6:30 LRN Newscast

A bill seeking to repeal the state’s 2016 Raise the Age law will go to the full Senate for debate. Kevin Gallagher reports it would mean more 17-year-olds could be tried as adults…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow has decided not to move forward with a proposal that would allow judges to sentence sex offenders to surgical castration if they sexually assaulted a victim younger than 13. Louisiana’s law already allows judges to order certain sex offenders to undergo chemical castration.

Starting next month, Entergy will give residential and business customers the opportunity to receive some or all of their electricity usage from a clean, renewable energy generator. Director of regulatory affairs Elizabeth Ingram says customers will pay a slight surcharge depending on which tier they select…
cut 11 (09) “….per kilowatt hour”
The solar energy would come from Entergy’s Capital Region Solar site in West Baton Rouge Parish.

The largest free international music festival kicks off tonight in Lafayette and after a two-year absence organizers of Festival International are tuning up for the possibility of record-breaking crowds. Spokesperson Brad Cradeur says there’s plenty of anticipation for the five-day festival…
Cut 4 (08) “…tons of fun.”

###Updated AM Newscall with Pelicans Postgame###

The anticipation for Festival International is at an all-time high as the global musical event returns to Acadiana tonight after a two-year absence. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

A bill seeking to repeal the state’s 2016 Raise the Age law will go to the full Senate for debate. Kevin Gallagher reports it would mean more juveniles could tried as adults…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________

Entergy renews its effort to make renewable energy accessible to its customers next month. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

The largest free international music festival kicks off tonight in Lafayette and after a two-year absence organizers of Festival International are tuning up for record-breaking crowds. Spokesperson Brad Cradeur says there’s plenty of anticipation for the five-day festival to get underway.

Cut 4 (08)  “…tons of fun.”

For this year’s festival which features musical acts, crafts, and food from all over the globe, there’s a new cashless payment system. Cradeur says you can register for an account ahead of time on their website FestivalInternational-dot-org

Cut 5 (10) “…bank account.”

If you’ve never attended the event Cradeur says it’s hard to explain in a few words just how distinctive the event is for Acadiana. He says he can’t think of any other place in the world where you can experience such a gamut of music in less than a tenth of a mile.

Cut 6 (10)  “…something years now.”

Festival International normally attracts up to 300,000 attendees over the five-day period but organizers expect to eclipse previous records in attendance this year.

________________________________________

A bill to repeal Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law passes a Senate committee without objection. The law assures all persons under 18 who commit serious crimes are tried in juvenile court. The bill seeks to make that age limit 17. Speaking for it, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who referenced a terrible New Orleans carjacking last month, in which a woman was dragged to death. The persons arrested were all minors…:

Cut 7 (10) “…tried as adults.”

The “Raise the Age” law was part of a criminal justice reform package, pushed by Governor John Bel Edwards during his first year in office. Passed in 2016, it took effect in March 2019, and provides that – for court and trial purposes – “child” means anyone under 21 who commits a crime before age 18. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill would return that definition to “before age 17”. Eighteenth JDC District Attorney Tony Clayton says it’s time to get rid of “Raise the Age”…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…with the rest of us.”

Among those opposing the bill was Rachel Gassert, with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. She says the 2016 law merely stops the automatic routing of 17-year-olds through the adult court system, and she says the measure is unnecessary…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…question is relevant.”

Passed without objection by Senate Judiciary B committee members, the bill moves to the Senate floor.

_______________________________________

Soon Entergy customers will have the option to match some or get all of their electricity usage from renewable energy sources. Director of regulatory affairs Elizabeth Ingram says the Green Select program starts in May with customers able to choose from receiving 25 to up to 100 percent of their power from facilities like the Capital Region Solar site in West Baton Rouge.

Cut 10 (08) “…renewable sources.”

The Entergy Green Select program makes renewable energy available to people who rent their homes or are unable to install solar panels. Customers will have to pay a slight surcharge depending on which tier they select.

Cut  11 (11)  “…per kilowatt hour.”  

