A Senate Committee approves legislation mandating higher education staff properly report known cases of sexual misconduct, or be terminated. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Louisiana elected officials react to a jury convicting former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Legislation inspired by the LSU sexual misconduct scandal mandating higher ed employees properly report known incidents of “power-based violence” is headed to the Senate floor.

The sweeping bill also covers everything from mandatory awareness training to establishing what must be documented related to those cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow…

Cut 3 (08)  “…existed” 

Power-based violence is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Higher ed officials came out in support of the legislation. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed…

Cut 4 (13) “…enviroment.” 

Among the many items included in the bill is a mandate that all suspected cases of power-based violence must be reported specifically to the school’s Title Nine Office, along with the establishment of “confidential advisors” who receive specialized training in the handling of those reports.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says this legislation is vital for restoring student trust.

Cut 5  (09)  “…safe”

Under the bill the chancellor of a Louisiana higher education institution must, each fall and spring semester, submit a detailed report on incidents of power-based violence to the Board of Supervisors, and post that report online. The report shall not identify any individuals involved.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s thankful the criminal justice system dispensed justice against ex-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says justice was done

Cut 6 (11) “..never taught”

Cell phone video showed Chauvin’s knee pressing on Floyd’s neck for nine and half minutes during an arrest. During that time Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Cassidy says he spoke to local law enforcement who tell him what Chauvin did is not taught in police training

Cut 7 (05) “..take over”

Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus Ted James said on Talk Louisiana on WRKF he was expecting an acquittal….

Cut 8 (10) “..held accountable”

Many are saying justice was served, but James tells “Talk Louisiana” host Jim Engster he can’t go that far…

Cut 9 (08) “..it was justice.”

Chauvin will be sentenced in two months and the most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.

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The Senate Education votes 5-1 in favor of a bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill would require all children to start school at the age of five. Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Legal Director Sarah Vandergriff backs the legislation…

Cut 10 (06) “….is supported.” 

Homeschool Louisiana Government Affairs Jesse Leger spoke in opposition. She says five-year-olds should be outside playing, not limited to a classroom setting and this places another burden on families who homeschool.

Cut 11 (09) “…happy about”

Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson supports the bill because research shows early education has a direct impact on learning and social skills.

Cut 12 (11)   “…children thrive” 

The bill advances to the Senate Floor but could be sent to the Senate Finance to address fiscal needs to provide kindergarten at all public schools.

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The House Ways and Means Committee advances a proposal that would eliminate the state’s income tax on residents and a tax on businesses known as the corporate franchise tax. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says to make up for an estimated four billion dollars in lost revenue, local governments can raise property and sales taxes

Cut 13 (08)“….income tax rate”

A good portion of tax revenue the state collects is re-directed to local governments.

Nelson’s tax plan would also lower the homestead exemption from 75-to 25-thousand dollars and eliminate a major property tax break that large manufacturers can receive called I-TEP. The freshman lawmaker believes the public can get behind this proposal because it eliminates state income taxes

Cut 14 (05) “..will sell” 

It’s unclear if Nelson’s tax reform plan has enough support to get the two-thirds vote needed to pass, but Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says it’s a proposal that should be looked at some more…

Cut 15 (10) “…consideration” 

A Bossier City Senator proposes dedicating the expiring .45 percent of the state’s sales tax solely to roads and bridges. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Assistant Attorney General Matthew Derbes resigns and files an EEOC discrimination complaint against AG Jeff Landry alleging retaliation for his reporting of former top aid Pat Magee’s alleged workplace sexual misconduct. Matt Doyle has more…

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There are claims on social media that the COVID vaccine is causing an increase in miscarriages. Brooke Thorington talks with an OB/GYN about the allegations

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The full Senate is set to hear legislation that would dedicate .45 percent of the state sales tax, which is set to expire in 2025, to road and bridge construction. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock’s proposal would raise about 840 million over three years. Peacock says it’s similar to how Texas funds its road projects…

Cut 4 (10)“…sales tax.”

If adopted the proposal would generate 168 million in 2022, 294 million in 2023, and 387 million in 2024 as it is gradually phased in.

