A New Orleans lawmaker says LSU’s decision to bar all employees from testifying under oath to a legislative committee investigating the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct is stopping witnesses to further misconduct from coming forward. Representative Aimee Freeman says she has witnesses who claim either Verge Ausberry or Miriam Segar violated the terms of their recent suspensions they were given for mishandling sexual misconduct reports…

Cut 10 (12) “…job” 

Colorado State University anticipates an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher Jhordanne Jones says there’s a 50/50 chance a hurricane hits Louisiana this year.  

Cut 8 (09) “…happens”

Voters in 55 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall but before you can legally place your wagers a few things must happen. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

As expected no LSU employees appeared before a legislative committee today that’s looking into allegations that the school purposely covered up previous sexual misconduct cases. An attorney for the school, Wimston DeCuir, says because of a 50-million dollar lawsuit filed against the university and several officials, it was not prudent for them to discuss the matter publicly…
cut 9 (11) “…circumstanstance”

Colorado State University hurricane researchers anticipate an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher at CSU Jhordanne Jones says they are predicting 17 named storms.
Cut 6 (09) “…in 2020”
Jones says warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic favors an active 2021 hurricane season.

Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and for it to become a reality both a regulatory and tax bill must be approved in the legislative session this year. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his bill proposes tax revenue from sports betting be undedicated…
Cut 10 (11) “…as good.”
Determining where people can place bets and can they do it over their phone will also have to be ironed out during the course of the session.

The longtime voice of Louisiana Tech, Dave Nitz, says he will no longer call Bulldog football and basketball games, but will still be on the mic for Tech baseball games. The 78-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster says he’ll miss being at Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center…
cut 15 (09) “….it may be”

State Police say a vehicle heading the wrong way on Interstate 10 near Crowley caused a fiery crash that killed three people and left another person in critical condition. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the vehicle driving in the opposite direction slammed head-on into another vehicle…

Cut 3 (07)  “…that was also involved.” 

Gossen says they are still trying to determine why one of the vehicles involved was heading in the wrong direction

LSU has barred all employees from testifying under oath at today’s Legislative hearing into the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. This comes after both coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward decided not to attend. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this setback will not stop lawmakers from pressing on…

Cut 4 (10)“…again.”

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 57-percent of residents support raising the state’s gasoline tax if it’s used to fund transportation infrastructure. LSU Public Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says they also asked if they want the funds spent on maintaining current infrastructure versus expanding and the responses were surprising.

Cut 9 (08) “…capacity.”

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz has decided to retire as the radio voice of football and basketball but will remain behind the mic to call baseball games.  The 78-year-old Nitz says he’s been considering this transition for quite some time.

Cut 13 (10) “…football and basketball.”

LSU will not allow current employees to testify at today’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children as a university attorney said it would not be prudent to publicly discuss the mishandling of sexual assault cases as the school and several officials are expected to be named defendants in a 50-million dollar lawsuit. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says her panel will continue to try and get answers…
cut 5 (09) “…questions”

The legislative session starts Monday and several bills have been filed that seeks to get sports betting legalized in Louisiana after voters in 55 parishes approved the activity. Crowley Representative John Stefanski on who could possibly take bets one day…
cut 11 (08) “….as well”
Stefanski says there will also be a push to allow mobile sports betting.

The legendary voice of Louisiana Tech athletics Dave Nitz has decided to retire from football and basketball and solely focus on baseball after 47 seasons of calling games on the gridiron and hardwood…
cut 3 (30) “…i’m Taylor Sharp”

The sun is out after stormy weather last night and early this morning that produced street flooding in New Orleans and damaged homes in Morehouse Parish near the Arkansas state line. Also, Lafayette TV stations are reporting three people died in a multi-vehicle crash on I-10 near Crowley.

LSU has blocked its employees from testifying before the Louisiana Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. LSU’s legal team says it would not be prudent to discuss the mishandling of previous sexual misconduct cases now that an employee has threatened to sue the school and several university officials. Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response President Rachel Hebert says LSU leaders refusing to speak sends a bad message to victims.
Cut 6 (11) “…to that.”

