Because Louisiana has multiple bridges and major ports, many worry that what happened in Baltimore could happen here. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A Senate committee has given approval to a bill that would give Louisiana police officers the ability to arrest people living in Louisiana that are not legal citizens. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says bridges that have large vessel traffic the support beams are protected by a fender system.

Cut 3 (09) “…head-on.”  

And while not every bridge has a fender system in Louisiana, Mallet says for those waterways where cargo ships and other large vessels travel, a fender system is in place.

Cut 4 (12) “…the pier.” 

Mallet also points out that because the Mississippi River is winding, barge traffic tends to go slower, and comparing what happened in Baltimore is an apples-to-oranges scenario right now.

And until the investigation of the bridge collapse in Baltimore is completed Mallet says it’s hard to answer if exactly what happened there could happen here. But Mallet points out that the new Mississippi River Bridge, that’s been there since the 60s…

Cut 5 (09)  “…occurence.”

Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over. DOTD is required to inspect all bridges every two years, but Mallet says those with high-traffic, are inspected every six months.

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A Senate committee approves legislation that gives Louisiana police officers the power to arrest people who are in the United States illegally. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the federal government is doing a poor job of keeping migrants from coming over the southern border, the U-S constitution gives states the ability to protect themselves…

Cut 6  (13) “…an invasion.” 

Susan Weishar, from the Jesuit Social Research Institute, warned this proposed law could lead to the deportation of hundreds migrant laborers, who would be separated from their children..

Cut 7 (07) “…get over it”  

Huey Fischer Garcia, a staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center,  says this law would clog up the state’s legal system as state judges are not up to speed on immigration law

Cut 8 (07) “…that system.” 

Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter is the co-author legislation and didn’t want to hear the argument that this legislation will cost the state more dollars to prosecute cases…

Cut 9 (10) “…this state” 

Weishar says their are students that show the crime rates for undocumented individuals are lower than U.S. Citizens.

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AccuWeather has released their early forecast for the 2024 hurricane season and to sum it up, climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not good. They are forecasting between 20 and 25 named storms; they expect 8-12 of them to become hurricanes and of those 4 to 7 to be major hurricanes.

Cut 10 (10) “…around that. “

In 2020 there were 30 named storms and Keim says the forecast is in line with what we’ve seen in recent years, even though Louisiana had a reprieve last year.

Keim says there are two driving factors for the grim forecast, well-average sea surface temperatures and we’re expected to trend to a La Nina during the height of hurricane season.

Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, what Keim refers to as the main development region in the Atlantic Ocean…

Cut 11 (08) “…right there.”

As the weather pattern transitions to a La Nina, Keim says that means more rain and less wind shear to shred and diminish the threat of hurricanes.

Cut 12 (11) “…form in.” 

As for where the more than anticipated storms will make landfall, Keim says remains to be seen.

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks help to identify a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A bill to allow judges the option of sentencing a sex offender of a child to surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify a body found south of Merryville in 1993 with 2-gun shots to the head and hands bound behind his back. Investigators recently obtained a DNA profile linking the victim to families in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson…

Cut 4 (11) “…some closure.”

Facial reconstruction shows the victim was a black male between 25 and 35 years old. Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the family of the Ardoin’s, but no one knew of a missing family member. Because of the age of the skeletal remains, it’s difficult the know how closely related they may be…

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

Johnson says, though they don’t believe he had a car, the victim did not appear to be homeless. He was well dressed, well-groomed with well-cared for teeth…

Cut 6 (09) “…know that.”

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s Office would like to hear from anyone who might have known the victim or have any information that could help identify the man who would now be 55 to 65 years old.

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A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says House Bill 97 is an effort to improve both motorist and pedestrian safety.

 Cut 7 (05) “…in them.”

State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police.

Haughton Republican Dodie Horton asked McMakin if the bill would ban individuals from collecting for charity.

Cut 8 (13) “…giving law.” 

Advocacy director of the Justice Accountability Center of Louisiana, Sarah Whittington opposes the bill because it’s something that local municipalities already cite.

Cut 9 (11)  “…local level.”

Whittington says the law could be deemed unconstitutional and state overreach of public streets.

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A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (11) “…from prison.”

Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense and that he believes in second chances.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”

Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez asked if the punishment would apply to women. Barrow says it would. They also discussed how castration can diminish the sexual impulses and aggression of sex offenders.

Cut 12 (12) “…prevent that.” 

Female castration is the removal of ovaries.

The bill passed in committee without opposition and advances in the session.

In 2008 chemical castration was added as a sentencing option in Louisiana for those guilty of certain crimes, like molestation of a juvenile and aggravated rape.

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The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

The Gator Scholarship Program will replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says under her bill, even students who attend A and B schools would have a choice…

Cut 14 (14)  “…curriculum.”

Opponents say the Gator Scholarship Program will take money away from public schools. It’s estimated the program will cost at least 241-million dollars for the 2028-29 school year when more than 41-thousand students could receive state dollars for their education expenses.

LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”

The bill heads to House Appropriations because of its cost.

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LSU is trying to bring back D-B-U. There was a time the Tigers could claim they had the best defensive backs in the country, but LSU has struggled on defense the last couple of years. Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond helped create the DBU mantra, and he’s back as an assistant coach. Sophomore cornerback Javien Toviano is trying to learn all he can from Raymond…

Cut 16 (14)  “…from him.” 

Blake Baker is LSU’s new defensive coordinator. Toviano says he’s brought a lot of energy and wants everyone on defense to celebrate when someone makes a play…

Cut 17 (16) “…this year.” 

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Saints Coach Dennis Allen says the team is confident defensive end Chase Young will be 100-percent once he goes through the rehabilitation process following surgery on his neck last week. Allen says everyone was aware of the procedure when he signed a one-year 13-million dollar contract

Cut 18 (20)  “…as possible.”  

Willie Gay is the other big free agent signee on the Saints defense. Allen says signing Gay gives them some good depth at the linebacker position

Cut 19 (19) “…our locker room.”  

Allen says new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will bring a proven, successful system to New Orleans. He says they want to be a physically imposing offense…

Cut 20 (09) “…play action.”