A bill to allow your pet’s remains to be buried alongside you will be heard in House Commerce today. Brooke Thorington has more on this unique piece of legislation.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Strong storms knocked down trees and caused power outages in the Shreveport area during the overnight hours. There’s still a threat for severe weather for all of southeast Louisiana and parts of central Louisiana and Acadiana as a tornado watch is posted until 11 AM.

The Louisiana House Transportation Committee is set to discuss legislation today that will allocate state dollars to build a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Lake Charles Representative Philip Tarver says this long-discussed highway improvement project is close to becoming a reality…
cut 6 (12) “….of preparation”
Tarver says getting the financing in place is an obstacle that can be overcome thanks to federal infrastructure dollars and state surplus money.

The Biden Administration is launching a $500-million grant program aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner for kids and the environment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan (REE-gun) says the money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year…:
Cut 7 (08) “…improve air quality.”
Regan says public school districts spend about eight billion dollars a year on energy bills and this grant money can help schools make energy efficiency improvements.

The House Commerce Committee is set to discuss a bill this morning that would make it legal for the burial of pet remains with human remains at a cemetery. Longtime veterinarian and Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says pets are considered a family member and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them…
cut 11 (11) “…or afterwards”
For example, an urn of the pet’s remains can be added to a cemetery plot.

The Biden Administration has launched a 500-million dollar grant program that will be used to update public schools with modern, clean, energy-efficient facilities and transportation…
cut 8 (07) “….for these grants”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the grant money can be used to update school heating and air conditioning systems or purchase new alternative fuel school buses.

There’s been push back on the governor’s request to set aside 500-million dollars for a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, but a southwest Louisiana lawmaker is moving forward with his plan to use state dollars to help fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m David Grubb”

Jayhawk fans celebrated into the early morning hours in the New Orleans French Quarter after Kansas defeated North Carolina 72-69 in last night’s national title game in the Superdome.

A toddler drowned in north Caddo Parish on Monday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Rolden says the two-year-old’s mother found the little boy in Black Bayou Lake in the Hosston community after realizing the child had wandered away from his house. Roland says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are trying to determine what happened.
Cut 14 (09) “…for there.”

In the House Commerce Committee this morning, lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow a pet’s remains to be buried alongside their owners in a cemetery. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says he’s receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback about the legislation and even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the bill…
cut 12 (06) “….way overdue”
The bill would also allow for pet remains to be buried prior, during, or after the burial of human remains and they must be placed in a grave, vault, crypt, or niche.

The federal government launches a grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:
CUT 26(07) “…judicial restraint.”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.

A bill to allow for your pet’s remains to be buried with you will be heard in House Commerce today. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who is a retired veterinarian says the nexus of his bill is to make it not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.
Cut 10 (10) “…buried yourself.”
McMahen says pets are considered one of the family and many individuals find comfort in having their four-legged best friend rest beside them.

As millions of dollars are being allocated for infrastructure projects throughout the state, Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver wants to make sure the Calcasieu River Bridge project isn’t forgotten. At the Capitol today, House Transportation will consider HB 761, which would set aside state money for the project over the next six years.
Cut 4 (11) “…for the bridge.”

All of southeast Louisiana, part of Acadiana, and central Louisiana are under a tornado watch until 11 o’clock this morning. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says this latest storm system has already produced some damage in northwest Louisiana and the strong storms are currently moving through central Louisiana…
cut 21 (11) “…be an improvement”

The federal government has launched a 500-million dollar grant program that would allow schools to become more energy efficient. Money will also be available for local schools to invest in alternative fuel school buses. EPA Administrator Michael Regan says studies have linked breathing in diesel fumes while riding in buses as a legitimate health threat…
cut 9 (05) “….later this spring”

A Lake Charles lawmaker says the only thing in the way of a new Calcasieu River Bridge is a few hundred million dollars. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris and federal agencies launch a big grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bill to allow your pet’s remains to be buried alongside you will be heard in House Commerce today. Brooke Thorington has more on this unique piece of legislation.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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As millions of dollars are being allocated for infrastructure projects throughout the state, Lake Charles Representative Eric Tarver wants to make sure the Calcasieu River Bridge project isn’t forgotten. Tuesday at the Capitol, House Transportation will consider HB 761, which would set aside state money for the project over the next six years.

Cut 4 (11)  “…for the bridge.”

Tarver says the total price tag for construction of the bridge will likely exceed $1 billion but notes that the state has already allocated hundreds of millions to begin work.

Cut 5 (11) “,..a down payment.” 

The Calcasieu River Bridge is one of four major projects, including the new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, seeking funding. Tarver says that unlike some of the others, the research has been done, plans are in place, and it’s nearly ready to get started.

Cut 6 (12)  “…of preparation.”

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The White House, Vice President Kamala Harris, the federal Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency launch a $500-million grant program aimed at making schools and school busses cleaner for kids and the environment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan (REE-gun) says the money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed last year…:

Cut 7 (08) “…improve air quality.”

The grant money will be available to update old, worn-out school heating and A/C systems so that students breathe cleaner air while in class. Studies have shown the poor air quality in classrooms affects student concentration, performance and attendance. Regan says applying for the grants will be up to the individual school districts…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…for these grants.”

The grants would help schools become more energy-efficient, improve air quality, and access resources to make that happen. Another big part of the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure is money to invest in alternate fuels school busses. Regan says other studies have linked breathing in diesel fumes while riding in busses as a legitimate health threat…:

Cut 9 (05)  “…later this spring.”

