A House bill to allow concealed carry without a permit was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to carry concealed now creates provisions for schools’s to appoint a teacher to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says that person will be certified.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.” 

Because the amendment completely removed concealed carry language, West Monroe Senator Jay Morris, who had his Constitutional Carry bill vetoed by the governor last year, asked Lambert why House Bill 37 can’t keep its original intent and provide school protection officers.

Cut 8 (06) “…the other.” 

With the session ending on Monday, Lambert says this is the only way legislators can address school safety.

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning

Cut 3 (13) “..no ma’am.”

It’s only day two of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, but researchers at Colorado State University have increased their projections of just how active this season will be. Alex DesRosiers says the latest models point to 20 named storms. The main reason? El Nino, which helps prevent storms from forming, is highly unlikely this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…quite some time.”  

Hurricane season ends November 30^th.

A House bill to allow permitless concealed carry was heavily amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert in a Senate committee. The original bill to allow non-felons over the age of 21 to conceal carry without a permit now creates provisions for a school safety officer and its initial intent has been removed.
Cut 6 (07) “…other schools.”
The session ends Monday, so the only way legislators can address school safety and mass shootings is by amending an existing bill. It remains to see if this school safety bill can make it through the process before the session ends.

At the U-S Capitol, Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has filed legislation to secure schools. One bill would establish national training standards for school resource officers. Higgins says he filed similar legislation in 2018…
cut 9 (10) “…these school shootings”

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs at the time Ronald Greene died in L-S-P custody, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the violent body camera video of Greene’s arrest. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle provided the line of questioning…
cut 3 (13) “…no ma’am”
Later on in the meeting, Eskew changed his answer. He says he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing criminal and civil investigations into Greene’s death.

There’s another shortage to be aware of….the contrast dye for C-T scans. LSU Health New Orleans radiology professor Bradley Spieler (pronounced: SPEE-ler) radiologists and oncologists are postponing CT scans deemed non-emergency and using smaller amounts of dye when doing scans…
cut 30 (07) “…fourth quarter”
A plant in China that makes the dye has been shut down as a result of COVID restrictions.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will testify before a special House committee looking into the circumstances of Ronald Greene’s death. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they want to know when Edwards saw the violent police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died. Magee says a recent Associated Press report says Edwards viewed the video much earlier than Greene’s family or local prosecutors
cut 11 (07) “….bottom of it”
Edwards says he’s done nothing to interfere with the investigation into Greene’s death.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has filed a bill in the U-S House called the School Resource Officer Assessment Act which calls on the federal government to gather data regarding the number of school resource officers in each school…
cut 8 (12) “….no data of that”
Higgins says a similar bill passed in the U-S House in 2018.

The state Department of Insurance says nearly a dozen firms have stopped writing coverage in Louisiana; meaning the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, is having to write more policies for property insurance to cover homes and businesses.
Cut 13 (13) “…90-thousand policy range.”
That’s Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon who says his office will work to help these policyholders find less expensive policies in the private market.

Facing the potential of $43-million in damaged infrastructure, Southern University is receiving federal help to construct permanent erosion control measures. Congressman Troy Carter was on hand for the announcement… Cut 4 (11) “…the Mississippi River.”
Carter says it’s another example of the federal government investing in infrastructure solutions for the people of Louisiana.

A bipartisan House committee wants to hear from Governor John Bel Edwards as they investigate the State Police Custody death of Ronald Greene. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Senate Committee has dramatically changed a proposed permitless concealed carry law to a bill that would allow teachers and administrators to carry concealed guns on campus. The legislation would also authorize school districts to appoint a school protection officer, who would receive training.

Congressman Troy Carter says seven million dollars in federal money will be used to preserve Southern University’s ravine and prevent some of the school’s buildings from falling into the Mississippi River. Carter says he learned about the dire situation a year ago from former retired U-S Army General Russell Honore…
cut 6 (13) “….the Mississippi River”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the number of property insurance policies being taken on by the state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance, is growing as a result of two active hurricane seasons. Donelon says he wants to reverse that trend…
cut 14 (14) “…property insurance business”

Governor John Bel Edwards will appear before the House committee investigating the circumstances surrounding Ronald Greene’s death when the panel meets on June 16th. Greene’s family was told he died in a car crash in Union Parish. But police body camera video shows Greene was beaten by troopers following a high-speed chase. During Wednesday’s meeting, Houma Representative Tanner Magee read written testimony from Doctor Frank Peretti, a coroner in Arkansas who oversaw Green’s autopsy
Cut 12 (12) “..tree branches.”

