The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that repeal thes state statute that allows for financial compensation of those who served time in prison for crimes that they did not commit. Attorney General Liz Murrill has said the burden of compensation should be born at the local level instead of the state. But not everyone agrees. Meredith Angelson testified against it, saying most wrongfully convicted people aren’t being fully compensated right now as it is.

Cut 11 (12) “…at ten years.”

About 200-thousand people are expected at the Vatican tomorrow for the funeral of Pope Francis. The pontiff died of a stroke Easter Monday at the age of 88 – just hours after he made Easter Sunday appearances. The funeral service will be held at Saint Peter’s Square. Bishop Michael Duca of the Diocese of Baton Rouge got to meet Pope Francis just a few years ago…

Cut 4 (08) “…our questions directly.”

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It was a night of offensive tackles for Louisiana at the NFL Draft. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The most anticipated series of the season has arrived for the LSU baseball team as the 7th ranked Tigers host the 6th ranked Tennessee Volunteers in a matchup of the last two College World Series championship teams. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 18 (15)  “…offense.”

Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes to advance a bill that would repeal the state statute that allows financial compensation for those who serve prison time for crimes they did not commit. Attorney General Liz Murrill testified in support of the bill, saying that compensating those who are wrongfully convicted should be done on a local not state level.

Cut 10 (07) “…attorney in Orleans.”

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LSU’s set to open  new instructional site in Baton Rouge this Fall for its top-ranked Bachelor of Science in Nursing  program to help address Louisiana’s critical nursing shortage. LSU School of Nursing Associate Dean Jennifer Manning says the expansion allows pre-nursing students in Baton Rouge to complete their degrees locally, a highly requested option.

Cut 7 (12) “…a space issue.”

Will Campbell has become the second LSU offensive lineman to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. And as nearly all prognosticators predicted, he was selected 4th overall by the New England Patriots. After he was selected, Campbell said he’s excited to be playing for a franchise that has won six Super Bowls and is ready to help them return to their winning ways.

Cut 13 (14)  “…I’m just excited.”

Governor Landry is backing legislation that would result stricter advertising standards for personal injury attorneys, but is the proposed law constitutional. Sean Richardson spoke with a legal expert…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advances a bill that would do away with speed cameras in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Monroe Republican Stewart Cathey, says some cities and towns are using the camers as a way to grab money saying the revenue from one village makes it obvious.

Cut 12 (15) “…from these things.”

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The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes. A representative from the American Lung Association testified and said one out of four middle school students and one out of three high school students are using tobacco products and a majority are vaping.

Bossier City Representative Dennis Hamburg knows there’s a large percentage of teens smoking vapes and e-cigarettes and if it costs more, it can reduce the percentage of minors using these products.

Cut 8 (07) “…little bit.”

But Mandeville Representative Jay Galle’ is not a believer in those statistics.

Cut 9 (10)  “…there’s that.”

Vacherie Representative Ken Brass’s legislation could see a hearing in front of House Appropriations, before a vote on the House floor. It will take a two-thirds vote for the measure to advance to the Senate.

The House Ways and Means Committee rejected a proposal to increase tax on tobacco cigarettes. But as Colleen Crane reports, that same panel said yes to a state tax hike on vape products and e-cigarettes.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Accidental shootings involving children are a big problem across the country and here in Louisiana. 12 children in our state died from accidental shootings last year. That’s according to one nonprofit that tracks gun violence. But a bill by State Representative Matthew Willard looks to change that by holding gun owners more accountable.  If passed, the bill will make improper storage of a firearm a crime.

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The House Commerce Committee will soon consider a bill by Mandeville Republican Kim Carver to tighten rules on personal injury attorney advertising. Supporters, including Governor Landry, say it will reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower auto insurance costs.  But critics, including LSU media law professor Will Mari, argue that the U-S Supreme Court has already weighed in on previous efforts.

Cut 4 (11) “…First Amendment protection.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advances a bill that would do away with speed cameras in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Monroe Republican Stewart Cathey, says some cities and towns are just using speed cameras as a money grab and says they’re very unpopular among those in the general public and lawmakers alike.

Cut 13 (11)  “…it doesn’t matter.”

