An EF3 tornado ripped through the village of Palmetto in St. Landry Parish early Saturday morning, claiming one life, and damaging 25 homes. Parish President Jesse Bellard (Bell-ard) encourages those with storm damage to report it to Damage.LA.Gov so the state can access the destruction and possibly receive funding.

Cut 4 (08) “…assessment.” 

The St. Landry Parish Foundation is also collecting funds to assist with sending the body of the one fatality back to his family in Mexico.

Louisiana could be in line for billions of dollars in federal “infrastructure” aid under President Biden’s over two trillion-dollar American Jobs Plan. Biden says Louisiana is in need, giving the state a D+ grade on the Infrastructure Report Card. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson doesn’t dispute that appraisal.

Cut 9 (10) “…years.”

A New Orleans lawmaker files legislation requiring college university employees who fail to properly report incidents of “power-based violence” such as sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence to be terminated. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The 2021 legislative session begins today and at 6 o’clock tonight, Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver a state of the state address at Southern University’s Mumford Stadium. Tax reform will be a dominant issue, but Edwards says any changes to the tax code should be revenue-neutral and he does not believe it will be a good idea to reduce taxes…

Cut 10 (10) “..tax.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the session to be dominated by debate over how to allocate billions in federal pandemic aid. There are several controversial culture war topics on the docket including trans issues, marijuana legalization, prison labor, and teaching about systemic racism, but ultimately…

Cut 4 (11)“…happens”

Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder wants to simplify the tax code to make it easier for small businesses and citizens to operate. Schexnayder says the sales tax would stay the same…

Cut 13 (09) “…part of it.”
Schexnayder says the state is missing out on a substantial amount of revenue from internet sales.

There’s a bill calling for the automatic termination of any higher education employee who fails to properly report incidents of “power-based violence” to the campus Title Nine coordinator. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her legislation is in response to LSU’s failure to properly handle incidents of sexual misconduct.

Cut 7 (11)  “…terminated.”

Power-based violence is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Governor Edwards will kick off the 2021 Legislative session at 6PM with a speech at Southern University’s Mumford Stadium. Edwards will push for legislation to close the state’s gender pay gap, which he says remains among the worst in the country, and to end discriminatory practices in setting auto insurance rates.

Cut 11 (05) “…record.”

A bill is filed that would result in automatic termination of any post-secondary employee who fails to properly report incidents of “power-based violence” to the campus Title Nine coordinator. STAR legal director Morgan Lamandre says under this law if you receive knowledge that someone has committed an act of power-based violence, you must report it.

Cut 9 (11) “…radar.”

Current policy often only requires Title Nine reporting if employees are informed of a victim who is involved with the school.

There’s a number of hot-button issues up for debate in this year’s legislative session but a political analyst doesn’t expect many of them to get far. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU says it does not suspect foul play in the disappearance of Kori Gauthier. The freshman from Opelousas has been missing since Wednesday. Her abandoned car was discovered early Wednesday on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge. So far, a search of the nearby levees has yet to locate her.

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says assisting those who’ve lost employment in the pandemic is a priority.

Cut 9 (08) “…of work.”

Prison reform advocates back an amendment ending the “slavery exception” that allows inmates to be forced to perform labor for just pennies an hour.  Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, after being wrongly accused of second-degree murder, says if you refuse to work guards can use force against you.

Cut 13 (07)“…those guns”

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

The session begins on Monday.

The number of new UK variant cases in Louisiana is rising. Now up to 13.4 percent of all new COVID cases reported in the state are believed to be that more deadly and contagious variant. But our percent of variant cases is much better than the rest of the county. The nationwide average is 27.2 percent, Florida is at 34.5 percent, Texas is at 25.2 percent. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says these numbers do lag a few weeks behind but gives us a good idea of where we are…

Cut 8 (11) “…reduced”

With UK variant cases rising Senator John Kennedy asks all residents to go get a vaccine. He says he’s not much of a singer but he is proudly vaccinated, because the vaccine works…

Cut 4 (11) “..star” 

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says they want to see federal funds from COVID relief awarded to frontline workers in the form of hazard pay.

Cut 11 (07) “…open.”

Prison reform advocates want to change the state constitution’s “slavery exception” that allows for practically unpaid forced labor of inmates. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, says prisoners are paid pennies for their work.

Cut 12 (10)   “…of soap.” 

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot. The session begins on Monday.

The state’s COVID test percent positivity rate was only 2.3 percent this week, the lowest since the pandemic began. Despite this good news State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is concerned the more deadly and contagious UK variant could cause us problems.

Cut 7 (06) “…go up”

The CDC estimates a minimum of 13 percent of Louisiana COVID cases is UK variant.

And with UK variant cases rising Senator John Kennedy asks all residents to go get a vaccine. He says he’s not much of a singer, but he is proudly vaccinated because the vaccine works…

Cut 4 (11) “..star” 

The state launched a COVID Vaccine Hotline to answer questions and book appointments for vaccines at 1-855-453-0774.

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Don Molino has more

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Don Molino.” 

Volunteers are searching the Mississippi River for missing LSU freshman Kori Gauthier whose car was found abandoned and then involved in a crash on the Mississippi River bridge early Wednesday morning.  A dive team and the Cajun Navy are assisting police in the search for19-year old Gauthier.

Prison reform advocates pursue changes to the way prison labor is handled, targeting a provision of the state constitution called the “slavery exception” that relates to the nearly unpaid forced labor of Louisiana inmates. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, is working to change that.He says as a society, we also don’t understand the mental trauma that forced servitude has on prisoners.

