A bill to end executions in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(36)      “…Brooke Thorington”

The state Department of Health reports 228 new cases of coronavirus in Louisiana, but only 51 people in the hospital with the virus statewide. Ten more people are reported to have died from complications with COVID. Since the pandemic began, just over 17-thousand Louisianans have died with the virus.

$232 million in sports betting was wagered in the Bayou State last month, which translates into more than $5 million in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns credits March Madness for the impressive numbers and says the Final Four in New Orleans even attracted new customers…:

CUT 11(10)      “…of the Superdome.”

The full Senate has passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act; basically a ban of transgender athletes competing in women’s events. Bill sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton, says the bill has widespread support…:

CUT 14(07)      “…believe in.”

The same bill reached final passage last year, but was vetoed by the Governor. A veto override attempt failed.

A Baton Rouge man is charged with murder, after stabbing a woman to death while it was sent out live on Facebook. Brooke Thorington reports on the arrest of Earl Johnson, Jr…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Now that a federal judge has struck down a federal mask mandate, travelers are urged to check with their airport and/or airline to see what their individual policy may be for COVID safety. Many air carriers have made masks voluntary, but there are still some airports requiring them. If you’re flying soon, you may want to check out where you’ll be expected to have a mask handy.

A Bastrop man is under arrest for allegedly setting two arson fires in Morehouse Parish. An abandoned funeral home and an unoccupied nearby house were both torched within an hour of each other on April 3^rd. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 28-year-old Jamie Wall has been charged with aggravated arson for one fire, simple arson for the other and with criminal trespass. Rodrigue credits the Morehouse Sheriff’s Office and Bastrop firefighters, and the public for helping with a speedy arrest…:

CUT 14(11)      “…without even asking.”

Legislation to expand the state’s medical marijuana program moves past a House committee. The bill moves oversight to the Department of Health and away from Ag & Forestry. Bill sponsor Tanner McGee of Houma says many were critical the Ag Department was hindering distribution intentionally…:

CUT 06(100     “…program overall”

The bill moves to the House floor for debate.

A Senate judiciary committee rejects a bill to end the death penalty in Louisiana. After a long discussion and debate, the panel voted 5-1 AGAINST the bill, by Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson. The matter appears to be dead for the remainder of the session.

Baton Rouge Police arrested a local man for the murder of a woman that was broadcast on Facebook Live Monday. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 35-year-old Earl Johnson, Jr. was already in custody – after a chase involving a stolen vehicle – when they learned he was a suspect in the brutal stabbing of 34-year-old Janice David…:

CUT 03(12)      “…stabbed her.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s home in Plaquemines Parish was burglarized recently. The thieves took thousands on sports memorabilia and tried to torch the place as they left. Damage was minimal. Nungesser says he’s confident an arrest will be coming.

A Bastrop man is under arrest for allegedly setting two arson fires in Morehouse Parish. An abandoned funeral home and an unoccupied nearby were both torched within an hour of each other on April 3^rd. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says he is 28-year-old Jamie Wall; now facing multiple charges. She says a neighboring family had to be evacuated for their safety, but things could have been worse…:

CUT 13(06)      “…from being injured.”

After 18 years and 17 games, the final Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic will be played tonight at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. The All-SEC third baseman passed away in 2002 at the age of 21. Pontiff’s father, Wally Sr., says his son believed in giving back to the community that had given him so much..:

CUT 10(10)      “…he passed away.”

Wally Sr. says the foundation will be able to continue its work, keeping Wally’s spirit and dream alive.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation designed to expand the state’s medical-marijuana program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

How do you feel about having passenger rail service across northern Louisiana; connecting Atlanta and Dallas? The proposed route would parallel Interstate 20. Amtrak and developers are now considering making the route a reality. When complete it would include stops in Monroe, Ruston and Shreveport.

