The 2025 Legislative session wrapped up with some sweeping changes made to state government, and state law. Sean Richardson has more.
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Attorney General Liz Murrill is hailing the passage of a bill aimed at speeding up the post-conviction relief process, with an emphasis on death penalty cases. Colleen Crain reports.
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Bill Pearson will be one of many hoping for an extra special Father’s Day present in Omaha this weekend, but as the father of two LSU Tigers, his gift may be a cut above the rest. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
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The 2025 Legislative session is in the books, and Leaders for a Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin calls it a significant session. Erwin says the highlight is legal changes to how car crashes are handled in court, hoping it will bring down insurance rates.
Cut 4 (09) “…we go forward.”
One of the last acts of the legislature was the decision to take 1.2 billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Fund, which is a savings account for the state and allocate hundreds of millions of dollars for road improvement, economic development initiatives and improving local water systems.
Erwin says legislation was also approved to reorganize the state Department of Transportation.
Cut 5 (09) “…more effectively.”
On the final day of the session, the legislature approved a bill that expands the TOPS scholarship program, creating a new “excellence” level. Erwin says students with an ACT of 31 or higher will receive higher scholarship amounts in an effort to combat the brain drain…
Cut 6 (09) “…places in Mississippi.”
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Attorney General Liz Murrill is hailing the passage of House Bill 675. That’s the bill by Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso that speeds up the post-conviction relief process in which inmates seek to have their sentences shortened or overturned. It accomplishes this by setting tighter deadlines for judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys handling post-conviction relief petitions. Murrill says this is a huge win for the families of the victims of heinous crimes.
Cut 7 (10) “…in our state.”
While its main focus is on death penalty cases, Glorioso’s bill is much more encompassing. Murrill says it ends the process of drawing out the appeals process for years and even decades.
Cut 8 (09) “…that from happening.”
Murrill says the longer these cases drag on, the longer the families of the victims are traumatized.
Cut 9 (09) “…see this through.”
Opponents say the bill would place too many burdens on prisoners who usually have few resources to pursue post-conviction relief. Murrill rejects that notion, saying the opposition usually comes from those opposed to the death penalty. The bill is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature.
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Governor Landry hails the legislative session as a huge success.
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In a video posted to social media immediately after the session adjourned sine die, Landry said the legislature accomplished a lot over the last 60 days.
Cut 11 (13) “…not against you.”
And Landry said the legislature put the people of the state on a path to live healthier lives.
Cut 12 (08) “…generations to come.”
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Bill Pearson will be just one of thousands of LSU fans descending on Omaha this weekend, but his perspective will be unlike any other. This Father’s Day weekend, he’ll get to watch his two sons, Josh and John in the College World Series. Senior outfielder Josh Pearson has been an outstanding outfielder and clutch hitter for the Tigers.
Cut 13 (08) “…just so fast.”
Bill watched Josh’s heroics help LSU win a championship in 2023, but this will be the first time he’s seen two sons in Omaha. Freshman first baseman John hasn’t seen much diamond time this year, but Bill says Josh has helped his younger brother stay patient.
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Along with wife Anna and older son Jacob, who was selected in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft, the family operates the Pearson Baseball Academy in West Monroe. Bill says he loves watching young players achieve their dreams.
Cut 15 (11) “…kind of surreal.”
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LSU will face Arkansas in their first game of the College World series tomorrow. The Tigers bats have been alive this postseason, averaging over ten runs a game. The trip to Omaha, however, will be their first time leaving the comfort of the Box, where LSU has been a different team. Coach Jay Johnson says this offense can produce in many different ways.
Cut 16 (19) “…throughout the year.”
LSU won the regular season series at home against the Razorbacks two games to one, including a 5-to-4 10-inning win. Arkansas ace Zach Root will return to the mound for revenge against the Tigers tomorrow. Root has an 8-and-5 record with a 3.59 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 17 starts. LSU slugging first baseman Jared Jones says the Razorbacks have one of the best pitching staffs in the country.
Cut 17 (19) “…to the plate.”
One of the many challenges of the College World Series is the possibility of having to battle back from the loser’s bracket and play four straight days of baseball. That’s exactly what LSU had to do on their 2023 championship run, and Johnson says the Tigers are ready for whatever Omaha has to offer.
Cut 18 (18) “…for anything.”
First pitch between the Tigers and Razorbacks is set for 6:00.
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ULM announced it will be hiring Bossier City native Ford Pemberton as its new head baseball coach. Pemberton spent the last two seasons with Memphis as the Tigers’ hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. He previously served in the same roles at Southeastern Louisiana. Pemberton says he’ll start his tenure in Monroe by building a quality staff.
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The Warhawks finished at the bottom of the Sun Belt this season with an 8-and-22 conference record. Pemberton says he wants to emphasize player recruitment and development, both physically and mentally. He believes, with the help of the Monroe community, he can turn a struggling ULM program around.
Cut 20 (19) “…get going.”