The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that levies a road usage fee on owners of electric and hybrid vehicles and the money will go towards highway and bridge maintenance. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a gasoline tax pays for road upkeep and EV drivers need to have skin in the game. Caddo Parish Representative Dodie Horton agrees…:

CUT 13(06)      “…usage fee.”

The bill would dun EV drivers an extra $110 a year. Hybrid drivers would be hit for $60 a year.

The Mayor of Pineville has been decided by only FIVE votes. James Rachal led for most of the night in Saturday’s election, but in the end it was Rich Dupree elected; again by a 5 vote margin. Rachal can request a recount, but he’s had no comment so far.

Nick Tullier, the East Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy shot in an ambush in June 2016, and clinging to life ever since, is reportedly in critical condition. Doctors say an infection has gone septic. The family asks for prayers. Tullier was among 6 officers shot in that attack. 3 of them were killed.

Saturday’s Garth Brooks concert in Tiger Stadium was a big success. The after-concert traffic? Not so much. Hundreds of motorists were stranded in a jam up at the Capital City’s I-10 / College Drive interchange, while an impromptu hot rod stunt show was held in the middle of the street. Police were nowhere to be found. It’s unknown if any arrests were made at all. Other such displays were also reported off Seigen Lane and Nicholson Drive.

The Honey Badger is coming home. David Grubb has the latest on Tyrann Mathieu joining the Saints…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Three Lafayette cops are on administrative leave, after shooting and disabling an alleged mass shooter Sunday. The suspect is 40-year-old Carl Thompson, of New Iberia. He reportedly went on an early morning shooting spree, wounding 11 people before officers fired on him. Thompson is in critical condition, the other victims are expected to recover. State Police are investigating.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposal to begin phasing out a state temporary sales tax that’s set to expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would start incrementally cutting the .45-percent sales tax in the summer of ’23. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard suggested having a discussion on expiring .45-percent sales tax next year when there’s a fiscal session, but Bacala says the sooner legislators address it, the better…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…following year.”

The full House will debate the measure next.

A 13-year-old Shreveport girl was killed Sunday, the victim of a crossfire of bullets fired from three vehicles. Landry Anglin attended Caddo Middle Magnet School, where Principal Robin DeBusk says she spoke with Landry’s mother, Michelle, after the shooting, and even in her grief, she asked the school to look after those who were close to her daughter…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…been doing.”

Landry was in the 8^th grade.

The Honey Badger will return to Louisiana. Tyrann Mathieu has joined the New Orleans Saints. Kyle Mosley, with the Saints News Network, says Mathieu brings a lot of skills to the New Orleans defensive, both in his playing ability and his presence in the locker room…:

CUT 10(11)      “defensive backfield.”

Mosley says the Saints D is shaping up to be even better than last year.

After a 13-year-old Shreveport teen was killed by a stray bullet in her home Sunday afternoon, her teachers and classmates are coping with her sudden loss. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill which calls for a phase-out of the .45-percent sales tax over multiple years to avoid a sharp revenue decrease…

Cut 3 (10) “…today.”

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The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that levies a road usage fee on owners of electric and hybrid vehicles and the money will go towards highway and bridge maintenance. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana relies on its gasoline tax to pay for road work and motorists of these types of vehicles are not paying their fair share…

Cut 12 (09) “…not taking advantage.”

The measure passed out of a committee on a nine-three vote but still needs full House and Senate approval.

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After a lengthy courtship, it looks like the Saints and former LSU standout safety Tyrann Mathieu will finally be joining forces. The NFL Network reports that the two-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion has reached an agreement with the team. Kyle Mosley of the Saints News Network says it’s a long-awaited homecoming for both the New Orleans native and Saints fans.

Cut 9 (12) “…New Orleans Saints.”

The school where 13-year-old Landry Anglin attended is in shock today after she was killed Sunday afternoon at her Shreveport home by a stray bullet. Police say a shooting between three vehicles outside the home led to her death. Caddo Middle Magnet School Principal Robin DeBusk says it’s been a tough day as they are trying to grapple with the sudden loss of their 8th-grade classmate.

Cut 7 (06) “…day today.” 

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposal to begin phasing out a temporary state sales tax, set to expire July 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would begin to phase out the .45-percent sales tax in July of 2023 and says it generates 420-million dollars annually…

Cut 4  (11) “…talk about”

The bill heads to the House floor.

A grand jury in East Feliciana Parish will hear the case against a couple accused of neglecting their adult daughter to death. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The New Orleans Saints finished up their weekend at the NFL Draft after selecting five players. With their final selection they picked up the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year, Appalachian State linebacker D’Marco Jackson. He led the Mountaineers in tackles last season and had six sacks. Coach Dennis Allen says there’s a lot to like about Jackson…

Cut 17 (21) “…benefit us.”

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Monday morning the Saints also announced that New Orleans native, LSU standout, and Super Bowl champion safety Tyann Mathieu will be signing with the team. Mathieu, entering his 10^th season, has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 2019 and 2020.

