A person would no longer face jail time if convicted of possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana as a result of a bill approved by the Louisiana House. Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover’s bill removes the possibility of jail time and would make a 100-fine the maximum penalty. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle voted in support…

Cut 4 (06) “…of marijuana” 

The measure passed on a 67-35 vote and now heads to the Senate.

A panel from the CDC is expected to authorize the emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine for 12–15-year-olds today. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is encouraging adolescents to get the vaccine…

Cut 8 (09) “…dinner.” 
About 29-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.

A grand jury has declined to indict the Lafayette Police officers who fatally shot Trayford Pellerin outside of a gas station last August. 15th Judicial District Attorney Don Landry says State Police reviewed the incident from every angle available and found the shooting was justifiable…

Cut 10 (09) “….a case.”

Pellerin family attorney Ronald Haley says video evidence shows Pellerin was clearly experiencing a mental crisis and committing no crime other than failure to comply.

Termites are year-round pests, but they are especially prevalent during the spring and summer months here in Louisiana.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s witnessed first-hand how active termites currently are.

Cut 14 (09) “…new home.”

Strain stressed the importance to have a licensed professional inspect your home

A second round of Pandemic EBT cards for students that receive free or reduced-priced meals normally at school will begin going out next month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy encourages parents of children ages 12 and older to get their kids vaccinated. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A Lafayette grand jury decides against charging any of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Trayford Pellerin last August. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services receives approval to issue a second round of Pandemic EBT benefits to eligible families. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says distribution this time will be different than before.

Cut 4 (10)“…priced meals.”

Eligible students in hybrid learning will receive $48 a month and those who had full virtual learning will receive $120 a month.

Howard says they expect the first round of cards will be mailed out to each eligible student in June.

Cut 5 (09)“…school year.”

If you fail to receive your P-EBT card in the mail, Howard says to contact your local school to check that you are on the list to receive benefits. Another difference besides not having to apply this time….

Cut 6 (09) “…eligible students.”

Howard says the P-EBT program is to assist with meals that recipients normally would have received if eligible students attended school in person.

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The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for use in children aged 12 and above and Senator Bill Cassidy strongly encourages parents to take advantage of this development.

Cassidy says most children do not suffer severe effects from COVID-19, but that’s no reason not to have your child immunized.

Cut 7 (09)  “…a grandparent..”

Cassidy says getting your kids vaccinated means they can safely see their grandparents again. He says many elderly residents haven’t seen their grandchildren in over a year…

Cut 8 (09) “…dinner.” 

Cassidy also had some criticism for the CDC. He says their outdated policies on masking and travel rob them of the credibility needed to encourage those who are vaccine-hesitant to get a shot.

Cut 9 (08) “…credibility.”

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A Lafayette grand jury declines to indict the officers who fatally shot Trayford Pellerin last August.

District Attorney Don Landry says State Police reviewed the incident from every angle available and found the shooting was justifiable.

Cut 10 (09) “….a case.”

Extended video of the incident was released by Landry. It shows Pellerin walking into a gas station, standing around, and staring blankly for over ten minutes. Eventually, he appears to go looking for someone who isn’t there, begins shouting, tosses a drink, draws a knife, and exits the store. As he walks down the street with a knife he’s confronted by officers, shouts at the officers and threatens them while retreating, and is eventually shot multiple times as he attempts to enter another gas station.

Landry says Pellerin threatened to stab officers earlier in the incident and those officers showed restraint by waiting as long as they did to shoot him.

Cut 11 (11) “….hindsight.”

Pellerin Family Attorney Ronald Haley says Pellerin had committed no crime other than failing to comply before he was shot to death. He calls the decision extremely disappointing.

Cut 12 (08) “…this country.”

Haley says Pellerin was clearly experiencing a mental health crisis and likely fled from police in part because of where the country was at that point.

Cut 13 (13) “…enforcement.”

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Termites are year-round pests but they are especially prevalent during the spring and summer months here in Louisiana.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s witnessed first-hand how active termites currently are.

Cut 14 (09) “…new home.”

Strain says you can turn off outside lights and clean and repair gutters on your home to prevent termites, but the most important prevention method might be…

Cut 15 (07)“…moisture.”

In addition to eliminating moisture, Strain says taking care of wood around your house is also key in termite prevention.

Cut 16 (10) “…your home.”

Strain also stresses the importance of getting your house tested by a licensed professional.

New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in this after as the state’s newest Congressman. Carter will represent New Orleans in the U-S House, along with portions of the River Parishes and the Baton Rouge area. He says his district has a lot of needs…COVID recovery, economic development, infrastructure investment, criminal justice reform, education, and environmental justice.

Cut 13 (10)“…being addressed”

Gas prices will most likely increase nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production but to the east of us…

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon.”

The pipeline carries fuel from Texas up to the East Coast.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served.

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says due to the current law wineries can’t ship directly to consumers because of an agreement with wholesalers and retailers hinders them from shipping most of their product to Louisiana.

