With only two weeks left in the session, the Legislature approves a record 38 billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. Senate President Page Cortez says because of federal assistance there were a lot of things they could accomplish so lawmakers didn’t argue about the little things.

Cut 12 (08)   “…Senate.” 

Despite frequent talk of increasing early childhood education funding, no additional dollars were allocated.

A human skull found in Cameron Parish more than three years ago has been identified as a missing 58-year old San Antonio woman. Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson says it was a computer-generated image of the head that led a concerned citizen to connect the dots and dental records confirmed the findings.

Cut 9 (11) “…Sally Hines.”

After 15 seasons and a national championship at LSU, baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is retiring as a head coach. 63-year old Mainieri led the Tigers to the College World Series five times, winning it all in 2009 and finishing as a runner-up in 2017. But his critics say Mainieri didn’t win enough national titles like Skip Bertman, who won five titles. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…

Cut 4 (08) “…great job.” 

The roadways will be crowded this Memorial Day weekend and state officials want you to be alert and drive safe. Louisiana Transportation Department spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in 2020 over 800 people died on Louisiana roadways. Mallett hopes they do not surpass that number this year, despite traffic volume up over last year.

Cut 7 (9) “…that trend downwards” 

A human skull found in Cameron Parish more than three years ago has been identified as missing 58-year old Sally Hines of Texas. Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson says San Antonio police, who took the initial missing person report, is leading the investigation and many questions remain unanswered.

Cut 11 (08) “…the body.”

With two weeks left in the session, the Legislature approves a record 38 billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. Senate President Page Cortez highlighted a few of the major investments they were able to make thanks to the American Rescue Act Assistance, including infrastructure.

Cut 13 (11)“..lines”

The unemployment trust fund was also replenished with 490 million dollars.

After 15 seasons and one national championship at LSU, baseball coach Paul Mainieri is stepping down. Mainieri has the most career victories among active Division one coaches, but his team had a losing record in SEC play this year. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the 63-year-old is also dealing with health issues…

Cut 3 (10)  “…left to prove.” 

Millions of drivers are expected to hit the roadway this Memorial Day weekend and the Louisiana Transportation Department advises travelers to exercise extra caution. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says 330 people have lost their lives in fatal crashes this year in Louisiana so put down the phone and buckle up to prevent more fatalities…

Cut 6 (8) “…they’re used too”

Last year more than 800 were killed in traffic fatalities in Louisiana.

The Legislature sends a 38-billion dollar spending plan to Governor Edwards’ desk, a record amount buoyed by federal coronavirus aid.  Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

A Scott man was arrested for allegedly fatally shooting his dog and posting video of the shooting on Snapchat. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says 23-year old Issac Gotreaux was arrested Tuesday and faces charges of cruelty to animals and unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety or publicity

After 15 seasons and a national championship at LSU, baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is retiring as a head coach. 63-year old Mainieri led the Tigers to the College World Series five times, winning it all in 2009 and finishing as a runner-up in 2017. But his critics say Mainieri didn’t win enough national titles like Skip Bertman, who won five titles. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…

Cut 4 (08) “…great job.” 

The roadways will be crowded this Memorial Day weekend and state officials want you to be alert and drive safe. Louisiana Transportation Department spokesperson Rodney Mallet says in 2020 over 800 drivers died in Louisiana. Mallett hopes they do not surpass that number this year, despite traffic volume up over last year.

Cut 7 (9) “…that trend downwards” 

After 15 seasons and one national championship at LSU, Paul Mainieri has announced he’s retiring as a college baseball coach. Mainieri has the most career victories among active Division one coaches, but his team had a losing record in SEC play this year. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the 63-year-old is also dealing with health issues…

Cut 3 (10)  “…left to prove.” 

With two weeks left in the session, the Legislature approves a record 38-billion-dollar spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. Senate President Page Cortez says because of federal assistance there were a lot of things they could accomplish so lawmakers didn’t argue about the little things.

Cut 12 (08)   “…Senate.” 

Despite frequent talk of increasing early childhood education funding, no additional dollars were allocated to it.

A human skull found in Cameron Parish more than three years ago has been identified as 58-year-old Sally Hines of San Antonio. Cameron Parish Sheriff Ron Johnson says it was a local woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw a computer-generated image of what the skull would resemble in person that connected the dots.

Cut 10 (11) “…at zero.

A clean-up crew found the head on highway 27 between Hackberry and Holly Beach in March of 2018.