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LSU baseball pulled off a big series win against Georgia ending it in thrilling fashion as Cade Doughty drilled a two-run walk-off homer on Sunday to give the Tigers a four to three victory. The Bayou Bengals are 12 and 9 in the SEC and in a three-way tie for second place in the West. Louisiana Tech took 2 of 3 from Old Dominion and UL did the same against App State, while UL-Monroe was swept by Little Rock.

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The Pelicans’ playoff run came to an end last Thursday. One of the biggest successes of the season was the growth of a passionate fan base that swelled and made the Smoothie King Center one of the loudest arenas in the NBA. VP of basketball operations David Griffin said the bond between the team and the fans was unlike anything he had experienced.

Cut 19 (20) “…all the way through.”

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The school where 13-year-old Landry Anglin attended is in shock today after she was killed Sunday afternoon at her Shreveport home by a stray bullet. Police say a shooting between three vehicles outside the home led to her death. Caddo Middle Magnet School Principal Robin DeBusk says Landry was very friendly.
Cut 6 (09) “…at CMM.”
No arrests have been made in the case.

A new statewide survey out of LSU says 51-percent of the respondents say they still favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. That’s down from 58-percent in 2018. LSU Pollster Mike Henderson says the death penalty is becoming less popular over concerns of executing a person that could have been wrongly convicted…
cut 11 (10) “…kinds of crimes’

A bill to test Louisiana students for reading proficiency before being promoted to 4th grade is set to be heard in the House this week.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

cut 30 (calling Baton Rouge)
For the 102-thousand fans that got to witness it, they are still talking about it, Garth Brooks’ legendary performance inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. When he sang Callin Baton Rouge, it registered as a small earthquake on a seismograph in Nicholson Hall.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposal to begin phasing out a temporary state sales tax, set to expire July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would begin to phase out the .45-percent sales tax in July of 2023 to avoid a sudden drop in revenues…

Cut 3 (10) “…today.”

The bill heads to the House for more discussion.

A bill to require students to read on grade levels before being promoted to 4^th grade will be heard in the House this week. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill is modeled after a Mississippi law, he says when testing first went into effect in there, the score was deliberately lowered so a large number of students would not be held back.

Cut 8 (11)  “…across the board…”

The 2022 Louisiana Survey finds that 51-percent of Louisiana residents support the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. That’s down from 58-percent in 2018 when the Louisiana Survey last included this question. LSU pollster Mike Henderson says opposition to the death penalty is up to 38-percent…

Cut 10 (08) “…13 points.”
If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles over the next few months, you might want to consider flying out of Shreveport. Allegiant Air announces they are offering 65-dollar one-way flights to L.A. Mondays and Fridays May 27^th until November 14^th. Shreveport Regional Airport Authority spokesperson Mark Crawford says they also they also offer low fares to Orlando and Destin, Florida…

Cut 14 (12)  “…each way”

The death penalty still has the support of most Louisianans, but could we see it put to rest anytime soon? David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

A 13-year-old girl was killed Sunday in Shreveport in her home by a stray bullet as gunfire from three vehicles passed her Fairfield Avenue home. Police says Landry Anglin was transported to Ochsner LSU Health hospital and where she died of her injuries. It’s the 21^st homicide this year in Caddo Parish.

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will hear the case against a Slaughter couple Clay and Shelia Fletcher, accused of extreme neglect in the death of their 36-year-old daughter. 20^th Judicial District D.A. Sam D’Aquilla (pronounced: duh-QUILL-uh) says the Lacey Fletcher developed a mental illness and became a shut-in and the coroner reports says she was found surrounded in her own bodily waste.

Cut 5 (07) “…room of the house.”

A bill requiring students to show they are reading on grade level before promotion to 4^th grade will be heard in the House this week. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says testing would be administered more than once along with intensive training for those who fail to pass the test.

Cut 9 (14)  “…in our state.”

Nelson says Mississippi has a similar law and their literacy rate went from 49^th to 29^th.

An East Feliciana Parish grand jury will be asked to decide today if Clay and Shelia Fletcher should be charged with second murder for the death of their 36-year-old daughter Lacey Fletcher, who died in her own feces on her parents’ couch. Authorities say Lacey’s body basically melted into the couch. The district attorney in East Feliciana Parish is Sam D’Aquilla…
cut 6 (13) “…it’s just horrifying”

A new statewide survey out of LSU says 51-percent of the respondents say they still favor the death penalty for persons convicted of murder. That’s down from 58-percent in 2018. LSU Pollster Mike Henderson says the death penalty is becoming less popular over concerns of executing a person that could have been wrongly convicted…
cut 11 (10) “…kinds of crimes’

A bill to test Louisiana students for reading proficiency before being promoted to 4th grade is set to be heard in the House this week. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

cut 30
For the 102-thousand fans that got to witness it, they are still talking about it, Garth Brooks’ legendary performance inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. When he sang Callin Baton Rouge, it registered as a small earthquake on a seismograph in Nicholoson Hall.