Cracking down on a deadly drug. Proposed legislation to sentence fentanyl dealers to life behind bars passed out of the House Criminal Justice Committee today. Crowley Representative (and candidate for Attorney General) John Stefanksi is the author of the legislation…:

CUT 06(07)      “…how I feel.”

The bill would impose life without parole for distributing an ounce or more of fentanyl. Approved by a 12-to-1 vote, the bill goes to the House floor.

A bill to make it easier for local voters to get a recall election for officials they’re unhappy with moves forward. It proposes requiring only 30-percent of the number of voters who turned out to elect the official in question. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum likes the bill…:

CUT 14(11)      “…your job properly”

A 9-to-3 vote sends the bill to the House floor.

Police in Breaux Bridge are investigating a shooting incident that left a 4-year-old child with a bullet wound…on the child’s birthday. Little is known about the circumstances of the shooting, be we know the toddler was sitting in a car that was hit by gunfire. An investigation is underway.

New Orleans Police say the man who fell from the 45-story Plaza Tower downtown to his death was one of a group of homeless people squatting inside the vacant office space. Just hours before, a trash fire inside the building – presumable set by squatters – was put out by city firemen.

President Joe Biden announced today he will run for another term in the White House. If re-elected he’d be 82 and the oldest president ever. UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says Biden will also face a strong Republican challenge – whoever the nominee will be…:

CUT 05(09)      “…for sure.”

Stockley says a growing number of Democrats want someone else from their party to be the nominee.

At the State Capitol, legislation to make it easier to have a recall election advances from the House Governmental Affairs Committee…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

House Civil Law advances a bill that would grant protection from criminal liability to teachers who try to break up student-on-student violence. Proponents say it should lead to more teachers being willing to step in on violent clashes between students. It passed committee unopposed.

President Biden made his intention to run for another term official today; asking voters to allow him to “finish this job.” Biden’s platform is one of abortion rights, voting rights and defending social security. However, UL-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says a surprisingly large number of Democrat voters would prefer someone else have the party nomination…:

CUT 04(12)      “…clear answer.”

Biden is the oldest person to ever serve as president. He will be 82 when the next election comes around.

A bill to give newly employed Law enforcement officers a $5000 one-time bonus moves forward for House debate. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says it does not apply to any elected lawmen, and funding is limited..:

CUT 11(09)      “…basis.”

The House floor will debate the bill next.

At the Capitol, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that would result in a life sentence for a person convicted of distributing more than an ounce of fentanyl…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

The SEC is considering harsh new penalties for teams whose fans rush the field after a big win. LSU fans did it twice last year; at the Ole Miss game and again after beating Alabama. One punishment under discussion is making teams that break the rule forfeit home games. The idea will be discussed when the SEC meets next month.

Legislation to lower the number of signatures needed to prompt a recall election advances from House Governmental Affairs. Founder of the southern Louisiana grassroots group, Home Defense Foundation, Mike Weinberger, tells the committee the current recall system is broken…:

CUT 13(05)      “…elected official.”

Under the bill, instead of basing needed recall signatures on the number of registered voters, it would require 30-percent of the number of voter turnout from the election in which the official in question won. It moves to the House floor.

President Biden officially announced he will run for another term today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it is unlikely Biden will face any serious challenge from a fellow Democrat…:

CUT 03(11)      “…party challenge.”

Stockley says republicans however will pose a strong fight to retake the White House, whoever the nominee may be.

A Lafourche Parish man has been convicted of the 2020 drowning murder of his girlfriend. 47-year-old Travis Ourso was arrested shortly after the death of Dione Cheramie in Bayou Lafourche. Assistant D.A. Jason Chatagnier says the two argued after leaving a party and somehow wound up in the water. Ourso says he tried to save her but witnesses refuted that claim…:

CUT 06  (13)        “…was unresponsive.”

Convicted of 2^nd-degree murder, Ourso faces a mandatory life sentence.

Eleven Louisiana deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease during the 2022-23 hunting season. LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says when the first one in January 2022 was detected, they implemented a control plan…:

CUT 08(11)      “…the future.”

The House Ways and Means approves legislation that would trim the state’s sales tax by two-tenths of a percent starting in July. Louisiana’s sales tax is currently 4.45 percent, but .45 percent will expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would reduce state tax revenues by 210-million dollars, but he argues this money is going away in 2025, so the state should begin to live without it..:

CUT 12(05)      “…already are.”

Bacala had a similar bill last year. It died in a Senate committee after it was approved by the House.

That same House committee approved legislation that would extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in 2025. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the tax credits creates jobs…:

CUT 13(09)      “…community stronger.”

Both those bills now move to the House floor.

A Caddo Parish man has died after being trapped between his semi-truck and his barn, at his home Saturday. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Rod White says this was an unusual and unfortunate accident…:

CUT 03(12)      “…into a barn.”

White says the wife – who was driving the tractor – did not realize her husband had gotten out of the truck while she was pushing it with the tractor into the barn.

Eleven Louisiana deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease during the 2022-23 hunting season, which brings the total to 12. LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says testing of deer continues, and you may think they’d want you to refrain from hunting deer, but he says quite the opposite..:

CUT 10(12)      “…to consume.”

A man died following an officer-involved shooting in Shreveport Sunday night. Police say he struggled with officers during a traffic stop and pulled a gun. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office identifies him as 33-year-old Joseph Dewayne Taylor. The matter is under State Police investigation.

Legislation to extend the state’s film tax incentive program from its current sunset date of 2025 to 2035 is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A Lafourche Parish jury convicts a local man for the 2020 murder of his girlfriend. After a 4-day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict for Travis Orso in the drowning death of Dionne Cheramie. Lafourche Parish Assistant D.A. Jason Chatagnier says an argument occurred before the couple drove away from a family gathering…:

CUT 05(10)      “…the bayou.”

