A Barksdale Airman is suing the federal government to block being discharged for refusing to get COVID shots. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot is hoping his legislation to increase the penalties on carjackings and catalytic converter theft will discourage the crimes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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LSU men’s basketball has turned the page quickly from the Will Wade era. David Grubb has more on the next head Tiger…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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A Louisiana public policy “think tank” is suing the U.S. Department of Defense on behalf of a Barksdale Airman who refuses to take the COVID vaccine. Pelican Institute Center for Justice attorney James Baehr (pronounced: BEAR) says Senior Airman Faith Crocker was denied a religious exemption she filed in good faith, and was told to get the shots or be discharged…:
Cut 4 (08) “…should have to make.”
Airman Crocker is the daughter of a Baptist minister, and has deeply held beliefs about what to put in her body. She requested the right to say “no” to the shots. Baehr says the DoD has denied virtually ALL religious accommodation requests from military personnel in Louisiana and elsewhere. He says that hard-nosed policy is uncalled for, as the pandemic winds down…:
Cut 5 (09) “…no reason for this.”
Baehr says the lawsuit simply aims to block the DoD and the Air Force from dismissing Crocker for her conscientious objection to the shots. He says Crocker – and many others who requested a religious accommodation from the COVID shots – received their denial last month in a form letter. Baehr says that suggests the requests were never even considered…:
Cut 6 (08) “…those requests en masse.”
To read the lawsuit, go to “PelicanPolicy.org”
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River Ridge Senator and Chair of the Senate Judiciary C Committee Kirk Talbot is hoping to increase the penalties for the ever-growing crimes of carjacking and catalytic converter theft. Talbot says he’s working with law enforcement and district attorneys on the legislation and living in New Orleans he’s seen car jackings grow increasingly more violent.
Cut 7 (09) “…your face.”
In New Orleans, Monday afternoon police say an elderly woman was killed in a Mid-City carjacking when she was dragged for several blocks, and her arm was severed from her body.
Talbot’s legislation specifically highlighting catalytic converter theft, will make it more difficult for them to be resold, similar to legislation that addressed copper theft in which the seller’s identification has to be recorded during a sale.
Cut 8 (10) “…definitely help.”
Talbot is hopeful his carjacking legislation will act as a deterrent and give the judicial system more leeway when punishing those who commit such violent crimes and also make it more difficult for suspects to post bond.
Cut 9 (06) “…more severely.”
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It’s a day to be weather aware across Louisiana. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says strong to severe thunderstorms are marching in from Texas…
Cut 10 (09) “…isolated tornadoes.”
Wetherbee says there’s only a marginal threat for northwest Louisiana and the greatest potential for severe weather exists for portions of central and southeast Louisiana…
Cut 11 (07) “…to Alexandria.”
There’s the potential for four to six inches of rain and the Wetherbee says that’s because of a slow-moving squall line that could spawn tornadoes…
Cut 12 (08) “…across Louisiana.”
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Just two days after the LSU men’s basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA tournament, athletic director Scott Woodward has found the man to lead the program forward. Matt McMahon has been the head coach at Murray State for the last seven years, leading the Racers to four conference titles and three NCAA tournament bids. John Wright, sports editor at the Murray Ledger, says there’s a lot to like about McMahon.
Cut 13 (10) “…I believe.”
Murray State ranked in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and in the top 20 defensively this past season, the type of balance necessary to win big. But job one will be trying to bring some players to Baton Rouge after what should be a massive exodus. Wright says McMahon is a talented recruiter with a template for what he wants in a student-athlete.
Cut 14 (13) “…into the system.”
McMahon has been highly sought after, with his name connected to just about every Power 5 job opening this offseason. Wright says that’s with good reason, and the fan base should embrace him pretty quickly.
Cut 15 (11) “…to have him.”
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After missing out on targets like Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson, the Saints have reunited with Jameis Winston, agreeing to a two-year, $28-million contract with the quarterback. WWL-TV Saints reporter Ralph Malbrough likes the deal.
Cut 16 (11) “…other solution.”
Malbrough says that along with the talent the Saints keep in-house with the deal to retain the former top overall pick, the team also made a smart financial decision.
Cut 17 (18) “ …piece of business.”
With Winston taking up a much smaller portion of the salary cap than a lot of starters in the NFL, the Saints can turn their attention to other areas of concern on the roster, something they couldn’t do a week ago.
Cut 18 (16) “ ..be aggressive.”