Cut 5  (11)  “…ship to Louisiana.”

Opponents say it will hurt local retailers. The measure passed 53-40 and now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in as Louisiana’s newest U-S House member today, replacing Cedric Richmond who represented the second district until taking a job with the Biden administration. The former New Orleans City Councilman and state lawmaker understands the importance of public service.

Cut 12 (09)   “…the people” 

Gas prices will most likely continue to increase after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production. Redman says this attack comes at a particularly bad time given the fact that prices were already beginning their slow summer march upward…

Cut 8 (09) “…lockdowns”

The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Bill author, Crowley Representative John Stefanski says most of the tax money from bets placed at kiosks run by the Louisiana Lottery will go towards education…

Cut 10 (09) “.in children 

Sports betting was approved in 55 parishes.

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Current law prohibits manufacturers from sending vino directly to a connoisseur in Louisiana if a wholesale agreement with distributors is already in effect. Opponents like Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle say it could hurt wine wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…consumers.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans lawmaker Troy Carter is now officially Congressman Cater. Carter was sworn in this afternoon in DC by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 24 :05

Carter won a run-off election in the state’s second congressional district last month to replace Cedric Richmond who took a job with the Biden Administration. Governor John Bel Edwards was also in attendance for the ceremony.

Gas prices will most likely continue to increase nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served.

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says 44 other states allow this but in Louisiana, a wholesale agreement with distributors hinders the sale.

Cut 3 (12)  “…stipulation.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

A vote on legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Louisiana is once again delayed on the House floor. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there is not enough support at the moment to call for a vote.
Cut 13 (11) “…have to.”
The bill would legalize possession and use for those over the age of 21.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, along with a bipartisan group of more than 40 attorneys general in other states and territories, wants Facebook to reconsider launching Instagram for Kids. Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images last alone in 2020. Landy says it only continues to get worse.

Cut 12 (09) “…exploitation.”

A launch date has not been announced.

Several businesses, frustrated over labor shortages, are calling on lawmakers to end federal enhancements for unemployment. Opponents like Louisiana Budget Project say businesses are unable to find enough qualified workers because they fail to pay a fair wage. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses Dawn McVea says but some members report they have increased wages.

Cut 9 (09) “…three months.”

NFIB is asking the legislature to offer hiring incentives instead of enhanced unemployment.

A group of LSU students has developed a radiation detection device that astronauts will use for the IM-one-Lunar Mission to the moon next year. Recent Physics graduate Haley Pellegrin…
cut 5 (10) “…resolution”
The IM-1 mission is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

Business groups are calling on lawmakers to cease federally enhanced unemployment to help end the worker shortage. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Attorney General Jeff Landy along with 44 other attorneys general in other states and territories wants Facebook to stop the launch of Instagram for Kids. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (28) “…the state” 

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A House floor vote on legalizing recreational marijuana use is once again delayed. Matt Doyle asked a political analyst what’s going on with this hot topic…

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A radiation detection device developed in part by five LSU students will be sent to the Moon next year as part of the IM-1 lunar mission.

Senior Engineering Undergrad Jacob Miller helped developed the case the iPhone-sized detection device will be housed in. He says this equipment will help keep future astronauts safe.

Cut 4 (09)“…exciting.”

IM-1 stands for Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based private company that is contracted by NASA to supply payloads for two upcoming trips to the Moon.

Recent Physics graduate Haley Pellegrin says the vacuum environment presents a lot of technical challenges to equipment, and once you send something to the moon you can’t go fix it later.

Cut 5 (10)“…resolution.”

The five students worked under LSU SpaRTAN Lab head Jeffery Chancellor. He says these scientists may be young but that’s not unusual in this field.

Cut 6 (10) “…experience.”

The IM-1 mission is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022.

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Frustrated over labor shortages several members of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses want the state to ween recipients off federally enhanced unemployment benefits and direct the money elsewhere, like incentives for people to get back to work.  Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn McVea says labor shortages are impeding recovery for many businesses.

Cut 7 (09)  “…usually is.”

McVea says they are looking to propose a measure like Montana which enacted a hiring bonus of $1,200 and elimination of federal enhancements to unemployment benefits.

Cut 8 (06) “…that job.” 

Opponents like Louisiana Budget Project says businesses are unable to find enough qualified workers because they fail to pay a fair wage. McVea says but some members report they have increased wages.

Cut 9 (09) “…three months.”

McVea says they are working with Monroe Representative Michael Echols to put forth an amendment to curb federal unemployment incentives on bills looking to make changes to current state unemployment benefits.

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Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry,  along with a bipartisan group of more than 40 attorneys general in other states and territories, wants Facebook to reconsider launching Instagram for Kids. Landy fears a child-friendly Instagram for ages 13 and under will be misused by predators.

Cut 10 (11) “…smartphone.”

Landry says while the internet can be a great resource for kids it is also a great resource for those looking to take advantage of children and fears that Instagram for Kids is another method for social media to gain insight on a vulnerable population.

