month and even fewer in June. Executive director of the Alexandria International Airport, Sandra McQuain, says American Airlines will temporarily all Alexandria-Charlotte flights in April, and in June United will cut service to AEX, due to the pilot shortage.

 Cut 6 (08) “…June second.” 

Gas prices rose another seven cents from yesterday. Jeff Palermo reports 4-dollar a gallon gasoline could be possible this summer…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Less than 400 patients in Louisiana hospitals are being treated for COVID today. 394 people have COVID in Louisiana hospitals.

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.”

—

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.”

—

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.”

—

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.”

—

A former LSU basketball player – now living in Ukraine – describes the situation there under a Russian invasion. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The average price per gallon of regular gas jumped seven cents overnight in Louisiana. Today’s average price for regular gas is $3.48, that’s up from Wednesday’s $3.41. The record high in July 2008 was $4.01  gallon and AAA spokesperson Don Redman says we could see prices like that again soon.

In two and a half weeks Senate confirmation hearings begin for U-S Supreme Court nominee, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.  Southern University Student Bar Association President Nzhada (Nih-jay-da) Harris believes Jackson’s going to bring a much-needed perspective to the court; one more reflective of the nation as a whole.

Cut 8 (12)  “…level of inclusion.”

After two tourists were killed during Mardi Gras, its renewed interest of having the state take over the French Quarter. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says before they had a plan in place with the Mayor, that included adequate police patrol, surveillance, and improved lighting.

Cut  11 (10)  “…this year.”

The French Quarter would basically be treated as a state park.