After evening their playoff series with the Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans will return home to the Smoothie King Center on Friday night for Game 3. CJ McCollum played for the Trail Blazers in 2018 when the Pelicans swept Portland in dominating fashion, and he’s glad that this time he’ll be wearing the home colors.

Cut 11 (12) “…do nice things.”

Game time is set for 8:30 pm.

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An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. In Louisiana, the governor is term-limited and so are state legislators.  Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says having term limits on lawmakers is one thing, but many voters like their current sheriffs…

Cut 8 (12) “…people decide”

The constitutional amendment was voted down nine to two.

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A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education. The bill will designate colleges as a Hunger-Free Campus if they meet certain criteria, which include the presence of a food pantry and surveys of students to determine the level of food security on campus. UL system president Jim Henderson says the bill also raises awareness among students who are eligible for SNAP benefits.

Cut 5 (10) “…of resources.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

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Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath was their suspect the whole time.

Cut 12 (08) “…attempted first-degree murder.”

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. The proposed constitutional amendment sought to limit sheriffs to no more than three consecutive full terms. Longtime St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says the legislation is not needed because there’s a 25-percent turnover among the state’s sheriffs every four years.
Cut 6 (11) “…important thing.”
The bill was rejected on a nine to two vote.

A House committee approved a bill that attempts to address the lack of food security among college students. U-L System President Jim Henderson says it’s an important issue and why he started a food bank with the help of students on Northwestern State’s campus when he was the president there…
cut 4 (10) “…aware of it”

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board releases new totals on sports betting activity in March, and the chairman says it was a slam dunk
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Brandon Ingram nearly had a triple-double last night as the Pelicans downed the Suns 125 to 114 to even their NBA playoff series at one game apiece. Prior to the season, BI promised the Pelicans would not miss the playoffs this year, and he has delivered all year.
Cut 9 (12) “…for us.”
Game three is Friday night in New Orleans.

A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education.  Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says as much as 40-percent of college students have food insecurities. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says the bill creates a task force to assist those students.

Cut 3 (09) “…a win-win.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

A bill to remove the death penalty in Louisiana failed 5 to 1 in committee.  Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White spokes in opposition and says the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against executing an innocent person.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a guilty verdict.”

The bill no longer advances this session.

The Senate passes a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau, says it’s not an issue in Louisiana and the LHSAA has rules in place should the problem arise…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…state of Louisiana.”

The measure passed 29-to-6, last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation.

$232 million in sports betting was wagered in the Bayou State last month, which translates into more than $5 million in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says he’s extremely impressed with how sports wagering is progressing, and no major online technicalities.

Cut 12 (10) “…of March.” 

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which was vetoed last year and received opposition from transgender advocates passed in the Senate Tuesday. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell’s bill prohibits transgender females from competing against women. Mizell says the legislation has wide support.

Cut 14 (07)  “…believe in.”

The vote was 29 to 6. The bill now heads to a House committee.

LSU’s 2022 Louisiana Survey indicates 40-percent of home insurance policyholders filed claims in the last two years and almost half weren’t pleased with the process. Associate Professor Michael Henderson says whether it’s two years of significant weather events or COVID respondents generally aren’t hopeful.

Cut 10 (11) “…be getting better.”

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in Senate Judiciary C. Bill author Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson says Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentence people to death, and it should stop…

CUT 04(15)      “…in their hands”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of survivors of a capital crime…

CUT 06(13)      “…to ask for.”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass in committee therefore will go no farther in this legislative session.

A bill to repeal the death penalty in Louisiana fell to defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Bill sponsor and Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson tells senators if they cannot agree with the moral argument against capital punishment, consider a fiscal one…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…million dollars a year.”

She says too many people in Louisiana have been sentenced to death; only to have their conviction later overturned. She says some were actually executed, then found to be innocent later. Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White – who could not support the bill – says that was an earlier, less-enlightened time. He points to the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against a mistake…:

CUT 07(09)      “…a guilty verdict”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass, and is dead for this year.

A Concordia parish church is severely damaged, after severe weather swept through the area Sunday. High winds toppled a tree, which crashed into the St. John Baptist Church. Church elders say they will rebuild.

Sports book was a real boon to the Bayou State last month. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says $232-million was wagered; meaning over $5-million in state tax revenue for the state. He credits the NCAA Final Four with a lot of that betting and says this fall should see even more app-based sports betting…:

CUT 13(09)      “…once again.”

He says a lot of Texans come to Louisiana to take advantage of sports betting and that means hotels, motels and restaurants benefit as well.

A bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports passes the full Senate, by a 29-6 vote. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau spoke up against the bill, saying the LHSAA has rules about this and a law isn’t needed. Bill Sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton responds…:

CUT 16(07)      “…right now”

That bill moves now to the House.

The full Senate passes a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”, the bill drew opposition on the senate floor. Here’s Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau, who says it’s not an issue in Louisiana and the LHSAA has rules in place should the problem arise…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…state of Louisiana.”

The measure passed by a 29-to-6 vote; meaning 4 senators did not vote at all. Last year Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation saying the bill was mean-spirited and a solution looking for a problem. A veto override attempt failed.

Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in our state was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee. The bills would change the agency that regulates the medical marijuana industry and allow licensees to have more than one store.

Sports book gaming in March was a slam dunk for the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Gaming Control Board chairman about it…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows a great many of us are unhappy with our property insurers and coverage. Research director Mike Henderson…:

CUT 08(08)      “significant number.”

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson argued for her bill before the Judiciary C panel, saying Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentence people to death and it should stop…:

CUT 04(15)      “…in their hands”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of the survivors of a capital crime…:

CUT 06(13)      “…to ask for.”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass.

Shreveport area police are investigating a shooting on I-220 Tuesday. The victim took a bullet to the leg from a car that pulled alongside him. Motive and suspect? Yet unknown.

Insurance. You hope you don’t need it, but you’ve GOT to have it. But are Louisianans satisfied with what they have? David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A gas well on Barksdale Air force Base in Bossier City exploded Tuesday. It took some time to bring the fire under control but no one was reported seriously hurt.            The cause of the well explosion is under investigation.