Ingram says roughly 30 percent of the energy supplied to customers comes from clean sources and Green Select should help increase that number as Entergy looks to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent over the next eight years from where they were in the year 2000, with a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Cut 12 (11) “…to bring customers.” 

For more information, you can visit renew-dot-entergy-dot-com.

_______________________________________

Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns says sports gamblers wagered $628.3 million in the first five months of the expansion for online betting.

Cut 13 (10) “…it works”

Johns says it works well enough that sports wagering has generated $7.4 million in tax revenue for Louisiana.

Johns says while the commission was under lots of pressure to get online sports betting up and running ASAP, he says it wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of several agencies.

Cut 14 (11)  “…we did.”

Instead of rushing online gaming, Johns says he’s relieved they took the time to ensure it launched smoothly…

Cut 15 (06)  “…pleased with.”

Casinos brought in $53.8 million from sport betting from November to March.

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The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow and for the first time in a while, there won’t be a lot of LSU Tigers taken early. One player who should hear his name called on day one is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. While his LSU career was cut short by injury, draft expert Mike Detillier says Stingley still has everything needed to be a star at the next level.

Cut 16 (18)  “…in 2019.”

After playing 15 games for the 2019 national champs, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley came back with a fantastic pro-day performance that has likely lifted him back into the top 10 of the draft. Detillier says the health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field.

Cut 17 (16) “ …NFL season.” 

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The New Orleans Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting. He says his team has to be better, and it starts with him.

Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.” 

Now down three games to two, the Pelicans face elimination in Game 6. Ingram says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.

Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.” 

The Pelicans have trailed by double digits at halftime in all three losses. Coach Willie Green says they have to be ready to play from the outset against the best team in the league.

Cut 20 (13) “ …really good team.” 

The series returns to New Orleans on Thursday for Game 6. Tip-off will be at 6:30 pm.

5:30 LRN Newscast April 26

After receiving feedback in Senate Judiciary C Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill this session to allow judges to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White says he’s seen video from sex crime prosecutors where young children are raped and he can’t wait to vote for the legislation…

Cut 14 (09)  “…threw up.”

Barrow plans to research the bill and refile next year.

A bill to repeal Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the Age” law passes a Senate committee without objection. The bill means more 17-year-olds could be tried as adults. Attorney General Jeff Landry spoke of the New Orleans carjacking last month, in which a woman was dragged to death by a group of minors…:

Cut 7 (10) “…tried as adults.

The Senate overwhelmingly approves a bill to criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says out of the state businesses are selling the pills online to women in Louisiana to take without physician oversight…

Cut 10 (10) “…for women”

The bill moves to the House.

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, House Bill 291 gives LDH the ability to reject questionable evacuation plans. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says Health and Welfare members repeatedly asked who approved a plan to evacuate patients to a warehouse where patients’ bedding consisted of mattresses on the floor.

Cut 4  (04) “…and process.”

The bill advances to the House.

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 26

The stakes continue to get higher for the New Orleans Pelicans with tonight’s game five versus the Phoenix Suns. History says the winner of game five goes on to win the series 85 percent of the time, and a loss tonight would also mean the Pels would have to win back-to-back games against the Suns, something that hasn’t happened in this series so far, and happened only four times to Phoenix all season long.

Pelicans forward Herb Jones was assessed a flagrant foul Tuesday afternoon for pushing Chris Paul during game four in what has been a physical and emotional series. The rookie has been tasked with harassing Paul defensively and seemed to frustrate the future Hall of Famer. Pels guard CJ McCollum says Jones is the right man for the job.

Cut 17 (19) “…the length.”

Game time is 9 pm.

LSU baseball looks for its fifth consecutive win and a season sweep of its series with UNO tonight at Privateer Park. The Tigers are 27-12 overall this season, and sit third in the SEC West standings at 10-8. It hasn’t been a smooth ride to this point, but LSU is still in position to make a late push in the conference standings. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has battled all year, and likes how they’ve handled the ups and downs.

