LRN AM Newscall May 8

Students may be turning off their phones and tucked away during the school day. Sean Richardson reports on a bill nearing final legislative passage that would require students to stow away their phones…Sean Richardson with the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban when the victim is under the age of 17 fails in committee after emotional debate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Since Louisiana’s latest congressional map was thrown out by a three-judge-panel, they’ve given the legislature until June 3rd to draw a new one or they will impose their own map for the November elections. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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A Senate-approved bill to require public school students to either turn off or stow away their cell phones during instructional time receives approval from the House Education Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says wants to eliminate what is sometimes a major distraction from the classroom…

Cut 4 (07) “…go learn”

House Education passed the measure on a ten-to-one vote. The lone no vote was from Gray Representative Beryl Amedee….

Cut 5 (13) “…we have an avenue.” 

Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine expressed concern about students not having a phone during an emergency…

Cut 6 (11) “…active shooter situation.”

Mizell says during an active shooter situation, students should be focusing on hiding and being quiet…

Cut 7 (07) “…safety protocol.”

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Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd’s mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (07) “…these children.” 

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

New Orleans Democrat Representative Alonzo Knox supports adding exceptions and says when the victims are children, he says forcing a child to give birth to a rapist child is unthinkable…

Cut 10 (11) “…disgusting way.”

Greenwell Springs Republican, Representative Lauren Ventrella questioned Boyd on the enforcement of the bill, asking how you would know if someone was telling the truth that they were raped. Boyd responded by asking how would you know if a nine-year-old was raped?

Cut 11 (12) “…you know?”

The age of consent in Louisiana is 17.

The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

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Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention passes in the full House after amendments to change the state date from May 20th to August 1st. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says the dates were altered over concerns that the process was hasty.

Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.” 

Instead of holding committee meetings for the convention during the ongoing session, Beaullieu says they will be held in June and July. This will allow the public to testify about the proposed state constitution changes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…have protected.”

While Beaullieu stressed the convention will be a refresh, not a rewrite of the constitution, Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain expressed hesitation.

Cut 14 (12)  “…not true.”

The bill which needed a two-thirds majority passed on a 75 to 27 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee.

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Federal judges have ordered Louisiana lawmakers to try again and draw up a Congressional map that can be used for the 2024 federal elections. The three-judge federal panel gave lawmakers until June 3rd to approve a new map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if the Legislature accepts the order, this would be their third try…

Cut 15 (05)  “…Supreme Court.”

The three judge panel says if the Legislature can not approve a map by June third, the court will create one on June 4th. But Secretary of State Nancy Landry says it needs a new map by May 15th in order to run a proper federal election in November. Pinsonat says the federal court system has put the state in a tough position…

Cut 16 (06)  “…more and more bizarre.”

The federal judges are also not requiring a second majority Black district if the Legislature draws a new Congressional map. Attorney General Liz Murrill says they will bring this issue to the Supreme Court this week.

5:30 LRN Newscast May 7

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd’s mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (08) “…these children.” 

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

AM Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

The legislature will have a third crack at drawing the state’s congressional map. The three-panel judge issued the decision Tuesday. The court also dismissed the Secretary of State’s May 15th deadline. Lawmakers are still in session but it’s unclear if a bill can be filed to draft a new map in this session. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she will still proceed with taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers host Northwestern State tonight in the final nonconference game of the year for the Bayou Bengals. The Tigers are 22-and-3 in nonconference play this year. Northwestern’s last win against LSU came in 2021.

22nd ranked U-L Lafayette hosts Jackson State. It’s the tenth meeting between the two schools and the Cajuns hold an eight to one advantage.

Also tonight….Nicholls is at Houston and McNeese hosts Southern.

At the high school baseball playoffs in Sulphur…Avoyelles Public Charter is heading to the Division Five select state championship gmae as the Vikings defeated Rapides six to nothing. They will play Family Community, who beat Grace Christian seven to six.

Tonight it’s the Division Four select semifinals….second-seeded Covenant Christian takes on 11th seeded Glenbrook and top seeded Opelouas Catholic plays fifth seeded Central Catholic.

The LSU women’s basketball program has announced it will play a game next regular season at Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City on December eighth. The Lady Tigers will play Grambling that day and it allows for  Mikaylah Williams to play a game in her hometown.

