A House panel green lights a bill to eliminate the need for inspection stickers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A bill abolishing the death penalty narrowly clears a House committee amid a fiery debate about racial discrimination in policing and sentencing. Matt Doyle has both sides…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A state lawmaker is looking to eliminate inspection stickers, because he says they do no make our roads any safer. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says he  recently received a new sticker, despite a crack that ran across his windshield

Cut 3 (12) “…maybe thousands.”

The House Transportation Committee approved Bagley’s bill on an eight to six vote. Colfax Representative Terry Brown says inspection stations are bit of a joke…

Cut 4 (12) “…least 10 years” 

Bagley says instead of paying a 10-dollar fee for a one-year inspection sticker, his bill would add 10-dollars to your vehicle registration fee and the money would pay for 150 new state troopers

Cut 5 (13) “…patrol units.”

House Transportation Chairman Terry Landry argued against the bill, saying there is a safety value in inspection stickers as they make sure motorists are insured and have working headlights.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee passed a bill to end the death penalty amid an intense debate that got personal at times.

Bill author New Iberia Representative Terry Landry took some harsh criticism, but held firm to belief that racial disparities in arrests and sentencing, and the number of death sentences that have been overturned justify ending the practice…

Cut 6 (12) “…for you.”

The measure passed 8-7.

But some members of the public opposing the legislation took issue with Landry’s, and other’s accusation that discriminatory policing effects the integrity of the death penalty. Death penalty proponent Michelle Perkins went after the New Iberia Democrat…

Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana.”

Landry is the former State Police superintendent and is a Vietnam vet.

Supporters of the bill weren’t just arguing against the morality of the death penalty, but also the extensive costs that go along with it. Death penalty opponent Jessica White cited research that shows the death penalty costs the state 15.4 million dollars a year…

Cut 8 (11) “…dollars.”

Wayne Guzzardo takes offense to argument about cost. Guzzardo’s daughter was gunned down in a 1995 robbery, and has expressed disappointment that the murderer’s sentence has not been carried out. He says the cost of the death penalty does not outweigh the value of justice…

Cut 9 (10) “…me.”
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US News & World Report has released its third annual ranking of the “Best States” and Louisiana is ranked last for the third year in a row. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says many of the contributing factors boil down to widespread poverty in the state.

Cut 10 (11) “…criminal justice system.“.

Among the factors considered, Louisiana ranked last on crime, opportunity, and the environment. Louisiana’s highest ranking was in fiscal stability, where the state is ranked 43^rd. Stockley says the increased fiscal stability could positively impact other areas.

Cut 11 (13)“…educational rankings increase.”

When it comes to the election for Governor, Stockley says the findings will likely find value in Governor Edwards’ campaign, showcasing the progress the state has made, but his opponents could potentially use the data to their advantage as well.

Cut 12 (08)   “…be to do.”

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President Donald Trump told the seven-thousand workers at the 10-billion dollar Sempra Energy LNG facility in Cameron Parish that they are helping to make America the energy superpower of the world

Cut 13 (12) “…need anybody”

The President says once the Cameron LNG facility is fully operational it will export up to 15-million tons of liquefied natural gas every year. Mr. Trump took credit for helping this energy facility and others become a reality

Cut 14 (11) “…were under assault” 

Before leaving Cameron Parish, the president promised a major infrastructure upgrade in southwest Louisiana if he’s re-elected

Cut 15 (14) “…we want to be prepared”

Louisiana native Laine Hardy is on the door step of winning American Idol. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A federal judge conditionally dismisses a lawsuit filed by three Angola inmates who complained about excessive heat on death row. Matt Doyle has more……

cut 2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy has spoken with President Tump about his plan for ending surprise medical billing costs for patients. Louisiana’s Senior Senator says he’s working on legislation and regulations that would require hospitals to be upfront with the total cost of treatments…

Cut 3 (11) “…over it.”

Cassidy pinpointed the surprise that many patients face when they receive treatment supposedly is covered by their insurance and get stuck with a bill you might expect if you are uninsured.

Cut 4 (10) “…a bill” 

The Republican says he’s been inspired to take on his issue after repeatedly hearing about overcharging incidents from his constituents.

Cut 5 (11) “…their hand.”

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A study in Louisiana looks for a connection between blood sugar levels early in life and mid-life brain health. The study is called the Bogalusa Heart Study and began in the 70s with about 200 child volunteers.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Owen Carmichael, with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says now they will test those same volunteers now that they are in their 50s.

Cut 6 (11) “…is actually true.”

The research is the only study to collect assessments of the community members’ metabolic status from early childhood through midlife and is supported by a federal grant. Carmichael says the researchers will use MRI and PET scans to take measurements in the brain, looking for the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.

Cut 7 (09) “…towards Alzheimer’s disease.”

A collection of scientists with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Tulane University and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center are working on the research.  Carmichael says these results could lead to new blood sugar management guidelines for children.

Cut 8 (10) “…tightly low level.”
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A case filed by Angola death row inmates that accused the facility of cruel and unusual punishment for it’s refusal to air condition their cells has been conditionally dismissed after the two sides came to an agreement.

Legal analyst Tim Meche says there will be no A/C, but the state has agreed to provide the inmates with “comfort” activities.

Cut 9 (11) “…water“.

Inmates say heat indexes exceeding 88 degrees triggered the case.

The state did not want to provide air conditioning to the inmates, and had disagreed with the inmates on what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Meche says the implications of this case are clear.

Cut 10 (11)“…humane.”

Meche says the state fought tooth and nail to keep from having to buy window units for the prisoners, wracking up over a million dollars in legal fees, and is likely now spending even more money on the remedial activities than they would have if they agreed to the initial demands…

Cut 11 (10)   “…this case.”

The dismissal could become final by November.

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A proposal to gradually return the state sales tax to four-percent, where it was for many years prior to the Edwards administration clears out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The current state sales tax rate is 4.45 percent, but Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s helping to produce surpluses

Cut 12 (09) “…to them”

The state sales tax increased to five-percent in 2016 to to address a massive budget shortfall. It was lowered to 4.45 percent last year as part of a budget deal and Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is concerned Harris’ legislation will return the state to budget deficits…

Cut 13 (10) “…somewhat refreshing.”

According to Harris’ bill, the state sales tax would return to four percent in July 2023, it would start to gradually lower in July 2020, costing the state 87-million dollars in its first year of implementation. Harris says the state’s budget is growing and the average taxpayer is not seeing a benefit…

Cut 14 (07) “…on everything”

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