A House committee rejects an effort to provide a path to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates who were convicted on non-unanimous verdicts before the practice was deemed racist and unconstitutional. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Protestors marched at the state capitol demanding justice for the death of Ronald Greene. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

The House passes a bill banning K-12 and college trans athletes from participating in sports designated for biological females. Erik Piccoli has the story.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

____________________________

Legislation that would have provided a pathway to parole or retrial for the 1,500 Louisiana inmates with settled cases who were convicted non-unanimously is defeated in a House committee.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says Louisiana voters already deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional going forward, and that decision should be retroactive…

Cut 4 (09)”…today.”

The US Supreme Court has also deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional but earlier this month ruled that states are not mandated to retry settled non-unanimous convictions.

Promise of Justice lawyer Jamila Johnson says her organization represents two-thirds of the 1,500 people in jail on non-unanimous convictions. She says their convictions were part of a racist policy.

Cut 5 (06)”…clients are Black.”

In its ruling that deemed non-unanimous verdicts unconstitutional the Supreme Court agreed that Louisiana’s non-unanimous felony convictions law was rooted in racist Jim Crow policy.

No one spoke against the bill in committee but it is opposed by the District Attorneys Association who say 1,500 retrials would be difficult, costly and harm victims. Johnson says that’s no excuse.

Cut 6 (10)”…or the judge.”

The final vote was 7-5.

_____________________________

Some 200 protestors marched at the State Capitol Thursday demanding justice in the death of Ronald Greene, the black man who died during a 2019 traffic arrest in Union Parish by state troopers. Civil rights activists along with members of Greene’s family are calling on swift action to be taken for those responsible for his death.  Eugene Collins with the NAACP…

Cut 7 (05)  “…right now (cheering).”

Attorneys for the Greene family say they were initially told he died from injuries in a car crash after Greene led officers on a chase that ended in Union Parish. Body camera footage however later emerged showing Greene crying out he’s sorry as officers repeatedly punched, dragged, and used a stun gun on him while he was restrained.

Greene’s mother Mona Hardin joined protestors at the Capitol and thanked them for their support.

Cut 8 (03) “…murdered.”

Baton Rouge Activist Gary Chambers called out elected leaders for allowing the cover-up of Greene’s death to go on for so long and put them on alert for not arresting the officers responsible for his death.

Cut 9 (13) “…for months.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement that he met with Hardin on Thursday and pledged that the state police are cooperating with the Union Parish District Attorney and the US Department of Justice in their investigations.  ___________________________________

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girl’s and women’s sports passes in the House 77-17. Jefferson Representative Laurie Schlegel says the bill seeks to protect biological females and ensure a fair competitive environment…

Cut 10 (07) “…no longer exist.”

Opponents are concerned the bill would cause unintended economic consequences. New Orleans Representative Royce DuPlessis says businesses might be less likely to invest in Louisiana if this makes it into law…

Cut 11 (08) “…our business there.”

Schlegel says this won’t be an issue since states who have already passed similar legislation are hosting sponsored sporting events…

Cut 12 (07) “…Arkansas, Alabama, Tennesse.”

The bill has also been called discriminatory. Orleans representative Aimee Freeman says the legislation threatens to alienate an already vulnerable community…

Cut 13 (08) “…positive for them.”

The bill is headed to the governor’s desk where it’s expected to be vetoed.

___________________________________

Police reform legislation covering a number of bases from body camera activation policies, to duty to intervene, and even bans on chokeholds is headed to the Governor’s desk.

The bill is the result of a policing policy reform task force established last year after the George Floyd Protests. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says it’s the result of a lot of discussion…

Cut 14 (06) “…final passage.”

There was concern about the legislation’s limits on law enforcement’s authority to conduct nighttime no-knock warrants. James says it’s still allowed, but the process that must be followed to do so is now stricter…

Cut 15 (09)“…protect life.”

The bill, by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, cleared the House 97-1. The lone vote against came from Haughton Representative Dodie Horton. It cleared the Senate unanimously.

A bill allowing college student-athletes to get paid endorsements and otherwise profit off of their name, image, and likeness is one step away from hitting the Governor’s desk after getting unanimous approval in a House committee. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says we won’t be the first, or last state to go down this path…

Cut 7 (09) “…form of it.”

A bill prohibiting trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girls’ and womens’ sports is headed to the Governor’s desk where he’s expected to veto it. Jefferson Representative Laurie Schlegel says the bill seeks to protect biological females…

Cut 10 (7) “…no longer exist.”

