Legislation allowing St. Tammany voters to vote on allowing a waterfront casino to operate in Slidell is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry voluntarily pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution from consideration.  Supporters of the bill stated government should not be involved in sexual activities of consenting adults and while opponents voiced the legislation would increase human trafficking and others disapproved on moral grounds.

The United Cajun Navy is explaining why they are no longer aiding in the search for the seven missing crewmen of the SEACOR Power that capsized on April 13^th. UCN spokesperson Brian Trascher says they cap search efforts at two weeks and also opted to end their participation due to a smear campaign launched by former members.

Cut 3 (10)  “…oxygen” 

He says they still plans to assist family members of the missing crew members financially.

State Education is partnering with Ochsner Health to give teachers and school support staff workers free access to virtual visits with a licensed mental health professional. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says educators have done hero’s work through a pandemic and a record-breaking hurricane season and this is one way they can offer support.

Cut 8 (11) “…everyday.”

The United Cajun Navy is explaining why they are no longer aiding in the search for the seven remaining missing crewmen of the SEACOR Power that capsized on April 13^th. UCN spokesperson Brian Trascher says it’s due to a group of former volunteers who continue to slander the UCN and they’ve had to take the matter to court before.

Cut 4 (11) “…judge.” 

Trascher says they still plan to assist family of the missing crew members financially and have already donated to three families.

The Louisiana Department of Education is partnering with Ochsner Health to give teachers and school support staff workers free access to virtual visits with a licensed mental health professional. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley….

Cut 6 (08) “…private format”

Legislation allowing St. Tammany voters to vote on allowing a waterfront casino to operate in Slidell is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The United Cajun Navy is no longer aiding in the search for the remaining missing passengers of the SEACOR Power lift boat that capsized April 13^th. UCN spokesperson Brian Trascher says they have a policy to cap search efforts at two weeks and also opted to end their participation due to a smear campaign launched by former members.

Cut 3 (10)  “…oxygen” 

A House committee votes in favor of legislation allowing St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if they would like a waterfront casino in Slidell. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says they’ve worked out a five percent revenue share agreement with casino owners Pacific Peninsula, who are moving the license from Bossier City…

Cut 9 (10) “..projects”

Opponents says the casino would tank local property values and increase problem gambling.

SafeSource Direct, a company that produces personal protective equipment, is building two manufacturing facilities, one in Lafayette Parish and the other in St. Martin Parish. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says last year there was a shortage of PPE and Louisiana will play a key role in preventing the U-S from facing a shortage again…

Cut 15 (10)“…as well.”

It’expected to produce 12-hundred new direct jobs.

In an interview for the podcast of Only In Louisiana, Trina Edwards, the wife of Edwin Edwards says the 93-year old former four term-governor is now confined to a wheelchair. She says the daily obstacles that wheelchair users face have been an eye-opening experience for her.

Cut 7 (11)  “…that yet.”

With the number of visitors expected to increase, restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations are looking for employees. Erik Picolli has more on a big job fair Wednesday in New Orleans.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Picolli.”

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The wife of 93-year old former Governor Edwin Edwards shares with podcast Only in Louisiana he’s now confined to a wheelchair. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Construction of two personal protective equipment manufacturing facilities is underway in the Acadiana Region of the state, and its partnership with the healthcare facility is a win-win for the state. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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New Orleans and Company, the marketing agency for the city of New Orleans, is hosting a hospitality and tourism job fest and offering job seekers COVID vaccines tomorrow at the Ernest Morial Convention Center. Spokesperson Kelly Schulz says about 100 companies are attending.

Cut 4 (07)“…on the spot.”

Schulz says with the tourism industry gradually reopening across the nation, jobs at all levels are available

Cut 5 (07)“…benefit packages.”

Jobs at the convention will play key roles in attracting tourists to New Orleans.

Cut 6 (10) “…very rewarding.”

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In an interview for the podcast of Only In Louisiana, Trina Edwards, the wife of Edwin Edwards says the 93-year old former four term-governor is now confined to a wheelchair. She says the daily obstacles that wheelchair users face have been an eye-opening experience for her.

