One-half of the legislative effort to allow the use and sale of raw, smoke-able medical marijuana has gained final legislative passage and is expected to be signed by the Governor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Waitr announces the launch of a corporate rebranding initiative. The Lafayette based on-demand food ordering and delivery service says as they continue to expand, they want to change their name that better reflects their new business model. The company currently is interviewing branding firms.

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope asked New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman how her bill would impact the collection of local sales for municipalities and parishes.

Cut 8 (07) “…an option.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the sales tax would end in July 2022.

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for five parishes following the flash flooding in mid-May which damaged several thousand homes in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis says residents in these parishes can apply for disaster assistance…

Cut 3 (07)  “…uninsured.” 

So far, more than 2,900 homes have reported damage from the severe weather.

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert questioned New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’ about the bill and how much removing the state sales tax would cost the state.

Cut 7 (12) “…tax exempt.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, it would go into effect July 2022.

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his legislation will make medical marijuana more accessible by significantly reducing the cost of the treatment.

Cut 12 (10)   “…tremendously” 

Governor Edwards has indicated he will sign the bill.

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

A House bill to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if riverboat gambling should be allowed in the parish is heading to the Senate Floor. Slidell Representative Mary DuBuisson’s bill passed on a tight 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Slidell Pastor John Raymond spoke in opposition, stating his area of the parish would suffer the downside of gaming while other areas would profit.

Cut 4 (08)”…share.”

After the vote advancing the bill to the Senate floor, Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White reminded those who testified in opposition that it’s not a done deal yet.

Cut 7 (11)  “…what we do.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage.

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry says he’s not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was supposed to be a temporary solution to the fiscal cliff…

Cut 10 (11) “…an income tax.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is getting ready for a crush of visitors starting Friday as they host a “triple-header” of an NCAA Regional Tournament, a softball tournament, and the Peach Festival. Ruston won the hosting rights for the regional after La Tech’s inspiring 40-18 season. Walker says the whole city is proud of what the team has been able to accomplish and will be packing the new “Love Shack”.

Cut 11 (03) “…sold out.”

A bill to allow voters to decide if Slidell can have a riverboat casino now heads to the Senate floor for final passage after a 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The first-ever comprehensive report of deaths behind bars in the state is released by Loyola Law. Brooke Thorington has more on what the study found among the 786 deaths from 2015 to 2019.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A House bill to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if riverboat gambling should be allowed in the parish is heading to the Senate Floor. Sidell Representative Mary DuBuisson’s bill passed on a tight 5-4 vote in Senate Finance.

Slidell Pastor John Raymond spoke in opposition, stating his area of the parish would suffer the downside of gaming while other areas would profit.

Cut 4 (08)”…share.”

Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob says a 2018 Mississippi Gaming Commission study noted 22-percent of their Gulf Coast casino customers were from Louisiana.  Gamblers that Roob says have the potential to roll the dice in-state if a casino is placed in St Tammany Parish.

Cut 5 (10)”…region.”

But St. Tammany resident Linda Thornhill is skeptical about how gaming revenue is appropriated.

Cut 6 (12)”…it did.”

After the vote advancing the bill to the Senate floor, Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White reminded those who testified in opposition that it’s not a done deal yet.

Cut 7 (11)  “…what we do.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage.

_______________________________

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure.

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward made an emotional appeal to the committee, saying he doesn’t want to see any more of his family move out of state because of Louisiana’s crumbling infrastructure.

Cut 8 (10) “…state.”

The bill would generate an estimated 350 to 380 million dollars a year once it is fully phased in 2025. If passed it would be slowly phased in over three years starting in 2022.

The bill took flak from both the left and right before passing 7-4. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Regina Barrow is concerned dedicating that money to infrastructure could create a budget deficit.

Cut 9 (09) “…education.” 

And Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry says he’s not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was supposed to be a temporary solution to the fiscal cliff…

Cut 10 (11) “…an income tax.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

__________________

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is getting ready for a crush of visitors starting Friday as they host a “triple-header” of an NCAA Regional Tournament, a softball tournament, and the Peach Festival.