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A bill to allow for your pet’s remains to be buried with you will be heard in House Commerce Tuesday. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who is a retired veterinarian says the nexus of his bill is to make it not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.

Cut 10 (10) “…buried yourself.”

Present law defines a cemetery as a place for the burial of human remains.

After serving as a veterinarian for 40 years, McMahen says pets are considered one of the family now and many individuals find comfort having like have their four-legged best friend rest beside them.

Cut  11 (11)  “…or afterwards.”  

For example, the cemetery could possibly add an urn of the pet’s remains added to the plot.

Of all of the bills McMahen has presented for legislation he says he’s received the most feedback on HB 833  and it’s been overwhelmingly positive. He says even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the legislation.

Cut 12 (06) “…way overdue.”

The bill would also allow for pet remains to be buried prior, during, or after the commitment of human remains and they must be placed in a grave, vault, crypt, or niche.

___________________________________

Tragic news out of Caddo Parish after the death of a two-year-old. Bia Roland with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a call just before ten Monday morning that a toddler was found in the Black Bayou Lake, just behind a neighbor’s home on Gator Hole Freeway in Hosston.

Cut 13 (11) “…they arrived”

Roland says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are all working together to determine exactly what happened.

Cut 14 (09)  “…for there.”

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The New Orleans Saints have shaken up the NFL Draft by making a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that gives the Saints two picks in the first round and four in the top 100 selections. Locked on Saints podcast host Ross Jackson says whether this is the first or the last move the team makes, it’s a good deal for the Black and Gold.

Cut 15 (16)  “…this year’s draft.”

Do the Saints have a specific player or players that they’re targeting with the picks? Jackson says it’s too early to say for sure, but some names have been circulating.

Cut 16 (15)  “…or second round.”

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Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees was in New Orleans Monday to help bring awareness to pediatric cancer. While he spoke with the media, Brees was asked if he missed Sundays in the Superdome.

Cut 17 (19) “ …juices flowing still.” 

The future Hall of Famer also gave his thoughts on Jameis Winston, Dennis Allen, and expectations for the Saints in year 2 A.D., After Drew.

Cut 18 (19) “ …built this culture.” 

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A bill to allow for your pet’s remains to be buried with you will be heard in House Commerce Tuesday. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, who is a retired veterinarian says the nexus of his bill is to make it not illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery.

Cut 10 (10) “…buried yourself.”

Present law defines a cemetery as a place for the burial of human remains. McMahan says a pet can not be euthanized without a medical condition in order to be buried at the same time of an owner.

Of all of the bills McMahen has presented for legislation he says he’s received to most feedback on HB 833 and it’s been overwhelmingly positive. He says even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the legislation.

Cut 12 (06) “…way overdue.”

House Commerce meets at 9:30 Tuesday morning.

As millions of dollars are being allocated for infrastructure projects throughout the state, Lake Charles Representative Eric Tarver wants to make sure the Calcasieu River Bridge project isn’t forgotten. On Tuesday, House Transportation will consider HB 761, which would set aside state money for the project over the next six years.

Cut 4 (11)  “…for the bridge.”

Tarver says the total price tag for construction of the bridge will likely exceed $1 billion but notes that the state has already allocated hundreds of millions to begin work.

Cut 5 (11) “,..a down payment.” 

The House Transportation Committee meets at 9:30 Tuesday morning.

Louisiana will see another round of severe weather tonight and during the overnight hours. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says strong storms will move into the Shreveport area after 7 PM and move eastward as the night wears on, which a big problem…:

CUT 05(12)      “…of the night.”

The entire I-20 corridor, Alexandria, and areas north of Hammond are all under an enhanced threat of severe weather.

A St. John the Baptist Parish deputy-involved shooting is now under State Police investigation. Trooper Kate Stegall says the deputy responded to a car crashed into the swamp on I-10 near LaPlace and the circumstances under which the shooting took place are still at question, however two weapons were retrieved from the car…:

CUT 08(05)      “…9mm handgun.”

The man shot is in critical condition.

Monroe Police are investigating a weekend double murder. Two victims were found Sunday night at a mobile home park near Bayou Desiard. A large amount of crystal meth and injectable illegal drugs were also found. MPD will gladly accept tips from the public and a $200 reward is offered.

Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says a reason for his ‘no’ vote stems from a ruling Judge Jackson made against an immigration policy put in place by former President Donald Trump that was reversed by a federal appeals court. Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:

CUT 16(07)      “…judicial restraint.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.

An elderly New Orleans man was killed Sunday morning in head-on crash in Terrebonne Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says 77-year-old Joseph Sias was hit by a vehicle driven by Houma resident Katelynn Scott, who was deemed impaired at the crash scene…:

CUT 09(11)      “…dead at the scene.”

A passenger riding with Sias was severely injured. Trooper Brennan says faces DUI and vehicular homicide charges

U.S. Senator John Kennedy says he’s a “no” vote for confirming federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. Kennedy today in the Senate Judiciary Committee…:

CUT 15(12)      “…be voting no.”

UL-Monroe’s new strategic plan takes aim at poverty in northeastern Louisiana. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Jefferson Parish native and St. Augustine high school alum Jon Batiste took home 5 Grammy Awards last night; including the coveted Album of the Year for “We Are.” Batiste won Best Music Video for “Freedom,” Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for “Cry,” and Best Score Soundtrack for Disney/Pixar’s animated hit “Soul.”