If you’re getting behind the wheel this morning, be aware that April is National Distracted Driving Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s “Buckle Up, Phone Down” campaign is in full swing. Right now, Louisiana law prohibits writing, sending, or reading text messages on hand-held devices while driving. But Spokesperson Greg Fisher reminds us all that eating, drinking, and even talking with passengers can also be big distractions behind the wheel.

Cut 5 (11) “…to drive.” 

The Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program bill, also known as Education Savings Accounts, goes before House Appropriations today. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says even if the bill passes in the legislature in its current form, there would be a year of planning before it’s implemented.

Cut 9 (06)  “…aren’t acceptable.”

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The LSU lady tigers will not repeat as National champs after losing to Iowa last night 94 to 87 last night. Caitlin Clark was sensational, scoring 41 points. LSU’s Angel Reese had 20 points and 17 rebounds. And Flau’Jau Johnson had 23 points and six rebounds. During the postgame press conference, Johnson spoke out against the people who have shown hate towards Reese…

Cut 14 (11)  “…heavy bro”

This was likely Reese’s final game at LSU.  Reese is expected to be a top ten pick in the WNBA draft.

Louisiana State Police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting involving a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputy yesterday. Troopers say the sheriff’s office requested their assistance after the shooting on Madison Land in Ponchatoula. Troopers say one person was shot and died on the scene. No deputies were injured, but the incident remains under investigation this morning.

Iowa got the best of LSU this time. After losing to the Lady Tigers last year in the national championship game, the Hawkeyes defeated LSU 94 to 87 last night. Caitlin Clark was sensational, scoring 41 points. LSU’s Angel Reese had 20 points and 17 rebounds. Reese says it was a great run, despite not getting back to the Final Four

Cut 13 (12)  “…9ur heads up.”

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has launched the “Buckle Up, Phone Down,” campaign. Spokesperson Greg Fisher…

Cut 4 (10) “…your phone.”

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A south Louisiana lawmaker believes students should attend school five days a week. Nine school systems in Louisiana have some or all their schools with four-day weeks. Supporters of a four-day week say a condensed schedule helps with teacher recruitment, and retention, and doesn’t impede student learning. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell questions what happens when more schools attract teachers with a four-day week.

Cut 11 (11) “…teacher recruitment.”

The Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program bill, also known as Education Savings Accounts, goes before House Appropriations today. How much it will cost the state to fund and implement the program is a concern. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio estimates it will eventually cost $520-million annually.

Cut 7 (08) “…up too.”

New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Under the bill, the convention would begin May 20^th and run through July 15^th, but Beaullieu says he doesn’t think streamlining Louisiana’s constitution would take that long.

Cut  14 (11) “…we can do that”
According to the Council of State Governments Louisiana’s constitution is one of the longest in the country. It’s been amended over 200 times since adopted in 1974.
If a constitutional convention were to take place, Louisiana residents would vote in November to ratify the new document.

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The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball Tigers are set to take on UCLA at Noon today. In case you’re wondering, the last team to win back-to-back national championships in women’s basketball is UCONN. They won four in a row from 2013 to 2016. LSU All-American forward Angel Reese admits there are more expectations this year…

Cut 4 (10) “…we’re wining, we’re winning.” 

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson says they are not ready to go home yet…

Cut 5 (11)  “…on that.”
In baseball action, Coastal Carolina defeated ULM four to one, and Louisiana Tech held on to beat F-I-U seven to six and Northwestern beat McNeese six to two.

The LSU Lady Tigers are gearing up for their Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday at noon. Jeff Palermo has a preview…
Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The New Orleans Pelicans will face Boston this afternoon. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 57-16, but they’ve lost two in a row. Tip-off is at four at the Smoothie King Center.

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Proposed legislation introduced during the regular session aims to ease the workload of educators. But some concerns loom regarding its potential repercussions on school curriculums. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen wants to limit disruptions so teachers can focus on classroom instruction, so we can keep qualified teachers from leaving Louisiana classrooms.

Cut 11 (09) “…they matter.”

