1:30 LRN Newscast June 3

One-half of the legislative effort to allow the use and sale of raw, smoke-able medical marijuana has gained final legislative passage and is expected to be signed by the Governor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

 

Waitr announces the launch of a corporate rebranding initiative. The Lafayette based on-demand food ordering and delivery service says as they continue to expand, they want to change their name that better reflects their new business model. The company currently is interviewing branding firms.

 

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope asked New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman how her bill would impact the collection of local sales for municipalities and parishes.

Cut 8 (07) “…an option.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the sales tax would end in July 2022.

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for five parishes following the flash flooding in mid-May which damaged several thousand homes in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis says residents in these parishes can apply for disaster assistance…

Cut 3 (07)  “…uninsured.” 

So far, more than 2,900 homes have reported damage from the severe weather.

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 3

The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional in what could be Paul Mainieri’s final weekend as the coach of the Tigers. Mainieri says he’s not trying to think about how his career is ending soon…
Cut 19 (18) “…Super Regional.”

LSU announces it has parted ways with offensive line coach James Cregg. In 2019, the Tigers offensive line received the Joe Moore Award which goes to college football’s best offensive line. But the o-line didn’t play well last season and Cregg is not known for his recruiting.

LSU running back Keontre Bradford has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

For the first time ever, Louisiana Tech will host an NCAA Baseball Regional. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says after a grueling Conference USA Tournament where they played six games in five days, his guys are ready to play a game again…
cut 30 (27) “…go down’
Tech will host Rider tomorrow night at 6 PM at J-C Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

Also at 6 Pm tomorrow, Louisiana Tech will face T-C-U in the Fort Worth Regional opening round. The Cowboys are making their sixth appearance in a Regional and they are two and ten all-time. They went 0-2 in the Nashville Regional in 2019.

PM LRN Newscall June 3

A bill to remove the state sales tax from feminine hygiene products along with diapers is heading to the full Senate for final passage. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

____________________________________

One-half of the legislative effort to allow the use and sale of raw, smoke-able medical marijuana has gained final legislative passage and is expected to be signed by the Governor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for five parishes following the flash flooding in mid-May which damaged several thousand homes in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes. FEMA spokesperson Stuart Lewis says residents in these parishes can apply for disaster assistance…

Cut 3 (07)  “…uninsured.” 

So far, more than 2,900 homes have reported damage from the severe weather, with 737 suffering major damage and a number of them being destroyed.  Lewis says FEMA can help displaced individuals find a permanent residence.

Cut 4 (11) “…those things.” 

Stuart says even if you are insured, you can file a claim with FEMA if you need additional support.

Cut 5  (12)  “…the gaps.”

To File for FEMA assistance you can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.Gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

______________________________________

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’s bill is in its fifth year in the legislature previously carried by former New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell. Freeman says the bill has wide support.

Cut 6 (11) “…Catholic Bishops”

Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert questioned Freeman about how much removing the state sales tax on feminine hygiene products, along with child and adult diapers, would cost the state.

Cut 7 (12) “…tax exempt.” 

The legislation removes the collection of state sales tax on the designated items. Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope asked how this would impact the collection of local sales for municipalities and parishes.

Cut 8 (07) “…an option.” 

Removing the 4.45 percent tax would cost the state $10.5 million. The bill passed in the house 62-32. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the sales tax would end in July 2022.

___________________________

The Colorado State University hurricane research team is continuing to call for 18 named storms this hurricane season. C-S-U Graduate Research Assistant Jhordanne Jones says they still do not see an El Nino developing, which can hinder tropical storm development

Cut 9 (11) “…north Atlantic.”

2020 produced a record number of storms with 30 and a record five named storms made landfall in Louisiana. Jones says there’s still a good chance the Bayou State will be threatened again this year

Cut 10 (07) “…named storm”

The 18 named storms include Ana, which formed in May. Researchers also expect eight hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength. Jones says Gulf coast residents should have plans in place if a storm threatens their area…

Cut 11 (11) “…informed.”

______________________________________

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form.

Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his legislation will make medical marijuana more accessible to those who need it by significantly reducing the cost of the treatment.