In response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has introduced a bill he calls the School Watch and Tactics Act…
cut 7 (09) “….tactical skills”
Higgins says he has filed another bill that would lead to more security officers at schools that do not have enough.

Southern University gets a major boost in its efforts to save its campus from erosion. David Grubb has the details…
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new name, image and likeness law that allows schools and their booster groups to facilitate N-I-L deals. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would also keep the endorsement deals involving the student-athletes private. Supporters say this will put Louisiana in line with what other states are doing.

The LSU baseball team is in Hattiesburg getting ready for regional play that will begin tomorrow at Pete Taylor Park. Tiger Fans are confident their team can take this Regional. Coach Jay Johnson doesn’t believe the pressure to win is a negative…
cut 17 (19) “…..the right way”
The Tigers will take on Kennesaw State Friday night.

The Ragin Cajuns play TCU on Friday in the College Station Regional. U-L Lafayette pitcher Austin Perrin…
cut 19 (11) “…..give them anything”

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward tells the Advocate there’s no rush to approve a new scheduling format for football in the Southeastern Conference. It’s possible a vote could take place tomorrow when the SEC spring meetings end in Destin, Florida. The discussion surrounds whether there will be eight or nine conference games and how many permanent opponents, between one and three have been thrown around as many expect the SEC will scrap the division format.

N-I-L is also a popular discussion at the S-E-C spring meetings. Tigers football coach Brian Kelly says name, image, and likeness has turned into a runaway train…
cut 20 (11) “…right now”
The Louisiana Legislature has approved a new N-I-L law that allows schools to help facilitate N-I-L deals. The legislation heading to the governor’s desk would also keep the endorsement deals private.

The special House committee looking into the circumstances of the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene has requested that Governor John Bel Edwards appear at their June 16th meeting. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s unclear when Edwards saw the police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died
Cut 10 (08) “…they say.”
The governor’s executive counsel Matthew Block says Edwards’ testimony will demonstrate he nor anyone on his staff was involved in a cover-up related to Greene’s death.

The state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, has seen an increase in 13-thousand policies since Hurricane Laura made landfall in 2020 as the number of insurance companies writing homeowners insurance is dwindling. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says if you are without property insurance, call his office…
cut 15 (11) “…their commercial property”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation intended to shore up security in schools.…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A Louisiana House bill to allow permitless concealed carry in Louisiana was changed dramatically in the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. An amendment approved last night changes the bill to authorize schools to appoint school protection officers, allowing trained teachers and administrators to carry concealed firearms. The legislation needs full Senate and House approval and the legislative session ends Monday.

I’m ___________. Here’s today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network

The special House committee looking into the circumstances of the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene has requested that Governor John Bel Edwards appear at their meeting on June 16th. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s unclear when Edwards saw the police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died…:

CUT 10(08)      “…they say.”

Greene died in May of 2019 and a recent Associated Press Investigative Report says Edwards and his top lawyers saw the body-camera video of Greene’s violent arrest in October of 2020. But Magee says the district attorney who could move forward with criminal charges against the state troopers involved didn’t see the video until the spring of 2021. The special legislative committee has been holding hearings since March looking into a cover-up. Magee hopes the meeting on June 16th featuring Governor Edwards will be the last one.

Legislation that would prohibit some juvenile offenders from possessing firearms until they are 24 years old is nearing final legislative passage. It passed in the House on a 59-39 vote. Kenner Representative Debbie Villio told the House that Florida has a similar law, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino believes the bill is unconstitutional…:

CUT 03(09)      “…that belief.”

But Villio calls it a common-sense approach in trying to reduce gun violence among young adults…:

CUT 05(10)      “…to the public.”

The Senate-passed bill now goes back there for concurrence on amendments made in the House.

The legislative session ends Monday at 6pm. Lawmakers have already passed all the must-do bills – like the budget and Capital Outlay – and sent them to the governor’s desk.