A bill to establish one set of rules for ride sharing companies has come up in the legislature. If passed Uber and Lyft will be riding high. Jim Shannon explains.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The House Agriculture committee approved a bill today that would repeal the requirement for florists to have a license. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson sponsors the measure…
cut 11 (06) “…oversight”
The legislation still requires florists to have a permit, but they would no longer have to pass a 40-question test to get a license.

71 people were arrested in Shreveport during a three-day crime fighting operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking. Most of those arrested were men and the oldest person was 68 years-old. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Whillhite says…
Cut 13 (06) “very successful”
Law enforcment also seized firearms and guns.

The Louisiana SPCA says think twice before giving a live rabbit as a gift for the Easter holiday. After a month or so, shelters usually see an uptick in the number of people turning in bunnies. Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefel Vile says if you find you can’t care for a rabbit, don’t let the animal try to survive in the wild….
cut 8 (10) “….that rabbit”

Louisiana’s minimum wage will not be changing anytime soon. The House Labor committee rejected a measure that would have implemented a 15-dollar an hour minimum wage. On Tuesday, the Senate also killed a bill to raise the minimum wage from the current level of $7.25. Business groups oppose the legislation, because they say it will lead to higher costs for consumers.

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft may soon be regulated by the state rather than parishes or cities in Louisiana. A bill to create statewide regulations over Uber drivers has been introduced. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano says Louisiana has been lagging behind other states when it comes to regulations.
Cut 3 (13) “differ.”
Juliano says by creating statewide rules for ridesharing companies, it will allow all of Louisiana to have access to Uber.

Shreveport police arrest 71 individuals during a three-day sting named “Slick John”. Corporal Angie Willhite says the crime fighting operation was an effort to fight prositution and human trafficiking…
cut 14 (11) “…those places”
Most of those arrested were men and as old as 68-years-old. A juvenile was also arrested.

If you plan on giving a rabbit as a gift during this Easter weekend, make sure it’s not able to reproduce, because rabbits have a quick reproduction cycle…
cut 7 (12) “”…local veterinarian”
That’s Louisiana SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefele Vile, who says it also takes a lot of time to care for a rabbit, so make sure your family is ready to handle that responsibility.

An 85,000 dollar settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment case against a former aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Former LSU and Rummel standout Craig Steltz has filed a lawsuit against the NFL because of traumatic brain injuries he suffered while playing for the Bears. Steltz played in Chicago from 2008 to 2014 and the suit says he sustained repetitive and traumatic concussive head impacts. The suit says Steltz is seeking unspecified damages.

Legislation that eliminates the need for florists to have an occupational license passed out of the House Ag committee today on an eight to six vote. Committee chairman Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales is afraid if the requirement to license florists is done away with, it will be bad news for consumers….
cut 10 (09) “…back home”
The legislation has the support of Governor Edwards, who believes the license requirement is overly burdensome on businesses.

And a bill has been filed for this legislative session that would put ride-sharing companies under state regulation, instead of the current way, which results in different rules for each local government that allows Uber and Lyft to operate. Uber spokesperson Nick Juliano…
cut 5 (07) “….opt out”
The bill is authored by House Speaker Tayor Barras and is waiting for its first committee hearing.

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking legislative approval for his plan on how to spend 123 million dollars in surplus money from the last fiscal year. If he has his way, 40 million dollars of the excess would be dumped into transportation projects…
Cut 13 (10) “and safety.”
The spending will need legislative approval.

71 people were arrested in a Shreveport bust targeting prostitution and human trafficking. The sweep took place from March 20th-23rd. Authorities have released the names, with ages ranging from 68 years-old to a juvenile. Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite says the charges involve a wide range of criminal behavior.
Cut 12 (09) “weapons arrest”
Those arrested were from multiple states as far away as Nebraska.

A bill to establish one set of rules for ride sharing companies has come up in the legislature. If passed Uber and Lyft will be riding high. Jim Shannon explains.
Voicer 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

The House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill requested by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to increase the price of hunting licenses to 20 dollars and fishing licenses to $13.50. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the current fees do not pay for what the department needs going forward.
Cut 29 (10) “ground zero”
The bill is projected to generate an additional 10 million dollars annually. Erath Representative Blake Miguez opposed the fee hike. He says people in his district are suffering from a lagging oil industry and don’t want to see costs go up on their favorite hobby…
Cut 11 (10) “or two”
Despite the opposition, the measure heads to the House floor.

A move to install cameras in nursing homes cleared a House panel. If approved, you could check on your loved ones at any time…
Cut 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

Legislation to give certain autism patients the opportunity to use prescribed medical marijuana received approval from a House committee today. State Representative Rodney Lyons says many families struggle with an autistic patient and medinical pot could be a soultion…
cut 14 (05) “…lot better”
Approved marijuana pharmacies are expected to open later this month.

A move to install cameras in nursing homes cleared a House panel this morning. If approved by the entire legislature, you could check on your loved ones at any time. Jim Shannon has more.
Cut 1 (29 “I’m Jim Shannon”

Turkey Creek Police Chief Robert Glenn Leggett is in serious condition after he was stabbed in the face while attempting to make an arrest in Evangeline Parish. The sheriff’s office says 24-year-old Zackery Deville stabbed Chief Legett with a knife during a struggle. Deville has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons legislation to give certain autism patients the opportunity to take prescribed medical marijuana received approval from a House committee today. The Democrat from the New Orleans area says there are a lot of families struggling with an autism patient and medical marijuana could be their answer to a better life…
cut 14 (05) “…lot better”
Approved marijuana pharmacies are expected to open later this month. Under current law, only patients with cancer, AIDS, seizure disorders, Chron’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis can be prescribed medical marijuana.

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch until 9 PM tonight and there’s also a flash flood watch in effect until tomorrow morning for central and north Louisiana. Matthew Duplantis is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….
cut 4 (08) “…to form”