11:30 LRN Newscast February 25

Louisiana U.S. Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin from the international community for attacking Ukraine. Kennedy says it’s time to stand up to Putin’s aggression…:

CUT 06(06)      “…that’s Hitler.”

Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and the U.S. should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials, but also rich business leaders who keep Putin in power.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to NOT leave their trash along the route…:

CUT 04(09)      “…clean and tidy.”

 

A Monroe state Representative files legislation that, if passed, would require pharmacists to fill so-called off-label medications. Republican lawmaker Mike Echols says off-label drugs are any that are prescribed for a patient that have not been approved by peer groups or the FDA. He says, during the pandemic, a number of doctors reported good results with treating COVID patients with Ivermectin, but official focus was placed on using the vaccines – not any therapeutic drugs – so pharmacists refused to fill them. Echols says it’s not for the FDA, the AMA or the CDC to decide what legal meds your doctor and pharmacist can provide you, and his bill would put that into state statutes…:

CUT 28(09)      “…those relationships.”

Police in New Orleans say a teen shot Thursday night on the Krewe of Muses parade route was trying to break up a fight. NOPD says witnesses report the boy was shot several times and is now in serious condition. An investigation is underway.

10:30 LRN Newscast February 25

Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin from the international community for attacking Ukraine. Kennedy says it’s time to stand up to Putin’s aggression…
Cut 6 (09) “…power flowing.”
Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and the U-S should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials but also rich business leaders who keep Putin in power.

Senator Bill Cassidy is also calling for tougher sanctions than what President Biden has imposed
Cut 8 (13) “…fell apart”
Cassidy does not believe the U-S should send troops but strengthen U-S forces in NATO countries.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s excited Mardi Gras parades and celebrations are back in full force this year, but he doesn’t want the Carnival season to contribute to the state’s litter problem. Edwards is asking revelers to take responsibility for their own garbage…
cut 3 (11) “…when you’re celebrating”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says local police departments will be committed to getting drunk drivers off the road this Mardi Gras weekend as there is a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign in place through Fat Tuesday. Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says it’s not just drunk drivers…
cut 14 (08) “…impaired driver”
From 2016 through 2020, crashes involving an impaired driver killed 22 people and injured 531 during the Carnival season.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Senator John Kennedy says the United States can not be weak with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which is closing in on that country’s capital. Kennedy says the U-S needs to make Russia President Vladimir Putin. Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and the U-S should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials but rich business leaders who keep Putin in power…
Cut 7 (08) “…assets here.”

Grambling has confirmed the hiring of former Baylor football coach Art Briles as its new offensive coordinator. Briles was fired from Baylor six years ago after the university said he covered up sexual assault claims against his players. HBCU sports analyst Reggie Flood says it appears the university has tried to insulate new head coach Hue Jackson from criticism…
cut 11 (10) “….this hire”
Grambling A-D Trayvean Scott told ESPN he’s giving Briles a chance to redeem himself after understanding where the facts lie.

Vice president Kamala Harris will not travel to St. Landry Parish as originally scheduled today. Governor John Bel Edwards says the V-P has postponed her trip given the state of affairs with Ukraine. Harris was traveling to Louisiana to promote the millions of dollars from the Infrastructure Act that will go towards expanding high speed internet in rural areas.

Mardi Gras is all about fun, but the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants you to do so responsibly. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

8:30 LRN Newscast February 25

Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says it’s time to expel Russian President Vladimir Putin from the international community for attacking Ukraine. Kennedy says it’s time to stand up to Putin’s aggression…
cut 6 (06) “….that’s Hitler”
Kennedy is calling for a stop to all exports to Russia and the U-S should not only sanction Russian banks and government officials but also rich business leaders who keep Putin in power.

In a controversial move, Grambling State has hired former Baylor coach Art Briles as its new offensive coordinator. Briles was fired in 2016 for his involvement in repeated cover-ups of allegations of sexual and physical assaults involving his players. HBCU sports analyst Reggie Flood says this seems like a desperate move for both parties.
Cut 10 (10) “…any other school.”
Grambling A-D Trayvean Scott told ESPN he’s giving Briles a chance to redeem himself after understanding where the facts lie.

A Monroe lawmaker files a bill that would mandate your pharmacy to fill what your doctor prescribes; no matter what the FDA or CDC says. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Vice President Kamala Harris has postponed her trip to St. Landry Parish today where she was scheduled to discuss the millions of dollars that have become available to expand high-speed internet in rural areas. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a wise and understandable decision for Harris not to travel to Louisiana given the state of affairs with Ukraine.

7:30 LRN Newscast Feb 25

Vice President Kamela Harris has canceled her trip to St. Landry Parish where she was set to discuss the Infrastructure Bill and the millions it will provide to expand high-speed internet in rural areas. Harris was set to travel to a state where only two members of the state’s congressional delegation voted for the infrastructure bill.

Grambling State is facing criticism for the hiring of former Baylor football coach Art Briles as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Baylor fired Briles after the university determined he helped cover up sexual assault claims made against his players. HBCU analyst Reggie Flood says Grambling seems to be willing to endure the scrutiny if it produces results…
cut 12 (11) “…is good publicity”

Grambling legend Doug Williams says he doesn’t like the hire.

