The 2024 legislative session is underway and Governor Jeff Landry wants legislators to address constitutional reform. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio…

Cut 10 (12) “…should work.”

The 1974 state constitution has been amended more than 200 times.

Legislation that would give judges the authority to sentence porch pirates from 60 days to two years in jail for stealing packages from multiple homes is headed to the Senate floor. Sarah Whittington with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana opposed the bill. She says specific punishment for porch pirates will not help the situation…

Cut 14 (09) “…the porch.”

Among issues to be discussed by lawmakers in the legislative session is the insurance crisis. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple Temple says one of the bills he’s favoring would allow insurers to adjust rates without his approval. He says the focus is to attract more insurance companies and lower rates.

Cut 9 (12)  “…is affordability.”

He says reducing regulations on property insurance companies will lead to a more competitive market which should lower rates.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber endorses a proposed 300-million dollars arena on LSU’s campus. The new venue would host sporting events and bring larger entertainment acts to Baton Rouge. Trey Godfrey with BRAC is excited about what the proposal means to Baton Rouge…

Cut 4 (07)  “…our community.”

Among the issues Governor Landry wants lawmakers to address is constitutional reform. Brooke Thorington has more on what could entail.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In college basketball action, McNeese will battle Nicholls State today in Lake Charles for the Southland Conference Tournament Championship. The Colonels advanced to play the top-seeded Cowboys by winning in overtime last night over Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. The winning team receives a guaranteed spot in the NCAA Tournament. Tip off is at 4:00 PM.

Heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would add increased penalties for individuals stealing delivered packages from homes. The legislation would give judges the authority to sentence a thief to 60 days in jail if they steal packages from several homes. Major Willie Stewart with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says porch pirates are a big problem

Cut 13 (11)  “…at a time”

Sarah Whittington with the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana opposed the bill. She says there are already laws on the books addressing theft and specific punishment for porch pirates will not help the situation…

BRAC, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and Visit Baton Rouge supports a plan for the Raising Cane’s River Center to increase convention space and add a hotel complex. While the Capital City is the second largest city in the Bayou State, Trey Godfrey with BRAC says it’s the number four convention city behind Monroe…

Cut 6 (08) “…that space.”

The BRAC is among the groups endorsing a proposed new sports and entertainment arena at LSU being developed by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Governor Landry opened the 2024 legislative session urging lawmakers to reform public education. Landry says it’s time to give parents more flexibility to decide where to send their students to school. He pointed out the success of two children in the audience who attend a charter school in Baton Rouge…

Cut 10 (10) “…in their area”

Landry also wants legislators to address constitutional reform.

Early voting for the  highly contested Caddo Parish Sheriff race is sending voters to the polls in high numbers. Political analyst Scott Hughes says traditionally Democrats tend to vote early or by mail compared to Republicans who tend to cast their ballot on election day…

Cut 9 (11)  “…Republican voters.”

Hughes says the one-vote margin in the November 2023 sheriff’s election was not only historic in Louisiana, but he believes it’s the largest one-vote margin in the country with more than 40,000 votes cast.

Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction added three inductees to its 2024 class. The award recognizes those who contribute to agriculture in Louisiana. Stephen Crawford of Concordia Parish was recognized for his extensive career in protecting agriculture. He aided the LSU AgCenter’s efforts of developing weed control to prevent and disrupt the growth of intrusive weeds.

Cut 5 (13) “…with them.” 

Crawford has been a key developer of herbicides for cotton, corn, soybeans, and rice.

Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. Zachary Leblanc says Children’s Hospital New Orleans has been designated the only hospital in Louisiana to offer a newly approved gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease.

Cut 13 (11)  “…red blood cells.”

The 2024 legislative session began today and Governor Landry laid out his agenda for lawmakers. He wants legislators to tackle the insurance crisis and he’s calling for a constitutional convention.

Cut 15 (12) “…too late”

Landry and Republican lawmakers are pushing to move items out of the state’s constitution and place it into state law. He says the current constitution makes it too difficult for lawmakers to correct the state’s problems.

Insurance reform and education are also hot button issues up for debate. Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com says legislators have to approve a budget for next fiscal year. He says lawmakers will look at reducing state spending with an eye towards 2025 when a temporary sales tax expires.

Cut 11 (12) “…tough decisions”

Alford says Republican lawmakers are also eager to set up a program called education savings accounts.

Lawmakers returned to the Capitol today to begin the 2024 legislative session. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced a package of bills that would improve the state’s election integrity. She says the state has some of the most well run elections in the nation but the bills would bring Louisiana closer to being ranked number one.

Cut 3 (08) “…our elections.”  

HB 114 would expand voter canvass to further ensure that Louisiana’s voter rolls are accurate.

The volume of mail-in ballots for the presidential primary is the third highest in Louisiana’s election history. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon…

Cut 6  (08) “…out of habit.” 

The volume of mail-in voting for this primary is 17% higher than it was on the first day of the 2020 primary which was in July.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is pushing a package of bills that would further boost the state’s election integrity policies. She says the bills would bring Louisiana closer to being ranked first in the nation for election integrity.

Cut 3 (08) “…our elections.”  

Among those bills, HB 114, which would expand voter canvass to further ensure that Louisiana’s voter rolls are accurate. Landry says House bill 114 will help verify if Louisiana residents are still eligible to vote.

