Lake Charles recorded the third heaviest rainfall in history according to the National Weather Service, with more than a foot of rain Monday, and that includes Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says he’s not a scientist but three major weather events in less than nine months are evidence of climate change.

Cut 6 (12) “…100 years (x2)”

Hunter says some residents are facing renovations of their homes for a third time.

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Baton Rouge yesterday also and nearly 15 inches of rain fell in Gonzales. State Climatologist Barry Keim says warm air off the Gulf of Mexico is colliding with the upper atmosphere to produce strong thunderstorms capable of dumping a lot of water…

Cut 4 (10) “..over and over again” 

Rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday.

The historic rainfall that swamped Lake Charles and Baton Rouge last night left many residents stranded in their cars and homes as floodwaters rose rapidly yesterday and early this morning. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says their long day began early Monday as marshals were called in to help assist local authorities in Lake Charles…

Cut 9 (12) “…flooded in”

State Representative Ray Garofalo says he’s out as House Education Chairman after he said there was good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says because the Black Caucus threatened not to support the Republicans’ tax reform plans if he wasn’t removed. But he says now that Garofalo is out, they still might not support it.

Cut 13 (09)“…tax rate”

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Lake Charles and Baton Rouge yesterday as a result of a slow-moving storm system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles is once again dealing with storm damage…
cut 3 (14) “…that flooded”
In the Baton Rouge area, nearly 15 inches of rain fell in Gonzales.

South Louisiana is trying to dry out today after a foot of rain fell in parts of the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge areas. State Fire Marshal deputies and Wilflife and Fisheries agents participated in dozens of high water rescues. West Baton Rouge Sheriff deputies say one person is dead and another is missing after a vehicle crashed in a flooded ditch in Port Allen.

A tense debate broke out in the House Civil Law committee over the efficacy and long-term effects of COVID vaccines….
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says he’s out as House Education Chairman. The Legislative Black Caucus asked for Garofalo’s removal after he said during committee debate there was good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder did not give any indication this move would occur
Cut 12 (09) “…on this”
Alford says it remains to be seen if the Legislative Black Caucus will support the Republicans’ plan to lower the overall income tax rate in exchange for the elimination of the deduction for federal income taxes paid.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says he will bring his bill to legalize recreational marijuana up for a vote on the House floor today. Nelson says support is growing for his legislation…
cut 14 (10) “…bad guys”
The full House convenes at 2 PM.

Over a foot of rain fell over parts of Lake Charles and Baton Rouge yesterday as a result of a slow-moving storm system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles is once again dealing with storm damage…
cut 3 (14) “…that flooded”
Another four to six inches of rain could fall today across the I-10 and I-12 corridor.

Today the full House is expected to vote on whether recreational marijuana use should be legalized. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillion says he polled voters in nine Republican-held districts and he found even Evangelicals and older voters backed the legislation…
cut 16 (08) “….are”
The full House convenes at 2 PM.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve charged 39-year-0ld Angela Lirette of Houma with Human trafficking, after allegedly forcing a juvenile into sexual encounters with boys. Sheriff Tim Soignet says Lirette allegedly made contact with several different teenage males by pretending to be a teenage female on multiple social media websites…
cut 8 (08) “….investigate”
Lirette is in jail on a one-million-dollar bond.

Disney Plus will produce a 40-million dollar film at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge. The feature film is called Crater and Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham says the plot is described as a “futuristic teen adventure’….
cut 5 (09) “….production”
Bayham says the film production is expected to employ 325 crew members and 400 extras.

Several roads are flooded across south Louisiana as a result of a slow-moving storm system that’s dumped a half-foot to a foot of rain in some areas. In West Baton Rouge Parish, the sheriff’s office says one person is dead and another missing after a vehicle drove into a flooded ditch. Another four to six inches of rain is possible today.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the House will vote today on his legislation that would legalize marijuana…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A debate over the credibility of COVID vaccines broke out in the House civil law Committee yesterday. Here’s an exchange between Amite Representative Robby Carter, who shared that he’s had a kidney transplant, and Candace Timphony, who spoke against vaccines.
Cut 10 (07) “….yes I am” (2x)
The House panel approved two bills one that would protect employers from civil liability if they don’t require workers or customers to get the coronavirus vaccine. Another measure would prohibit state or local governments and agencies from requiring a COVID vaccine to get a license or even a degree from a university.

A Disney Plus feature film called Crater is set to begin filming at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge. Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham….
Cut 4 (10)“…pandemic.”
More than a dozen film and TV projects are reportedly in production or pre-production in Louisiana right now.

