The move to bring in more revenue for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by raising hunting and fishing license costs is gaining momentum. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says license fees have remained steady for the last 20 years and a fund that’s helped finance the department is nearly dry

Cut 9 (07) “…big dilemna”

The proposal calls for the cost of a basic fishing license to increase seven dollars, a basic annual hunting license would climb 50 bucks.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt withdrew her bill that would establish closed primaries for Congressional races. She says the fight isnt over and moving away from the jungle primary would help grow healthy state parties…

Cut 6 (13) “…record”

Former LSU President F. King Alexander says the opposition he faced from local leaders to his move to deprioritize standardized test scores in admissions was racist. Before instituting the change three years ago prior policy only allowed four percent of the incoming freshmen to not meet the required ACT/SAT requirements. He says it was disproportionately used to recruit student-athletes of color.

Cut 13 (08)“…laboratories.”

Alexander made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

A new program goes into effect today to help speed up the verification process for Louisianans filing for unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says ID.me will help ensure the correct person collects benefits.

Cut 3 (11)  “…10 minutes” 

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Louisiana GOP Deputy Chairman Charlie Buckles says the party authored a resolution in support of the bill and says the jungle primary system results in elections that are less issue-based.

Cut 7 (12) “…rat.”

Louisiana is one of the few states in the nation that does not have a closed primary system.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves legislation that would increase the cost of recreational hunting and fishing licenses. A basic fishing license would increase to 17-dollar and a basic hunting license would climb to 200-dollars.  Abbeville Representative Ryan Bourriaque says his constituents are concerned about the increases and he’s hoping that as the bill moves through the legislative process they can find other sources of funding…

Cut 11 (10) “…hurricanes”

More discussion on the bill is expected in the House.

ID.me the new verification process for unemployment goes into effect today to help reduce fraud. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

President Biden will visit New Orleans and Lake Charles Thursday as part of his Getting America Back on Track Tour. The plan focuses on repairing highways, rebuilding bridges, upgrading airports, and transit systems. Winter storms in February and multiple hurricanes last year highlighted the state’s need to update several outdated systems.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves legislation that would increase the cost of recreational hunting and fishing licenses. A basic fishing license would increase to 17-dollar and a basic hunting license would climb to 200-dollars. State Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet says his department has been doing more with less money, but it can’t go on.

Cut 10 (09) “..this bill” 

Several other types of licenses related to hunting and fishing would also see an increase.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says ID.me a new verification process for benefits goes into effect today. The new identification process is a federal requirement for COVID-related unemployment claims. Cates says the process also protects claimants.

Cut 5  (09)  “…those benefits.”

Legislation to establish a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Bill author Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says under the current jungle primary system voters don’t have much incentive to make sure they register with a party that matches their views.

Cut 6 (13) “…record”

Former LSU President F. King Alexander says the opposition he faced from local leaders on his move to deprioritize standardized test scores in admissions was racist. Alexander says he doesn’t regret the firestorm his policy change created and says he wouldn’t have done it differently in that regard.

Cut 14 (10) “…university” 

Alexander made the comments on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

Former LSU President F. King Alexander says the opposition he faced from local leaders to his move to deprioritize standardized test scores in admissions was racist. Alexander says his support for and adoption of holistic admissions three years ago prompted outrage from prominent boosters and members of the Board, but…

Cut 12 (11)   “…university” 

Alexander says LSU was one of the last schools in the nation to adopt holistic admissions.

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Despite its defeat many still support the change, including Libertarian Party activist Mike Wolf…

Cut 8 (09) “…candidate”

A measure to increase the cost of a hunting and fishing license clears its first legislative hurdle as it receives approval from the House Natural Resources Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards is expected to address the public today at 3:30 PM regarding the state’s progress with the vaccination campaign. This comes as a quarter of everyone in Louisiana, or 1.23 million people, but the pace of new vaccinations has slowed to just a trickle.

The House Natural Resources Committee approves legislation that would increase the cost to purchase recreational hunting and fishing licenses. State Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet says license fees have remained steady for the last 20 years and a fund that’s helped finance the department is nearly dry

Cut 9 (07) “…big dilemna”

The proposal calls for the cost of a basic fishing license to increase from $9.50 to 17-dollars, a basic annual hunting license would climb from 150 to 200-dollars.

A new verification process ID.Me begins today for Louisianans filing new claims for unemployment. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says those filing claims and existing claimants transitioning from one form to another will be required to use the new verification process.

Cut 4 (11) “…social security card.” 

She says the process takes about five to 10 minutes.

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Louisiana GOP Deputy Chairman Charlie Buckles says the party authored a resolution in support of the bill and says the jungle primary system results in elections that are less issue-based.

