The House Transportation Committee passed a bill that would give motorcycle riders the option to hit the highway without a helmet. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Gas prices are on the rise. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.07, up three cents from yesterday and up 16-cents from a month ago. Demand is on the rise as the weather warms up around the country and the days are getting longer.

A proposed U.S. law targeting the social media app TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese based company ByteDance, could force the company to sell its controlling stake or be blocked in the U.S. Host of the podcast Tech Gumbo Haggai Davis says federal lawmakers are concerned China can access data from the users of TikTok…
Cut 10 (07) “…a problem.”
Davis says the bill forces the company to be sold to either a U.S.-based or a non-Chinese company to alleviate security concerns. The U-S House approved the bill, it awaits debate in the Senate.

The Louisiana Senate Transportation Committee has approved a proposal to rename a portion of the Highway 11 bridge in St. Tammany Parish the Jimmy Buffet Changes in Latitude Memorial Crossing. The bill’s author is Covington Senator Patrick McMath who looks forward to discussion on the Senate floor…
cut 9 (06) “…know yet”

The House Transportation Committee passed a bill that would give motorcycle riders the option to hit the highway without a helmet. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

Congress is trying to force the sell TikTok to either sell to a U.S.-based company or ban the app. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________________

Expect overnight lane closures on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge beginning Monday as Phase 2 of the Basin Bridge Safety Corridor begins. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

The House Transportation Committee passed legislation on Wednesday to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law which has been in place since 2004. The bill passed on a 10-3 vote. Hornbeck Representative Rodney Shamerhorn says wearing a helmet should be a personal choice.

Cut 4 (09) “…vegetable state.”

Under the current law, both riders and passengers are required to wear safety helmets regardless of age.

Shamerhorn wants to change it to people who are over 21 do not have to wear helmet if they can prove they have health insurance. He believes Louisiana has missed out tourism dollars from nearby states because of the helmet law. And noted many activities require safety gear to be available, its not mandatory.

Cut 5 (13) “…a choice.” 

Louisiana is one of 17 states that require full time helmets while riding a motorcycle.

Monroe Representative Pat Moore, who worked for an insurance company for 27 years, opposes the bill. She says riding a motorcycle without a helmet is like playing Russian Roulette. And questions the effect it will have on the state’s already skyrocketing insurance crisis.

Cut 6 (09) “…of it.”

The bill heads to the full House for more debate. 

__________________________________________

Covington Senator and self-proclaimed Parrothead Patrick McMath wants to designate a portion of U.S. Route 11 in St. Tammany Parish to honor Jimmy Buffett.  McMath says when the Margaritaville singer was just starting his musical career he traveled that very highway back and forth to play gigs.

Cut 7 (10) “…so dearly.”

If passed it would be designated as the “Jimmy Buffett ‘Changes in Latitude’ Memorial Crossing.”

McMath says he considers Buffett’s music the soundtrack of his life along with countless other fans. Even though Buffett was born in Mississippi and grew up in Alabama, McMath says the musician had a deep affinity for the Bayou State.

Cut 8 (06) “…New Orleans.” 

The bill advances from Senate Transportation and when McMath offers Senate Bill 44 to the upper chamber floor, he says he plans to dress accordingly.

Cut 9 (06)  “…know yet.”

Buffet passed away on September 1^st at the age of 76. The Coral Reefer Band along with special guests will perform a tribute to the late singer at Jazz Fest this year.

________________________________________________________

A proposed U.S. law targeting the social media app TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese base company ByteDance, could force the company to sell its controlling stake or be blocked in the U.S. Host of the podcast Tech Gumbo Host Haggai Davis says the issue is over the user data it collects and that it’s being sold within the communist country.

Cut 10 (07) “…a problem.”

Davis says the bill forces the company to be sold to either a U.S.-based or a non-Chinese company to alleviate security concerns that a communist country could be misusing data against Americans.

Cut 11 (10) “…in the United States.” 

Like other social media apps and search engines, Davis says when you sign on to any of them you automatically allow them to track your online activity which then gives advertisers insight of your personality traits.

He says the issue with TikTok is that the ownership is based in a Communist Country.

If you use the popular app, to promote your brand or business, Davis says he doesn’t anticipate it being banned anytime soon.

Cut 12 (11) “…180 days.” 

On Wednesday the U.S. House approved the bill, which now heads to the Senate.

_______________________________________________________

Phase 2 of the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Safety Corridor begins Monday. Crews will be replacing speed limit signs and installing informative speed cameras that measure motorists’ speeds by radar. Rodney Mallett with the Louisiana Department of Transportation says there will be lane closures…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Sunday night”

For years, cars have had a 60 mile per hour speed limit while trucks were limited to 55 miles per hour. Mallet says in phase two, there will be one limit for all vehicles…

Cut 14 (10) “…speed limit.”

Mallett says, the informative cameras that show motorists their speeds will eventually be replaced by enforcement cameras that will photograph license plates of speed violators. He says speeding motorists dangerously weave through traffic around other drivers…

Cut 15 (12) “…to fatalities”

____________________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team begins play today as an eight-seed in the SEC Tournament. Coach Matt McMahon’s team will face Mississippi State at noon…

Cut 16 (16) “…five games.” 

All SEC Selection Josh Hubbard is averaging 17 points to lead State. He scored 32 points against the Tigers earlier this season and hit six three-pointers in a 20-point win over LSU. McMahon days the Bulldogs defense does a good job of holding its opponents to less than 70 points a game…

Cut 17 (15) “…physicality.” 

