A two-vehicle crash last night in Acadia Parish has claimed the lives of two men.  20-year-old Derrick Caesar Jr. and 20-year-old Tywon Thorn, both of Crowley were pronounced dead at the scene, after their sedan crossed the center line and hit an SUV head-on. Neither were wearing a seatbelt, nor was the driver of the other vehicle (who sustained moderate injuries). State Police Trooper Tom Gossen says the SUV had too many people aboard and most of them – including children – weren’t restrained…:

CUT 08(09)      “..results are pending.”

This is the fourth fatal crash, with a total of six deaths, investigated by Troop I since the start of 2022.

A fatal crash early this morning in Ascension Parish closed Interstate 10 West down for several hours. State Police in Troop A say a pickup lost control and flipped over near the Highway 22 Sorrento exit. The driver was killed. The crash is under investigation.

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, gasoline and diesel prices keep going upward. GasBuddy.com senior fuel analyst Patrick DeHaan warns us to be prepared for some tough months ahead, as the U.S. enters conditions that could push gasoline prices up by anywhere from 25-to-75 cents by Memorial Day. Louisiana currently averages $3.35 per gallon; up 97 cents from a year ago…:

CUT 14(07)      “…in recent years.”

The state Department of Health reports just 668 new cases of the coronavirus; the Omicron variant. Statewide, there are 586 people in the hospital with the virus. Of those, about 68-percent are not fully vaxxed. LDH also reports 25 more deaths of persons with the virus; bringing the statewide total for the whole pandemic to just over 16,600.

As the Russia-Ukraine crisis continues, so does the steady rise in fuel prices. 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. GasBuddy.com senior fuel analyst Patrick DeHaan says it’s only made a bad situation worse…:’

CUT 13  (12)        “…anytime soon.”

DeHaan says we could see gas go up another 25-to-75 cents by Memorial Day.

Lafayette is happy to see Mardi Gras return, after the pandemic cancelled everything last year. Convention & Visitors Commission head Ben Berthelot says it’s a great place for more family-oriented Mardi Gras…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…of Mardi Gras tomorrow.”

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 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The New Orleans Saints will journey across The Pond this season to play in the NFL’s annual series of international games. This season will mark the Saints’ third trip to London. Their opponent team has not yet been determined. Other NFL games will be played in Munich and in Mexico City.

We’re entering a perfect storm for high prices at the pump. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “….David Grubb.”

Police in the Iberville Parish town of Plaquemine say an unattended 3-year-old, left in a parked car, somehow managed to get it in gear and drive through the front of a Dollar General store. No one was hurt. Mom initially said the car did that by itself and the kid was with her, but surveillance video reveal that was lie. She was cited for improper supervision of a minor.

The Tangipahoa Sheriff’s office arrests two men for the murder of a local teen last summer. Elijah Washington and Travon Washington – both 20 – are charged with killing 14-year-old Taysia Folse, and leaving her body in a grassy area near Ponchatoula last June. Deputies say Crimestoppers tips led to the men’s arrests.

A decrease in enrollment and TOPS participation among Louisiana public colleges and universities raises concerns among Board of Regents members. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says for the first time ever they’re not asking for more TOPS funding this year. Dr. Reed says this isn’t necessarily a Louisiana problem and the National Clearing House estimates a million fewer college students in the nation right now…:

CUT 11(09)      “…floods, et cetera.”

Looks like Mardi Gras Day will be a nice one. Sunshine is expected with highs statewide ranging in the mid-60’s to near 70 degrees.

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.”

Like other areas of the state, Berthelot says the pandemic has severely hurt the hospitality industry and he’s hopeful now that carnival season has been such a boost to the industry that it’s just the beginning for 2022.

—

A two-vehicle crash last night in Acadia Parish has claimed the lives of two men.  20-year-old Derrick Ceasar Jr. and 20-year-old 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. It is unknown at this time whether either or both of the drivers were impaired at the time, and toxicology reports are pending.

Cut 7 (08) “…remains to be seen.”

—

A decrease in enrollment and TOPS participation among Louisiana public colleges and universities raises concerns among Board of Regents members. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed says for the first time ever they’re not asking for more TOPS funding this year. TOPS recipients can delay enrollment for up to one year and Reed says they want to find out as to what’s keeping students from enrolling or even possibly postponing their higher education.

Cut 10 (09) “…off track.”

—

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.”

DeHaan warns drivers to be prepared for some tough months ahead as the U-S enters a perfect storm that could push gasoline prices up by anywhere from 25 to 75 cents by Memorial Day. Louisiana currently averages $3.35 per gallon, up 97 cents from a year ago.

—

A decrease in enrollment and TOPS participation among Louisiana public colleges and universities raises concerns among Board of Regents members. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says for the first time ever they’re not asking for more TOPS funding this year. As for why enrollment is down, Reed believes it’s multifaceted.
Cut 9 (12) “…challenges.”
Reed says the decline in enrollment needs to be further studied.

A noted political analyst says Senator Bill Cassidy would be a most formidable candidate for Governor IF he should decide to run. Ron Faucheux says – should Cassidy decide to run – he would do so as a moderate…
Cut 10 (07) “…as a Republican.”
For his part, Senator Cassidy has NOT declared any intention to run for Governor in 2023. Cassidy said recently he’s quite engaged in being a United States Senator.

