The anticipation for Festival International is at an all-time high as the global musical event returns to Acadiana tonight after a two-year absence. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A bill seeking to repeal the state’s 2016 Raise the Age law will go to the full Senate for debate. Kevin Gallagher reports it would mean more juveniles could tried as adults…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Entergy renews its effort to make renewable energy accessible to its customers next month. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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The largest free international music festival kicks off tonight in Lafayette and after a two-year absence organizers of Festival International are tuning up for record-breaking crowds. Spokesperson Brad Cradeur says there’s plenty of anticipation for the five-day festival to get underway.
For this year’s festival which features musical acts, crafts, and food from all over the globe, there’s a new cashless payment system. Cradeur says you can register for an account ahead of time on their website FestivalInternational-dot-org
If you’ve never attended the event Cradeur says it’s hard to explain in a few words just how distinctive the event is for Acadiana. He says he can’t think of any other place in the world where you can experience such a gamut of music in less than a tenth of a mile.
Cut 6 (10) “…something years now.”
Festival International normally attracts up to 300,000 attendees over the five-day period but organizers expect to eclipse previous records in attendance this year.
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A bill to repeal Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law passes a Senate committee without objection. The law assures all persons under 18 who commit serious crimes are tried in juvenile court. The bill seeks to make that age limit 17. Speaking for it, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who referenced a terrible New Orleans carjacking last month, in which a woman was dragged to death. The persons arrested were all minors…:
Cut 7 (10) “…tried as adults.”
The “Raise the Age” law was part of a criminal justice reform package, pushed by Governor John Bel Edwards during his first year in office. Passed in 2016, it took effect in March 2019, and provides that – for court and trial purposes – “child” means anyone under 21 who commits a crime before age 18. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill would return that definition to “before age 17”. Eighteenth JDC District Attorney Tony Clayton says it’s time to get rid of “Raise the Age”…:
Cut 8 (15) “…with the rest of us.”
Among those opposing the bill was Rachel Gassert, with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. She says the 2016 law merely stops the automatic routing of 17-year-olds through the adult court system, and she says the measure is unnecessary…:
Cut 9 (09) “…question is relevant.”
Passed without objection by Senate Judiciary B committee members, the bill moves to the Senate floor.
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Soon Entergy customers will have the option to match some or get all of their electricity usage from renewable energy sources. Director of regulatory affairs Elizabeth Ingram says the Green Select program starts in May with customers able to choose from receiving 25 to up to 100 percent of their power from facilities like the Capital Region Solar site in West Baton Rouge.
Cut 10 (08) “…renewable sources.”
The Entergy Green Select program makes renewable energy available to people who rent their homes or are unable to install solar panels. Customers will have to pay a slight surcharge depending on which tier they select.
Cut 11 (11) “…per kilowatt hour.”
Ingram says roughly 30 percent of the energy supplied to customers comes from clean sources and Green Select should help increase that number as Entergy looks to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent over the next eight years from where they were in the year 2000, with a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
Cut 12 (11) “…to bring customers.”
For more information, you can visit renew-dot-entergy-dot-com.
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Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns says sports gamblers wagered $628.3 million in the first five months of the expansion for online betting.
Johns says it works well enough that sports wagering has generated $7.4 million in tax revenue for Louisiana.
Johns says while the commission was under lots of pressure to get online sports betting up and running ASAP, he says it wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of several agencies.
Instead of rushing online gaming, Johns says he’s relieved they took the time to ensure it launched smoothly…
Casinos brought in $53.8 million from sport betting from November to March.
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The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow and for the first time in a while, there won’t be a lot of LSU Tigers taken early. One player who should hear his name called on day one is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. While his LSU career was cut short by injury, draft expert Mike Detillier says Stingley still has everything needed to be a star at the next level.
After playing 15 games for the 2019 national champs, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley came back with a fantastic pro-day performance that has likely lifted him back into the top 10 of the draft. Detillier says the health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field.
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The New Orleans Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting. He says his team has to be better, and it starts with him.
Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.”
Now down three games to two, the Pelicans face elimination in Game 6. Ingram says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.
Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.”
The Pelicans have trailed by double digits at halftime in all three losses. Coach Willie Green says they have to be ready to play from the outset against the best team in the league.
Cut 20 (13) “ …really good team.”
The series returns to New Orleans on Thursday for Game 6. Tip-off will be at 6:30 pm.