The House Transportation committee passed a bill today that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while behind the wheel. In passed on a 13-2 vote, Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton was one of the two no votes and says there are plenty of things that can district you while you drive, so why just pick on handheld cell phones…
cut 10 (12) “…just one out”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker is thanking the thousands who volunteered this past weekend to help in the recovery from last week’s E-F 3 tornado…
cut 14 (11) “…just so refreshing”
Lincoln Parish public schools and Louisiana Tech University re-opened today, but about 10-percent of the city remains without electricity.

A constitutional amendment that would exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax clears the Senate Finance committee, but not before finding out it may cost the state more than previously thought. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A recording played in a federal courtroom in New York connects LSU basketball coach Will Wade to a 300-thousand dollar recruiting offer for Naz Reid. The recording was played during the NCAA corruption trial and it’s a sign Wade is not in the clear yet, even though he’s been reinstated.

A constitutional amendment that would exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax clears the Senate Finance committee, but not before finding out it may cost the state more than previously thought.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Legislation to prohibit hand held cell phone use while driving cruises out of the House Transportation Committee on a 13-to-2 vote. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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LSU will hold its first Giving Day Tuesday, soliciting donations at geauxgive.lsu.edu. It’s a 24-hour fundraiser that starts at midnight. LSU Foundation spokesperson Sara Whittaker says April 30^th is the anniversary of the dedication of the flagship campus in Baton Rouge in 1926 and the donation goal has significance as well.

Cut 3 (11) “…first giving day.”

LSU Giving Day is part of the university’s $1.5 billion dollar Fierce for the Future Campaign, which is the largest campaign for higher education in the history of Louisiana.

Whittaker says there are many matching challenges for students and alumnus.

Cut 4 (12) “…may match that.” 

Whittaker says she expects the Tiger community around the world will help smash the goal of 1860 donations, and when they do, it’ll unlock a big money match.

Cut 5 (06) “…$10,000 match.”

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A proposed constitutional amendment to exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax cleared the Senate Finance Committee, and is heading to the Senate floor, with debate focusing in on diapers.

Baton Rouge Diaper Bank Danielle Satawa says poor families often struggle to afford diapers, and end up needing to lift them from local groceries.

Cut 6 (09) “…restrooms”

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt opposed the amendment, saying eliminating the 4.45 percent sales tax on diapers would not be impactful for mothers, but New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, the bill’s sponsor, disagreed.

Cut 7 (14) “…shoes.”

Satawa says parents spend about 1,200 dollars a year on diapers for a child, and eliminating the sales tax would save them roughly 55 dollars a year.

The proposal has a fiscal note of 9.6 million dollars, but Hewitt expressed concerns that that number is not accurate, if proponents are correct and families do indeed spend more than the fiscal office claims.

Cut 8 (06) “…also then”

The proposal would need a two thirds vote in both houses, followed by voter approval on the October ballot before becoming law.

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The House Transportation Committee overwhelming supports legislation that would prohibit hand held cell phone use while driving. Jennifer Smith with Stop Distractions-dot-org says 18 states have approved similar laws and in some states like Georgia, they’ve seen amazing results

Cut 9 (09) “…and only one“.

A similar bill in Louisiana died in the Senate last year. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says there are plenty of things that can you distract you while you drive, so why just pick on hand held cell phone use

Cut 10 (12) “…just one out”

Supporters of the proposed handheld cell phone ban say statistics show that talking or texting on the phone is contributing to more and more accidents. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she doesn’t need stats to know Louisiana needs a handheld cell phone ban

Cut 11 (12)   “…cell phones.”

The measure now moves to the full House for more debate.

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Some residents are still without power from Thursday’s EF-3 tornado that struck Ruston, killing two and causing widespread damage. Mayor Ronny Walker says they have 88% of the electrical grid back up, but they will not hit 100% for a while.

Cut 12 (10) “…days is incredible.”

Walker says the rebuilding of aerial fiber optic lines is a slower process.

Cut 13 (11) “…the same way.”

Walker says the outpouring of support from volunteers has been overwhelming in helping the community rebound.

Cut 14 (11) “…just so refreshing.”

The Louisiana legislature took a stop today towards banning the use of hand held cellphones while driving when the House Transportation Committee approved a bill to do just that. Supporters say statistics show that talking or texting on the phone is contributing to more and more accidents. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she doesn’t need stats to know Louisiana needs a handheld cell phone ban
Cut 11 (12) “…cell phones.”
The measure now moves to the full House for more debate.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the power is on for 88-percent of the residents and businesses that continue to recover from last week’s EF 3 tornado. Walker says the rebuilding of aerial fiber optic lines is a slower process…
cut 13 (11) “..same way”
Walker says they are very appreciative of the support they’ve received.

A proposal to exempt diapers, tampons and feminine hygiene products from the state sales tax is heading to the Senate floor after it received approval from the Senate Finance committee. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt opposes the measure, because she doesn’t believe eliminating the state sales tax from these products will help residents, but New Orleans Senator JP Morrell disagrees…
cut 7 (13) “…their shoes”
The proposal will need two-thirds support in the House and Senate and then majority support from voters.

