LRN Legislative Update April 27

Governor Jeff Landry says he’s had enough of senseless violence. That’s his response to last week’s mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge that claimed the life of a 17-year-old from Lafayette Parish. Landry is calling on state lawmakers to look at increasing the penalties to make sure violent young criminals are locked up…

Cut 14 (11) “…their lives.”

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 17-year-old Markell Lee and charged him with first degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Police Chief TJ Morse says Lee has an extensive history in the state’s juvenile court system. Landry continues to make claims that judges in the juvenile court system are not upholding their obligation to ensure justice…

Cut 15 (12) “…was innocent.”

Landry is urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would hold judges accountable if they fail to impose the appropriate punishment for a convicted felon.

 

A bill heading to the House floor seeks to give the governor and statewide elected officials a significant pay raise. Harahan Representative John Illg is proposing that the governor’s salary be 35 percent of the average base pay for Louisiana’s university system presidents, and for other statewide elected officials, it would be 30 percent…

Cut 7 (08) “…make.”

Under Illg’s measure. The governor would see his salary increase by 52-thousand dollars to a little more than 182-thousand dollars a year. The other statewide elected officials would increase by 41-thousand dollars to 156-thousand dollars.

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

LRN AM Newscall April 27

While the Republican Senate candidates can’t agree on holding a debate, the Democratic candidates all got together for a debate in Baton Rouge. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forty-four years after a 16-year-old girl was killed, her alleged killers have finally been arrested. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landy is fed up with violent crime and continues to blame judges for not imposing the proper punishment on young offenders. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate cannot decide when or where to hold a debate, the three Democratic candidates held a debate in Baton Rouge. Jamie Davis, Gary Crockett and Nick Albares spent 45 minutes answering questions on a wide variety of topics. On the topic of health care, Albares said he would undo certain provisions of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” that he says were structured to make the next Congress look bad.

Cut 4 (12) “…January 1st, 2027.”

On affordability, Davis said he would more than double the minimum wage, which has been $7.25 an hour since July of 2009.

Cut 5 (12) “…somewhere around $17.50.”

All three took aim at the Trump administration’s immigration policies, with Crockett noting a stark difference between Trump and prior administrations.

Cut 6 (10) “…everyone deserves dignity.”

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A bill heading to the House floor seeks to give the governor and statewide elected officials a significant pay raise. Harahan Representative John Illg is proposing that the governor’s salary be 35 percent of the average base pay for Louisiana’s university system presidents, and for other statewide elected officials, it would be 30 percent…

Cut 7 (08) “…make.”

Currently, the governor makes 130 thousand dollars a year. Other statewide elected officials are making 115-thousand dollars. Illg says the salaries for statewide elected officials have not been raised in 20 years….

Cut 8 (08) “…the boss.”

Under Illg’s measure. The governor would see his salary increase by 52-thousand dollars to a little more than 182-thousand dollars a year. The other statewide elected officials would increase by 41-thousand dollars to 156-thousand dollars. The pay hikes will take effect with the next term, which starts in 2028.

Illg says by tying the pay of the governor and statewide elected officials with university system president pay, the legislature will never have to take a vote on it again….

Cut 9 (05)  “…again.”

Illg is also proposing a daily stipend of 178 dollars for lawmakers when they travel outside the district for legislative work outside of the legislative session. The House Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously approved the bill and it still needs full House and Senate approval.

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Forty-four years after 16-year-old Roxanne Sharp was raped and murdered in Covington,  State Police have arrested four men in connection with that murder. Trooper Marc Gremillion says the February 1982 murder remained unsolved for decades, until Charles Dowdy’s podcast “Who Killed Roxanne” spurred interest in the case.

Cut 10 (08) “…have moved away.”

Gremillion says that renewed interest helped investigators generate new leads and ultimately led them to four men – three of whom were 20 and the other one 18 at the time of the murder.

Cut 11 (13) “…second-degree murder.”

Perry Taylor and Carlos Cooper were already behind bars on unrelated charges. Billy Williams was arrested in Covington, and Darrell Spell was arrested in Dayton, Ohio. Gremillion says he hopes after all these years, the arrests of the four men brings a sense of closure and healing to Roxanne’s family.