Some parts of South Louisiana saw over a foot of rain yesterday and last night as a result of a slow-moving storm system and the National Weather Service says there’s a moderate risk for more excessive rainfall through tonight for south and central Louisiana. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 Press conference on the flooding that’s already occurred in the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge areas.

Baton Rouge and Celtic Studios are set to play host to the crew of a new 40 million dollar Disney plus feature film. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

A Houma woman is facing numerous charges after she posed online as a teenager to lure juveniles into human trafficking. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says 39-year old Angela Lirette allegedly made contact with several teenagers and even had a sexual relationship with one teen.
Cut 7 (12) “…of a minor.”
Soignet opted not to say how many victims were involved.

A tense debate over the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine erupted in the House Civil Law Committee yesterday as Amite Representative Robby Carter discussed his desire for as many people as possible to get vaccinated, but Candace Timphony was there to support bills that would prohibit the state from mandating vaccines to enter state buildings or get licenses or degrees from a university..
cut 12 (12) “…individeuals”
The bill passed and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A slow-moving storm has dumped over a foot of rain in some parts of south Louisiana. Dozens of homes in stormy weary Lake Charles took in water, there have also been reports of flooding in Acadiana and Baton Rouge. A strong line of heavy rainfall is now falling in the New Orleans area. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 press conference today.

A bill that would prohibit state and local government agencies from barring access to public facilities to someone who isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19 received a House committee approval. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston’s bill also says a state entity can’t refuse to issue a license, permit or a degree to a person not vaccinated. This woman testified in favor of the bill, saying her daughter in nursing school can’t get the vaccine because of preexisting health conditions…
cut 11 (12) “…nursing school”
More discussion on the measure will take place on the House floor.
The author of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana says the House will vote on his bill today. Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’s optimistic he now has the votes needed to send this bill to the Senate and he does not plan on delaying that vote again.
Cut 13 (09) “..question.”
This vote comes as a JMC Analytics poll of nine south and central Republican-held legislative districts shows strong support for legalization. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…
Cut 15 (08)“…March.”
A March statewide poll showed 67 percent of Louisianans favored legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession.

Baton Rouge and Celtic Studios are set to play host to the crew of a new 40 million dollar Disney plus feature film. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

There was a tense debate in House Civil over the efficacy and long-term effects of COVID vaccines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

 Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the House will vote on his legislation that would legalize marijuana today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

The upcoming Disney Plus feature film Crater is set to begin filming around the Baton Rouge area, primarily at Celtic Studios.

Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham says hosting the production is a big win for the struggling Capital City film industry and the regional economy.

Cut 4 (10)“…pandemic.”

More than a dozen film and TV projects are reportedly in production or pre-production in Louisiana right now.

The plot is described as a “futuristic teen adventure”.

Cut 5 (09)”…production.”

The 40 million dollar film plans to employ 325 crew members and 400 extras, with hundreds of Louisianans expected to be hired as well.

Bayham says despite the big-budget don’t expect to see much filming going on around Baton Rouge…

Cut 6 (07) “…as the moon.”

__________________________________

A Houma woman is facing numerous charges after she posed online as a teenager to lure juveniles into human trafficking. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says 39-year old Angela Lirette allegedly made contact with several teenagers and even had a sexual relationship with one teen.

Cut 7 (12)  “…of a minor.”

Soignet says the case remains under investigation and opted not to say how many victims were involved.

Cut 8 (08) “…investigate.” 

The investigation began on May 11th and Lirette was arrested within two days. Soignet credits the department’s Special Victims division with a quick arrest.

Cut 9 (05) “…we’re doing.”

Lirette is being held on a one-million-dollar bond and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact them.

______________________________

A debate over the credibility of COVID vaccines broke out in House Civil Monday over a civil liability bill. House Bill 103 prevents businesses from being sued if they don’t require employees to be vaccinated and also prevents the state from denying a business a license if they choose not to mandate vaccines. Amite Representative Robby Carter, who shared that he’s had a kidney transplant, and Candace Timphony, who spoke against vaccines.

Cut 10 (07) “….yes I am”

Timphony expressed her concern over educational facilities requiring vaccines and referenced her daughter who attends nursing school and has preexisting health conditions.

Cut 11 (12) “….nursing school”

Carter and Timphony continued to debate the efficacy of the vaccines and both admitted to being immunocompromised. Carter feels more people should be vaccinated so those who are immunocompromised.

Cut 12 (12) “…individuals.”

The committee passed the amended version of the bill without objection. It now heads to the house floor.

__________________________________

The author of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana says the House will vote on his bill today.

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’s optimistic he now has the votes needed to send this bill to the Senate and he does not plan on delaying that vote again.

Cut 13 (09) “..question.”

Nelson says agreeing to limit personal possession to two and a half ounces and removing language allowing people to grow pot at home helped win over some skeptical lawmakers.

