The search for a missing LSU student has reached a sad conclusion. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The Coast Guard continues to search for the 12 missing after a commercial platform capsized Tuesday afternoon. Sector commander of Coast Guard New Orleans Will Watson says they have to remain optimistic in search efforts. So far one body was located.

A Legislative committee discovers LSU still has not written a mandatory reporting policy requiring employees to properly report sexual misconduct cases. The discovery was made after Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle questioned LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman pointed out the University of Louisiana System has already written and implemented that policy, so why hasn’t LSU?

Cut 10 (12) “..over.” 

Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver is calling out LSU Baton Rouge amidst the sexual misconduct scandal and says they are attempting to skirt attention and place it on LSU Shreveport instead. Tarver says it’s clear that LSU Baton Rouge has not even touched the surface of mishandlings.

Cut 6 (10) “…nor fair.”

LSU confirms the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media.

Cut 4 (10) “…circumstance.” 

Police do not believe foul play is involved in Gautier’s death.

Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers will present an alternative proposal to the President’s 2.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure plan. Cassidy says the bulk of Biden’s bill, isn’t infrastructure spending, it includes funding for new housing, clean water, green energy infrastructure, paid leave, elderly care, veterans’ health, and more. Cassidy calls it too unfocused.

Cut 5 (09)“…give up.”

The poor conditions of roads and bridges in Louisiana are costing motorists in the state $7.6 billion a year. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. Erich Ponti with Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads says each year the cost to drivers continues to increase.

Cut 11 (08) “….drivers.”

Currently, there is legislation in this session to address Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure issues.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation allowing victims of sexual assault to break their rental leases early. A survivor would have to provide adequate documentation to their landlord certified by a qualified third party. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it must be within sixty days of the incident…

Cut 14 (07) “…begin with.”

LSU says the body found in the Mississippi River in St. John the Baptist Parish on Tuesday is that of missing student Kori Gauthier of Opelousas.  The 19-year-old disappeared on April 7th and her car was found on top of the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Her uncle Spencer Gauthier posted a video on social media thanking everyone who has been praying for his family.

Cut 3 (09)  “…folks.” 

Police do not believe foul play is involved in Gautier’s death.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation allowing victims of sexual assault to break their rental leases early. Tigers against Sexual Assault Co-President Angelina Cantelli says the legislation, by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman, is vital for assault survivors…

Cut 13 (10) “…flashbacks.”

The poor conditions of roads and bridges in Louisiana are costing motorists in the state $7.6 billion a year. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. They put a dollar figure on vehicle operating costs, traffic accidents, and congested related delays.  Erich Ponti with Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads says the state is long overdue for more funding.

Cut 10 (07) “..since 1984.”

TRIP says driving on poor roads in the state costs the average driver $667 annually in vehicle operating costs.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds most residents support investing in early childhood education and childcare. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says when respondents were asked about different programs such as childcare or early childhood education for low-income families…

Cut 7 (11)  “…all these.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says a counter-proposal to President Biden’s infrastructure plan is being drafted. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A national transportation research organization says road and bridge conditions in the Bayou State are costing motorists $7.6 billion annually. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legislation allowing sexual assault victims to break their rental lease early unanimously passes a House Committee. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers will present an alternative proposal to the President’s 2.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure plan, with reports putting it somewhere in the 600 to 800 billion dollar range.

Cassidy says the bulk of Biden’s bill, named the American Jobs Plan, isn’t actually infrastructure spending.

Cut 4 (10)“…country”

Cassidy backs doubling the amount of money going towards road and bridge funding. Biden currently is calling for 115 billion in upgrades to roads and bridges. Cassidy argues that only six percent of the 2.2 trillion dollars goes towards classically defined “infrastructure.”

The AJP includes funding for new housing, clean water, green energy infrastructure, paid leave, elderly care, veterans’ health, and more. Cassidy calls it too unfocused.

Cut 5 (08)“…for it.”

