A bill that would penalize drivers who push wakes into people’s homes during a flood has advanced to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Trump administration is touting the results of an oil and gas bid that sold what amounts to roughly one percent of the space on the Gulf of Mexico water bottom for natural resource exploitation. 33 companies made 124.8 million dollars in bids Wednesday on 148 offshore tracts. Tulane Energy Institute Associate Director Eric Smith It’s the first sale since 1983, he says the sale could be a boost to companies involved in offshore drilling.

Cut 5  (09)  “little bit”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says if a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks ends up on his desk he’ll likely sign it. Edwards made the comments during his monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor”….

Cut 13 (08)  “my desk.”

A team official says the Saints and Pelicans are committed to Louisiana and the city of New Orleans. Since Tom Benson’s death, there have been questions surrounding the fate of both teams in one of the smallest sports markets in the country. Saints and Pels President Dennis Lauscha says the late Tom Benson and now Gayle Benson have been pleased with the support fans have given both teams since owning the Saints starting in 1985 and the Pels in 2013…

Cut 18 (17)  “basketball court.”

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates he would likely sign legislation that prohibits an abortion after 15 weeks from the start of pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Trump administration is touting the results of an oil and gas bid that sold what amounts to roughly one percent of the space on the Gulf of Mexico water bottom for natural resource exploitation. 33 companies made 124.8 million dollars in bids Wednesday on 148 offshore tracts. Tulane Energy Institute Associate Director Eric Smith says the results are promising start for a potential expansion of gulf drilling, but not the slam dunk it’s been billed as.

Cut 4  (05) “high bids” 

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Louisiana State Penitentiary investigators arrested four Angola prison officers, as they part of an effort to crack down against contraband smuggling and inappropriate behavior with inmates. Department of Corrections Spokesman Ken Pastorick…

Cut 7 (08)  “offender’s relatives.”

Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that would make it a crime to generate wakes that damage property while driving a vehicle through flooded streets has passed through committee and is on its way to the Senate floor. The Baton Rouge Republican says he was moved to write the bill, after hearing horror stories from his constituents about reckless drivers during the 2016 floods.

Cut 10 (08) “to save.”

The House Criminal Justice passed the Max Gruver Act without objection today which will make hazing a felony crime in Louisiana. Gruver died following an alleged hazing incident one month into his first semester at LSU. Parents Rae Ann and Steven Gruver both tearfully laid out their son’s final hours before the committee asking them to pass this law which may have saved their son.

Cut 3 (16) “fly high max”

Public visitation for departed Saints and Pelcians owner Tom Benson is underway. Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond says Benson worked hard to get where he was…

Cut 12 (11)   “he did”

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon.

A site has been selected to relocate the residents of Isle de Jean Charles off of their island that’s vanishing because of coastal erosion. Matt Doyle has more..

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Mississippi River has recently crested along many local points within the last 24-36 hours. The river ultimately peaked at 43.78 feet in Baton Rouge. That will go down as the 9th highest crest on record dating back to records from the 1880’s. Heavy rainfall in February is responsible for the high waters.

The House Criminal Justice passed the Max Gruver Act without objection today which will make hazing a felony crime in Louisiana. Gruver died following an alleged hazing incident one month into his first semester at LSU. Parents Rae Ann and Steven Gruver both tearfully laid out their son’s final hours before the committee.

Cut 3 (16) “fly high max”

Their son was found to have choked to death on vomit, with a blood alcohol content of .495 after allegedly being coerced into drinking a 190 proof alcohol. The legal BAC is .08 for drivers

Three members of the Phi Delta Fraternity have been indicted on hazing charges, which currently comes with a 100 dollar fine and thirty days in jail.

20-year-old Matthew Naquin, was charged with negligent homicide.

And Governor John Bel Edwards indicates he would likely sign legislation that prohibits an abortion after 15 weeks from the start of pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Ville Platte Senator Eric Lafleur is proposing a bill that would allow some 19 and 20-year-olds to purchase alcohol if they obtain a special certificate. LaFleur says he’s bringing the bill forward, because most people have had a drink before they turn 21 anyway.

