The first week of the special session on crime is wrapping up and Governor Jeff Landry’s tough on crime proposals continue to advance. The Senate has approved a bill that requires 17 year olds accused of a felony to be charged as adults. The House has approved a bill that would result in a longer sentence for carjackers.

The Promise Justice Initiative has filed for a temporary restraining order against the Legislature claiming public input on the crime special session bills has been limited. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Jeff Landry has sent a letter to the USDA requesting federal dollars for crawfish farmers who are having a difficult time harvesting mudbugs because of the 2023 drought. Chairman of the Crawfish Promotion and Research Board David Savoy says a few farmers are having some good days, but for a vast majority it’s a struggle…
cut 5 (10) “….little production”
Savoy says there are more than 100-thousand acres of crawfish ponds, but a third of them are not producing any crawfish this year.

It’s that time of year for crane flies. They look like giant mosquitoes. Assistant Professor in Urban Entomology at the LSU Ag Center Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says the long-winged insect may be a nuisance but they play an important role in our ecosystem.
Cut 10 (13) “…the environment.”
Ashbrook says the Bayou State typically sees large emergences of crane flies, known as mosquito hawks, in February and March. Most adults are typically attracted to light and water.

Due to last year’s severe drought, Governor Landry sent a letter to the USDA requesting critical aid for Louisiana’s crawfish industry. Teiko Foxx spoke with a crawfish farmer about much-needed assistance…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

The Promise Justice Initiative has filed for a temporary restraining order against the legislature because public input on the crime special session bills has been limited. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________________

 A bill allowing concealed carry by Louisiana adults without a permit is headed to the house after passing the senate 28-10 Thursday. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

______________________________________________

Governor Landry has sent a letter to USDA requesting they provide much-needed federal assistance for Louisiana’s crawfish industry which is struggling to harvest mudbugs this year because of last summer’s drought. Chairman of Crawfish Promotion and Research Board David Savoy says help is needed for farmers who have invested thousands of dollars and have not seen great results.

Cut 4 (10) “…electric bills.”

Louisiana State University’s Agriculture Center estimated the potential losses to be nearly $140 million due to the combined drought and freeze. While crawfish production is expected to pick up, Savoy says the severity of this year’s loss in crawfish production will continue to impact farmers.

Cut 5 (10) “…little production.” 

Savoy says farmers lost a third of its acres and it’s going to take efforts by the USDA to help the crawfish industry bounce back. He says crawfish production will be an ongoing issue for the next three to four years because…

Cut 6 (11) “…seed that.”

__________________________________________

The Promise Justice Initiative has filed for a temporary restraining order against the legislature because public input on bills has been limited to an hour in committee meetings. A hearing will be held today, and Erica Navalance with PJI says lawmakers are trying to rush through sweeping monumental changes to our laws…

Cut 7 (09) “…represent.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday Navalance says during the House Criminal Justice Committee meetings the public was allowed only one hour to speak, and individuals were limited to three minutes for comment.

Cut 8 (13) “…all of us.” 

Navalance says the state constitution demands a process that allows for full and meaningful participation by the public, whether they are for, against, or neutral on the topic.

Cut 9 (10)  “…make laws.”

The hearing is scheduled for 9 am in the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge today. PJI and Voice of The Experienced (VOTE) filed the restraining order against the legislature.

_________________________________________________________

No, they are not giant mosquitoes. But Louisianans are seeing an abundance of large mosquito like insects known as crane flies stirring in the Bayou State. Assistant Professor in Urban Entomology at LSU Ag Center Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says the long-winged insect may be a nuisance but they play an important role in our ecosystem.

Cut 10 (13) “…the environment.”

Ashbrook says the Bayou State typically sees large emergences of crane flies, known as mosquito hawks, in February and March. Most adults are typically attracted to light and water. He says the adult insect mate, lay eggs, and only live a week or two.

Cut 11 (12) “…are dying.” 

While they have a reputation for being blood-sucking dangerous insects, Ashbrook says they are completely harmless and don’t bite. And for those who find crane flies to be a nuisance…

Cut 12 (11) “…crane flies.” 

_____________________________________________________

A bill allowing concealed carry by Louisiana adults without a permit is headed to the house after passing the senate 28-10 Thursday. Senator Blake Miguez of New Iberia sponsored the bill and says other states that passed permit-less concealed carry laws have not seen an increase in violent gun crimes…

Cut 13 (08)  “…equal footing.”

Miguez says, law enforcement is divided on the bill, but New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis shared a letter from the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police opposing the bill then questioned how permit-less conceal carry helps police…

Cut 14 (10) “…God-given right.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says the Fraternal Order of Police is a labor union and doesn’t represent all law enforcement. Quoting from a letter received from Retired West Monroe Police Chief, Jeff Terrell, he says the Founders made it clear that restrictions hurt law-biding citizens…

Cut 15 (07) “…or cannot.”

