Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge Monday for the 2023 legislative session:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an Alexandria woman was killed in an Avoyelles Parish crash Friday night and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the investigation revealed 23-year-old Christopher McCoy of Bunkie drove his truck off the road into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. McCoy sustained moderate injuries but his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn died on the scene. McCoy is suspected to have been under the influence.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. He says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Cut 13 (09) “safety issue”
He says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs.

Another measure to be heard would raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her “Card’em” bill requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to show their ID verifying they are 21. She expects pushback from bar owners even though underage drinking is not legal…:
Cut 6 (04) “under 21”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender.