AM LRN Newscall April 25

An effort to hold a constitutional convention on May 20th clears its first legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_______________________________________________

After a dolphin was found riddled with bullets in Cameron Parish, a $20,000 reward is being offered. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________________

The Senate Transportation Committee has put the brakes on a bill that sought to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law. Beau Gaspard has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Beau Gaspard.” 

____________________________________________

House Governmental Affairs has approved the legislation calling Louisiana to convene a constitutional convention on May 20th. Governor Landry wants 171 delegates to streamline the current constitution. Former state representative Neil Abramson says that can be accomplished by moving items out of the constitution and into state law

Cut 4 (08) “…and efficiently.”

The vote was nine to five in favor of the constitutional convention and the vote went down party lines. Baton Rouge Democrat Denise Marcelle asked what’s the big hurry in holding a constitutional convention next month…

Cut 5 (08) “…their input.” 

Marcelle also complained about a lack of transparency as the public is in the dark about what changes could be made to the state’s constitution…

Cut 6 (12) “..what is the rush.”

Governor Landry has scheduled a press conference at 9 AM today to discuss the proposed constitutional convention. Landry says moving certain sections out of the constitution and putting them into state law, gives legislators more flexibility when there is a budget deficit, preventing deep cuts to health care and higher ed

Cut 7 (13) “…negligible”

The constitutional convention bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

___________________________________________________________

Authorities are asking for help and offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the death of a dolphin riddled with bullets in Cameron Parish. Matt Walia with NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Compliance says they received a report of a deceased bottlenose dolphin on March 13th.

Cut 8 (06) “…the public.” 

The dolphin was found on West Mae Beach.

According to the necropsy, Walia says they believe the dolphin was most likely killed just before it was found Wednesday, March 13th.

Cut 9 (09)  “…unfortunately.”

Bullets were found in the brain, spinal cord, and heart of the mammal.

Walia says harassing, harming, killing, or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and violators can be civilly or criminally charged up to $100,000 and serve up to a year in jail per violation.

Cut 10 (09) “…circumstances.”

If you have any information you are urged to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.

________________________________________________________

The Senate Transportation Committee has put a stop to an effort to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law that’s been in place since 2004. Bridget Gardner, the coordinator of the Community Injury Prevention Program at the University Medical Center New Orleans told the panel motorcycle deaths will go up if you pass this law

Cut 11 (04) “…helmeted.”

Vernon Parish Representative Rodney Schamerhorn is the author of the legislation. He agrees deaths will likely go up if his bill passes, but he believes in personal choice…

Cut 12 (12) “…they are taking.” 

Caddo Parish Coroner Todd Thoma says not only will highway deaths go up, so will serious injuries as a result of helmetless motorcycle riders…

Cut 13 (13)  “…for life.”

The panel made no motion to advance the legislation to the Senate floor, which likely means the bill is dead for the session.

________________________________________________________________

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 7 pm with three LSU Tigers Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Junior all predicted to go in the first round. WWL Radio draft analyst Mike Detillier says Daniels has really improved his skill set and is expected to go number two to Washington.

Cut 14 (15)  “…lot of sacks.”

Malik Nabers is also projected to be a very high first-rounder in this draft. Nabers is projected to be the Giants pick at sixth overall. Detillier says the Giants have a history of taking talented LSU receivers, most notably Odell Beckham Junior, and if they don’t, he says Nabers will cause considerable consideration from a couple of teams looking at other positions.

Cut 15 (12)  “…of consideration.”

Brian Thomas Junior is projected to go in the mid-twenties around pick 24. The receiver had a breakthrough season alongside Nabers last season but didn’t do too well the previous season. Detillier says that teams love the natural talent he has and that he can quickly develop into a special NFL player.

Cut 16 (15)  “…this league.”

________________________________________________________________

The Saints are scheduled to have the number 14 overall pick tonight in the 2024 NFL Draft. There have been rumors about the Saints trading up in the first round in order to pick their favorite player at receiver or offensive tackle and Locked On Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says there is the opportunity for the Saints to trade with old partners.

Cut 17 (16) “…opportunity there.”

After the sudden retirement of Saints Left Tackle James Hurst, the Saints are predicted to use their first round pick on an offensive tackle. New Orleans will have a talented pool of offensive tackles to pick from that ranges from Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fasanu to Alabama’s JC Latham.

Cut 18 (14)  “….near fourteen”

The Saints have nine picks in this year’s draft and seven of their picks are in the 5th round or later. Jackson says those seven picks give the Saints plenty of mobility in this year’s draft if they choose to move up for a player or down to get more draft capital.

Cut 19 (13) “…since 2007.” 

________________________________________________________________________

Cut 20 (15) “…feel good.”