Duplessis called the bill one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation to ever pass out of the Senate…

Cut 16 (07) “…community safer.” 

_____________________________________________________________________

Cut 17 (16) “…they will.” 

Cut 18 (17)  “…along the way.” 

____________________________________________________________________

Cut 19 (15) “…be fun.”

Cut 20 (16) “…good spot.”

There are three bills sponsored by Kenner Republican Debbie Villio that will gut the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiatives and drastically reduce a prisoner’s opportunity for early release. In House Criminal Justice, Villio advocated for House Bill 9 that eliminates parole eligibility for crimes committed after August 1st of this year.

Cut 12 (13) “…a difference.”

Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the hearing to speak against the bill. Marino says eliminating parole and forcing prisoners to serve 85% of their sentence…

Cut 13 (13) “…to want.”
The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that keeps a big property tax break in place for manufacturers, but it removes the job creation requirement that was added during the Edwards’ administration. Landry says the job creation requirement only created bureaucratic red tape.

Cut 9 (05) “…into Louisiana.” 

More than 32 thousand Louisiana high school students enrolled in college courses during the 22-23 school year, making it three years in a row dual enrollment has increased. And Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says minority student participation has increased over three years by seven percent.

Cut 4 (09) “…the board.”

Hunter-Reed says they are committed to dual enrollment opportunities for all students. She points out a virtual instruction program is accessible to students in underpopulated parts of the state.

Governor Jeff Landry has removed a job creation requirement for manufacturers to receive a significant property tax break. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Two elderly residents from Saline were killed when their vehicle struck a tree that had fallen across both lanes of Louisiana Highway nine at the Bienville-Natchitoches Parish line on Tuesday night. State Police troopers say 82-year-old Clois Williams and 78-year-old Mary Williams were not buckled up and died at the scene.

LSU men’s basketball beat the Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 75 -74 Wednesday night.  Tyrell Ward scored the winning point on a tip-in as he took a pass from Jordan Wright . Coach Matt McMahon….

Cut 8 (10) “…buzzer.” 

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

More high school students in the Bayou State enrolled in college courses during 2022-2023 school year for the third year straight. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says more students and families are seeking early pathways to success.

Cut 3 (09) “…high school.”  

The Board of Regents 2023 report reveals participation in career and technical fields increased to a level exceeding pre-pandemic enrollments.

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that keeps a big property tax break in place for manufacturers, but it removes the job creation requirement Landry is keeping a change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program made by former Governor John Bel Edwards requiring businesses pay at least 20-percent of the taxes for the first ten years and 100-percent thereafter. Landry says the tax exemption only needs approval from one government entity in a parish, instead of multiple…

Cut 11 (10) “…in Louisiana”

Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on a bill that would eliminate many of the reforms of the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiatives. He says the 2017 reforms are beginning to work but the main hurdle is that prisoners in parish jails are not provided rehabilitative services to reduce recidivism. He says eliminating parole and forcing prisoners to serve 85% of their sentence…

Cut 13 (13) “…to want.”  

The Board of Regents is committed to dual enrollment opportunities for all students says Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed and she points out a virtual instruction program is accessible to students in underpopulated parts of the state.

Cut 5 (07) “…larger school.”

To access more information on dual enrollment for high school students, visit Ladualenrollment.com.

LSU men’s basketball rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th-ranked Kentucky 75-74 last night. Coach Matt McMahon says taking better care of the basketball led to the second half rally…

Cut 7 (13) “…three times.”  

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that keeps a big property tax break in place for manufacturers, but it removes the job creation. Together Louisiana, says the change to the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program is just a gift for corporations and local governments will lose millions in tax revenue. But Landry says removing the job requirement is about capital investment…

Cut 10 (08) “…retaining jobs.”

Louisiana State Police and the FACES Lab have positively identified a body found in October of last year as that of 38-year-old Ashley Beauclair of Marksville. She was found in the Blue Town Community north of Marksville and after an autopsy, authorities ruled her death a homicide. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call them at 318-619-3980 or 318-253-4000.

According to The Board of Regents 2023 report, Louisiana’s high school dual enrollment participation increased for a third consecutive year. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25-ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th-ranked Kentucky 75-74 on a buzzer-beating shot by Tyrell Ward. Coach Matt McMahon…

Cut 6  (12) “…get it done.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has removed a job creation requirement for manufacturers to receive a significant property tax break. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

If you think something is wrong with your cellphone, it’s most likely not your phone, it’s the network. Multiple carriers are reporting outages. If you have wi-fi on your phone, you can make calls and receive through that versus the cell carrier. A reason for the outage has not been released.