A Bossier City woman faces attempted kidnapping charges after telling her estranged boyfriend that she’d given birth to their child who was premature and now being treated in Baton Rouge. Authorities say Dinesty Selmon managed to get an access badge, making several visits to a child that didn’t have a lot of visitors. BRPD Spokesperson Darren Ahmed says the child was never taken from the room by Selmon. As for her intentions…

Cut 8 (12) “…kidnapping.” 

Proposed legislation introduced during the regular session aims to ease the workload of educators. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen believes teachers should be relieved of having to teach subjects like cpr and substance abuse so they can spend more time on the core subjects. He recalls Amanda Bealer, an educator in Leesville, who walked away from teaching profession because of the heavy demands.

Cut 10 (13) “…they’re profession. “
New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation calling for a constitutional convention to streamline our state constitution. And that’s not all. Beallieu says they also want to give lawmakers more flexibility during tough budget times by freeing up some areas that are onstitutionally protected…

Cut 13 (09) “…health care”

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A Bossier City woman’s ploy to fool her boyfriend that she’d birthed their child ends with attempted kidnapping charges in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A head on collision in Avoyelles Parish yesterday claimed the life of a 58 year old Marksville woman. State Police say the driver of the other vehicle was headed south on Highway 107 when he crashed into the vehicle Joyce James was driving. We’re told she died at the scene. The other driver and and a passenger in his car were taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

The defending national champion LSU women’s basketball team is taking an underdog mentality into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Saturday. The Lady Tigers are the three-seed, while the Bruins are the two seed and led by six-foot-seven Lauren Betts. But LSU Coach Kim Mulkey says UCLA has more than just Betts…

Cut 3 (10) “…fight hard”  

A Bossier City woman faces attempted kidnapping charges after telling her estranged boyfriend an infant at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge was their child. BRPD spokesperson Darren Ahmed says 21-year-old Dinesty Selmon made multiple visits to case the hospital and even fooled security into giving her an access badge.

Cut 6  (07) “…in movies.” 

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Proposed legislation introduced during the regular session aims to ease the workload of educators. But some concerns loom regarding its potential repercussions on school curriculums. Vernon Parish Representative Charles Owen says instead of state lawmakers deciding if these life skills are worthy subjects …

Cut 9 (13) “…our students.” 

 New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu has filed legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so state lawmakers and delegates appointed by the governor can write a new state constitution. Beaullieu says the goal is to move certain items out of the constitution and put them into state law

Cut 12 (08) “…this convention” 

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. But not everyone is for it. Opponents say the Gator Scholarship Program will take millions of dollars away from public schools. LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”
A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands. Advocacy director of the Justice Accountability Center of Louisiana, Sarah Whittington opposes the bill because it’s something that local municipalities already cite.

Cut 9 (11)  “…local level.”

A bill to allow judges the option of sentencing a sex offender of a child to surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The line up of food for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been announced. And some favorites that were gone for a time, are back, including Panorama Foods’ longtime favorite Crawfish Bread. It’s making a comeback along with favorites from Marie’s Sugar Dumplings, Jamila’s Café, and African restaurant Bennachin

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks help to identify a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
A calf that was born with two faces in Vermillion Parish and became a viral phenomenon on social media has died. That’s according to its owners at Breaux Farms. In a Facebook post yesterday, they announced that Deaux Face had stopped eating over the weekend and moved on to greener pastures yesterday.

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps. But this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police. Haughton Republican Dodie Horton asked wanted to know if the bill would ban individuals from collecting for charity.

Cut 8 (13) “…giving law.” 
The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. The bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson

Cut 14 (14)  “…curriculum.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify the body of a man found bound and shot to death in Merryville in 1993. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the but no one knew of a missing family member.

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

A bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone who sexually assaults a child under the age of 13 has advanced at the capitol. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

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Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hey all you football fans, NFL owners have approved a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.
 

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says House Bill 97 is an effort to improve both motorist and pedestrian safety.

Cut 7 (05) “…in them.”

State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police.

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (11) “…from prison.”

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The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify a body found south of Merryville in 1993 with 2-gun shots to the head and hands bound behind his back. Investigators recently obtained a DNA profile linking the victim to families in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson…

Cut 4 (11) “…some closure.”