State Police announce the arrest of a Baton Rouge man who according to a police report got inside the governor’s mansion during the early morning hours last Wednesday and broke an antique table and fell asleep on the couch. L-S-P says they are evaluating security procedures at the mansion.

A bill to allow voters to decide whether they want legalized sports betting in their parish will be heard this morning. Matt Doyle spoke with both sides of the debate.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana extends its streak of over the year job gains to 13 consecutive months. The state’s Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says since March of 2018, the education/healthcare super-sector has led the way with an additional 7,400 jobs.
Cut 7 (12) “…people.”
The job gains were powered by hiring in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

A Senate committee approves a proposed constitutional amendment that would exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax. The proposal would result in 10-million dollars less in state revenues, but author of the measure New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the state will recoup the revenues elsewhere…
cut 16 (11) “….economy”
This measure has failed in the past in Senate Finance, but this year the state is not dealing with a budget deficit.

Should LSU promote a second place finish? A national sports reporter doesn’t think so. Jeff Palermo has more..
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two people died early Sunday when their vehicle hit a deer while traveling on Highway 821 in Lincoln Parish. State Police say after the Chevy Tahoe hit the deer, the vehicle struck several trees, killing 29-year-old Christopher Brady of Choudrant, and his passenger, 27-year-old Savannah Holden of Ruston.

A House committee approves legislation to give drivers a chance to purchase a Team Gleason Foundation license plate with the proceeds going towards the fight against A-L-S. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says the license plate is in honor of former Saint Steve Gleason, who has worked tirelessly to help those with neromuscular diseases or injuries…
cut 13 (11) “…independent lives”

Law enforcement agencies are participating this week in the “Buckle Up in Your Truck” campaign, an effort to get more drivers and passengers in pickup trucks to wear seat belts. Deputy Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Dortha Cummins says the campaign means state troopers, deputies and police officers will increase their efforts to make sure those in a pickup truck are buckled up…
Cut 5 (07) “…through awareness”
Cummins says pick up truck passengers are less compliant of seat belt laws than passenger vehicles.

LSU fans are upset with national sports reporter Darren Rovell after he said on Twitter that you should not put up a billboard celebrating second place. A billboard is up in Baton Rouge congratulating the LSU gymnastics team for finishing as runner ups at the national championships. Rovell did not back down from that tweet when he appeared on “Off the Bench” which is heard on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Alexandria…
cut 7 (07) “….of time”
LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette tweeted back to Rovell that the billboard helps promote the LSU brand.

Law enforcement agencies participate this week in the “Buckle Up in Your Truck” campaign. Deputy Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Dortha Cummins says pick up truck riders are less compliant of seat belt laws
Cut 3 (06) “…a crash ”
Cummins says the goal of the week is not just to write tickets, but raise awareness of the issue.

The House Transportation Committee has approved legislation to create a Team Gleason specialty license plate in honor of former Saints player and now A-L-S advocate. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says Gleason, who was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011, says his work to help those suffering with wheelchair bound disabilities is courageous…
cut 12 (12) “…devastating disease”
Gleason is set to receive the Congressional Gold Medal this year.

A bill waiting to be heard in the legislative session is a measure that would allow juniors and seniors at public high schools to take two college courses in high school for free….
cut 15 (08) “…very important”
That’s Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed and the bill has the governor’s support.

A national reporter is criticizing LSU for a billboard that congratulates the school’s gymnastics team for finishing as national runner ups. Sports Business Reporter for the Action Network Darren Rovell appeared on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge, Alexandria and New Orleans said you shouldn’t celebrate a second place finish…
cut 6 (08) “….way to go”
Rovell tweeted on Sunday that a school should not put up a billboard for coming in second, which resulted in over one-thousand comments, many from LSU fans who disagreed with Rovell’s take.

A bill is expected to be heard in a Senate committee today that would exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from the state sales tax. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says the precedent is already there, as the state constitution exempts “necessities” like groceries, prescriptions, and utilities.

Governor Edwards says if it reaches his desk, he would sign legislation concealing the identity of companies that sell the state lethal injection chemicals. Matt Doyle spoke to the bill’s sponsor…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Two people died early Sunday when their vehicle hit a deer while traveling on Highway 821 in Lincoln Parish. State Police say after the Chevy Tahoe hit the deer, the vehicle struck several trees, killing 29-year-old Christopher Brady of Choudrant, and his passenger, 27-year-old Savannah Holden of Ruston.

Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello has legislation that would conceal the identities of companies that sell lethal injection drugs or equipment to the state. Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010, and Muscarello says a big reason why is drug companies fear retaliation from anti-death penalty consumers.
Cut 10 (11) “…them private.”
Arkansas and Texas have a similar law in place.

Another bill waiting for a hearing in the legislative session is a measure that would allow juniors and seniors at public high schools to take up two college courses for free. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed is behind the proposal…
cut 14 (06) “….support that”
The bill will get its first hearing in a Senate Education committee soon.

A ten-million dollar proposal to exempt feminine products and diapers from the state sales tax will be heard in a Senate committee today. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Law enforcement agencies are participating this week in the “Buckle Up in Your Truck” campaign, an effort to get more drivers and passengers in pick up trucks to wear seat belts. Deputy Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Dortha Cummins says pick up truck passengers are less compliant of the state’s seat belt laws….
cut 3 (06) “…a crash”

Lawmakers return to the captiol today after a four-day break from Baton Rouge. The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee will debate legislation this afternoon that would exempt certain feminine hygiene products and diapers from the state sales tax. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller supports the proposal…
cut 8 (10) “…budget”
But this legislation failed to get support in 2017.

A bill waiting to be heard in a House committee would not publicize the companies that provide the state with drugs to carry out lethal injections. Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello says families who had loved ones killed by someone on death row were promised an execution and this legislation would help increase the odds of that happening…
cut 11 (07) “….progress”
Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010.

Juniors and Seniors at public high schools may soon have the chance to take two college courses, free of charge starting next year…
voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Advocate newspaper reporter Tyler Bridges says reports that indicate former Governor Kathleen Blanco’s death is imminent are not true and she is not under hospice care. But Bridges says it does appear Blanco is in her final stages in her battle against cancer…
cut 6 (07) “…her body’

Governor Edwards says if it reaches his desk, he would sign legislation concealing the identity of companies that sell the state lethal injection chemicals. Matt Doyle spoke to the bill’s sponsor…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Two people died early Sunday when their vehicle hit a deer while traveling on Highway 821 in Lincoln Parish. State Police say after the Chevy Tahoe hit the deer, the vehicle struck several trees. The driver, 29-year-old Christopher Brady of Choudrant, and his passenger, 27-year-old Savannah Holden of Ruston, died at a local hospital.

The Blanco family wants to set the record straight when it comes to the health of former Governor Kathleen Blanco who has a terminal cancer. Tyler Bridges with the Advocate newspaper says Blanco is to weak to walk, but death is not imminent…
cut 5 (11) “…going forward”
Blanco was first diagnosed with a rare eye cancer in 2011 and she announced in 2017 the cancer had returned.

A Senate Committee is set to hear a proposal today that would exempt feminine hygiene products and diapers from the state sales tax. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says the proposal would cost the state 10-million dollars in revenues, but that’s not a lot of money in a 30-billion dollar budget…
Cut 7 (11) “…relief.”
There’s two versions of the proposal, one a bill, and one an amendment that would require two thirds legislative support and over 50 percent of the vote on the October ballot.