LRN PM Newscall March 7

Nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed for the 2022 legislative session that begins next week. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Gas prices continue to rise, but just how high will they go? David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (33)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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The 2022 legislative session begins a week from today and nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are a wide variety of topics for legislators to debate…

Cut 3 (11) “..college campuses”

Alford says lawmakers will also have to approve a budget and decide how to spend two billion dollars in surplus money, much of it coming from the federal government. He says there will also be a debate on social issues like critical race theory, transgender athletes, vaccines, and abortions…

Cut 4 (09) “..for sure”

Lawmakers were at the Capitol last month for a redistricting session. Alford says political maps will be discussed again as Black lawmakers continue to push for additional majority-minority districts…

Cut 5 (10) “..governor does”

The regular session must end on June 6th.

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The national average for a gallon of gas has surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time since 2008 as the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. David Dismukes, executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies says that while prices may not go down soon, the costs can’t get much higher.

 Cut 6 (11) “…self-correcting.” 

According to AAA, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline increased by another nickel $3.87. That’s a 50-cent increase in a week. Dismukes says the Russia-Ukraine conflict isn’t the only thing driving prices up.

Cut 7 (13) “…production targets.” 

Production is a problem here at home as well. Dismukes says the U-S is producing roughly 2 million fewer barrels of oil per day since prior to the start of the pandemic. He said oil and gas companies could start pumping, but the White House and Wall Street are making it difficult.

 Cut 8 (08) “…into the market.” 

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51-year old David Rester, Jr. of Vidalia, who’s wanted in connection with the March 3rd murder of Marl Wayne Smith in Washington Parish has been arrested in Mississippi after a multi-state, parish, and county crime spree. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says investigators traveled to Harrison County to interview him after he was arrested for a bank robbery in Waveland.

Cut 9 (12) “…Pearl River.”

Rester is also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for the February 27th physical and sexual assault of a convenience store clerk that took place during a robbery. Haley says prior to these most recent crimes, Rester did not have a criminal record.

Cut 10 (07)  “…that yet.”

Authorities finally arrested Rester after a highspeed chase of up to 120 miles per hour in Harrison County, Mississippi. Haley says they plan to seek the death penalty in Washington Parish and they are grateful he’s been apprehended.

Cut 11 (12)  “…an end.”  

Haley says numerous agencies are involved in the investigation and it took a combined effort to put Rester behind bars.

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As grocery prices continue to surge some consumers are looking at growing their own food and LSU Extension Agent Heather Kirk-Ballard says there’s now a plant shortage since the pandemic inspired many to take up gardening as they sheltered in place.

Cut 12 (09) “…right now.”  

Kirk-Ballard says while it takes time initially to set up your garden it can be feasible to grow your own food, but she also points out that access to pesticides and herbicides for your home garden could be a problem in the near future as they are expected to be scarce.

Cut 13 (07) “…plants here.”

Kirk-Ballard says the most successful gardeners are ones who maintain their vegetables not the ones that plant them in the ground and walk away. She says gardening is also good for your mental health.

Cut 14 (10)  “…piddle around.”  

For gardening tips visit LSUAGCenter.com for more information.

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LSU President William Tate says no one at the university knew of any prior sexual misconduct allegations against running backs coach Frank Wilson. Former LSU associate athletic director Sharon Lewis claims Wilson exposed himself to her several years ago. The allegations are part of a federal lawsuit against the school. Tate was asked about the allegation today…

Cut 15 (11) “…LSU officials.” 

According to a court filing made by Lewis’ attorney last week, Wilson exposed himself to Lewis in 2015 and she reported the incident to LSU athletic administrators Miriam Segar and Verge Ausberry.

Wilson was recently re-hired by LSU and Tate says he’s never talked to Wilson about the allegations because this is the first time his office has known about them,…

Cut  16 (10) “…last year.”

 

1:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed for the 2022 legislative session that begins a week from today. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Department of Health reported that coronavirus cases increased by 535 over the weekend. COVID-related deaths also increased by 31. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 1.2 million reported cases in Louisiana with 16,785 people ultimately losing their battle with the virus. LDH also reports that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents accounted for 61 percent of new cases and 56 percent of all death from Feb. 17 to Feb. 23.

Since last week the average cost per gallon of regular gasoline has risen by 40 cents and there’s a possibility that the U-S could break the record of $4.11 set in July of 2008. David Dismukes, executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies says the Russian/Ukrainian conflict isn’t the only thing driving up prices.

Cut 7 (13) “…production targets.”

Louisiana currently averages $3.72 per gallon for regular gasoline.