Cut 14 (10) “…punishment” 

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

COVID numbers continue to stay low in Louisiana despite spikes in other parts of the country driven by new variants. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says percent positivity this week was only 2.3 percent, the lowest since the pandemic began.

Cut 6 (09) “..encouraging”

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Don Molino.” 

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There’s a clause in the state constitution that allows prisoners to be treated as slaves, but legislation has been filed to change that.  Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Senator John Kenney calls on all Louisiana residents to get vaccinated. He says he can’t sing very well but he has taken the vaccine and it works.

Cut 3 (12)  “…heart.” 

If you’re interested in getting vaccinated call the COVID Hotline at 855-453-0774 for a local appointment.

Cut 4 (10) “…star.” 

After finishing his rendition of Born Free Kennedy closed with a message to Louisianans…

Cut 5  (15)  “…works.”

Over 28 percent of Louisianans have received at least one dose of a vaccine so far.

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COVID numbers continue to stay low in Louisiana despite spikes in other parts of the country driven by new viral variants.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says percent positivity this week was only 2.3 percent, the lowest since the pandemic began, and only 301 people are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID symptoms…

Cut 6 (09) “..encouraging.”

Despite this good news Kanter is concerned the more deadly and contagious UK variant could cause us problems. The CDC estimates a minimum of 13 percent of Louisiana COVID cases is UK variant.

Cut 7 (06) “…go up.”

But our 13.4 percent of UK variant cases is much better than the rest of the county. The nationwide average is 27.2 percent, Florida is at 34.5 percent, Texas is at 25.2 percent.

Cut 8 (10) “…reduced.”

Kanter also warns the CDC variant tracking data has a several-week lag time and that unverified but likely accurate data suggests the nationwide share of UK variant is now above half of all new cases.

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House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says assisting those who’ve lost employment as a result of the pandemic is a priority.

Cut 9 (07) “…of work.”

Jenkins says investing in education to grow the state’s economy is also on their agenda. He says that begins with pay raises for educators and makes good on a promise to increase salaries towards the southern regional average.

Cut 10 (10) “…promise to our teachers.” 

The House Democratic Caucus also plans to address criminal justice reform. Jenkins says the caucus will file follow-up legislation for those impacted by non-unanimous jury verdicts and how to review those cases.

Jenkins says they also want to see federal funds from COVID relief awarded to frontline workers in the form of hazard pay.

Cut 11 (07) “…open.”

The session begins on Monday.

_____________________

Prison reform advocates pursue changes to the way prison labor is handled, targeting a provision of the state constitution called the “slavery exception” that relates to the nearly unpaid forced labor of Louisiana inmates. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, is working to change that. He says prisoners are paid pennies for their work.

Cut 12 (09)   “…of soap.” 

Jenkins received $12,000 from prison labor during his sentence.

Legislation has been filed to remove the slavery exception for prisoners in Louisiana.

Davis says the 13^th Amendment didn’t end slavery it codified it with a loophole allowing prison slave labor. He says if you refuse to work guards can use force against you.

Cut 13 (07)“…in those guns.”

In addition to being treated like slaves while incarcerated Davis says as a society, we also don’t understand the mental trauma that forced servitude has on prisoners.

Cut 14 (09) “…punishment.” 

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Edwards says it’s clear that a number of former LSU employees should’ve been fired back in 2013 through 15, but those employees aren’t at LSU anymore…

Cut 10 (11) “…years.”
LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter. He says their advice to a small group of university leaders to keep the board in the dark about the alleged sexual misconduct of former coach Les Miles, is the core of the school’s coverup.

Cut 4 (09)“…about it.”

The Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor Porter has represented the university for 80 years.

The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers. The hotline can also connect residents with health care experts who can answer questions about the vaccines.  State health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’ve approached the point where those who want to get vaccinated can do so easily.

Cut 8 (08) “…feel.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.

Cut 13 (07) “…police.”

781 Louisianans were interviewed from January until March of this year.

LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter. He says their advice to a small group of university leaders to keep the board in the dark about the alleged sexual misconduct of former coach Les Miles, is the core of the school’s coverup.
Mallett says the board recognizes that it is now their responsibility to fix it. He says they are committed to doing so for the school and their family.
Cut 6 (09) “…engaged.”
The Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor Porter has represented the university for 80 years.
The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says
The only bad news: due to a quality control error at a Baltimore vaccine production plant the nationwide supply of Johnson and Johnson will be low for quite a few weeks.
Cut 9 (06) “…Johnson.”
Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
LSU recently barred all employees from testifying before a Select committee dedicated to investigating the school’s failure to handle those cases. Edwards didn’t disagree with the school’s decision…
Cut 12 (10) “…sure.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says of the multiple situations questioned in the survey the one area where both whites and Blacks agree is the discriminatory treatment of blacks by police.
Cut 15 (07)“…circumstances.”

A COVID vaccine hotline is now online in Louisiana offering residents a one-stop-shop for appointment booking. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter.
Amid the scandal Mallet feels the current board is being wrongly accused. He says they had no knowledge, but they are committed to correct the ongoing culture at LSU.
Cut 5 (09)“…successful.”
Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
A growing chorus is calling for Athletic Administrator Verge Ausburry to be fired for his mishandling of those cases, but Edwards says the failure was systemic, not individual…
Cut 11 (06) “…supervisor.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.
However, when Black Louisianans were asked the same questions, Henderson says a very large majority of respondents feel they are treated less fairly than whites.
Cut 14 (07) “…circumstances.”