A Bastrop man is under arrest for allegedly setting two arson fires in Morehouse Parish. An abandoned funeral home and an unoccupied house nearby were both torched within an hour of each other on April 3^rd. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the man arrested is 28-year-old Jamie Wall…:

CUT 12  (10)        “…criminal trespassing”

Baton Rouge Police arrest 35-year-old Earl Johnson, Jr. for the murder of a woman that was broadcast on Facebook Live Monday. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they received a call Monday at 5 PM about a stolen vehicle before they were notified about the gruesome murder broadcast on Facebook…:

Cut 05  (10)      “…Facebook live video”

McKneely says officers located a vehicle with the victim’s body inside.

A tragic Easter Sunday car crash in Rapides Parish takes the life of a 9-year-old child. State Police say an SUV driven by Marksville resident Angela Jacobs lost control and crashed on Highway 1. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says Jacobs was driving four kids – all wearing seat belts – and had just passed a vehicle…:

CUT 13(07)      “…embankment.”

One child was taken to a nearby hospital, but died from injuries in the crash.

A bill that would require adult websites to verify site visitors are 18 or older passes in a House Committee. The author is Metairie Democrat and licensed sex therapist Laurie Schlegel, who says it’s far too east for impressionable kids to find sexual content…:

CUT 03(11)      “…change course.”

The bill now goes to the House floor.

College tuition costs keep rising, but a Tulane University study shows there is help for lower-income students. Study co-author Emily Cook says awareness of that help and how to get it is the issue…:

CUT 11(10)      “…a concern there.”

Police in New Orleans are having a problem with pop-up car stunt shows, where car customizers and motorcyclists hurriedly take over a parking lot or even an intersection and do burnouts, donuts and other stunts. Neighbors complain of the noise, the smoke and the danger, but police never arrive in time to make arrests. One recent event stopped traffic right on Interstate 10 in Eastern New Orleans and was subject of an online video that’s gone viral.

A bill to require pornography sites to verify one’s age as a way to prevent minors from accessing their material passes in House Civil Law. Bill author, Metairie Representative, and licensed Sex Therapist Laurie Schlegel says it’s imperative, that we reduce access for minors…:

CUT 05(11)      “…government interest.”

House Bill 142 requires such websites to verify one’s age and only allow access for individuals 18 and older. It now heads to the House floor.

A single-vehicle crash in Rapides Parish Sunday claimed the life of a 9-year-old. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says it appears 30-year-old Angela Jacobs of Marksville lost control of her SUV along Highway 1, just a mile south of Highway 3170. He says one of the four juveniles in the SUV was transferred to a local hospital…:

CUT 12(06)      “…Easter Sunday.”

Everyone WAS seat belted. Wallace says impairment is not suspected but the crash remains under investigation.

Talking today to the Baton Rouge Press Club, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne explained the plan to set aside about a half-billion dollars to get started building a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge near Baton Rouge, a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles and other projects. That is an interlocking part of the spending plan for next fiscal year passed today by House Appropriations. Dardenne makes the case for why the money is needed right now…:’

CUT 08(11)      “…infrastructure act.”

Tuition at public universities has skyrocketed, but a new study by Tulane University and co-author Emily Cook, says that while high and upper-middle-income families are taking a hit, more financial aid is finding its way to low and middle-income students. Here’s Dr. Cook…:

CUT 09(10)      “…certain income groups.”

She says the problem is them getting the information on how to access the help.

Let’s start at the State Capitol, where the House Appropriations Committee passes the annual state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st. The spending plan includes teacher pay raises of $1500 and $750 raises for support staff. Committee Chair Jerome Zeringue, of Houma, says if this raise makes it through, it would reflect an increase in teacher salaries of over $3000 over four years…:

CUT 06  (09)        “…previous three.”

The budget now moves to the House floor for much debate.

A bill to require adult websites to verify visitors’ age passes House Civil Law Committee. Speaking FOR it, Louisiana Family Forum’s Gene Mills says it’s not unreasonable to prevent children from viewing such materials…:

CUT (04)               “…child’s development.”

That bill also move to the House floor.

