9:30 LRN Newscast April 24

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.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 24

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.

7:30 LRN Newscast

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.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

New LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is expected to be a busy man over the next several weeks as he settles into his new job. Woodward was asked during his introductory press conference about managing the Will Wade situation, who has returned to leading the men’s basketball program after a five week long suspension. Woodward admitted he doesn’t have all of the facts on what happened…
cut 30 (10) “….100-percent support”
Another player from LSU’s SEC Championship team has added his name to the list of early entry candidates for the 2019 NBA draft. Tiger Rag dot com reports Marlon Taylor becomes the sixth LSU underclassman to declare for the draft. The six-foot-six junior averaged seven points and four rebounds a game last season. The six LSU players may declare for the NBA and even retain an agent while still maintaining NCAA eligibility.

LSU won its first midweek baseball game since April 3rd by beating Lamar five to three last night. A three-run homer by Drew Bianco was the difference in the game. Freshman Landon Marceaux pitched three shutout innings to get the win.

Hunter Wells walk off homer in the ninth inning gave 18th ranked Louisiana Tech a five to four win over Little Rock. The Bulldogs are now 11 and 2 in the month of April.

The Ragin Cajuns gave up four runs in the ninth inning and lost to Southern Miss seven to six. Both games between these two teams this season ended in walk off fashion.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The House Health and Welfare Committee is expected to vote today on a bill that would raise the age to purchase or possess tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. The sponsor of the bill, West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman, says raising the age could prevent potential young smokers from ever picking up a pack of cigarettes…
Cut 7 (07) “…ever smoke.”
The bill would also prevent those under 21 from buying vaping products.

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.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the state and Nicholls State to bring a coastal center to the Thibodaux campus to study the effects of land loss in the Terrebonne and Atchafalya Basins. Nicholls President Jay Clune says this new partnership with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the state is vitally important…
Cut 4 (12) “…personal.”
Clune says the Coastal Center will expand their engineering curriculum.

Another round of severe weather is on its way as strong storms are expected to move into western Louisiana tonight and impact southeast Louisiana tomorrow.

16:45 LRN sportscast April 23rd

An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 23rd

An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

LRN 14:30 Newscast April 23rd

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee, despite opposition from religious leaders. First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.
Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”
Supporters of the legislation say sports gambling is here already, but this allow the state to generate tax revenues from it.

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says money to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…
Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police are not releasing many details about the reported break-in that occurred last week at the governor’s mansion where a man was found sleeping on the couch after breaking an antique table. State Police say they are evaluating their security procedures and security expert Joshua Nicholson says more manpower isn’t just the answer…
cut 13 (09) “….enforce that”
34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was arrested and faces numerous charges.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law for ag products has cleared the Senate. It would prohibit a food from being called cauliflower rice when there is no rice inside the package. Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…
Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”
Thompson has a separate bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk.

LRN PM Newscall April 23

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.

cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_____________________________________________

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law of ag products receives unanimous support from the state senate and moves to the House for more discussion. Thompson’s bill would impact products such as cauliflower rice…

Cut 3 (12) “…for meat ”

The proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers….

Cut 4 (10) “     the violation” 

Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…

Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”

Thompson also has a bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk, like soy and almond milk. That measure is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health committee.

___________________________________

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox

Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”

Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Morris says the state’s budget is in much better shape and these tax holidays should not have been halted…

Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”

_______________________________________

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee on a 3-1 vote. First Baptist Church of Ponchatula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.

Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”

Another opponent of the legislation says studies show there are 278,000 problem gamblers in the state, and that 98,000 fall into the most severe variety of “pathological gamblers”. He quoted a Baylor study that claims that group costs the state 875 million annually.

But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says the activity would raise 40-60 million dollars a year that could be put twoards early childhood education, and that failing to legalize sports betting won’t stop addicts from betting.

Cut 9 (09) “…this bill.”

Reports from other states have noted the amount of revenue generated by sports betting has come up far short of initial estimates.

Gambling addicts, including New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson, the only dissenting vote, spoke about the need to increase gambling addiction recovery services, especially if the law were to pass. Former LSU basketball player Randy Livingston spoke about his addiction, which went back to his time in purple and gold.

Cut 10 (11) “…here.”

The sites that would be authorized are the state’s 15 riverboats, four race tracks, and the land based casino in New Orleans, and gambling on high school athletics would be prohibited.

____________________________________________________

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch.  The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate but security expert Joshua Nicholson says a tall fence is not always effective…

Cut 11 (09)   “…U.S border”

Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the incident today and says more information will come out soon and says at no time were they anything but safe.

Nicholson says the break-in will force state police to look at their protocols…

Cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”

Louisiana State Police troopers and Department of Public Safety officers are assigned to the Governor’s Mansion 24 hours a day, year-round. Nicholson says even with officers in place expanding security with things like motion detectors may be the next step…

Cut 13 (09) “…enforce that”

_______________________________________________

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says resources to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…

Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Woodward was asked about improving fan experience at LSU football games, and the man who once sold peanuts at Tiger Stadium as a kid says he does not want to screw up what’s good…

Cut 15 (11) “…do that here.”

The FBI wire tap scandal that led to the suspension of basketball coach Will Wade was also brought up during Q-and-A. Woodward says he doesn’t know a lot about the situation, but he says Wade is LSU’s basketball coach and has his 100-percent support. Woodward also gave football coach Ed Orgeron a ringing endorsement…

Cut 16 (11) “…get it done”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and gave this ringing endorsement of football coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 16 (11) ‘..get it done”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…
cut 4 (10) “…the violation”
Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effecti in October 2020.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.