As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Senator Bill Cassidy says sanctions are beginning to cripple Russia financially and the U-S should still not commit troops to Ukraine, but he does support the US adding troops in the NATO countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to deter Putin from future invasions.

Cut 4 (10) “…NATO country.”

As the backlash against Putin continues there have been calls for boycotts of Russian products, including vodka. Michael Fruge, founder, and owner of Acadiana Parish-based JT Meleck Distillers, says consumers are typically loyal to the brands they like but a worldwide push can quickly gain momentum.

 Cut 6 (06) “…things definitely.” 

At least three states have already implemented bans on Russian-made vodka, and more could follow.

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”  

The Lenten season is upon us, and Associate Professor at LSU’s Department of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier (Pass-quay) says Christians in Louisiana have been looking forward to attending in person services again.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the state.”

Easter is April 17^th.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Senator Bill Cassidy says sanctions are beginning to cripple Russia financially and the U-S should still not commit troops, via air, sea, or ground to assist because Ukraine is not an article five-country with NATO.

Cut 3 (10) “…prepare for war.”

Countries like the Baltic States and Poland.

A state lawmaker wants to change the term limit law, giving legislators the ability to serve four terms in one House, instead of the current three. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says too much experience is being lost, giving staff and lobbyists more institutional knowledge…

Cut 9 (11) “…the Legislature”

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

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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.

In his State of the Union, 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.”

But Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation still say misguided policies by the Biden Administration have led to high gas prices. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s working on an energy policy that will restore America’s energy independence while addressing rising global emissions.

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 13 (11) “….Lenten season”

Thousands of Christians will abstain from meat today and Fridays during the Lenten season. Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute, says there is no shortage of seafood options, especially if you enjoy crawfish…
Cut 10 (13) “…really quickly here.”
Pearce says the supply of oysters remains low as a result of damage to oyster beds from Hurricane Ida.

Many have criticized the Biden Administration saying their clean energy policies have limited gas and oil production thus causing inflation at the gas pump. In an exclusive interview with Louisiana Radio Network, Bharat Ramamurti (Rom-ah-more-tee) Deputy Director of the National Economic Council says the president is all for the U-S producing more oil and gas …

Cut 9 (12)  “…is incorrect.”

A new report from U.L.-Lafayette indicates recovery of Louisiana jobs from the pandemic will be a slow process. ULL economics professor Gary Wagner says record-high inflation is adversely affecting employers’ ability to fill needed jobs, and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon…:

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

The Lake Providence Police Department is closed for business, Police Chief Leroy Threats says he received a call from Mayor Jerry Bell that there’s no funding for the department. Mayor Bell says the department overspent and while Chief Threats says otherwise. The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Department will respond to calls in the meantime.

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.” 

Inflation and supply chain issues have been impacting Americans and in an exclusive interview with the Louisiana Radio Network, Bharat Ramamurti, (Rom-ah-more-tee) Deputy Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, says one-third of inflation last year was in vehicles and the severe shortage of semiconductors or chips is to blame…
cut 8 (12) “….right now”

U-L Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner previously predicted that Louisiana would reach pre-COVId job levels this year, but he’s now pushing that projection back to the first quarter of 2023…
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.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. Many Christians will spend the next 40 days in reflection and self-examination. Associate Professor at LSU’s Department of Religious Studies Michael Pasquier says Lent is a time when many Christians concentrate on their immediate surroundings…
cut 14 (09) “…in the world”
Many Christians will abstain from meat today and Fridays during Lent. Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute, says while oysters might be low in supply, there’s plenty of shrimp, the crawfish season looks good and there’s also…
cut 12 (12) “….local catfish’

In his State of the Union President Biden set out goals to help reduce inflation. Brooke Thorington has more from the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

But Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation still say misguided policies by the Biden Administration have led to high gas prices. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s working on an energy policy that will restore America’s energy independence while addressing rising global emissions.

A new report from U.L.-Lafayette indicates recovery of Louisiana jobs in the wake of the pandemic will be a slow process. 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 on a national scale. However…:
Cut 4 (14) “…ticked back up yet.”

The Lenten season starts today. Fish on Fridays is a decades-old tradition. Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute, says there should be no shortage of options for seafood lovers, especially if you enjoy crawfish…
Cut 10 (13) “…really quickly here.”
Pearce says the supply of oysters remains low as a result of damage to oyster beds from Hurricane Ida.

In his State of the Union Address, President Biden outlined his 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 part of that plan is addressing what the Administration calls price gouging in the ocean shipping industry.
Cut 7 (12) “…consumers are paying more.”

Today the Lenten season begins the biggest time of the year sales-wise for the seafood industry. Harlon Pearce, Chairman of the Gulf Seafood Institute, says the crawfish season should be good, but oyster beds were impacted by Hurricane Ida…
cut 11 (10) “….still shrimp around”
Pearce says there should also be plenty of finfish available, including black drum and of course, Louisiana wild catfish.

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.”

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.”

—

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.

—

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.

—

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 02(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Police in the Acadia Parish town of Church Point say they confiscated five guns during Carnival parades over the Mardi Gras weekend. Cops say they also made numerous arrests for fighting and juvenile drinking. Police Chief Dale Thibodeaux thanks residents for a mostly safe and incident-free holiday.

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 says the U.L. System has made student safety a priority and the hiring of Briles sent a message inconsistent with the values they have worked to promote and rules they have committed to enforce…:

CUT 04(11)      “…issue to us.”

Briles allegedly ignored or covered up more than 50 sexual and physical assaults by players during his time at Baylor.

It’s Mardi Gras Day and, earlier todaty, New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell turned over a key to the city to King Rex…:

CUT 09(11)      “…City of New Orleans needs.”

At midnight tonight, it is all over until next year.

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

CUT 01(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Speaking of Grambling …

CUT 11(12)      (music fades)

That’s Grambling State’s marching band; performing during the Zulu Parade this morning in New Orleans. It all comes to an end tonight at midnight; bringing on 40 days of Lent.

A traffic crash on Highway 84 in Desoto Parish claims the lives of a Shreveport couple; Louis and Inell Flannigan – ages 81 and 80. State Police Trooper Jon Odom says their car collided with first one, then a second big rig. Odom says impairment is NOT suspected, but blood toxicology tests are routine. He says impairment is often a factor this time of year, so stay sober, designate a sober driver or call an Uber…:

CUT 08(09)      “…lot of times.”

As President Biden prepares tonight’s State of the Union address, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy questions Mr. Biden’s weak domestic energy policies and their effect on our economy. Cassidy says now – with Russia invading Ukraine – we need to move away from Russian oil & gas…:

CUT 14(07)      “…energy future.”

The U.S. had been energy independent until just after Biden took office.