A bill to prohibit the use of traffic cameras for speed enforcement by local governments has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bills this week approved in the crime special session, including the legislation that will result in longer prison sentences for car jackers and fentanyl dealers. Jeanne Burns has more..

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Artificial Intelligence technology continues to advance and a lawmaker concerned about possible misuse has proposed a bill to address it. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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Shreveport Senator Alan Sebaugh has filed legislation to prohibit the installation and use of red light and speed cameras by local governments. The Republican says such devices present a guilty until proven innocent approach..

Cut 4 (10) “…your car.”

Sebaugh says the cameras are also not routinely calibrated, compared to a law enforcement officer’s radar equipment undergoes regular maintenance.

But Sebaugh says the biggest problem with traffic cameras is the money. When individuals pay court costs for a ticket written by law enforcement it goes towards funding public defenders, the DA’s office, clerk of courts, crime lab, and various other entities. Sebaugh says when you pay a camera ticket…

Cut 5 (10) “…the wayside.” 

The shortfall of not collecting court costs from cameras is having to be made up with taxpayer dollars.

As for the argument the cameras encourage safer driving habits, Sebaugh says there’s no evidence to support they do.

Cut 6 (12) “…and safety.”

Sebaugh says he’s gotten positive feedback from lawmakers on Senate Bill 21 and he expects to have the support from law enforcement and district attorneys in Louisiana.

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Stronger penalties are coming for carjackers and drug dealers who package fentanyl so it attracts minors. It’s the result of legislation authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel and approved in the recently completed crime special session. Schlegel says if a carjacking results in serious injury to the victim, the minimum sentence starts at 20 years…

Cut 7 (10) “…our state.”

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill this week. Schlegel says House Bill 7 also requires a minimum of a five-year sentence for a person convicted of carjacking. Right now the minimum penalty is two years…

Cut 8 (08) “… tackle carjacking.” 

Schlegel also authored a bill that calls for a 25 to 99-year prison sentence for a person convicted of designing fentanyl so it looks like candy or packaged in a way that would attract minors…

Cut 9 (11)  “..not acceptable.”

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Some lawmakers are concerned about the possible misuse of A.I. and have proposed a new law to address it. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says the public needs to be protected from potential misrepresentation the new technology makes possible…

Cut 10 (11) “…person’s consent.”

The bill would also make it a crime to display synthetic media without constantly displaying an obvious notice within the media identifying it as synthetic media. There must also be intent to mislead. Connick says we have the right to protect ourselves from anyone using false information or images…

Cut 11 (10) “…new technology.” 

Synthetic media includes video or voice recordings generated by algorithms that appear to be a record of actual events. Connick says A.I. is not bad in and of itself…

Cut 12 (09) “…not true” 

If passed, those convicted of unlawful distribution of misleading synthetic media could face up to 6 months in jail and/or up to a $750 fine.

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The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise you still stay home if you’re sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says this mirrors other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV.

Cut 13 (09)  “…as well.”

Lopez points out that the CDC still encourages you to play it safe for five days, especially if those around you at work or school are vulnerable to the virus or have family members who are.

Cut 14 (09) “…distancing.”

Lopez reminds you if you are sick to stay home and that hopefully the pandemic has erased the mindset that you’re considered a better employee or student if you show up sick.

While the new guidelines are welcome news Lopez says COVID still presents a significant threat and remains highly contagious.

Cut 15 (09) “…better phase.”

If you are among the more vulnerable populations, Lopez recommends staying up to date on your booters and along with vaccinations for other respiratory illnesses.

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ULM will face Coastal Carolina tomorrow in a 12 versus 13 matchup. The winner will play the Ragin Cajuns on Thursday. U-L Lafayette ended a three-game losing streak with a 77-61 win over Southern Miss on Friday. Coach Bob Marlin…

Cut 16 (13) “…about it” 

U-L Lafayette is the defending Sun Belt Tournament champions and they played in the title game in 2022. Marlin says previous success at the tourney should pay off this week…

Cut 17 (15) “…can win.” 

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The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team completed the regular season on Sunday with a 77-56 win over Kentucky. It was the Lady Tigers eighth straight win. Angel Reese had 22 points and 14 rebounds and she was honored at halftime as LSU conducted its Senior Day ceremony. Reese says it’s been a long four years in college basketball

Cut 18 (18)  “..for tonight” 

LSU also honored Hailey Van Lith on senior day. Van Lith had 15 points. Both Reese and Van Lith have the option to return next season, but are noncommittal….

Cut 19 (18) “…this year.”

Reese didn’t know she would win a national championship when she transferred to LSU, but had a feeling the experience would be great…

Cut 20 (20) “…expectations”

LSU will play Friday in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.

Big news for Jefferson Parish, Japanese Chemical Company UBE to construct the first US facility to manufacture key components for electrical vehicle car batteries there. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (26)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is calling the crime special session a great success, Democrats says it failed to address the root causes of crime. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The first U.S. manufacturing plant for Japanese Chemical Company UBE, which makes components for electric vehicle batteries, will be in Jefferson Parish.  President of Jefferson Parish Economic Development Jerry Bologna says it’s a significant foreign direct investment of $500 million to the community.

Cut 3 (12) “…supply chain.”  

Bologna says the synergy from Cornerstone Energy Park played a vital role in UBE’s decision to choose Jefferson Parish. He says they also liked the logistics the area provides…

Cut 4 (10) “…their capital.” 

The project intends to bolster the domestic battery components supply chain and reduce the current reliance on Asian imports. Bologna says the plant in Jefferson Parish will manufacture key elements for EV batteries.

Cut 5 (12) “…those batteries.”

To secure the project Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes workforce development.

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Iowa women’s basketball player Cailtin Clark is 18 points away from surpassing LSU legend Pete Marvaich’s Division one career scoring record of 3,667 points. Clark could pass Pistol Pete when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State on Sunday. Maravich’ s eldest son, Jaeson Maravich, doesn’t see it as Clark breaking his dad’s record….

Cut 6  (07) “…5,000 points” 

Maravich scored 3,667 points from 1967 to 1970 at LSU, without a three-point line and averaged 44 points a game. Clark is in his fourth season at Iowa and averages 28 points a game. Jaeson Maravich says it’s an apples to oranges comparison….

Cut 7 (09) “…true record”  

Jaeson Maravich is also very complimentary of Caitlin’s game and her style reminds him a lot of his Dad’s…

Cut 8 (07) “…closest” 

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Governor Jeff Landry says the crime special session produced legislation that will make the state safer

Cut 9 (07) “…right direction” 

The Legislature approved measures to expand methods used to carry out executions, lowering the age one can be charged with a felony from 18 to 17 years old, restrictions on parole and probation and permitless conceal carry. Landry says he appreciates the legislators who passed these bills

Cut 10 (11) “…that process.”

But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard says the special session failed to address the root causes of crime. He says the lock them up and throw away the key approach does not work…

Cut 11 (11) “…special session”

Willard says the bills passed will explode Louisiana’s prison population and produce higher costs for taxpayers

Cut 12 (11)  “..costs”  

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign these bills next week.