David Rester, Jr. of Vidalia, who’s wanted in connection with the March 3rd murder of Marl Wayne Smith in Washington Parish has been arrested after a multi-state, parish, and county crime spree. Rester is also wanted in St. Tammany for the physical and sexual assault of a convenience store clerk that took place during a robbery. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says prior to this rampage, Rester did not have a criminal record.

Cut 10 (07) “…that yet.”

12:30 LRN Newscast Mar 7

12:30

The national average for a gallon of gas has surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time in more than a decade as the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. David Dismukes, executive director for the LSU Center for Energy Studies says while prices may not go down soon, the costs can’t get much higher.

 Cut 6 (11) “…self-correcting.” 

 

51-year old David Rester, Jr. who’s wanted in connection with the March 3rd murder of Marl Wayne Smith in Washington Parish has been arrested in Mississippi after a multi-state, parish, and county crime spree. Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley says investigators traveled to Harrison County to interview him after he was arrested for a bank robbery in Waveland.

Cut 9 (12) “…Pearl River.”

A week from today, lawmakers return to the state Capitol for the regular legislative session. Just last month they were in Baton Rouge for the redistricting session. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says political maps will be discussed again as Black lawmakers continue to push for additional majority-minority districts…

Cut 5 (10) “..governor does”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley wants to allow for more access to medical marijuana by increasing the number of licensed pharmacies that distribute cannabis from 10 to 20 in Louisiana.  Bagley says for example where he lives if he or one of his constituents needs medical cannabis, they would have to make a 90-minute trip legally to access it.

Cut 14 (12)  “…transportation.”

The regular session must end on June 6th.

11:30 LRN Newscast

State lawmakers return to the capitol a week from today to begin a three-month-long legislative session. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says passing a budget and spending two-point-eight billion dollars in federal Covid relief dollars and surplus money will be a major priority. But legislators will also debate social issues like critical race theory, transgender athletes, vaccines, and abortions…
cut 4 (09) “…for sure”
Last year, Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields passed a bill that mandated kindergarten. Fields has legislation this year that would require public school systems to provide pre-K education. But are there enough teachers???
cut 9 (08) “…national problem”

A new bill seeks to keep Louisiana college athletics competitive in the world of Name Image and Likeness. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

LSU football has signed a quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former Arizona State Quarterback Jayden Daniels is coming to Baton Rouge after starting for three seasons with the Sun Devils. He’ll provide some major competition to Myles Brennan for starting Q-B next season.

11:40 LRN Sportscast March 7

After their 80-77 overtime victory over Alabama Saturday, the LSU Tigers will take the fifth seed in the upcoming SEC men’s basketball tournament. LSU will face the winner between Missouri and Mississippi on Thursday at 2pm.  The Tigers finished fifth in the SEC at 9-9 in conference play, with five of those losses by five points or less. Coach Will Wade says it was good to close the regular season with a win in the clutch.

Cut 17 (17) “…21 times.”

LSU Baseball had a rough weekend, dropping two of three in Houston at the Shriners Classic. The Tigers bats, which had been talking loudly before the trip to Texas, scored just 11 runs in the series. After topping Oklahoma 5-4 in the opener, they were drubbed by the Longhorns 1-6 and committed five errors in a 6-9 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night to cleanse the palette before a weekend series against Bethune-Cookman.

The Nicholls men’s basketball team won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with 92-85 win over U-N-0. Senior Ty Gordon scored a career-high 36 points and Colonels Coach Austin Claunch says Gordon gets his vote for Southland Player of the Year…

Cut 18 (10) “…special talent.”

The UL Ragin Cajuns will play for their first Sun Belt tournament title in seven years when they face Georgia State in the championship final this evening at 6 pm. The eighth-seeded Cajuns are the highest seed to advance to the title game in SBC history. They are 6-2 all-time in championship games, last taking the crown in 2015. UL is 0-2 against GSU this year, including a 58-65 loss to end the regular season.

The Pelicans saw their four-game win streak come to an end in Denver last night with a 130-138 overtime loss to the Nuggets. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 38 points and nine assists. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic went off for 30 points in the fourth quarter and OT on his way to a 46 point, 12 rebound, 11 assist triple-double. The Pels visit Memphis on Wednesday night.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 7

The 2022 legislative session begins a week from today and nearly 12-hundred bills have been filed. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are a wide variety of topics for legislators to debate…
cut 3 (11) “…college campuses”

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has a bill that would allow for more access to medical marijuana by increasing the number of licensed pharmacies that distribute cannabis from 10 to 20 in Louisiana. Bagley says a main reason for legalizing medical cannabis was to reduce opioid addiction.
Cut 13 (10) “…need it.”
Currently, only 9 pharmacies are licensed, and the 10th license is not in use. Bagley wants that to be addressed also.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields was successful in his legislation last year mandating kindergarten, this year Fields has a bill that would require public school systems to offer full-day pre-kindergarten, even in charter schools. Fields says he’s waiting on a cost estimate…
cut 8 (11) “…jails and prisons”
Having enough qualified pre-K teachers could be another stumbling block.