Opponents say the bill is discriminatory and will drive away businesses with more progressive values and jeopardize New Orleans’ ability to host major sporting events.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder formally removes Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman, ending a month-long controversy starting with Garofalo’s comments about slavery.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington” 

The Legislature also approved legislation that would allow medical marijuana to be sold and consumed in its “raw, smokeable” form a police reform bill that deals with body camera usage and limits on no-know warrant usage, and the  House passes a bill mandating the national anthem be played before sporting events at state-funded facilities.

We’ve got the start times for LSU football’s first three games of the season. They’ll open in Los Angeles against UCLA in primetime on Fox on September 4^th at 7:30. They’ll host McNeese on September 11^th at 7 PM, and host Central Michigan on September 18^th at 6:30.

UL Lafayette also kicks off their season on September 4^th with a big nationally televised contest against Texas in Austin at 3:30. ULM will also get some national TV time for their season opener on the road against Kentucky. Terry Bowden’s Bulldogs will start that September 4^th game at 11 that morning.

Northwestern’s season is over after getting blasted by UNO 14-1 in Southland conference tournament play. The Privateers had three grand slams on the afternoon two by Darren Willis and one by Travis Gober.

Legislation allowing athletes to profit off of their name image and likeness is nearing the finish line after clearing House Education with unanimous approval.

LSU faces uncertain odds of getting into the NCAA tournament after getting bounced from the SEC tournament. Despite LSU’s 13-17 conference record, the team is ranked 24^th in the RPI. Coach Paul Manieri hopes the selection committee will take that into consideration.

Cut 17 (14) “…in the 20s as well.”

Louisiana Tech continues their fantastic season tonight against Southern Miss in the Conference USA Tournament winners’ bracket contest. Tech is coming off of a late-night win over UTSA on a walk-off home run in the 12^th inning, the longest game in C-USA Tourney history while Southern Miss didn’t have a first pitch in their win over Western Kentucky until 12:15 last night due to the Bulldog’s marathon contest.

McNeese plays Southeastern in the Southland Conference Tournament starting at 7 PM.

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his death in police custody in 2019 be charged criminally. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says he spoke with the Union Parish prosecutor today who told him they would seek criminal accountability for the officers “in due time”.

Cut 12 (10)   “…murder.” 

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this wasn’t an easy decision for House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Cut 3 (11)  “…shouldn’t be removed.” 

Covington Representative Mark Wright will chair the meeting for the remainder of the session.

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says Louisiana needs to keep up with other states that have already passed similar legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “…form of it.”

The bill now heads to the house floor.

Legislation mandating the National Anthem be played before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state passes in the House. Albany Representative Sherman Mack present the bill and was questioned by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman if the bill is even enforceable.

Cut 9 (06) “…that’s correct.”

The bill passed on a 74-11 vote and now returns to the Senate.

House Education unanimously approves legislation allowing collegiate student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness while in school. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

29-year old Landon Broussard of Lafayette will serve a life sentence for the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son, who was fatally beaten eight years ago. Broussard accepted a plea deal for the 2012 death of Julian Madera. Broussard faced the possibility of the death penalty if he was convicted, his prison sentence comes with no possibility of parole, probation, or sentence suspension.

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his death in police custody in 2019 be charged criminally. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says the family is meeting with the Governor today about the case and holding a protest on the steps of the State Capitol.

Cut 14 (08) “…justice.” 

Governor Edwards has stated the footage is disturbing and the case is being investigated by federal and local authorities.

Legislation mandating the National Anthem be played before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state passes in the House. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt’s bill was presented in the House by Albany Representative Sherman Mack who says the bill’s purpose is to honor veterans before sporting events and nothing more.

Cut 11 (11) “…played.”

The bill passed on a 74-11 vote and now returns to the Senate.

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his death in police custody in 2019 be charged criminally. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt called out the troopers involved by name and says they need to be behind bars, right now.

Cut 13 (12)“…arrest.”

The family is set to meet with the Governor today.

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. UL Systems president Jim Henderson says state higher education leaders are all on board with this bill and feel it will benefit athletes and programs in both larger and smaller schools.

Cut 8 (06) “…your consideration.”

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this racial tension has been brewing since last year when police reform proposals brought in the wake of the George Floyd murder were rejected. That tension continued this year.

Cut 5  (10)  “…term.”

Legislation mandating the National Anthem be palyed before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state passes the House. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman was concerned about the bill and questioned Albany Representative Sherman Mack about what determines a taxpayer facility.

