A measure heading to the Senate floor would prohibit the sale of assault weapons to those under the age of 21. It passed out of a Senate committee on a four to three vote and New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison was on hand to testify in support…
cut 10 (07) “….assault rifles”
Opponents say this legislation will not stop a young person from killing someone and the bill only hurts responsible gun owners.

Ville Platte Senator Eric LaFleur withdrew his bill that would allow 18 to 20-year-olds with parental consent to purchase alcohol, after a Senate panel balked at the potential loss of federal funds. Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard.
Cut 13 (10) “to lose”
LaFleur says his legislation was an attempt to curtail underage binge drinking.

A bill that would give voters the opportunity to decide if they would want legalized sports betting at establishments that already have gaming passes out of a Senate committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his wife Britanny have filed a lawsuit against a San Diego jeweler claiming the business scammed them out of nine-million dollars over the years by grossly over charging them for diamonds. An attorney for the jeweler says his client did nothing wrong.

A Senate committee passed a bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter that would prohibit the sale of assault weapons under the age of 21. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says 18-year-olds are not emotionally mature enough to own a firearm.
Cut 9 (12) “responsible adult.”
The bill was inspired in large part by the Parkland school shooter Nickolas Cruz who at age of 19 used an assault rifle to kill 17 people, but Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White says if a shooter wants a high body count, he doesn’t need a rifle to do it.
Cut 12 (10) “a revolver”
The measure passed on a four to three vote and heads to the Senate floor.

Senate Judiciary “B” passes a bill to allow sports book wagering in any facility that has gaming, including video poker. Houma Senator Norby Chabert argued in favor, because other states could soon allow sports book wagering and put Louisiana gaming interests at a competitive disadvantage.
Cut 6 (07) “our state”
The Senate Finance committee may have to sign off on that bill next.

A bill prohibiting inmates guilty of first or second degree murder from receiving medical furloughs passed out of a Senate committee. Legislation passed last year that allowed convicted murderers the opportunity to get released from prison temporarily for medical reasons. But Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says it’s not fair to the victim’s family…
Cut 3 (11) “do that.”
The bill heads to the Senate floor.

The Louisiana NAACP plans to protest daily at the offices of Attorney General Jeff Landry in an effort to convince the A-G to allow a grand jury to hear the evidence in the Alton Sterling Shooting. State Director Michael McClanahan expects groups to get larger and remain camped out for longer stints…
cut 12 (10) “….the grounds”
Landry announced a week ago, the officers involved in the shooting of Sterling would not face criminal charges.

A bill prohibiting inmates guilty of first or second degree murder to receive medical furloughs passed out of a senate committee. But Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says it’s not fair to make victim’s families relive horrible crimes every time an offender asks for a furlough…
Cut 3 (11) “do that.”
Legislation passed last year allowed convicted murderers the opportunity to get released from prison temporarily for medical reasons.

A bill to allow sports book gaming has cleared a senate committee. Voters will have to approve the measure and then local option could opt out the same way video poker is legislated. Much of the discussion on the legislation was not on the whether sports betting is a good thing for Louisiana, instead it was on whether, video poker establishments should be allowed to have equipment, so gamblers can put money down on sports events. Houma Senator Norby Chabert says no.
Cut 7 (11) “to Mississippi”
Supporters of the legislation say surrounding states are gearing up to allow sports gambling and Louisiana should to.

The Louisiana House approves legislation to toughen the penalties for those convicted of hazing. Kelley Ray has more.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A senate committee has approved a bill that would legalize sports gambling in Louisiana. The measure would allow gamblers to make sports bets at exisiting gaming facilities, including restaurants and bars that have video poker machines. The legislation could be sent to Senate Finance, because of the costs associated with regulating it.

Up for debate in a Senate committee room right now is a bill that would ban the sale of assault weapons to those under the age of 21. It’s facing opposition from second-amendment supporters. Louisiana Shooting Association lobbyist Wade Duty says it doesn’t make sense to have 18-to 20-year-olds serve in the military, but barred from purchasing assualt weapons…
cut 7 (11) “….for it”
In committee, testifying in favor of the bill is New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison.