Marrero Senator Patrick Connick authored the legislation last year that gave student-athletes the ability to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Connick has another N-I-L bill this year that would give athletic boosters broader freedoms when it comes to paying student-athletes and it would also allow university employees to arrange N-I-L deals…
cut 5 (11) “….to benefit both”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 7

72-year-old David Gullat of Ruston is no longer listed as a Lincoln Parish School Board member following his arrest on Friday on drug and obscenity charges. Ruston Police says they apprehended Gullatt after receiving a complaint about a nude man performing a lewd act in the parking lot of a shopping center. Gullat is also a former dean of the college of education at La Tech.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill that would require public elementary schools to offer pre-k education…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Name, image, and likeness is changing college athletics and Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would make Louisiana more competitive with other SEC states…
Cut 4 (09) “…NIL thing.”
Marrero’s measure would end the ban on boosters using an NIL deal to entice an athlete to attend a specific school, also college and university employees can arrange NIL deals.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Louisiana Department of Health Manager Robert Henson is spreading the word about warning signs…
cut 10 (12) “….of the signs”
Henson says now that sports wagering and mobile sports betting are easily available in Louisiana, L-D-H is concerned about a rise in problem gamblers.

8:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to send gas prices towards record highs. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $3.87 after rising a nickel from yesterday. The record is 4.01 set in 2008.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is proposing legislation to make legalized medical cannabis more accessible.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s talk LSU is behind other SEC schools when it comes to benefiting from the new era of Name, Image, and Likeness in college athletics. College athletes were allowed to be paid for their endorsements starting last July and Marrero Senator Patrick Connick has filed legislation to help out LSU and other Louisiana schools…
cut 6 (11) “…to correct that”

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and with sports betting now available at many casinos or on your phone, the Louisiana Department of Health is concerned about a rise in problem gamblers…
cut 11 (12) “,,,national average”
That’s Robert Henson with L-D-H who says there is a Louisiana Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP.

7:30 LRN Newscast March 7

Pre-K education is currently a state-funded option for local school districts. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says his Senate Bill 47 would make pre-K classes a requirement. He says it’s a logical step in moving education forward…:
Cut 7 (10) “…a centerpiece.”
Money and qualified pre-K teachers are the major obstacles to this legislation.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has filed legislation that would double the number of licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana from ten to 20. Bagley says he has a relative who can walk after using medical marijuana for back pain that left her immobile.
Cut 15 (10) “…doing a mile.”

A new bill seeks to keep Louisiana college athletics competitive in the world of Name Image and Likeness. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is one win away from an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament as U-L Lafayette has advanced to tonight’s Sun Belt Tournament title game where they’ll play Georgia State. It’s an emotional time for the team as Coach Bob Marlin’s mother passed away on Saturday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast March 7

Myles Brennan will have serious competition to be LSU’s starting quarterback next season. Former Arizona State Q-B Jayden Daniels is transferring to the Tigers after starting for three seasons with the Sun Devils. During his time at A-S-U, he threw for six-thousand yards, 32 touchdowns, and also rushed for 12-hundred yards and 16 T-Ds. Coach Brian Kelly says Daniels is a playmaker with a strong arm.

If you stayed up late last night to watch LSU baseball and the Pelicans you came away disappointed. The Tigers committed five errors in a 9-6 loss to Baylor. LSU will host McNeese tomorrow night. The Cowboys dropped two out of three to Louisiana Tech, but won yesterday five to two.

The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak came to an end last night with a 138-130 overtime loss to Denver.

The Ragin Cajuns play for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament tonight as U-L Lafayette faces Georgia State in the Sun Belt title game.

The LSU men’s basketball team is the fifth seed in this week’s SEC Tournament and will play Thursday afternoon against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Missouri and Ole Miss. Coach Will Wade’s team beat Alabama in overtime on Saturday to finish with a 21-10 record, 9-9 in the SEC….
Cut 16 (16) “…particularly defense”

Nicholls won its second straight Southland Conference regular-season championship on Saturday with a 92-85 win over U-N-O. Colonels Coach Austin Claunch…
cut 19 (15) “…you are”
The Colonels are the number one seed in the Southland Tournament and will play on Friday in Katy, Texas, needing two wins to get an invite to the NCAA Tournament.