57-percent of Louisiana adults surveyed say they would support a higher tax on gasoline if it is used on transportation infrastructure. But LSU Public Policy Lab Research Director Doctor Michael Henderson says support for a higher tax decreases when the respondents were told the extra revenue will go towards capturing federal matching dollars…
cut 8 (08) “….unexpected finding”

Voters in 55 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and state lawmakers will work during the legislative session to make it happen…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The longtime voice of Louisiana Tech , Dave Nitz, says he will no longer call Bulldog football and basketball games, but will still be on the mic for Tech baseball games. The 78-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster says he’ll miss being at Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center…
cut 15 (09) “….it may be”

LSU has barred all employees from testifying under oath at today’s Legislative hearing into the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. This comes after both coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward decided not to attend. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this setback will not stop lawmakers from pressing on…
Cut 4 (10)“…again.”
The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children will still meet today at 10 AM, even though LSU officials will not be there to testify.

There is a bill in the legislative session that begins on Monday that seeks to raise the state’s gasoline tax in order to pay for road construction projects. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says their survey found that 57-percent of Louisiana adults support raising the gasoline tax if it is used to fund transportation infrastructure…
cut 7 (06) “…the pump”

Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and for it to become a reality both a regulatory and tax bill must be approved in the legislative session this year. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his bill proposes tax revenue from sports betting be undedicated…
Cut 10 (11) “…as good.”

The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs is reducing his workload. 78-year-old Dave Nitz will no longer call Tech football and basketball games, but he’ll keep calling Bulldog baseball games. Nitz is in his 47th season calling La Tech games and the West Virginia native never thought he’d become a Louisiana institution…
cut 14 (13) “…somewhere like that

LSU is not allowing its employees to speak at a legislative hearing today that’s set to discuss the school’s past problems in reporting sexual misconduct claims. Brooke Thorington has the story…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Advocate reports the LSU Board of Supervisors is considering firing the Baton Rouge law firm that’s represented the school since the 1930s. It was Taylor Porter who advised university leaders not to let the entire board know about the Les Miles investigation into the coach’s alleged improper behavior with female students.

During the legislative session that begins on Monday, state lawmakers will work to make legal sports betting a reality. Voters in 55 parishes have approved the activity, but the Legislature has to decide how it will be taxed, where the revenue will go, and where you can place bets. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says mobile sports betting has to be a component for it to be successful…
cut 12 (08) “….the state”
Stefanski says the bills that set the tax rate in place will also need two-thirds of support in both chambers.

The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz has decided to retire as the radio voice of football and basketball but will remain behind the mic to call baseball games. The 78-year-old Nitz says he’s been considering this transition for some time.
Cut 13 (10) “…football and basketball.”
Nitz has been the voice of Tech athletics for over four decades.

LSU is not allowing its employees to speak at a legislative hearing today that’s set to discuss the school’s past problems in reporting sexual misconduct claims. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Voters in 55 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall but before you can legally place your wagers a few things but happen. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

The legendary voice of Louisiana Tech athletics Dave Nitz has decided to retire from football and basketball and solely focus on baseball after 47 seasons of calling games on the gridiron and hardwood.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Taylor Sharp.”

____________________________

LSU barred all employees from testifying under oath at today’s Legislative hearing into the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.

This comes after both coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward decided not to attend. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this setback will not stop lawmakers from pressing on…

Cut 4 (10)“…again.”

Barrow says she keeps hearing from frustrated constituents who say they’re concerned that nothing is going to happen at LSU as a result of this scandal.

Cut 5 (09)“…questions.”

Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response President Rachel Hebert says seeing LSU leaders refuse to speak about this situation sends a bad message to victims.

Cut 6 (11) “…to that.”

LSU sent a letter to lawmakers Wednesday informing them that persons associated with the university cannot answer questions under oath due to a pending lawsuit by current athletic administrator Sharon Lewis, who is alleging a number of school officials engaged in a conspiracy to cover up sexual misconduct by former coach Les Miles and retaliated against her for investigating those claims.

