35-year-old Earl Johnson, Jr. of Baton Rouge is charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing death of 34-year-old Janice David that was broadcast on Facebook Live. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation designed to expand the state’s medical-marijuana program. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 35-year-old Earl Johnson, Jr. for the murder of a woman that was broadcast on Facebook Live Monday. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Johnson was already in custody after a chase involving a stolen vehicle when they learned he was a suspect in the brutal stabbing of 34-year-old Janice David.

Cut 3 (12) “…stabbed her.”

McKneely says someone who saw the video notified Facebook and they contacted authorities in Louisiana.

McKneely says East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies located a vehicle with the victim’s body inside and then Baton Rouge Police was informed about the murder in the Sherwood Forest area.

Cut 4  (07) “…the killing.”

McKneely says they received a call Monday at 5 PM about a stolen vehicle before they were notified about the gruesome murder broadcast on Facebook.

Cut 5  (10) “…video.”

Johnson faces First Degree Murder, Theft of a Vehicle, and Aggravated Flight from an Officer charges. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

_________________________________________

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation that would move regulation of the state’s medical-marijuana program from the state’s agriculture department to the Louisiana Department of Health. Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure is in response to criticism the ag department has hindered medical marijuana availability…

Cut 6  (10) “…program overall.” 

Magee says the legislation allows L-D-H to contract with private labs to streamline the testing of medical cannabis. His legislation also allows for the nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacy owners to open more locations…

Cut 7 (09) “…pharmacy locations” 

The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion. But there are medical marijuana patients who believe the bill doesn’t go far enough to help with the supply, access, and cost of medical cannabis. Veteran Tony Landry expressed his concerns…

Cut 8 (12) “…current monopoly.” 

The legislation doesn’t increase the number of licensed growers and pharmacy operators. The bill will allow licensed pharmacy operators to open more than one location.

_____________________________________________________

After 18 years and 17 games, the final Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic will be played tonight at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. The All-SEC third baseman passed away in 2002 at the age of 21. Pontiff’s father, Wally Sr., says the games may be ending, but the mission continues.

Cut 9 (11) “…we’ve been blessed.”

Pontiff says there were simple goals when the family started the Wally Pontiff Jr Foundation in his son’s honor…spread the gospel of LSU baseball to kids in the New Orleans area, and give back to the community that gave so much to them.

Cut 10 (10)  “…he passed away.”

The Pontiff family has been overwhelmed by the support they’ve received over the years, from volunteers and from the university. Wally Sr. says the foundation will be able to continue its work, keeping Wally’s spirit and dream alive.

Cut 11 (12)  “…easy for us.” 

LSU is 12-4 all-time in The Classic, heading into tonight’s matchup with UL  If you’d like to contact or support the Wally Pontiff Jr. Foundation, visit wally-pontiff-j-r-foundation-dot-com.

_____________________________________________________

A Bastrop man is under arrest for allegedly setting two arson fires in Morehouse Parish. An abandoned funeral home and an unoccupied nearby were both torched within an hour of each other on April 3^rd. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says he is 28-year-old Jamie Wall…:

Cut 12 (10) “…criminal trespassing.” 

In the latter fire, the flames grew so hot that a neighboring house was threatened, so first responders evacuated a family of four living there; including two small kids. Rodrigue says it could have been much worse…:

Cut 13 (06) “…from being injured.”

Wall has been charged with aggravated arson for one fire, simple arson for the other, and criminal trespass. Rodrigue credits the Morehouse Sheriff’s Office and Bastrop firefighters, and the public for helping with a speedy arrest…:

Cut 14 (11)  “…without even asking.”

________________________________________________

Cut 15 (11) “…checks and balances system.” 

Cut  16 (07)  “….judicial restraint“

A bill that would allow voters to decide on term limits for assessors is moving forward. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A New Orleans bail bondsman has been arrested related to the storming of the US Capitol on January 6^th last year. 33-year-old Matthew LeBrun is the third Louisianan arrested in connection with the incident.

A bill that would end the death penalty in Louisiana is scheduled for discussion in a Senate Judiciary Committee today. Outspoken death penalty opponent and author of “Dead Man Walking”, Sister Helen Prejean (PRAY-zhon) says public opinion on executions has changed and continues to turn…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…and he won!”

If the bill becomes law executions would end for any person convicted after August 1, 2022

Volunteers are picking up trash across 52 parishes this Love the Boot Week and and Dawn Cantrell with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says they pick up tons of plastic, like bags, takeout containers, and eating utensils. She says they’ve even picked up roofing singles and tarps that weren’t disposed of properly.

Cut  11 (06)  “…imagine.”  

For more information visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful dot org.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending plan for the next fiscal year that contains 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers. Chairman Jerome Zeringue of Houma says if this latest raise makes it through the legislative process, teachers will see their salary go up 33-hundred dollars over the last four years

Cut 6  (09) “…previous three.” 

There’s also a disagreement between the Edwards administration and House Republicans over funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. The governor is proposing to put 500-million dollars towards the construction of a new I-10 bridge that could cost two-point-five billion dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne makes the case why this money is needed now…

Cut 8 (11) “…infrastructure act.” 