The bill also includes funding for passenger rail between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Cassidy says his constituents have been calling for new infrastructure spending like an I-10 bridge in Lake Charles and an I-49 connector in Shreveport, but this bill spends money elsewhere…

Cut 6 (06) “…infrastructure.” (x2)

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The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds most residents support investing in early childhood education and childcare. LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Mike Henderson says when respondents were asked about different programs such as childcare or early childhood education for low-income families…

Cut 7 (11)  “…all these.”

When asked if they support raising taxes for early childhood education and childcare programs a majority support an increase. But Henderson says not as many as those who support an increase in spending, the number drops when raising taxes is a factor.

Cut 8 (08) “…childhood education.”

Henderson says there’s been bipartisan support among legislators to increase spending and it appears the public agrees.

Cut 9 (09) “…on this.”

The Louisiana Survey polled 781 adult residents from January 4^th to March 1^st.

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The poor conditions of roads and bridges in Louisiana are costing motorists in the state $7.6 billion a year. That’s according to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. They put a dollar figure on vehicle operating costs, traffic accidents, and congested related delays.  Erich Ponti with Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads says the state is long overdue for more funding.

Cut 10 (07) “..since 1984.”

Legislation has been filed in the current session to increase funding for transportation infrastructure which includes repairs for current roads and bridges and future projects. Ponti says each year the cost to drivers continues to increase.

Cut 11 (08) “….drivers.”

Some question if auto insurance rates are affected by the poor conditions of roads and bridges in the state. TRIP Director of Policy and Research Rocky Moretti says it’s a factor when setting rates.

Cut 12 (06) “…part of that.”

TRIP says driving on poor roads in the state costs the average driver $667 annually in vehicle operating costs.

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The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation allowing victims of sexual assault to break their rental leases early.

Tigers against Sexual Assault Co-President Angelina Cantelli says the legislation, by New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman, is vital for assault survivors…

Cut 13 (10) “…flashbacks.”

There currently is a law allowing early termination but only in the case of domestic violence incidents. The definition of sexual assault in this bill includes acts of obscenity, abuse, and voyeurism.

A survivor would have to provide adequate documentation to their landlord certified by a qualified third party. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it must be within sixty days of the incident…

Cut 14 (07) “…begin with.”

Those experts are defined as a healthcare provider that conducted a forensic exam, clinical social worker, investigating law enforcement, prosecuting attorney, or director of a sexual assault center.

Abita Springs Representative Larry Freiman (free-man) asks what about lessees who had home invasions, or were victims of other crimes…

Cut 15 (10)“…Pandora’s box.”

If the sexual assault did not occur on the leased premises, then the lessee shall give a declaration of why continuing to reside in the leased premises may pose a threat to the victim’s safety.

Under the bill, if the offender is named as a lessee at the property the landlord is entitled to immediate eviction upon presenting a court with the victim’s documentation.

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Grambling State and Southern will do battle in the Bayou Classic on Saturday.  While no band and only limited fans are allowed to attend the game, Grambling head coach Broderick Fobbs says this will still be a big-time game.

Cut 16 (12) “…looking forward to it.”

This game usually takes place in New Orleans but because of Covid restrictions in the Big Easy, the game will occur in Shreveport.  Coach Fobbs believes that having the game closer to home won’t necessarily give them an advantage.

Cut 17 (13) “…positive.”

While preparing for Southern, coach Fobbs says a few things stood out to him that makes this a difficult matchup.

Cut  18 (17)”…want to do.” 

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The LSU baseball team looks to build on last weekend’s series victory over Kentucky when they host 10th ranked South Carolina for a three-game series starting tonight, The Gamecocks, who are 22 and 9 overall and 8-and-4 in the SEC. U-S-C also has the third-best team ERA in the SEC. Coach Paul Mainieri says the Gamecocks pitching staff is loaded with power arms.

Cut 19 (20) “…strikeouts an inning.” 

LSU has the second-worst batting average in SEC games at .237, but the bats showed signed of life in the series win over the Wildcats. Catcher Hayden Travinski from Shreveport on the players’ mindset at the plate…

Cut 20 (12) “…about it.” 

