Louisiana Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require an ignition interlock device to be placed in the vehicle of all drunk driving offenders. Teiko Foxx has more…
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UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast brings some good news. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Legislation that would require drivers convicted of a DUI to install an ignition locking device in their vehicle unanimously cleared the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says the interlock device will not let the car start unless it knows the driver is sober.
The bill increases the use of the device to a minimum of six months for first time offenders. In 2021, 299 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver who had been drinking, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
Edmonds points out thirty states already have this law on their books. He says it also allows the state to qualify for federal grant money from the National Traffic Safety Administration.
Cut 5 (09) “…having struggles.”
LHSC report reveals 40 percent of all crashes in the state were alcohol-related.
Edmonds says it’s time to do more to change the negative behavior and help save lives,”. He says it also expands the requirement for multiple DUI offender to have the interlock device on their vehicle for four years.
Cut 6 (09) “…while intoxicated.”
The bill will be discussed in the House this week.
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A little good news from UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast. The state has gained nearly 40,0000 jobs in the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 20 years…
New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas are responsible for about 62% of the growth.
Wagner says the areas of employment have been broad, mostly in healthcare, and in New Orleans especially, robust growth in hospitality. He says we’re not only seeing growth in the number of Louisiana jobs, but jobs seem to be paying more too…
Cut 8 (08) “…outpacing inflation.”
Expect more of the same for the next 12 months, says Wagner. He expects the Bayou State will gain another 27,000 jobs but he does mention one concern…
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Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says her bill clears up confusion so the removal of a miscarriage would not be considered an abortion.
The bill also defines that the removal of an ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion. Newell says women shouldn’t be forced to carry an ectopic pregnancy because it’s not viable and it can cause their fallopian tubes to burst. As the law reads now she says physicians can face criminal penalties.
Since Roe v Wade was overturned abortions are completely banned except for the case in which a fetus is found non-viable, or the mother’s life is at risk. Newell says the current law is not clear and healthcare providers are fearful of prosecution.
Under current law whoever commits the crime of abortion shall be imprisoned for no less than a year or more than 10 years and fined no less than $10,000 or more than $100,000.
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Most of Governor Landry’s proposals are halfway through the process as we enter week two of the crime special session. The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. Opponents say the proposed law will make Louisiana a more dangerous state. Landry says 27 other states have this law, including every state around Louisiana…
Landry says if concealed carry passes in Louisiana, it does not mean gun owners can possess their gun everywhere…
Landry is also backing legislation that will give the state more options to carry out death sentences. The House-approved bill that will be heard in the Senate this week will also take steps to make sure companies that supply lethal injection drugs are not identified. Landry says the state owes it to the victims of death penalty cases to pass this bill..
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There was no big comeback for the LSU men’s basketball team on Saturday night. The Tigers who rallied from double-digit deficits to beat South Carolina and Kentucky, trailed Mississippi State by seven points at halftime and lost to the Bulldogs 87-67. Jordan Wright says it’s hard to keep coming back from large deficits…
Second-chance points were a big stat in this game. Mississippi State had 16 offensive rebounds and had 27 second-chance points to LSU’s ten. Coach Matt McMahon’s team also had 15 turnovers…
The Bulldogs also got a big game from Josh Hubbard, who scored a career-high 32 points. The freshman from Madison, Mississippi hit six threes. LSU point guard Trae Hannibal says he didn’t do a good enough job of minimizing Hubbard’s touches…
LSU hosts Georgia on Tuesday.
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The LSU Lady Tigers missed 59 shots on Sunday, but guard Haily Van Lith had a hot hand and finished with a season high 26 points as the Lady Tigers defeated Tennessee 75-60. As a team LSU shot 33-percent from the field but Coach Kim Mulkey’s squad held the Volunteers to 31-percent from the field…
It was LSU’s third game in three days and Flau’jae Johnson was not feeling well, but still contributed nine ponts and four blocks. Mulkey liked how her team responded after nearly blowing a 12 point halftime lead…
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LSU is at Georgia on Thursday.