Millions of are expected to hit the roadway this Memorial Day weekend and the Louisiana Transportation Department advises travelers to exercise extra caution. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says 330 people have been killed in fatal crashes this year so put down the phone and buckle up…

Cut 6 (8) “…they’re used too”

Last year over 800 drivers died in Louisiana.

A House committee rejects an effort to provide a path to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates who were convicted on non-unanimous verdicts before the practice was deemed racist and unconstitutional. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A human skull found March 2018 along Highway 27 in Cameron Parish has been positively identified as a Texas woman who went missing in December of 2017. The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office says investigators used dental records to identify 58-year old Sally Ann Hines of San Antonio.

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girl’s and women’s sports passes in the House 77-17. Jefferson Representative Laurie Schlegel says the bill seeks to protect biological females and ensure a fair competitive environment. Opponents are concerned the bill would cause unintended economic consequences. New Orleans Representative Royce DuPlessis says businesses might be less likely to invest in Louisiana if this makes it into law…

Cut 11 (08) “…our business there.”
Schlegel says this won’t be an issue since states who have already passed similar legislation are hosting sponsored sporting events…

Cut 12 (07) “…Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee.”

That bill is expected to be vetoed by the Governor.

Protestors marched at the state capitol demanding justice for the death of Ronald Greene. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation that would have provided a pathway to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates with settled cases who were convicted non-unanimously is defeated in a House committee. Promise of Justice lawyer Jamila Johnson says her organization represents two-thirds of the 1,500 people in jail on non-unanimous convictions. She says their convictions were part of a racist policy.
Cut 5 (06)”…clients are Black.”

Police reform legislation covering a number of bases from body camera activation policies to duty to intervene, and even bans on chokeholds is headed to the Governor’s desk.
The bill is the result of a policing policy reform task force established last year after the George Floyd Protests. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says it’s the result of a lot of discussion…
Cut 14 (06) “…final passage.”

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girl’s and women’s sports passes in the House 77-17.
Opponents are concerned the bill would cause unintended economic consequences. New Orleans Representative Royce DuPlessis says businesses might be less likely to invest in Louisiana if this makes it into law…
Cut 11 (08) “…our business there.”

That bill is expected to be voted by the Governor.

A House committee rejects an effort to provide a path to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates who were convicted on non-unanimous verdicts before the practice was deemed racist and unconstitutional. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A temporary state sales tax levied back in 2018 may become permanent after a late amendment was tacked on to the medical marijuana bill. It is a nearly half-cent tax that was added a few years back which is set to expire. The money will be earmarked to repair and maintain state highways and bridges.

Some 200 protestors marched at the State Capitol Thursday demanding justice in the death of Ronald Greene, the black man who died during a 2019 traffic arrest in Union Parish by state troopers. Civil rights activists along with members of Greene’s family are calling on swift action to be taken for those responsible for his death.
Attorneys for the Greene family say they were initially told he died from injuries in a car crash after Greene led officers on a chase that ended in Union Parish. Body camera footage however later emerged showing Greene crying out he’s sorry as officers repeatedly punched, dragged, and used a stun gun on him while he was restrained.
Greene’s mother Mona Hardin joined protestors at the Capitol and thanked them for their support.
Cut 8 (03) “…murdered.”

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girl’s and women’s sports passes in the House 77-17. Jefferson Representative Laurie Schlegel says the bill seeks to protect biological females and ensure a fair competitive environment…
Cut 10 (07) “…no longer exist.”

Legislation that would have provided a pathway to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates with settled cases who were convicted non-unanimously is defeated in a House committee.
New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says Louisiana voters already deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional going forward, and that decision should be retroactive…
Cut 4 (09)”…today.”

Some 200 protestors marched at the State Capitol Thursday demanding justice in the death of Ronald Greene, the black man who died during a 2019 traffic arrest in Union Parish by state troopers. Civil rights activists along with members of Greene’s family are calling on swift action to be taken for those responsible for his death. Eugene Collins with the NAACP…
Cut 7 (05) “…right now (cheering).”

Attorneys for the Greene family say they were initially told he died from injuries in a car crash after Greene led officers on a chase that ended in Union Parish.

The House passes a bill banning K-12 and college trans athletes from participating in sports designated for biological females. Erik Piccoli has the story.

