The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved legislation that would increase Louisiana’s legal smoking age from 18 to 21-years-old. It passed on a 10–2 vote, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagwell was one of two no votes, because he believes 18-year-olds are old enough to decide whether they should smoke…
cut 15 (11) “…do that here”
Supporters of the age change say it will save lives and reduce health care costs.

A House committee has decided the state boxing and wrestling commission should no longer regulate pro wrestling events in Louisiana. New Orleans resident Brett Landry says states like Texas and Florida have no pro wrestling regulation and house WWE training facilities. He says that could expand to the Big Easy…
Cut 11 (09) “…to broaden”
The House floor will have more discussion on this topic.

The House approves legislation aimed at addressing the factors that result in the state’s high auto insurance rates. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says his bill lowers the jury threshold from 50-thousand to five-thousand dollars, which Talbot says would lead to more cases settled out of court and lower costs for insurance companies. But LaPlace Representative Randal Gaines is skeptical…
Cut 7 (05) “…either side.”
Additional debate on the bill will take place in the Senate.

54-year-old Jessie Guillory of Lake Charles, who allegedly attacked a nurse at a Baton Rouge hospital has been booked for manslaugher after the nurse he allegedly attacked died from her injuries. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says their investigation has determined the victim, Lynne Truxillo, was trying to help a fellow nurse…
Cut 4 (11) “ struck”
Guillory allegedly slammed Truxillo’s head into a desk and she also injured her leg trying to get away from him.

The House Health and Welfare committee approves legislation to increase the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman believes this proposal will result in fewer people choosing to smoke, resulting in a healthier Louisiana…
cut 13 (08) “…for many”
The measure also raises the legal age to vape to 21-years-old. That brought opposition from individuals who own vaping stores…
cut 14 (10) “….to decide”
Despite the opposition, the committee approved the bill to raise the legal smoking age to 21 in Louisiana and it heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A bill heading to the House floor would remove professional wrestling from the State Boxing and Wresting Commission’s oversight. Supporters of the legislation say it will bring more pro wrestling events to Louisiana, but the chairman of the Boxing and Wrestling Commission Buddy Embanato says they’ve already reduced the promoter’s fee to help bring more matches to the state…
cut 12 (12) “…the industry”
Supporters of the bill say since pro wrestling is choreographed, there’s no reason to regulate it, like boxing.

A Lake Charles man has been charged with manslaughter in the beating death of a Baton Rouge nurse. Authorities say 54-year-old Jessie Guillory attacked Lynne Truxillo at a nurses station inside Baton Rouge General Mid City on April fourth and she died from her injuries days later. Baton Rouge Sergeant L’ Jean McKneely says after Truxillo died….
cut 5 (05) “…that incident”
McKneely says the coroner’s report shows Guillory’s beating contributed to Truxillo’s death.

NFL-dot-com’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the Saints will pick up defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins fifth-year option. Rankins had a career-high eight sacks and 12 tackles for a loss last season, but tore his Achilles tendon in the playoff win over Philadelphia. He’s expected to start the season on the physcially unable to perform list, but the team must believe he’ll make a full recovery from that injury.

The NCAA has approved changes to both targeting and overtimes rules in college football. When it comes to targeting, the instant replay judge must now confirm that targeting occurred on a defenseless player and the contact was directed at the head or neck area for a targeting penalty to be confirmed. If the instant replay judge can’t, the call on the field will not stand. And when it comes to O-T, if a game reaches the fifth overtime, both teams will alternate two-point conversion attempts, instead of starting a drive from the opponents 25 yard line.

Drew Bianco’s two out, three-run homer in the second provided the spark the LSU baseball team needed last night to beat Lamar five to three. Fellow freshman Landon Marceaux also pitched three shutout innings to pick up the win.

In Ruston, for the second time this season, junior second baseman Hunter Wells hit a walk off homer. Wells blast lifted the Bulldogs to a five-four win over Little Rock. La Tech Tech is at McNeese tonight.

Southern Miss scored four runs in the ninth inning last night to beat the Ragin Cajuns seven to six. Jacob Schultz, who was spectacular against LSU last week, gave up four runs on three hits and suffered his second loss of the season.

ULM rallied to beat Southern five to four. Logan Wurm hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Warhawks their first lead and then scored what turned out to be the game winning run. ULM begins a series at Arkansas State on Friday.

