The session continues to heat up the LSU sexual misconduct scandal. A line of questioning from Representative Denise Marcelle in Ways and Means led to an admission by LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan that LSU still has not written a mandatory reporting policy requiring employees to properly report sexual misconduct cases or be terminated.

23

Representative Aimee Freeman pointed out the University of Louisiana System has already written and implemented that policy…

Cut 10 (12) “..over.” 

The sexual misconduct scandal is now spreading across the LSU system leading to Shreveport Medical School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali being placed on leave after allegations of sexual misconduct. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver says Ghali has already been cleared by a probe and this may be dirty politics by the Baton Rouge campus ahead of an upcoming Legislative fight over medical school funding for Pennington Research Center…

Cut 8 (09) “…move forward”

An effort to further expand the state’s medical-marijuana program has some early success. Legislation that would set up a system of taxation for smoke-able medical marijuana clears a key committee and is headed to the House floor. Under the proposal, inhalable medical marijuana would be taxed at the state sales tax rate.

The effort would still require a separate piece of legislation allowing the use of “raw” medical marijuana in the state to pass.

Crews are continuing their search for 12 workers who were aboard a lift boat that capsized in the Gulf of Mexico just south of Port Fourchon Tuesday. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Carlos Galarza (Guh-lar-zuh) says a dive team has been brought in and air and surface assets are also being used in the search, which is expected to continue for the time being…

Cut 14 (06) “…and for yours.” 

LSU says the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier (go-shay) of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on top of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media.

Cut 3 (09)  “…folks.” 

The House Appropriations committee discovers LSU still has not written a mandatory reporting policy requiring employees to properly report sexual misconduct cases. The discovery was made after Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle questioned LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan…

Cut 9 (13) “…policy.”

Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is calling out LSU Baton Rouge amidst the sexual misconduct scandal and says they are attempting to skirt attention and place it on LSU Shreveport instead. Tarver says it’s clear that LSU Baton Rouge has not even touched the surface of mishandlings.

Cut 6 (10) “…nor fair.”

LSU still has not written mandatory sexual misconduct reporting policy despite the ongoing scandal. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Louisiana Department of Health says more than one million residents in the state have completed their vaccine series, that’s approximately 22-percent of the population.  The state also has a hotline to answer questions and assist with vaccine appointments. That number is 1-855-453-0774.

Authorities release the name of the one body recovered in the lift boat accident that capsized Tuesday, he’s been identified as 63-year-old David Ledet of Thibodaux. Crews continuing their search for 12 workers in the Gulf of Mexico just south of Port Fourchon. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Carlos Galarza (Guh-lar-zuh) says most of the vessel that capsized is underwater, which is why a dive team was brought in.

Cut 13 (03)“….any survivors”

Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is calling out LSU Baton Rouge amidst allegations that Shreveport Medical School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali covered up sexual misconduct. Tarver says but the chancellor at the New Orleans has received more complaints than Ghali but has not placed on leave.

Cut 7 (12) “…different.”

Ghali was placed on leave after allegations of sexual misconduct.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan reveals that the school still has no written policy mandating that any employee who fails to report sexual misconduct incidents be immediately terminated. Given that information, Galligan was asked if he is comfortable with how the students are perceiving the school’s handling of Title Nine…

Cut 11 (12) “…happy” 

Many north Louisiana leaders are expressing concern over the decision to have Shreveport Medical School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali on leave over allegations of sexual misconduct. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver believes LSU Baton Rouge could be shifting the focus of the scandal to Shreveport in an effort to increase funding for medical facilities at the main campus.

Cut 8 (09) “…move forward

Crews are continuing their search today for 12 workers aboard a lift boat that capsized in the Gulf of Mexico just south of Port Fourchon Tuesday. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Carlos Galarza says a dive team has been brought in, but stormy weather has delayed their efforts

Cut 12 (08)   “…have commenced.” 

Six people from Seacor Power were rescued alive and one person’s body was recovered from the Gulf of Mexico yesterday.

LSU says the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on top of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media asking everyone to listen to Stevie Wonder’s song “These Three Words”….

Cut 5  (08)  “…those words.”

The search for a missing LSU student has reached a sad conclusion. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Coast Guard continues to search for the 12 missing after a commercial platform capsized Tuesday afternoon. Sector commander of Coast Guard New Orleans Will Watson says they have to remain optimistic in search efforts. So far one body was located.

A Legislative committee discovers LSU still has not written a mandatory reporting policy requiring employees to properly report sexual misconduct cases. The discovery was made after Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle questioned LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman pointed out the University of Louisiana System has already written and implemented that policy, so why hasn’t LSU?

Cut 10 (12) “..over.” 

Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is calling out LSU Baton Rouge amidst the sexual misconduct scandal and says they are attempting to skirt attention and place it on LSU Shreveport instead. Tarver says it’s clear that LSU Baton Rouge has not even touched the surface of mishandlings.

Cut 6 (10) “…nor fair.”

A Legislative committee discovers LSU still has not written a mandatory reporting policy requiring employees to properly report sexual misconduct cases. The discovery was made after Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle questioned LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan…

Cut 9 (13) “…policy.”

Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is calling out LSU Baton Rouge amidst allegations that Shreveport Medical School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali covered up sexual misconduct. Tarver says but the chancellor at the New Orleans has received more complaints than Ghali but was not placed on leave.

Cut 7 (12) “…different.”

Ghali was placed on leave after allegations of sexual misconduct.

A national transportation research organization says road and bridge conditions in the Bayou State are costing motorists $7.6 billion annually. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU confirms the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media.

Cut 4 (10) “…circumstance.” 

Police do not believe foul play is involved in Gautier’s death.

Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers will present an alternative proposal to the President’s 2.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure plan. Cassidy says the bulk of Biden’s bill, isn’t infrastructure spending, it includes funding for new housing, clean water, green energy infrastructure, paid leave, elderly care, veterans’ health, and more. Cassidy calls it too unfocused.

Cut 5 (09)“…give up.”

The poor conditions of roads and bridges in Louisiana are costing motorists in the state $7.6 billion a year. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Erich Ponti with Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads says each year the cost to drivers continues to increase.

Cut 11 (08) “….drivers.”

Currently, there is legislation in this session to address Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure issues.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation allowing victims of sexual assault to break their rental leases early. A survivor would have to provide adequate documentation to their landlord certified by a qualified third party. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it must be within sixty days of the incident…

Cut 14 (07) “…begin with.”

LSU says the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on top of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media thanking everyone who has been praying for his family.

Cut 3 (09)  “…folks.” 

Police do not believe foul play is involved in Gautier’s death.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation allowing victims of sexual assault to break their rental leases early. Tigers against Sexual Assault Co-President Angelina Cantelli says the legislation, by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman, is vital for assault survivors…

Cut 13 (10) “…flashbacks.”

The poor conditions of roads and bridges in Louisiana are costing motorists in the state $7.6 billion a year. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. They put a dollar figure on vehicle operating costs, traffic accidents, and congested related delays.  Erich Ponti with Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads says the state is long overdue for more funding.

Cut 10 (07) “..since 1984.”

TRIP says driving on poor roads in the state costs the average driver $667 annually in vehicle operating costs.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds most residents support investing in early childhood education and childcare. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says when respondents were asked about different programs such as childcare or early childhood education for low-income families…

Cut 7 (11)  “…all these.”

Crews are continuing their search today for 12 workers that were aboard a lift boat that capsized off the coast of Port Fourchon Tuesday. Stormy weather along the coast has hampered search efforts. KATC-TV reports at least four of the missing men are from Acadiana. A Slidell woman is praying for her son Chaz Morales to come home.

Senator Bill Cassidy says a counter-proposal to President Biden’s infrastructure plan is being drafted…
cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle”

An LSU survey of 781 adults finds about 75-percent of the respondents support more spending for early childhood education and 53-percent support raising taxes to increase spending on childcare for all families. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Doctor Michael Henderson says we’ll see if the Louisiana Legislature is willing to make the investment…
cut 9 (09) “…on this”

The national transportation research group, TRIP, says Louisiana’s poor roads are costing motorists seven point six billion dollars a year. TRIP Director of Policy and Research Rocky Moretti says that the dollar figure includes operating costs, traffic accidents and congested related delays and all of that is a factor when setting auto insurance rates…
cut 12 (06) “…part of that”
TRIP says driving on poor roads in the state costs the average driver $667 annually in vehicle operating costs

The search for the 12 missing crew members from a 129-foot lift boat that overturned off the coast of Port Fourchon enters a third day. Nineteen people were on board the Seacor Power when seven to nine-foot waves capsized the vessel. One person is confirmed dead and six people were rescued.

A national transportation research group says road and bridge conditions in the Bayou State are costing motorists $7.6 billion annually. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is not a fan of President Biden’s two-point-two trillion-dollar American Jobs Plan, because he says the legislation that started as an infrastructure spending bill doesn’t provide money for key highway projects in Louisiana…
cut 6 (06) “….infrastructure” (2x)
Cassidy says lawmakers are working on an alternative infrastructure bill.

The House Civil Law committee approves legislation that would allow victims of sexual assault to terminate their rental agreement before their lease is set to end. Supporters say allowing survivors of abuse to leave their apartment early can help them get away from their abuser and it also helps in the healing process. The measure passed unanimously, but Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman questioned whether this legislation could expand to victims of a home invasion or other crimes…
cut 15 (10) “…Pandora’s box”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.