The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional.  Center fielder Giovanni Digiacomo re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the final regular-season series against Texas A-and-M. Coach Paul Mainieri says Gio has been practicing and he expects he’ll get the start on Friday night.

Cut 20 (14) “play well”

The Southern Jaguars baseball team is in Texas for the Austin regional that begins tomorrow. The Jags are the four-seed after taking down a very tough Jackson State team in the SWAC championship. Coach Chris Crenshaw says playing in the tournament was beneficial because they learned how to handle adversity.

Cut 18 (09) “five days”

LSU has announced its parting ways with offensive line coach James Cregg. Cregg has been the Tigers o-line coach since 2018 and in 2019 he helped the team win the 2019 Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation’s top O-line.  However his unit struggled last season as the Tigers went 5-5.

LSU running back Kevontre Bradford has entered the transfer portal after one year in Baton Rouge.  The former four-star recruit played a limited role last season as he had just 10 carries for 58 yards in 2020.

Louisiana Tech has added two players to its football program in offensive lineman Kellton Hollins and wide receiver Samuel Emilus.  Hollins spent the last five years at TCU where he appeared in 23 games.  Emilus comes from UMASS where he hauled in 59 catches for 653 yards and 7 touchdowns from 2018 to 2020.

Also, the United States Football League has officially announced its return.  The league will partner with Fox Sports and will debut in the spring of 2022.

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward made an emotional appeal to the committee, saying he doesn’t want to see any more of his family move out of state because of Louisiana’s inadequate infrastructure.
Cut 8 (10) “…state.”
The legislation would generate 400-million dollars every year that would go towards road and bridge improvements.

An effort to remove the state sales tax on the purchase of feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her legislation has wide support.
Cut 6 (11) “…Catholic Bishops”
Removing the 4.45 percent sales tax on the purchase of tampons and, diapers would cost the state $10.5 million dollars.

The Loyola University Law School has put together the first comprehensive report on prison deaths in Louisiana and it has found a vast majority of the deaths from 2015 to 2019 were the result of a medical illness. Professor Andrea Armstrong says suicide and drug overdose deaths were the second and third leading causes. Armstrong says the report points to the need for an independent panel oversight committee to look at prison deaths…
cut 16 (07) “….deaths’

The city of Ruston is getting ready for a big weekend of visitors as the city is hosting an NCAA Baseball Regional, a big youth softball tournament at its sports complex and Saturday is the Louisiana Peach Festival. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says their sports complex has helped keep tourism up during the pandemic…
cut 12 (10) “….every weekend”

A House bill to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if riverboat gambling should be allowed in the parish is heading to the Senate Floor. Slidell Representative Mary DuBuisson’s bill passed on a tight 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Slidell Pastor John Raymond spoke in opposition, stating his area of the parish would suffer the downside of gaming while other areas would profit.

Cut 4 (08)”…share.”

After the vote advancing the bill to the Senate floor, Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White reminded those who testified in opposition that it’s not a done deal yet.

Cut 7 (11)  “…what we do.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage.

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry says he’s not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was supposed to be a temporary solution to the fiscal cliff…

Cut 10 (11) “…an income tax.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is getting ready for a crush of visitors starting Friday as they host a “triple-header” of an NCAA Regional Tournament, a softball tournament, and the Peach Festival. Ruston won the hosting rights for the regional after La Tech’s inspiring 40-18 season. Walker says the whole city is proud of what the team has been able to accomplish and will be packing the new “Love Shack”.

Cut 11 (03) “…sold out.”

The Senate Finance Committee approves a proposal to make permanent a .45-percent state sales tax and use that money to pay for improved roads and bridges. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Regina Barrow is concerned that dedicating this money, which would be about 400-million dollars a year, could lead to financial problems elsewhere…
cut 9 (09) “…education”
And a conservative group of lawmakers says this portion of the sales tax should roll off the books in 2025 as intended when passed in 2018.

The Loyola University Law school releases the first comprehensive report on inmate deaths in Louisiana. Professor Andrea (On-dree-ah) Armstrong says 786 known inmates died from 2015 to 2019. She says most of the deaths are the result of medical illness and only half of the preexisting conditions were diagnosed while incarcerated.
Cut 14 (10) “…behind bars.”

A bill that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish an opportunity to decide in October if gaming can be legalized in that parish so that a casino can be built in Slidell received approval from the Senate Finance Committee. Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob provided committee members with information on the number of Louisiana gamblers who visit casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast…
cut 5 (10) “…region”
But St. Tammany resident Linda Thornhill is skeptical about how gaming revenue is appropriated.
Cut 6 (12)”…it did.”
Despite the opposition, the measure heads to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the flash flooding last month that damaged several thousand homes and left five people dead. The declaration will allow affected residents in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes to register for FEMA aid.