Mail-in ballots for the March 23^rd presidential primary are the third highest in Louisiana. The November 2020 Presidential race and the 2022 Senate primary were first and second respectively. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon…

Cut 6  (08) “…out of habit.” 

Couvillon says considering this Presidential primary is “low wattage” with a few local elections thrown in and mail-in voting is higher than the twice pushed back 2020 Presidential primary due to COVID concerns

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban has been filed for the regular session, the same bill that failed to make it out of committee last year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Today marks the beginning of the 2024 legislative session. A bill filed by one Louisiana lawmaker would require automated speed enforcement devices, to take a picture of the speeding driver not just the license plate to impose penalties. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says the companies that set up and operate the devices contract with municipalities but keep the greater portion of the fines collected.

Cut 12 (11) “…they’re doing it.” 

Among the bills filed for the legislative session, which begins next Monday, would add the exceptions of rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban.  New Orleans Democrat Representative Delisha Boyd is the bill’s author. She expects pushback from the Republican-controlled legislature again, but she continues to fight to have exceptions to one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

Cut 9 (09)  “…ridiculous.”

The proposed law also adds provisions that a police report, forensic evidence, and prosecution of the alleged offense are not required.

A bench-clearing scuffle towards the end of yesterday’s SEC Championship game left LSU with just five players in a 79-72 loss to top-ranked South Carolina. It was a very physical game and there was a lot of jawing throughout. Coach Kim Mulkey believes the referees let the game get out of hand….

Cut 18 (18)  “….one time” 

Both benches emptied after Flau’Jae Johnson intentionally fouled a South Carolina player with two minutes left. Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso shoved Johnson to the ground, which prompted Johnson’s brother to leave the stands and come on the court during a wild scene. Mulkey says Cardosa should pick on someone her own size…

LSU AgCenter Entomologist Aaron Ashbrook says it doesn’t look like the phenomenon of two broods of periodical cicadas will happen in the Bayou State this year. He says the outlook isn’t as promising this year because logging in the area disturbed their habitat.

Cut 14 (08) “…Louisiana brood.”

Early voting locations open tomorrow for the March 23rd presidential preference primary. Secretary of State Nancy Landry…

Cut 9 (10) “…remind everybody.” 

There are local elections in 24 parishes in which all voters may cast their ballots regardless of party.

Louisiana National Guard spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel (No-elle) Collins says 50 soldiers have been deployed to the Texas border in support of Operation Lone Star. Collins says among the duties they would likely assist with is patrolling and enhancing some of the obstacle emplacements along the border.

Cut 5 (08) “…Texas National Guard.”

Governor Landry has signed off on LANG’s request for $3 million to cover their expenses and pay allowances.

33 new troopers graduated from the Louisiana State Police 103^rd cadet class today. While they are excited about adding new troopers, Captain Nick Manale they continue to look for qualified men and women to join the ranks.

Cut 8 (06) “…process started.” 

Manale says there are nearly 900 troopers working in patrol, criminal investigation, and public safety services.

Veteran and Former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu has signed a two year contract that secures his spot on the 2025 roster with the New Orleans Saints. He signed with the Saints as a free agent prior to the 2022 season and retiring as a Saint is appealing to him…

Cut 13 (13) “…part of it”  

The 31-year-old will reportedly make 13-million dollars over the next two seasons.

Early voting for the March 23rd presidential preference primary begins tomorrow (Saturday). President Joe Biden has already locked up the Democratic Party’s nomination and former President Donald Trump  has secured the Republican Party’s nomination. Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects Republicans and Democrats to have their voices heard.

Cut 11 (09) “…should be.”

Landry expects a 20 -25 percent voter turnout for this election.

The Saints have re-signed veteran and former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu to a two year contract that will keep him in his hometown of New Orleans through the 2025 season. The Honeybagger is happy he’s staying with the Black and Gold…

Cut 12 (12) “…to me.”

The Louisiana National Guard is preparing to assist in Operation Lone Star. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Crowley police are looking for the individuals who fired shots at another man but hit a five-year-old instead. Authorities say the toddler was walking home from her bus stop with her father when the shooting started in the 500 block of West Andrus. The child was taken to a local hospital, but her condition is unknown. The investigation is ongoing.

The New Orleans Saints will be left with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to lead their receiver room as all roads point to the Saints parting ways with receiver Michael Thomas when the 2024 season officially begins on March 13th. Locked on Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says that the Saints will make depth at the wide receiver position a priority in the new season.

Cut 17 (20) “… or in the draft.”

—

In other Saints offseason news, the Saints have re-signed veteran and former LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu with a two year deal that will keep him with the Saints through the 2025 season. Through the last two seasons, Mathieu has started all 34 games with the Saints, recorded 166 tackles, and has brought a key veteran presence to the New Orleans secondary.

—

The early days of LSU spring practice are now here as LSU co-offensive coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton look to find a new way to keep LSU the nation’s number one offense after the key departures of Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brain Thomas Jr. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly says that the new offense will have a new look that suits this year’s offensive roster.

Cut 18 (19) “… some changes.”

—

In college basketball news, Louisiana Tech’s comeback bid against Sam Houston State fell just short as the Bulldogs lost 72 to 66. UL-Lafayette was also in action last night and the Ragin Cajuns handled Coastal Carolina in the second round of the Sun Belt tournament 80 to 66.

—

And in women’s college basketball news, LSU will face Auburn in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament after earning the second seed during the regular season.