Cut 12 (10) “…that were made.”

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Governor Jeff Landry calls last week’s fatal mass shooting at the Louisiana Mall unacceptable and is pointing the finger at parents and the judicial system for the violence that continues to take place involving young people. Landry says the failure of this situation starts at home…

Cut 13 (13)  “…failure list.”

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 17-year-old Markell Lee and charged him with first degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder. Authorities are searching for a second suspected gunman.

Landry is calling on state lawmakers to look at increasing the penalties to make sure violent young criminals are locked up…

Cut 14 (11) “…their lives.”

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says Lee has an extensive history in the state’s juvenile court system. Landry continues to make claims that judges in the juvenile court system are not upholding their obligation to ensure justice…

Cut 15 (12) “…was innocent.”

Landry is urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would hold judges accountable if they fail to impose the appropriate punishment on a convicted felon.

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LSU sophomore wide receiver Winston Watkins is one of four players who followed coach Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge from Ole Miss. Watkins says that he and Kiffin have had a special bond since he recruited him in high school, which led to his decision to play for the Tigers.

Cut 16 (14) “…the good move for me.”

As a freshman at Ole Miss, Watkins caught 26 passes for 373 yards and a touchdown. Now that he’s at LSU, Watkins says he’s aiming to make a significant leap in year two and put the nation on notice.

Cut 17 (18)  “…of the world at LSU.”

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Three of the eight Saints draft picks were receivers as they provided starting quarterback Tyler Shough with more options in the passing. In the first round, New Orleans took Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State, and in the fourth round, they made an interesting pick in six-foot-three Bryce Lane from North Dakota State. General Manager Mickey Loomis…

Cut 18 (20)  “…to Chris .”

In the sixth round, the Saints took former LSU wide receiver Barion Brown, who is estatic he’s staying in the Boot…

Cut 19 (18) “…let’s do it.”

Former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier said he had to wait what seemed like forever as his name was not called until the seventh round. But he’s going to a championship organization as the Chiefs selected the Lake Charles native. Nussmeier is fired up to learn from head coach Andy Reid and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes…

Cut 20 (12) “…grateful for.”

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall that claimed the life of 17-year-old Martha Odom from Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville.  Btoon Rouge Police Chief T-J Morse says they’re confident 17-year-old Markell Lee was one of the shooters…

Cut 13 (09) “…known residence.”

The Baton Rouge Soccer Club released a statement about one of its Unified Soccer Program players, who was also injured in Thursday’s Mall shooting. We’re told Donie Guillory is critical and facing a second surgery, but his prognosis is positive.

Shreveport police have confirmed the surviving child who escaped Sunday’s mass shooting by jumping off the roof is a 12-year-old girl, and she has been released from the hospital. Two of the three mothers injured in the shooting have also been discharged from the hospital. All this as the community continues to mourn the loss of the eight young children who were killed in that shooting.

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It’s another big weekend of festivals and Festival International is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Two of the state’s largest teacher unions are supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the measure would provide a permanent salary increase for educators and school employees….

Cut 6 (10) “…permanent pay.”

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and wounded five others. Baton Rouge Police Chief T-J Morse says the individual in police custody is 17-year-old Markell Lee…

Cut 12 (07) “… a weapon.”

The 17-year-old girl who was fatally shot has been identified as Martha Odom. She attended Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville.

The Louisiana Department of Health this week confirmed a case of measles in the New Orleans area: a child who was exposed during international travel. LDH says on April 17th while infected, the patient visited the Kenner Target and Walmart stores. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says anyone at either store that day, should look out for symptoms.

Cut 9 (13)  “…the rash appears.”

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The Saints added two Georgia Bulldogs to their roster last night, selecting defensive tackle Christian Miller in the second round and taking tight end Oscar Delp in the third.  Miller started 14 games last season and had 23 tackles, four tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.  Delp caught 70 passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns during his four seasons at Georgia.  Coach Kellen Moore says Delp is a good addition to the tight end group that also features Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant.

Cut 29 (13) …play with.”

The Saints still have five draft picks left, two in the fourth round, two more in the fifth, and one in the sixth round.

