A mostly fiscal legislative session begins today at the Louisiana capitol. How to spend the state’s money will be a focus of the two month long session.
cut 8 (07) “…..this year”
That’s La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford, who says Gretna lawmaker Joe Marino is proposing to increase legislators’ annual salary from $16,800 to 60-thousand dollars in 2024.

A poll of Louisiana voters commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows attitudes changing about putting offenders in prison. JMC analytics pollster John Couvillon says a large percentage of respondents favor alternatives to jail, if the offense wasn’t a violent one…:
Cut 10 (11) “…non-violent offenses.”
The poll found 77-percent surveyed feel persons charged with misdemeanors or minor offenses – and no danger to others – should remain out of jail, pending trial.

A bill up for debate in the legislative session that begins today would require a person to be 21 or older to enter a bar instead of at least 18.
Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern reporting.”

Lawmakers return to the Capitol today to begin the 2023 Session. Among issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers….:
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Because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues. Alford says the House Criminal Justice committee will hear several emotional issues, like abortion, the death penalty, and tough-on-crime legislation.

There’s also a bill by State Representative Edmond Jordan that would make police departments pay up if they are involved in a chase that ends in death or injury to an innocent bystander. That’s got the goal of discouraging dangerous chases.

Another bill set to be heard this session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is bringing a bill to raise the age requirement to enter a bar from 18 to 21…:
Cut 4 (09) “a negative”
The bill would also require bartenders to be 21.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge Monday for the 2023 legislative session:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an Alexandria woman was killed in an Avoyelles Parish crash Friday night and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the investigation revealed 23-year-old Christopher McCoy of Bunkie drove his truck off the road into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. McCoy sustained moderate injuries but his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn died on the scene. McCoy is suspected to have been under the influence.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. He says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Cut 13 (09) “safety issue”
He says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs.

Another measure to be heard would raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her “Card’em” bill requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to show their ID verifying they are 21. She expects pushback from bar owners even though underage drinking is not legal…:
Cut 6 (04) “under 21”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender.

The 2023 regular legislative session begins on Monday and one of the issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers…:
CUT 7 (12) “in the future”
And because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues this session.

Another bill would require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could make them sterile. It’s a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis…:
CUT 6 (09) “bill does”
The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

Another matter set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And there will be no Game 3 between the LSU and South Carolina baseball teams. The already rescheduled game was cancelled today due to ongoing rain in Columbia and will not be made up. This set began on Thursday and SEC rules state once it begins you have 3 days to play 3 games. The two teams evened the series with the Gamecocks taking Game 1 and The Tigers winning Friday 8-7.

Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar in Baton Rouge – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21.
Cut 4 (09) “…a negative.”
Mizell’s proposal will heard by lawmakers in the legislative session that begins Monday.

The Humane Society of Louisiana reminds you every Easter that you might want to think twice before getting a live baby chick or bunny. Spokesman Jeff Dorson says many of these animals become abandoned after the Holiday and it’s better to go for other gifts in the basket which don’t require a long term commitment:
CUT 5 (05) “with that”
He says it’s also illegal in many areas for photographers to use live animals as props unless they are licensed.

A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU says the National Champion Lady Tigers basketball program will accept the invitation to the White House. That invitation was made Friday when President Biden called Coach Kim Mulkey and Star forward Angel Reese to congratulate them on their championship. A date has not been set.

LSU says its national champion women’s basketball team will go to the White House after receiving an invite from the President, despite some hurt feelings from a statement made by First Lady Jill Biden. LRN Sports Director & Tiger Rag Radio host Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”

The weather for Easter Sunday is expected to be much better. State Climatologist Barry Keim says lows to dip into the 60s for the next several days.

Cut 11 (06)  “…60s range.”

Things should be cloudy but dry Sunday.

Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis has filed legislation to require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. Davis says she was surprised to learn it wasn’t always covered by some health insurance plans.

Cut 6 (09)  “…bill does.” 

The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

It’s Easter weekend and while we’ll admit they are awfully cute, getting a baby chick and or bunny for a pet isn’t the best idea. Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says shelters and veterinarians see an influx of rabbits and chicks after the holiday that are surrendered and in poor health.

Cut 3 (12) “…your money.”

He says stick to stuffed animals and candy.

