The 2023 legislative session is underway and with this being an election year it’s the last one for several lawmakers and Governor John Bel Edwards, who is term limited. For the first time, Edwards is publicly asking legislators to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty….

Cut 9 (08)  “…culture of death.”

Edwards is also asking lawmakers to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban.

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman (freeman) has proposed legislation to crack down on parole eligibility for offenders who are dangerous. Frieman says the man who murdered a Covington priest and church volunteer last fall (and burned their bodies) was released from jail early several times. He says the current parole system fails to protect citizens from such people…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…their maximum time.”

The bill gives judges more leeway to refuse parole or probation.

A Tulane University study finds record-breaking rates of sea-level rise along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. River-Coastal Science and Engineering Professor of Tulane, Sonke Dangendorf says the widespread acceleration that extends from the Gulf of Mexico into the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Seas is independent of the subsidence in the area.

Cut 5 (11) “…the subsistence.”

He says it demonstrates the urgency of the climate crisis in the Gulf region.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Landon Woodside of Slidell man for terrorizing on Monday. He was taken into custody after making alleged threats on social media, in a video holding an AR-style rifle with the quote “next schooler shooter in the making.” Investigators say he admitted to making the video but told investigators he was just joking.  Sheriff Randy Smith says such threats will not be tolerated.

In his final State of the State address, Governor John Bel Edwards called for an end to the death penalty, exceptions to the state’s abortion ban and an increase in the state’s minimum wage.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Democrats in the Louisiana House have lost another member as Livonia Representative Jeremy LaCombe has switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson also recently switched to the Republican Party.

There is some sobering news coming out of Tulane as researchers there have found record-breaking rates of seal-level rise along the U-S Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. Coastal Science Engineering Professor, Sonke Dangendorf, says these high rates of sea-live rise put more stress on vulnerable coastlines, particularly in Louisiana, where the land is also sinking…
cut 6 (11) “….are now”
He attributes the acceleration to the compounding effects of man-made climate change and natural climate variability.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has passed away at the age of 78. He served as the state’s A-G from 1992 to 2004 and secured a settlement against big tobacco that netted the state four-point-six billion dollars. Ieyoub also ran for governor in 2003 and told Talk Louisiana’s Jim Engster that fellow Democrat Buddy Leach kept him out of the run-off by siphoning off five-percent of his voter support…
cut 12 (06) “… any other candidate”

The 2023 legislative session is underway and Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on state lawmakers to add exceptions to the state’s abortion ban…
cut 8 (12) “….mental health”
Edwards also pushed for those exceptions last year, but still signed a bill that would ban abortions in Louisiana once the Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade.

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman has filed a bill that would deny parole for offenders who are considered dangerous to society….
cut 14 (07) “….judge to decide”
Under Frieman’s proposed legislation, a convicted offender would have a hearing to determine IF he or she IS a dangerous offender prior to the sentencing phase. If the judge determines them to be a danger to society, parole and/or probation can be denied.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has passed away at the age of 78. He served as the state’s A-G from 1992 to 2004. Ieyoub took on major tobacco companies for deceptive practices in making and marketing cigarettes. In an interview last August on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, Ieyoub remembers getting a visit from lawyers representing Big Tobacco…
cut 11 (11) “…the next day”

That settlement resulted in four-point-six billion dollars for the state.

A new study led by Tulane University researchers finds record-breaking rates of sea-level rise along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts since 2010. River-Coastal Science and Engineering Professor, Sonke Dangendorf, says these rapid rates are unprecedented and attributed to the effects of man-made and natural climate changes.
Cut 4 (12) “…twentieth century.”
Dangendorf says these high rates of sea-level rise have put more stress on vulnerable coastlines, particularly in Louisiana and Texas where land is also sinking rapidly.

During his last State of the State address, Governor John Bel Edwards highlighted legislation, he’s supporting in the 2023 regular session. Among the bills is to raise the minimum wage, something he’s fought for every year during his two terms.
Cut 7 (12) “…this year.”
Edwards also says he is supporting paid family and medical leave legislation and equal pay legislation for men and women who do the same work.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has died at the age of 78. He served as the state’s A-G from 1992 to 2004 and during a recent appearance on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster he discussed a settlement he reached with tobacco companies that netted the state four-point-six billion dollars for education and health care…
cut 10 (11) “…young people”
While A-G, he also established the state’s first special unit targeting sex offenders.

Campaign finance reports are due Monday for those running for office this fall and the USA Today Network is reporting gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack will report 900-thousand dollars in his personal campaign finance account and two political action committees supporting him have combined to raise more than two-point-two million dollars.

A new study out of Tulane finds record breaking rates of sea-level rise along the U-S Gulf and Southeast coasts since 2010. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The 2023 legislative session is underway and with this being an election year it’s the last one for several lawmakers and Governor John Bel Edwards, who is term limited. For the first time, Edwards is publicly asking legislators to pass legislation to abolish the death penalty….
cut 9 (08) “…culture of death”
Edwards is also asking lawmakers to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban.

There are several criminal justice reform bills to be heard in this legislative session. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman has a bill that would allow district attorneys to ask a judge to take the option of parole away if that person is deemed a danger to society….
cut 13 (09) “…..suspension of sentence”
Frieman says his legislation is in response to the man arrested last fall for killing a Covington priest and church volunteer. 49-year-old Antonio Tyson was previously released from jail several times.

Former Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub has passed away at 78 years of age. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor Edwards gave his last “State of the State” address Monday as the 2023 legislative session got underway. Over the next two months, lawmakers will debate a wide variety of bills, including increasing the minimum wage to $12 an hour and he’s also supporting paid family and medical leave and equal pay legislation for men and women who do the same work…

Cut 8 (07)  “…as a result” 

Another topic Edwards wants lawmakers to address is legislation to improve the state’s property insurance market. Edwards says he does not want to see legislation that makes it easier for insurers to wear people down…

Cut 6 (11)  “..for everyone.” 

Edwards also said he supports adding the exception of rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban.

According to a JMC Analytics survey conducted last week of a thousand Louisianans, 70 percent agree with the governor that the exception for rape and incest should be added to the state’s abortion ban. Pollster John Couvillon says they also asked if exceptions should be allowed when a physician believes it’s medically necessary.

Cut 10 (10) “…that exception.” 

The poll also showed that 49 percent identify as pro-choice compared to 44 percent who are pro-life.

Gretna lawmaker Joe Marino is proposing to increase legislators’ annual salary from $16,800 to 60-thousand dollars in 2024. Marino says being a legislator is a time-consuming job for something that pays so little…

Cut 5 (11) “…you started.”