A grand jury has declined to indict the Lafayette Police officers who fatally shot Trayford Pellerin outside of a gas station last August. 15th Judicial District Attorney Don Landry says State Police reviewed the incident from every angle available and found the shooting was justifiable…
cut 10 (09) “….a case”
Body camera video shows Pellerin attempting to enter a gas station with a knife. He was repeatedly asked to drop the knife. Two officers also deployed tasers before he was fatally shot. Pellerin family attorney Ron Haley says Pellerin was experiencing a mental health crisis and likely fled from police because of where the country was at that point….
cut 13 (13) “….enforcement”

The Louisiana House has passed a bill that would decriminalize possession of marijuana. The vote was 67-25 in favor. If the Senate approves the bill, a person found with a small amount of marijuana would be charged with a misdemeanor, instead of a felony.

A second round of Pandemic EBT cards for students that receive free or reduced-priced meals normally at school will begin going out next month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A second round of Pandemic EBT cards for students that receive free or reduced-priced meals normally at school will begin going out next month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy encourages parents of children ages 12 and older to get their kids vaccinated. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A Lafayette grand jury decides against charging any of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Trayford Pellerin last August. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services receives approval to issue a second round of Pandemic EBT benefits to eligible families. DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says distribution this time will be different than before.

Cut 4 (10)“…priced meals.”

Eligible students in hybrid learning will receive $48 a month and those who had full virtual learning will receive $120 a month.

Howard says they expect the first round of cards will be mailed out to each eligible student in June.

Cut 5 (09)“…school year.”

If you fail to receive your P-EBT card in the mail, Howard says to contact your local school to check that you are on the list to receive benefits. Another difference besides not having to apply this time….

Cut 6 (09) “…eligible students.”

Howard says the P-EBT program is to assist with meals that recipients normally would have received if eligible students attended school in person.

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The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for use in children aged 12 and above and Senator Bill Cassidy strongly encourages parents to take advantage of this development.

Cassidy says most children do not suffer severe effects from COVID-19, but that’s no reason not to have your child immunized.

Cut 7 (09)  “…a grandparent..”

Cassidy says getting your kids vaccinated means they can safely see their grandparents again. He says many elderly residents haven’t seen their grandchildren in over a year…

Cut 8 (09) “…dinner.” 

Cassidy also had some criticism for the CDC. He says their outdated policies on masking and travel rob them of the credibility needed to encourage those who are vaccine-hesitant to get a shot.

Cut 9 (08) “…credibility.”

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A Lafayette grand jury declines to indict the officers who fatally shot Trayford Pellerin last August.

District Attorney Don Landry says State Police reviewed the incident from every angle available and found the shooting was justifiable.

Cut 10 (09) “….a case.”

Extended video of the incident was released by Landry. It shows Pellerin walking into a gas station, standing around, and staring blankly for over ten minutes. Eventually, he appears to go looking for someone who isn’t there, begins shouting, tosses a drink, draws a knife, and exits the store. As he walks down the street with a knife he’s confronted by officers, shouts at the officers and threatens them while retreating, and is eventually shot multiple times as he attempts to enter another gas station.

Landry says Pellerin threatened to stab officers earlier in the incident and those officers showed restraint by waiting as long as they did to shoot him.

Cut 11 (11) “….hindsight.”

Pellerin Family Attorney Ronald Haley says Pellerin had committed no crime other than failing to comply before he was shot to death. He calls the decision extremely disappointing.

Cut 12 (08) “…this country.”

Haley says Pellerin was clearly experiencing a mental health crisis and likely fled from police in part because of where the country was at that point.

Cut 13 (13) “…enforcement.”

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Termites are year-round pests but they are especially prevalent during the spring and summer months here in Louisiana.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s witnessed first-hand how active termites currently are.

Cut 14 (09) “…new home.”

Strain says you can turn off outside lights and clean and repair gutters on your home to prevent termites, but the most important prevention method might be…

Cut 15 (07)“…moisture.”

In addition to eliminating moisture, Strain says taking care of wood around your house is also key in termite prevention.

Cut 16 (10) “…your home.”

Strain also stresses the importance of getting your house tested by a licensed professional.

The House approves a tax and fee structure for sports betting. The legislation calls for a ten-percent tax on the net proceeds of an operator for on-premise sports wagering and an 18-percent tax on net proceeds from mobile betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

Stefanski says most of the tax money from bets placed at kiosks run by the Louisiana Lottery will go towards education…

Cut 10 (09) “.in children 

Voters in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved sports betting.

The House approves legislation that would roll back the use of non-compete clauses for doctors.

