Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the U.S. House district map passed by the Legislature, what’s next for lawmakers? Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A new survey by Triple-A gives a look into what Americans might do if gas prices keep climbing. David Grubb has more:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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After a week of warm temps and sunny skies, things are about to make a drastic change weatherwise. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the U.S. House district map passed by the Legislature, what is the next step for lawmakers? Especially the Republican majority? “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says House & Senate members have two options: draw up a new map or override the Governor…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…veto override vote.”

Because Blacks make up over 30-percent of all Louisiana voters, many feel there should be 2 majority Black districts, to reflect that percentage. Alford says Option One for lawmakers – drawing up a new map – is unlikely, because the matter is about voter numbers AND where they reside…:

Cut 5 (14) “…as an alternative.”

As for Option Two – overriding the veto – Alford says it’s possible the GOP House majority, with some powerful Democrats in support, could bring in the two-thirds vote to block the Governor. In the Senate, he says GOP Senate & Governmental affairs chair Sharon Hewitt will help muster a lot of votes to override..:

Cut 6 (12)  “…in the Senate.”

An override vote on a special session bill CAN take place while the regular session is underway, but legislators must agree to suspend regular session business while it is done.

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Among the bills filed for Monday’s upcoming session is a bill that would set up the legal framework allowing offshore wind leasing in state waters. The author of House Bill 165, Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says wind energy in the Gulf of Mexico has its advantages.

Cut 7 (10) “…to work.”

Zeringue says he sees wind energy in the gulf as a compliment to the oil and gas industry, not a competitor. He says we already have a skilled workforce and offshore wind energy development makes just makes sense for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (10)  “…to do that.”

Zeringue says there’s currently no turbine or wind farm that won’t require either a lease to the landowner…

Cut 9 (09)  “…the windfarms”

State waters extend about three miles from the coast and Zeringue says he sees wind farms being established within the next two years.

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A new survey by Triple-A says that we’ve reached the tipping point with gas prices, and drivers are ready to make some changes. Don Redman, spokesman for AAA says we’ve learned a thing or two since 2008, the last time we crossed the $4 threshold.

Cut 10 (12) “…this time around.”

If carpooling isn’t an option, Redman says there are other tips to keep in mind when you’re on the road that can stretch your fuel dollar.

Cut  11 (12)  “…fuel efficiency.”  

Redman also advises drivers not to let the gas light come on…so fill up that before you get below a quarter of a tank.

Cut 12 (12) “…tank is time.”

Triple-A says that early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fill up, especially during the summer months.

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You’ll want to have your winter coat handy, you’ll need it tonight and into the weekend as a cold front enters the state, and portions of north-central and northwest Louisiana might even see snow. Shreveport National Weather Service Meteorologist Armani Cassel says rain is expected to change into frozen precipitation later today.

Cut 13 (08) “…by midnight.”

A winter weather advisory is in effect until midnight Friday in North Louisiana with less than an inch of accumulation.

The rest of the Bayou State will dodge raindrops today but with the ongoing drought, state climatologist Barry Keim says it won’t be enough to make a dent in the rain gauge.

Cut 14 (08)  “…yet folks.”

Keim says highs today will be in the low 60s in northern parishes and in the upper 70s as you move south and tonight the mercury takes a dip.

Cut 15 (11)  “…afternoon.”

After enjoying almost early summer-like temperatures for the last few days Cassel the wintery mix of weather shouldn’t present too many driving hazards.

Cut 16 (10)  “…the threat.”

On Sunday the cold temps continue with the 30s in the morning with highs only reaching into the 60s.

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Following LSU’s 76-68 victory in the SEC tournament, Tigers head coach Will Wade was asked about the notice of allegations regarding violations in his program…Wade gave a strong “no comment.” Sort of.

Cut 17 (20) “ …on our team.” 

Wade says his team is focused on winning basketball games and nothing other than that.

Cut 18 (14) “ ..with the investigation.” 

