The 2022 legislative session begins Monday and it’s expected to provide a lot of spirited debate. Last year the governor vetoed an anti-transgender bill that would have prevented biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill and the governor may not veto it this year
Cut 5 (10) “…doing that.”
Also back for the 2022 session is the bill that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns without needing a permit, safety training, and background check. The governor vetoed this legislation last year.

Even though there are no more statewide COVID restrictions in place, Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislation has been filed to restrict future governors from imposing similar restrictions…
cut 14 (09) “…politically charged session”
The session must end on June 6th.

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A light dusting of snow blanketed North Louisiana this morning, but it will not last long as temperatures are slowly warming. Be prepared for a windy day today and below-freezing temperatures for much of the state tomorrow morning. There’s a slight risk for severe weather for northwest Louisiana Monday afternoon and night.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police Oversight committee that he recommended one of the troopers involved in the Ronald Greene case should be fired, but his immediate supervisor did not follow his advice. Brown made that revelation as he was questioned by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson…
Cut 13 (07) “…Greene incident.”
Greene died in 2019 in State Police custody. Body camera video shows he was beaten and tased before his death. A federal investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been handed down.

Tomorrow morning Daylight Saving Time begins and studies show setting your clock forward and potentially losing an hour of sleep can impact your heart health. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says once DayLight Saving Time begins it takes two days to get adjusted
Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”
Smart says going to bed an hour earlier tonight can help and also laying off the alcohol.

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:
Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them as the state has two-point-eight billion dollars in one-time revenue to spend. Insurance reform, teacher and first responder pay, raising the minimum wage will be other topics the governor is expected to address.

North Louisiana residents woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning and now get ready for a cold and windy Saturday. Gusts of 35 to 40 miles per hour are possible today. The high-temperature today will be in the low 50s and there’s a chance we can break some record lows tomorrow as temperatures will get down to the mid to upper 20s.

Also Sunday morning, Daylight Saving Time begins. Brooke Thorington reports moving the clocks forward one hour can impact your health…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Before passing a $1.5-trillion government funding bill this week, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment adding over $2-billion for further recovery from Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. It was brought by our two senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Cassidy says despite federal help already sent, there’s still a big need. He says he’ll keep doing whatever he can to help with the recovery…:
CUT 08 (11) “…less well off.”

Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to create a special postage stamp that will help raise money to combat Louisiana’s invasive species – like the nutria, the Asian Carp and more. He says his bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. House…:
CUT 11 (07) “…would be great.”
Nutria are known to damage coastal marshes and feed on young cypress trees – weakening the marsh ecosystem.

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says they’ve hired an outside consultant to conduct a $1.5 million review of the agency. Davis says they are owning it and fixing it as the agency has been plagued with numerous scandals and is under federal investigation for the 2019 death of Ronald Greene.

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated $2.5-billion in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a $1.5- trillion government funding bill. Senator Cassidy says he’s frustrated the amendment did not pass because there are hurricane victims who are desperate for money to rebuild…:

CUT 07(09)      “…blighted neighborhoods.”

Studies show setting your clock forward and losing an hour of sleep can impact your health. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says DayLight it takes two days for one’s hormone levels to stabilize in order to reduce the risk of a cardiac event.

Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”

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We go back on Daylight Saving Time Saturday night. Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Bastrop cop is on administrative leave after a video turned up online showing him dragging a half-naked woman across a street toward his patrol car. Her entire lower half is nude. The circumstances of the arrest are under investigation, but his use of force is also under question.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves proposes federal legislation to create a special postage stamp featuring the nutria; the money from which would go to helping combat the invasive species. Nutria are known for eating cypress saplings and generally damaging the marshes. Congressman Graves…:

CUT 09(03)      “…on a stamp, right?”

Graves says the bill would also help with other invasive species across Louisiana and elsewhere.

The coronavirus continues to diminish in Louisiana. The state Department of Health reports only 142 new cases today, with 239 in the hospital statewide. Over the two year course of the pandemic, 16,887 Louisianans have died with the virus.

Another quick COVID note: Grambling State University is the latest to lift coronavirus protocols. As of today, masks are no longer required at Grambling. If staff or students WANT to wear them, they may.

The state Legislature convenes its regular spring session this Monday, and lawmakers have around 1000 bills to consider; ranging from teacher pay to expanding medical marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) president Barry Erwin says House & Senate members will have a lot of work to do – sorting through the various interests and initiatives proposed…:

CUT 12(14)      “…transgender athletes.”

He also expects an attempt to throttle back the Governor’s executive emergency powers to be debated. During testimony today at a legislative panel looking into the roadside death of Ronald Greene while in state Police custody, a trooper told lawmakers he recommended to his C.O. that a trooper be arrested for what happened, but that supervisor did nothing. Senator Katrina Jackson says complaints of wrongdoing by troopers should be reported to an authority outside the LSP.

