A proposed law to be introduced during the upcoming session could see Louisiana drivers having to put down their cell phones in favor of a hands free device.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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The 2019 session kicks off seven days from now and legislators will tackle revenue questions, but as of now they will doing it without a budget. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A Gonzales Representative is bringing legislation to capitalize on the Farm Bill’s new provision that allows states to regulate the production of industrial hemp. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has introduced legislation for the upcoming session that would see handheld cell phone use prohibited while driving.  Current law only sees that restriction in place while in a school zone.  Huval says the bill is meant to curb distracted driving.

Cut 4 (13) “…it’s about safety.”

Huval says the technology for hands-free use of a cell phone in a vehicle is more widespread, whether it is aftermarket accessories or vehicle manufacturer installed options.

Cut 5 (10) “…though your vehicle.”

Huval says the proposed law would carry a few exceptions for hand held phone use, including first responders.

Cut 6 (13) “…an exception also.”

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We’re a week away from the start of the 2019 legislative session, and since it’s an odd numbered year legislators will be tasked with taking on tax and revenue issues from the start. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s one problem though…

Cut 7 (09) “…officially”

Alford says that’s because the Revenue Estimating Conference cannot agree on just how much revenue the state will take in this year. Speaker Taylor Barras is opposing the other three members recommendation to raise the forecast from last year.

Alford says with tax and budget issues at the forefront, the more conservative of the two legislative chambers will take center-stage, at least to start the session.

Cut 8 (08) “…they go.”

And since the legislature will not need to enter a special session to tackle questions about money, Alford says expect two major state tax issues to dominate debates in the Capitol.

Cut 9 (09) “…next term″

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What happens now with the LSU basketball program now that the season is over? Head Coach Will Wade could be dismissed in the wake of the FBI wiretap scandal that caught Wade in an alleged pay to play scheme. Tiger Rag Associate Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva likely has his eyes on a new head coach…

Cut 10 (12) “…will wade.”

Nunez says Head Coach of the University of Nevada Eric Musselman could be a target for Alleva.

Wade has been subpoenaed to testify in a college basketball corruption trial that begins April 22nd. LSU could wait for that trial to end to see if they can keep Wade around, but Nunez says LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva will likely look to move on…

cut 11 (12) “lawsuit.”

Some of LSU’s top players will likely head to the NBA, because they are talented enough to do so and also NCAA sanctions could be coming. Nunez says star point guard Tremont Waters and Naz Reid will  likely declare for the NBA draft. Kavell Bigby-Williams is also graduating. Nunez says Javonte Smart, whose name is mentioned in the purported FBI wire tap, might also leave…

Cut 12 (12) “…nukes his career.”

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Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder is proposing to legalize hemp production in Louisiana. Last year’s federal farm bill permits states to regulate and grow hemp if they so choose. He says the crop is a cash cow that is perfectly suited to the Louisiana climate, much like sugarcane.

Cut 13 (09) “…one year.”

A hemp pilot program was launched in Kentucky in 2017, and it’s success was mentioned frequently as the feds contemplated allowing the plant to be regulated. Schexnayder says the program demonstrated just how profitable the plant could be.

Cut 14 (09) “…one year.”

According to PEW, 19 states harvested industrial hemp last year, but only 25,000 total acres.

But hemp is not without it’s detractors who have expressed concern about the plants genealogical links to marijuana. Schexnayder says it is true that the plant has some THC, but it’s really a completely different plant.

Cut 15 (09) “…chihuahua.”

Industrial hemp in many states is limited to .03 percent THC, a psychoactive substance. Recreational weed can have anywhere from 15 to 40 percent THC.

The Rolling Stones have cancelled their Jazz Fest appearance in May due to medical reasons. Physicians have advised Mick Jagger not to tour and the entire U. S Tour has been postponed.

New legislation to place the country of origin of imported crawfish and shrimp on the local seafood menu will be introduced in the next Legislative session. Larose Representative Truck Gisclair. Says specifying country of origin is not always possible but…

Cut 5 (07)  “…every country”

The session begins April 9^th.