Cut 7 (11)  “…that yet.”

Trina Edwards says besides the wheelchair and hearing difficulties the colorful politician isn’t experiencing any major health issues right now. She says before he needed a wheelchair, she didn’t truly appreciate the hard work caretakers do until she became one herself.

Cut 8 (06) “…lot worse.” 

Trina Edwards says she’s extremely grateful her husband is not experiencing any pain and considers it a privilege to help care for her husband.

Cut 9 (06) “…needed.”

Trina and Edwin Edwards married in 2011 when he was 83 years old, and she was 32. They have one child together and both appeared in the A&E reality series The Governor’s Wife.

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The Louisiana House approves a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe the smokable form of medical marijuana to patients. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says 35 states have a medical marijuana program, only Louisiana and Minnesota do not allow raw or crude form.

Cut 10 (09) “…but they will get this.”

The vote was 73-26 in favor of the legislation. Several conservative members of the House voted against it. Magee was asked if law enforcement opposed the measure…

Cut 11 (11) “….none”

Currently, medical marijuana is only available in oils, pills, liquids and topical applications, and in an inhaler. Magee says the smokeable form is a cheaper alternative…

Cut 12 (13) “…currently available.”

The measure now heads to the Senate for more debate.

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The Acadiana region of the state is the site of two production facilities to create personal protective equipment. SafeSource Direct is investing $150 million to develop plants in Lafayette and St. Martin parishes. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says PPE plays a vital role in healthcare.

Cut 13 (08) “…the globe.”

Pierson says the Lafayette Parish facility will create 245 jobs and the St. Martin Parish plant will employ 975 workers and what makes this project unique is the win-win partnership with Ochsner Health.

Cut 14 (07) “…profit center.”

Pierson says the pandemic taught us a valuable lesson, of the dangers of dependency on foreign countries for necessities like PPE.

Cut 15 (10)“…as well.”

Pierson says construction is already underway and hiring is expected to begin mid-2021.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee will hear a bill to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana on Tuesday. Opponents of the bill like National Center of Sexual Exploitation CEO Dawn Hawkins says decriminalizing prostitution will do more harm than good for sex workers.

Cut 13 (11)“…prostitution.”

But bill author New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the intent of her bill is to protect prostitutes. Landry says trafficking is already a crime no matter what age someone is doing something against their will along with prostitution.

Cut 14 (12) “…trafficking victim” 

The House Criminal Justice committee meets at 9 am.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe the smokable form of medical marijuana to patients. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says 35 states have a medical marijuana program, only Louisiana and Minnesota do not allow raw or crude form.

Cut 10 (10) “…will get this.”

The vote was 73-26 in favor of the legislation.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a 36-billion-dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. The measure contains an eight-hundred dollar raise for schoolteachers, four-hundred dollars for school support staff. The budget bill will be discussed by the full House on Thursday.

And Houma Senator Mike Fesi says he tested positive for COVID-19. He tested positive on Thursday after spending that morning and along with Tuesday and Wednesday at the state capitol.  Last Monday when the Republican Senator felt ill he tested negative for the virus and returned to work until he tested positive on Thursday. 61-year old Fesi says he has not been vaccinated and says he does not regret it.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hear a bill to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana on Tuesday. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the intent of her bill is to protect sex workers and make it easier to recognize who’s a victim of trafficking.

Cut 14 (12) “…trafficking victim” 

Opponents say decriminalizing prostitution will only draw those in the sex industry to the area and doesn’t necessarily protect workers.

A state audit finds the Louisiana Workforce Commission paid out six-point-two million dollars in unemployment benefits to nearly 12-hundred prisoners. Data Analytics Manager for the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office, Chris Magee, says it’s a conservative number since they only looked at unemployment applications for the first half of 2020.

Cut 9 (07) “..the issue”

Motorists who have State Farm could see a slight increase in their premiums. The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the 9.6 percent decrease in rates that State Farm put into place last year is no longer justified as the nation begins more travel out of the pandemic.

Cut 4 (12) “…2019.” 

