In the wake of the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran, the price of crude oil has skyrocketed, and that’s leading to a spike in gas prices. According to Gasbuddy.com, gas prices are about a dime higher than yesterday as the statewide average is at $2.65. Gasbuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan does not expect the prices will continue to skyrocket.

Cut 6 (07) “…everyday.”

Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says this is why America needs to continue to rely less on international oil and gas supplies.

Cut 14 (11) “…will do that.”

Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly disrupted. Twenty-percent of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait.

We’re learning some findings from a task force on energy created last year by Senate President Cameron Henry. It comes amid a string of data centers, including Meta and Amazon, coming to Louisiana. Henry says while those data centers certainly create jobs and economic impact, they can also drain resources. 

Cut 3 (11) “…businesses as well.”

Henry says the task force found that utility companies pass the costs of upgrading their systems onto their customers while getting a ten-percent return on their investment from that money.

A New Orleans Democrat files a bill that would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana. Weed is legal in 24 states, and Representative Candace Newell believes Louisiana should join that growing list.

Cut 5 (12) “…to sustain ourself.”

A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana, but only at a few locations. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s legislation would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana by businesses that have a license to dispense medical marijuana, but the recreational weed must be sold at a separate location.

Cut 4 (07) “…recreational can work.” 

Among the hot-button topics in this year’s session is carbon capture – the process of capturing carbon emissions from factories. It’s often paired with sequestration, which involves storing those carbon emissions underground. House Speaker Phillip Devillier is among its supporters.

Cut 9 (10)  “…it safely there.”

DeVillier says he has an open door to listen to concerns people have about it.

Crude Oil prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran began. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says it’s another example of why domestic energy production is so important.

Cut 15 (11) “…down the road.”

LSU-Alexandria Chancellor Dr. Philip Coreil has announced his retirement at the end of the current academic year. Coriel says the one accomplishment that stands out to him the most is rebranding the school to utilize the same colors, fonts and styles as those of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge.

Cut 11 (14) “…State of Louisiana.”

Soon afterwards, all other schools in the LSU system followed suit.

Gas prices are climbing in Louisiana. Yesterday the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.57 and today it’s $2.71. Crude Oil prices surged above 70 dollars a barrel since the strikes on Iran began. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says it’s not a surprise to see the market respond like this.

Cut 13 (08)  “…more than that.”

Three Northwest Louisiana men have been arrested and accused of online child exploitation. The arrests of 35-year-old Edwin Roberts II, 24-year-old Garret Godejohn, and 35-year-old David Lee Clark are a result of a joint operation hosted by the Natchitoches Parish Sherriff’s Office to identify and arrest those seeking children on online platforms for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, the Shreveport Police, and the Sheriffs’ Offices of Bossier, Ouachita, and Webster Parishes were part of the operation.

Recreational marijuana will be legal in Louisiana if New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s bill passes in the upcoming legislative session that begins Monday. Newell believes Louisiana should join the 24 other states that have legalized recreational use so the state could benefit from the tax revenue that could be gained, but she is not optimistic her bill will pass.

Cut 6 (10) “…get 53 yes’s.”

Maybe the hottest issue to be debated in the session that begins on Monday is Carbon Capture. Senate President Cameron Henry says the oil and gas industry is a major economic driver for the state, and local governments need to keep that in mind when navigating the issue.

Cut 8 (13) “…chased one away.”

A bill that would allow the sale of recreational marijuana has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Recreational weed is legal in 24 states and bill sponsor, New Orleans Representative Candace Newell believes Louisiana should join that growing list and benefit from the tax revenue that can be gained from the sale of marijuana.

Cut 5 (12) “…to sustain ourself.”

Carbon Capture is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming session. House Speaker, Phillip Devillier supports carbon capture.

Cut 9 (10)  “…it safely there.”

DeVillier acknowledges people have concerns about carbon capture, and he says he has an open door to listen to those concerns.

The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announces his retirement. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crude oil prices are up, above 70 dollars a barrel since strikes on Iran began. The next Gulf lease sale is scheduled for next week and Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says this latest conflict in the Middle East is another example on why domestic energy production is so important.

Cut 15 (11) “…down the road.”

Crude Oil prices are above 70 dollars a barrel since strikes on Iran began. Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly disrupted. Twenty percent of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says this is why America needs to continue to rely less on international oil and gas supplies.

Cut 14 (11) “…will do that.”

