With peak road construction season upon us, DOTD is urging you to please pay extra attention and use extra caution when going through work zones. This is National Work Zone Awareness Week; and this year’s theme is, “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Lisa Freeman, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says construction workers are putting their lives on the line for the safety of the rest of us.

Cut 9 (10)  “…roads more navigable.”

A 16-year-old girl is shot and killed in Caddo Parish. It happened last night inside a home in Vivian. 17-year-old Wyatt Sanders and another 16-year-old girl are each facing charges, including negligent homicide and illegal possession of a handgun. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Breck Scott says the circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.

Cut 14 (03) “…to the juvenile.”

People of all religions, not just Catholics, are mourning the death of Pope Francis this Easter Monday.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The pontiff was 88 years old.

It was 15 years ago yesterday when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off Louisiana’s coast sending 134 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the worst offshore oil spill in the nation’s history. Eleven workers were killed, five of the victims were from Louisiana.

Christians are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. LSU Professor of Religion Michael Pasquier says there will be a time of mourning and after his funeral, bishops from around the world will meet behind closed doors to choose the next pope…

Cut 8 (12) “…Catholic Church”

State Police say a police pursuit in Alexandria on Saturday resulted in two people dying. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says police tried pulling the Jeep early Saturday morning along the U-S 165 frontage road and the vehicle took off. Wallace says the Jeep partially submerged in a bayou, and 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite and 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville were ejected from the vehicle. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Wallace says it’s unclear which one was the driver.

Cut 5 (06) “…a normal crash.”

DOTD has a message for all you drivers – “Respect the zone so we all go home.” Andrew Greenstein is at DOTD headquarters in Baton Rouge with more.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week a campaign that encourages drivers to slow down in work zones. Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation Jason Hazelton urges drivers to slow down, stay alert, and be mindful.

Cut 7 (08) “…behind the wheel.”

Two are dead after crashing their Jeep while speeding away from pursuing troopers in Alexandria. State Police Master Trooper Casey Wallace says police tried pulling the Jeep over early Saturday morning along the U.S. 165 frontage road.

Cut 3 (11) “…improper lane usage.”

Wallace says the driver would not slow down and it eventually ended up in a bayou. 33-year-old Aaron Watson of Amite and 30-year-old Brandon Wright of Pineville were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

State Lawmakers are considering a bill to increase state funding for TOPS scholarship recipients, which would increase the award amounts. But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver opposes the proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….

Cut 14 (07) “…going not more”

The TOPS funding bill is awaiting discussion in the House Appropriations Committee.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. In a social media post this morning Governor Jeff Landry said he and his wife Sharon join Christians around the world in praying for Prop Francis and the Church at this time. Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says Pope Francis was a man of humility, compassion and justice.

There’s a push in this legislative session to increase the scholarship award amounts for TOPS recipients. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

15 years ago, yesterday, the Deepwater Horizon Oil rig exploded, resulting in the nation’s largest oil spill in U-S history. It took 87 days to cap the well, causing a long-lasting impact on the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the Plaquemines Parish President at the time, and he remembers a lack of leadership, which inspired him to run for Lt. Governor…

Cut 11 (10) “…do to help?”
The explosion also killed 11 workers on the rig.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley has brought back his bill that seeks to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an inspection sticker. State Police has opposed the bill in the past, because it would result in a loss of revenue for the L-S-P. Bagley says he’s addressed State Police’s concerns by increasing vehicle registration fees by ten-dollars…

Cut 5 (04) “…inspection sticker”

The bill is awaiting debate in House Transportation.

It was 15 years ago Sunday when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded off the coast of Louisiana, killing 11 people and sending 134 million gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish at the time and is still upset with the Coast Guard, who he believes wasted a lot of time when people were trying save marine wildlife…

Cut 12 (10) “…never understood that”

The BP oil spill goes down as the worst offshore oil spill in the nation’s history.

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week and this year’s theme, “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home.” Jason Hazelton with the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation says the most recent statistics show 891 people died in road construction in the United States, six fatal work zone crashes occurred in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (05) “…when we’re driving.”

The State Capitol is quiet today as lawmakers get an extended break for the Easter holiday. They will soon begin debate on a bill that seeks to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an inspection sticker. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says an inspection sticker is not needed when a police officer already has the authority to pull over an unsafe vehicle…

Cut 6 (12) “..go get it”

Bagley says it’s inconvenient for people to get an inspection sticker every two years or ever year for motorists in the Baton Rouge area.

The House Appropriations Committee will soon discuss a bill that increases funding for TOPS as Ruston Representative Christopher Turner wants to increase the Awards Amount and he’s also seeking to create a new scholarship award called the Excellence Award…

Cut 15 (13) “…four year universities”

The House Education Committee has already approved the proposal.

Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Caddo Parish Sheriff deputies say a 17-year-old girl was fatally shot in Vivian last night at a home on Pardue Street. Investigators are gathering information to determine the circumstances and whether foul play was involved.

State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

State Police opposed Bagley’s bill in the past because they would lose funding if motorists were not required to have an inspection sticker. Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees, maintaining funding without the need for inspection stickers.

Lawmakers are considering a bill to increase state funding for TOPS scholarship recipients, which would increase the award amounts. But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver opposes the proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….

Cut 14 (07) “…going not more”

The TOPS funding bill is awaiting discussion in the House Appropriations Committee.

Sunday marked the 15 year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill off the Louisiana coast. It was on April 20th, 2010 that the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish back then. He remembers the sheer chaos in the response. He says he found himself fighting BP and the consultants more than fighting the oil.

Cut 10 (15) “…the main passes.”

Louisiana has its first case of measles for 2025. It’s an adult resident from the New Orleans area and that person is in isolation while receiving treatment in a hospital. The Louisiana Department of Health says the patient’s exposure to measles appears to be linked to international travel and L-D-H is working to identify and notify those who have come contact with the infected individual.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate vehicle inspection stickers,,,

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

There’s an effort to increase the award amounts for TOPS recipients. It’s held steady since the 2016-17 school year. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner’s bill would increase state funding for the TOPS scholarship program by 50 million dollars. Turner says the scholarship amount needs to be increased, because college costs are rising…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Nicholls.”

House Education has approved the bill but also needs House Appropriations approval before getting a full debate on the House floor.

This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Jeanne Burns…

State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

State Police opposed Bagley’s bill in the past because they would lose funding if motorists did not have to pay for an inspection sticker. Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees, maintaining funding without the need for inspection stickers.

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1st. Only 13 states require annual inspections, with six, including Louisiana, requiring them every other year.

There’s an effort in the legislative session to increase the award amounts for TOPS recipients. It’s held steady since the 2016-17 school year. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner’s bill would increase state funding for the TOPS scholarship program by 50 million dollars. Turner says the scholarship amount needs to be increased, because college costs a lot more than it did when he went to school…

Cut 13 (11)  “…Nicholls.”

But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver is against Turner’s proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….

Cut 14 (07) “…going no more.”

The House Education Committee has approved the bill. It still needs to be reviewed by Appropriations before it gets a vote on the House floor.

I’m Jeanne Burns with the Legislative Report on the Louisiana Radio Network.