The LSU Tigers basketball season ended last night after one of the most successful seasons in years, but not without controversy still lingering. The Michigan State Spartans defeated LSU 80-63 in the East Regional NCAA Sweet 16. Meanwhile the outcome of the FBI wiretap scandal involving suspended head coach Will Wade remains to be seen.

Metairie Representative Cameron Henry is filing a bill that could lead to fines, community service and possibly jail time for anyone who harasses refs, umpires, and other game officials.  Henry says officials at a recreational parks in his district are occasionally threatened with physical harm by parents over little league games.

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham’s campaign says the Congressman has raised a million dollars in the first hundred days of his campaign to unseat Governor Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a crucial fundraising marker to cross, but it still puts him in 3rd place money wise in the race for Governor…

Cut 9 (11) “…to spend”

The Rolling Stones will not be appearing at New Orleans Jazz Fest this year. The Stones have been advised to postpone their “No Filter Tour” so Mick Jagger can receive medical treatment. The band released a statement that physicians have told Jagger he cannot go on tour at this time, but expect him to make a full recovery so he can return to stage as soon as possible. No other details on his condition were provided.

Legislation has been filed that would require restaurants to update Louisiana seafood menus with the country of origin of imported shrimp and mudbugs. Connor Ferrill has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A memorable LSU basketball season ended last night as Michigan State hit 13 three pointers in an 80-63 victory over the Tigers. Tremont Waters had 23 points, but Skylar Mays had just seven points and Javonte Smart was scoreless. Now we wait to see what happens with Will Wade as a result of the FBI wiretap scandal.

Elsewhere… Auburn upset top seeded North Carolina 97-80, while Kentucky got past Houston 62-58. So it will be an all SEC regional final in the Midwest on Sunday.

Metairie Representative Cameron Henry files a bill that could lead to fines, community service and possibly jail time for anyone who harasses refs, umpires, and other game officials. Henry says often it is high school and college students working as referees and they are on the receiving end of a parent’s anger.

Cut 14 (11) “…have this conversation.”

The legislative session begins April 9^th.

The Sweet 16 was the end of the road for the LSU Tigers this basketball season after an emotional loss to Michigan State. The Spartans defeated LSU 80-63 in the without suspended head coach Will Wade. Tremont Waters had 23 points, but Skylar Mays had just seven points and Javonte Smart was scoreless. Now we wait to see what happens with Wade as a result of the FBI wiretap scandal.

Authorities have arrested three people, two brothers and an acquaintance, in the brutal murder of an elderly Zachary woman. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says one of the suspects, 24-year-old Adrian Curtis, provided a confession…

Gautreaux says 74-year-old Frances Jane Schultz had her arms and legs bound by duct tape and shot multiple times. The sheriff says one of the suspect’s worked on the victim’s property.

Cut 7 (08) “…home invasion”

Adrian’s brother, Courtland Curtis, and 22-year-old Donevan Brown were also arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

The Rolling Stones will not be appearing at Jazz Fest this year. The Stones have been advised to postpone their “No Filter Tour” so Mick Jagger can receive medical treatment. The band released a statement that physicians expect Jagger to make a full recovery but would not disclose his medical issue. Information regarding ticket refunds for the May 2^nd appearance is forthcoming.

Metairie Representative Cameron Henry files a bill that could lead to fines, community service and possibly jail time for anyone who harasses refs, umpires, and other game officials.  Henry says officials at a recreational park in his district are occasionally threatened with physical harm.

Cut 13 (13) “…a missed call.”

Henry says often it’s high school and college students working as referees and they are on the receiving end of parent’s anger.

Metairie Representative Cameron Henry files a bill that could lead to fines, community service and possibly jail time for anyone who harasses refs, umpires, and other game officials.

Cut 14 (11) “…have this conversation.”