LSU faces 15th ranked Arkansas at 1 pm in the tournament quarterfinals. The Tigers lost a one-point heartbreaker to the Razorbacks in the final week of the regular season.

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The 16th ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series against Bethune Cookman, their final weekend series before SEC play starts. Coach Jay Johnson’s team is 10-and-3 and they are tied for third in hitting with a team batting average of .321…

Cut 19 (16)_“..do that” 

Bethune Cookman brings a 5-and-7 record to the Box. The Wildcats were in a Regional in 2017 but didn’t play last season because of COVID. Johnson says as a team they’ve only hit three home runs, but like to score runs in other ways…

Cut 20 (12) “ ..good opponent.” 

Former LSU basketball and Ukraine native Roman Rubchenko (roob-CHENK-oh) gives an update on conditions in his country amid the Russian invasion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Does crude oil prices over 100-dollars mean more money for the state’s coffers? Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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In the week since Talk Louisiana host, Jim Engster spoke with former LSU basketball player Roman Rubchenko (roob-CHENK-oh) and Ukraine native says he’s now back at his country home outside of the capital of, Kyiv, after traveling with other men to help women and children in their families evacuate safely.

Cut 3 (10) “…can help.”

As for media access, Rubchenko says he’s able to view media reports from all over about the invasion, and while the media in Russia is controlled by the government, he also points out that Ukrainian reports are not necessarily accurate with the number of civilian deaths.

Cut 4 (10) “…war effort.”

And while Russia has more weapons and manpower compared to Ukraine Rubchenko says his home country has something much more valuable when it comes to winning a war.

Cut 5 (08) “…everything right?”

Rubcheno has previously stated if given the opportunity he would punch Vladimir Putin in the face but as the conflict lingers, now he wants the Russian dictator to go on trial for his war crimes so those in the former Soviet nation can learn of his true character.

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According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.13. Gas prices have increased by 90-cents over the last month. Could they increase another 90-cents and eclipse five dollars a gallon? Professor Pierre Conner director of the Tulane Energy Institute says it’s a possibility…

 Cut 6  (10) “… higher prices” 

Conner says a ten-dollar a barrel increase in the price of crude oil, results in a 25 cent increase at the pump. He says the futures market shows crude oil prices falling, but if demand remains strong and the supply can’t keep up then gas prices will continue to rise…

Cut 7 (12) “…to 9 months.” 

The high oil prices are producing large profits for energy companies. Conner expects oil companies will use the extra dollars to try and increase production…

 Cut 8 (10) “  bit more.” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the congressional redistricting map approved by the state legislature, saying it failed to include a district that would allow a second Black candidate the opportunity to serve as a member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. Capitol bureau editor of The Advocate, Mark Ballard says the map offers little change to the status quo.

Cut 9 (11) “…the way it was.”

Republican legislative leaders now have to decide whether or not to pursue an override. 1991 was the last time the Legislature overrode a governor’s veto, so Ballard says the odds are long for the Republican-led legislature

Cut 10 (10)  “…in the house.”

Ballard says this is another example of partisan politics with elected officials attempting to solidify their power by taking care of their own voters while disregarding other constituent groups within their districts.

Cut 11 (09)  “…base is protected.”  

A veto override would require a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers.

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Crude oil prices over 100-dollars a barrel means more money for the state’s general fund as Louisiana benefits from higher than expected revenues from severance taxes and royalties. But State Treasurer John Schroder says any increase in revenue from oil and gas production could be offset in a loss of sales tax revenues…

Cut 12 (10) “…tied in.”  

According to the January forecast from the Revenue Estimating Conference, the state will collect $525.5 million in total mineral revenues for the 2023 fiscal year.

But Schroder says for those who live on a fixed income, they will cut back on other spending so where the state might see more oil and gas revenues, for example, sales tax collections will most likely go down.

Cut 13 (09) “…in others”

And while Schroder says it’s a pretty safe bet that gas prices are not going to decrease anytime soon, he says because of that Louisianans will be changing their spending habits due to prices at the pump and elsewhere.

Cut 14 (11)  “…very far.”