The Senate votes down legislation requiring cable and internet providers to give refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Moss Bluff man has been convicted of the 2018 rape of a 13-year-old. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Joseph Constance forcibly raped the victim, and told her he’d hurt her family if she ever told anyone. Constance is to be sentenced May 11^th.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers. According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-quarters of homes in the state have broadband internet access.  LSU Public Policy Research Director Mike Henderson says the remaining 25-percent who don’t say it’s either not available at all or it’s too expensive…:

CUT 05(06)      “…to them.”

This year’s efforts to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fall to defeat in the House Labor Committee. Many feel raising the minimum will result in fewer minimum wage jobs available, but Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Denise Marcelle disagrees…:

CUT 14(09)      “…jobs are there.”

All three minimum wage hike bills were rejected by the panel.

Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage failed to get the support of the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The numbers are in and last weekend’s New Orleans French Quarter Festival – the first in two years – attracted over 825-thousand persons. The festival was the first held since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic hitting the next year. The festival was a real boon for businesses still facing challenges caused by the pandemic

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote. Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills…:

CUT 07(12)      “…be a problem.”

Others felt the bill could threaten efforts to establish broadband internet access in all 64 parishes.

Highway 190 through Pointe Coupee Parish is re-opened, after a huge crash involving multiple big rigs shut it down. The wreck happened before dawn on the Morganza Spillway. State Police says the lanes were re-opened before noon.

An Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputy is under arrest for possessing child pornography. 24-year-old Brandon Morris was arrested after a joint investigation by state’s Cyber Crimes Unit, Homeland Security and the APSO. He’s been a deputy about 8 months, and has been fired from his job. Morris is currently behind bars.

At the Capitol, the Senate rejects legislation requiring cable and internet providers to provide refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

From the “No Surprise Here” file… The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling says reported cases of gambling addiction are on the rise, and yes – it coincides with the advent of sports book betting in the state. They say the majority of callers to their addiction helpline are between 25 and 34 years of age.

A couple of House bills seeking to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fail to pass in the House Labor Committee. “No” votes outnumbered the “yeas”, with opponents concerned the bills would raise consumer prices overall, and still hurt lower-income workers. Here’s Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews…:

CUT 13(10)      “…enter the workplace.”

At this hour, the committee still has another minimum wage bill to discuss.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers. Commissioner Foster Campbell says that covers seven northeast parishes…:

CUT 04(09)      “…and the poorest.”

About a quarter of Louisiana homes have no broadband internet; either because they can’t afford it or it’s just not available.

An effort to require cable and internet providers to give an automatic refund if they are not able to provide services for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for this legislative session. The Louisiana Senate rejected the bill on a 23-15 vote. There’s a push to increase broadband internet in rural areas and Minden Senator Robert Mills expressed concern this measure could impact those efforts…
Cut 9 (06) “…with this”
Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive.

According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-fourths of homes in the state have broadband internet access. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says of the remaining 25-percent who don’t, 40-percent say it’s not available and 60-percent say it’s too expensive.
Cut 5 (06) “…to them.”

At the state capitol today, the House Labor Committee has been debating bills to raise the minimum wage. Supporters are not finding much success as the panel has already rejected proposals to increase the minimum wage to 12-dollars an hour, increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees and also a proposal to implement a minimum wage for state workers. Similar efforts have been rejected by this committee before and Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 15 (12) “…sides of an argument”

Tonight, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley junior could be a top ten pick in the first round of the NFL draft. His coach at Dunham High School in Baton Rouge, Neil Weiner, says he’s been hearing from teams for years looking for inside info on the budding star.
Cut 10 (08) “…would reach out.”
Stingley has been considered a first-rounder since he dominated the SEC as a freshman for the 2019 national champions.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers, PSC Chair Lambert Boissiere says it’s historic…

Cut 3 (09) “…internet existed.”

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive. But River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says just because your cable is out on your television, some providers offer other ways to watch…

Cut 8 (08) “…this service.” 

The bill was voted down on a 23-15 vote.

Meeting up with a snake is among many people’s greatest fears but LDWF says even though snakes may not be man’s best friend, most aren’t your enemy either. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

In Opelousas, a shooting at an apartment resulted in two deaths, a 46-year-old man and a four-year-old, and injured three children, with two of them sent to the hospital. Police Chief Martin McLendon…

Cut 9 (05)  “…gone to.”
McClendon says they have a warrant out for the shooter and he expects an arrest soon.

At the state capitol, House Labor will hear five bills seeking to raise the minimum wage. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects they’ll meet defeat in committee because Republican lawmakers feel raising the minimum will hurt small businesses, and actually reduce the number of minimum wage employees they can hire…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…are republicans.”

Pinsonat says in the past minimum wage bills have failed at the Louisiana legislature and he expects the trend to continue.

There are 47 different species of snakes native to the state but only seven are venomous. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries herpetologist Keri Lejuene says there’s a very slim chance you’ll see a poisonous snake in your yard and has some simple advice to lower your chances of being bitten…

Cut  11 (11)  “…at all.”  

Garth Brooks is expected to play Saturday night before a crowd of more than 102-thousand in Tiger Stadium. But unlike a game Visit Baton Rouge President and CEO Paul Arrigo expects they’ll stay for the entire concert to hear Calling Baton Rouge live and in person as opposed to a pre-game recording during football season.

Cut 6 (11)  “…Baton Rouge time.”

The last time Brooks made a local call in Baton Rouge was April 1998.

An eighty-year-old man was killed in a crash involving with a school bus in Lafayette Parish Wednesday afternoon. State Police says the pickup truck Joseph Carriere of Scott was driving crossed the center line on Highway 98 and hit the bus head-on. The bus driver and four students were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.

Some people have a phobia of snakes, but LDWF says while they may not be man’s best friend, most aren’t an enemy either.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

An early morning shooting Wednesday in Opelousas kills a 46-year-old man and a four-year-old and injures three children. Opelousas Police Chief Martin McLendon says three children in the home were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. A four-year little girl died at the hospital and her seven-year-old and 17-month-old siblings remain in the hospital.

Cut 8 (11)  “…medical attention.”

Police say they have a suspect and a warrant has been issued.

The House Labor Committee will hear a number of bills today seeking to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana, but passage of any is far from assured. And while Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the bills won’t advance, members will at least let those in favor have their say…before down-voting the bills…:

Cut 15 (12)  “…sides of an argument.”