A big discussion on public school funding took place in the House Appropriations on Wednesday. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes A and B graded school systems should be awarded with additional state funding. He believes it will incentivize average to below average performing school systems…
AM Cut 14 (12) “…get something done”
But Marrero Representative Rodney Lyons says a lack of effort is not why Louisiana has “D” and “F” graded schools…
AM Cut 15 (06) “…we are.”
The teacher pay raise proposal and funding for public school discussion will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

Legislation to require personal locator beacons on the life jackets of offshore workers being transported by aircraft was approved by the House Commerce Committee. The legislation is in response to a 2008 helicopter crash that claimed the life of a man who wasn’t located in time after the crash. The legislation was deemed too costly before, but New Orleans Representative Candace Newell (new-ELL) urged committee members to move the bill forward.

Cut 11 (08)  “…passionate bill.”

House Commerce advances a bill to let the attorney general crackdown on adult websites who do not age verify users as adults. Bill sponsor and Jefferson Parish Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill is a follow-up to a bill passed last year requiring all adult websites to verify that users are adults…:

PM CUT 12(07)      “…into the bill.”

Teeth like fines up to $5 thousand for every day of non-compliance. By a 15-to-1 vote, the bill moves to the House floor.

At the State Capitol today, a House committee advanced a bill to let the attorney general crack down on adult websites who do not age verify users as adults. The bill would allow for fines up to $5-thousand per day of non-compliance. The state passed a law requiring age check on such websites last year. This bill would give it enforcement power. Some worried the bill could result in a legit website being targeted, but bill sponsor and Kenner Rep. Laurie Schlegel says not to worry…:’

CUT 14(10)      “…on the internet.”

By a vote of 15-to-1, the bill now moves to the House floor.

Term-limited House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has officially declared he will run for Secretary of State this fall. This comes just days after current SOS Kyle Ardoin announced he would not seek another term. Schexnayder will have competition in that race, with Ascension Parish grocery chain owner Brandon Trosclair and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis of Crowley also having declared they’ll run.

Colorado State University’s predictions for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane have been released, and the news is…not so bad…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

The New Orleans Pelicans’ season ended last night with a 123-to-118 loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA’s play-in tournament. New Orleans was one of the top teams in the league at the start of the season, but injuries plagued the team…including that of star power forward Zion Williamson. New Orleans finishes the year with a 42-40 record.

At the State Capitol today, a House bill to crack down on adult websites who do nothing to prevent kids from viewing them clears it first legislative hurdle. The bill would impose fines of up to $5-thousand per day of non-compliance. One lone “no” vote came from New Orleans Rep. Candace Newell, who worries the language of the bill could render legit websites vulnerable to legal action…:

CUT 13  (11)        “…its consequences.”

Assured it will only target sexually explicit sites, the bill moves forward to the House floor.

Another bill that moved out of committee requires locator beacons on life jackets intended for offshore rig workers. Once thought too costly to do, bill sponsor Troy Romero, of Jennings, says they’re now as cheap as $200…:

CUT 10  (12)        “…oil location.”

Locators would lead to more lives saved when aircraft go down in the Gulf. That bill also goes to House floor debate.

Six weeks out from the start of the hurricane season, and the Colorado State University storm team predicts a number of systems slightly below normal. Researcher Tyler Barbero says that is 13 named storms, of which 6 could be hurricanes…two of those major hurricanes…:

CUT 06  (10)        “…ocean currently.”

He says the developing El Nino will calm things down a bit this season. Good news.

Detectives in Baton Rouge are still searching for a man who killed a Good Samaritan who tried to fight him off when he was allegedly spotted attacking a woman. 64-year-old Randall Parker died after he was shot trying to defend the woman. BRPD asks anyone with information on the crime to contact Baton Rouge Crimestoppers at 225-344-STOP. A reward is offered and you will remain anonymous.

You know hurricane season is right around the corner, when Colorado State University releases its 2023 storm predictions. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01  (32)        “…Thorington.”

Police in Natchitoches are investigating a Wednesday homicide. Officers responded to a “shots fired” call to find 21-year-old Josh Chism with a gunshot to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. NPD asks anyone with information on the killing to contact Detective Stevenson at 318-238-3914.

A House committee advances a bill to let the attorney general crack down on adult website who do not age verify users as adults. In the House Commerce Committee, bill sponsor and Jefferson Parish Representative Laurie Schlegel says her bill is a follow-up to a bill passed last year that requires all adult websites to require users to verify they are adults…:

CUT 12(07)      “…into the bill.”

Teeth like fines up to $5-thousand for every day of non-compliance. By a 15-to-1 vote, the bill moves to the House floor.

The New Orleans Pelicans ended their season last night, with a loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Brandon Ingram scored 30 points in the game. He says injuries were an issue for the Pels all season long..:

CUT 05(12)      “…play games.”

The House Commerce Committee has approved legislation that would allow the attorney general to fine porn sites that do not follow a state law that requires users to verify their age. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to Triple A Magazine, the Louisiana Old State Capitol is considered one of the top 10 architectural wonders in the Midwest and South. It’s on the list with other significant landmarks as the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Springfield, Illinois, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Shreveport’s Strand Theatre also made the list.

Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting a slightly below-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two would reach major hurricane status.  As for the odds for a major hurricane to make landfall this season along the Gulf Coast, which stretches from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville, Research assistant Tyler Barbero…

Cut 8 (10)  “…average probability.” 

Legislation that requires personal locator beacons on life jackets of offshore workers being transported offshore by aircraft was approved by the House Commerce Committee. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his bill was designed to help a family in his district who lost a son after a helicopter crash in 2008.

