The UL and LSU systems will not require students to be vaccinated to attend in-person classes for the upcoming fall semester. Despite that UL System President Jim Henderson says he’s confident that our current vaccination rates will facilitate a safe fall campus experience, barring a new vaccine immune variant.

Cut 14 (07) “..science” 

All Louisiana residents 16 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine at local pharmacies.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan withdraws his name from consideration to be named permanent president. Galligan says he came to the decision after spending time with his 14-month-old grandson…
cut 3 (10) “…do best”
Galligan was the dean of the LSU law school when he was named temporary leader of the LSU system in January of 2020.

The Edwards administration says it’s using 216 million dollars in federal coronavirus stimulus money on road and infrastructure projects. The money was approved by Congress in December and Governor John Bel Edwards says improving the state’s roads and bridges has been a priority of his administration.

Cut 6 (10) “..for awhile”

Legislation allowing a statewide amendment vote on expanding the size of the State Supreme Court to nine from the current seven is headed to the Senate floor. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau had some concerns that New Orleans Senator Jimmy Harris, a co-author, tried to put to rest…

Cut 11 (12) “..either way”

Legislation allowing a statewide amendment vote on expanding the size of the State Supreme Court to nine from the current seven is headed to the Senate floor. Along with expanding the size bill author and Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it also calls for a redistricting of the State Supreme Court to be conducted after every census.

Cut 10 (08) “.problem” 

If approved by voters the amendment would become effective in 2025.

Students at UL and LSU system schools will not have to be vaccinated to attend classes in fall. UL System President Jim Henderson says it’s mostly due to an ethical concern with mandating vaccine use for non-fully licensed vaccines. That being said he says you should still get one.

 Cut 13 (08)“….campuses”

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan withdraws his name from being named permanently to the post. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A Lafayette couple has been cited for allegedly possessing a live grey wolf. It’s illegal to possess a wolf in Louisiana and 47-year-old Andrew Hill and 49-year-old Jill Kramer are the alleged owners of the wolf, which has been sent to a K-9 training facility. LDWF began investigating after someone complained they saw a person walking a wolf in front of an elementary school in Lafayette.

Students will not be required to get a COVID vaccine to attend in-person classes this fall at either LSU or UL system schools. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham has been suspended while he’s under investigation for allegedly sexually harassing an employee, Cunningham was placed on administrative leave with pay last Wednesday pending the investigation according to Governor Edwards’ spokeswoman Christina Stephens.

A Senate Committee approves a constitutional amendment expanding the size of the State Supreme Court from seven justices to nine. Bill author and Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the current makeup of State Supreme Court districts is not representative of the state’s population distribution.

Cut 9 (07) “..district.”

The bill also calls for a redistricting of the State Supreme Court to be conducted after every census.

LSU Interim president Thomas Galligan removes himself from consideration to be named permanently to the post. As for his predecessor, Galligan says they will have a big job considering the school’s Title IX issues. He says however improvements to reporting sexual misconduct at the university are significantly underway.

Cut 5  (07)  “…commitment.”

Galligan will remain interim until the board names his replacement.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan withdraws his name from being named permanent President. Galligan, who served as Dean of LSU’s Law School, was named to the post of interim President in January of 2020. Galligan says he feels teaching is what he does best, and the role of president limits his ability to instruct.

Cut 4 (05) “…classroom.” 

Galligan will remain interim until the board names his replacement.

The UL and LSU systems will not require students to be vaccinated to attend in-person classes for the upcoming fall semester. UL System President Jim Henderson says he has concerns about mandating students take a vaccine that is still under FDA emergency use authorization.

Cut 12 (07)   “..vaccine” 

Full biological licensing for vaccines may not be available until 2022.

The Edwards administration announces it’s using 216 million dollars in federal coronavirus stimulus money on road and infrastructure projects. The federal money replaces the lost gas tax revenue the state experienced in 2020 when fewer people traveled due to the pandemic. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says 50-million dollars will go towards extending I-49 from Lafayette to New Orleans…

Cut 7 (12) “..to construction”

Wilson says another 20 million will go towards widening I-10 in Ouachita Parish.  The money was approved by Congress in December.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan withdraws his name from consideration to be named permanent President. Galligan says he came to the decision after spending time with his 14-month-old grandson…
cut 3 (10) “…do best”
Galligan was the dean of the LSU law school when he was named temporary leader of the LSU system in January of 2020.