Cut 12 (10)   “…tremendously” 

Mississippi and Arkansas have also approved the use and sale of raw medical marijuana.

Governor Edwards indicated he will sign the bill and Magee notes, unlike the push for recreational pot, it did not face any opposition from law enforcement groups.

Cut 13 (11)“…problem”

Magee says producers estimate the new form of the treatment will be available in January.

Recreational marijuana legalization only won 47 votes in the House compared to this medical marijuana expansion’s 75 votes. Magee says legalization is coming, but it will have to wait for one key group…

Cut 14 (12) “…at it.” 

Legislation establishing the tax rate for raw medical marijuana is still working through the Legislature and was amended to include a controversial, unrelated tax proposal related to infrastructure.

12:30 LRN Newscast June 3

An effort to remove the state sales “pink tax” from feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final passage. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert questioned New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’ about the bill and how much removing the state sales tax would cost the state.

Cut 7 (12) “…tax exempt.” 

If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, it would go into effect July 2022.

The Legislature gave final passage to a bill that would allow the use of medical marijuana in the raw, smoke-able form. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his legislation will make medical marijuana more accessible by significantly reducing the cost of the treatment.

Cut 12 (10)   “…tremendously” 

Governor Edwards has indicated he will sign the bill.

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

1140 Sportscast 6/3

The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional.  Center fielder Giovanni Digiacomo re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the final regular-season series against Texas A-and-M. Coach Paul Mainieri says Gio has been practicing and he expects he’ll get the start on Friday night.

Cut 20 (14) “play well”

The Southern Jaguars baseball team is in Texas for the Austin regional that begins tomorrow. The Jags are the four-seed after taking down a very tough Jackson State team in the SWAC championship. Coach Chris Crenshaw says playing in the tournament was beneficial because they learned how to handle adversity.

Cut 18 (09) “five days”

LSU has announced its parting ways with offensive line coach James Cregg. Cregg has been the Tigers o-line coach since 2018 and in 2019 he helped the team win the 2019 Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation’s top O-line.  However his unit struggled last season as the Tigers went 5-5.

LSU running back Kevontre Bradford has entered the transfer portal after one year in Baton Rouge.  The former four-star recruit played a limited role last season as he had just 10 carries for 58 yards in 2020.

Louisiana Tech has added two players to its football program in offensive lineman Kellton Hollins and wide receiver Samuel Emilus.  Hollins spent the last five years at TCU where he appeared in 23 games.  Emilus comes from UMASS where he hauled in 59 catches for 653 yards and 7 touchdowns from 2018 to 2020.

Also, the United States Football League has officially announced its return.  The league will partner with Fox Sports and will debut in the spring of 2022.

11:30 LRN Newscast June 3

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward made an emotional appeal to the committee, saying he doesn’t want to see any more of his family move out of state because of Louisiana’s inadequate infrastructure.
Cut 8 (10) “…state.”
The legislation would generate 400-million dollars every year that would go towards road and bridge improvements.

An effort to remove the state sales tax on the purchase of feminine hygiene products and diapers is heading to the Senate floor for final legislative passage. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her legislation has wide support.
Cut 6 (11) “…Catholic Bishops”
Removing the 4.45 percent sales tax on the purchase of tampons and, diapers would cost the state $10.5 million dollars.

The Loyola University Law School has put together the first comprehensive report on prison deaths in Louisiana and it has found a vast majority of the deaths from 2015 to 2019 were the result of a medical illness. Professor Andrea Armstrong says suicide and drug overdose deaths were the second and third leading causes. Armstrong says the report points to the need for an independent panel oversight committee to look at prison deaths…
cut 16 (07) “….deaths’

The city of Ruston is getting ready for a big weekend of visitors as the city is hosting an NCAA Baseball Regional, a big youth softball tournament at its sports complex and Saturday is the Louisiana Peach Festival. Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker says their sports complex has helped keep tourism up during the pandemic…
cut 12 (10) “….every weekend”

10:30 LRN Newscast June 3

A House bill to give St. Tammany voters the opportunity to decide if riverboat gambling should be allowed in the parish is heading to the Senate Floor. Slidell Representative Mary DuBuisson’s bill passed on a tight 5-4 vote in Senate Finance. Slidell Pastor John Raymond spoke in opposition, stating his area of the parish would suffer the downside of gaming while other areas would profit.

