A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags well behind the national average. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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A lawmaker from Kenner is sponsoring legislation for the upcoming session that would criminalize so-called “revenge porn.” Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll finds support for legally recognized same-sex marriage in Louisiana lags well behind the national average, but the gap between supporters and opponents is shrinking. Director Michael Henderson says national support for same-sex marriage is between 55- and 60-percent…

CUT 3 (09)  “as the nation”

The survey shows only 42-percent of residents support legalizing same-sex marriage. The disparity between supporters and opponents is down to 9-percent, compared to 17-percent two years ago. Henderson says there appears to be a generation gap when it come to the support of legalizing same-sex marriages…

CUT 4 (06)  “strong support”

The poll shows that 62-percent of residents age 65 or older oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, while 59-percent of those age 18 to 29 support the issue. Henderson says change could be on the way as younger generations replace older generations…

CUT 5 (07)  “these trends”

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A lawmaker from Kenner is sponsoring legislation for the upcoming session that would criminalize so-called “revenge porn.” The measure would make it illegal to disclose a sexual image of someone without their consent. Representative Julie Stokes says House Bill 489 would ensure that people who spread private pictures without permission are held accountable…:

CUT 6 (05)  “in Louisiana”

Stokes says this bill protects people who are 17 years of age or older as minors are already covered under a different set of laws when it comes to sexually explicit photos. She says there are many instances in which young adults will send a private photo to another person who they think can be trusted…:(Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in jail or both.)

CUT 7 (08)  “or high school”

Governor Bobby Jindal announced this week that he fully supports this legislation saying the number of individuals who have been victimized by this form of abuse is inexcusable and needs to be stopped. Stokes says this crime happens when a person spreading private photos, usually online, intends to harm or harass another. She says they also want to send a message that it’s usually not a good idea to send out naked pictures…:

CUT 8 (05)  “these images”

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Four underage Louisiana college students were issued summonses in Alabama for attempting to haul a trailer full of alcohol to Gulf Shores for spring break. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Paul Burch says deputies noticed a trailer traveling on Interstate 10 with an expired tag…

CUT 9 (07)  “amount of alcohol”

Burch says deputies found over 100 18-packs of beer and numerous bottles of hard liquor and wine from the trailer. He says the four students, ages 18 and 19, were taken to a police substation where the alcohol was seized and they were cited…

cut 10 (10) “happens in court”

The four will be charged with minor in possession of alcohol. Burch says no drugs or weapons were found on the students, so authorities allowed them to go on their way. Burch says he isn’t sure if they continued on to Gulf Shores…

cut 11 (09)  “headed back out”

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There was an unexpected turn today in the Darren Sharper case. The former New Orleans Saints star was expected to plead guilty in state court to charges related to drugging and raping women, but the judge delayed the arraignment until the federal case is resolved. Legal analyst Chick Foret says this could be a sign Sharpers “global” plea deal is going to change:

cut 12 (09)  “an alternative”

The deal that was struck would have reportedly sent Sharper to jail for 9 years and that would have covered all the charges in the four states he’s accused. Foret says the Orleans Parish DA, Leon Cannizzaro, is the one holding the cards at this point..:

cut 13 (12)  “this deal is gonna get done”

The new state hearing was set for June 15th. It’s expected Sharper will enter a guilty plea for federal drug charges in district court on May 21st. Foret says when the word was out that Sharper struck a deal to cover the charges in all four states, many called it a “sweet-heart” deal and it’s not likely Cannizzaro liked that…:

cut 14 (08) “in Orleans Parish”

According to the United States Public Interest Research Group, federal data from 2014 indicates that over 1,800 bridges in Louisiana need repairs. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne officially kicked off his campaign for Governor today. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Governor Bobby Jindal made an appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press to talk about the religious freedom debate that’s created a national controversy. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson has filed a religious freedom bill in Louisiana. Jindal says this issue is about business owners that don’t want to have to choose between their religious beliefs and being able to operate their businesses…

CUT 3 (09)  “those ceremonies”

Johnson’s proposed bill would permit private businesses to deny the same benefits to same-sex couples as other married couples based on a religious objection. Jindal says there used to be a bi-partisan consensus in the US about religious liberty…

CUT 4 (11)  “held beliefs”

The governor said that he has not read Johnson’s bill but supports the defense of religious liberty. Jindal says forcing businesses to participate in a same-sex wedding ceremony, when they have a religious objection, is a Constitutional issue…

CUT 5 (06)  “their religious beliefs”

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According to the United States Public Interest Research Group, federal data from 2014 indicates that over 1,800 bridges in Louisiana need repairs. The Federal Highway Administration lists 1,837 bridges in Louisiana as “structurally deficient”. Louisiana Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallett says motorists should not be frightened by this designation…

CUT 6 (07)  “for repairs”

A “structurally deficient” designation doesn’t mean a bridge is unsafe. It means the bridge has at least one component that needs repair or replacement. Mallet admits that DOTD has prioritized interstate improvements in recent years, but that doesn’t mean bridges across the state have been neglected…

CUT 7 (10)  “replacement projects”

The state faces a $12 billion backlog in delayed road and bridge maintenance projects. Mallett says, with the current financial problems facing the state, it all comes down to money…