Ruston won the hosting rights for the regional after La Tech’s inspiring 40-18 season. Walker says the whole city is proud of what the team has been able to accomplish and will be packing the new “Love Shack”.

Cut 11 (03) “…sold out.”

The NCAA Regional in Ruston opens Friday with NC State and Alabama playing at 1 PM and Tech and Rider starting at 6 PM.

The new sports complex hosting the regionals was built after a devastating tornado destroyed much of Tech’s campus in 2019. Walker says it was tragic, but the new sports complex was a silver lining.

Cut 12 (10) “…every weekend.”

On top of the regionals, 50 girls’ softball teams will travel into town and tourists from around the region will be enjoying the famed Peach Festival. Walker says hotels are packed, but if you can get a room…

Cut 13 (07) “…you want.”

The Marucci Classic softball tournament and Peach Festival begin Saturday.

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Loyola Law releases the first comprehensive report on inmate deaths in Louisiana. Law Professor Andrea (On-dree-ah) Armstrong says the study analyzed data on 786 known inmate fatalities from 2015 to 2019. She says medical death is the majority cause behind bars but yet when you look at preexisting conditions only half were diagnosed while incarcerated.

Cut 14 (10) “…behind bars.”

Inmate deaths include those in state prisons, parish jails, and detention centers. Armstrong says six percent of inmate deaths were suicide and where they occurred in parish facilities was surprising, almost half in solitary confinement.

Cut 15 (06)“…department.”

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world and Armstrong says the state does not have any mandatory standards governing confinement conditions and no independent oversight of what happens behind bars.

Cut 16 (07) “…deaths.”

Armstrong says the report is based on 70-percent of the facilities that they requested records from, which means 30-percent did not comply with the state’s public records law.

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The Southern Jaguars baseball team is in Texas for the Austin regional that begins tomorrow. The Jags are the four-seed after winning the SWAC tournament and they join Texas, Arizona State, and Fairfield in Austin.  Southern head coach Chris Crenshaw says they’ll need a full team effort.

Cut 17 (10) do well.” 

Southern reached the postseason after taking down a very tough Jackson State team in the SWAC championship. Crenshaw says playing in the tournament was beneficial because they learned how to handle adversity.

Cut  18 (09)”…five days.”

Southern will take on number-one seed Texas at 1 p.m. on Friday.

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The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional in what could be Paul Mainieri’s final weekend as the coach of the Tigers. Mainieri says he’s not trying to think about how his career is ending

Cut 19 (18) “…Super Regional.” 

Center fielder Giovanni Digiacomo re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the final regular-season series against Texas A-and-M. Mainieri says Gio has been practicing and he expects he’ll get the start on Friday night

Cut 20 (14)  “…play well.” 

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. The law also allows landlords to immediately evict a tenant if they are documented as the individual who perpetrated the assault. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre notes there are some stipulations…

Cut 8 (12) “…before.” 

The law went into effect Tuesday.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Shreveport Police Officers Association president Michael Carter voiced his concerns with legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against officers who acted “unreasonable”…

Cut 9 (10) “…huge arguments.”

A boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish teen.  Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis Hayden “Lane” Mangum was killed in the accident when the boat capsized while Mangum was fishing with a close friend. Davis says it’s a tragic, shocking accident.

Cut 14 (11) “…body.” 

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will investigate what led to the capsizing of the boat.

The $30-million Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in addition to resurfacing the structure, there were also corroded bolts and other components of the bridge that were replaced.

Cut 5  (11)  “…that goes.”

A tragic boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish high school student. The victim has been identified as Cavalry Baptist Academy football player Hayden “Lane” Mangum. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says he was out fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.

Cut 12 (09)   “…middle ground.” 

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will conduct a full investigation.

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre says the new law is similar to an existing law, but it covers a loophole that’s been particularly problematic for students.

Cut 7 (09) “…assaulted.” 

The bill was inspired in large part by the sexual misconduct scandal at LSU.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Veteran Shreveport police officer Kevin Goodwin says if this became law, it would change how officers would police.

Cut 10 (10) “…my children.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s bill received approval from the House and it had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.

An over two-year rehabilitation Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in addition to resurfacing the structure, there were also corroded bolts and other components of the bridge that were replaced.

Cut 5  (11)  “…that goes.”

The cost of the project in Madison Parish cost 30-million dollars.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Shreveport Police Officers Association president Michael Carter voiced his concerns with legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against officers who acted “unreasonable” …

Cut 9 (10) “…huge arguments.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s bill received approval from the House and had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association

An over two-year rehabilitation Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now finished. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the 30-million dollar bridge project in Madison was paid for with both state and federal dollars.

Cut 4 (10) “…of both.” 

Governor Edwards signs into law legislation allowing sexual assault survivors to terminate their lease early. Matt Doyle has more on the law that took effect Tuesday…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a college vaccine mandate, such as the one being requested by the LSU Faculty Senate, would be illegal.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in St. Mary Parish that occurred early Tuesday morning.  Berwick Police responded to a suspicious person call who then led officers to an on-foot chase Authorities says 37-year-old Robert Pearce of New Iberia then attempted to carjack a women’s car with what appeared to be a handgun. Officers then discharged their weapons and Pearce was pronounced dead on the scene. The handgun was determined to be a BB gun.

Louisiana K-12 schools will educate over 200,000 students for summer school after a year where most students spent a lot of time out of the classroom and in front of screens. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they managed to have 70 percent of students back in the classroom by the end of the school year, but many still need help before the next school year…

Cut 4 (07)”…I know.”

Brumley says to incentivize more summer school attendance they’ve encouraged school systems to use federal funds to create more of a summer camp, and not a traditional summer school experience.

A nasal spray clinical trial is underway to prevent COVID-19. Baton Rouge General Rhinologist Dr. Henry Barham is overseeing the trial in Louisiana and says the spray works differently from the vaccine. The vaccine helps you build up antibodies to fight off the virus when you contract it.

Cut 13 (08) “…first place.”

Over 200,000 kids are expected to attend summer school for what the Superintendent of Education calls the most important summer school in modern history. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a college vaccine mandate, such as the one being requested by the LSU Faculty Senate, would be illegal. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

Besides the vaccines for COVID, there is also a clinical trial underway for a nasal spray to prevent you from catching the virus. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana K-12 schools are preparing to educate over 200,000 students for summer school after a year where most students spent a lot of time out of the classroom and in front of screens.

Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they managed to have 70 percent of students back in the classroom by the end of the recent spring semester, but many still need help before the fall starts.

Cut 4 (07)”…I know.”

Brumley says to incentivize more summer school attendance they’ve encouraged school systems to use federal funds to create more of a summer camp, and not a summer school experience.

Cut 5 (12)”…social studies.”

Brumley says if your child is not attending summer school then you need to engage them with some kind of continuing education to keep them up to speed.

Cut 6 (07)”…in summer.”

_______________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirms that a single Red Piranha was caught at University Lakes in Baton Rouge last week. Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Robert Bourgeois says the South American native fish with teeth can throw things out of balance in our ecosystem here in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11)  “…all young.”

As for how the invasive species made its way to the lakes on LSU’s campus, Bourgeois has a theory.

Cut 8 (08) “…the lake.”

Bourgeois says so far only one piranha has been discovered, but they continue to check the University Lake system and take samples.

Cut 9 (08) “…winter temperatures.” 

All piranha species are illegal to possess or sell in Louisiana.

______________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry blasts the LSU Faculty Senate’s request that the school adopt a mandate requiring students be vaccinated to attend classes in the fall.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says he will once again “review” the request, but Landry says there’s nothing to review and the mandate would be illegal.

Cut 10 (08) “…right now.”

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says while they are reviewing the request “we do not believe we will be able to mandate vaccines on campus.”

Tulane, Dillard, and Xavier have announced that they will be adopting vaccine mandates. Landry says he believes that decision is illegal as well.

Cut 11 (10) “…University receives.”

Chronicle of Higher Education Data shows more than 400 colleges nationwide have adopted vaccine mandates. The UL System will not mandate the vaccination for the fall semester.

The Faculty Senate says the only way to ensure a safe, normal semester is to mandate vaccination, but Landry says if the faculty wants to be safe they should just get vaccinated themselves.

Cut 12 (08) “…disappointing.”

Landry says also impacting the legality of such mandates is the fact that the vaccines are still under emergency use authorization. A reported 77 percent of LSU employees were vaccinated as of the end of May, but only 21 percent of Louisianans ages 18 to 29 have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.

____________________________

A nasal spray clinical trial is underway to prevent COVID-19. Baton Rouge Rhinologist Dr. Henry Barham is overseeing the trial in Louisiana and says the spray works differently from the vaccine. The vaccine helps you build up antibodies to fight off the virus when you contract it.

Cut 13 (08) “…first place.”

Clinical trial participants must be 18 and older and not have been diagnosed with COVID, but you can still participate if you been vaccinated. Barham says they are following participants for six weeks after use of the nasal spray and checking to see if the medication remains in your nose and isn’t absorbed elsewhere in the body.

Cut 14 (07) “…the spray.”

Barham says the spray is not necessarily a substitute for the vaccine, he says the spray compliments the vaccine. He says the spray is targeted to one part of the body as opposed to entering the bloodstream.

Cut 15 (06)“…super exciting.”

Barham says they are looking for around 90 additional participants for the study.

_______________________________________

Louisiana Tech will begin its run through the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at J-C Love Field at Pat Patterson Park when they host Rider at 6 PM. Bulldogs Coach Lan Burroughs says his message to the team is to play loose, just like in the Conference USA Tournament

Cut 16 (17) “…trouble winning.”

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The LSU Tigers are looking to give retiring baseball coach Paul Mainieri a second national championship as they leave today for Oregon to play in the Eugene Regional this weekend. Starting pitcher Landon Marceaux says he was stunned when Mainieri told the team that this is his last season

Cut 17 (17) “…out on top.”

Left fielder Gavin Dugas will be forever grateful to Mainieri…

Cut  18 (17)”…appreciative of that.”

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One of the best stories in the NCAA Baseball Tournament is the McNeese Cowboys. The team has overcome a devastating hurricane, a paralyzing winter storm, and historic floods at the end of the season to earn a spot at the Fort Worth regional along with TCU, Oregon State, and Dallas Baptist.  Pokes Head Coach Justin Hill says his team is here due to his players’ positive mindset.

Cut 19 (14) “…baseball things.” 

The Cowboys will take on TCU at 6 PM Friday on ESPN 3.  While Hill doesn’t know the pitching rotation yet, he knows he’ll rely on ace Will Dion, who has a 2.81 ERA this season after starting two games last week in the Southland Tournament…

Cut 20 (15)  “…the game.” 

As the 2021 hurricane season begins approximately four thousand remain displaced from the 2020 hurricanes in Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire they could be living in another home or apartment, with family, or even in a trailer on their property but they remain displaced.

Cut 5  (12)  “…individual to individual.”

He says several residents are still trying to settle insurance claims, nine months later.

Senate Judiciary Committee B approves legislation allowing those 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without needing a permit or training. Democratic Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver lambasted the bill saying this will lead to more gun violence.

Cut 13 (07)“..business.”

The proposal is opposed by both the Chiefs of Police Association and Governor Edwards.

Republican US Senator John Kennedy says he’s running for reelection in 2022. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards requests Federal Disaster Declaration for five parishes in the state impacted by flash flooding two weeks ago. The request is for FEMA Individual Assistance for Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. So far 2,700 homes reported damage, including six that were noted as destroyed. To report damage, go to damage.la.gov.