A bill to require pornography sites to verify one’s age as a way to prevent minors from accessing their material passes in House Civil Law. President of the Louisiana Family Forum Gene Mills spoke in support of the legislation to require commercial entities that publish material harmful to minors to place reasonable methods to verify the age of those attempting to access their site.

Cut 4  (11) “…child’s development.

The bill now heads to the House

New Orleans representative Mandie Landry says tax assessors should be held to the same standard as the state’s legislators when it comes to term limits and her House Bill 288 would allow voters to decide if the state’s constitution should be amended to make that happen.

Cut 4 (05)  “…encourages and requires turnover.”

The bill passed 7-6 in House Ways and Means.

A bill to reduce a minor’s access to pornography on the internet passes in House Civil Law. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

College tuition continues to rise, but a new study by Tulane University says some students have actually seen their costs go down. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

A bill to require pornography sites to verify one’s age as a way to prevent minors from accessing their material passes in House Civil Law. Bill author, Metairie Representative, and licensed Sex Therapist Laurie Schlegel says children’s exposure to pornography is a growing concern.

Cut 3 (11) “…change course.”

President of the Louisiana Family Forum Gene Mills spoke in support of the legislation to require commercial entities that publish material harmful to minors to place reasonable methods to verify the age of those attempting to access their site.

Cut 4  (11) “…child’s development.”

House Bill 142 requires such entities to verify one’s age and only allow access for individuals 18 and older. Schlegel, who understands the damage of pornography in her profession as a Sex Therapist says it’s imperative, that we reduce access for minors.

Cut 5  (11) “…government interest.”

The bill now heads to the House floor.

_________________________________________

The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending plan today for next fiscal year that contains 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers and 750-dollars for support staff. Chairman Jerome Zeringue of Houma says if this latest raise makes it through the legislative process, teachers would see their salary go up 33-hundred dollars over the last four years

Cut 6  (09) “…previous three.” 

The budget bill also calls for using 500-million dollars in federal pandemic aid to help replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. Another 450-million dollar would be allocated to water systems.

The proposed budget for next year does not contain a 100-dollar increase in supplemental pay for local police and firefighters, despite a recommendation from Governor John Bel Edwards. Zeringue says Louisiana is the only state to provide a salary supplement for local police and firefighters…

Cut 7 (10) “…fire and police” 

There’s also a disagreement between the Edwards administration and House Republicans over funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. The governor is proposing to put 500-million dollars towards the construction of a new I-10 bridge that could cost two-point-five billion dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne makes the case why this money is needed now…

Cut 8 (11) “…infrastructure act.” 

_________________________________________

Tuition at public universities has skyrocketed, with an increase of about 200 percent since the 1980s. However, a new study released by Tulane University and co-authored by assistant economic professor Emily Cook, says that while high and upper-middle-income families are taking a hit, more financial aid is finding its way to low and middle-income students.

Cut 9 (10) “…certain income groups.”

Cook says there haven’t been any significant changes in state or federal aid guidelines, so the driver has been a shift in mindset by institutions as they work to attract more students to campus.

Cut 10 (12)  “…higher-income students.”

Unfortunately, there is still a gap where the funding isn’t always getting to the students it’s intended for. Cook says that there has to be greater awareness of what resources are available to families and what the real cost of education is for students seeking need-based aid.

Cut 11 (10)  “…a concern there.”  

_____________________________________________________

A single-vehicle crash in Rapides Parish Sunday afternoon claims the life of a nine-year-old passenger. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says it appears 30-year-old Angela Jacobs of Marksville lost control of her SUV along Highway 1, just a mile south of Highway 3170. He says one of the four juveniles in the SUV was transferred to a local hospital.

Cut 12 (06) “…Easter Sunday.” 

Wallace says Jacobs was returning home when the accident happened after passing another vehicle along the two-lane highway.

Cut 13 (07) “…embankment.”

Wallace says impairment is not suspected but the crash remains under investigation. He says the driver and all four juvenile passengers were wearing seatbelts.

A bill to require pornography sites to verify one’s age as a way to prevent minors from accessing their material passes in House Civil Law. Bill author, Metairie Representative, and licensed Sex Therapist Laurie Schlegel says children’s exposure to pornography is a growing concern.

Cut 3 (11) “…change course.”

The bill now heads to the House floor.

Tuition at public universities on average has increased about 200 percent since the 80s. But a new study from Tulane University and co-authored by assistant economic professor Emily Cook, says while high and upper-middle-income families are taking a hit, more financial aid is finding its way to low and middle-income students.

Cut 9 (10) “…certain income groups.”

The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending plan today for the next fiscal year that contains 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers, but Chairman Jerome Zeringue of Houma says the proposed budget does not contain a 100-dollar increase in supplemental pay for local police and firefighters, despite a recommendation from the governor. Zeringue says Louisiana is the only state to provide a salary supplement for local police and firefighters…

Cut 7 (10) “…fire and police” 

A bill to raise the compensation rate for school bus drivers will be heard in Senate Finance this afternoon. Bill author Covington Senator Patrick McMath says driver pay rates haven’t changed since the 80s and we owe it to them and the children they transport, so they can properly maintain their vehicles.

