A bill to repeal the death penalty in Louisiana fell to defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Bill sponsor and Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson tells senators if they cannot agree with the moral argument against capital punishment, consider a fiscal one…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…million dollars a year.”

She says too many people in Louisiana have been sentenced to death; only to have their conviction later overturned. She says some were actually executed, then found to be innocent later. Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White – who could not support the bill – says that was an earlier, less-enlightened time. He points to the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against a mistake…:

CUT 07(09)      “…a guilty verdict”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass, and is dead for this year.

A Concordia parish church is severely damaged, after severe weather swept through the area Sunday. High winds toppled a tree, which crashed into the St. John Baptist Church. Church elders say they will rebuild.

Sports book was a real boon to the Bayou State last month. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says $232-million was wagered; meaning over $5-million in state tax revenue for the state. He credits the NCAA Final Four with a lot of that betting and says this fall should see even more app-based sports betting…:

CUT 13(09)      “…once again.”

He says a lot of Texans come to Louisiana to take advantage of sports betting and that means hotels, motels and restaurants benefit as well.

A bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports passes the full Senate, by a 29-6 vote. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau spoke up against the bill, saying the LHSAA has rules about this and a law isn’t needed. Bill Sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton responds…:

CUT 16(07)      “…right now”

That bill moves now to the House.