4:30 PM LRN Newscast April 23

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and was asked about improving the fan experience at LSU football games…

Cut 15 (11) “…do that here.”

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch.  The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate but security expert Joshua Nicholson says a tall fence is not always effective…

Cut 11 (09)   “…U.S border”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the Senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…

Cut 4 (10) “…the violation”

Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effect in October 2020.

16:45 LRN sportscast April 23rd

An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 23rd

An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

LRN 14:30 Newscast April 23rd

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee, despite opposition from religious leaders. First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.
Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”
Supporters of the legislation say sports gambling is here already, but this allow the state to generate tax revenues from it.

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says money to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…
Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police are not releasing many details about the reported break-in that occurred last week at the governor’s mansion where a man was found sleeping on the couch after breaking an antique table. State Police say they are evaluating their security procedures and security expert Joshua Nicholson says more manpower isn’t just the answer…
cut 13 (09) “….enforce that”
34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was arrested and faces numerous charges.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law for ag products has cleared the Senate. It would prohibit a food from being called cauliflower rice when there is no rice inside the package. Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…
Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”
Thompson has a separate bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk.

LRN PM Newscall April 23

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

____________________________

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.

cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_____________________________________________

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law of ag products receives unanimous support from the state senate and moves to the House for more discussion. Thompson’s bill would impact products such as cauliflower rice…

Cut 3 (12) “…for meat ”

The proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers….

Cut 4 (10) “     the violation” 

Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…

Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”

Thompson also has a bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk, like soy and almond milk. That measure is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health committee.

___________________________________

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox

Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”

Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Morris says the state’s budget is in much better shape and these tax holidays should not have been halted…

Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”

_______________________________________

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee on a 3-1 vote. First Baptist Church of Ponchatula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.

Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”

Another opponent of the legislation says studies show there are 278,000 problem gamblers in the state, and that 98,000 fall into the most severe variety of “pathological gamblers”. He quoted a Baylor study that claims that group costs the state 875 million annually.

But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says the activity would raise 40-60 million dollars a year that could be put twoards early childhood education, and that failing to legalize sports betting won’t stop addicts from betting.

Cut 9 (09) “…this bill.”

Reports from other states have noted the amount of revenue generated by sports betting has come up far short of initial estimates.

Gambling addicts, including New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson, the only dissenting vote, spoke about the need to increase gambling addiction recovery services, especially if the law were to pass. Former LSU basketball player Randy Livingston spoke about his addiction, which went back to his time in purple and gold.

Cut 10 (11) “…here.”

The sites that would be authorized are the state’s 15 riverboats, four race tracks, and the land based casino in New Orleans, and gambling on high school athletics would be prohibited.

____________________________________________________

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch.  The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate but security expert Joshua Nicholson says a tall fence is not always effective…

Cut 11 (09)   “…U.S border”

Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the incident today and says more information will come out soon and says at no time were they anything but safe.

Nicholson says the break-in will force state police to look at their protocols…

Cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”

Louisiana State Police troopers and Department of Public Safety officers are assigned to the Governor’s Mansion 24 hours a day, year-round. Nicholson says even with officers in place expanding security with things like motion detectors may be the next step…

Cut 13 (09) “…enforce that”

_______________________________________________

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says resources to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…

Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Woodward was asked about improving fan experience at LSU football games, and the man who once sold peanuts at Tiger Stadium as a kid says he does not want to screw up what’s good…

Cut 15 (11) “…do that here.”

The FBI wire tap scandal that led to the suspension of basketball coach Will Wade was also brought up during Q-and-A. Woodward says he doesn’t know a lot about the situation, but he says Wade is LSU’s basketball coach and has his 100-percent support. Woodward also gave football coach Ed Orgeron a ringing endorsement…

Cut 16 (11) “…get it done”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and gave this ringing endorsement of football coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 16 (11) ‘..get it done”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…
cut 4 (10) “…the violation”
Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effecti in October 2020.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

12:30 LRN Newscast April 23rd

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch. The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate and Security Expert Joshua Nicholson says the break-in raises concerns…
Cut 11 (09) “…U.S border”
A state police spokesperson says they are evaluating security procedures for potential areas of improvement.

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

New LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is wrapping up his introductory press conference. The Baton Rouge native says it was an easy decision to return to his alma mater and he couldn’t say no when asked to take over the athletic department.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Scott Woodward is introduced as LSU’s new athletics director today. Commissioner of Administration and longtime friend of Woodward, Jay Dardenne, says the Baton Rouge native doesn’t need much of an introduction…
Cut 24 (12) “…LSU graduate.”
Woodward met with coaches earlier today and said he started his career at LSU by selling peanuts in Tiger Stadium when he was 10-years-old.

LSU right-hander Cole Henry was named SEC Baseball Co-Freshman of the Week. The Alabama native struck out a career-high 12 Florida hitters in Friday night’s 13-1 win over the Gators. Henry says it’s a great honor…
Cut 18 (13) I love it”
LSU hosts Lamar tonight, while Louisiana Tech hosts Little Rock and ULM is at Southern.

The NFL draft is Thursday, but the Saints do not have a first round pick and their first selection will come late in the second round on Friday. There’s a lot of speculation the Black and Gold will use their first pick in the 2019 draft on a wide receiver, but General Manager Mickey Loomis says he believes in the pass catchers they already have on the roster…
cut 30 (26) “…coming weeks”
Michael Thomas caught 125 passes last season and that’s almost 100 more than the next receiver on the roster.

The team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program begins today and there’s speculation Thomas may stay away, because he’s entering the last year of his rookie deal and could want a new contract.

11:30 LRN Newscast April 23rd

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law of ag products receives unanimous support from the state senate and moves to the House for more discussion. Thompson’s bill would impact products such as cauliflower rice…
cut 3 (12) “…for meat ”
Thompson also has a bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk, like soy and almond milk. That measure is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health committee.

Debate has started in a Senate committee over legislation that lets voters decide if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Faith-based groups oppose, but the bill’s sponsor, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, says there’s already an active sports betting black market and this legislation could also provide the state more revenues…
cut 11 (06) “…market”
A constitutional amendment to add diapers and certain feminine products to the list of items that are not subject to a state sales tax has cleared the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee. Amendment sponsor New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says for women and parents, having these products isn’t a luxury, and the costs can add up for working class moms.
Cut 15 (08) “…items.”
The measure heads to Senate Finance which has previously killed the legislation.
Scott Woodward is introduced as LSU’s new athletics director today. Commissioner of Administration and longtime friend of Woodward, Jay Dardenne, says the Baton Rouge native doesn’t need much of an introduction…
Cut 24 (12) “…LSU graduate.”
Woodward met with coaches earlier today and said he started his career at LSU by selling peanuts in Tiger Stadium when he was 10-years-old.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 23rd

State Police say they are looking into how a 34-year-old Baton Rouge man got inside the governor’s mansion. Once inside, Reynard Green allegedly broke an antique table and fell asleep on the couch. L-S-P says Green also assaulted two officers during the arrest. No word on where the governor was when this occurred.

LSU introduces its new athletics director at a noon press conference today. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A Senate committee is expected to debate a proposal this morning that would let voters decide if they want legalized sports betting in their parish. Sports betting would be taxed and the revenues could go towards early childhood education, but Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says the two causes should not be tied together…
cut 12 (11) “…merit”
Sports betting could generate 20-to-50 million dollars in tax revenues.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.