The 2024 legislative session is underway and insurance reform is a major focus. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says reducing regulations will result in more insurers writing policies in the state…
CUT 27 (12) “…affordability”
Temple supports legislation that allows insurers to adjust rates without his approval. He also wants to end the three year rule, which prohibits home insurers from dropping a customer that’s been policy holder for more than three years.

Legislation banning importing, ownership, and trafficking of sex dolls that resemble children has been approved by a Senate committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says Homeland Security contacted her about such activity…
Cut 9 (06) “…arrest anybody.”

In 2022, the Louisiana Legislature passed a law that limits the publicizing of mug shots by law enforcement agencies. It’s illegal for a sheriff’s department to release an offender’s mugshot who commits non-violent or minor crimes. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says that law was approved with good intentions, but it’s confusing for law enforcement agencies…
cut 12 (12) “…decision”
Seabaugh’s bill would allow for all mugshots to become public, which concerns Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow…
cut 13 (13) “…going forward”
Despite Barrow’s opposition the bill heads to the Senate floor.

Legislation that would allow law enforcement to once again make public the booking photos of adults charged with crimes is making its way to the Senate floor. A law passed in 2022 prevents the release of mug shots of suspects accused of non-violent or minor offenses. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the 2022 law is hurting law enforcement…
Cut 11 (10) “…law enforcement”
Seabaugh says the 2022 law was approved with good intentions, but there is confusion over what can and can’t be released,

Sarah Whittington with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana says mug shots can cause damage for suspects who later found innocent…
Cut 14 (10) “..good character”
Senate Judiciary C Committee approved the bill.

If you missed getting tickets for Taylor Swift’s soldout October 26th show at the Superdome, Brooke Thorington has more on how you can win a pair and help “Mastermind” Ochsner Health’s Neuroscience Institute.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Covington Senator Patrick McMath is proposing to rename a portion of the Highway 11 bridge in St Tammany Parish as the Jimmy Buffett Changes in Latitude Memorial Crossing. The Senate Transportation Committee endorsed the proposal today

Trooper Jacob Pucheu (pee-shoe) says 61-year-old Ronald Britt, a Lafayette truck driver, was charged with negligent homicide for speeding during the super fog event on I-55 last year.

Cut 6  (11) “…Mrs. Fleming” 

The massive 168 vehicle pileup killed seven people. Britt is facing several charges.

Republican Senator Beth Mizell legislation that would prohibit possession, import, and ownership of child sex dolls that resembles children 12 years old and younger passed out of committee Tuesday. Mizell says Homeland Security was became concerned about trafficking after receiving a package with a childlike doll inside.

Cut 8 (13) “…in Metairie.” 

And while nine other states already have such laws, Mizell says legislation does not exist in Louisiana to allow law enforcement to take individuals into custody.

Booking mug shots of suspects charged in non-violent or minor crimes would once again become available under legislation heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Tangipahoa Sheriff Office has arrested 26-year-old Cameron McKnight in connection with several sex crimes. Last month, authorities received a complaint of alleged indecent behavior between McKnight, a former educator, and students. Detectives substantiated allegation and obtained a warrant for McKnight’s arrest. He was charged with several offenses including indecent behavior with juveniles. The investigation is ongoing.

A law passed in 2022 that prevents the release of mug shots of suspects accused of non-violent or minor offenses is once again making its way to the Senate floor. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow was the only no vote. Barrow says once a mug shot goes public, it never goes away and it change and alter a person’s life…

Cut 13 (13) “…going forward.”  

Legislation banning trafficking, importing, and ownership of child sex dolls that resembles children 12 years and younger passed out of committee Tuesday. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, the bill’s author, says some companies create dolls based on the likeness of real children. She says her legislation could help prevent assaults on children by pedophiles or potential abusers.

Cut 10 (11) “…these dolls.”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

Taylor Swift’s fans have another chance to score a golden ticket to her sold out October 26^th show at the Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more on how you can win a pair and help “Mastermind” Ochsner Health’s Neuroscience Institute.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

61-year-old Ronald Britt, a Lafayette commercial truck driver, has been charged with negligent homicide in connection to the super fog pile up on I-55 involving 168 vehicles and seven deaths in St. John the Baptist parish last October. Britt was speeding when he crashed into the back of a vehicle resulting in a chain reaction crash.

Legislation that would allow law enforcement to once again make public the booking photos of adults charged with crimes is making its way to the Senate floor. A law passed in 2022 prevents the release of mug shots of suspects accused of non-violent or minor offenses. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the 2022 law is hurting law enforcement…

Cut 11 (10) “…law enforcement”

Seabaugh says the 2022 law was approved with good intentions, but there is confusion over what can and can’t be released,

Sarah Whittington with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana says mug shots can cause damage for suspects who later found innocent…

Cut  14 (10) “..good character”

Senate Judiciary C Committee approved the bill.

Legislation banning importing, ownership, and trafficking of sex dolls that resemble children passed out of committee Tuesday. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says Homeland Security contacted her about such activity because there aren’t laws in Louisiana to allow law enforcement to take these individuals into custody.

Cut 9 (06) “…arrest anybody.” 

Ochsner Health is raffling off two tickets to see Taylor Swift and raise money for their Neuroscience Institute. Assistant VP of Philanthropy Lucy King says if it’s among your “Wildest Dreams” to see Taylor in “Style,”  don’t “Shake Off” this opportunity.

Cut 4 (10) “…Four Seasons Hotel.” 

You have until “Midnight” April 7^th to purchase the $100 raffle tickets at Ochsner.org backslash eras.