Legislation that would expand the methods Louisiana can use to carry out a death sentence is nearing final legislative passage. The Louisiana Senate approved the bill that would allow the state to use the electric chair or nitrogen gas to end a death row inmate’s life. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis voted against the proposal…
cut 9 (09) “…simply unacceptable”
Religious arguments were also made against the bill and opponents also called the death penalty inhumane. But Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the death penalty is already legal in Louisiana and it’s time to re-start executions in the state by requiring that lethal injections records sealed…
cut 11 (10) ” this vote”
The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010 as the state can not obtain the drugs needed to carry out a lethal injection.
The permitless concealed handgun bill has received final legislative approval in the House and the lower chamber also sent a bill to the governor’s desk that will result in 17-year-olds who commit felonies to be treated as adults. Democrats fought back against both proposals. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle on the legislation that puts 17-year-old offenders in the adult prison system…
cut 19 (10) “…single thing”

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was positively identified as the one found on January 24th in the Ouachita River. She was last seen alive around New Year’s. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads which includes Turner’s social media activity and friends.
Cut 3 (09) “…particular area.”
Turner’s dismembered body was found floating in the Ouachita River by a fisherman approximately three miles north of Jonesville.

The Louisiana Legislature has approved legislation to repeal the Raise the Age Law. Jeff Palermo reports it means 17-year-olds charged with felonies will go through the adult justice system…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry received full passage in the legislature yesterday. It will go into effect July 4^th.

In September 58-year-old Bill Daspit vanished, and his wife Lara (pronounced Laura) Daspit has put up billboards in Lafayette in hopes of finding him. She says he was last seen on video near their home in the small town of Coteau Holmes in St. Martin Parish.

Cut 6 (11) “…home.”

Daspit is described as a 5-foot, 10-inches tall, white male with brown hair weighing 218 pounds. For more information visit Louisiana Radio Network dot com

A Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans has made the decision to no longer throw plastic beads. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says the feedback to do away with beads has been extremely positive and Freret along with other krewes in New Orleans are focusing on more sustainable throws like socks, luggage tags, masks, and hats. Hjortsberg says even local bead vendors are jumping on the trend and expanding their options.

Cut 9 (04)  “…be fine.”

Louisiana adults who are not felons will soon be allowed to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training as a result of a bill given final legislative approval by the House. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says criminals are walking around with concealed guns so law-abiding citizens should legally have the same opportunity…
Cut 30 (15) “…defend themselves.”

And the Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted of this proposed law would face 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris hopes this legislation will save a young person’s life
Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

A St. Martin Parish woman is asking for any clues in hopes of finding her husband who went missing five months ago. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Krewe of Freret is taking the bold step and prohibiting plastic beads from being thrown by its members in the future. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says plastic beads contain toxins, they end up in trees and wreak havoc on New Orleans’ drainage system.
Cut 7 (09) “…bad idea.”

Heading to the governor’s desk is a bill that would put 17-year-olds who commit felonies in the adult criminal justice system. The legislation repeals a law that went into effect in 2019 that prosecutes non-violent 17-year-olds as juveniles. But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says 17-year-olds are becoming more violent
Cut 10 (10) “…society.”
LaPlace Representative Sylvia Taylor doesn’t like the idea of sending 17-year-olds to an adult prison without any educational services.…
Cut 13 (09) “…be better.”
Also heading to the governor’s desk is the bill that allows non-felon adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit.

The Krewe of Feret has made the decision that they will no longer throw plastic beads during their uptown New Orleans parade. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says their co-ed and diverse organization has been thinking about doing away with plastic beads for some time, but because their Krewe is only 13 years old, they didn’t want to rock the boat.
Cut 8 (11) “…the decision.
Hjortsberg says the platic beads contain toxins that wreak havoc on New Orleans’ drainage system.

