LRN AM Newscall April 18

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was pulled from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Fire ant mounds are a sign of Spring that isn’t so welcome because they bring swarms of stinging pests to yards and gardens. Colleen Crain has more on getting rid of the tiny tormentors.

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

A Senate Committee approves major changes to the state’s public record laws, despite objections from good government group and journalists. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

____________________________________________

Legislation to create a Gun Free Zone in New Orleans’ entertainment district was voluntarily deferred in House Criminal Justice. Bill author Representative Alonzo Knox urged committee members to ask local law enforcement in their districts what they think about the law that goes into effect July 4th allowing for concealed carry without a permit.

Cut 4 (11) “…a crisis.”

Knox amended the bill to allow gun owners with a permit to conceal carry in the New Orleans entertainment district so it would not infringe upon one’s rights. But that too was met with opposition. Firearm Professionals of Louisiana political director Chris Patron…

Cut 5 (11) “…need is enforcement.” 

New Orleans Councilwoman Helena Moreno who supports the bill told committee members after discussions with Knox he’s opting to voluntarily pull the bill. But they plan to meet with Republican Senator Kirk Talbot who’s filed similar legislation that’s limited to the French Quarter.

Cut 6 (13) “…better shape.”

_________________________________________________

Warm weather means many things and unfortunately, one of them is the appearance of fire ant mounds. LSU Ag Center Horticulturist, Heather Kirk-Ballard says each mound could contain up to 200,000 of the stinging pests that become more active this time of year…

Cut 7 (12) “…pretty formidable.”

Swarms of fire ants can sting within seconds and, for some, cause serious allergic reactions.

Kirk-Ballard says a concerted effort is best when trying to eradicate fire ants. Coordinate with neighbors since the pests can create extensive underground tunnels and treat them in both April and October when the insects are active. Be careful to follow instructions on baits and poisons and pay attention to the timing of your treatment…

Cut 8 (11) “…wash away.” 

Many of the baits are safe for some animals but harmful to birds. Others are harmful to people and pets. Contrary to some popular myths, grits won’t work and neither will piling one mound top of the other but Kirk-Ballard says there are some organic options and one is non-toxic.

Cut 9 (12)  “…or rotenone.”

Never apply baits near water systems such as ponds and lakes. The LSU Ag Center website offers additional information at LSUAgCenter.com

________________________________________________________

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves legislation that critics say will gut the state’s public records law at every level. It would prohibit the public from obtaining any government documents involved in decision-making. The bill’s author, Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud, says they are trying to prevent unfinalized information from becoming public…

Cut 10 (11) “…catastrophic.”

Governor Jeff Landry says current public records laws have become weaponized to stifle deliberative speech. Landry says he supports transparency when it comes to fiscal matters, but the current law is stretched and being abused.

Investigative reporter Lee Zurik, with Fox-8 TV in New Orleans spoke in opposition. He says public records requests he obtained helped shine a light on what led to the collapse of the New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel in 2019

Cut 11 (12) “…this law.”

The bill, which is also touted as legislation to keep the governor and his family safe, passed on a six to two-vote. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter voted against it…

Cut 12 (10) “…know that.” 

Cloud says she’ll work to address some of the concerns of the opponents and will make changes to the bill before the full Senate takes a vote on it…

Cut 13 (05)  “…what they need.”

___________________________________________________

The LSU gymnastics squad will compete in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships today in Fort Worth, Texas as the Tigers are in search of the program’s first national championship. This is LSU’s 33rd appearance in the NCAA Championships and Coach Jay Clark might have the school’s most talented team

Cut 14 (08)  “…love to have.”

LSU finished fourth last year. The Tigers have finished as runner-ups four times since 2014. They will compete at 3:30 central time in first session of the semifinals. They are one of four teams competing at that time and they need to finish in the top two to advance to the championship round on Saturday. Clark has told his team to keep the same mindset they’ve had all season long…

Cut 15 (06)  “…be successful”

LSU will compete against Cal, Arkansas and Stanford today. In the night session, it’s defending champion Oklahoma, Florida, Utah and Alabama.

____________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team leaves for Columbia, Missouri today as they head to Mizzou looking to snap their five game SEC series losing streak. Coach Jay Johnson has been meeting with players on a one-on-one basis in the hopes getting this team out of this slump…

Cut 16 (20)  “..those guys out”  

LSU is 3-and-12 in the SEC and can not afford to lose another SEC series and still make the NCAA Tournament. Johnson says the coaching staff is trying to get the best out of this team…

Cut 17 (09) “…right now.”

Johnson says this team is lacking clutch pitching and hitting…

Cut 18 (18)  “…Christian Moore.”