_____________________________

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 57-percent of residents are in favor of raising the state gasoline tax if it’s used to fund transportation infrastructure. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says they received mixed messages on this question, and when asked about raising taxes in general for transportation it’s split evenly.

Cut 7 (12)  “…the pump.”

Henderson says support is strong among Democrats at 60-percent and independents at 62-percent for a gas tax for transportation infrastructure but lags among Republicans at 46-percent.

The survey also asked respondents if they would support a gas tax for transportation if more state revenue could be raised along with federal matching dollars. Henderson says support then decreased slightly.

Cut 8 (08) “…unexpected finding.”

Another item the survey indicated that when asked if you want more funds spent on maintaining current infrastructure versus expanding transportation infrastructure to create better flow, Henderson says responses were surprising.

Cut 9 (08) “…capacity.”

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

____________________

Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and for it to become a reality both a regulatory and tax bill must make it through the legislature. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his bill proposes tax revenue from sports betting be undedicated so it can assist with budget shortfalls.

Cut 10 (11) “…as good.”

Stefanski said in the regulatory bill twenty licenses will be granted to specific gaming locations where you can place your bets, like casinos.

Cut 11 (08) “…as well.”

In addition to casinos and racetracks, Stefanski believes it is vital for sports betting to be successful to that there is a mobile app platform on your phone for making wagers.

Cut 12 (08) “…the state.”

Stefanski says the bills also must receive a supermajority in both the house and the senate for passage.

_____________________________

The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz has decided to retire as the radio voice of football and basketball but will remain behind the mic to call baseball games.  The 78-year-old Nitz says he’s been considering this transition for quite some time.

Cut 13 (10) “…football and basketball.”

Nitz has been the voice of Tech athletics for over four decades and has called over 4,000 games as he enters his 48^th season of Bulldog baseball.  Despite his long career in Ruston, the West Virginia native says he never thought he’d be here this long.

Cut 14 (13) “…somewhere like that.”

Nitz will certainly miss calling football and basketball, and he hopes the fans enjoyed his time in the booth.

Cut 15 (09)“…it may be.”

Nitz was inducted as a member of the LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Tigers football coach Ed Orgeron and athletic director Scott Woodward will not appear before a legislative committee looking into LSU’s sexual misconduct scandal.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

LSU issued a statement blocking all employees from testifying under oath before lawmakers tomorrow because of a lawsuit that attorneys plan to file on behalf of LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting, Sharon Lewis. Attorneys say it’s a 50-million-dollar lawsuit against the school claiming she faced retaliation for trying to report cases of sexual misconduct by former football coach Les Miles.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the bipartisan panel will discuss ways to make sure voters have confidence in Louisiana elections and how to combat voter fatigue…

Cut 6 (09) “…out state”

Ardoin says the commission will begin meeting after the 2021 legislative session and then issue a final report before February 1st.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds that 54-percent of adult residents believe the state’s sales tax is too high. It’s currently at 4.45-percent. The state sales tax helps pay for many different areas of government. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says a majority of the respondents also do not want to see cuts in education, health care, roads, prisons, and public assistance programs…

Cut 14 (06) “…spending” 

The attorneys for LSU employee Sharon Lewis discussed today her 50 million dollar lawsuit against her employer that alleges school officials retaliated against her for speaking out against sexual misconduct. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Lewis was one of several LSU employees asked to speak at tomorrow’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. But LSU’s legal team has informed the legislative panel that because of Lewis’s lawsuit no one from LSU is allowed to appear before the committee.

LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward and coach Ed Orgeron were requested to testify in person tomorrow at a legislative hearing on LSU’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases, but declined, instead opting to send letters. Senator Regina Barrow finds that suspicious…

Cut 4 (06) “..say it twice” 

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 54-percent of adult residents feel the state sales tax is too high. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says not only is it a majority, but it’s also a majority among the two major parties.

Cut 12 (11)   “…61% of Republicans” 

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued the watch for most of north Louisiana to the Arkansas and Texas State lines until 8 pm. The watch covers areas north of Alexandria which includes Monroe and Shreveport.