Today is the three-year anniversary of the death of Ronald Greene, a black motorist who led State Police on a high-speed chase. When the chase ended, body camera video shows State Troopers punching and tasing Greene, who later died in custody. Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether civil rights violations occurred and local district attorney John Belton says he plans to convene a grand jury once he receives investigative files from the U-S Attorney’s Office…
cut 11 (14) “….of Louisiana”
Belton says he’ll provide an update on the case to the Greene family at 1 PM today.

Also at one o’clock today, funeral services begin for East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier, who died last week. Six years ago he was shot multiple times during an ambush on Baton Rouge law enforcement.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will hear arguments today over whether prisoners convicted by a non-unanimous verdict should get a new trial. The state’s highest court is looking at the case of Reginald Reddick, he was convicted in 1997 in Plaquemines Parish for murder on a 10-2 jury vote. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says what the court decides will set a huge precedent…
cut 5 (08) “….requiring unanimity”
There are about 15-hundred inmates behind bars as a result of a non-unanimous jury verdict.

The CDC reports that the recent outbreak of bird flu seen in wild birds in 34 states, including Texas and Alabama, has not been detected in Louisiana. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour…
Cut 13 (11) “…it in Louisiana.”
At this time L-D-W-F says there is no reason for anyone to change or limit their outdoor or bird-related activities.

Today is the third anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. The 49-year-old black man was punched and tased following a high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. No charges have been handed down related to his fatal arrest and a legislative committee continues to look into accusations of a cover-up. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle…
cut 12 (13) “….questions”

The Louisiana Supreme Court hears arguments today over whether the state should grant new trials to prisoners convicted on non-unanimous verdicts. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the case involves Reginald Reddick, who was convicted on a 10-2 jury verdict in 1997 for killing another man in Plaquemines Parish…
cut 6 (11) “…..criminal procedure”

The bird flu is migrating across the country, but so far Louisiana has a clean bill of health. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Gas prices are soaring above four dollars a gallon. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.04, 17-cents higher than a week ago. AAA says the increase is primarily due to the high cost of crude oil, which is selling for over 100-dollars a barrel.

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. Still no charges against the State Troopers who were seen on body camera video beating Greene before he died. Kevin Gallagher has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Today is the funeral services for East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier, who died last week after he was shot multiple times six years ago during an ambush on law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards is one of the scheduled speakers.

The state Supreme Court will hear arguments today about whether those who were convicted by a non-unanimous jury verdict deserve a new trial. In 2018, voters passed a Constitutional Amendment ending convictions with as many as two jurors voting no. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that convictions must be unanimous, but did not call for new trials.…:
Cut 4 (13) “…from decades ago.”

Meanwhile at the state capitol lawmakers, have been given an additional 454 million dollars that can be spent over the next 14 months. The governor’s office says some of the funds should go towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 9 (12) “….dollars are available”
The Edwards administration is pushing for 500-million dollars for a new Mississippi River Bridge, but state lawmakers have yet to agree on that type of allocation.

The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments today over pre-2019 non-unanimous jury verdicts, and whether retrials for all those convicted are required. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A federal judge in Baton Rouge heard arguments from plaintiffs yesterday who are asking the courts to toss out the Congressional district map approved by Republican lawmakers in February. A coalition of civil rights groups say there should be a second majority-Black congressional district, but GOP legislators say the Black population is too spread out to have two majority-minority districts.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized an additional 802-million dollars in better-than-expected-tax revenues. 454-million dollars of that money will be available for legislators to spend over the next 14 months. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the governor is asking legislators to put some of that cash towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge…
cut 7 (12) “….bridge in Baton Rouge”
Lawmakers have been hesitant to allocate 500-million dollars for a new bridge when a placement for the bridge has yet to be finalized.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says an outbreak of bird flu has not been detected in the Bayou State. Bird flu has been found in wild birds in 34 states, the closest in Texas and Alabama. Only one human case of bird flu has been confirmed by the CDC. LDWF State Veterinarian Doctor Jim LaCour…
cut 15 (08) “….in that case”

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. The 49-year-old Black man died following a lengthy high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. Two years later body camera video was released, showing Troopers stunning and punching Greene as he apologized. Paramedic Cindy Ott recently described what she saw when she arrived on the scene
Cut 10 (09) “…his head”
None of the troopers involved in Greene’s arrest has been charged criminally.

The governor’s office is pushing for a bigger pay raise for teachers now that the Revenue Estimating Conference has recognized the state has an extra 454 million dollars over this fiscal year and next. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
cut 8 (08) “….a thousand dollars”
Lawmakers seem to be in support of a 15-hundred dollar raise for teachers. The budget bill is currently in Senate finance and we’ll see if they seek to raise teacher salaries by another two-thousand dollars.

The bird flu is migrating across the country, but so far Louisiana has a clean bill of health. David Grubb has the story…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police has canceled an Amber Alert issued last night involving two children taken from a home in Mandeville. Authorities say they were abducted by Sergio Hernandez, the father of the youngest child. Hernandez was arrested last night in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Officials say the girls were found safe and sound. Hernandez faces criminal charges.

