LRN PM Newscall April 29

A small town in north Louisiana is mourning the loss of a police officer, killed while on duty on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Legislation to hold a constitutional convention heads to the Full House, after costs were discussed in House Appropriations. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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In Lincoln Parish, a Dubach police officer was killed while conducting a traffic stop on U-S 167 just south of Hamilton Road. State Police spokesperson Ryan Davis says officer Russell Croxton’s police vehicle was hit by a truck driver from Arkansas who didn’t see Croxton’s police vehicle in the right lane…

Cut 3 (05) “…flashing lights.” 

61-year-old Michael Sutterfield of Russellville, Arkansas was the driver of the truck. After making impact with Croxton’s police vehicle, Davis says Sutterfield’s commercial motor vehicle hit Croxton…

Cut 4 (11) “..injuries” 

Davis says this is a reminder to obey the “Move Over” law. He says if you see an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated, please reduce your speed and change lanes to give first responders room to operate safely…

Cut 5 (11)  “..investigation.” 

Croxton’s father, Ruston Police Sergeant Raymond Croxton, also died while on duty. He was killed in 1978 in a traffic crash while pursuing a suspect.

Russell Croxton was a police officer for 17 years. He started with the Dubach Police Department in 2007, left to work for another agency and just returned to the Dubach Police Department two weeks ago.

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Legislation to hold a constitutional convention beginning May 20th advances from House Appropriations. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu told committee members were told the convention would cost 63-thousand-dollars if it wraps by June 3rd, but the cost could grow to 1.5 million if it concludes in mid-July.

Cut 6  (11) “…our per diem.” 

Beaullieu was asked if overtime for legislative staff was also considered along with rental space if it can’t be held the House chamber. He says they were not included.

Beaullieu told Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley the bill was crafted from previous convention bills and donations could help cover the costs.

Cut 7 (12) “…need to.”  

Because little details of what will be discussed in the constitutional convention, Bagley believes outside funding is a concern.

Cut 8 (10) “…on a fire.” 

The bill passed on a 14 to 6 vote, along party lines and advances to the House floor.

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Three Kenner Police officers shot during a lengthy standoff with a gunman on Sunday have been released from the hospital. The gunman, Matthew Lathers, was killed. Lathers exchanged gunfire with both Kenner Police officers and Jefferson Parish deputies. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says a member of his SWAT team fatally shot Lathers

Cut 9 (04) “…in time.” 

Lopinto says Lathers was wanted for an armed robbery and an attempted murder that occurred last week. The sheriff says the incident started when Lathers shot two people sitting in a vehicle outside of his home…

Cut 10 (06) “..fired upon them.” 

At last report, one of the victims shot in the vehicle was listed in critical condition.

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Louisiana is joining several other states in a lawsuit against the federal government over new Title IX rules that expand protections to LGBTQ-plus students in a classroom setting. Attorney General Liz Murrill on what the new rules mean for every school that receives federal funding

Cut 11 (11) ” …as well.”

Murrill says these new rules will result in transgender women sharing bathrooms, locker rooms and perhaps even lodging on overnight field trips with biological girls. She says the federal government is telling colleges and universities to disregard the concept of biological sex…

Cut 12 (07) “…biological women.” 

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has already told public schools not to follow the revised Title IX rules….

Cut 13 (06) “…across the country”

Transgender advocates say the new rules are needed in Louisiana as the state legislature seeks to pass the legislation that goes against treating everyone with dignity and respect.