Cut 13 (08) “…do that.”

McMath says drivers are leaving as a result.

The House Appropriations Committee has passed the state’s annual budget. Committee Chairman and Houma Republican Representative Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG) says it will provide money for teacher pay raises, enough money for early childhood education, public schools, vouchers, TOPS grants, and for state colleges and universities…:

Cut 5 (13) “…backlog of issues.”

The budget now heads to the House on Thursday.

A bill to raise the pay rate for bus drivers will be heard in Senate Finance this afternoon. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the rates haven’t changed since the 80s and it’s getting more difficult for drivers to maintain the school buses they own, and it’s causing a driver shortage.

Cut 14 (08)  “…this help.”

Today is the deadline to file your federal taxes and David Grubb has tips for procrastinators…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

After five people were shot in Baldwin last night the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance. Authorities were called just before 10:30 last night after a complaint of gunfire in the Rosebud Road and Baptiste Street area of Baldwin.

Today is the deadline to file your federal tax return. Metairie CPA John Theriot says mailing your return today could be risky…especially if you’re dropping it in the nearest mailbox. Theriot says the best way to avoid taking that chance is by going online.

Cut 9 (13)  “…postmarked today.”

For E-file options and forms, visit irs.gov.

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the unemployment rate for March in Louisiana reached its lowest point in 14 years at 4.2-percent. But economist Loren Scott says many employers continue to need employees and for some reason, people are not returning to the workforce.

Cut 10 (07) “…in April of ’20.”

House Appropriations Committee is expected to finish its work on the state’s annual budget, before sending it to the full House for debate. Committee Chairman and Houma Republican Representative Jerome Zeringue says with the additional one-time federal money, the committee has been careful to plan to use a portion for building a new Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge, a new I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles and other projects…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…as best we can.”

A bill to raise the compensation rate for school bus drivers will be heard in Senate Finance today. Bill author Covington Senator Patrick McMath says driver pay rates haven’t changed since the 1980s and we owe it to them and the children they transport, so they can properly maintain their vehicles.

Cut 13 (08) “…do that.”

He says many bus drivers are leaving the profession as a result.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says five homeowners’ insurance providers are facing fines of more than three-quarters of a million dollars due to 44 instances of noncompliant practices from the last two hurricane seasons. All five had a common thread of noncompliance.

Cut 13 (12) “…they had suffered.”

State police arrest a 60-year-old man for negligent homicide because he was distracted by his phone and crashed. Trooper Kate Stegall says it happened February 27^th at an I-10 exit in Metairie. She says the victims were outside their cars discussing a crash between their vehicles when Manuel Llorens approached.

Cut 6  (08) “…occurred.” 

The full Senate approves a bill to allow certified teachers who retired before July 1, 2020, to return to the classroom without losing their state retirement benefits. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says he’s trying to alleviate a teacher shortage…

Cut 9 (12) “..department of education”

The state is short about 25-hundred certified public-school teachers.

Two years of COVID restrictions, many folks are happy to get out and enjoy Easter Sunday church services again this year.  LSU Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says the feeling of a return to normalcy is most welcome…:

Cut 5  (11) “…joy to a lot of people.”

The full Senate has approved a bill that would allow certified teachers who retired before July 1, 2020, to return to the classroom without losing their state retirement benefits. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says he’s trying to alleviate a teacher shortage…

Cut 9 (12) “..department of education”

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state is short about 25-hundred certified public-school teachers.

As churches prepare for Easter services this Sunday, large crowds are anticipated as this will be the first Easter since pandemic restrictions have been relaxed. Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says parishioners could experience a sense of normalcy this Easter.

Cut 3 (08) “…two years.”

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss, but aren’t worried it will affect them personally.

In Northwest Louisiana, the National Weather Service confirms a third tornado touched down in Hosston Tuesday. The Hosston twister was rated an EF-0.  The first tornado, an EF-1 touched down in Benton and a second in Shreveport near the LSUS campus for a total of three twisters in a four-minute span.

The state police investigation of the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette finds the suspect, 18-year-old Trevon Bonner shot at officers first after barricading himself in his home as they tried to serve an attempted murder warrant. Trooper Thomas Gossen says this is based on interviews with officers on the scene and body camera footage.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the better.”

Bonner later died at a local hospital early Thursday.

New COVID cases are up about 10% across the country in the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks…

Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.” 
He says closer to home cases remain relatively flat. Yesterday the state reported 504 new cases.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” indicates two-thirds of respondents felt hurricanes hitting the Bayou State are stronger than ever. And while those storms often cause flooding, Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says only about 40-percent say flooding was worse in recent years…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in the past.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans.

Easter is a big weekend for crawfish boils and there are plenty of mudbugs to go around this season. And as the summer rains keep the ground wet, oxygen levels will rise, and crawfish will be even more active. LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz…

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the season.”