The search is still on for 12 missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon Tuesday afternoon. Six of the ship’s original 19 crewmembers have been rescued so far, along with one confirmed death. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson describes what a lift boat is…

Cut 5  (13)  “…rise.”

The boat is designed to carry thousands of barrels of oil from offshore platforms.

Severe thunderstorms, hail, and flash flooding continues across of the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a slow-moving cold front is responsible for the April showers and they’ll stay with us for the remainder of the week.

Cut 6 (12) “.. of Louisiana.”

An arrest has been made in the 2004 cold case murder of a 19-year-old in Alexandria. 45-year-old David Burns of Boyce has been charged with the second-degree murder of Courtney Coco who was last seen at her home two days before her body was found in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers hopes the arrest can bring relief.

Cut 10 (06) “..the family.” 

Bond has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow took the oath of office this morning, filling the fifth district seat that was left vacant after the unexpected death of her husband Luke Letlow in December from COVID. Julia Letlow is the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress.

Cut 12 (12)   “…take office.” 

The runoff to fill Louisiana’s 2^nd congressional seat is April 24^th.

The search is still on for 12 missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon Tuesday afternoon. Six of the ship’s original 19 crewmembers have been rescued so far, along with one confirmed death. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson thanks every civilian who’s offered to help in the search…

Cut 3 (09)  “…folks.” 

It’s another day of severe weather for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says some areas had up to five inches of rain yesterday and there’s the potential to see just as much today prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch for all of southern Louisiana, and as far as north as Alexandria until noon Thursday.

Cut 7 (11) “…Friday.”

Keim urges citizens to be weather-aware for the remainder of the week.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow took the oath of office this morning, filling the fifth district seat that was left vacant after the unexpected death of her husband Luke Letlow in December. Julia Letlow is the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress.

Cut 12 (12)   “…take office.” 

Julia’s two children along with the other members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation were present for the ceremony. A runoff to fill Louisiana’s 2^nd congressional seat is set for April 24^th.

Alexandria Police have made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco, who was killed in 2004. Coco was last seen at her home two days before her body was discovered in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers says Detective Tanner Dryden was assigned to the case in 2018.

Cut 9 (09) “..the case.”

43-year-old David Burns of Boyce has been charged with second-degree murder.

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Johnson and Johnson accounts for under 4-percent of all the doses administered in Louisiana.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism. Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before events. Hewitt says she’s not aware of any in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to keep the department out of a loom budget deficit. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

The average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs

Legislation is proposed that would up hunting and fishing license fees for both recreational and commercial users. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Should the National Anthem be required to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities? One lawmaker thinks so…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit.

LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipates the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years, and…

Cut 4 (09)“…last year.”

Montoucet says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with a more consolidated list of licenses.

Cut 5 (08)“…about 30.”

The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal. Those who already have licenses would be grandfathered in.

Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

LDWF plans to have the legislation pushing these proposals filed sometime this week. Montoucet made the comments on Talk Louisiana Monday.

_____________________________

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Kanter says so far of the 85,000 doses of the J&J vaccine administered in Louisiana no adverse reactions have been reported and of the overall number of all vaccines administered in the state, J&J accounts for just 3.7-percent.

Cut 8 (08) “…supply issues.”

The six cases of blood clots occurred in females under the age of 50, six to thirteen days after their injection. Kanter says if you did receive the J&J vaccine in the last two weeks be aware of the following symptoms of a blood clot.

Cut 9 (08) “…medical advice.”

The CDC and FDA are meeting this week to review the six cases involving blood clots to see if they have a connection to the vaccine. Approximately 6.8 million doses of J&J have been administered in the U.S.

____________________

Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow will be sworn into Congress this morning. She’s the first Republican female to ever serve in Congress for Louisiana and the first female since Senator Mary Landrieu in 2015. Letlow says one of her priorities is to serve on the Agriculture Committee.

Cut 10 (11) “..in 2022.”

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise are members of the steering committee for assignments, and they have reserved a spot for Letlow on the Agriculture Committee.

Letlow of Start will represent the state’s 5^th Congressional district which consists of 24 parishes. It’s a predominately rural district and Letlow says the pandemic only emphasized the district’s need for high-speed internet.