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated $2.5-billion in extra disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes in 2020 and 2021. Before the vote, Kennedy explained where the money would go…:

CUT 06(13)      “…Louisiana ports.”

The amendment failed, but Kennedy and Cassidy vow to keep working to get the additional aid needed.

A Calcasieu Parish man is in jail after allegedly breaking into another man’s home and stabbing his dog. The victim says 33-year-old Robert Willis, of Moss Bluff, demanded $40 the victim owed him then stabbed his German Shepherd in the head and slashed the animal with a knife. He then threatened to come back with gun. Willis is now charged with home invasion, assault and aggravated animal cruelty.

Before passing a $1.5-trillion government funding bill this week, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment adding over $2-billion for further recovery from Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. It was brought by our two senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Cassidy says despite federal help already sent, there’s still a big need. He says he’ll keep doing whatever he can to help with the recovery…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…less well off.”

Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to create a special postage stamp that will help raise money to combat Louisiana’s invasive species – like the nutria, the Asian Carp and more. He says his bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. House…:

CUT 11  (07)        “…would be great.”

Nutria are known to damage coastal marshes and feed on young cypress trees – weakening the marsh ecosystem.

The Louisiana Legislature starts its annual regular session Monday. Lawmakers will discuss the merits of about 1000 bills. Council for A Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says look for teacher pay raise bills, medical marijuana expansion, more term limits for public servants and more. He says partisan squabbles are to be expected, as some lawmakers seek to lessen the executive branch’s emergency powers – due to dissatisfaction over the Governor’s pandemic response…:

CUT 14(09)      “…politically charged session.”

The session must end by 6 pm on Monday, June 6^th.

Gasoline continues to rise. The statewide average price for regular gas is now $4.15; up 2-cents from just yesterday … up 50-cents from a week ago and up 92-cents from a month ago. Diesel fuel is at a statewide average of 5 bucks.

Expect another cold blast as a front moves through the state later tonight, making for a cold Saturday morning and even colder Sunday morning. You’ll wake up Sunday to lows in the upper 20’s over most of the state.

Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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It’s that time again to move the clocks forward this weekend and not only is the time change not very popular it’s also proven to be a health issue. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says DayLight Saving puts a significant amount of stress on your body.

Cut 3 (11) “…really important.”

Smart says if you can try to adjust your schedule Saturday night, Sunday morning to keep yourself from losing an hour of sleep, by either going to bed earlier or sleeping in. Smart says you also might want to lay off the alcohol this weekend.

Cut 4 (12) “…more stressful.”

Smart says studies show it take generally 24 to 48 hours for one’s hormone levels to stabilize thus reducing the risk of a cardiac event.

Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”

Smart says emergency rooms tend to see a slight increase in cardiac patients surrounding the time change so if you have a heart condition do what you can to mitigate your chances of a heart attack.

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The U-S Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated two-point-five billion dollars in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Before the vote, Kennedy explained where the money will go

 Cut 6  (13) “… Louisiana ports” 

Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a one-point-five trillion-dollar government funding bill.

Cassidy says he’s frustrated the amendment did not pass because there are hurricane victims who are desperate for money to rebuild…

Cut 7 (09) “…blighted neighborhoods” 

This could be the last chance for southwest Louisiana to receive disaster aid for Hurricanes Delta and Laura. Congress has appropriated 600-million in hurricane relief, but the money has yet to be released to the state. Cassidy says he’ll continue to do whatever he can to complete the process of recovery

 Cut 8 (11) “  less well off.” 

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves wants to help Stamp Out nutria with help from the U-S Postal Service. Graves has introduced legislation that would create the “Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp” which would help produce funds to combat invasive species like nutria…

Cut 9 (03) “…stamp right.”

Nutria is known to damage coastal marshes and some nutria feed on seedling bald cypress. Graves says he’s looking at any way to eradicate nutria…

Cut 10 (11)  “..the state.”

Graves says his legislation has bipartisan support…

Cut 11 (07)  “…be great.”  

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The Louisiana Legislature convenes its regular spring session this Monday, and lawmakers have around 1000 bills to consider; ranging from teacher pay to expanding medical marijuana. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) president Barry Erwin says House & Senate members will have a lot of work to do – sorting through the various interests and initiatives proposed…:

Cut 12 (14) “…transgender athletes.” 

Erwin says there are bills filed to give public school teachers a pay raise of up to $2000 a year, but there are a good number of other educations bills on the schedule as well…:

Cut 13 (09) “…in high school.”

Erwin says look for second attempts to pass bills vetoed by the Governor last year; like “constitutional carry” of concealed weapons, a transgender athlete ban and others. Erwin says partisan squabbles are to be expected, as some lawmakers seek to lessen the executive branch’s emergency powers – due to dissatisfaction over the Governor’s pandemic response…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…politically charged session.”  

The legislative starts Monday afternoon, with an address by Governor Edwards, then lawmakers get to work in earnest Tuesday. The session must end by 6pm on Monday, June 6th.