The state Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana. Eric Picolli has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Eric Picolli”

The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children, which has been critical of LSU over their failure to act on cases on sexual harassment and assault, will be on campus Saturday to hear from students.  The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in room 329, on the third floor of the LSU Student Union.

Governor John Bel Edwards has given his take on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 230-million dollars would go toward repaying loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “has lagged”

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says Turner is a player they’ had their eye on.

Cut 12 (12) “was good”

Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.

Cut 3 (09) “a pandemic”

Edwards another 230-million dollars would go toward repaying loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana.  The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.

Cut 11 (07) “more variants”

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th edition, they opted for both a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.

Cut 6 (10) “families”

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks.  While the team still has holes to fill on the roster, Payton says they couldn’t pass up on Turner’s potential.

Cut 13 (11) “in our league”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

According to United Cajun Navy members a report of a body found in the water has spurred an emergency search and rescue operation, they received a report of a body floating by a rig Friday morning. Seven passengers remain missing from the SEACOR Power lift boat that capsized April 13^th.

Former LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fifth pick, reuniting him with college teammate Joe Burrow. The two won a championship together at LSU.  Chase says he’s ready to grow as a player with Burrow at quarterback.

Cut 14 (11) “…will be easy” 

The first-ever Spring version of the is underway in Shreveport. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th fair they decided to host two this year.  And if all goes well, this could be the new norm.

Cut 8 (05) “…each year.”

In addition to the staple events and attractions, you find at the fall fair at the spring event visitors can also ice skate in the coliseum when the Mudbugs aren’t playing.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to use 125-million dollars in federal coronavirus aid and distribute the cash to Tourism and Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He’s also asking the state legislature to allocate 20-million in federal relief dollars to the state Tourism Department…
cut 5 (08) “….our businesses”
The money comes from the American Rescue Plan and Edwards has provided lawmakers with how to spend 1-point-6 billion dollars of that cash.

Ja’Marr Chase will be a rich man soon after the Bengals used the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft to take the former LSU wide receiver, who is reuniting with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Chase says he was not sure which team would draft him, but he says Burrow gave him a hint…
cut 15 (10) “…ready bro”
Rounds two and three of the draft are tonight.

The state Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana. Eric Picolli has the story
Cut 2 (31) …I’m Erik Picolli.”

An overnight shooting in Ruston has claimed the life of a teenager and a 15-year-old has been charged in his murder. Ruston Police say they responded to a call about an unresponsive juvenile and when they arrived, they found a 16-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the head. A short time later, the other teen was taken into custody. No other details have been announced. Details on what led to the shooting have not been released.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to spend 230-million dollars from the American Rescue plan to repay loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…

Cut 4 (09) “…has lagged.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms two Brazilian variants of the COVID in the state. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana and getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of the virus.

Cut 10 (08) “…the other variants” 

Visit ldh.la.gov for vaccine information.

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says their timing couldn’t have been better, the same week the governor partially lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.

Cut 7 (09) “…exciting.”

Instead of canceling last fall due to the pandemic they moved the event to spring and will host two fairs this year.

The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says Turner is a player they’ had their eye on.

Cut 12 (12)   “…was good” 

Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent.  Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses.

Cut 3 (09)  “…a pandemic” 

All of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (06) “..identified yet”

The Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana. Kanter says officials getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of COVID-19

The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th edition they opted for a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.

Cut 6 (10) “…families”

The fair runs through May 9^th.

A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes in House Judiciary 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal Justin Wax says vaping and cigarette use among teens is an ever-growing issue.

Cut 7 (10)  “…away from this.”

The bill now heads to the house for debate.

Another poll finds a majority of Louisiana residents support legalizing recreational marijuana. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the removal of House Education Committee Chairman Representative Ray Garofalo is justified. The Chalmette representative is under fire after a comment during committee testimony that there may have been good parts of slavery went viral.

College athletes would profit from their name, image, and likeness under a bill that also received approval from the Senate Education Committee. But Minden Senator Robert Mills is concerned that if college athletes make money from their name and likeness, it could result in NCAA penalties against Louisiana colleges…

Cut 16 (11) “…scared to death.”

A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes in House Judiciary 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal John Easterly testified that a quarter of the suspensions he handles are students smoking cigarettes or vaping.

Cut 8 (06) “…period of time.”

The measure now heads to the house floor for debate.

A bill to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports teams in schools passes unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell quoted Female Powerlifter Beth Stelzer in her opening remarks…
Cut 10 (13) “…women’s sports.”
Child psychologist Dr. Clifton Mixon calls the bill divisive and says it sets a damaging tone against an already vulnerable population.

Cut 11 (10) “…future.”

The proposal heads to the Senate floor. Governor Edwards opposes it.

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would allow college athletes to profit off of their name, image, or likeness, which could result in endorsement and sponsorship deals for star players. Even though it was approved, several senators had questions like River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot…

Cut 15 (11)“…in this.”

The University of New Orleans’ Survey Research Center has found that 55% of registered voters support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Louisiana.  This comes in the wake of the Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee passing a bill that seeks to legalize weed. SRC director Dr. Ed Chervenak says it’s unclear if the proposal can receive approval from the Louisiana House.

Cut 6 (07) “…it will be legalized.”

700 registered voters were surveyed.

The University of New Orleans Survey Research Center found that 55-percent of the nearly 700 voters they surveyed this week support the legalization of recreational marijuana. The center’s director, Doctor Edward Chervenak, says opinions on legalization are polarized along party lines…
cut 5 (04) Republicans are not”
But it’s a Republican lawmaker, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who has a bill waiting for debate on the House floor that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana use.

The full Senate will get a chance to debate legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams. No one on the Senate Education Committee voted against the measure, but Melissa Flournoy with Louisiana Progress says this is a bill in search of a problem as there are no examples of a transgender person playing on a girls team in Louisiana….
cut 12 (09) “…no”
Governor Edwards also opposes.

A proposal that would give college athletes in Louisiana a chance to make money off their name, image, and likeness has started moving at the State Capitol. Jim Shannon has the story
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jim Shannon”

The Saints surprised many by taking Houston defensive end Payton Turner with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft. Most mock drafts did not have Turner getting selected in the first round, but the Saints Coach Sean Payton likes his size, his make-up and the energy he brings to the field. Rounds two and three of the draft are tonight.

A proposal to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at high school, college, and intramurals receive approval from the Senate Education Committee. Child psychologist Dr. Clifton Mixon calls the bill divisive and she says it sets a damaging tone against an already vulnerable population.
Cut 11 (10) “…future.”
The NCAA has threatened to remove championship events from states that pass this type of legislation. New Orleans is set to host the Final Four in men’s basketball next year. The bill’s author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, responded to that threat…
cut 13 (06) “….female athletes”

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would allow college athletes to profit off of their name, image, or likeness, which could result in endorsement and sponsorship deals for star players. Former LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux spoke in favor of the legislation…
Cut 14 (09) “…playing fields.”
Some of the senators expressed concern that if this bill passes, the NCAA could see it as a violation if student-athletes are paid for endorsement deals.

A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes out of the House Judiciary Committee 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal Justin Wax says vaping and cigarette use among teens is an ever-growing issue.
Cut 7 (10) “…away from this.”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.