Louisiana’s 2019 gubernatorial candidates spoke to members of the oil and gas industry during an event next to the state capitol and made their case on why they should lead the state for the next four years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says if elected, he’ll make Louisiana more business friendly…
cut 5 (12) “…corporate tax”
Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s been an increase in the number of oil and gas permits, but there are still challenges. He believes his administration can attack those remaining changes from a position of strength. Republican and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone says there’s no reason why Louisiana should not be number one in the South when it comes to jobs and opportunities for their citizens with the resources that are already here. This is the first time the 2019 gubernatorial candidates spoke at the same event.

A report from the National Education Association says teacher pay in Louisiana ranks 39th in the country, 4.5 percent less than the national average. The state legislature is expected to approve a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers this year and N-E-A president Lily Garcia says a pay hike is needed, because certified teachers are leaving the profession…
cut 11 (12) “…other work”

Despite concerns over government secrecy, legislation to conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs to Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello says his legislation would help the state resume executions…
cut 16 (09) “…are made”
The state has not carried out an execution since 2010.

On a 24-to-15 vote, the Senate approves legislation that would allow for betting on college and professional sporting events at the state’s casinos and racetracks. The bill’s sponsor, Kenner Senator Danny Martiny, says if the bill doesn’t pass, sports betting will continue in Louisiana, so the state might as well regulate and tax it…
cut 30 (09) “…of it”

LSU baseball Coach Paul Mainieri said today that Cole Henry’s sore elbow will not allow him to pitch this weekend against Ole Miss. Even though Henry will not pitch, Mainieri has decided to move Zack Hess back to the bullpen. Mainieri wants Hess to let it loose when he comes out of the pen.

In action tonight….Southern hosts Nicholls, who has won four in a row. McNeese visits Southeastern in a nonconference match-up. C-S-T will televise the game which gets underway at 6 PM.

National signing day is months away, but LSU football currently has the number one rated class in 2020, according to 24-7 sports. The Tigers just landed a verbal pledge from the country’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antonie Sampah. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to come to Baton Rouge after Tampa Bay used the fifth overall pick to select Devin White…
cut 17 (09) “…in the draft”
The Saints have reportedly decided not to pick up the fifth-year option on cornerback Eli Apple. That means he’ll be a free agent after next season. Apple intercepted two passes for the Black and Gold after he was acquired in a trade last October.

And former LSU Tiger Booger McFarland is moving up to the booth to join Joe Tessitore in the Monday Night Football booth on ESPN. That means the so called Booger Mobile is history, much to the delight of many fans.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Opponents say the proposal is not constitutional, but the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich disagrees for a couple of reasons…
cut 6 (12) “….staturory law”
The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee. The legislation does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest and that bothers New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who says legislators need to consider that exception
` Cut 7 (10) “…just a theory”
Also heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would abolish the death penalty.

On a 24-to-15 vote, the Senate approves legislation that would allow for betting on college and professional sporting events at the state’s casinos and racetracks. The bill’s sponsor, Kenner Senator Danny Martiny, says if the bill doesn’t pass, sports betting will continue in Louisiana, so the state might as well regulate and tax it…
cut 10 (09) “…of it”
Martiny says he would like to see tax revenues from sports betting go towards early childhood education.

A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the investigative report is not a good look for Nungesser…
cut 3 (10) “…State Police”
The Lt. Governor says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight risk for severe weather from today until Friday morning for a large portion of north Louisiana that includes Shreveport and the concern stretches to the west of Ruston and northwest of Natchitoches. Flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes are the biggest threats.

One day after Shreveport Senator John Milkovich claimed that vaccines are causing autism, Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy responded by calling the research that links vaccinations and autism as “fake news”…
cut 13 (11) “…no link”
Cassidy, who is also a doctor, says vaccinations are safe and responsible.

With 14 commitments for the 2020 class, 24-7 sports rates the LSU football program as the number one class in the country. Three of their 14 commitments are wide receivers, including five-star prospect Rakim Jarrett from Washington D-C. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon believes big name pass catchers are turning their eye to Baton Rouge due to the professional success of a duo of Cleveland Browns.
Cut 16 (10) “…right now”

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…
Cut 4 (07) “…Indians.”
If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal
Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”
This legislation faces more discussion on the Senate floor. Also heading to the Senate floor is a proposal to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana. The state has not executed anyone in nearly a decade.

The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to a reality following Senate approval. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bomb threat on a commercial bus shut down Interstate 10 late yesterday afternoon near PPG Drive in Calcacsieu Parish. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the bus was evacuated and one person with a backpack tried to flee. He was arrested after cocaine was allegedly discovered in his bag. Mancuso says they ended up arresting three people on drug charges.

A Shreveport Democrat’s speech against vaccinations on the floor of the Louisiana Senate gets the attention of Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

WWL-TV says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but yet he receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive his personal vehicle to work. Nungesser says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state receives Senate approval and is heading to the House. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says there’s already an active sports betting black market, and while the law may increase the overall amount of gaming, it will also contribute funding for early childhood education….
cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education”
No one spoke against the legislation.

National signing day is months away, but LSU football currently has the number one rated class in 2020, according to 24-7 sports. The Tigers just landed a verbal pledge from the country’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antonie Sampah. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to come to Baton Rouge after Tampa Bay used the fifth overall pick to select Devin White…
cut 17 (09) “…in the draft”