A bill abolishing the death penalty narrowly clears a House committee amid a fiery debate about racial discrimination in policing and sentencing. Matt Doyle has both sides…
cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”

Air Force One has touched down in Lake Charles as President Donald Trump is in southwest Louisiana to visit Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar Cameron Parish natural gas export facility. Tonight, the president will attend a fundraiser in Metairie.

For the third consecutive year, US News and World Report ranks Louisiana as the worst state in the country. Louisiana also ranks last for crime, and opportunity. Louisiana’s economy is ranked 49th and education 48th. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says now that the state is no longer dealing with budget deficits, there’s a chance to improve on the last place ranking…
Cut 11 (13)“…educational rankings increase.”
Governor Edwards says the state is doing better than it was years ago, but the data has yet to catch up.

The House Transportation Committee has approved a measure that eliminates the need for getting an inspection sticker. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative, Larry Bagley says instead of paying a 10-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker, his bill would add 10-dollars to your vehicle registration fee and the money would pay for 150 new state troopers
Cut 5 (13) “…patrol units.”
The bill awaits further discussion on the House floor.

The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times.  Bill author New Iberia Representative Terry Landry took some harsh criticism, but held firm to belief that racial disparities in arrests and sentencing, and the number of death sentences that have been overturned justify ending the practice…

Cut 6 (12) “…for you.”

Opponents argued against Landry’s claims of discriminatory policing.

US News & World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana is ranked last for the third year in a row. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says many of the contributing factors boil down to widespread poverty in the state.

Cut 10 (11) “…criminal justice system.“.

A state lawmaker is looking to eliminate inspection stickers, because he says they do not make our roads any safer. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he recently received a new sticker, despite a crack that ran across his windshield.  The House Transportation Committee approved Bagley’s bill on an eight to six vote. Colfax Representative Terry Brown says inspection stations are bit of a joke…

Cut 4 (12) “…least 10 years” 

Bagley says instead of paying a 10-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker, his bill would add 10-dollars to your vehicle registration fee

President Trump tours Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
A bill that would abolish the death penalty in Louisiana clears a House committee on a narrow vote amid intense debate, and a hearing that included some harsh words from speakers against anti-death penalty advocates. A constitutional ammendment that would have abolished the death penalty failed in the Senate earlier this session.
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The House will debate a bill today that would add “place of worship” to the list of locations eligible for “Stand Your Ground” legal protections. Bill author Houma Representative Beryl Amadee says currently, if you shoot a hostile intruder in your church, the legal burden is on you to prove that the shooting was justified, but if the law were to pass…
Cut 7 (12) “…Business.”
A state lawmaker is looking to eliminate inspection stickers, because he says they do no make our roads any safer. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he recently received a new sticker, despite a crack that ran across his windshield.
Cut 3 (12) “…maybe thousands.”
House Transportation Chairman Terry Landry argued against the bill, saying there is a safety value in inspection stickers.

President Trump is visiting Cameron Parish at 2pm today to tour Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility and will highlight job growth in the energy sector. Louisiana Oil & Gas Association president Gifford Briggs says the President will see just how big of a role Louisiana could be playing in the energy export market.
Cut 6 (11) “…actual construction phase.”

American Idol top 3 contestant and Livingston Parish native Laine Hardy will be parading through the town of Livingston this evening starting at 5:15. The celebration will be filmed and used for the show’s pre-finale “Homecoming Week”.  Hardy could be the first Idol winner from the Bayou State in the show’s 17 seasons and says the experience has been unforgettable.
Cut 14 (06) “…crazy”

Governor Edwards has declared today as Laine Hardy Day.

A bill that would extend “Stand Your Ground” legal protections to people in churches is set to be heard on the House floor today. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

US News and World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana has ranked last for the third year in a row.  Among the factors considered, Louisiana ranked last on crime, opportunity, and the environment. Governor Edwards’ administration has responded saying some of the data used by US News and World Report is years-old data that pre-dates his time in office or only includes his first few months.

President Donald Trump will head to Louisiana later today. His first stop is Cameron Parish, where he’ll tour Sempra Energy’s liquefied natural gas export facility. President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, Gifford Briggs, says Donald Trump has been a good friend to the energy industry…
cut 5 (11) “…out to do”
Following the visit to Cameron Parish, the President will fly to New Orleans for a high dollar fundraiser.