Louisiana is receiving 216-million dollars in federal coronavirus stimulus dollars that can be used on highway projects like widening I-20 in Ouachita Parish and extending I-49 south in Lafayette. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says eleven million dollars must also be spent on installing electric vehicle charging stations statewide…
cut 8 (11) “…of that”

A proposal to allow Louisianans to carry a concealed handgun without needing to take a class to get a permit narrowly passes out of a Senate committee. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards says he does not support legislation that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at public schools…
cut 30 (07) “…other things”
New Orleans hosts the men’s final four next year and the NCAA has said they will only hold championship events in states that are free of discrimination.

The Edwards administration says it’s using 216 million dollars in federal coronavirus stimulus money on road and infrastructure projects. The money was approved by Congress in December and Governor John Bel Edwards says improving the state’s roads and bridges has been a priority of his administration.

Cut 6 (10) “..for awhile”

A bill allowing Louisianans 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training, passes out of a Senate Committee 3-2. Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Fabian Blache Jr. says they’re not opposed to concealed carry, just concealed carry without education and training…

Cut 8 (11) “…fear.”

Proponents argue there’s no data supporting claims that not requiring a permit will result in more crime.

Four antitransgender bills have been filed this legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s concerned about the emotional impact these bills could have on the transgender community.

Cut 11 (09) “…individuals”

Two bills ban transgender females from competing in women’s sports and two others would make it more difficult for transgender individuals to receive both mental and medical treatment.

The Coast Guard has ended its search for the eight missing crewmen that were on the Seacor Power lift boat when it capsized last Tuesday eight miles from the coast of Lafourche Parish. Seacor Marine has hired divers to continue the search and National Transportation Safety Board investigator Andrew Ehlers says the probe could take a year or two to complete…

Cut 13 (08) “…happening again”
NTSB says they will focus on the weather conditions at the time of the accident.

A bill allowing Louisianans 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit passes out of a Senate Committee on a slim three to two vote. Bill author West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says Louisiana already allows open carry for anyone over the age of 18…
Cut 7 (08) “…weapon.”
Law enforcement opposes the legislation. More debate on the measure will take place on the Senate floor.

Also heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish the opportunity to vote on whether they want a riverboat casino in Slidell. Speak Hope representative Cynthia Collins argues casinos are hotbeds for human trafficking, Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns disagrees…
cut 6 (12) “….trafficking”
The measure cleared committee on a four to three vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards does not support the legislation that has been filed that’s considered anti-transgender. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A Lafayette couple has been cited for allegedly possessing a live grey wolf. It’s illegal to possess a wolf in Louisiana and 47-year-old Andrew Hill and 49-year-old Jill Kramer are the alleged owners of the wolf, which has been sent to a K-9 training facility. LDWF began investigating after someone complained they saw a person walking a wolf in front of an elementary school in Lafayette.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not support any of the bills filed in the current legislative session that would prevent transgender athletes from competing in sports in public schools ….
cut 10 (10) “…in sports”
Edwards says he also opposes legislation that would make it difficult for a minor to pursue transgender treatments. These proposals have yet to receive a committee hearing.

The Coast Guard has ended its search for the remaining missing crewmembers from the Seacor Power. It was a week ago today when the lift boat capsized during stormy weather in the Gulf of Mexico. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Andrew Ehlers says their investigation will look at three factors…
cut 14 (10) “….accident”

A Senate Committee approves legislation that would end the requirement that gun owners 21 and older must have a permit to carry concealed firearms. The measure advanced to the Senate floor on a three to two vote. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter voted against it because he supports the mandatory training in order to get a permit…
cut 9 (07) “….matters”
Supporters say 20 other states do not require a concealed carry permit.

Another Senate committee narrowly approved legislation giving St. Tammany Parish voters a chance to decide if they want a riverboat in Slidell. Senator Sharon Hewitt says Peninsula Pacific Entertainment has proposed a waterfront casino that would create 1,900 permanent jobs and keep parish residents from spending money in Mississippi.
Cut 4 (11)“…customers in Mississippi.”
The proposal heads to the full Senate for more discussion.