The Sheriff’s Association still opposes the legislation, but Nelson says they don’t represent the views of all Louisiana law enforcement officers.

Cut 14 (10) “…bad guys.”

Lawmakers will be voting on both legalization and taxation instruments.

This vote comes as a JMC Analytics poll of nine south and central Republican-held legislative districts shows strong support for legalization. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…

Cut 15 (08)“…March.”

A March statewide poll showed 67 percent of Louisianans favored legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession.

Couvillon says in those south and central Louisiana districts he found even evangelicals and older voters backed legalization.

Cut 16 (08) “…are.”

The poll surveyed voters in five Greater New Orleans media market districts, two Lafayette and Lake Charles media markets, one in the Baton Rouge media market, and one in Alexandria.

_____________________________

The offseason has begun for the Pelicans who finished the 2020-21 season with a 31-41 record.  New Orleans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin is not happy they didn’t make the playoffs.

Cut 17 (14) “..shooting.”

The Pels have two young all-stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, as well as some other young contributors.  Griffin says this team is definitely talented but…

Cut  18 (20)”…team.”

_____________________________________________

The LSU baseball team is scheduled to host Northwestern State tonight for its final non-conference game of the year. The forecast does not look good as over an inch of rain could fall in Baton Rouge today. Coach Paul Mainieri says they will try hard to make sure this game is played

Cut 19 (24) “…tomorrow night” 

The Tigers are coming off a 13-5 win over Alabama. Giovanni DiGiacomo hit two home runs after not play in Friday’s win. Mainieri says he sat Gio on Friday after not giving 100-percent in the field in last week’s game against Louisiana Tech. Mainieri is glad DiGiacomo got the message…

Cut 20 (18) “…come here.” 

The author of legislation that would legalize possession and consumption of recreational marijuana says the House will vote on the bill Tuesday. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is optimistic it will pass after agreeing to two key amendments…

23

Nelson says win or lose, he is calling for a vote and will not delay the bill for a third time. This decision comes as a poll by JMC Analytics of nine Republican Legislative districts shows strong support for legalization even from GOP voters. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…

Cut 10, 8 seconds, March

The nine districts were spread across south and central Louisiana. Couvillon says he found even evangelicals and older voters backed legalization.

Cut 11 (08) “….are”

The Senate votes to approve legislation allowing college student-athletes to receive paid endorsements and to profit off of their name, image, and likeness without impacting their scholarship status.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has died at the age of 77. The Roemer Revolution of 1988 to 1991 resulted in a number of major legislative achievements including legalized riverboat gaming and campaign finance reform. His former chief of staff Len Sanderson called Roemer a dynamic leader.

Cut 3 (10)  “…electric personality” 

Roemer’s biggest legislative setback came after voters rejected his sweeping tax reform legislation at the ballot box.

The National Weather Service says 10 to 13 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of southwest Louisiana today. Numerous roads are closed in the Lake Charles area and there are reports of rainwater getting into homes. Meteorologist Donald Jones says more rain is on its way.

Cut 9 (10) “…as well”

Most of southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Thursday night.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning. During his term from 1988 to 1991 Roemer signed the bill that legalized riverboat gaming, but his tax reform plan was rejected by the voters. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer’s administration also had to cut the budget because of a large deficit…

Cut 5  (10)  “…would like to”

Roemer was 77.

The US Supreme Court rules that those convicted in the past on non-unanimous jury verdicts will not automatically get a retrial. Attorney Andre Belanger who argued for retroactivity says about 1,500 Louisiana convictions would have to have been retried if the ruling went the other way, but Belanger says the Court did leave the door open for state and local action.

Cut 13 (09)“…verdict”

The ruling was 6-3 against retroactivity.

The temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline only highlighted the truck driver shortage. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar says the driver shortage was already an issue well before the pandemic.

Cut 6 (11) “…truckdrivers”

The National Weather Service says 10 to 13 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of southwest Louisiana today. Numerous roads are closed in the Lake Charles area and there are reports of rainwater getting into homes. Meteorologist Donald Jones says after dealing with two major hurricanes and a winter storm in the last year, a flooding event is the last thing they need in this area…

Cut 11 (10) “…as well”

A flash flood watch is in effect for southwest Louisiana through Thursday night.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning, he served as governor from 1988 to 1991. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer only served one term but became a successful banker.

Cut 4 (05) “…American people. 

Roemer was 77.

The US Supreme Court rules 6-3 that a prior ruling deeming non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional is not retroactive. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The health department reports that 280 Louisianans are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. The last time the state reported a number in that range was March 23, 2020. The latest vaccine numbers show 1.4 million have completed their vaccine series.