There’s surprising new data on voter confidence in elections and in media. David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Union Parish lawmen ask everyone to lookout for an escaped work-release inmate who stabbed a man to death this morning in Farmerville and fled the scene. 48-year-old Bruce Causey is African-American and from Baton Rouge. He may be headed back the Capital City right now.

An effort to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fails to pass a Senate committee. The bill would have taken it from $7.25 up to $10.25. The vote was 4 “nays to 1 “yea” and that was bill sponsor and Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Regina Barrow. She says there’s been no minimum wage hike since 2009…:

CUT 13(12)      “…decent living.”

Feeling higher minimum wages means higher consumer prices, the committee rejected the bill.

More is now known about the death of Ciaya (KEYE-uh) Whetstone, the student who died in February after going to a Mardi Gras parade. Blood toxicology shows she died from fentanyl poisoning and ethanol poisoning. She was dropped off at a hospital by an Uber driver, but died. It’s still unknown if she was victim of a violent crime. The investigation is ongoing.

Once again a proposal to raise the minimum wage has been rejected at the State Capitol. The Senate Labor Committee voted against a constitutional amendment that would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.25 an hour on January 1st. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says if you require businesses to raise wages, they’ll raise prices on consumers…:

CUT 12(11)      “…to live.”

The vote failed by a 4-to-1 vote.

Union Parish authorities are seeking a murder suspect, who escaped from a work release program after fatally stabbing a man this morning. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says the alleged killer was on a prison work-release crew at Foster Farms in Farmerville…:

CUT 09  (10)        “…fled the scene.”

That victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Gates says Causey is from Baton Rouge and is still at large. He could be headed for safe haven back home.

Deputies in Caddo Parish are investigating a reported suspicious parcel left at Northwood High in Shreveport. The bomb squad however found no such package. Another similar call came in to Green Oaks school but was also determined to be a hoax. Dozens of schools nationwide have received similar calls. Federal authorities are also looking into it.

Governor John Bel Edwards and state leaders rode on a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a concept talked about for a long time. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Two suspects have been arrested for burglarizing and setting fire to the home of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. David Grubb has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m David Grubb”

Governor John Bel Edwards took a train trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans on Wednesday and is hopeful this is something everyone will be able to do soon. Federal regulators still need to approve Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern, and state lawmakers would need to agree on funding before it could happen.

Governor Edwards still opposes a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in sports. He vetoed the same measure last year, but the Legislature is poised to approve it again. On his monthly radio show…:
Cut 9 (11) “haven’t changed”
He calls the bill unnecessary.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office is reportedly investigating a deputy-involved shooting. They say a deputy discharged his weapon when they were responding to a call this morning and a suspect is on the loose. More on this as it develops.

And Baton Rouge Police report a woman was hospitalized after being shot in the leg by a 5-year-old who got hold of a gun somehow. The woman is expected to survive, and no other details have been released at this time.

A House committee didn’t discuss or object to a bill to remove from Louisiana’s holidays Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day. The measure is by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard who implored lawmakers to consider how these holidays affect people…:
Cut 6 (10) “affect you”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit passes in the House. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation due to the removal of the training requirement to conceal carry. McCormick says training is not required for open carry and it shouldn’t apply to conceal carry…:
Cut 15 (08) “my objection”
The bill advances to a Senate committee.

A transgender sports ban bill is poised to pass the state legislature again and it looks like it will get vetoed again. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two people from Slidell have been arrested accused of robbing and starting a fire to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s home. Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shawn Domingue says the pair were found in Tuscaloosa…:
CUT (12) “to the crime”

Robert E Lee day and Confederate Memorial Day are still official Holidays in Louisiana, and one lawmaker is trying to change that. Brooke Thorington reports:
CUT 1 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ position on a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in female sports has not changed, even as lawmakers are poised to pass it after last year’s veto. He says the state has bigger fish to fry…:
Cut 8 (08) “one of them”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit passes in the House 64 to 27. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation due to the removal of the training requirement to conceal carry. McCormick filed the same measure this session…:
Cut 13 (06) “open carry”
The bill advances to a Senate committee.