Louisiana’s New  Department of Health Secretary is actually the man who served as LDH Secretary under Governor Bobby Jindal’s administration for three years beginning in 20-10.  During that time, Bruce Greenstein (GREEN-steen)  was indicted with lying to a grand jury under oath about his alleged involvement in the awarding of a cancelled Medicaid contract with his previous employer. Though the indictment was eventually dismissed, Greenstein was asked about it during his introductory news conference.

Cut 14 (06) “…just simply accusations.”

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved legislation to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes.  Democrats on the committee voted for Vacherie Representative Ken Brass’s legislation , while Republicans were split. Bossier City Representative Dennis Hamburg says there’s a large percentage of teens using vapes and e-cigarettes and says if they cost more, it could reduce usage among minors.

Cut 8 (07) “…little bit.”

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A bill to ban speed cameras in Louisiana advances to the full Senate.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In an effort to reduce frivolous lawsuits and lower auto insurance rates, Louisiana’s House Commerce Committee will soon consider a bill by Mandeville Republican Kim Carver to tighten rules on personal injury attorney advertising. But critics,like LSU media law professor Will Mari says Louisiana already has stricter advertising rules than many states..

Cut 5 (11) “…400 miles away.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes, Representative Ken Brass’s legislation to raise the tax on vapes and e-cigarettes passed on a 9-to-6 vote. Brass says a higher tax will result in a drop in usage for these harmful products.

Cut 7 (07) “…health care costs.”

The same panel did not approve a bill to increase Louisiana’s tax on tobacco cigarettes.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advances a bill that would do away with speed cameras in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Monroe Republican Stewart Cathey, says some cities and towns are simply using the speed cameras as a money grab.

Cut 11 (13) “…premium taxes combined.”

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Governor Landry is backing legislation that would result stricter advertising standards for personal injury attorneys, but is the proposed law constitutional. Sean Richardson spoke with a legal expert…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry is backing legislation that would result stricter advertising standards for personal injury attorneys, but is the proposed law constitutional. Sean Richardson spoke with a legal expert…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Northwestern State left Baton Rouge last night with a run rule victory as they upset the seventh ranked Tigers. Braden Benton hit a three-run homer in a six-run third inning as Northwestern beat the tigers 13 to 3 in seven innings.

And a big upset in Lake Charles last nigth as Louisiana Christian, a division three school, defeated McNeese four to three.

Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Easter Weekend is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish. And Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says crawfish prices are very low.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

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State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that requires them. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year”

Louisiana is the only red state that requires passenger vehicles to have up-to-date inspection stickers and State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate them. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. But this time he has the support of state police who had opposed the move because they’d lose funding.   Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees.

Cut 5 (04) “…inspection sticker.”

Tomorrow marks 15 years since the the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of toxic oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish back then. He says a lack of leadership on the ground in is what inspired him to eventually run for lieutenant governor.

Cut 11 (10) “…do to help?”

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It’s the biggest crawfish weekend of the year; Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The ninth-ranked LSU baseball team held on for a four-to-three victory over Alabama last night with great performances from pitchers Anthony Eyanson and Zac Cowan and center fielder Chris Stanfield went 4-for-4 with two runs scored. Coach Jay Johnson says they keep getting great production from Stanfield…

Cut 17 (08)  “…proud of him.”

Tomorrow will mark 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of toxic oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish at the time and remembers not just the tragedy itself, but the chaos in the response. He says he found himself fighting BP and the consultants more than fighting the oil.

Cut 10 (15) “…the main passes.”

Nungesser says it’s an experience he hopes never to have to relive.

Easter weekend is a big weekend for crawfish in Louisiana.   Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low right now but they’re also going fast.

Cut 7 (09) “…do that now.”

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State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that requires them. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.

Cut 4 (09) “…the past years.”

Six arrests have been made in connection to last Saturday’s shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that injured two teens. Last Saturday, multiple law enforcement agencies searched five homes tied to the incident. Pontchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson says those arrested were all between 18 and 21 years old. Camryn Finley and Dealvin Davis, both charged with attempted second-degree murder and terrorizing, and Courtney McGee, Markus Dokes, Quentrel Smith, and Quenton Smith, who were charged with terrorizing.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these six individuals.”

Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year”

If ever there was a weekend to enjoy some tasty tiny crustaceans, this is it. This is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low this Easter weekend.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

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Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Ponchatoula Police Department issued arrest warrants for six men following a shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that injured two teens. Police Chief Bry

Cut 12 (10) “…good old detective work”