Cut 11 (04) “….broadband.”

Letlow says when school-aged children needed to attend school virtually the lack of broadband made that extremely difficult and it’s holding back the region from expanding business infrastructure.

Cut 12 (07) “…necessity.”

Letlow is scheduled to be sworn in at 11 a.m.

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Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities.

Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism, and many don’t know the words to the anthem. She says this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.

Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

Hewitt says the Anthem can be a unifying force. She recalls her first trip to a professional sports game after 9/11.

Cut 14 (08) “…our lungs.”

Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before sporting events. Hewitt says she’s not aware any in Louisiana have followed suit yet.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

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The 13th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team is preparing to welcome Southern Miss to J-C Love Field for a four-game series that will start Friday night in Ruston. It’s a matchup of the top two teams in Conference USA’s West Division. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says it’s one of the bigger series in the program’s history

Cut 16 (21) “…any other way”

Southern Miss has won the last two Conference USA baseball tournament championships. But trail the Bulldogs for first place in the West Division this year by a game and a half. Tech took three of four from the Golden Eagles earlier this season and Burroughs knows Southern Miss will be ready to play…

Cut 17 (18) “…retain it.”

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It’s Bayou Classic Week as Southern and Grambling are set to meet this Saturday in Shreveport. Usually, these two football rivals are playing in New Orleans at the Superdome during Thanksgiving weekend. Jaguars Coach Dawson Odums was asked if it feels like the Bayou Classic Week

Cut  18 (21)  “…get ready to play.”

Southern is 3-and-1 during this unique spring season, while Grambling is 0-and-3 and has not played since March 20th because of COVID issues within the program. Odums knows the Tigers are hungry for a victory

Cut 19 (13) “…for you” 

With Congressional efforts to raise the federal minimum wage off the table… Governor Edwards is looking to the Legislature to increase the state’s 7.25 an hour minimum this session. In past years Edwards would put his weight behind a single bill but this time he says he’ll take any raise he can get, even if it’s below his preferred number.

Cut 9 (07) “..sign it.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s proposal to centralize Louisiana’s sales tax collection system gets positive reviews from a House committee. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says she supports the idea of a centralized sales tax system, that’s easier for small businesses but she’s concerned about whether voters will understand what this proposed constitutional amendment will do.

Cut 8 (08) “…laymen terms”

The new system is designed to assure the right amount of taxes is collected.

The state department of health is following guidance from the CDC and FDA halting the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine and investigating a possible connection between blood clots in six women. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says this is only with the J& J vaccine this shouldn’t discourage you from being vaccinated.

Cut 4 (10) “…Pfizer vaccines.” 

Approximately 85-thousand doses of Johnson & Johnson have been administered in Louisiana with no adverse reactions reported.

The City of New Orleans will be the backdrop for the first movie production to leave the state of Georgia amid protest of the state’s new voting laws. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says the Will Smith feature, Emancipation, is moving to New Orleans. As the economic impact…

Cut 14 (10) “…update you.” 

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s proposal to centralize Louisiana’s sales tax collection system gets positive reviews from a House committee. The new sales tax collection proposal will need two-thirds support in both the House and Senate and Schexnayder says a constitutional amendment to streamline Louisiana’s sales tax system could appear before the voters in the fall.

Cut 7 (07) “…always important.”

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the legislature whatever bill they pass to increase the minimum wage he’ll sign it into law. The 7.25 an hour minimum wage hasn’t seen a hike since 2008 and Edwards says there’s tons of polling to suggest that raising it in Louisiana is a very popular idea.

Cut 11 (11) “.life.”

The state health department is following a directive from the CDC and FDA in by stopping the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says it’s very rare to have a blood clot from the vaccine and the clot could be a result of something else for example smoking and not the vaccine, so it’s important the six cases be thoroughly investigated.

Cut 5  (12)  “…going forward.”

The City of New Orleans will be the backdrop for the first movie production to leave the state of Georgia amid protest of the state’s new voting laws. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says the Will Smith feature, Emancipation, is moving to Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12)   “…recently.”