A baby pig that was tossed around like a football along a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade route by three men has received a full pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “Earl the Pig Long” has been officially adopted by state representative Lauren Ventrella to live on her farm in Central. Nungesser and Ventrella on what is next for Earl.
Cut 22 (09) “…lobbying efforts.”

State lawmakers approve a bill that will make it legal to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The law will go into effect July 4th. The legislature has also passed a bill that results in 17-year-olds who commit felonies will be charged as adults, instead of going through the juvenile justice system. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says juvenile detention facilities have been plagued with problems since 17-year-olds have been added to the population.
Cut 11 (11) “…to hospitals.”
The Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted of this proposed law would face 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris hopes this legislation will save a young person’s life
Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

The Krewe of Freret in New Orleans is taking a bold step to make plastic beads a thing of the past.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In St. Martin Parish, Lara Daspit is desperately looking for her 58-year-old husband Bill Daspit. He’s not been seen since September 10th when he was involved in a motorcycle crash near their home, which is close to St. Martinville. She says her husband is white, with brown hair and 5-10….
cut 5 (06) “…unusual eyes”

A couple of bills from the crime special session received final legislative passage on Wednesday. The permitless concealed handgun bill received final legislative approval in the House and the lower chamber also sent a bill to the governor’s desk that will result in 17-year-olds who commit felonies to be treated as adults. Democrats fought back against both proposals. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle on the legislation that puts 17-year-old offenders in the adult prison system…
cut 12 (10) “…single thing”
Meanwhile, the Louisiana Senate gave final legislative approval to a bill that would lock up drug dealers for at least 25 years if they present fentanyl in a way that would attract a minor in taking it. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris…
cut 15 (10) “…younger audience”
That bill received unanimous approval in the Senate.

Five months ago, 58-year-old Bill Daspit vanished, and his wife Lara (pronounced Laura) Daspit has put up billboards in the Lafayette area in hopes of finding him. She says he was last seen on video the evening of September 10th after wrecking his motorcycle near their home in the small town of Coteau Holmes in St. Martin Parish
Cut 4 (10) “…not right.”
Coteau Homles is approximately seven miles east of St. Martinville.

Daspit says her husband wears thick sunglasses due to his glaucoma and they were found alongside his helmet and motorcycle in a ditch about 100 yards from their home

A Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans has made the decision that they will no longer throw plastic beads. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says the feedback to do away with beads has been extremely positive and Freret along with other krewes in New Orleans are focused on more sustainable throws like socks, luggage tags, masks, and hats. Hjortsberg says even local bead vendors are jumping on the trend and expanding their options.
Cut 9 (04) “…be fine.”

A St. Martin Parish woman is asking for any clues in hopes of finding her husband who went missing five months ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Krewe of Freret is taking a bold step to make plastic beads a thing of the past. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Legislature has approved legislation to repeal the Raise the Age Law. Jeff Palermo reports it means 17-year-olds charged with felonies will go through the adult justice system…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Five months ago, 58-year-old Bill Daspit vanished, and his wife Lara (pronounced Laura) Daspit has put up billboards in Lafayette in hopes of finding him. She says he was last seen on video the evening of September 10^th after wrecking his motorcycle near their home in the small town of Coteau Holmes in St. Martin Parish

Cut 4 (10) “…not right.”

Coteau Homles is approximately seven miles east of St. Martinville.

Daspit says her husband wears thick sunglasses due to his glaucoma and they were found alongside his helmet and motorcycle in a ditch about 100 yards from their home. She says people who know him won’t recognize him without them.

Cut 5 (06) “…unusual eyes.” 

She says detectives have very few leads and if you know anything to call the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Cut 6 (11) “…home.”

Daspit is described as a 5-foot, 10-inches tall, white male with brown hair weighing 218 pounds. You can see a photo along with information on how to contact authorities and Lara Daspit on our website at LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com.