Cut 19 (18) “…what’s next.”

You can catch the game starting at 6:30 pm on ESPN-plus.

In other action around the state, Southeastern will try to end fourth-ranked Southern Mississippi’s school record-tying 14-game win streak in Hammond tonight. UL-Monroe visits McNeese looking for a split in their season series, and Tulane is on the road to face South Alabama.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 26

At the State Capital, the full Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wrote the bill because the current law prohibiting such activity is unclear…:

CUT 09(12)      “…in Louisiana.”

Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman. The bill moves to the House for committee consideration.

COVID numbers statewide are cratering. Only 38 people statewide in the hospital with the virus and no one on a ventilator. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is happy with those numbers…:

CUT 06(06)      “…of this pandemic.”

He says another surge of a variant is almost a certainty, though.

 

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Morgan Lamandre, with a group called STAR, Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response, told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…:

CUT 13(11)      “…more deadly.”

Barrow voluntarily deferred her own bill, but says she may bring it back in another form next year.

A head-on crash in Pointe Coupee Parish claims the life of a woman and leaves six people hurt – five of them kids. Police say no one is either vehicle was wearing a seatbelt. The crash is under investigation.

An eagle-eyed person out for a stroll spotted two bald eagles grabbing a snack near Lake Pontchartrain. While near the Mandeville lakeshore, Janet Wakeland managed to snap a couple of photos of the pair, stealing bait from local fishermen yesterday.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 26

News from the legislature. After hundreds of nursing home patients were evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse during Hurricane Ida – where many died from terrible conditions – lawmakers are responding with legislation. Brooke Thorington has more on one of those bills…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Hotels in Baton Rouge report they are nearly booked up solid for this Saturday night’s big Garth Brooks concert in Tiger Stadium. Believe or not, there are still SOME tickets available through Ticketmaster.

 

Deputies in Vernon Parish are investigating a murder-suicide in the town of Anacoco Monday. Detectives say the think 49-year-old Shawn Raines shot his 36-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Freeney, and then himself. Three kids – all between 11 and 14 – were in the home at the time and until officers arrived.

There are some encouraging numbers from the Department of health on COVID. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter says the numbers don’t mean there’s no longer a reason to take precautions and believes another surge is likely at some point, though Louisiana is in much better shape to face that when the time comes…:

CUT 07(14)      “…is significant.”

Kanter says getting your latest booster is a good idea.

A Morgan City man is among 78 people granted clemency by President Biden this week. Terry Booty has been in prison since 2008 on numerous drug charges. Biden’s order shortens his sentence to end one year from today, with another ten years home confinement.

LRN PM Newscall April 26

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse with poor living conditions during Hurricane Ida, lawmakers are responding with legislation. Brooke Thorington has more on one of those bills.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

______________________________________

Encouraging news as COVID cases in the state are at an all-time low…David Grubb has the latest numbers.

Cut 2 (36)…I’m David Grubb.”  

______________________________________

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’s bill gives the Department of Health more enforcement.

Cut 3 (10) “…approve the plan.”

House Bill 291 gives LDH the ability to reject questionable evacuation plans. Edmonds says Health and Welfare Committee members repeatedly asked who approved a plan to evacuate patients to a warehouse where patients’ bedding consisted of mattresses on the floor.

Cut 4  (09) “…and rejected.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey asked if the legislation requires nursing homes to show proof of the ability to execute approved evacuation plans, for example, their finances and contracts for supplies. Edmonds welcomed Ivey’s input on the legislation.

Cut 5  (06) “…sir, thank you.”

Bill passed in the House with only one vote in opposition. There’s also Senate legislation that charges the State Fire Marshal’s Office with inspection of evacuation plans.

_________________________________________

The numbers on COVID infections in Louisiana are very encouraging. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a chemical ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter likes what he sees.

Cut 6  (06) “…this pandemic.” 

Kanter says the numbers don’t mean there’s no longer a reason to take precautions and believes another surge is likely at some point, though Louisiana is in much better shape to face that when the time comes.

