LRN AM Newscall March 30

After Hurricane Ida, many tenants were evicted in a matter of days. House Bill 160 would give lessees at 30 days before they’d be forced to leave. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Marijuana has been a burning topic during the session, and Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel takes the discussion to the state’s roadways. David Grubb has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The state legislature starts a Veto Override session today, to resolve congressional district maps rejected last month by Governor Edwards. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Another round of severe weather is set to hit the state today. Meteorologist John Wetherbee says northeast Louisiana, much of central Louisiana, the Northshore, and the Baton Rouge area are at the greatest risk for severe weather…

Cut 4 (11)  “…state of Louisiana.”

Wetherbee says Lafayette, Natchitoches and Ruston are under an enhanced risk for severe weather and there’s a slight risk for the Shreveport area…

Cut 5 (09) “,…mid-afternoon on” 

A deadly tornado ripped through St. Bernard Parish in southeast Louisiana last week. Wetherbee says a tornado threat south of I-10 exits for this weather system too…

Cut 6 (12)  “..pay attention too.”

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After Hurricane Ida, many tenants were evicted in a matter of days and given few options. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s bill will give lessees at least a month, after a Federally declared disaster, before property owners can file legal proceedings.  Ben Toups says he was sent a barrage of emails telling him to leave his Houma apartment.

Cut 7 (11) “…your space.”

Toups says he was given just seven days to leave the apartment, and his options were limited due to widespread damages and the limited supply of rentals was out of his price range. He says it was one of the worst experiences of his life.

Cut 8 (12)  “…consequences.”

Houma Representative Tanner Magee says some landlords sent eviction notices to tenants before their property was even inspected making the housing situation even worse. Toups says he was one of those residents who was involuntarily displaced that shouldn’t have been.

Cut 9 (07)  “…the law.”

The bill received full passage in House Civil Law and Procedure and heads to the House.

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Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel has introduced legislation that would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in motor vehicles, both for drivers and passengers. Schlegel says the bill is not intended to target anyone, but to ensure safety on the road.

Cut 10 (08) “…in a car.”

House Bill 234, if passed, would make smoking or vaping marijuana in a moving vehicle a nonmoving violation punishable by a 100-dollar fine. The bill does not provide guidelines for enforcement, but Schlegel says it does send a message.

Cut  11 (11)  “…in a car.”  

Captain Robert Burns of the Louisiana State Police said enforcement is the biggest problem with the bill, particularly if it relies on officers and troopers to make a visual determination of what is being smoked.

Cut 12 (10) “…in the vehicle.”

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State lawmakers put their regular session on hold for a few days to convene today’s Veto Override effort. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed congressional maps passed by both the House and the Senate last month. He said they failed to create a second majority-minority congressional voting district. Political analyst & Capitol-watcher Bernie Pinsonat says he’s not sensing much “buzz” among lawmakers about it…:

Cut 13 (12) “…this is life and death.”

Last year lawmakers held a failed override session, to overturn Governor’s Edwards vetoes of a transgender athletes ban and a bill to end concealed carry permits. Pinsonat says the prospect of this override session lacks the enthusiasm of last year…:

Cut 14 (15)  “..almost like a sleeper.”

Overriding the governor’s veto will require 70 of 105 votes in the House and 26 of 39 votes in the Senate. Pinsonat says whether they’ll be able to muster those votes is anyone’s guess…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…the governor’s veto.”

The Veto Override session starts today and should end by Sunday. If lawmakers overturn the vetoes, the maps they passed will be submitted to the feds, but will likely need to be decided in court.

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New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen spoke with the media while attending the NFL owner’s meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. Allen was asked about his handling of the Jameis Winston situation, with the team flirting with Deshaun Watson before reaching an agreement with Winston to be the team’s unchallenged starter at quarterback.

Cut 16 (19)  “…to improve on.”

Last season’s other quarterback, Taysom Hill, will concentrate on playing tight end this year says Allen. He believes that keeping Hill’s playmaking ability and nose for the end zone on the field catching passes is more valuable to the team than having him on the sidelines as a backup signal-caller.

Cut 17 (13) “ …on the sideline.” 

Allen also discussed another major piece of the offense, revealing that he visited All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas in California while he continues to rehab from surgery. Thomas has missed 26 of 33 games over the last two seasons.

Cut 18 (20) “ …just personally.” 

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