A bill to prohibit the use of traffic cameras for speed enforcement by local governments has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________________________
Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bills this week approved in the crime special session, including the legislation that will result in longer prison sentences for car jackers and fentanyl dealers. Jeanne Burns has more..
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”
____________________________________________
Artificial Intelligence technology continues to advance and a lawmaker concerned about possible misuse has proposed a bill to address it. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”
______________________________________________
Shreveport Senator Alan Sebaugh has filed legislation to prohibit the installation and use of red light and speed cameras by local governments. The Republican says such devices present a guilty until proven innocent approach..
Sebaugh says the cameras are also not routinely calibrated, compared to a law enforcement officer’s radar equipment undergoes regular maintenance.
But Sebaugh says the biggest problem with traffic cameras is the money. When individuals pay court costs for a ticket written by law enforcement it goes towards funding public defenders, the DA’s office, clerk of courts, crime lab, and various other entities. Sebaugh says when you pay a camera ticket…
The shortfall of not collecting court costs from cameras is having to be made up with taxpayer dollars.
As for the argument the cameras encourage safer driving habits, Sebaugh says there’s no evidence to support they do.
Sebaugh says he’s gotten positive feedback from lawmakers on Senate Bill 21 and he expects to have the support from law enforcement and district attorneys in Louisiana.
__________________________________________
Stronger penalties are coming for carjackers and drug dealers who package fentanyl so it attracts minors. It’s the result of legislation authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel and approved in the recently completed crime special session. Schlegel says if a carjacking results in serious injury to the victim, the minimum sentence starts at 20 years…
Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill this week. Schlegel says House Bill 7 also requires a minimum of a five-year sentence for a person convicted of carjacking. Right now the minimum penalty is two years…
Cut 8 (08) “… tackle carjacking.”
Schlegel also authored a bill that calls for a 25 to 99-year prison sentence for a person convicted of designing fentanyl so it looks like candy or packaged in a way that would attract minors…
Cut 9 (11) “..not acceptable.”
________________________________________________________
Some lawmakers are concerned about the possible misuse of A.I. and have proposed a new law to address it. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says the public needs to be protected from potential misrepresentation the new technology makes possible…
Cut 10 (11) “…person’s consent.”
The bill would also make it a crime to display synthetic media without constantly displaying an obvious notice within the media identifying it as synthetic media. There must also be intent to mislead. Connick says we have the right to protect ourselves from anyone using false information or images…
Cut 11 (10) “…new technology.”
Synthetic media includes video or voice recordings generated by algorithms that appear to be a record of actual events. Connick says A.I. is not bad in and of itself…
If passed, those convicted of unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media could face up to 6 months in jail and/or up to a $750 fine.
_______________________________________________________
The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise you still stay home if you’re sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says this mirrors other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV.
Lopez points out that the CDC still encourages you to play it safe for five days, especially if those around you at work or school are vulnerable to the virus or have family members who are.
Lopez reminds you if you are sick to stay home and that hopefully the pandemic has erased the mindset that you’re considered a better employee or student if you show up sick.
While the new guidelines are welcome news Lopez says COVID still presents a significant threat and remains highly contagious.
If you are among the more vulnerable populations, Lopez recommends staying up to date on your booters and along with vaccinations for other respiratory illnesses.
____________________________________________________________________
ULM will face Coastal Carolina tomorrow in a 12 versus 13 matchup. The winner will play the Ragin Cajuns on Thursday. U-L Lafayette ended a three-game losing streak with a 77-61 win over Southern Miss on Friday. Coach Bob Marlin…
U-L Lafayette is the defending Sun Belt Tournament champions and they played in the title game in 2022. Marlin says previous success at the tourney should pay off this week…
_______________________________________________________________________
The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team completed the regular season on Sunday with a 77-56 win over Kentucky. It was the Lady Tigers eighth straight win. Angel Reese had 22 points and 14 rebounds and she was honored at halftime as LSU conducted its Senior Day ceremony. Reese says it’s been a long four years in college basketball
LSU also honored Hailey Van Lith on senior day. Van Lith had 15 points. Both Reese and Van Lith have the option to return next season, but are noncommittal….
Reese didn’t know she would win a national championship when she transferred to LSU, but had a feeling the experience would be great…
LSU will play Friday in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.