Two LSU Tigers were taken on Friday…safety AJ Haulcy is headed to Indianapolis, while receiver Zavion Thomas was selected by the Chicago Bears. Garrett Nussmeier is still waiting to be selected. The draft resumes at 11 am.

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

Authorities have arrested one individual and searching for a second person who was involved in Thursday’s mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana that killed a 17-year-old girl from Lafayette Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Meantime, another victim has been identified in connection with that shooting at the Mall of Louisiana.  The Baton Rouge Soccer Club said one of its Unified Soccer Program players, Donie Guillory was among those injured.  In a statement, the club said Guillory is critical, and will undergo a second surgery, but his prognosis is positive.
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Two of the state’s largest teacher unions are supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot.  It would provide a permanent salary increase for educators and school employees. Educators and school employees are already currently receiving most of this money. But Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says it’s a stipend that could go away if the state needs it during tough budget times.

Cut 7 (10) “..permanently.”

If you want to listen to music from around the world, Festival International in downtown Lafayette is the place to do it this weekend. Vice President of Communications at Lafayette Travel, Jesse Guidry, says over 50 countries are represented and over 500 musicians are at this weekend’s cultural celebration…

Cut 3 (08) “…to behold.”

 

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall that claimed the life of 17-year-old Martha Odom from Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville.  Btoon Rouge Police Chief T-J Morse says they’re confident 17-year-old Markell Lee was one of the shooters…

Cut 13 (09) “…known residence.”

The Baton Rouge Soccer Club released a statement about one of its Unified Soccer Program players, who was also injured in Thursday’s Mall shooting. We’re told Donie Guillory is critical and facing a second surgery, but his prognosis is positive.

Shreveport police have confirmed the surviving child who escaped Sunday’s mass shooting by jumping off the roof is a 12-year-old girl, and she has been released from the hospital. Two of the three mothers injured in the shooting have also been discharged from the hospital. All this as the community continues to mourn the loss of the eight young children who were killed in that shooting.

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It’s another big weekend of festivals and Festival International is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Two of the state’s largest teacher unions are supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the measure would provide a permanent salary increase for educators and school employees….

Cut 6 (10) “…permanent pay.”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

On the second night of the NFL draft, the Saints selected two players from Georgia. In the second round, with the 42nd overall pick, New Orleans took defensive tackle Christen Miller, who had 23 tackles and four tackles for a loss in 2025. Miller calls himself a versatile player…

Cut 22 (15) “…live by”

And then with the 73rd overall pick, the Saints took tight end Oscar Delp. In his four seasons with the Bulldogs, she caught 70 passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns.

Two LSU Tigers were taken on Friday…safety AJ Haulcy is headed to Indianapolis, while receiver Zavion Thomas was selected by the Chicago Bears. Garrett Nussmeier is still waiting to be selected.

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Tough loss for the LSU Tigers last night in Starkville. LSU led by four runs at one point, but lost to Mississippi State ten to eight in 11 innings. Pitcher Casan Evans was the scheduled starter, but he didn’t pitch due to arm discomfort. LSU was one pitch away from winning 8-7, but State tied it in in the ninth and won it on a two-run homer in the eleventh inning.

In other baseball action…Louisiana Tech leads Missouri State eight to two in the seventh inning. Declan Dahl struck out seven and Trey Hawsey had three runs driven in. The game resumes at 1 PM today.

The Cajuns rallied from a two-run deficit to beat Arkansas State three to two. Donovan LaSalle tied the game with a two-run homer and Steven Spalitta drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning.

Northwestern State and Southeastern Louisiana both won, while McNeese lost to UT Rio Grande Valley eight to seven in 11 innings. Grambling thumped Alcorn 11 to 4.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Police in Baton Rouge have arrested a teenager in connection with Thursday’s shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in which a 17-year-old girl was killed. Police Chief T.J. Morse says he’s confident that 17-year-old Markell Lee is one of the shooters.

Cut 13 (09) “…known residence.”

Police are searching for a second suspect. Four other people were detained shortly after the shooting but were later released.

The Louisiana Department of Health this week confirmed a case of measles in the New Orleans area. LDH says the patient is a child who became exposed during international travel and was partially vaccinated. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says those who are *fully* vaccinated are 97-percent protected from measles for life. 

Cut 10 (09) “…transmit to others.”