A New Orleans Police officer is facing drugs and weapons charges after a joint NOPD-FBI investigation led to his arrest. Reginald Koeller was booked on charges of possession with intent to distribute crack and illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

One of the big topics slated to be discussed today in a House meeting on the budget is funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is confident lawmakers will be able to move forward with plans for a new bridge before this session adjourns on June 6th.

Governor John Bel Edwards still opposes a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in sports. He vetoed the same measure last year, but the Legislature is poised to approve it again. Mr. Edwards believes there is no need for a law like this…:
Cut 7 (08) “…to it”
But he didn’t fully say he would veto the bill again after it passed the Senate.

The suspects accused of robbing and setting fire to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s home have been arrested. Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shawn Domingue…:
Cut 11 (10) “Plaquemines Parish”
Robert Kelly and Angela Goodfellow, both of Slidell, were apprehended in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday.

A bill to remove Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the list of legal holidays in the state advances unanimously in House Judiciary. The measure is by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard who says he was unaware the legal holidays were still on the books until a constituent let him know..:
Cut 4 (11) “those two”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

The Louisiana House has passed a resolution that would repeal a decision made by the governor that would require students to receive a COVID vaccine in order to attend a school or college. The vote was 69-to-30 in favor and heads to the Senate. Since it’s a resolution the governor cannot veto it.

A bill to repeal the death penalty in Louisiana fell to defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Bill sponsor and Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson tells senators if they cannot agree with the moral argument against capital punishment, consider a fiscal one…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…million dollars a year.”

She says too many people in Louisiana have been sentenced to death; only to have their conviction later overturned. She says some were actually executed, then found to be innocent later. Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White – who could not support the bill – says that was an earlier, less-enlightened time. He points to the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against a mistake…:

CUT 07(09)      “…a guilty verdict”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass, and is dead for this year.

A Concordia parish church is severely damaged, after severe weather swept through the area Sunday. High winds toppled a tree, which crashed into the St. John Baptist Church. Church elders say they will rebuild.

Sports book was a real boon to the Bayou State last month. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says $232-million was wagered; meaning over $5-million in state tax revenue for the state. He credits the NCAA Final Four with a lot of that betting and says this fall should see even more app-based sports betting…:

CUT 13(09)      “…once again.”

He says a lot of Texans come to Louisiana to take advantage of sports betting and that means hotels, motels and restaurants benefit as well.

A bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports passes the full Senate, by a 29-6 vote. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau spoke up against the bill, saying the LHSAA has rules about this and a law isn’t needed. Bill Sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton responds…:

CUT 16(07)      “…right now”

That bill moves now to the House.

The full Senate passes a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”, the bill drew opposition on the senate floor. Here’s Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau, who says it’s not an issue in Louisiana and the LHSAA has rules in place should the problem arise…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…state of Louisiana.”

The measure passed by a 29-to-6 vote; meaning 4 senators did not vote at all. Last year Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation saying the bill was mean-spirited and a solution looking for a problem. A veto override attempt failed.

Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in our state was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee. The bills would change the agency that regulates the medical marijuana industry and allow licensees to have more than one store.

Sports book gaming in March was a slam dunk for the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Gaming Control Board chairman about it…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows a great many of us are unhappy with our property insurers and coverage. Research director Mike Henderson…:

CUT 08(08)      “significant number.”

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson argued for her bill before the Judiciary C panel, saying Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentence people to death and it should stop…:

CUT 04(15)      “…in their hands”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of the survivors of a capital crime…:

CUT 06(13)      “…to ask for.”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass.

Shreveport area police are investigating a shooting on I-220 Tuesday. The victim took a bullet to the leg from a car that pulled alongside him. Motive and suspect? Yet unknown.

Insurance. You hope you don’t need it, but you’ve GOT to have it. But are Louisianans satisfied with what they have? David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A gas well on Barksdale Air force Base in Bossier City exploded Tuesday. It took some time to bring the fire under control but no one was reported seriously hurt.            The cause of the well explosion is under investigation.