Lead Detective Gabrielle Nelson at St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office 337-394-3071

Lara Vergenal Daspit 337-654-8160

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The Krewe of Freret is taking the bold step and prohibiting plastic beads from being thrown by members of their organization in the future. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg (J is silent) says many of the plastic beads contain toxins, they end up in trees and wreak havoc on New Orleans’ drainage system.

Cut 7 (11) “…bad idea.”

Hjortsberg says the co-ed and diverse organization had been thinking about doing away with plastic beads for some time, but because their Krewe is only thirteen years old, they didn’t want to necessarily rock the boat.

Cut 8 (11) “…the decision.” 

He says the feedback to do away with beads has been extremely positive and Freret along with other krewes in New Orleans have been focusing on more sustainable throws like socks, luggage tags, masks, and hats. Hjortsberg says even local bead vendors are jumping on the trend and expanding their options.

Cut 9 (04)  “…be fine.”

In 2018 along a five-block stretch of St. Charles Avenue, 46 tons of plastic beads were retrieved from the catch basins.

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Heading to the governor’s desk is a bill that would put 17-year-olds who commit felonies in the adult criminal justice system. The legislation repeals a law that went into effect in 2019 that currently has 17-year-olds who commit non-violent crimes prosecuted as juveniles. But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says 17-year-olds are becoming more violent

Cut 10 (10) “…society.”

The bill passed on a 74-26 vote. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says juvenile detention facilities has been plagued with problems since  17-year-olds have been added to the population. He knows because he as one in his district…

Cut 11 (11) “…to hospitals.” 

The 26 no votes came from Democrats. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the legislation will not provide any help for a 17-year-old who could use some rehabilitation…

Cut 12 (10) “…single thing.” 

LaPlace Representative Sylvia Taylor is also a practicing attorney and doesn’t like the idea of sending 17-year-olds to an adult prison…

Cut 13 (09)  “…be better.”

_______________________________________________________

The Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted of this proposed law would face to 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris hopes this legislation will save a young person’s life

Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

Under current law, a person faces at least five years in prison for distributing a small amount of fentanyl. Morris says drug dealers are making fentanyl pills in the shape of animals…

Cut 15 (10) “…younger audience.”

The legislation received unanimous approval in the Senate.

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The ninth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is at Georgia tonight. It’s the final week of the regular season as the Lady Tigers have two more games left before the SEC Tournament. Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith have one more year of eligibility, but Coach Kim Mulkey expects this will be their final year at LSU…

Cut 16 (16) “.what they wanted to do” 

Mulkey says Reese wanted to play two years at LSU after transferring in from Maryland and Van Lith wanted to spend one season at LSU. Van Lith is coming off a season-high 26-point performance against Tennessee. Van Lith has had an up-and-down season as she’s been learning to play point guard. Mulkey says Van Lith’s struggles were expected…

Cut 17 (20) “…in the now.” 

_______________________________________________________________________

Cut 18 (19)  “…every game.” 

____________________________________________________________________

Cut 19 (19) “…physical game.”

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Cut 20 (20) “…show up.”

Legislation to allow permit less carry in Louisiana is the first bill in the crime special session to receive final legislative approval. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The wife of Leon Ruffin, the murder suspect who pepper sprayed a deputy while being transported back to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center from a hospital, Sunday has been arrested on charges that she helped in his escape. 52-year-old Shelita Ruffin of Westwego is being held without bail, her husband was found Tuesday afternoon at a New Orleans hotel room.

LSU Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels will not work out at the NFL Draft combine in Indianapolis this week. WWL Radio football analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not a big deal that Daniels does not throw, he says the physical exam and interviews with NFL teams are more important…

Cut 11 (08) “…for the NFL”
The piglet that was tossed around like a football after a Mardi Gras parade received a full pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser today and “Earl the Pig Long” has been officially adopted by East Baton Rouge Representative Lauren Ventrella. And even though the piglet was assured a cruelty-free remainder of his life, Nungesser and Ventrella hinted at possible career options for Earl.

Cut 9 (09) “…lobbying efforts.”