He says this could incentivize young drinkers to partake in public venues which he says is safer than drinking in private.

LSU and Tulane meet for the 314th time on the baseball diamond tonight as the Tigers host the Green Wave. LSU lost twice to Tulane last year and also lost both games to the Greenies in 2016. Coach Paul Mainieri says it’s time for the Tigers to beat their old rivals
Cut 19 (20) “really are”
First pitch is at 6:30.

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are at McNeese State. The Cowboys have won six in a row. ULM is at Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs have won nine of their last 10.

And the Pelicans seek their third straight win as they host the Indiana Pacers at 7 PM inside the Smoothie King Center.

Mourners are paying their last respect to Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson as a two-day public visitiation began this morning in New Orleans. Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond says Benson didn’t have it easy growing up, but worked his way to the top to become the richest man in Louisiana…
cut12 (11) “…he did”
Benson’s funeral is Friday.

LSU football didn’t have depth on its defensive line in 2017, but that won’t be a problem in 2018. The Tigers signed five d-linemen in their latest recruiting class and Texas Tech transfer Breiden Fehoko is eligible to play this season after sitting out last last year. Junior defensive end Rashard Lawrence says he’s talked to Fehoko about making LSU’s D-line one of the best in the country again
Cut 17 (19) “defensive line”

The House Criminal Justice passed the Max Gruver Act without objection today which will make hazing a felony crime in Louisiana. Gruver died following an alleged hazing incident one month into his first semester at LSU, with a blood alcohol content of .495. The legal limit is .08.

Parents Rae Ann and Steven Gruver both tearfully laid out their son’s final hours before the committee. Rae Ann, emphasized how this death has affected her family.

Cut 4  (10) “is broken”

Steven Gruver talked about meeting with other parents of kids who have perished from hazing.

Cut 5  (09) “ya’lls support”.

Gruver, and other pledges were allegedly coerced into drinking a 190 proof alcohol.

Today, thousands of young persons are joining nationwide for the 23^rd annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Health advocates are calling on elected officials to implement proven strategies that help bring a young generation tobacco-free.  Director of Youth Advocacy Gustavo Torres says the best plan to stop anyone from smoking is just don’t start.

Cut 9 (06) “for life.”

The national youth smoking rate is a record low 8-percent.  In Louisiana, i’ts up to 12-percent.

A site has been selected for the residents of Isle de Jean Charles to relocate. They currently live on a tiny, sinking island along the state’s coast. In response, HUD awarded the community a 48.3 million dollar resettlement package. Louisiana Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says most of the 80 residents are ready to leave.

Cut 14 (11) “to move.”

The parents and friends of Maxwell Gruver went before the House Criminal Justice Committee today to urge the panel to pass a bill to strengthen the penalities for those convicted of hazing. Gruver died last September in a suspected hazing incident at an LSU fraternity. Brooke McCulley was Max’s friend and had trouble holding back her tears….
cut 6 (08) “….as such”
Under current law, hazing is a misdemeanor and the maximum penalty is up to 30 days in jail. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry’s bill would make it a felony.

The state department of corrections has announced the arrest of four prison officers who allegedly smuggled drugs into Angola and also took part in inappropriate behavior with the inmates. The four officers arrested are women and they have resigned. The D-O-C also announced the firing of another officer, while another was placed on administrative leave.

It’s a somber atmosphere outside of the Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where a two-day public visitiation for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is underway. Benson was a devout Catholic, and talked often with Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond…
cut 11 (10) “…a Christian″
Benson’s funeral is set for Friday.

A site has been selected to re-locate the Isle de Jean Charles residents off an island that’s vanishing off the state’s coast. 11-point-seven million dollars in federal money will go towards building a community for residents in northern Terrebonne Parish. But ground will not be broken until next year. Pat Forbes is with the state Division of Administration….
cut 15 (11) “…to follow”
Forbes says most of the 80 Isle de Jean Charles residents are ready to leave now.