A freak Easter evening crash in New Orleans – technically a hit & run – leaves one man dead and four hurt. Police say the impact of two vehicles at an intersection sent one rolling over into a yard and over four pedestrians. The driver crawled out and ran away. He was quickly caught by police, but taken to a hospital for injuries, where he died. An investigation is sorting it all out.

Despite rising college tuition, a new Tulane study shows some students are seeing costs go down…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…David Grubb”

State Police arrest a 60-year-old New Orleans area man for negligent homicide, after finding he was looking at his cellphone when he crashed into the scene of an accident that had already happened. Manuel Llorens was checking a text, and hit the drivers of both cars as they exchanged insurance info on the Interstate 10 roadside. One was killed, the other badly hurt. State Police Trooper Kate Stegall says avoid ANY form of distraction while behind the wheel – even eating…:

CUT 08  (10)        “…the roadway”

A West Monroe elementary school is making some changes after a parent complained that kids were being required to pray in class. The parent contacted the Freedom from Religion Foundation, who sent an angry letter to the Ouachita School system. Apparently kids were being asked to recite a prayer after the Pledge of Allegiance. The U.S. Supreme court ruled years ago that school cannot do that. The superintendent says it has already been stopped.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced today that five homeowner’s insurance providers are facing fines of more than three-quarters of a million dollars based on their business practices in the aftermath of hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta…:

CUT 12 (08)     “…improper activities”

Activities like slow-walking claims settlements so much that customers had to hire lawyers in order to get satisfaction. The companies fined are United Property & Casualty, GeoVera, FedNat, Maison, and Allied Trust.

As churches prepare for Easter services this Sunday, large crowds are anticipated as this will be the first Easter since pandemic restrictions have been relaxed. LSU Chair of Religious Studies Dr. Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says parishioners could experience a sense of normalcy this Easter…:

CUT 05(11)      “…a lot of people.”

Best wishes for the holiday.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon cracks down on negligent providers following 2020 hurricanes. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge family is mourning the loss of their three-year-old child; shot in the head Tuesday night as he slept, by a stray bullet that pierced the wall of the house. While police seek the culprit in little Devin Page’s death, LSU and NBA great Shaquille O’Neal steps up and says he will pay for all funeral expenses for the boy.

Police in Shreveport are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that happened late Thursday night. SPD says they responded to a “shots fired” call to find 47-year-old Angie Anders in a vehicle in the driveway; suffering one of more gunshots. She later died at a local hospital. Inside the home they found the body of 58-year-old William Cherry, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. Cherry was known to have a history of violent acts against women.

Before the broke for the Easter Weekend, the full Senate passed a bill that would allow retired teachers to return to the classroom without losing their retirement benefits. Bill sponsor and Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Cleo Fields says the bill is help with a statewide teacher shortage…:

CUT 09(12)      “…department of education”

Right now Louisiana is shy about 2500 certified public school teachers. That bill now moves to the House Education Committee for review.

Before breaking for the Easter weekend, the Louisiana Senate passed legislation that addresses the teacher shortage by allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom without losing their benefits. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A House Committee has approved a bill allowing citizens over 21, with no felony criminal record, to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill now goes to the House floor. A similar bill was passed last year, but vetoed by the Governor. A subsequent attempt to override the veto failed.

A 60-year-old New Orleans area man is under arrest for negligent homicide, for a February car crash in Jefferson Parish that killed one person and crippled a second. State Police say Manuel Llorens was looking at his cellphone, when he slammed into two stopped cars that had been in a fender bender. Both those drivers were standing outside their vehicles at the time. LSP Trooper Kate Stegall says this is a good lesson about distracted driving…:

CUT 07(11)      “…your eyes closed.”

After two years of COVID pandemic restrictions, many are looking forward to traditional Easter holiday activities … like crawfish boils, picnics and of course church services. LSU’s Chair of Religious studies Dr. Mike Pasquier says this will help get back a sense of normalcy…:

CUT 03(07)      “…two years.”