Cut 10 (09) “…one dollar.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder formally removes Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman, ending a month-long controversy starting with Garofalo’s comments about slavery. Brooke Thorington.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________________

House Education unanimously approves legislation allowing collegiate student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness while in school. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this wasn’t an easy decision for House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Cut 3 (11)  “…shouldn’t be removed.” 

Garofalo’s comments late last month in committee calling for the teaching of “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery during a tense debate about education policy resulted in calls from the Legislative Black Caucus for Garofalo to be removed as chairman. Garofalo says his words have been taken “out of context” and he has nothing to apologize for.

Alford says Garofalo’s removal could have repercussions in the final few weeks of the session.

Cut 4 (09) “…negotiations.” 

Alford says this racial tension has been brewing since last year when police reform proposals brought in the wake of the George Floyd murder were rejected. That tension continued this year.

Cut 5  (10)  “…term.”

Covington Representative Mark Wright was named House Education Chairman for the rest of the session.

______________________________________

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says if his bill is signed into law it will help both athletes and their schools.

Cut 6 (12) “…both parties.”

The bill would allow athletes to make money by signing autographs, getting endorsement deals, and even profiting from their social media following.

Connick says Louisiana needs to keep up with other states that have already passed similar legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “…form of it.”

UL Systems president Jim Henderson says state higher education leaders are all on board with this bill and feel it will benefit athletes and programs in both larger and smaller schools.

Cut 8 (06) “…your consideration.”

_______________________________________________

The National Anthem could be required before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt’s bill was presented in the House by Albany Representative Sherman Mack, he was questioned by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman if the bill is even enforceable.

Cut 9 (06) “…that’s correct.”

The bill says that for any facility funded either partially or completely by tax dollars, the National Anthem must be played before sporting events, which includes the Superdome and Tiger Stadium. Freeman asked Mack what determines a taxpayer facility.

Cut 10 (09) “…one dollar.” (x2)

Mack says the bill’s purpose is to honor veterans before sporting events so they can enjoy hearing the National Anthem and nothing more.

Cut 11 (11) “…played.”

Senate Bill 124 was amended to define that no sporting event can be held unless it is preceded by the anthem. The amended bill passed on a 74-11 vote and now returns to the Senate.

____________________________________________

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his death in police custody in 2019 be charged criminally.

Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says he spoke with the Union Parish prosecutor today who told him they would seek criminal accountability for the officers “in due time”.

Cut 12 (10)   “…murder.” 

Videos released by State Police last Friday show several officers severely beating and tasing Greene after apprehending him following a car chase in Union Parish in 2019.

Merritt called out the troopers involved by name and says they need to be behind bars, right now.

Cut 13 (12)“…arrest.”

The family is set to meet with the Governor today about the case and a protest is planned for 3 PM on the steps of the State Capitol.

Cut 14 (08) “…justice.” 

Governor Edwards has described the footage of Greene’s treatment as disturbing but has said the case is being thoroughly investigated by local and federal authorities.

___________________________

The family of Ronald Greene is demanding the officers who are on tape beating Greene prior to his 2019 death in police custody be charged criminally. Greene family attorney Lee Merritt says he spoke with the Union Parish prosecutor today who told him they would seek criminal accountability for the officers “in due time”.

Cut 12 (10)   “…murder” 

The National Anthem could be required before all athletic events at taxpayer-supported venues in the state. Albany Representative Sherman Mack presented the bill and was questioned by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman if the bill is even enforceable.

Cut 9 (07) “…that’s correct.”

The amended bill passed on 74-11 vote and now returns to the Senate.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Garofalo’s removal could have repercussions in the final few weeks of the session.

Cut 4 (09) “..negotiations.” 

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says Louisiana needs to keep up with other states that have already passed similar legislation.

Cut 7 (09) “…form of it.”

The bill now heads to the house floor.

Legislation allowing college student-athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness received unanimous approval in a House committee and is headed to the House floor. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick…

Cut 6 (13) “..both parties”

The bill would allow athletes to make money by signing autographs, getting endorsement deals, and even profiting from their social media following.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo has been formally removed as Chairman of the House Education Committee following a controversy stretching back to last month involving his comments about slavery. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this wasn’t an easy decision for House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Cut 3 (12)  “…removed” 

As pool season kicks off this Memorial Day weekend, the state health department wants to remind you to pay attention to children around the water, especially after the state reports a staggering increase in child drownings. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” AM