A Senate approved bill that would make sale of any hemp product containing THC illegal statewide has passed the House Criminal Justice Committee with a 7 to 5 vote and moves to the House floor for final legislative passage. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressley says there are dozens of THC products available to buy that can get you high…
Cut 13 (13) “..gets you high.”
Joe Gerrity, CEO of Crescent Canna makes that product and says Senator Pressly’s accusation is inaccurate and misleading.
Cut 14 (11) “..entire country.”
Gerrity says prohibiting the sale of THC in a regulated, licensed, and taxable market will only drive people back to the black market.

One of the bills that sought to restrict what documents and emails can be released involving communication with the governor’s office through a public records request is dead for the legislative session. There is pushback against Governor Landry’s efforts to restrict public access to certain government records. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he agrees with the governor’s desire to keep certain records out of public view, but it’s hard to find a balance between transparency and keeping government information hidden
Cut 12 (09) “…of the Senate.”
There are still two other bills alive in the legislative session that would limit public access to state government records, but it remains to be seen if they can get approval in the Senate.

Former state senator Bodi White has stepped as Governor Landry’s legislative liaison to the Senate. The Advocate reports White got into a heated argument with one of Landry’s staffers over whether a bill the governor wants passed has adequate funding.

The state health department has confirmed three people have died as a result of yesterday’s severe weather. A 31-year-old woman who was nine months pregnant died when a tree fell on her home in Port Allen. Her fetus is counted as a storm related death. Also, a 24-year-old Texas woman in St. Martin Parish died from her injuries after her camper flipped. West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office sergeant Landon Groger is asking the public to stay off the roads in stotm damaged areas…
cut 5 (08) “…everyone”

A scary moment at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville as teenager brandished a gun during a first communion ceremony….
cut 11 () …..
The 16-year-old, who was dressed in black and wearing a mask, has been charged with terrorizing.

At the state capitol, the Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a measure that repeals a 2022 state law that called for cameras on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to motorists who drove over the speed limit. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says human police officers should issue traffic citations and the operator of the camera system would take money away from local criminal justice systems…
cut 15 (08) “….of the funds”
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

The state department of health says three people died as a result of yesterday’s severe weather that struck south Louisiana. A Port Allen mother and her nine-month old fetus died when a tree fell on her trailer. L-D-H is counting that as two storm deaths.

West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says there are multiple reports of trees and powerlines down…
cut 4 (14)“…machinery”

There was also a fatality outside the town of Henderson from a suspected tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…
Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”
The woman who died in St. Martin Parish has been identified as a 24-year-old woman from Texas.

It was a record turn out for Love the Boot Week’s 3rd annual litter removal and beautification throughout the state. Sean Richardson has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Jury selection is underway in Avoyelles Parish where Christopher McCoy of Bunkie is facing vehicular homicide charges. State Police say last June McCoy was nearly twice the legal limit when his vehicle ran off the road, killing a passenger inside his vehicle, Lauren Vaughn.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed three storm-related deaths from yesterday’s severe weather. A female in Cecilia in St. Martin Parish died when after camper rolled over because of high winds. And a nine-month pregnant women died in Port Allen when tree fell on her trailer. The fetus did not survive and is counted as a third storm related death.

The Louisiana House has given final legislative passage to a measure that voids a section of a law passed in 2022 that sought to control speeding on the 18-mile I-10 Atchafalaya Basin bridge by doubling the speeding fines and using cameras to do it. But New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says a normal speeding ticket already costs 350 dollars…
cut 14 (12) “…of the state”
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

It’s Formosan subterranean termite swarm season. LSU Ag Center entomologist Doctor Aaron Ashbrook says these termites are attracted to light so keep interior lights off at night to prevent them from coming into your house. Ashbrook says if you have swarms inside your home that is a concern
Cut 9 (11) “…to establish.”
The best plan is to work with a Termite and Pest control company for preventative maintenance.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Lieutenant Governor’s office announces the Love the Boot Week in April was a major success. With 19-thousand people volunteering, a record 347 tons of litter was collected. Keep Louisiana Beautiful director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.
Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”

At least two people are dead in south Louisiana as a result of the strong storms that pushed through the area late yesterday afternoon and into the early evening hours. West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office Sergeant Landon Groger says a fatality occurred in his parish when a tree fell on a mobile home…
cut 3 (11) “…did not survive”
Groger says the most of the damage sustained in West Baton Rouge is in Erwinville, where wind gusts of 80 miles per hour were reported.