Monroe Representative Michael Echols has filed a bill that would allow doctors who are licensed to prescribe drugs to have the authority to prescribe certain drugs for off-label use. Echols believes no one should get in the way of the relationship between a doctor and patient…
cut 9 (12) “….prescribing these medications”
Echols says he drafted the bill after talking with medical professionals.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is providing local law enforcement with grant dollars to enforce the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign that’s taking place through Fat Tuesday. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert says officers are trained to spot impaired drivers.
Cut 13 (09) “…arrested.”
From 2016 to 2020 alcohol-related crashes in the state during the carnival season killed 22 and injured 531.

6:30 LRN Newscast February 25

Vice President Kamala Harris has canceled her trip to the Bayou State today in the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. She was scheduled to visit the small town of Sunset in St. Landry Parish to discuss the federal government’s investment into improving rural high-speed internet.

A Monroe state Representative files legislation that, if passed, would require pharmacists to fill so-called off-label medications. Republican lawmaker Mike Echols says off-label drugs are any that are prescribed for a patient that has not been approved by peer groups or the FDA. He says, during the pandemic, some patients could not get prescriptions for some drugs…:
Cut 7 (14) “…degree of integrity.”
Echols bill will be heard in the upcoming legislative session.

In a controversial move, Grambling State has hired former Baylor football coach Art Briles as its new offensive coordinator. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Feb 24

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked oil prices to soar past 100-dollars this morning for the first time since July 2014. Executive director at the Center for Energy Studies at LSU, David Dismukes, says inflation is already high and the Russia-Ukraine crisis will only push prices higher

Cut 3 (10) “…even worse”

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee says even with the Biden Administration announcing a new set of sanctions aimed at Russian banks and technology firms and new export controls also he feels it’s too little too late.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the US.” 

As U-S for boots on the ground in Ukraine, Johnson says we don’t have the capability of doing that right now.

The Public Service Commission is urging Louisiana utilities, electric, gas, and water to step up their cyber security as a result of the unrest caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. PSC member Lambert Boissiere says Russia’s aggression may not be limited to military airstrikes on Ukraine

Cut 5 (08) “…computers these days.”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is worried about rising prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Strain says Russia is a major exporter of natural gas, which is needed to produce fertilizer. He says the cost of fertilizer is already high…

Cut 14 (10)  “…at the grocery” 

Strain says Ukraine has some of the most fertile soil in the world and is a major exporter of wheat and grain.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast February 24

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is worried about rising prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Strain says Ukraine has some of the most fertile soil in the world and is a major exporter of wheat and grain and now the supply for these bread-making ingredients is tightening…:

CUT 13 (08)     “…very significant”

Strain says Russia is a major exporter of natural gas, which is needed to produce fertilizer, and the cost of that is already sky high.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee says they’ve been receiving intelligence for some time the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a real possibility…:

CUT 07(13)      “…real threat.”

 

The director of the LSU’s Center for Energy Studies says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not good for our wallet. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Leesville Police are investigating the death of a 13-year-old boy who went missing last week. James Foraker’s remains were found Wednesday during a search of some local woods where he liked to hang out. Police say the boy’s death appears to be a suicide, but they are conducting a full investigation.

3:30 LRN Newscast February 24

The Russian invasion of Ukraine spurs more concerns from Louisiana’s Congressional delegates. Shreveport Congressman Mike Johnson says the Biden White House needs to hit Vladimir Putin with harsh sanctions as quickly as possible…:

CUT 09(09)      “…since World War II”

Johnson says the U.S. doesn’t have what’s needed to put boots on the ground to defend Ukraine right now, but bipartisan action from Congress and Biden will do a lot to deter Russia.

The principal of West St. Mary High School, in Baldwin, is arrested for theft. St. Mary Sheriff’s deputies say 41-year-old Donald Sanders III allegedly took somewhere between 1-thousand and 5-thousand dollars from the school. His bail has not yet been set.

 

The invasion of Ukraine has given already high inflation a boost. Gasoline prices are already spiking. LSU energy policy expert David Dismukes says the statewide average cost is $3.31, and it could hit $4.00 if high demand for gas continues…:

CUT 04(11)      “…prices go.”

Meanwhile the state’s Public Service Commission asks companies who provide power, water, cable TV and internet to be on guard against cyber-attack, as Russia’s aggression may not be limited to airstrikes and troops. New Orleans PSC Member Lambert Boissiere says instability like this is prime time for cyber criminals seeking to disrupt business…:

CUT 06(09)      “…power flowing.”

A St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputy is fired and arrested on dozens of counts of child pornography and sexual abuse involving animals. Corporal Chris Cassidy had been a deputy since 2006.

2:30 LRN Newscast February 24

Shreveport-Bossier Congressman Mike Johnson says U.S. action to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine must be swift. Brooke Thorington has more….:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

LSU energy policy expert David Dismukes says the Russian invasion is certain to aggravate inflation…:

CUT 03(10)      “…even worse.”

 

The Public Service Commission is urging Louisiana utilities, electric, gas, and water to step up their vigilance against cyber attack, amid the instability in Ukraine. New Orleans area PSC member Lambert Boissiere says Russia’s aggression may not be limited to only military actions…:

CUT 05(08)      “…computers these days.”

New COVID numbers from the Department of Health show fewer than 1000 new cases of the virus, with just over 600 people statewide in the hospital. About 70-percent of those are not fully vaxxed.

The LSU baseball team lost one to Louisiana Tech last night; the first time that’s happened since 1998. The #15 ranked Bulldogs beat the 8th-ranked Tigers 11-6, giving Tech a 4-and-0 start. Tech broadcaster Dave Nitz says more big games are ahead for Tech, so celebrations will have to wait…:

CUT 10(12)      “…next week.”