Governor John Bel Edwards will address the legislature at 1pm today after the 2017 regular legislative session begins. One of his main agenda items is criminal justice reform and reducing the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. But Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the concept is easier said than done…:
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As for Edwards’ tax plan, even members of his own party are skeptical. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds heads the state Democratic Caucus and says many lawmakers are unsure about levying a gross receipts tax on businesses, which is basically a sales tax paid by sellers instead of buyers….:
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Other big topics at the Capitol over the next two months include TOPS and proposals to raise the gasoline tax.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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If you flooded in 2016, today a mandatory survey to see if you’re eligible for federal aid is now available for victims. Governor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer encourages all homeowners to visit restore.la.gov, whether or not they think they will qualify for assistance…:
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One of the biggest points of contention during the legislative session that begins today is expected to be whether to raise revenue or reduce spending. Governor John Bel Edwards’ agenda includes a proposal that calls for a new tax on large businesses. But fellow Democratic Representative Gene Reynolds of Minden is skeptical they’ll be able to get the 70 votes in the House…:
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Also TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are going to be some big topics over the next two-months at the Capitol. When it comes to raising the minimum GPA to qualify for TOPS, Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that will be a tall order…:
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The session must adjourn June 8th.

Homeowners affected by last year’s floods can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal aid. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The bill that would mean you’d have to be at least 21 to work as a stripper in order to curb human trafficking is back for this session. Last year it was passed into a now temporarily blocked law, but author Senator Ronnie Johns of Lake Charles says the new measure is less broad than the original when it comes to the definition of nudity…:
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The legislature convenes at noon today, and TOPS, criminal justice reform and raising the gas tax will be hot topics….:
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Flood impacted homeowners can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal assistance. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says the state needs to know what homeowners recovery needs are now…:
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The questionnaire is available online at restore.la.gov.

The father of the 6 year old child who was gunned down by former officers in Marksville in 2015 was arrested over the weekend for allegedly strangling his girlfriend. The domestic abuse charge against Christopher Few comes just 8 days after one of the cops, Derrick Stafford, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the slaying of the child, Jeremy Mardis.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. A similar measure passed last year, but the law was recently temporarily blocked by a judge over broad wording. It’s Lake Charles Representative Ronnie Johns’ bill and he says the judge didn’t seem to have an issue with the age restriction aspect…:
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He says the goal of this year’s bill is the same as 2016, to try to put a dent in the state’s human trafficking problem.

TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are some of the big topics that will be up for discussion when the legislative session begins Monday. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says passing a tax hike is difficult. because many lawmakers are concerned that the additional revenues will not go towards their intended purpose:
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A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for the legislative session that begins Monday. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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A New Orleans lawmaker wants to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products, as well as diapers, from the Louisiana sales tax. Supporter of Senator JP Morell’s bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Erenberg, says this is common sense legislation…:
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Opposition is coming from males who call this a special handout to women only and want fairness.

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. Retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says the president made the right move…:
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But some say Mr. Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike.

It’s festival season in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the festivals underway around the state…:
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The legislative session begins the day after tomorrow and Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be looking at proven strategies from other southern states in order to push his agenda. He says we have to do something to lower Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate…:
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Lawmakers will convene at noon on Monday.

A man from Baton Rouge is in big trouble for allegedly cashing his dead mother’s state retirement checks for 18 years. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph stole over $400 thousand from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System…:
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Joseph is charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft.

Neil Gorsuch will be sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 101st associate justice on Monday, and Louisiana’s junior U.S. Senator, John Kennedy, is praising Friday’s confirmation. Kennedy says Gorsuch is the right choice as he truly understands how to interpret the law, not make it.

It was yet another rough night for the LSU baseball team as the Tigers drop its 5th in the last 7 to Arkansas, 9-3 in Fayetteville. LSU is now 5-5 in the SEC and three games back of the Hogs, who are in first place in the SEC West. Game two of the series is at 6 PM.

A proposed law would exempt items like tampons and diapers from the state sales tax. Emelie Gunn has more on the measure filed by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell…:
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Former Sons of Guns reality TV star Will Hayden has been found guilty on both counts of aggravated rape for which he was on trial. The jury only took a little more than an hour to make the call, and the verdict was unanimous and comes with a mandatory life sentence. Hayden’s conviction is for raping two young girls over the course of two decades.

It’s a beautiful day for a good Louisiana festival, and there is no shortage of them this weekend. The Baton Rouge Blues Fest is underway, as is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. And in Lake Charles there’s a huge party going down at the Crawfish Festival. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it might be impossible to visit every festival here..:
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In North Louisiana revelers are gathering for the big Street Rod Reunion in Bossier City. And the popular French Quarter Festival is happening in New Orleans.

The widow of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith is suing the man convicted of killing her husband. Racquel Smith filed in Orleans Parish Civil Court on Friday, seeking damages from Cardell Hayes. The 29-year-old is awaiting sentencing for murdering Smith and injuring Racquel. Hayes faces between 20 and 60 years in prison.

A New Orleans lawmaker has filed a bill that would eliminate the state sales tax when purchasing feminine products. Senator J.P. Morrell’s measure would exempt items like tampons and diapers. Supporter of the bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Ehrenberg, says these products are not luxury items for women.

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Ehrenberg says this is common sense legislation.

Some federal leaders say President Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike on an air base in Syria. But retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana said on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana that he supports the President’s surprise attack.

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Richard says this action was necessary given the heinous attack on innocent people.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a Baton Rouge man has been arrested after he allegedly cashed in his deceased parent’s retirement checks from the Teacher’s Retirement System. Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph has been charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft.

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Joseph claimed over $400 thousand in undue benefits.

Festival season is in full swing, Lt. Governor Billy says it’s a great time to for locals to show off the Louisiana lifestyle and hospitality.

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The Blues Festival in Baton Rouge, the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival, French Quarter Fest, and the Crawfish Festival in Lake Charles are underway this weekend.