An effort to end the use of nearly unpaid involuntary servitude in Louisiana prisons was defeated in committee. Bill author Brusly Representative Edmond Jordan contended the current practice is tantamount to slavery, and cited the fact it’s only allowed under the state’s “slavery exception” for convicted criminals. The effort failed 9-5 with some opponents arguing that because the 13^th Amendment also includes the prison work exception the legislation would have no effect.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses is calling on lawmakers to roll back federally enhanced unemployment benefits as state businesses begin reopening only to find a critical lack of workers.  Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn McVea says labor shortages are impeding economic recovery.

Cut 7 (09)  “…usually is.”

Opponents argue if businesses are having troubling hiring right now it’s because their pay is too low. (5-11-2021 AM)

New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in this after as the state’s newest Congressman. Carter will represent New Orleans in the U-S House, along with portions of the River Parishes and the Baton Rouge area. He says his district has a lot of needs…COVID recovery, economic development, infrastructure investment, criminal justice reform, education, and environmental justice.

Cut 13 (10)“…being addressed”

Gas prices will most likely increase nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production but to the east of us…

Cut 6 (11) “…gallon.”

The pipeline carries fuel from Texas up to the East Coast.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served.

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says due to the current law wineries can’t ship directly to consumers because of an agreement with wholesalers and retailers hinders them from shipping most of their product to Louisiana.

Cut 5  (11)  “…ship to Louisiana.”

Opponents say it will hurt local retailers. The measure passed 53-40 and now heads to the Senate.

New Orleans Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in as Louisiana’s newest U-S House member today, replacing Cedric Richmond who represented the second district until taking a job with the Biden administration. The former New Orleans City Councilman and state lawmaker understands the importance of public service.

Cut 12 (09)   “…the people” 

Gas prices will most likely continue to increase after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Louisiana likely won’t be as impacted as other states due to our local production. Redman says this attack comes at a particularly bad time given the fact that prices were already beginning their slow summer march upward…

Cut 8 (09) “…lockdowns”

The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Bill author, Crowley Representative John Stefanski says most of the tax money from bets placed at kiosks run by the Louisiana Lottery will go towards education…

Cut 10 (09) “.in children 

Sports betting was approved in 55 parishes.

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Current law prohibits manufacturers from sending vino directly to a connoisseur in Louisiana if a wholesale agreement with distributors is already in effect. Opponents like Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle say it could hurt wine wholesalers and retailers in the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…consumers.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

A cyber-attack against one of the nation’s largest pipelines threatens to increase gas prices locally and potentially result in fuel shortages elsewhere. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington D.C. to testify before the U-S Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday. His office says Edwards will address the adverse impact that a protracted moratorium on mineral leases in the Gulf of Mexico will have on Louisiana’s economy.

The Louisiana House has approved a sports betting bill that would allow restaurants that serve alcohol to have kiosks where you would be able to place a wager on a game in 55 of the 64 parishes where voters approved sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the Louisiana Lottery will oversee these kiosks…
cut 11 (12) “…the lottery”
Stefanski says a separate bill is moving through the legislature that would establish sports betting parlors at the state’s casinos and racetracks.

Democrat Troy Carter was sworn in as Louisiana’s newest member in the U-S House as he’ll represent the state’s second Congressional District…
Cut 14 (11) “..great country”

New Orleans lawmaker Troy Carter is now officially Congressman Cater. Carter was sworn in this afternoon in DC by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

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Carter won a run-off election in the state’s second congressional district last month to replace Cedric Richmond who took a job with the Biden Administration. Governor John Bel Edwards was also in attendance for the ceremony.

Gas prices will most likely continue to increase nationwide after a cyber-attack shut down the Colonial Pipeline, one of the nation’s largest fuel veins. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

The Louisiana House has passed legislation that puts in place the fee and tax structure for sports betting. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill also allows the Louisiana Lottery to oversee sports betting at bars and restaurants, where alcohol is served.

Cut 9 (10) “…kiosk”

A bill to allow Louisiana consumers to have their favorite wine shipped directly from the manufacturer passes in the House.  Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says 44 other states allow this but in Louisiana, a wholesale agreement with distributors hinders the sale.

Cut 3 (12)  “…stipulation.” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman warns gas prices could see a bit of a jump due to a cyber-attack that shut down one of the nation’s largest pipelines. The average cost of a gallon of gas in Louisiana sits at two dollars and 66 cents, but Redman says nationally that number is just under three dollars and expected to rise quickly…

Cut 7 (07) “…2014.”

The price is up a dollar and six cents from this time last year when the futures price of a barrel of oil dropped below zero.

The future of legislation that would fully legalize recreational marijuana in Louisiana is in question after a vote on the bill was delayed for a second time Monday. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers are split between the public and some powerful constituencies.

Cut 14 (10) “…issue.”

Wine consumers in Louisiana could soon have their favorite beverage shipped directly from the manufacture. Brooke Thorington explains

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