Cut 4 (08)”…share.”

After the vote advancing the bill to the Senate floor, Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White reminded those who testified in opposition that it’s not a done deal yet.

Cut 7 (11)  “…what we do.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage.

Senate Finance advances a bill that would dedicate point four-five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure. Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry says he’s not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was supposed to be a temporary solution to the fiscal cliff…

Cut 10 (11) “…an income tax.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is getting ready for a crush of visitors starting Friday as they host a “triple-header” of an NCAA Regional Tournament, a softball tournament, and the Peach Festival. Ruston won the hosting rights for the regional after La Tech’s inspiring 40-18 season. Walker says the whole city is proud of what the team has been able to accomplish and will be packing the new “Love Shack”.

Cut 11 (03) “…sold out.”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast June 3

The Senate Finance Committee approves a proposal to make permanent a .45-percent state sales tax and use that money to pay for improved roads and bridges. Baton Rouge Democratic Senator Regina Barrow is concerned that dedicating this money, which would be about 400-million dollars a year, could lead to financial problems elsewhere…
cut 9 (09) “…education”
And a conservative group of lawmakers says this portion of the sales tax should roll off the books in 2025 as intended when passed in 2018.

The Loyola University Law school releases the first comprehensive report on inmate deaths in Louisiana. Professor Andrea (On-dree-ah) Armstrong says 786 known inmates died from 2015 to 2019. She says most of the deaths are the result of medical illness and only half of the preexisting conditions were diagnosed while incarcerated.
Cut 14 (10) “…behind bars.”

A bill that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish an opportunity to decide in October if gaming can be legalized in that parish so that a casino can be built in Slidell received approval from the Senate Finance Committee. Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob provided committee members with information on the number of Louisiana gamblers who visit casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast…
cut 5 (10) “…region”
But St. Tammany resident Linda Thornhill is skeptical about how gaming revenue is appropriated.
Cut 6 (12)”…it did.”
Despite the opposition, the measure heads to the Senate floor for final legislative passage.

8:30 LRN Newscast June 3

Legislation dedicating a portion of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 cleared a Senate committee 7-4 and is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The White House has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the flash flooding last month that damaged several thousand homes and left five people dead. The declaration will allow affected residents in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, and Lafayette parishes to register for FEMA aid.

An effort to give voters in St. Tammany Parish a chance to vote on whether they want a new riverboat casino in Slidell cleared a key legislative hurdle as it passed the Senate Finance Committee on a five to four vote. Spectrum Gaming VP Matthew Roob says a casino in Slidell would keep thousands of gamblers in Louisiana from going to the Mississippi Gulf Coast…
cut 5 (10) “…region”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for final legislative approval.

The city of Ruston is getting ready for a big weekend. Louisiana Tech is hosting an NCAA baseball regional, the city is also hosting a youth softball tournament and the Louisiana Peach Festival is Saturday. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker…
cut 13 (07) “…you want”

7:30 LRN Newscast June 3

Legislation that would extend a temporary sales tax beyond 2025 and use that money to improve roads and bridges receives the approval of the Senate Finance Committee. Metairie Republican Senator Cameron Henry is not too keen on permanently extending a tax that was a temporary solution to a previous budget crisis…
cut 10 (11) “….an income tax”
The bill heads to the Senate where it will need two-thirds approval.

Legislation that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish an opportunity to vote on whether they want a riverboat casino in Slidell is advancing to the Senate floor after a close vote in Senate Finance. Chairman Bodi White had this to say to the opponents who testified against the legislation…
cut 7 (11) “…what we do”

The first-ever comprehensive report of deaths behind bars in the state is released by Loyola Law. Brooke Thorington has more on what the study found among the 786 deaths from 2015 to 2019.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a woman who was found dead this morning inside an apartment on Houma Boulevard. The sheriff says there is no suspect or motive available at this time. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says human remains were discovered in a wooded area of Golden Meadow just north of Yankee canal. An autopsy is scheduled.