The Louisiana NAACP is urging the state attorney general to have a grand jury review the evidence in the Alton Sterling Shooting. State Director Michael McClanahan….
cut 13 (11) “…our citizenery”
Attorney General Jeff Landry announced last week that he would not pursue criminal charges against officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake.

A Senate Committee will hear a gun control bill today that would raise the minimum age of purchase for firearms to 21. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Crews have removed a pickup truck from water along I-20 in Webster Parish between Minden and Dixie Inn and the search continues for the driver. Authorities are asking motorists to avoid the area as the search and recovery is causing a backup on Interstate 20.

At this hour, a Senate committee is hearing legislation that would call for a referendum to legalize sports betting and internet gambling. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says allowing this type of gambling and taxing it, can provide much needed revenue for the state…
cut 16 (12) “….to make”
If the bills pass the legislature, the referendum elections would be held in November.

Forecasters say strong to severe storms are expected later today and tonight in Louisiana, because of a cold front. State Climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rain is also possible…
cut 8 (12) “….and tornadoes”
It will be cooler tomorrow with high temperatures in the low 70s to mid 60s.

LSU Baseball Head Coach Paul Mainieri is not happy about the team’s RPI rating of 81. The Tigers have tumbled down the NCAA’s rating index despite an 18 and 11 record. Mainieri says he’s befuddled by the extraordinarily low rating.

Cut 17 (15) “…our RPI”

LSU has a midweek game tonight as they host Nicholls at 6:30 PM at Alex Box Stadium.

Louisiana Tech is ranked 22^nd in the D-1 poll and they are at Grambling State tonight. The Bulldogs have a team RPI of 58 and they’ve won 17 of their last 21. G-S-U has won three of its last four.

In other action tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are at 13^th ranked Southern Miss, while ULM visits 5^th ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 19-and-9 on the season and the Hogs are 5-4 in the SEC, same record as LSU.

____________________________________________________________________

A bill that calls for a statewide referendum to legalize sports betting in Louisiana will be heard in a Louisiana senate committee today. Metairie Senator Daniel Martiny says the argument against his legislation is that it expands gambling, but it can help generate a stable revenue source for state government…

Cut 14 (12) “…dollar deficit”

The U-S Supreme Court could soon strike down a decades old federal law that has banned sports betting outside of Nevada.

LSU football has added an eighth member to its 2019 recruiting class. IMG Academy offensive lineman Charles Turner gave his verbal commitment to the Tigers coaching staff after visiting the school two weeks ago. He’s a three-star prospect, who also had offers from Florida, Michigan and Auburn. He’s the third offensive lineman in LSU’s 2019 recruiting class.

Louisiana will receive 5.8 million dollars from the federal Election Assistance Commission to purchase thousands of new voting machines as part of a proposed 50 to 60 million dollar plan to overhaul the state’s aging voting equipment. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says we have a looming crisis with our decade old voting booths.

Cut 10 (12) “precarious position.”

Bids will begin for the new machines May 1^st.

Louisianans for Prison Alternatives is actively lobbying the legislature to not only maintain the 2017 justice reforms passed but to enact even more measures to reduce the prison population by 50-percent over the next 10 years. Colleen Gielskie (gel-skie) is looking to have the three strike and mandatory minimum sentencing laws changed.

Cut 14 (11)   “offenses”

Baton Rouge Police investigators have decided against charging a man in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old. Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says the teenager, Ke’irie Grayer, pointed a gun at a 25-year-old and tried to rob him, as he walked out of a convenience store. Mckneely says they are turning over their evidence to the District Attorney’s office, leaving open the possibility that the D-A could purse charges…

Cut 7 (11)  “entire incident”

A suspect involved in a reported domestic disturbance in New Llano (New Lan-no) was shot dead by a Vernon Parish Sheriff’s deputy on Easter Sunday. Sheriff Sam Craft says 60-year-old Bobby Hinton tried to shoot the unidentified sheriff’s deputy moments after he arrived on the scene…

Cut 3 (11) “left forearm.”