Cut 7 (14) “…is significant.” 

Individuals still have to assess the level of risk for themselves and their families. Vaccinations remain the best protection from COVID, and Kanter says if you haven’t gotten a booster, now’s the time to do so.

Cut 8 (11) “…these variants.” 

_____________________________________________________

The Louisiana Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wrote the bill because the current law prohibiting such activity is unclear…

Cut 9 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Hewitt says businesses located out of the state and the United States are selling abortion pills online and mailing them to women in Louisiana for them to take at home without physician oversight…

Cut 10 (10) “…for women”

Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman…

Cut 11 (12)  “…abortion industry” 

The bill moves to the House for its consideration.

_____________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Barrow says she’s heard several different concerns, including what happens if the castration happens, but it turns out to be a wrongful conviction…

Cut 12 (12) “…convicted wrongly”  

Morgan Lamandre is the legal director for a group called sexual trauma awareness and response. Lamandre told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…

Cut 13 (11) “…more deadly.”

Barrow says she’ll study the issue and plans to file a surgical castration bill for child rapists next year. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodi White says he’s watched video that sex crime prosecutors have where young children are raped and he can’t wait to vote for this legislation…

Cut 14 (09)  “…threw up.”

2:30 LRN Newscast April 26

Encouraging news as COVID cases in the state are at an all-time low…David Grubb has the latest numbers…:

CUT 02(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Bossier City announces a new police chief. Sgt. Christopher Estess beat out four other candidates to be the successor of Bossier Chief Shane McWilliams, who announced his retirement back in January. Mayor Tommy Chandler made the official announcement this morning.

 

A bill that would let judges sentenced convicted juvenile sex offenders to castration is halted from progress by its own author. In a Senate committee on Judiciary matters, bill sponsor Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she’s heard many objection to her bill –especially if that is done to a person and it’s later discovered they were innocent…:

Cut 12  (12)      “…convicted wrongly.”

She agreed to defer the bill.

After over 800 nursing home patients were evacuated to a nasty warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’ bill gives the Department of Health more enforcement…:

CUT 03(10)      “…approve the plan.”

With only one “no” vote the bill now moves to the House floor.

1:30 LRN Newscast April 26

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey asked if the legislation requires nursing homes to show proof of the ability to execute approved evacuation plans, for example, their finances and contracts for supplies. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, welcomed Ivey’s input on the legislation.

Cut 5 (06) “…sir, thank you.”

HB 291 passed in the House with only one vote in opposition. There’s also Senate legislation that charges the State Fire Marshal’s Office with inspection of evacuation plans.

The numbers on COVID infections in Louisiana are very encouraging. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a chemical ventilator. LDH says vaccinations remain the best protection from COVID, and those who haven’t gotten their booster should do so.

The Louisiana Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman…

Cut 11 (12) “…abortion industry”

The bill moves to the House for its consideration.

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Barrow says she’ll study the issue and plans to file a surgical castration bill for child rapists next year. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodi White says he’s watched video that sex crime prosecutors have where young children are raped and he can’t wait to vote for this legislation…

Cut 14 (09) “…threw up.”

12:30 LRN Newscast April 26

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers has been proposed in this session.  House Bill 291 gives LDH the ability to reject questionable evacuation plans. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says Health and Welfare members repeatedly asked who approved a plan to evacuate patients to a warehouse where patients’ bedding consisted of mattresses on the floor.

Cut 4 (09) “…and rejected.”

The numbers on COVID in Louisiana are very encouraging. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a chemical ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter likes what he sees.

Cut 6 (06) “…this pandemic.”

The Louisiana Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says businesses located out of the state and the United States are selling abortion pills online and mailing them to women in Louisiana for them to take at home without physician oversight…

Cut 10 (10) “…for women”

The bill moves to the House for its consideration.

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Morgan Lamandre is the legal director for a group called sexual trauma awareness and response. Lamandre told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…

Cut 13 (11) “…more deadly.”