CUT 8 (09)  “address those”

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State police say one of their troopers was injured in a crash involving a drunk driver Sunday morning while investigating another DWI related accident in East Baton Rouge Parish. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the unidentified trooper had the first DWI suspect inside his vehicle parked on the side of I-12 and was finishing up the paperwork for that accident report…:

CUT 9 (06)  “back of him”

Dwight says both the trooper and the first DWI offender were inside the fully marked Tahoe when it was hit and suffered minor to moderate injuries. He says the vehicle which slammed into the back of the cop car was driven by 24-year-old Magen Hall of Zachary…:

cut 10 (09) “minor injuries”

Dwight says it’s a shame that the trooper was taking care of one drunk driving crash then he was hit by another drunk driver. He says they investigated several DWI crashes over the Easter weekend which is unacceptable…:

cut 11 (10)  “for Megen”

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Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne officially kicked off his campaign for Governor today. In his announcement, Dardenne said he’s traveled thousands of miles across Louisiana in his current job which is what he plans to do if he’s elected to be the next leader of the state…:

cut 12 (08)  “and Shreveport”

Dardenne says he’d work out of an existing state office in each location so it wouldn’t cost any more money. He says Louisiana is in horrible financial shape right now and he plans to go to work on budget matters from day one…:

cut 13 (09)  “to celebrate”

Dardenne says his office will work to create stability in the state’s budget and end the practice of using one-time money to pay for ongoing expenses. He says higher education will be a top priority and it will be funded as such. Dardenne says it’s okay that he doesn’t have the most cash to run his campaign…:

cut 14 (08) “the best idea”

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Lt Governor Jay Dardenne begins a statewide tour today to officially announce that he’s running for Governor. Michelle Southern reports.

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A contentious legislative session has another hot button item to discuss. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper is scheduled for arraignment today in federal court and tomorrow in state court. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

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Lt Governor Jay Dardenne begins a statewide tour today to officially announce that he’s running for Governor. Dardenne will begin in Baton Rouge and Lafayette today, tomorrow he’ll visit Alexandria and Lake Charles. Wednesday it’s New Orleans then Thursday Monroe and Shreveport. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Dardenne has a tough road ahead

cut 4  (08)  “in the middle”

Recent polls have shown Dardenne a distant third in the race behind the leading Republican David Vitter then the Democratic candidate John Bel Edwards. Pinsonat says not only is Dardenne a moderate conservative, the fact that he supports Common Core might also be a problem for his campaign

Cut 5  (09)  “dislike Common Core”

Pinsonat says Vitter is a very powerful Senator and has a strong ability to raise plenty of cash while Dardenne’s war chest is lacking. He says in order for Dardenne to have a fighting chance at making the runoff, something major would have to happen with Vitter…:

Cut 6 (09)  “in the runoff”

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What is expected to be a very difficult legislative session begins a week today as state lawmakers will try to come up with a fiscal plan to avoid large budget cuts to health care and higher education. Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert has been appointed as Governor Jindal’s legislative liaison. Hebert is optimistic a workable solution can be had…

CUT 7 (11)  “in the past”

Heading into the session, there are numerous bills seeking to raise revenue as a way to close the budget deficit, but the Jindal administration has said if lawmakers raise taxes in one area, they have to be lowered somewhere else, so it’s revenue neutral. Hebert believes that’s what the public wants too

Cut 8  (07)  “anymore either” 

Hebert is familiar with the legislature as he’s served in the House and the Senate prior to becoming A-T-C Commissioner. He says while the state’s budget problems are difficult, he believes every crisis is an opportunity….

Cut 9 (11)  “solution”

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Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper is scheduled for arraignment today in federal court and tomorrow in state court. The 39-year-old is accused of drugging and raping women in four states and struck a “global” plea deal to resolve all of the charges where he’s been indicted. Legal analyst Chick Foret says the end results of both hearings this week will be guilty pleas…:

Cut 10 (12) “serve his time”

It’s been reported that Sharper will get 20 years in Louisiana, but will serve just nine under the multi state deal. Foret feels it will be far more complicated than that. But he says either way many people aren’t happy about the leniency Sharper is getting for these very serious charges…:

cut 11 (10) “been reduced”

Foret believes Sharper will definitely serve nine new years in jail, but once all the details in the case are hammered out this week we’ll know a lot more…:

cut 12 (10)  “complicated plea bargain”

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The religious freedom debate which made national headlines in Indiana and Arkansas is coming to Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson has filed a bill that would prevent state government from penalizing a business or person for decisions made based on their religious views about marriage. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com, says with the state facing a huge budge deficit, will some legislators be willing to debate this issue…

Cut 13 (09)  “hallways”

Gays rights organization, Equality Louisiana, has already come out in opposition to Johnson’s measure, because they believe it will lead to the discrimination of gays, lesbians and transgender individuals. Alford says this bill has a chance to bring national attention to Louisiana…

Cut 14 (10) “violently”

Common Core and the budget are expected to dominate the legislative session that begins Monday. Alford says some veteran lawmakers might not be willing to debate this bill, with some big issues already on the table

Cut 15  (10)  “through the system”

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