12:30 LRN Newcast May 5

A new program goes into effect today to help speed up the verification process for Louisianans filing for unemployment. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says ID.me will help ensure the correct person collects benefits.

Cut 3 (11)  “…10 minutes” 

Legislation that would have established a closed party primary system for Louisiana congressional elections gets shelved for the session. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt wrote the bill. She says under the current jungle primary system voters don’t have much incentive to make sure they register with a party that matches their views.

Cut 6 (13) “…record”

The bill had a 5.5-million-dollar price tag due to the need to hold additional election cycles.

A New Orleans legislator Mandie Landry pulls her bill to decriminalize prostitution. There were about three hours of testimony on the proposal in a House committee yesterday, Landry saw that the opposition was too great…
cut 10 (10) “….happens”
Landry filed the bill after hearing from women who say sex work is a form of labor if it’s consensual.

For restaurants looking for federal assistance to recover pandemic-related revenue losses, they can now apply for funding through the S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 15 (09) “….run on the funds”
For more information go to S-B-A-dot-gov.

11:30 LRN Newscast

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry shelved her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.
Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.”
Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness…
Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”
The N-I-L bill has received approval from one Senate committee and is waiting to be heard by the Senate Finance committee.

Tomorrow on the House floor, lawmakers will vote on the proposed budget. It contains an 800-dollar raise for public school teachers and a 400-dollar hike in pay for school support workers. Teachers last received a raise in 2019, but Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teacher pay in this state still trails the Southern Regional Average…
cut 12 (09) “….pay teachers”

Governor Edwards is encouraging operators of Louisiana restaurants, bars, catering companies, and other food-related establishments to register for the U-S Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says unlike previous assistance with P-P-P loans, Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue…
cut 16 (13) “….you’ve received”
Go to S-B-A-dot-gov to register.

1140 Sportscast 5/5

The Pelicans lost to Golden State on Monday but got some payback last night as they beat the Warriors 108-103.  Zion Williamson has 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Pels but it was Lonzo Ball who led the way, as he scored a career-high 33 points and bounced back after a poor performance on Monday.

Cut 17 (15) “

The LSU basketball team has landed a commitment from former Illinois guard Adam Miller.  Miller was a full time starter for the Fighting Illini this past season and averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.  He is the third transfer player that LSU has added this off-season.  Also, Ragin Cajuns guard Mylik Wilson has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The former Rayville star has started 50 games at U-L Lafayette and last season averaged nearly 13 points and six rebounds a game as a sophomore.

The LSU baseball team will be without catcher Hayden Travinski for the remainder of the season.  Travinski will have surgery on a torn UCL in his thowing elbow.  Here’s coach Paul Mainieri on the injury.

Cut 30 (16)

Travinski has started 12 games this season and he’s hitting .271 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.

In more baseball news, tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is at 20th ranked Southern Miss, ULM will be on the road against Jackson State and Nicholls State’s game against Prairie View A-and-M has been canceled.

Louisiana Tech has a new voice of the bulldogs.  Beginning July 1st, Malcolm Butler will begin serving as the play-by-play voice for Bulldog football and men’s basketball.  Butler has been a member of Louisiana Tech’s athletic department and the university’s Associate Athletic Director in charge of athletic communications for 22 years.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 5

Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…
Cut 4 (11)“…methods”
But not enough House members agreed with Hilferty and the measure came up four votes short of passing and 29 school districts can still use a paddle on students.

 

After three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice Representative Mandie Landry pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution from consideration. Supporters say the government should not be involved with the sexual activities of consenting adults. Lakeesha Harris representing Women With a Vision and a former sex worker says the profession is unfairly judged and policed.

Cut 9 (04) “…the table.”

Some opposed on moral grounds and others said it would increase human trafficking.

Teachers would get an 800 dollar pay raise under a budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

An investigation by the Special Victims Unit of state police at the request of the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office results in the arrest of 21-year old Caleb Bowden for second-degree cruelty of a juvenile. State Police say after interviewing Bowden they determined he violently shook an infant who suffered serious injuries and was admitted to a hospital. Bowden was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center and bond was set at 100-thousand.

9:30 LRN newscast May 5

Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A House committee voted against a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. A similar bill will be debated on the Senate floor this afternoon. Governor Edwards will also provide a COVID-19 update at 3:30.

The state’s proposed 36-billion dollar budget for the next fiscal year contains an 800-dollar pay raise for K-through-12 teachers and a 400-dollar pay raise for school support workers. The governor’s initial spending plan only called for a 400-dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey is glad to see lawmakers are proposing more than what the governor recommended…
cut 11 (06) “….enough”
The budget bill will be up for debate on the House floor tomorrow.

A measure that would allow student-athletes in college to profit from their name, image, and likeness is waiting for a hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee. New LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey told the Louisiana House she supports this legislation as it will make the lives of all student-athletes better…
cut 7 (10) “….most of you”
The bill has already received approval from the Senate Education Committee.

8:30 LRN Newscast May 5

A New Orleans legislator is no longer seeking to pass a bill that would decriminalize prostitution. There were about three hours of testimony on the proposal in a House committee yesterday, but Representative Mandie Landry saw that the opposition was too great…
cut 10 (10) “….happens”
Landry filed the bill after hearing from women who say sex work is a form of labor if it’s consensual.

For restaurants looking for federal assistance to recover pandemic-related revenue losses, they can now apply for funding through the S-B-A’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 15 (09) “….run on the funds”
For more information go to S-B-A-dot-gov.

LSU Women’s Basketball coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Louisiana Senate is set to debate the Fairness in Women’s Sport’s Act this afternoon which says biological females are the only ones that can compete in women’s sports. A similar measure failed to get out of the House Education Committee yesterday on a six to five vote. Arkansas and Mississippi have passed laws to ban transgender individuals from competing in girls’ sports.