More than 40 animals died in a barn fire last night in Scott. The fire destroyed the metal barn. When the Scott Fire Department crews arrived, the barn was fully engulfed in flames and threatening nearby homes but was brought under control in 10 minutes. According to Fire investigators, the cause of the fire was ordinary combustibles placed too close to a heat source. No firefighters or civilians were injured.

A new legislative session is now less than a week away, and one of the big issues lawmakers will be tackling is carbon capture. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana, but only at a few locations. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s legislation would allow for the sale by businesses that already have a license to dispense medical marijuana, but the recreational weed must be sold at a separate location.

Cut 4 (07) “…recreational can work.” 

Crude Oil prices surged above 70 dollars a barrel since the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran began. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says it’s not a surprise to see the market respond like this.

Cut 13 (08)  “…more than that.”

Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly disrupted. Twenty percent of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait.

The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announced his retirement. After 43 years in the LSU system, Dr. Paul Coreil will retire at the end of this academic year. The 70-year-old says the 13 years he spent in Alexandria, the last eight of which were as LSU-A’s chancellor, have been the best years of his career.

Cut 10 (07) “…an LSU position.”

An effort to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational use will be up for debate in the legislative session that begins next week. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One of the big issues in the upcoming session will be Carbon capture. Senate President Cameron Henry acknowledges that it’s a hot-button issue relating to the oil and gas industry.

Cut 7 (06) “…medium to it.”

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier supports carbon capture and has seen it done safely in Texas, but he acknowledges it’s something people are concerned about.

An effort to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational use will be up for debate in the legislative session that begins next week. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

A new legislative session is now less than a week away, and one of the big issues lawmakers will be tackling will be carbon capture. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announces his retirement. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________

A bill has been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana, but only at a few locations. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell’s legislation would allow for the sale of recreational marijuana by businesses that have a license to dispense medical marijuana, but the recreational weed must be sold at a separate location.

Cut 4 (07) “…recreational can work.” 

There are nine companies in Louisiana licensed to sell medical marijuana in the nine different regions of the state. So under Newell’s bill, these businesses would have the opportunity to sell recreational marijuana at a location separate from the medical marijuana pharmacy.

Weed is legal in 24 states, and Newell believes Louisiana should join that growing list and benefit from the tax revenue that can be gained from the sale of marijuana.

Cut 5 (12) “…to sustain ourself.”

Newell’s legislation will be debated in the regular session that is set to begin on Monday. She’s not optimistic her legislation will pass, but the legalization of recreational marijuana use needs to be debated.

Cut 6 (10) “…get 53 yes’s.”

____________________________________________________

Carbon capture will be one of the big issues in the upcoming legislative session, which gets underway in less than a week. Senate President Cameron Henry acknowledges that it’s a hot-button issue relating to the oil and gas industry.

Cut 7 (06) “…medium to it.”

Henry says the oil and gas industry is a major economic driver for the state, and local governments need to keep that in mind when navigating the issue.

Cut 8 (13) “…chased one away.”

House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says he supports carbon capture.

Cut 9 (10)  “…it safely there.”

DeVillier acknowledges, though, that this is something that people have a lot of concerns about, and he has an open door to listen to those concerns.

________________________________________________________

The chancellor of LSU-Alexandria announces his retirement. After 43 years in the LSU system, Dr. Paul Coreil will retire at the end of this academic year. The 70-year-old says the 13 years he spent in Alexandria, the last eight of which were as LSU-A’s chancellor, have been the best years of his career.

Cut 10 (07) “…an LSU position.”

Dr. Coreil says the one accomplishment that stands out to him the most during his time in Alexandria was rebranding the school to utilize the same colors, fonts and styles as those of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge.

Cut 11 (14) “…State of Louisiana.”

Soon afterwards, all other schools in the LSU system followed suit, as will the University of New Orleans when it becomes LSU-New Orleans on July 1st.

This is not the first time Coreil will retire. Coreil originally attempted retirement following 30 years at the LSU Ag Center, but that was the one and only thing he had ever failed at in his life. He says this time, he and his wife have a plan to make retirement more successful this time around.

Cut 12 (07) “…going to have.”

___________________________________________________________

Crude Oil prices surged above 70 dollars a barrel since the U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran began. Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Faucheux says it’s not a surprise to see the market respond like this.

Cut 13 (08)  “…more than that.”

Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is located at the southern end of the Persian Gulf, has been significantly disrupted. Twenty-percent of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait. Faucheux says this is why America needs to continue to rely less on international oil and gas supplies.

