A bill to ban smoking in bars and casinos state wide has been filed. Jeff Palermo has more on what this might mean for those who work there and their customers.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…

Cut 4  (08) “other states.” 

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A House committee will hear a bill today by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds that would require the state to provide adoption information to women considering abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says women seeking to terminate their pregnancy at abortion clinics would receive this information.

Cut 10 (10) “law already”

A Governing Magazine Report says Louisianan’s saw a 2.9 percent increase in per capita income last year. The report says the big parts of that gain were the state’s 8.3% increase in benefits received due to the Medicaid expansion, and 2.7 percent increase in property earnigns. Louisiana Department of Labor Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the governor’s healthcare expansion is driving the state’s economic recovery.

The 2.9 percent was slightly above the national average of 2.4 percent.

Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage.

Cut 14 (05) “minimum wage.”

LSU is hosting its pro day today for 25 NFL hopefuls. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a great opportunity for some unheralded talents to show scouts what they’ve got….

Cut 16 (18) “…on one”

Detillier recently released a mock draft and has two former Tigers selected in the first round, Derrius Guice to the Seahawks and Arden Key to the Rams.

The current Tigers resumed Spring Practice yesterday after a week break. Coach Ed Orgeron said afterwards it was a spirited work out. Coach O talked about the three Q-B’s, he says Myles Brennan is comfortable in the pocket, Justin McMillan is great at extending plays with his feet, Lowell Narcisse has the strongest arm.

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Back-to-back homers by Zach Watson and Austin Bain sparked the Tigers to a 10-1 win over Nicholls State last night at Alex Box Stadium. Bain scored twice and drove in two runs. Antoine Duplantis had three hits, while Bryce Jordan was 4-for-4. AJ Labas (Lay-biss) allowed just one run in five innings for his third win of the year.

Another rough loss for the Ragin Cajuns as they blew an 8-3 lead in the 8^th inning and lost to Southern Miss nine to eight. UL-Lafayette is now 12 and 16 on the year.

In Fayetteville, ULM scored four runs in the 9^th inning to tie 5^th ranked Arkansas and then took a 9-8 lead in the 10^th. But the Razorbacks scored two runs in the next half inning to beat the Warhawks 10-9 in 10 innings. Same two teams will play again this afternoon.

UNO scored a run in the ninth inning to beat Tulane three to two. And Brennan Breaud drove in three runs in a 9-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

And the Pelicans are home tonight to face the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. A must win for New Orleans who has a half-a-game lead over Denver for the final playoff spot in the West.

The personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Kelley Ray has a look at some of the factors.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off it’s Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would amend the current law…

Cut 7 (08)  “they work.”

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A Governing Magazine Report says Louisianan’s saw a 2.9 percent increase in per capita income last year. The report says the big parts of that gain were the state’s 8.3% increase in benefits received due to the Medicaid expansion, and 2.7 percent increase in property earnigns. Louisiana Department of Labor Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the governor’s healthcare expansion is driving the state’s economic recovery.

Cut 13 (11)  “care sector.”

The 2.9 percent was slightly above the national average of 2.4 percent.

Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage.

The inflation rate, or how much less a dollar buys you, rose two percent last year.

Pig Guts

The personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Kelley Ray has a look at some of the factors.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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A bill to ban smoking in bars and casinos state wide has been filed. Jeff Palermo has more on what this might mean for those who work there and their customers.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A bill will be heard today that would require abortion clinics to provide information about adoption options. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…

Cut 4  (08) “other states.” 

Gonzales say many in Louisiana swim in credit card debt and pay high interest rates. She says Louisiana is the third most stressed state when it comes to below average credit scores…

Cut 5  (11)  “pretty low.”

There isn’t one item that is directly leading to such a low score for Louisiana. Gonzales says Louisiana is also considered the most stressed out state, because its high percentage of population living below the poverty line, its divorce rate, crime rate and fewest number of psychologists per capita…

Cut 6 (08) “are not.”

She adds that many Louisianans don’t get enough sleep either, which adds to the low rating for health and safety related stress. Other states with some very high stress levels include New Mexico, West Virginia, Mississippi and Nevada.

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The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off it’s Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would amend the current law…

Cut 7 (08)  “they work.”

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death nationwide as an estimated 480,000 die nationwide each year from either smoking or breathing second-hand smoke. Carter says a person working in a bar and casino should not have to  jeopardize their livelihood…

Cut 8 (08)  “their paycheck.”