An effort to give voters in St. Tammany Parish a chance to vote on whether they want a new riverboat casino in Slidell cleared a key legislative hurdle as it passed the Senate Finance Committee on a five to four vote. Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob says a casino in Slidell would keep thousands of gamblers in Louisiana from going to the Mississippi Gulf Coast…
cut 5 (10) “…region”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for final legislative approval.

The city of Ruston is getting ready for a big weekend. Louisiana Tech is hosting an NCAA baseball regional, the city is also hosting a youth softball tournament and the Louisiana Peach Festival is Saturday. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…
cut 13 (07) “…you want”

Legislation that would extend a temporary sales tax beyond 2025 and use that money to improve roads and bridges receives the approval of the Senate Finance Committee. Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry is not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was a temporary solution to a previous budget crisis…
cut 10 (11) “….an income tax”
The bill heads to the Senate where it will need two-thirds approval.

Legislation that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish an opportunity to vote on whether they want a riverboat casino in Slidell is advancing to the Senate floor after a close vote in Senate Finance. Chairman Bodi White had this to say to the opponents who testified against the legislation…
cut 7 (11) “…what we do”

The first-ever comprehensive report of deaths behind bars in the state is released by Loyola Law. Brooke Thorington has more on what the study found among the 786 deaths from 2015 to 2019.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a woman who was found dead this morning inside an apartment on Houma Boulevard. The sheriff says there is no suspect or motive available at this time. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says human remains were discovered in a wooded area of Golden Meadow just north of Yankee canal. An autopsy is scheduled.

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward made an emotional appeal to the committee, saying he doesn’t want to see any more of his family move out of state because of Louisiana’s inadequate infrastructure.
Cut 8 (10) “…state.”
The legislation would generate 400-million dollars every year that would go towards road and bridge improvements.

Loyola University New Orleans Law Professor Andrea Armstrong has put together a database on deaths in Louisiana prisons, jails and detention centers from 2015 to 2019. Deaths as a result of medical illness make up a majority of deaths. Armstrong says deaths by suicide and drug overdose are the second and third leading causes, and they occur primarily in local jails…
cut 15 (06) “….department”

A bill to allow voters to decide if Slidell can have a riverboat casino now heads to the Senate floor for final passage after a 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A bill to allow voters to decide if Slidell can have a riverboat casino now heads to the Senate floor for final passage after a 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The first-ever comprehensive report of deaths behind bars in the state is released by Loyola Law. Brooke Thorington has more on what the study found among the 786 deaths from 2015 to 2019.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

A House bill to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if riverboat gambling should be allowed in the parish is heading to the Senate Floor. Sidell Representative Mary DuBuisson’s bill passed on a tight 5-4 vote in Senate Finance.

Slidell Pastor John Raymond spoke in opposition, stating his area of the parish would suffer the downside of gaming while other areas would profit.

Cut 4 (08)”…share.”

Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob says a 2018 Mississippi Gaming Commission study noted 22-percent of their Gulf Coast casino customers were from Louisiana.  Gamblers that Roob says have the potential to roll the dice in-state if a casino is placed in St Tammany Parish.

Cut 5 (10)”…region.”

But St. Tammany resident Linda Thornhill is skeptical about how gaming revenue is appropriated.

Cut 6 (12)”…it did.”

After the vote advancing the bill to the Senate floor, Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White reminded those who testified in opposition that it’s not a done deal yet.

Cut 7 (11)  “…what we do.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage.

_______________________________

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure.

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward made an emotional appeal to the committee, saying he doesn’t want to see any more of his family move out of state because of Louisiana’s crumbling infrastructure.

Cut 8 (10) “…state.”

The bill would generate an estimated 350 to 380 million dollars a year once it is fully phased in 2025. If passed it would be slowly phased in over three years starting in 2022.

The bill took flak from both the left and right before passing 7-4. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Regina Barrow is concerned dedicating that money to infrastructure could create a budget deficit.

Cut 9 (09) “…education.” 

And Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry says he’s not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was supposed to be a temporary solution to the fiscal cliff…

Cut 10 (11) “…an income tax.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

__________________

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is getting ready for a crush of visitors starting Friday as they host a “triple-header” of an NCAA Regional Tournament, a softball tournament, and the Peach Festival.

Ruston won the hosting rights for the regional after La Tech’s inspiring 40-18 season. Walker says the whole city is proud of what the team has been able to accomplish and will be packing the new “Love Shack”.

Cut 11 (03) “…sold out.”

The NCAA Regional in Ruston opens Friday with NC State and Alabama playing at 1 PM and Tech and Rider starting at 6 PM.