On the House floor, legislators will debate a bill that would extend Stand Your Ground protections to places of worship….
cut 10 (11) “…protections”
That’s the bill’s author, Houma Representative Beryl Amedee. Opponents say the measure would increase the potential for violence in churches.

Governor John Bel Edwards is co-hosting a cybersecurity summit today and tomorrow in Shreveport. It’s in conjunction with the National Governor’s Association. The governor’s chief of staff Mark Cooper says the conference will feature experts who will instruct states on how to protect themselves against cyber threats…
cut 11 (11) “…technology companies”
The two-day summit will also have seminars on training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

American Idol finalist Laine Hardy stopped by the governor’s mansion this morning to meet with John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards. Later today there will be a parade in his honor and he’ll hold a concert in Livingston Parish. Hardy is one of three finalists on A-B-C’s American Idol and the 18-year-old says the Boot has helped inspire him musically…
cut 16 (09) “….really is”
The season finale for American Idol is Sunday.

President Trump is visiting Cameron Parish at today to tour Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility. Louisiana Oil & Gas Association president Gifford Briggs says the President will see just how big of a role Louisiana could be playing in the energy export market.

Cut 6 (11) “…actual construction phase.”

Shreveport is hosting the two-day National Governor’s Association Cyberysecurity Summit that begins today.. Governor Edwards Chief of Staff Mark Cooper says Louisiana’s northwest colleges with tech-savvy programs will be showcased at the event and they’ll be attractive to bringing in new business.

Cut 13 (12) “…businesses popping up.”

The House will debate a bill today that would add “place of worship” to the list of locations eligible for “Stand Your Ground” legal protections.

Angel Bradford with Louisiana Moms Demand Actions opposes the measure because it does not define unlawful entry in the context of an open church.

Cut 8 (09) “…way”

Bill author Houma Representative Beryl Amadee says her understanding of the bill is that it only would be applied in cases where a threat is obvious. Currently if you shoot a hostile intruder in your church the burden of proof is on you to prove the shooting was justified.

American Idol Finalist and Livingston Parish Native Laine Hardy will be honored with a parade this afternoon and treat fans to a free concert afterwards. The events will be filmed and showcased in Sunday night’s episode where Hardy competes in the season finale. Hardy is extremely grateful to for his fans.

Cut 15 through all of this

The House will debate a bill today that would add “place of worship” to the list of locations eligible for “Stand Your Ground” legal protections.

Bill author Houma Representative Beryl Amadee says currently if you shoot a hostile intruder in your church, the legal burden is on you to prove that the shooting was justified, but if the law were to pass…

Cut 7 (12) “…Business.”

Opponents are concerned, saying the legislation does not outline specific situations that would result in legal protection. Louisiana Mom’s Demand Action chapter leader Angel Bradford says the bill does not define a threat…

Cut 8 (09) “…way”

Mom’s Demand Action is an anti-gun violence organization that opposes Stand Your Ground laws, calling them discriminatory.

President Trump tours Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility this afternoon. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor will be attending the two day National Governor’s Association Cybersecurity summit in Shreveport today. Chief of Staff to the Governor Mark Cooper says Governor Edwards will make a big announcement at the event.

Cut 12 (07) “…cyber innovations center.”

President Trump will tour Sempra Energy’s 10-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility in Cameron Parish today. Louisiana Oil & Gas Association president Gifford Briggs says the area has a great example to show the President for growth in the energy sector.

Cut 4 (11) “… making that happen.”

American Idol top 3 contestant and Livingston Parish native Laine Hardy will be parading through Livingston this evening starting at 5:15. The celebration will be filmed and used for the show’s pre-finale “Homecoming Week”.

Hardy could be the first Idol winner from the Bayou State and says the experience has been unforgettable the second time around.

Cut 14 (06) “…crazy”

The parade will start at the Livingston Post Office and end at the Fairgrounds.

The National Governor’s Association is holding its Cybersecurity summit in Shreveport. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The two day Cybersecurity summit begins today.