Cut 14 (11) “…will do that.”

The next Gulf lease sale is scheduled to take place next week. Faucheux says this latest conflict in the Middle East is another example on why domestic energy production is so important.

Cut 15 (11) “…down the road.”

_____________________________________________________________

The ULM baseball team is riding a six-game winning streak, and the Warhawks look to make it seven straight tonight when they host Southeastern at six p.m. ULM scored 34 runs in its three-game sweep over Western Illinois. Coach Ford Pemberton says he likes how his team executed in the batter’s box.

Cut 16 (13) “…miss a beat.”

Senior third baseman Jake Haggard had one of the best weekends of anyone in college baseball. Haggard batted .411 with one homer, two doubles, and 9 RBI in ULM’s series against Western Illinois. Pemberton says he’s proud of Haggard’s hot start.

Cut 17 (15)  “…continue doing it.”

______________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Tech baseball team looks to bounce back against Arkansas State tonight after being swept by Southern Miss last weekend. Head coach Lane Burroughs says his team has to forget about the sloppy weekend and get ready for the next opponent.

Cut 18 (15)  “…keep getting better.”

Tech was without junior catcher Hayden Gustavson this weekend, but Burroughs believes the Bulldogs will be dangerous when they are at full capacity.

Cut 19 (08) “…we’ll be fine.”

First pitch is at six p-m.

_______________________________________________________

The sixth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team will have an opportunity to strengthen its case for a number-one seed with a strong showing in the SEC Tournament this week. While the Tigers could improve their NCAA Tournament positioning, head coach Kim Mulkey is not placing significant emphasis on the tournament.

Cut 20 (21) “…conference to postseason.”

LSU’s first game of the tournament will be Friday at 1:30 p.m.

A water crisis in Shreveport. A citywide boil advisory is in effect after a water main busted over the weekend, resulting in low water pressure for many in the city. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says to restore water pressure to all customers, crews will need to complete a temporary fix.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a break.”

The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran will mean higher gas prices here at home. Triple-A’s Nick Chabarria says oil prices rose sharply after the initial strikes, and that will lead to higher prices at the pump. He says that’s on top of the prices that were already on the way up due to the shift from winter blend to summer blend.

Cut 12 (07) “…local pumps.”

If you can conjure up the energy to get out of bed early tomorrow morning, do it. Because you’ll be in for a very special treat up in the sky – a total lunar eclipse. During the 5:00 hour, the sun, the Earth and the moon will all be perfectly aligned, and that will turn the moon red. LSU Planetary Astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Hinkel says take full advantage – your next opportunity will not come around for a while.

Cut 5 (08) “…years from now.”

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrated historic growth with over 15-thousand students enrolled for the first time in 10 years and the largest Spring enrollment in school history. Chief Enrollment Management Officer Kay Maurin says it wasn’t luck.

Cut 6 (11) “…categories of student.”

The LSU baseball team improved to 11-1 yesterday afternoon with a three-to-nothing win over Dartmouth. It was not a great weekend for LSU’s bats. The Tigers scored just 11 runs over the last three games after scoring 34 runs in three games in Jacksonville. Jake Brown, who homered for the fifth time on the season on Sunday, is confident the bats will come back around…

Cut 18 (16)  “…back to it.”

LSU hosts Northeastern tonight at 6:30 to conclude the wrap-around series. The Tigers remained as the No. 2 team in this week’s D1baseball rankings.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin will ride in his second parade in a month on Saturday, March 14, in Baton Rouge at the St. Patrick’s Day parade with comedian Theo Von. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and will ride through the Hundred Oaks neighborhood and Perkins Road overpass area in town.

The LSU women’s basketball team concluded the regular season with a 72-63 win over Mississippi State yesterday.  Junior guard Mikaylah Williams recorded her third consecutive double-double with a season-high 26 points and career-high 15 rebounds in the win. Head coach Kim Mulkey said allowing Williams to play inside recently has boosted her productivity.

Cut 21 (14): “whole other level.”

The Tigers stayed put as the No. 6 team in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll. They came in as a two-seed and the No. 7 overall team in the latest NCAA Tournament projections by ESPN Bracketologist Charlie Crème.

The McNeese men’s basketball team will take on Nicholls in Thibodaux tonight in their last regular-season game of the year. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.

UNO men’s basketball will host Southeastern in the regular-season finale tonight at 7 p.m.