A two-vehicle crash last night in Acadia Parish killed two men from Crowley. 20-year-old Derrick Ceasar Jr. and 20-year-old Tywon Thorn were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a Buick Century crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a Ford Expedition…
Cut 6 (08) “…on the shoulder.”
Gossen says the deceased individuals were not buckled up, and several people inside the Expedition suffered minor to moderate injuries.

The beads were flying this past weekend as Louisiana residents and visitors are enjoying the return of Mardi Gras. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot hopes this is just the beginning of a great 2022 for the hospitality industry…
cut 5 (11) “…back strong”
There are Lundi Gras parades across south Louisiana tonight and then tomorrow it’s the Big Fat Tuesday celebration.

Could U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy win if he ran for Governor? One political analyst says, “yes he could.”

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

New Orleans Representative and attorney Kyle Green, files a bill to eliminate the death penalty for the offenses of first-degree murder, rape, and treason. Green says his reasoning starts at one place.

Cut 13 (05) “…number one issue.”

The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010.

Louisiana is getting a major financial investment as part of the Biden Administration’s effort to narrow the digital divide. The U-S Department of Commerce has announced the state will receive more than $29 million to build and improve high-speed internet access for rural communities. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves says there’s more to come.

Cut 7 (14) “… high-speed broadband”

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.”

The Acadiana region is set to receive nearly 30-million dollars from the U-S Department of Commerce to expand high-speed internet. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves says the grant money will bring broadband to 22-thousand unserved households across the region…
cut 9 (12) “….in manunfacturing”

The governor’s race in Louisiana is still over a year away, but Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy’s name continues to come up. Political analyst Ron Faucheaux says Cassidy would be a formidable candidate if he decides to run…
cut 11 (06) “….and Democrats”
LSU professor and communications director for former Governor Kathleen Blanco, Bob Mann, has also mentioned Cassidy as a strong potential candidate.

Two weeks from today is the start of the 2022 regular legislative session and a bill to eliminate the death penalty will be up for discussion. New Orleans Representative Kyle Green has filed the legislation and believes there’s a good chance it will pass…
cut 15 (10) “…want to keep”
The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010 when Gerald Bordelon dropped all appeals in order to receive a lethal injection. He is the only person to be executed in Louisiana since 2002.

For the first time since 2014, the LSU women’s basketball team defeated Tennessee on its home floor as the Lady Tigers topped the Lady Vols 57-54. The victory also secured the two seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. Coach Kim Mukley on how she celebrated the big win…
cut 18 (08) “…get home”
LSU will play again on Friday at the SEC Tournament in Nashville.

Is it time for Louisiana to eliminate the death penalty? David Grubb has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A tweet from Congressman Clay Higgins went viral Sunday when he posted “You millennial leftists who never lived one day under nuclear threat can now reflect upon your woke sky. You made quite a non-binary fuss to save the world from intercontinental ballistic tweets.” Dictionary.com responded, “We’re not entirely sure what this tweet is supposed to mean and we’re literally the dictionary.”

Louisiana will receive $29 million from the Biden Administration in an effort to close the digital divide and improve high-speed internet access for rural communities. Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves says the President has made solving this issue a priority, calling it an injustice.

Cut 8 (12)  “…infrastructure whatsoever”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is looking for homes for the remaining “Mardi Gras Horses.” HSLA director Jeff Dorson says extra horses are purchased annually to fill the need for carnival parades and after the parades, they need a home and in the last 5 years they’ve found them for every single horse, but it takes a lot of work from dedicated volunteers…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…a horse properly.”

Search Mardi Gras Horses on Facebook for more information.

Louisiana is one of 12 states getting a boost from the feds in closing the digital divide. David Grubb has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Gas prices continue to rise. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.37. That’s up seven cents over the last week and nearly 30-cents in the last month. If you are driving to a Mardi Gras parade, great weather is expected for today and tomorrow.

A Noted political analyst says Senator Bill Cassidy would be a most formidable candidate for Governor IF he should decide to run. Ron Faucheux (FO-shay) says – should Cassidy decide to run – he would do so as a moderate…
Cut 10 (14) “…candidates wouldn’t have.”
For his part, Senator Cassidy has NOT declared any intention to run for Governor in 2023. Cassidy said recently he’s quite engaged in being a United States Senator.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is seeking new adoptive homes for the last dozen remaining “Mardi Gras Horses”. What ARE “Mardi Gras Horses”? HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says each year, horses are purchased to fill the need for parade horses for the biggest two weeks of Carnival. After the holiday ends, there are always horses left with no purpose and no home…:
Cut 4 (09) “…or sold for slaughter.”
If interested in adopting a Mardi Gras horse go to Humane Society of Louisiana Mardi Gras Horse Adoption on Facebook.

Could U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy win if he ran for Governor? One political analyst says “yes he could.” Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy say they look forward to meeting with Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. If confirmed, she will be the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Cassidy says potential Supreme Court justices must apply the law as written and respect constitutional rights, especially individual freedoms.

The 2022 regular legislative session begins two weeks from today and one of the bills that will be up for discussion is a proposal that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana. New Orleans Representative Kyle Green says he’s concerned about a wrongful conviction for someone who was sentenced to death…
cut 14 (12) “….be exonerated”
The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is looking for homes for parade horses. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says sometimes the horses are re-sold to the barn they came from, but some are sold for slaughter and that’s not acceptable…
cut 5 (15) “…Horse Adoption Program”
Applications can be found on Facebook at mardi gras horses 2017.