Legislation has been filed that would require restaurants to update Louisiana seafood menus with the country of origin of imported shrimp and mudbugs. Connor Ferrill has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham’s campaign says the Congressman has raised a million dollars in the first hundred days of his campaign to unseat Governor Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a crucial fundraising marker to cross, but it still puts the candidate in 3rd place in a three way money race for the mansion…

Cut 9 (11) “…to spend”

Edwards started 2019 with 8.4 million in the bank, and the other Republican in the race, Eddie Rispone has pledged five million dollars of his own money.

The LSU Tigers basketball season ended last night after one of the most successful seasons in years, but not without controversy still lingering. The Michigan State Spartans defeated LSU 80-63 in the East Regional NCAA Sweet 16. Meanwhile, the outcome of the FBI wiretap scandal involving suspended head coach Will Wade remains to be seen.

Authorities have arrested three people, two brothers and an acquaintance, in the murder of an elderly Zachary woman who was found by her husband bound and shot to death in her home on March 21st. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says one of the suspects, 24-year-old Adrian Curtis, provided a confession…

Cut 6 (14) “…in the head”

Gautreaux says 74-year-old Frances Jane Schultz had her arms and legs bound by duct tape and duct tape was over her eyes and mouth.

A former Louisiana priest has pleaded guilty to a child molestation charge.

76-year-old Michael Guidry a former pastor of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Morrow faces between five and 10 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Guidry surrendered to police last June, after allegations of sexual abuse had surfaced against him.

New legislation could place the country of origin of imported mudbugs and shrimp on the local seafood menu. Larose Representative Truck Gisclair says he is not concerned with labeling shrimp and crawfish from other states like Texas and Alabama. While there’s an economic boost of buying Louisiana shrimp, health concerns of imported shrimp are the paramount issue…

Cut 4 (12) “…imported meats″

Metairie Representative Cameron Henry files a bill that could lead to fines, community service and possibly jail time for anyone who harasses refs, umpires, and other game officials.  Henry says officials at a recreational park in his district are occasionally threatened with physical harm.

Cut 13 (13) “…a missed call.”

The legislative session begins on April 9^th.

Authorities arrest three people in the brutal murder of an elderly Zachary woman who was found bound with duct tape by her husband. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

New legislation could place the country of origin of imported mudbugs and shrimp on the local seafood menu. Larose Representative Truck Gisclair says if the crustaceans are from out of the country he wants to know…

Cut 5 (07) “…from.”

The bill will be heard in the legislative session that begins on April 9.

Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham’s campaign says the Congressman has raised a million dollars in the first hundred days of his campaign to unseat Governor Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a crucial fundraising marker to cross, but it still puts him in third place moneywise…

Cut 9 (11) “…to spend”

Edwards started 2019 with 8.4 million in the bank, and the other Republican in the race, Eddie Rispone has pledged five million dollars of his own money to the race.

A memorable LSU basketball season ended last night as Michigan State hit 13 three pointers in an 80-63 victory over the Tigers. Tremont (Tray-mont) Waters had 23 points, but Skylar Mays had just seven points and Javonte Smart was scoreless. Now we wait to see what happens with Will Wade as a result of the FBI wiretap scandal.

Elsewhere… Auburn upset top seeded North Carolina 97-80, while Kentucky got past Houston 62-58. So it will be an all SEC regional final in the Midwest on Sunday.

Authorities arrest three people in the brutal murder of an elderly Zachary woman who was found bound with duct tape by her husband. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval is introducing legislations in the upcoming session that would see handheld cell phone use prohibited while driving.  Current law only sees that restriction in place while in a school zone.  Huval says the bill is meant to curb distracted driving.

Congressman and Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham raised a million dollars in the first hundred days of his campaign to unseat Governor Edwards. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the best part about pocketing this kind of cash early in the race is that the Congressman can pour it all into boosting his own name, while outside big money organizations tear into his main target, Governor Edwards.

Cut 11 (10)   “in here.”

New legislation could place the country of origin of imported mudbugs and shrimp on the local seafood menu. Larose Representative Truck Gisclair says if the crustaceans are from out of the country he wants to know…

Cut 3 (07) “…from.”

The bill will be heard in the legislative session that begins on April 9.  Gisclair says he is not concerned with labeling shrimp and crawfish from states like Texas and Alabama.