The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the final time during this legislative session and the panel never took up the House-approved constitutional convention bill. Chairman and Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says Senators disagree on the need for a constitutional convention…

Cut 9 (04) “…uncertain.” 

We’re in what could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislation session. While lawmakers are hoping to wrap up business on Friday, they must adjourn by 6 PM on Monday June 3^rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are still some big items left to tackle.

Cut 6  (09) “…this Friday. ” 

The Senate still must vote on the state budget and any changes must be approved by the House before final passage.

Legislation has been signed into law making it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement.
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
The ACLU opposes the law claiming it hinders the ability to hold police accountable and it violates a citizen’s First Amendment rights.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 is heading to Normandy, France. to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. President of the New Orleans school Aulston Taylor says the students are excited and ready for this incredible journey.

Cut 3 (12) “…over on Monday.” 

The band members also visited the National WWII Museum to learn more about D-Day, June 6, 1944

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told that person not to come any closer. The measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable…
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison.

The search continues for two inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail over the weekend. Chief Jimmy Travis says 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian may have left the state…
cut 6 (06) “….armed bobbery”
Travis says they broke through a corroded piece of chain-link fence, crawled under an eight-inch gap in a wall and scaled two razor-wire fences.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says the bill amended the list of approved items of how the money can be spent on school-related expenses.

Cut 11 (08) “..things arise.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Jeff Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that would make it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a police officer after they order you to stand back. Bill author, Representative Bryonn Fontenot of Thibodaux.

Cut 13 (09)  “…protect us.”

Fontenot says that violence against police officers is on the rise.

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail this weekend are still at large.  19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian remain on the run.   Chief Jimmy Travis says Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s offices takes responsibility.

Cut 4 (10) “…strand of wire.”

Travis also says inadequate head counts, manpower shortages, and insufficient experience and training as factors contributing to the escape.

Nicholls is in an NCAA Regional for a second consecutive season. Pitcher Jacob Mayers says seeing their name re-appear on the selection show was a thrill…

Cut 18 (11)  “…this year.”

Nicholls will play UC Irvine at 3pm in Corvallis, Organ.

Two of the four inmates who escaped from the Tangiaphoa Parish jail remain on the large. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangiaphoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says unfortunately they did not learn about their escape until they received a call from one of the inmates relatives…
cut 5 (11) “…seeking shelter”
Travis says it’s very concerning that the guards at the jail didn’t realize four inmates were missing. He blames it on manpower shortages and insufficient experience and training. 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian are still at large.

Louisiana is the first state to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide. Governor Jeff Landry …
cut 9 (11) “…limited”
Nitrous oxide can be used in food preparation, but some were using it as a party drug.

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach an officer while they are conducting an investigation or making an arrest and they’ve told that person not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers…
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable, it is impractical to enforce, and violates a citizen’s 1st amendment rights.
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine under the new law.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry has already signed a law that bans the retail sale of nitrous oxide. It’s currently sold at convenience stores for food preparation, but Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni says some are using it to get high…
cut 8 (10) “….recreational drugs”
The new law will go into effect August 1st.

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the Memorial Day weekend are still on the loose. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two people are dead after a fishing barge capsized in the Pirates Cove area of Toledo Bend Lake. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s office says there were six people on the barge and four swam to safety. The bodies of two people who drowned have been recovered.

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…
Cut 10 (13) “…funds allow.”
Supporters of the legislation have been changing the bill to alleviate concerns that this expanded voucher program will be too costly.

Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill that gives law enforcement a twenty-five-foot buffer from the public when they are attempting to make an arrest or performing an investigation is signed into law.
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two of the four men who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the Memorial Day weekend are still on the loose.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana is the first state to ban the sale of nitrous oxide. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Thibodaux Representative Brian Fontenot’s bill that gives law enforcement and twenty-five-foot buffer from the public is signed into law.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

___________________________________________

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail this weekend are still at large.  19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian are still at large. broke through a corroded piece of chain-link fence, crawled under an 8-inch gap in a wall, and scaled two razor-wire fences. Chief Jimmy Travis…

Cut 4 (10) “…strand of wire.”

Travis also says lack of supervision, inadequate head counts, manpower shortages, and insufficient experience and training as factors contributing to the escape.

Two of the four have been apprehended.

Cut 5 (11) “…seeking shelter.” 

Travis says they were turned away by family members and then were alerted by the family of their escape.

The two men are considered armed and dangerous.

Cut 6 (06) “…armed robbery.”

Travis says Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office accepts full responsibility.

_______________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, as a party drug.

Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”

Nitrous oxide has a high chance for abuse due to its quick high and ease of access. Stagni says the law is meant to help tackle that by restricting the public’s ability to get their hands on it.

Cut 8 (10) “…recreational drugs.” 

Landry voiced his support for the law as he was signing it, saying…

Cut 9 (11)  “…limited.”

The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

_________________________________________________________________

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…

Cut 10 (13) “…funds allow.”

Emerson says the bill also amended the list of approved items of how the money can be spent on school-related expenses.

Cut 11 (08) “..things arise.”

And the allocation amounts were removed from the bill and Emerson says BESE will oversee that. She says they also added specific reporting requirements for BESE to present to the legislature annually.

Cut 12 (09) “…that nature.” 

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Jeff Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.

______________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that would make it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a police officer after they order you to stand back. Bill author, Representative Brian Fontenot of Thibodeaux.

Cut 13 (09)  “…protect us.”

Fontenot says that violence against police officers is on the rise.

Cut 14 (08)  “…an arrest on.”

ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops Louisianians’ ability to hold police accountable, impractical to enforce, and violates a citizen’s 1^st amendment rights.

Cut 15 (10)  “…enforcement accountable.”

Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine under the new law.

___________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is preparing to play Kansas State on Friday night in the Fayetteville Regional. Arkansas and Southeast Missouri will play in the first game of the Regional. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says there are connections between all four schools..

Cut 16 (14) “…to go around.” 

Burroughs says the Wildcats will be a good test…

Cut 17 (17) “…players.”

_______________________________________________________

Nicholls is in an NCAA Regional for a second consecutive season. Pitcher Jacob Mayers says seeing their name re-appear on the selection show was a thrill…

Cut 18 (11)  “…this year.”

Mayers says they have enough pitching to make a deep run in the Corvallis, Oregon Regional…

Cut 19 (10) “…we have.” 

___________________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (20) “…our brand.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing session Tuesday. He officially signed the measure last Friday. Bill sponsor Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly explained the bill amid cries from his baby niece.

Cut 6  (09) “…Schedule IV drug. ” 

More than 200 doctors signed a letter in opposition warning it could make it harder to prescribe the drugs, which have other reproductive healthcare uses.

Language in the law protects pregnant women who obtain the drugs without a prescription for personal use. The law has been hotly contested across the country, which Landry mentioned at the signing.

Cut 8 (09)  “…measure.” 

The new law will take effect October 1st.

Governor Landry also signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, as a party drug.

Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…

Cut 10 (12) “…funds allow.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.