Cut 11 (10) “….the mine.”

Those against Instagram for Kids claim children lack the ability to understand privacy and say Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images last alone. Landy says it only continues to get worse.

Cut 12 (09) “…exploitation.”

Another report found a 200-percent increase in recorded instances in the use of Instagram to target and abuse children over a six-month period in 2018. In March Facebook, which owns Instagram, announced the launch for preteens.

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A vote on legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Louisiana is once again delayed on the House floor.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s clear this bill is close to passing, but the bill author just doesn’t have enough support at the moment to call for a vote.

Cut 13 (11) “…have to.”

The bill would legalize possession and use for those over the age of 21. A companion bill would set the licensing fees for personal and commercial growth of the plant, currently at 100 and 2,500 dollars respectively.

Alford says the bill has everything going against it right now except broad public support, but he warns against giving up on it just yet.

Cut 14 (10) “…issue.”

Alford says it’s possible the bill is dead for the session but just like medical marijuana could find success after a few more attempts.

Cut 15 (08)“…over time.”

The bill by Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson currently is set to be heard Wednesday.

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Cut 16 (00) “…n/a.”

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LSU hosts 14th ranked Louisiana Tech tonight at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers have struggled in SEC play this year, but are undefeated this season in mid-week non-conference contests. Coach Paul Mainieri can’t explain it…

Cut 17 (13) “…streak going.”

After tonight’s scheduled game against La Tech, LSU will host Alabama for the final home SEC series of the season. Mainieri on the importance of this week…

Cut  18 (16)”…sugar-coating it” (x2)

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Louisiana Tech is having an outstanding season as they have a 33-12 record. But one of their dozen losses occurred earlier this year at Alex Box Stadium. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs is looking forward to another chance at the Tigers

Cut 19 (15) “…be ready.” 

This week Louisiana Tech will find out if they are one of 20 schools in the running to host an NCAA Baseball Regional. Burroughs says he’s not losing any sleep over the anticipated announcement…

Cut 20 (15) “…assure you.” 

A bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana receives approval from a second committee in the Louisiana Senate. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the measure today, despite concerns from former state representative Woody Jenkins who says it’s better for young children to be at home.

Cut 3 (12)  “…institutional setting.” 

Proponents cited studies showing the long-term benefits of early education.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley backs legislation to be heard on the House floor that would allow school systems to have year-round classes. Brumley says it’s a pilot program option, approved by the board and BESE…

Cut 7 (11) “…of time.”

The extended classroom time would be funded by federal relief dollars.

House Commerce rejects legislation that would prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her bill would bring Louisiana housing law in line with federal law and standard practice at the world’s biggest companies.

Cut 13 (12)“…law”

An opponent argued landlords should not be forced to rent to someone they don’t want to rent to.

A propane explosion at a St. Landry Parish crawfish boil sent four people to the hospital over the weekend. Parish President Jessie Bellard says at least one person had burns to 30 to 40 percent of their body and another had suspected internal injuries, but luckily no one died.

Cut 10 (11) “.happened” 

The Fire Marshall’s is investigating the incident.

A proposal to require all five-year-old children in Louisiana to attend kindergarten is headed to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

One in three Louisianans has received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.  The total number of administered doses is just below 2.8 million. Most of the doses are of the two-dose regimen of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

A bill to give school systems the option to have year-round school awaits debate on the House floor. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says there are several reasons it could help students for example only 46-percent of students are mastering content when they leave third grade and in eighth grade, only 28-percent are on mastery level in math.

Cut 6 (09) “…as a whole.”
But teacher unions oppose the measure.

House Commerce rejects legislation that would prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Policy Director Maxwell Ciardullo recounted the story of a woman who was sexually harassed by her landlord after she invited her girlfriend over to the house she was renting.

Cut 12 (09)   “…girlfriend” 

Bill author New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman voluntarily deferred the bill.

A bill to make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana receives approval from a second committee in the Louisiana Senate. The Senate Finance Committee advanced the measure today. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says studies show a child is better off when they are in an educational environment early in life…

Cut 4 (06) “… would be.” 

Former state representative Woody Jenkins opposed the measure stating it’s better for young children to be at home.

A bill to give school systems the option to have year-round school awaits debate on the House floor. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds expressed concern to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley about changes to a year-round school year and the effects it could have on family time spent over summer break.

Cut 8 (12) “…would continue”

Teachers Unions oppose the bill.

House Commerce rejects legislation that would prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick spoke against the bill. He says landlords should be free to choose who they rent to.

Cut 14 (08) “…rent to” 

The legislation was voluntarily deferred by bill author New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman after a vote to move favorably was rejected 7-4.

A propane tank explosion at a crawfish boil in Krotz Springs over the weekend results in four victims needing to be airlifted to hospitals. Parish President Jessie Bellard says the large explosion could have been much worse if the rest of the party had been near the rig at the time the gas ignited.

Cut 11 (09) “…place”

The Fire Marshal is currently investigating the explosion.