Cut 7 (12) “…rat.”

Louisiana is one of the few states in the nation that does not have a closed primary system.

A Port Allen police officer who used a stun gun twice on a man who was seated resigns from the department. Nolan Dehon III was scheduled for a hearing Tuesday before the Port Allen City Council, to consider his termination but resigned before the hearing. A letter obtained by WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge says he chose to resign in the best interest of his family and the community. He was arrested on battery and malfeasance in office charges from the incident.

A new program goes into effect today to help speed up the verification process for Louisianans filing for unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says ID.me will help ensure the correct person collects benefits.

Cut 3 (11)  “…10 minutes” 

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt wrote the bill. She says under the current jungle primary system voters don’t have much incentive to make sure they register with a party that matches their views.

Cut 6 (13) “…record”

The bill had a 5.5-million-dollar price tag due to the need to hold additional election cycles.

A New Orleans legislator Mandie Landry pulls her bill to decriminalize prostitution. There were about three hours of testimony on the proposal in a House committee yesterday, Landry saw that the opposition was too great…
cut 10 (10) “….happens”
Landry filed the bill after hearing from women who say sex work is a form of labor if it’s consensual.

For restaurants looking for federal assistance to recover pandemic-related revenue losses, they can now apply for funding through the S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 15 (09) “….run on the funds”
For more information go to S-B-A-dot-gov.

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry shelved her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.
Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.”
Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness…
Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”
The N-I-L bill has received approval from one Senate committee and is waiting to be heard by the Senate Finance committee.

Tomorrow on the House floor, lawmakers will vote on the proposed budget. It contains an 800-dollar raise for public school teachers and a 400-dollar hike in pay for school support workers. Teachers last received a raise in 2019, but Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teacher pay in this state still trails the Southern Regional Average…
cut 12 (09) “….pay teachers”

Governor Edwards is encouraging operators of Louisiana restaurants, bars, catering companies, and other food-related establishments to register for the U-S Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says unlike previous assistance with P-P-P loans, Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue…
cut 16 (13) “….you’ve received”
Go to S-B-A-dot-gov to register.

Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…
Cut 4 (11)“…methods”
But not enough House members agreed with Hilferty and the measure came up four votes short of passing and 29 school districts can still use a paddle on students.

After three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice Representative Mandie Landry pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution from consideration. Supporters say the government should not be involved with the sexual activities of consenting adults. Lakeesha Harris representing Women With a Vision and a former sex worker says the profession is unfairly judged and policed.

Cut 9 (04) “…the table.”

Some opposed on moral grounds and others said it would increase human trafficking.

Teachers would get an 800 dollar pay raise under a budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

An investigation by the Special Victims Unit of state police at the request of the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office results in the arrest of 21-year old Caleb Bowden for second-degree cruelty of a juvenile. State Police say after interviewing Bowden they determined he violently shook an infant who suffered serious injuries and was admitted to a hospital. Bowden was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center and bond was set at 100-thousand.

Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A House committee voted against a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. A similar bill will be debated on the Senate floor this afternoon. Governor Edwards will also provide a COVID-19 update at 3:30.

The state’s proposed 36-billion dollar budget for the next fiscal year contains an 800-dollar pay raise for K-through-12 teachers and a 400-dollar pay raise for school support workers. The governor’s initial spending plan only called for a 400-dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey is glad to see lawmakers are proposing more than what the governor recommended…
cut 11 (06) “….enough”
The budget bill will be up for debate on the House floor tomorrow.

A measure that would allow student-athletes in college to profit from their name, image, and likeness is waiting for a hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee. New LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey told the Louisiana House she supports this legislation as it will make the lives of all student-athletes better…
cut 7 (10) “….most of you”
The bill has already received approval from the Senate Education Committee.

A New Orleans legislator is no longer seeking to pass a bill that would decriminalize prostitution. There were about three hours of testimony on the proposal in a House committee yesterday, but Representative Mandie Landry saw that the opposition was too great…
cut 10 (10) “….happens”
Landry filed the bill after hearing from women who say sex work is a form of labor if it’s consensual.

For restaurants looking for federal assistance to recover pandemic-related revenue losses, they can now apply for funding through the S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 15 (09) “….run on the funds”
For more information go to S-B-A-dot-gov.

LSU Women’s Basketball coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Louisiana Senate is set to debate the Fairness in Women’s Sport’s Act this afternoon which says biological females are the only ones that can compete in women’s sports. A similar measure failed to get out of the House Education Committee yesterday on a six to five vote. Arkansas and Mississippi have passed laws to ban transgender individuals from competing in girls’ sports.