Coming up on the House floor today is legislation that would bring ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft to every city in Louisiana.

Also the House floor is scheduled to hear legislation today that would remove the Boxing and Wrestling Commission from regulating pro wrestling matches, because its choreographed.

The World Health Organization says children under the age of one should not have any screen time while kids between one and five years old should not spend more than one hour watching screens every day. LSU Health New Orleans pediatrician Doctor Kyle Fulton recommends that parents should read books with their children instead…
cut 6 (12) “…they are older”
Coming up on the House floor today is legislation that would bring ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft to every city in Louisiana. Lyft spokesperson Carter Stern says Lyft is only available in six cities in Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, Monroe, Shreveport and Lafayette…
cut 15 (10) “…will have access”
A similar bill was killed in the Senate last year.

If you would like to donate money towards the Ruston tornado recovery fund you can do so through the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Spokesperson Emily Lane says they are taking donations on their website, which is c-f-n-l-a-dot-org. Smith says there are other ways to donate too…
cut 9 (08) “….bank”
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says if you want to volunteer, call area code 318-255-3300.

Selecting a tight end was considered a need for the Saints heading into the NFL draft and the Black and Gold took Notre Dame’s Alize Mack in the seventh round. In 2015, he was rated as the number one tight end in the nation coming out of Las Vegas, but only caught four touchdown passes at Notre Dame. General Manager Mickey Loomis says they like Mack’s potential
cut 17 (12) “succeed here”

Shreveport-based Community Foundation of Louisiana is collecting donations to help victims of last week’s deadly tornado in Ruston. Spokesperson Emily Smith says if you’re not sure where to send monetary support, their umbrella fund will direct your money to the most pressing needs.
Cut 8 (12) “…accordingly.”

The LSU AgCenter says Louisiana homeowners should prepare for upcoming termite swarms. Entomologist Karen Sun says the peak swarming season is from May to June, with a big peak around Mother’s Day. She says people who notice swarming termites should have a pest control professional inspect their homes and trees…
Cut 10 (08) “…services.”
Formosan subterranean termites are estimated to cause one-billion dollars in damage to the U-S annually half of that is in Louisiana.

For the first time-ever the World Health Organization has issued guidance on how much screen time children under the age of five should get and it’s not very much. The health agency says kids under one should not get any screen time and those under five should not spend more than one hour. LSU Health New Orleans pediatrician Doctor Kyle Fulton says the guidelines fall in line with previous recommendations that it’s important kids are active and not staring at a screen for long periods…
cut 5 (06) “….three hours a day”

LSU baseball came away with a series victory at Alabama with a five to four win in Tuscaloosa yesterday. It got too close for comfort, but Devin Fontenot ended the game with this strikeout with the bases loaded.
cut 30 (07) “…Tigers win, Tigers win”
That’s Chris Blair on the LSU Sports Radio Network. LSU is now 13-and-8 in the SEC, two games out of first place in the SEC West.

State lawmakers return to the Captiol today and this afternoon the state House is expected to discuss a bill that will bring Uber and Lyft to the areas of the state where it’s currently unavailable. Lyft Public Policy Manager Carter Stern says rideshare services provide a good part time job for many and it helps keep intoxicated drivers off the roads…
cut 14 (09) “…definitely a benefit”
Similiar legislation was rejected by the Senate last year.

The LSU Ag Center says we are getting closer to the peak swarming season for formosan termites. AgCenter entomologist Karen Sun says when the termites come out of their colonies at dusk, they search for wood and moisture, so make sure there’s no pipe leakage around your home…
cut 11 (08) “…new colony”
The bugs will swarm for roughly the next two to three months, starting in early May.

The World Health Organization issues its recommendation on how much screen time is appropriate for little kids, and it’s not much….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana Tech and all Lincoln Parish schools are open today for the first time since last week’s deadly tornado hit Ruston. Hundreds of volunteers stormed the city this past weekend to help with recovery efforts. If you would like to volunteer, call (318) 255-3300. Louisiana could see another round of severe weather late Wednesday into Thursday morning.

The World Health Organization has for the first time issued guidance on how much screen time is acceptable and it’s not very much. LSU Health New Orleans pediatrician Dr. Kyle Fulton says the recommendations indicate kids ages 2-5 should have their screen time limited to less than one hour per day.
Cut 4 (08) “…quality or educational.”
Children ages 6 and older are recommended to have less than two hours per day, not including homework time at a computer.

The full House is scheduled to hear a bill today creating a statewide framework for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Louisiana is one of only a few states without statewide regulations, meaning some areas do not have access to the services. Lyft Public Policy Manager Carter Stern says passage would be beneficial to drivers who drive in various areas of the state.
Cut 13 (08) “…anywhere in the state.”
A similiar bill died in the Senate last year.

LSU AgCenter entomologist Karen Sun has some good tips to keep your house termite free this season…
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A West Baton Rouge Parish man is facing a second-degree murder charge after authorities say they found his mother buried in a shallow grave near their Port Allen area home. 44-year-old Louis Moore Junior was booked yesterday afternoon after 76-year-old Joann Moore’s body was recovered the night before. Neighbors say the two had a close relationship.