7:30 LRN Newscast May 5

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry shelved her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.
Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.”
Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools is possibly dead for the session after the proposal fell five votes short of passing the Louisiana House. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown questioned New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty about her bill…
cut 5 (12) “…Americans”

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages owners of restaurants, bars, and other food-related establishments to register for the Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says $28-billion has been set aside to fund the program.
Cut 14 (11) “… disadvantaged businesses.”
The federal program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss of up to ten-million dollar per business and five million per physical location. Go to S-B-A-dot-gov for more information.

The Louisiana House will consider the proposed budget for next fiscal year tomorrow. It contains an 800-dollar pay raise for K-through-12 teachers and a 400-dollar pay raise for support staff. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says the raise will help reduce attrition of teachers….
cut 13 (06) “…children there”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

After a flat performance and a loss on Monday to Golden State, the Pelicans played much better last night and defeated the Warriors 108-103 to move within two games of San Antonio for the final spot in the play-in tournament. Lonzo Ball was the key last night as he scored a career-high 33 points after a poor shooting performance on Monday…
cut 17 (15) “…that tonight”
Zion Williamson had 23 points and 12 rebounds. New Orleans is at Philadelphia on Friday.

Ragin Cajuns guard Mylik Wilson has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The former Rayville star has started 50 games at U-L Lafayette and last season averaged nearly 13 points and six rebounds a game as a sophomore. Reserve forward Chris Spenkuch is also in the portal.

New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness. Mulkey says this legislation would allow those student-athletes to do things that are transformative in their lives.
Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”
Mulkey made the comments when she was given the opportunity to address the Louisiana House. The N-I-L bill has received approval from one Senate committee and is waiting to be heard by the Senate Finance committee.

LSU catcher Hayden Travinksi will miss the rest of the season as he needs surgery on his throwing elbow. Travinski has started 12 games this season and he’s hitting .271 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. The Tigers begin a series tomorrow at home against Auburn.

Tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is at 20th ranked Southern Miss, ULM visits Jackson State and Nicholls game against Prairie View A-and-M has been canceled.

6:30 LRN newscast May 5

Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…
Cut 4 (11)“…methods”
But not enough House members agreed with Hilferty and the measure came up four votes short of passing and 29 school districts can still use a paddle on students.

Tomorrow on the House floor, lawmakers will vote on the proposed budget. It contains an 800-dollar raise for public school teachers and a 400-dollar hike in pay for school support workers. Teachers last received a raise in 2019, but Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teacher pay in this state still trails the Southern Regional Average…
cut 12 (09) “….pay teachers”

Governor Edwards is encouraging operators of Louisiana restaurants, bars, catering companies, and other food-related establishments to register for the U-S Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says unlike previous assistance with P-P-P loans, Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue…
cut 16 (13) “….you’ve received”
Go to S-B-A-dot-gov to register.

AM LRN Newscall May 5

Superstar LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Teachers would get an 800 dollar pay raise under a budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…

Cut 4 (11)“…methods”

29 school districts still allow the use of corporal punishment.

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown asked Hilferty about one of the primary reasons for the bill.

Cut 5 (12)“…Americans.”

The final vote was 50-47 against.

__________________________________

New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their image and likeness.

Mulkey says this legislation would allow those student-athletes to do things that are transformative in their lives.

Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”

The legislation by Senator Patrick Connick would allow students to sell their likeness and appear in advertisements or endorsements without having their status or student benefits impacted. The bill awaits a hearing in Senate Finance.

Mulkey says this bill will make the lives of all student-athletes better, even ones from small schools.

Cut 7 (10)  “…most of you.”

Mulkey, a hall of fame coach with three titles from her time in Baylor, was hired last month by LSU to revive the struggling women’s basketball program. Since her hire 3,000 deposits have been paid for season tickets.

_____________________

After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.

Cut 8 (10) “…exploitation.” 

Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.

Supporters say the government should not be involved with the sexual activities of consenting adults. Lakeesha Harris representing Women With a Vision and a former sex worker says the profession is unfairly judged and policed.

Cut 9 (11) “…stigmatized.”

After lengthy testimony on both sides of the issue, Landry decided to shelve the bill.

Cut 10 (10) “…happens.”

______________________________

House Appropriations approves a 36 billion dollar budget plan that includes an 800 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers and a 400 dollar pay raise for support staff.

The Governor’s initial budget only called for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teachers needed more than that…

Cut 11 (06) “….enough.”

An initial proposal by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder called for a 1,000 dollar raise. That’s still a possibility, pending a revenue projection by the Revenue Estimating Conference.

Posey says without this raise and raises in the coming years we risked seeing even more teachers head across state lines, or even give up on the professional altogether.

Cut 12 (09) “…pay teachers.”

Posey says this raise is a boost to local economies because the money will stay in the community, particularly rural areas that have trouble retaining educators.

Cut 13 (06) “…children there.”

The increase is being paid for in part by the influx of one-time federal dollars the state got from the Biden Administration. Some Republican lawmakers raised concerns about how the raise will be financed in future years once the federal funds run out.

____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages owners of restaurants, bars and other food-related establishments to register with the Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says $28-billion has been set aside to fund the program.

Cut 14 (11) “… disadvantaged businesses.”

Harris says the funding is part of the American Rescue Plan and there’s a portal to preregister your business at SBA.gov. He says owners should do so ASAP and so far 110-thousand have signed up.

Cut 15 (09)“…run on the funds.”

Unlike previous assistance with PPP loans, Harris says Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue.

Cut 16 (13) “…you’ve received.”

Harris says this is another lifeline to help the industry and highly encourages owners to register.