The Sun Belt Conference named Cajuns outfielder Mihyia Davis as the Sun Belt Softball Player of the Year. Davis is hitting .421 on the season. Also from U-L Lafayette…Brooke Ellestad was named Newcomer of the Year as she leads the league with a .474 batting average. Gerry Glasco has been named coach of the year. The Cajuns are the top seed in the conference tournament and they’ll play Thursday.

Louisiana Tech’s Josh Taylor has been named as the Conference USA Coach of the Year. Taylor has lead the Bulldogs to a 31-20 record and a third place finish in conference play. Tech begins play in the Conference USA tournament play on Wednesday afternoon.

LSU will face Alabama tomorrow morning in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. If the Tigers can win, they”ll play top seeded Tennessee on Thursday morning.

4:30 PM Newcast May 7

A federal 3 judge panel is giving the Louisiana Legislature until June 3rd to draw yet another congressional map or have the court provide interim boundaries for the November 5th election. The last map, drawn in January, was ruled unconstitutional because of impermissible racial gerrymander. This time the judges did not say this map would require a 2nd majority minority district.  It’s not clear whether Lawmakers have a legislative instrument that would allow for a new map during this session, as it appears the deadline to introduce new bills for this session has passed.

The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Cut 6  (10) “…lower crime.” 

One of the bills Governor Landry signed into law this morning phases out the three-year rule for Insurance Companies. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policyholder that’s been a customer for three or more years. But Pollock Representative Gabe Firment gives the insurers the ability to drop some of their older policyholders…

Cut 11 (11) ” ..in Louisiana.”

Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S.  Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor.

Cut 3 (07) “..his story.” 

Letlow worked in the Jindal administration as his congressional district director and then as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.

3:30 PM Newscast

A federal 3 judge panel is giving the Louisiana Legislature until June 3rd to draw yet another congressional map or have the court provide interim boundaries for the November 5th election. The last map, drawn in January, was ruled unconstitutional because of impermissible racial gerrymander. This time the judges did not say this map would require a 2nd majority minority district.  It’s not clear whether Lawmakers have a legislative instrument that would allow for a new map during this session, as it appears the deadline to introduce new bills for this session has passed.

McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Beginning July 4th, adults will no longer need a permit to conceal carry in Louisiana. The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure.

Cut 9 (09) “…laws anyhow.” 

 

Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

 

The U S House is honoring the late Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated They are naming of his hometown post office after him. His widow and 5th district U.S.

Cut 5 (09)  “…post offices.” 

The legislation is expected to pass and the post office in Rayville on Benedette Street will be named the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.”

LRN PM Newscall May 7

Congress is honoring the late Luke Letlow by naming a post office near his hometown after him. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

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Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S.  Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor.

Cut 3 (07) “..his story.” 

Letlow worked in the Jindal administration as his congressional district director and then as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.

Julia Letlow is overwhelmed by this honor.

Cut 4 (08) “..are gone.” 

December 18th 2020, Luke Letlow announced he had tested positive for Covid-19, and died December 29. He was 41-years-old.

Julia Letlow told the House about her late husband’s passion.

Cut 5 (09)  “…post offices.” 

The legislation is expected to pass and the post office in Rayville on Benedette Street will be named the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.”

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The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…

Cut 6  (10) “…lower crime.” 

On July 4th, Louisiana adults will no longer need a permit to conceal carry. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation that tried to require a permit to conceal carry near a parade route. She’s concerned about multiple people possessing guns near Mardi Grad parades…

Cut 7 (09) “…outside bar-b-que.”  

Landry’s bill failed on a 58-38 vote. There were a few Republicans who voted for it, including Breaux Bridge Representative Chad Boyer, a former state trooper, who has provided support to the New Orleans Police Department for Mardi Gras

Cut 8 (05) “…good bill.” 

McCormick says this legislation will not keep criminals from possessing guns near a parade…

Cut 9 (09) “…laws anyhow.” 

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Governor Jeff Landry held a bill signing ceremony this morning where he signed four bills that supporters say will bring more property insurers into the state. Landry says the increased competition should result in lower premiums…

Cut 10 (12) “..our citizens” 

One of the bills signed into law phases out the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policyholder that’s been a customer for three or more years. But Pollock Representative Gabe Firment gives the insurers the ability to drop some of their older policyholders…

Cut 11 (11) ” ..in Louisiana.”