It’s another big weekend of festivals and Festival International is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The NFL Draft continues this weekend with the remaining rounds. The Saints will look to bolster their draft class, which is headlined by Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who they took Thursday night with their first round selection, the eighth overall.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Authorities have arrested one individual and are searching for a second person who was involved in Thursday’s mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana that killed a 17-year-old girl from Lafayette Parish. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The owner of the Bossier City home where the man who killed eight kids last Sunday died is now facing federal firearms charges. The Justice Department says 54-year-old Michael Mayence had several firearms inside the home while being subject to a domestic violence injunction.

The Louisiana Department of Health this week confirmed a case of measles in the New Orleans area. LDH says on April 17th while infected, the patient visited the Target and Walmart stores in Kenner. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says if you were in either store that day, closely monitor yourself for any symptoms.

Cut 9 (13)  “…the rash appears.”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. President Larry Carter says giving teachers a permanent 2,250-dollar pay raise is part of its efforts to get their salaries to the Southern Regional Average, which is critical in ensuring a quality teacher in every classroom.

Cut 8 (10) “…students.”

LRN PM Newscall April 24

It’s another big weekend of festivals and Festival International is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Authorities have arrested one individual and searching for a second person who was involved in Thursday’s mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana that killed a 17-year-old girl from Lafayette Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you want to listen to music from around the world, Festival International in downtown Lafayette is the place to do it this weekend. Vice President of Communications at Lafayette Travel, Jesse Guidry, says over 50 countries are represented and over 500 musicians are at this weekend’s cultural celebration…

Cut 3 (08) “…to behold.”

Guidry says Festival International is one of Lafayette’s biggest tourist attractions every year, and visitors do more than attend the festival

Cut 4 (05) “…around Lafayette.”

Guidry says Festival International is not just a music festival…

Cut 5 (10) “…arts and craft.”

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Two of the state’s largest teacher unions are supporting Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16th ballot. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the measure would provide a permanent salary increase for educators and school employees….

Cut 6 (10) “…permanent pay.”

Educators and school employees are already currently receiving most of this money. But Carter says it’s a stipend and could go away if the state needs to reduce revenue due to tough budget times.

Cut 7 (10) “..permanently.”

Constitutional Amendment 3 would mean teachers would receive a permanent salary increase of $2,250 and school employees would get $1,125 dollars. The permanent pay raise would come from the dissolving of three education trust funds and the money from those funds would pay down teacher retirement debt, creating a savings to pay teachers.

Carter says this is part of LFT’s efforts to get educators’ salaries to the Southern Regional Average, which is critical in ensuring a quality teacher in every classroom…

Cut 8 (10) “…students.”

The Louisiana Association of Educators is also in favor of Constitutional Amendment 3.

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The Louisiana Department of Health this week confirmed a case of measles in the New Orleans area. All we know about the patient is that the patient is a child who became exposed during international travel. LDH says on April 17th while infected, the patient visited the Kenner Target and Walmart stores. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says if you were at either store that day, closely monitor yourself for any symptoms.

Cut 9 (13)  “…the rash appears.”

LDH says the patient was partially vaccinated. The recommendation is two doses of the MMR vaccine for children and one dose for adults. Sokol says those who get those recommended doses are 97-percent protected from measles for life. 

Cut 10 (09) “…transmit to others.”

Sokol says especially if you were in the Target or Walmart in Kenner last Friday, you should double-check your MMR vaccine history.

Cut 11 (11) “…for a vaccine.”

This is the first measles case reported in Louisiana this year. Last year, there were three cases.

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Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Louisiana Mall that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and wounded five others. Baton Rouge Police Chief T-J Morse says the individual in police custody is 17-year-old Markell Lee…

Cut 12 (07) “… a weapon.”

Morse says four other people who were detained shortly after the shooting have been released. He says they are confident Lee was one of the shooters…

Cut 13 (09) “…known residence.”

Morse says Lee has an extensive criminal history in the juvenile court system. Police have released an image of the second person they are looking for in the hopes the public can help identify that person.

The 17-year-old girl who was fatally shot has been identified as Martha Odom. She attended Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville. Odom loved ballet, writing and Doctor Pepper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore grieves for her family…

Cut 14 (04) “…them home.”