Also last night, Southeastern slammed Tulane 10 to 3 and Arkansas thumped Northwestern State 19 to 2. Those two teams play again today in Fayetteville

It’s a busy day of committee meetings at the state capitol today. The House Health and Welfare panel is expected to hear testimony today that would prohibit those under the age of 21 from purchasing tobacco products. The current minimum age is 18. The bill’s author, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, says 11 other states have enacted similar laws…
cut 8 (07) “…everywhere”

Nicholls State has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to build a coastal center on the Thibodaux campus. School president Doctor Jay Clune says the facility will be a hub for wetlands protection research…
cut 5 (11) “….campus”
Clune says Nicholls is developing a coastal engineering program.

The chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party spoke openly about her gambling addiction in a Senate committee meeting during discussion of legislation that would legalize sports betting. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

That legislation is sponsored by Metairie Senator Danny Martiny and it would allow sports betting at the state’s riverboat casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. It heads to the Senate floor for more discussion. Martiny says it could generate an additional 60-million dollars in revenues.

At the state capitol today, the House Health and Welfare committee is expected to discuss legislation that raises the minimum age to purchase or possess tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says the goal of his legislation is to reduce the number of smokers which would create a healthier state…
cut 9 (07) “…hopeful”
Walgreens and Rite Aid have announced new policies that will go into effect later this year, where they’ll only sell tobacco products to those over 21.

The House has approved legislation that will allow seat belt usage as evidence when deciding how much in damages a person should receive if injured in an auto crash. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says his legislation can help trim the costs for businesses…
cut 14 (11) “….a seat belt” ”
The measure was approved on a 88-5 vote and heads to the Senate.

Nicholls State and the Coastal Protection Restoration Authority have entered a memorandum of understanding to build a coastal research center on the Thibodaux campus. Nicholls president Doctor Jay Clune says the center will focus on land loss in the Terrebonne Basin and how the Atchafalaya River can help in coastal restoration…
Cut 6 (11) “…this point.”
Projects, models and displays of the Atchafalaya River and the two basins will be housed at the center.

During debate over legislation to legalize sports betting, New Orleans Senator and Chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Carter Peterson opened up about the gambling addiction she battles everyday. Peterson is glad that the public knows…
cut 12 (10) “…a plan”
Peterson was issued a misdemeanor citation earlier this year for entering a Baton Rouge casino. The Senator voluntarily signed up for a program where problem gamblers ban themselves from casinos.

Nicholls announces plans to have a Coastal Restoration center dedicated to saving the endangered wetlands where most of their students live.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

More information is coming out about the Jefferson Parish man who was arrested on hate crime charges for allegedly trying to run over an interracial couple at a convenience store parking lot in Metairie. Deputies say 50-year-old James Descant, who is white, used a racial slur and threatened to kill the couple before the attack. The man jumped away from the vehicle, while the woman suffered injuries to her hip, wrist and foot.

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson spoke publicly for the first time about her struggles with gambling addiction during a committee hearing on the legalization of sports betting. Peterson says she’s dealt with the disease for years, but kept it a secret.
Cut 10 (12) “…addiction.”
Peterson’s gambling addiction became public last month after reports surfaced she was removed from casino. She voluntarily placed herself on a list that allows casino operators to remove you from a gambling hall if spotted in one.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s legislation that would allow information about whether or not a driver was buckled up to be used in determining damages in trials related to car wrecks has been approved by the House. Huval says 90 percent of drivers nationwide buckle up, but…
Cut 13 (12) “by 50-percent.”
Supporters of Huval’s bill say it can help lower insurance costs.

A House committee is expected to vote on a bill today that would raise the sale age of tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A Lake Charles man has been charged with manslaughter in the beating death of a Baton Rouge nurse. Authorities say Lynne Truxillo was attacked at Baton Rouge General Mid City on April fourth and died from her injuries days later. The arrest warrant states 54-year-old Jessie Guillory went to the nurses’ station and started an altercation that led to fatal injuries suffered by Truxillo.

The House has approved legislation that gives judges and juries the ability to use seat belt usage evidence to determine the amount of damages that should be awarded to a person suing over an auto accident. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation is designed to lower the costs insurance companies have to dole out in accidents involving injuries…
cut 15 (10) “…accident”
The bill heads to the Senate.

During debate over legislation to legalize sports betting in Louisiana, New Orleans Senator and chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Carter Peterson said gambling addiction is a shameful and embarrassing disease. Peterson admitted last month she’s battling gambling addiction and thanks her family for their support, but she says unfortunately many gambling addicts do not have a strong support system…
cut 11 (10) “…disease”
That sports betting bill was approved and heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.