The new sports complex hosting the regionals was built after a devastating tornado destroyed much of Tech’s campus in 2019. Walker says it was tragic, but the new sports complex was a silver lining.

Cut 12 (10) “…every weekend.”

On top of the regionals, 50 girls’ softball teams will travel into town and tourists from around the region will be enjoying the famed Peach Festival. Walker says hotels are packed, but if you can get a room…

Cut 13 (07) “…you want.”

The Marucci Classic softball tournament and Peach Festival begin Saturday.

_________________________

Loyola Law releases the first comprehensive report on inmate deaths in Louisiana. Law Professor Andrea (On-dree-ah) Armstrong says the study analyzed data on 786 known inmate fatalities from 2015 to 2019. She says medical death is the majority cause behind bars but yet when you look at preexisting conditions only half were diagnosed while incarcerated.

Cut 14 (10) “…behind bars.”

Inmate deaths include those in state prisons, parish jails, and detention centers. Armstrong says six percent of inmate deaths were suicide and where they occurred in parish facilities was surprising, almost half in solitary confinement.

Cut 15 (06)“…department.”

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world and Armstrong says the state does not have any mandatory standards governing confinement conditions and no independent oversight of what happens behind bars.

Cut 16 (07) “…deaths.”

Armstrong says the report is based on 70-percent of the facilities that they requested records from, which means 30-percent did not comply with the state’s public records law.

_____________________________________________

The Southern Jaguars baseball team is in Texas for the Austin regional that begins tomorrow. The Jags are the four-seed after winning the SWAC tournament and they join Texas, Arizona State, and Fairfield in Austin.  Southern head coach Chris Crenshaw says they’ll need a full team effort.

Cut 17 (10) do well.” 

Southern reached the postseason after taking down a very tough Jackson State team in the SWAC championship. Crenshaw says playing in the tournament was beneficial because they learned how to handle adversity.

Cut  18 (09)”…five days.”

Southern will take on number-one seed Texas at 1 p.m. on Friday.

________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional in what could be Paul Mainieri’s final weekend as the coach of the Tigers. Mainieri says he’s not trying to think about how his career is ending

Cut 19 (18) “…Super Regional.” 

Center fielder Giovanni Digiacomo re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the final regular-season series against Texas A-and-M. Mainieri says Gio has been practicing and he expects he’ll get the start on Friday night

Cut 20 (14)  “…play well.” 

The first bill of the 2021 legislative regular session to be signed by Governor Edwards allows sexual assault victims to terminate a rental lease early, with some stipulations. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre says The tenant would be allowed to apply for the early termination after a wait of at least 60 days after the assault. From that point, the victim would have to pay one more month’s rent, also…

Cut 8 (12) “…before.” 

The law also requires the assault to be verified by a “qualified third party”.

After weeks of stalling Senate Finance approves legislation giving St. Tammany residents a vote on allowing a new casino on the water outside of Slidell. Supporters say it would raise millions a year for the parish, but Slidell Pastor John Raymond isn’t impressed…

21

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward’s bill that would dedicate point four five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure is approved by Senate Finance 7-4. Ward says the bill would generate 350 million a year for roads and bridges, and keep young people from leave the crumbling state for greener pastures…

22

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

Compromise legislation limiting qualified immunity for law enforcement officers that cleared the House got defeated in a Senate committee. The bill was the result of a bipartisan task force dedicated to policing policy reform and had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, but was opposed by many rank and file officers who were concerned their personal finances could be impacted by wrongful death and injury incidents.

Governor Edwards makes legislation allowing sexual assault victims to break their rental leases early the first bill signed into law of the 2021 regular legislative session. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says previously the law only allowed renters to break their lease early if they were assaulted in a domestic situation…

Cut 6 (09) “..survivors”

The law went into effect yesterday.

Despite support from the highly influential Louisiana Sheriffs Association, a compromise bill limiting law enforcement officer’s ability to claim civil immunity in wrongful death and injury cases was defeated by a Senate committee. Veteran Shreveport police officer Kevin Goodwin says cops don’t make enough money to carry malpractice insurance.

Cut 10 (10) “…my children.”

A 30 million dollar rehabilitation of the Mississippi River Bridge on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge in Madison Parish was built about 50 years ago and like any interstate corridor, it is well-traveled.

Cut 3 (10)  “…itself.” 

The bridge also new LED lighting, cameras, and radar that are integrated into Mississippi’s IT network.

A tragic boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish high schooler. The victim has been identified as Cavalry Baptist Academy football player Hayden “Lane” Mangum. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says he was out fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.

Cut 12 (09)   “…middle ground.”