A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 16-years-old advances out of the Senate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The bill to bring legalized sports betting to Louisiana casinos and racetracks clears another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado.  Edwards says unfortunately because of bureaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive

Cut 3 (10) “…normal.”

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile

Cut 4 (10) “…started today.” 

Edwards says once the rebuild is over, Louisiana Tech and the city of Ruston will be stronger…

Cut 5 (11) “…city of Ruston.”

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The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.   Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.

Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long spoke in opposition of the bill, saying that less than 1% marry before the age of 18, adding the arbitrary number could result in unintended consequences.

Cut 7 (11) “…to allow that.”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the regulation, saying it combats human trafficking in the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…marriage age”

The bill advances to the House following a 22-15 vote.

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A 30-year license extension for the Harrah’s land-based casino  in New Orleans  heads to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing a Senate committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.

Cut 9 (10) “…stability”

Reoccurring revenue from the deal will be sent to education specific funds.

Last year the renewal push fell apart amidst cries that Louisiana was getting ripped off relative to similar deals in other states, so this year’s deal will pay the state 130 million dollars more over the length of the deal. Satz says this agreement is incline with the national market.

Cut 10 (12) “…there.“

Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.

Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”

Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars, and the City of New Orleans will receive 7.5 million.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it

cut 12(12)   “…your not””

Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to win money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that…

Cut 13 (09) “…first quarter”

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated

Cut 14 (11) “…this to you” 

The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate and it may end up before House Appropriations to examine the fiscal impact to the state.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would set the minimum age to get married at 16-years-old. It passed on a 22-15 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the proposal, saying it will help combat human trafficking…
cut 8 (08) “…marriage age”
Opponents of the measure say an arbitrary number shouldn’t be set on when a couple wants to tie the knot.

Governor John Bel Edwards is promising a better Ruston as the state has begun the process of seeking federal assistance to help Louisiana Tech, businesses and homeowners rebuild from last month’s EF-3 tornado. Edwards made the statement at La Tech’s baseball stadium that has to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (11) “…of Ruston”
No word on when the federal government will announce whether the area qualifies for disaster assistance.

A Senate panel agrees to legislation that extends the New Orleans Harrah’s land-based casino license for 30 years. Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.
Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”
Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says education is not successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”

A proposal to reduce the state sales tax rate from 4.45 to four-percent received a favorable vote in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris bill looks to rollback the state sales tax rate over a four year period. Harris says it would cost the state 87-million dollars…
Cut 10 (10) “…as they want.”
The governor’s office opposes the measure, which heads to the House floor.

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars from last months’ EF-3 tornado. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Governor Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile…
cut 4 (10) “….started today”
Edwards says his office is seeking federal government assistance to pay for the rebuild on the Tech campus and in Ruston.

Gary Landrieu of the Landrieu family fame is running for governor as an Independent. Matt Doyle spoke to the candidate…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU has shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter on the Baton Rouge campus until May 2023, because of hazing allegations. It’s been reported LSU police has issued misdemeanor charges against three unidentified members of the fraternity. Pi Kappa Phi was also suspended in 2017 for a social event that allegedly violated the student conduct code.

The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from the United Health Foundation has found that in the past six years, the percentage of senior citizens in Louisiana suffering from depression has increased 43-percent. Doctor Rhonda Randal with United HealthCare National Markets explains what might be leading to the increase….
cut 6 (12) “…rates of depression”

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado. Edwards says unfortunately because of beaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive…
cut 3 (10) “…normal”
Louisiana Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars.
A proposal to roll back the state sales tax rate from 4.45-percent to four-percent is heading to the House floor after it received approval from the House Appropriations committee. But Executive counsel for the governor, Matthew Block, says reducing the state sales tax will result in less dollars for the state to pay for pressing needs…
cut 11 (09) “…about infrastucture”
With just over two weeks left in the session, this measure might not have enough time to get through the process.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Melanie Bronfin says no successful educational program is successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”

Louisiana has its first American Idol winner…
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill to raise the legal age to smoke to 21-years-old received the approval of a House Committee today, but it has several exemptions. Military personnel and law enforcement would be exempted and current 18-year-olds would be granfathered in. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris…
cut 8 (08) “…deal with it”

Louisiana was slammed with another round of twisters yesterday that’s knocked out power to hundreds in Acadiana, damaged nearly 100 homes and businesses, and left three people with minor injuries. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Andy Patrick says they identified six tornadoes that touched down during the severe weather event, all of them with winds around 100 miles per hour.
Cut 10 (10) “…EF 1.“
One of the E-F one twisters went right through downtown Ville Platte on Sunday morning. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it’s a miracle no one was killed, but she’s heard about some close calls…
cut 12 (08) “….their head”
Vidrine says they’ve been told by Cleco that power should be returned by the end of the day.

Northwest Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow.

Over 500 customers are still without power in the Evangeline parish city of Ville Platte, which was rocked by a tornado on Sunday morning, leaving nearly 100 homes and businesses damaged. But Mayor Jennifer Vidrine says it could have been worse…
cut 11 (11) “…asleep”
National Weather Service Meterologist Andy Patrick says they believe it was an EF 1 tornado that cut right through the middle of town…
cut 9 (09) “….as well”
Patrick says as many as six tornadoes touched down during the severe weather event with winds around 100 miles per hour.

More severe weather is possible tomorrow as northwest Louisiana is under a slight threat.
Livingston Parish has produced the state’s first American Idol winner as Laine Hardy took the top honors in the season 17 finale last night on ABC. The eighteen-year old’s mother, Cindy Hardy, says in the hours since her son was crowned champion, his music is shooting up the charts.
Cut 3 (09) “…rock charts on iTunes.”
Hardy’s first single is entitled “Flame.”

A proposal to increase the legal smoking and vaping age from 18 to 21-years-old gets out of the House Appropriations Committee by one vote. New Orleans vape shop owner Victoria Wood says it’s a bad bill, because there are no repercussions for those between 18 to 21 who try to purchase tobacco or vaping products…
Cut 7 (10) “…for it”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.