The consumer advocacy group, Real Reform Louisiana, calls this is an anti-consumer legislative package that will only result in rate increases and coverage decreases for Louisianians.

But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says these news laws will create a more competitive and stable insurance marketplace…

Cut 12 (15) “…in Louisiana” 

2:30 PM Newscast May 7

Beginning July 4th, Louisiana adults will no longer need a permit to conceal carry in Louisiana. Concerned about multiple people possessing guns near Mardi Grad parades, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry authored the legislation that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun if they were within 100-feet of a parade.

Cut 7 (09) “…outside bar-b-que.”  

Landry’s bill failed 58-38 in the House.

Governor Landry signed 4 bills this morning that supporters say will bring more property insurers into the state but the consumer advocacy group, Real Reform Louisiana, calls this is an anti-consumer legislative package that will only result in rate increases and coverage decreases for Louisianians. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says these news laws will create a more competitive and stable insurance marketplace…

Cut 12 (15) “…other states” 

Congress is honoring the late Luke Letlow by naming a post office near his hometown after him. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Sean Richardson”

Heat indexes are predicted to reach triple digits in Louisiana this week. Climatologist Barry Keim says that compared to previous years, this week’s heat wave is early and it’s bringing very high humidity levels along with it.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has voted down a bill that would have prohibited a person from concealing a handgun without a permit if they are within 100-feet of a parade. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick voted against the measure. McCormick says this bill will only affect law abiding citizens…
Cut 6 (10) “…lower crime.”
The bill failed on a 58-38 vote. There were a few Republicans who voted for it, including Breaux Bridge Representative Chad Boyer, a former state trooper, who has provided support to the New Orleans Police Department for Mardi Gras
Cut 8 (05) “…good bill.”
On July 4th, Louisiana adults will no longer need a permit to conceal carry.

Coming up on the House floor this afternoon is the constitutional convention bill. It will take a two-thirds vote to pass.

Governor Jeff Landry held a bill signing ceremony this morning where he signed four bills that supporters say will bring more property insurers into the state. Landry says the increased competition should result in lower premiums…
cut 10 (12) “…for our citizens”
The consumer advocacy group, Real Reform Louisiana, calls this is an anti-consumer legislative package that will only result in rate increases and coverage decreases for Louisianians.

Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020, but died from Covid before he could be seated is being honored by the U.S. House with the naming of his hometown post office. His widow and 5th district U.S. Representative Julia Letlow spoke on the House floor.
Cut 3 (07) “..his story.”
Letlow worked in the Jindal administration as his congressional district director and then as former Congressman Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.

12:30 LRN Newscast

At the state capitol, the House is expected to vote today on a bill that calls for a Constitutional Convention to be held later this month….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana House has rejected a bill that attempted to prohibit the conceal carrying of guns without a permit within 100 feet of a parade. State Representative Danny McCormick says this will not keep criminals conceal carrying at a parade…
cut 9 (09) “…laws anyhow”

Governor Landry signed into law four bills today that backers of the legislation believe will help reduce insurance premiums. One of the bills signed into law phases out the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a policyholder that’s been a customer for three or more years. But Pollock Representative Gabe Firment’s measure gives insurers that ability…
Cut 11 (11) ” ..in Louisiana.”
Opponents are concerned this new law will result in more policyholders needing Citizens insurance.

The U-S House is expected to vote today on legislation that would rename a post office in Rayville after the late Luke Letlow. Letlow was elected to represent the 5th District in Congress. But in 2020 Letlow died a few days before his swearing in from COVID. His wife, Julia, now represents the fifth district…
cut 4 (08) “…are gone”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU women’s basketball program has announced it will play a game next regular season at Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City on December eighth. The Lady Tigers will play Grambling that day and it allows Mikaylah Williams to play a game in her hometown.

Mystik Dan, which is owned by a couple from Shreveport along with others, won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but will the Kentucky-bred horse run in the second leg of the triple crown. The Preakness takes place on May 18th and co-owner Sharilyn Gasaway, says Mystik Dan, has not performed well in the past on short rest…
cut 19 (07) “…that race”
Gasaway says Mystik Dan has performed better when he has a month off between races.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association state baseball tournament begins today. Tonight it’s the Division Four select semifinals….second-seeded Covenant Christian takes on 11th seeded Glenbrook and top seeded Opelouas Catholic plays fifth seeded Central Catholic.