AM LRN Newscall April 15

A bill to hold a Constitutional Convention in May will be heard today in the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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No arrests have been made in the mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night in New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The House Commerce Committee approves legislation to repeal the requirement for florists to be licensed. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain” 

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Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention next month will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. Bill sponsor New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says Governor Jeff Landry’s transitional team will describe what the convention will entail.

Cut 4 (11) “…of Louisiana.”

The last time the state’s constitution was revised was 1974 and for this convention, Beaullieu says there won’t be any huge changes, he says the plan is to move items from the constitution and put them in statute to give the legislature more flexibility. For example…

Cut 5 (11) “…raise taxes.” 

Currently, when there’s a budget shortfall it falls on the backs of healthcare and higher education and the convention hopes to change that.

Beaullieu says the lawmakers will get a jump start on the convention and some of the proposed changes will be heard in respective legislative committee meetings.

Cut 6 (13) “…couple of weeks.”

The convention is scheduled to begin May 20th and the regular legislative session ends June 3rd. The session could either end early or the convention could coincide with the session.

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No arrests have been made in the New Orleans Warehouse District mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night. At a press conference Monday afternoon Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said homicide detectives are actively working the investigation…

Cut 7 (10) “…this time.”

24-year-old Jezreel Poleate of Harvey has been identified as the woman killed outside of the music venue, Republic Nola. Police say the remaining shooting victims, seven women and five men are in stable condition or have been released from the hospital.

Council Member Lesli Harris, who represents the Warehouse District expressed condolences and was visibly stunned over the incident.

Cut 8 (12) “…be caught.” 

Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a warning to those responsible for the shooting.

Cut 9 (10)  “…at all.”

Kirkpatrick urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crimestoppers or NOPD. A $5,000 reward is being offered along with $1,000 for each gun involved.

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Ten lives were lost in Louisiana work zones in 2022 and nationally, almost 900 people lost lives in work zones. This week, the Louisiana Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says most accidents can be avoided with attention to work zone safety…

Cut 10 (09) “…many lives.”

Mallet says, when driving conditions change, you’re more likely to have a crash because of road conditions, lane shifts, and narrowing occurs, he urges drivers to pay extra attention in work zones.

Cut 11 (12) “…home safely.”

Mallet says as part of the effort to increase work zone safety awareness, on Wednesday, April 17th, Louisiana DOTD is participating in Go Orange Day along with other transportation departments across the country…

Cut 12 (09) “…of safety.” 

You can participate also by dressing in orange and posting pictures with the hashtag #GoOrange4Safety and #NWZAW.

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The House Commerce Committee approves legislation that eliminates the requirement to have a license to be a florist. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam to sell floral arrangements…

Cut 13 (10)  “…one of them.”

Bayham does not understand why one needs a license to be a florist since flower design and the handling of flowers do not pose a safety or health risk.

Cut 14 (08)  “…in Louisiana.”

General Counsel for the Pelican Institute Sarah Harbison says the public can weed out bad florists…

Cut 15 (10)  “…expectations.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

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The Pelicans face the Lakers tonight in an NBA play-in tournament game. New Orleans had a chance to avoid the play-in tournament but lost to Los Angeles on Sunday. Coach Willie Green says they can’t let that game impact what happens tonight…

Cut 16 (16)  “…back after it”  

The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 124 to 108 on Sunday, despite the return of Brandon Ingram for New Orleans Ingram played 23 minutes on Sunday after missing 3.5 weeks with a knee injury. Green expects Ingram to get more minutes tonight…

Cut 17 (17) “…up to speed”

Tip-off is at 6:30. If the Pelicans win they’ll be the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs and they’ll face Denver in a best of seven series. If New Orleans loses, they’ll play the winner of the Sacramento-Golden State game for the chance to be the eighth seed.

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The Ragin Cajuns moved up to number 14 in the D-1 baseball poll after sweeping Marshall and increasing their winning streak in Sun Belt play to 14 in a row. Coach Matt Deggs says his guys continue to play the game the right way…

Cut 18 (16)  “…and compete.” 

The Ragin Cajuns only scored six runs in the three-game sweep over the Thundering Herd. Deggs says his hitters are swinging at too many pitches out of the strike zone…

Cut 19 (18) “…finishing it.” 

 

 

Cut 20 (20) “…position.”