Orso faces a sentence of life without parole when his enticing comes up in July.

The House Ways and Means approves legislation that would trim the state’s sales tax by two-tenths of a percent starting in July. Louisiana’s sales tax is currently 4.45 percent, but .45 percent will expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes it would be a good idea to start phasing it out this year…:

CUT 11(09)      “…future.”

Bacala had a similar bill last year. It died in a Senate committee after it was approved by the House.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation that would extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in 2025. Some say they credits yield little or no real return on investment, but Louisiana Film and Entertainment President Trey Burvant begs to differ…:

CUT 15(13)      “…film industry.”

The bill moves to the House floor for further debate.

Police in New Orleans say a man fell from the 45-story Plaza Tower building. Debris has been falling from the abandoned building but this is the first human fatality. Police want to know who the man was and why he was in – or ON – the building.

Baton Rouge native and media personality Don Lemon has been fired by CNN. No official reason has been given, but Lemon’s ratings have been in decline.

A second person has been arrested in connection with last weekend’s shooting death of Calvin High Softball Coach Kevin Chad Camp. Winn Sheriff Cranford Jordan says Camp’s 17-year-old son, Andrew, shot his dad during an argument and is facing a manslaughter charge. Jordan says 42-year-old Jessica Shea of Winnfield is also charged with obstruction of justice and comntributing the delinquency of a minor. He says Andrew Camp was at Shea’s home before the argument with his dad that turned fatal…:

CUT 04(11)      “…stemming from.”

Prosecutors seek to charge Andrew Camp as an adult.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that would reduce the state’s oil & gas severance tax from 12.5 percent to 8.5 percent by the year 2032. Bill sponsor and Eunice Representative Phil Devillier says this particular tax is higher than many other oil-producing states…:

CUT 06(10)      “…3.75 percent.”

That bill moves to the House floor for debate.

A Lafayette cop has been arrested for alleged indecent behavior with a juvenile. The investigation stemmed from a complaint of the officer showing a video containing sexual content to the youth. Officer Jacob Desormeaux faces two charges of obscenity. He’s on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

If you’ve got Scottish or Irish roots or you’re a fan of kilts, you’ll want to be in Minden Saturday for the Scottish Tartan Festival. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

Another arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of a north Louisiana high school softball coach. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Police are investigating four separate shooting incidents last night that left five people dead within just a five-hour span. Acting Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork told media (quote) “these senseless acts of violence are disheartening and will not be tolerated.” The Crescent City has had more than 80 homicides so far this year.

A Chalmette lawmaker moves forward a bill that would have your homeowner’s insurance company give you a price break for hardening your home’s roof to withstand hurricane winds. Rep. Ray Garafalo says consumers will fortify their homes, IF there’s an incentive…:

CUT 09  (10)        “…stabilize rates.”

Garafalo’s bill moves to the House floor for debate.

This weekend in Minden, the annual Scottish Tartan festival; featuring plenty of Celtic music, Highland Games and traditional Scots food. Festival organizer Sheila Hoh says you can even find out what YOUR family tartan is…:

CUT 14  (10)        “…clan tent.”

10 til 6 Saturday in Minden. Check online at “scottishtartanfestival.com”

Deputies in Winn Parish make a second arrest in the shooting death of Calvin High softball coach Chad Camp. Camp was killed last Saturday, allegedly by his 17-year-old son, Andrew. Winn Sheriff Cranford Jordan says 42-year-old Jessica Shea, of Winnfield…:

CUT 03(06)      “…of a juvenile.”

Jordan says young Andrew Camp was with Shea before arguing with his father the night of the shooting. Few other details are known at this hour.

A House Committee moves a bill forward that would require your property insurance company to offer you a price break for hardening your home against hurricanes and windstorms. Chalmette Representative Ray Garafalo says stronger roofs means less damage, hence less expense to the insurer…:

CUT 11(09)      “…long term.”

House Bill 309 now goes to the House floor.

Tax breaks for the oil industry was the object of a bill that cleared House Ways & Means Committee. It comes from Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier, who says lowering the state’s severance tax on oil will lead to increased production. He says the per-barrel price is of more concern to producers than the tax…:

CUT 08(12)      “…concerns.”

The bill would lower the oil & gas severance tax from 12.5-percent to 8.5-percent by 2032. That bill moves to House floor debate.

This weekend in Minden, the Scottish Taratn Festival. Organizer Sheila Hoh says one big highlight it the Highland Games; pitting clan against clan…:

CUT 13(07)      “…athletic games.”

…and then there’s the haggis. For info, go online to “scottishtartanfestival.com”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved a bill that would give a tax break to the oil industry. Eunice Representative Phillip DeVillier’s measure would gradually reduce the state’s severance tax from 12.5 percent to 8.5 percent by the year 2032. He says cutting the severance tax would result in more oil production…:

CUT 07(09)      “…going down.”

If the bill is approved, the state would lose $90-million in tax revenue over the next five years.

Legislation requiring homeowner insurance companies to provide discounts or credits on their premiums of property owners who fortify their roofs to building code standards was approved by the House Insurance Committee. The bill’s author, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, on his bill…:

CUT 10(11)      “…stabilize rates.”

That’s House Bill 309. It heads now to the House floor.

A Lafayette cop has been arrested for alleged indecent behavior with a juvenile. The investigation stemmed from a complaint of the officer showing a video containing sexual content to the youth. Officer Jacob Desormeaux faces two charges of obscenity. He’s on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

If you’ve got Scottish or Irish roots or you’re a fan of kilts, you’ll want to be in Minden Saturday for the Scottish Tartan Festival. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”