The rate increase went into effect on April 5^th.

Department of Transportation has completed debris removal in Louisiana after the state was heavily impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta last season. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says they began removal at the end of August.

Cut 6 (11) “…hurricane debris”

The 2021 hurricane season begins in four weeks.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hear a bill to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana tomorrow. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says the intent of her bill is not to turn the state into a red-light district but to protect sex workers and reduce human trafficking.

Cut 12 (10)   “…they need.” 

Landry says if their profession is no longer a crime, they could seek assistance.

However National Center of Sexual Exploitation CEO Dawn Hawkins says decriminalizing prostitution will do more harm than good for sex workers.

Cut 13 (11)“…prostitution.”

Hawkins says it was a London School of Economics study that found decriminalization increased the sex trade and violence associated with it.

The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent for State Farm motorists, but it was last year the legislature passed a tort reform law that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the legislation changes the rules on how car accident lawsuits are handled in the state’s court system, but we will not see the impact until suits are settled or judges’ rule on cases…

Cut 5  (09)  “…legislature.”

The Department of Transportation has completed hurricane debris removal from damage last season. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet southwest parishes in the state required most of the debris removal with more than 2 million cubic yards of the just over 3 million cubic yards removed in the state.

Cut 8 (09) “…hurricane season.”

Hurricane season for 2021 begins in four weeks.

Motorists who have State Farm could see a slight increase in their premiums. The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 9.6 percent decrease in rates that State Farm put into place last year is no longer justified as the nation begins more travel out of the pandemic.

Cut 4 (12) “…2019.” 

The rate increase went into effect on April 5^th.

Department of Transportation has completed debris removal in Louisiana after the state was heavily impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta last season. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says they began removal at the end of August.

Cut 6 (11) “…hurricane debris”

The FDA says it’s working to ban the sale of menthol-flavored cigarettes, which make up a third of the cigarette market and are disproportionately used by Black Americans. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawa Shields says in Black communities, the makers of menthol promote discounts to entice users…

Cut 14 (10) “…communities.”
The use of menthol in cigarettes gives the tobacco a more appealing taste.

Motorists who have State Farm could see a slight increase in their premiums. The Louisiana Insurance Department has approved a statewide rate increase of four percent. Last June, State Farm lowered rates by an average of 10-percent. So what changed? Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says more vehicles on the road…

Cut 3 (09)  “…as well” 

The adjusted auto rates in Louisiana went into effect on April 5th.

The UNO Survey Research Center finds registered voters are divided on whether returning college students should be required to receive covid vaccines. Director Ed Chervenak says 46-percent of the nearly 700 said yes, another 46-percent said no, and eight percent undecided. The survey highlights a striking generational divide with only 35% of young adults compared to 65% of seniors saying students should be vaccinated before returning to classes in person.

Cut 8 (03) “…covid vaccination” 

The FDA’s announcement they plan to ban menthol cigarettes has garnered praise among public health advocates. Associate Director for Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living Shawna Shields says it’s a huge step in ending the marketing of highly addictive cigarette additives towards the Black community.

Cut 13 (08) “…Big Tobacco.”
Shields says tobacco companies tend to place more cigarette and cigar retailers in heavily populated Black communities.

A Market Dynamic Research Group survey finds more than half of recent visitors to Louisiana say it was a movie or TV show featuring the Bayou State that inspired their trip. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says not only are productions a visual postcard of the state, but they also offer employment opportunities.

Cut 11 (10) “…electricians.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Only one LSU Tiger was selected last night as wide receiver Terrace Marshall Junior was picked by the Panthers in the 2nd round and he’ll rejoin former LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady, who is the offensive coordinator in Carolina.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that this was to be expected.

Cut 9 (06) “..identified yet”

The first-ever Spring version of the State Fair is underway in Shreveport. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114^th fair they decided to host two this year.  And if all goes well, this could be the new norm.

Cut 8 (05) “…each year.”

In addition to the staple events and attractions, you find at the fall fair at the spring event visitors can also ice skate in the coliseum when the Mudbugs aren’t playing. The fair runs until May 9th