The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments over pre-2019 non-unanimous jury verdicts, and whether retrials for all those convicted are required. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. Still no charges against the State Troopers who were seen on body camera video beating Greene before he died. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The bird flu is migrating across the country, but so far Louisiana has a clean bill of health. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The state Supreme Court will hear arguments today about whether those who were convicted by non-unanimous jury verdict deserve a new trial. In 2018, voters passed a Constitutional Amendment ending conviction with as many as two jurors voting no. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that convictions must be unanimous, but did not call for new trials. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino explains what the High court was thinking…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…from decades ago.”

The federal court’s action basically left it up to Louisiana to decide whether all those non-unanimous conviction must be retried. Ciolino says the state Supreme Court will take up the case of Reginald Reddick; convicted in 1997 – by a 10-2 jury – of a murder in Plaquemines Parish and sente4nced to life with no parole. Ciolino says what the court decides will set a huge precedent…:

Cut 5 (08) “…requiring unanimity.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry wants the court to rule against Riddick’s right to retrial; concerned it will open a flood gate of suits seeking the same and jam up state courts. Ciolino says others feel non-unanimous verdicts were never fair or correct, and the state Supreme Court’s decision will be eagerly anticipated…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…criminal procedure.”

Ciolino says, if the court rules FOR retrials, the justice system will likely plea out most of the cases, and find a way to handle the caseload for those who want another “day in court.”

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The Governor’s Office has some ideas on how to best spend revenue surpluses revealed Monday by the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference. The REC found an additional $350-million for the current fiscal year, and another $100-million for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. Commissioner of Administration jay Dardenne says there are a lot of good uses for that extra money…:

Cut 7 (12) “…bridge in Baton Rouge…”

Dardenne says some of that money should also go toward a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles and completing I-49 south to New Orleans. The new revenue estimates roughly $11-billion in General Fund dollars to spend on priorities, and Dardenne says one of those should also be paying the state’s teachers more…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…a thousand dollars.”

Dardenne says he hopes lawmakers will give the administration’s proposal serious consideration before they finalize the state budget for the fiscal year that starts in July…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…dollars are available.”

He says the spending proposal represents “critical moves” in moving Louisiana forward.

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Today marks the three-year anniversary of Ronald Greene’s death. The 49-year-old Black man died following a lengthy high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish. Two years later body camera video was released, showing Troopers stunning and punching Greene as he apologized. Paramedic Cindy Ott recently described when she arrived on the scene

Cut 10 (09) “…his head”

At this time none of the troopers involved have been charged and Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth has since died in a one-vehicle wreck. There’s a recording of Hollingsworth admitting he beat Greene with a flashlight.

Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether civil rights violations occurred and local district attorney John Belton says he plans to convene a grand jury once he receives the U-S Attorney’s Office investigative files. Belton told a legislative committee last month that he believes troopers involved committed criminal acts

Cut  11 (14)  “…of Louisiana”  

Belton says he’ll provide an update on the case to the Greene family at 1 PM today.

Meanwhile, State Police remains under the microscope for its handling of Greene’s death and whether they tried to cover up details of how he died. A high-ranking state trooper, Lt. Colonel Kenny VanBuren, has said he believes there is a cover-up. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says they are still trying to get to the bottom of it…

Cut 12 (13) “…questions” 

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The CDC reports that the recent outbreak of bird flu seen in wild birds in 34 states, including Texas and Alabama, has not been detected in Louisiana. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour…

Cut 13 (11) “…it in Louisiana.”

At this time L-D-W-F says there is no reason for anyone to change or limit their outdoor or bird-related activities. Dr. LaCour says there are some basic measures you can take when dealing with our fine, feathered friends…

Cut 14 (12)  “…waterers occasionally.”

There has only been one case nationally where a human was infected, a poultry industry worker experienced mild symptoms after being highly exposed on the job. The CDC says the risk of contracting avian flu is very low, and Dr. LaCour says that L-D-W-F will continue to monitor the situation statewide.

Cut 15 (08)  “…in that case.”

I’m Kevin Gallagher with today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network.

One of Louisiana’s strongest pro-life lobbies comes out AGAINST a bill that would make having or performing an abortion punishable with prison time. Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick’s bill would define a procedure to terminate a pregnancy as murder. Louisiana Family Forum president Gene Mills says it’s un-needed, because the state already has a trigger law that will render abortions illegal, should the Supreme Court overturn Roe versus Wade…:

CUT 12(10)      “…Dobbs opinion”

Last week’s leaked Justice Alito opinion draft references the case of Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health, of Jackson Mississippi, and indicates a majority of justices support upholding it and returning control of abortion law to the states. Mills says McCormick’s bill needlessly punishes the mother…:

CUT 13(07)      “…even harmful.”

McCormick’s bill is scheduled for full House debate later this week.

The Revenue Estimating Conference increased income projections for this fiscal year by 350-million dollars today, giving state lawmakers additional money to spend. Economists are reporting better-than-expected tax collections from sales and personal income taxes. So, what to do with that extra money? Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Governor’s Office has some ideas…:

CUT 07(12)      “…bridge in Baton Rouge”

He also favors using the money for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles and completing I-49 south to New Orleans. Administration economist Manfred Dix says the state is having a good year when it comes to better than expected revenues. He wonders if it could last beyond this calendar year…:

CUT 05(11)      “…ensuing fiscal year.”

The Governor’s Office would also like to use the surplus money to kick up planned $1500 teacher pay raises to $2000.