Peacock says with billions in federal infrastructure aid potentially headed our way we need to start putting some money aside.

Cut 5 (08)“… for federal funds.”

The legislation requires at least half of the funds to be evenly divided among the state’s nine transportation districts and all funds must be used for the direct cost of projects.

The bill cleared committee with no votes against but with some concerns it could prompt another fiscal cliff. Peacock argues it will gradually install fiscal discipline ahead of the tax’s expiration.

Cut 6 (09) “…three years.”

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Assistant Attorney General Matthew Derbes resigns accusing AG Jeff Landry of retaliating against him for reporting alleged sexual misconduct by former top aid Pat Magee. Debres’ Attorney Jill Craft says after reporting alleged harassment and sexism towards other workers Landry retaliated by opening an investigation into Derbes and more…

Cut 7 (13)  “…unheard of.”

Craft also says the AG denied Derbes a promotion and then took away the majority of his job duties after he reported Magee’s behavior.

Craft says Derbes first reported the harassment in 2019 to his superiors, spoke with other administrators about it, and then finally submitted the allegations in an email.

Cut 8 (09) “…problem.”

Derbes also claims the Attorney General showed political preferential treatment for a person who was facing 20 counts of child porn. Landry says he was not aware of the accusation.

Landry says while an investigation did find Magee made inappropriate comments his behavior did not rise to the level of sexual misconduct. He says if it had, one of the alleged victims would’ve filed suit.

Cut 9 (10) “…the case.”

After an investigation by a third party, Magee was placed on leave without pay to start the year and had his pay docked.

AG’s Office HR Director Sandra Schober says she investigated Derbes claims and found claims that jobs and workspaces were withheld or assigned based on women’s looks to be false.

Cut 10 (09) “…form a narrative.”

Derbes has filed an EEOC discrimination complaint. Craft says it’s the first step towards filing a retaliation claim.

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Social media claims that the COVID vaccine is responsible for a more than 300-percent increase in miscarriages is raising eyebrows. LSU Health New Orleans OB/GYN Doctor Asha Heard says recent studies by the CDC and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology say otherwise.

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Heard says miscarriages early in pregnancy are far more common than you would think.

Cut 12 (06) “…recognized pregnancies.”

But as with any medical concerns, Heard suggests a dialogue with your personal physician about the vaccine and pregnancy.

Cut 13 (08) “…are pregnant.”

Heard also says there’s been no evidence to date suggesting the COVID vaccine increases stillbirths or reduces fertility.  She says if there was evidence the FDA and CDC would pause the rollout and review data as they did with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

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A bill requiring public schools to provide kindergarten and mandatory attendance will be heard in the Senate education committee today. Stand for Children Governmental Affairs Director Brigitte Nieland says they fully support Senator Cleo Fields’ legislation because kindergarten provides vital foundational skills for students.

Cut 14 (09) “…student’s lifetime.”

Nieland says while some assume kindergarten is already mandatory if the bill passes it would go into effect fall of 2022 and increase attendance considerably.

Cut 15 (11)“…takes effect”

Nieland says the bill makes common sense and only if the state’s education system performed higher would the measure be up for debate as far as she’s concerned.

Cut 16 (05) “…debate really.”

The bill says a child who turns five years of age on or before September 30th would be required to attend kindergarten and pass a readiness assessment prior to first grade.

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ULM has wrapped up its first spring football season under new head coach Terry Bowden. Bowden is facing a big task in trying to upgrade a roster that didn’t win a game in 2020. Bowden plans on adding players before the team gathers again in August

Cut 17 (23) “…one or two.”

Bowden says one of the goals this summer is to add depth at the running back position…

Cut  18 (19)”…in the season.” 

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For the second straight week, D-1 baseball has Louisiana Tech ranked 14th in the country. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says there’s not much discussion about the ranking…

Cut 19 (18) “…be ranked.” 

This weekend, Tech will host Marshall for a four-game series that will start on Friday. The Thundering Herd are 6-and-22 on the season, but Burroughs says they have to be ready to play Marshall

Cut 20 (19) “…ability to adapt.”