Placing a bunny rabbit or baby chick in an Easter basket is not the ideal gift for children.  Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says when the novelty wears off  – families realize they’re not equipped to properly care for the pets and suggests chocolate bunnies are a better option.

Cut 5 (05) “…with that.”

Dorson says the animals are released in the wild and state wildlife has to retrieve them because they are unable to fend for themselves.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill to require health coverage that provides medical benefits to cover necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. Representative Paula Davis…

Cut 8 (08)  “…cancer treatment.” 

Davis said her law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

With rainy weather in the forecast through Saturday, Easter Sunday may bring calmer weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s no major threat of severe weather, but expect heavy rainfall.

Cut 10 (06) “…south Louisiana.” 

Keim says the front will bring cooler temperatures dipping into the 60s for the next several days.

Louisiana has the fourth worst outlook for life expectancy in the near future according to a recent study by Life Extension Foundation. Life Extension Director of Education, Dr. Michael Smith, says a lifestyle change will raise life expectancy rate.

Cut 14 (12)  “…that’s critical.”

Louisiana’s ranking is based on having the 48th best actual life expectancy at birth at 73 years and the least healthy lifestyle.

A Baton Rouge man, accused of sexually trafficking two teen girls who’d run away from DCFS custody, has been arrested. 29-year-old Chad Armstead is charged with two counts of human trafficking and one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. One of the two girls reportedly met him online, before an in-person rendezvous, which led to him victimizing both.

A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Thorington.”

New research by the Life Extension Foundation finds the average Louisianan dies sooner than those in many other states. The group’s education director, Dr. Michael Smith, says the life expectancy in Louisiana is lower than other southern states as well…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…very well.”

He says eating right and getting some movement in will literally add years to your life.

Look forward to Easter Sunday, because the weather is expected to be much better than the rainy conditions we’re experiencing now. State Climatologist Barry Keim says all this rain and clouds will hang around until Saturday night…:

CUT 09(11)      “…already occurred.”

However Easter Sunday should be partly cloudy and quite pleasant.

A new research study by the Life Extension Foundation found Louisiana among the worst state for life expectancy; ranking 48^th of 50 states Life Extension Director of Education, Dr. Michael Smith says for two years in a row the overall average life span has declined and lifestyle is a major component…:

CUT 12(06)      “…as well.”

He says we not only rank poorly among all states, we are lower than most other southern states.

We have to get through some dicey wet weather for Good Friday and Holy Saturday before we see more sunshine on Easter Day. state Climatologist Barry Keim says, if there is an upside to all the rain, it’s that temperatures are lower, especially at night…:

CUT 11  (06)        “…60’s range.”

Easter should be fairly pretty with afternoon temperatures in the 70’s.

Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis has filed legislation to require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. At the request of a constituent last year, Davis presented legislation to require health insurance to pay for in-vitro fertility treatments…:

CUT 07(08)      “…IVF bill.”

That bill failed last year. This year she’s bringing back a version require your insurer cover having eggs or sperm preserved prior to chemo and/or radiation treatments.

Police in Eunice are investigating a murder; something you don’t hear about often in the Acadiana town. Police say a 32-year-old man was found around 10:30 last night, on the street, suffering gunshots. He died sometime later at a local hospital. Officers believe the killer used a rifle. They ask anyone with information to call St. Landry Crimestoppers at 337-948-TIPS.

The weather is not so good this Good Friday, but Easter Sunday should be a different matter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says all this rain and cloudiness should hang around through tomorrow night, and some areas could see excessive rainfall…:

CUT 10  (10)        “…south Louisiana.”

Right now virtually all the state is under a flood watch until 7 pm Saturday. Easter Sunday should be clearing and nice. High in the 70’s.

Planning on giving one of the little ones a bunny, chick or even a puppy for Easter? Jeff Dorson, with the state Humane Society says give it more thought. He says we often think kids will take care of a pet, but sometimes it doesn’t work out…:

CUT 04  (12)        “…please reconsider.”

Shreveport Police are seeking a local man, 53-year-old Tremell Thomas, for the alleged murder of another man in mid-March. 58-year-old Steven Graham was found shot dead inside his home, and the investigation led to Thomas. Call SPD if you have any info. This is the city’s 20^th homicide of the year.

LSU say its national champion women’s basketball team will go to the White House once they receive an invitation, despite some hurt feelings from a statement made by First Lady Jill Biden. LRN Sports Director & Tiger Rag Radio host Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”