LRN AM Newscall May 5

A House committee approves a bill that would allow law enforcement to charge a mother who has an abortion with murder and also charge those who assist with the termination of the pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana’s tourism industry apparently has made a healthy bounce back, after taking a huge hit from the COVID pandemic. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The “Honey Badger” has come home. Tyrann Mathieu is officially a New Orleans Saint and he couldn’t be happier. David Grubb has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make abortion a crime in Louisiana. Under Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s proposal, the mother and those assisting in the termination of a pregnancy can be charged criminally…

Cut 4 (09)  “…not yet born.”

Executive Director of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion Bradley Pierce says medical and scientific research has determined that human life begins at the moment of fertilization.

Cut 5 (10) “…our lives.”

New Orleans Attorney Gwyneth O’Neil spoke in opposition. O’Neil called the legislation reckless and bad law. She says the way it’s written in vitro fertilization would be illegal…

Cut 6 (09)  “…negligent homicide.”

The proposed law also says any judge that attempts to overrule or void the proposed law shall be subject to impeachment or removal, which opponents say is unconstitutional. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala voted for the bill and admits the bill is probably unconstitutional, but it’s not the legislature’s responsibility to determine constitutionality…

Cut 7 (08) “…the courts”

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The state’s tourism industry appears to be recovering quickly from the COVID pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser oversees culture, recreation, and tourism in Louisiana, and says new data shows over 41-million people visited the Bayou State in 2021, which he feels is a good recovery from one of the worst events for tourism in recent history…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…coming out of COVID.”

Louisiana tourism hit a peak in 2019, with over 53-million visitors; whose spending generated near $2-billion in taxes for the state. He says to hit 41-million in a year while the pandemic was still technically going on is a serious accomplishment. Nungesser says, however, he wants to see visitors top 50-million again…:

Cut 9 (06)  “…in our toolbox to do that.”

Nungesser says having the “Louisiana: Feed Your Soul” float appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was a big boon to interest in visiting our state. In 2021, visits to the “LousianaTravel.com” website were up 162-percent from the previous year. Nungesser says, after two years of the pandemic, people are ready to get out and vacation again, and Louisiana is ready to welcome them…:

Cut 10 (10) “…coming back for more.”

Tourism is the state’s fourth-largest employer; supporting over a quarter-million jobs.

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River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot’s bill that creates the crime of theft of a catalytic converter continues to move through the legislative process. The proposed law has been approved by the Senate and the House Criminal Justice Committee approved the measure too, despite objection from Chairman Joe Marino, who says it’s already illegal to steal…

Cut  11 (10)  “…are committing.”  

According to Talbot’s legislation, a person convicted of stealing a catalytic converter or engine control module that has a value over 25-thousand dollars, the offender could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Prairieville Representative and retired Ascension Sheriff’s deputy Tony Bacala says Louisiana needs this law…

Cut 12 (10) “…growing trend” 

Lafayette Representative Jonathan Goudeau made the motion to report the bill favorably…

Cut 13 (11) “…a problem.”

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The New Orleans Saints and safety Tyrann Mathieu made it official Wednesday, as the three-time All-Pro signed a reported three-year, $33-million contract to join the team. The “Honey Badger” says he’s still pinching himself…

Cut 14 (12)  “…take advantage of it.”

It’s been an incredible journey for the New Orleans native, who went from undiscovered gem to Heisman Finalist to being kicked off the LSU football team. Now, after nine successful seasons on and off the field, Mathieu likes who and where he is.

Cut 15 (10)  “…in my life.”

Mathieu is coming off another Pro Bowl season, and though he’s now entering his 30s, he says he still has plenty left in the tank.

Cut 16 (10)  “…some more.”

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