Several cities have passed local ordinances that prohibit smoking in bars and casinos in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans and in Ouachita Parish. Louisiana would become the 18^th state to implement a statewide smoking ban in bars and gaming facilities. Carter is hopeful that legislators will look at this bill as one that will improve the well-being of all…

Cut 9 (11)  “right direction.”

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A House committee will hear a bill today by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds that would require the state to provide adoption information to women considering abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says women seeking to terminate their pregnancy at abortion clinics would receive this information.

Cut 10 (10) “law already”

Clapper says many pregnant women are not aware of the options and support available to those who chose adoption.

Cut 11 (09) “the family”

Clapper says both pro-life and pro-choice Louisianans should be able to get behind the bill.

A measure heading to the Senate floor would prohibit the sale of assault weapons to those under the age of 21. It passed out of a Senate committee on a four to three vote and New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison was on hand to testify in support…
cut 10 (09) being shot”
Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur is not moving forward with legislation that would allow 18 to 20-year-olds purchase alcohol if they’ve been educated on the dangers of drinking too much. State officials say lowering the drinking age putsthe state in jeopardy of losing federal funds. LaFleur says his bill is an attempt to curb underage binge drinking…
cut 15 (10) “….binge drinking”

A bill that would give voters the opportunity to decide if they would want legalized sports betting at establishments that already have gaming passes out of a Senate committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his wife Britanny have filed a lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler claiming the business scammed them out of nine-million dollars over a seven year period by grossly over charging them for diamonds. An attorney for the jeweler says his client did nothing wrong. According to the suite, the diamonds were supposed to appreciate in value, but did not.

A bill that would ban those under 21 from purchasing assault weapons passes out of committee and heads to the Senate floor…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A measure to allow 18-20 year-olds to legally purchase alcohol if they pass a class that explains the dangers assocated with alcohol died in a Senate committe. A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard says lowering the drinking age would cost the state federal dollars…
cut 13 (10) “..to lose’

A bill that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting at gaming establishments passes out of a Senate committee. The proposed legislation sets up the opportunity to place bets on sporting contests at any facility that currently has gaming, including bars and restaurants with video poker machines. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says he’ll amend the video poker out …
cut 8 (07) “…state of Louisiana”

Also heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would prohibit inmates convicted of murder from seeking a medical furlough. Dennis Bamberg of Bossier Parish, says his mother was brutally murdered in 1963 by Clyde Giddens. Giddens recently sought a medical furlough, but was denied. Bamberg believes Giddens should never have an opportunity to get out of Angola…
Cut 5 (10) “he dies.”
The bill now goes to the Senate Floor.

A Senate committee passed a bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter that would prohibit the sale of assault weapons under the age of 21. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says 18-year-olds are not emotionally mature enough to own a firearm.
Cut 9 (12) “responsible adult.”
But Kaplan Senator Jonathan Perry says attempts to tighten gun laws will only hurt legal gun owners because criminals don’t care about laws.
Cut 11 (11) “them anyways”
Despite the opposition, the bill passed on a four-to-three vote and heads to the Senate Floor where a spirited debate is expected.

Also passing out of a Senate committee, a bill to let voters decide on legalizing sports gambling.

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur is not moving forward with legislation that would allow 18 to 20-year-olds purchase alcohol if they’ve been educated on the dangers of drinking too much. State officials say lowering the drinking age would put the state in jeopardy of losing federal funds. LaFleur says his bill is an attempt to curb underage binge drinking…
cut 15 (10) “….binge drinking”
A bill that would prohibit inmates convicted of murder from seeking long term medical care outside of prison through a medical furlough is heading to the Senate floor.Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti’s legislation also alerts nursing homes and doctors if an inmate is transferred to their facility for care….
cut 4 (11) “….there for”

A bill that would bar those under 21 from purchasing assault weapons has passed committee and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

There’s potential for severe weather as a cold front swings through Louisiana tonight and into the overnight hours. Five parishes are already under a severe thunderstorm watch until six o’ clock. Those parishes are Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Sabine and Webster. We’ll see cooler weather tomorrow.

A bill that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting at gaming establishments passed out of a Senate committee today. The proposed legislation sets up the opportunity place bets on sporting contests at any facility that currently has gaming, including bars and restaurants with video poker machines. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says he’ll amend video poker out of the bill…
cut 8 (11) “…the waterfall”

And Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur has decided not to move forward with legislation to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to drink legally, if they receive parental permission and obtain special certification. State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves voiced his concern, especially since the state has improved its numbers on fatal D-U-I accidents involving those under 21…
cut 14 (11) “…31.25 percent”