A bill that for the most part would eliminate parole opportunities advances to the House floor. Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the House Criminal Justice Committee hearing on the bill to speak against House Bill 9. Marino says there’s proven that data showing rehab programs work and that severely limiting one’s opportunity for parole doesn’t….

Cut  14 (14) “..the smartest.”

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25-ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th-ranked Kentucky 75-74 on a buzzer-beating. Coach Matt McMahon says it was an amazing ending.

Cut 8 (10) “…buzzer.” 

Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that keeps a big property tax break in place for manufacturers, but it removes the job creation requirement that was added during the Edwards’ administration. Landry says the job creation requirement only created bureaucratic red tape…
cut 9 (06) “…into Louisiana”
But the faith based group, Together Louisiana, says the change to the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program is just a gift for corporations.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife agents have charged a Morehouse Parish man for killing a black bear. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says 45-year-old George Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October…
cut 14 (12) “…2024 hunting season”
Mosely faces hundreds of dollars in fines and could spend a few months in prison.

There are three bills sponsored by Kenner Republican Debbie Villio that will gut the 2017 Justice Reinvestment Initiatives and drastically reduce a prisoner’s opportunity for early release. In House Criminal Justice, Villio advocated for House Bill 9 that eliminates parole eligibility for crimes committed after August 1st of this year.
Cut 12 (13) “…a difference.”
Former Gretna Representative Joe Marino attended the hearing to speak against the bill. Marino says eliminating parole and forcing prisoners to serve 85% of their sentence…
Cut 13 (13) “…to want.”
The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

The LSU men’s basketball team is turning the season around after showing great determination in their 75 to 74 buzzer beating win over 17th ranked Kentucky. The Tigers shot 45 percent from the three point line, but won the game on a late tip-in by Tyrell Ward. LSU Head Coach Matt McMahon says that the fans created a winning atmosphere for the Tigers.

Cut 21 (14) “…build on.”

LSU will host Mississippi State at 7:30 pm on Saturday.

—

The LSU women’s basketball team will look to avenge their loss to Auburn tonight when the two face off in the P-MAC at 8 pm. LSU only shot 41.8 percent from the field in the previous matchup and that’s an aspect of the game that Head Coach Kim Mulkey says needs to be fixed in order for Tigers to win tonight.

—

And the Pelicans will resume their season after the All-Star break by hosting the Rockets tonight at 7 pm.

—

LSU baseball will open its second 4 game series today at the Box against Northern Illinois. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson will start UCLA transfer Gage Jump tonight. Johnson says that Jump will only get about 40 to 50 pitches in his start, but Jump says that he’s excited to just get on the mound.

Cut 19 (15) “… be fun.”

The Tigers will host Northern Illinois in the Box at 2 pm on the SEC Network+.

—

In college basketball news, ULM and UL-Lafayette will face off tonight in Monroe with tipoff at 7:30 pm on ESPN+. UL-Lafayette won the previous matchup between these two teams 80 to 72 on January 31st and the Cajuns are favored to win again tonight. Louisiana Tech will also be in action tonight as the Bulldogs will travel to El Paso to take on UTEP at 8 pm.

—

And in college softball news, LSU will host Boise State tonight at 6 pm to kick off the Tiger Classic.

A bill to get rid of the state’s vehicle inspection sticker once again heads to the capitol for debate in the upcoming regular session. Louisiana car owners pay a 20-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker. Bill’s author, Stonewall State Representative Larry Bagley’s the sticker is an unnecessary nuisance especially if you forget to renew it.

Cut 9 (12)  “…that again.”

If approved, the measure would go into effect July 1^st.

More than 32 thousand Louisiana high school students enrolled in courses at colleges during 2022-2023 school year, showing an increase in dual enrollment participation for the third year in a row. Higher Education Commissioner Doctor Kim Hunter Reed says minority student participation has increased over three years by seven percentage points.

Cut 4 (09) “…the board.”

Hunter-Reed says they are committed to dual enrollment opportunities for all students. She points out a virtual instruction program is accessible to students in underpopulated parts of the state.

LSU men’s basketball took down another Top 25 ranked team last night as the Tigers rallied from 15 points down in the second half to beat 17th ranked Kentucky 75-74 on buzzer beating shot by Tyrell Ward. Coach Matt McMahon taking better care of the basketball led to the second half rally…

Cut 7 (13) “…three times”  

LSU is now 6-7 in the SEC after back-to-back wins over nationally ranked South Carolina and Kentucky.

Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 45-year-old George Mosely of Oak Ridge faces numerous penalties in connection with the killing of a Black Bear and other hunting violations. He says agents found evidence in Mosley’s Morehouse Parish residence on February 8^th.

Cut 13 (07)  “…as well.”

Enick says Mosely confessed to harvesting the bear with a bow and arrow in Richland Parish last October.