Cut 9 (11) “…locator devices.”

The bill now heads to the house floor.

Colorado State University researchers are predicting a slightly below-average 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, with 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two would reach major hurricane status.  And while a slightly below-average hurricane season prediction is welcome news Research Assistant Tyler Barbero (Bah-rare-oh) says to always have a hurricane plan in place regardless.

Cut 7 (10)  “…prepare as always.” 

CSU will update their forecast on June 1^st which is the first day of hurricane season.

The Pelicans season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City. At the first of the year New Orleans was one of the top teams in the league, but then the team was plagued with injuries. CJ McCollum played much of the season with thumb and shoulder injuries, and says staying healthy next year will be key…

Cut 4 (08)  “     to offer.” 

Preliminary research finds CBD provides therapeutic pain management for former professional athletes. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder is bidding for the title of Secretary of State. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Alexandria case of Courtney Coco – will be the focus of a Dateline episode on NBC Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. The episode will focus on the death of 19-year-old Courtney Coco who was found in an abandoned building in Winnie, Texas in 2004. The former fiance’ of Coco’s sister, 47-year-old David Anthony Burns of Boyce, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in 2021 and is serving life in prison without probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

LSU Health Shreveport – partnered with The Tiger Research Group run by Bradie James – former LSU and NFL Linebacker – to analyze research data that found topical CBD provided therapeutic pain management for professional athletes. Dr. Kevin Murnane of LSU Health Shreveport is optimistic the research will create options other than opioids to control pain levels.

Cut 12 (08)  “…to opioids.”

The research included studying cannabinoids and formulations in cellular models for addiction, inflammation, and pain.

Colorado State University researchers are predicting a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2023. Research Assistant Tyler Barbero says they are forecasting 13 named storms of which six would be hurricanes and two to reach major hurricane status.

Cut 6 (10)  “…ocean currently.” 

Researchers cite the likely development of El Nino as the primary factor for the below-average prediction for 2023.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced his bid for Secretary of State Wednesday. The Republican from Gonzales says he wants to continue to build on the state’s secure voting systems that Ardoin and his staff have put in place.

Cut 5 (09) “…do better.”

Schexnayder will contend with at least two other Republicans that have entered the race: Gonzales grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis of Crowley.

The Pelican’s season ended last night with a loss to Oklahoma City in the NBA’s play-in tournament. When 2023 started, New Orleans was one of the top team’s in the league. Then Zion Williamson got hurt and the team suffered through other injuries. Coach Willie Green says it’s disappointing…

Cut 3 (08) “…can be”

We’ll see what the Pelicans will do with Williamson in the offseason after only playing 29 games this season and missing the entire 2021-22 campaign.

A recent study by LSU Health Shreveport found the use of topical CBD by elite athletes offered significant levels of pain management. Dr. Kevin Murnane with LSU Health Shreveport says the study was conducted on former professional athletes with a history of chronic lower extremity pain.

Cut 10 (12) “…conventional therapeutics.” 

This is the first study to assess the CBD treatment in professional athletes and Murnane hopes it will warrant further studies.

Concerns over teacher pay raises and funding for low-performing schools stirred controversy in the House Appropriations Committee by Republican lawmakers yesterday. Representative Jack McFarland of Winnefield says a pay raise would require the legislature to cut funds elsewhere to sustain the pay raises.

Cut 13 (07) “..to put that in.” 

The discussion to raise teacher pay and funding for public schools will continue for the remainder of the legislative session.

Funding teacher pay raises was a hot topic in Wednesday’s House Appropriations Committee meeting. Jeff Palermo has more…

 Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Natchitoches Police has arrested a man in the murder of a Natchitoches native found shot in an apartment on Wednesday. 21-year-old Johnny Williams has been charged with principal to second-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the death of 21-year-old Joshua Chism who was found shot in a residence on North Melrose Avenue. The investigation is ongoing.

Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced he will run for Secretary of State – just one day after current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin made the decision not to seek reelection. The Republican lawmaker is in his third term in the legislature and says he wants to continue his call to public service.

Cut 4 (05)  “…right direction.”

Schexnayder believes Ardoin and his staff should be commended for their work and the office’s top ten ratings when it comes to election integrity.

Legislation filed by Representative Bob Owen’s “Safe Path to School Bill” requires elementary schools to have safety protocols when students are dropped off and picked up. The Republican lawmakers says keeping students safe behind a barrier before entering a drop-off/pick-up area until the vehicle is in park.

Cut 8 (08) “…schools don’t.”

The bill was filed after the tragic death of 6-year-old Emma Bell Savoie who was hit by a car in a Slidell School parking lot last year.

Governor Edwards and teachers are pushing for the approval of a teacher pay raise of at least two-thousand dollars a year. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says a proposed two-thousand dollar teacher pay hike will cost the state an additional 196-million dollars a year and what happens when state revenues decline…
cut 13 (07) “….to put that in”

With Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s announcement he’s running for Secretary of State. That’s three candidates vying for the seat currently occupied by Kyle Ardoin, who is not running for re-election. PSC Member Mike Francis and businessman Brandon Trosclair are also running. Schexnayder, a Republican from Ascension Parish, says he has the ability to reach across the aisle…
cut 6 (12) “….right there”

Preliminary research finds CBD provides therapeutic pain management for former professional athletes. Teiko Foxx explains…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Former LSU basketball player Wayne Sims passed away yesterday morning unexpectedly at age of 54. “Big Daddy” was his nickname and the DeRidder native was a standout player for the Tigers from 1987 to 1991. In 2018, his son, Wayde Sims, who also played basketball at LSU, was fatally shot outside of Southern’s campus.