There is also a reported fatality outside the town of Henderson during what many believe was a tornado. Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands…
Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”
A possible tornado also did damage in Calcasieu Parish. But no fatalities or injuries reported in the Lake Charles area.

Very scary situation this past weekend in Abbeville when a 16-year-old brandished a gun as 60 children were set to receive their First Communion. Law enforcement was quick to respond at St. Mary Magdalen Church….
cut 12 (11) “….go slowly”
The teenager reportedly told parishioners he came to the church armed, because he heard someone was going to attack the priest and he wanted to protect him.

South Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says Formosan subterranean termites are attracted to light so keep interior lights off at night to prevent them from coming into your house. Second, termites are looking for leaks in your home.
Cut 7 (10) “…moist wood.”
Ashbrook says if termites are swarming in your home, call a pest control company.

It was a record turn out for Love the Boot Week’s 3rd annual litter removal and beautification throughout the state. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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Formosan Subterranean termite swarm season is in full swing. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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Louisiana Income Tax returns are due tomorrow, May 15^th. If you need a little extra time to prepare them, there’s good news and bad. Colleen Crain explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful and The Office fo the Lieutenant Governor announced that April’s,  Love the Boot Week was a major success.  With 19,441 people volunteering and a record 347 tons of litter collected,  KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says it was a year of tremendous growth.

Cut 4 (10) “…4400 plants.”

Russell says this issue is 100% preventable if everyone is responsible for their own actions.

A few steps you can take are…

Cut 5 (08) “…out the window.” 

Lieutenant Gov. Billy Nungesser says, “Love the Boot Week’s impact is a testament to our states readiness for a cleaner, greener Louisiana.” And with the turnout from this years event, lets hope that next year is even better.

Cut 6 (11) “…love the boot.”

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Louisiana has hit the peak for termite swarm season. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Dr. Aaron Ashbrook says Formosan subterranean termites are attracted to light so keep interior lights off at night to prevent them from coming into your house. Second, termites are looking for leaks in your home.

Cut 7 (10) “…moist wood.”

Ashbrook says these termites are some of the most destructive species we have and they are responsible for billions in damages every year. He says if they get in your home, they love to feast on moist wood as a result of a water leak or drainage issue…

Cut 8 (13) “…in an area though” 

Ashbrook says if you have swarms inside your home that is a concern

Cut 9 (11)  “…to establish.”

The best plan is to work with a Termite and Pest control company for preventative maintenance.

_________________________________________________________________

The pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Abbeville says 60 children were set to receive their First Communion on Saturday when a teenager entered the church and brandished a gun. Law enforcement was quick to respond and a frightening experience ended with no shots fired…

Cut 10 (06) “…young man .”

Viewers of the live stream saw two priests lowering their bodies behind a table and screams can be heard from the congregation…

Cut 11 (11) “…(noise from the church

Authorities have charged a 16-year-old with terrorizing and two counts of possession of a firearm by a juvenile. The Diocese of Lafayette says the gunman was dressed in all black with a hoodie over his head and wearing a mask. After he was taken into custody, the all clear was given…

Cut 12 (11) “…go slowly.” 

Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel says they will have uniformed law enforcement at all upcoming Masses. First Communicants can receive First Holy Communion at whichever Mass they choose this weekend.

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The Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a bill that scraps a plan to put cameras up on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that would issue tickets to speeding violators resulting in twice the normal fine. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is a big proponent of cops ticketing speeding vehicles, not cameras

Cut 13 (13)  “..compliance.”

The measure voids a section of a law passed in 2022 that sought to control speeding on the 18-mile bridge by doubling the speeding fines and using cameras to do it. But Miguez says a normal speeding ticket already costs a driver 350 dollars…

Cut 14 (12)  “..of the state.”

Miguez says using cameras to issue tickets also means fewer dollars for their local criminal justice system

Cut 15 (08)  “…of the funds.”

The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.

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The severe weather that rolled through Louisiana yesterday is responsible for at least one death. Authorities say a person died just outside of the town of Henderson. St. Martin Sheriff Becket Breaux says a twister likely hit the parish…

Cut 16 (10) “….a tornado” 

Henderson Mayor Sherbin Collette says they have a big cleanup on their hands today…

Cut 17 (08) “…the place.”