A House committee rejects an effort to provide a path to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates who were convicted on non-unanimous verdicts before the practice was deemed racist and unconstitutional. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Protestors marched at the state capitol demanding justice for the death of Ronald Greene. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

The House passes a bill banning K-12 and college trans athletes from participating in sports designated for biological females. Erik Piccoli has the story.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

____________________________

Legislation that would have provided a pathway to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates with settled cases who were convicted non-unanimously is defeated in a House committee.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says Louisiana voters already deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional going forward, and that decision should be retroactive…

Cut 4 (09)”…today.”

The US Supreme Court has also deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional but earlier this month ruled that states are not mandated to retry settled non-unanimous convictions.

Promise of Justice lawyer Jamila Johnson says her organization represents two-thirds of the 1,500 people in jail on non-unanimous convictions. She says their convictions were part of a racist policy.

Cut 5 (06)”…clients are Black.”

In its ruling that deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional the Supreme Court agreed that Louisiana’s non-unanimous felony convictions law was rooted in racist Jim Crow policy.

No one spoke against the bill in committee but it is opposed by the District Attorneys Association who say 1,500 retrials would be difficult, costly and harm victims. Johnson says that’s no excuse.

Cut 6 (10)”…or the judge.”

The final vote was 7-5.

_____________________________

Some 200 protestors marched at the State Capitol Thursday demanding justice in the death of Ronald Greene, the black man who died during a 2019 traffic arrest in Union Parish by state troopers. Civil rights activists along with members of Greene’s family are calling on swift action to be taken for those responsible for his death.  Eugene Collins with the NAACP…

Cut 7 (05)  “…right now (cheering).”

Attorneys for the Greene family say they were initially told he died from injuries in a car crash after Greene led officers on a chase that ended in Union Parish. Body camera footage however later emerged showing Greene crying out he’s sorry as officers repeatedly punched, dragged, and used a stun gun on him while he was restrained.

Greene’s mother Mona Hardin joined protestors at the Capitol and thanked them for their support.

Cut 8 (03) “…murdered.”

Baton Rouge Activist Gary Chambers called out elected leaders for allowing the cover-up of Greene’s death to go on for so long and put them on alert for not arresting the officers responsible for his death.

Cut 9 (13) “…for months.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement that he met with Hardin on Thursday and pledged that the state police are cooperating with the Union Parish District Attorney and the US Department of Justice in their investigations.  ___________________________________

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girl’s and women’s sports passes in the House 77-17. Jefferson Representative Laurie Schlegel says the bill seeks to protect biological females and ensure a fair competitive environment…

Cut 10 (07) “…no longer exist.”

Opponents are concerned the bill would cause unintended economic consequences. New Orleans Representative Royce DuPlessis says businesses might be less likely to invest in Louisiana if this makes it into law…

Cut 11 (08) “…our business there.”

Schlegel says this won’t be an issue since states who have already passed similar legislation are hosting sponsored sporting events…

Cut 12 (07) “…Arkansas, Alabama, Tennesse.”

The bill has also been called discriminatory. Orleans representative Aimee Freeman says the legislation threatens to alienate an already vulnerable community…

Cut 13 (08) “…positive for them.”

The bill is headed to the governor’s desk where it’s expected to be vetoed.

___________________________________

Police reform legislation covering a number of bases from body camera activation policies, to duty to intervene, and even bans on chokeholds is headed to the Governor’s desk.

The bill is the result of a policing policy reform task force established last year after the George Floyd Protests. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says it’s the result of a lot of discussion…

Cut 14 (06) “…final passage.”

There was concern about the legislation’s limits on law enforcement’s authority to conduct nighttime no-knock warrants. James says it’s still allowed, but the process that must be followed to do so is now stricter…

Cut 15 (09)“…protect life.”

The bill, by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, cleared the House 97-1. The lone vote against came from Haughton Representative Dodie Horton. It cleared the Senate unanimously.

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his death in police custody in 2019 be charged criminally. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says he spoke with the Union Parish prosecutor today who told him they would seek criminal accountability for the officers “in due time”.

Cut 12 (10)   “…murder.” 

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this wasn’t an easy decision for House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Cut 3 (11)  “…shouldn’t be removed.” 

Covington Representative Mark Wright will chair the meeting for the remainder of the session.

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says Louisiana needs to keep up with other states that have already passed similar legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “…form of it.”

The bill now heads to the house floor.

Legislation mandating the National Anthem be played before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state passes in the House. Albany Representative Sherman Mack present the bill and was questioned by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman if the bill is even enforceable.

Cut 9 (06) “…that’s correct.”

The bill passed on a 74-11 vote and now returns to the Senate.