Legislation to allow permitless carry in Louisiana is the first bill in the crime special session to receive final legislative approval. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The piglet that was tossed around like a football after a Mardi Gras parade has a new home and made Louisiana history today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Louisiana adults who are not felons will soon have the ability to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training as a result of a bill given final legislative approval by the House today. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says crime is a major problem and this legislation will give law abiding residents a chance to defend themselves

Cut 3 (09) “…a gun”  

For Louisiana adults to conceal carry, they have to get a permit, which requires training. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle does not like the idea of thousands of people possessing a gun without adequate training…

Cut 4 (06) “….pull it out” 

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry expressed concern about numerous individuals possessing a gun in large crowds

Cut 5 (11) “..Bourbon Street”

Johnson says criminals are walking around with concealed guns without a permit, so law abiding citizens should legally have the same opportunity…

Cut 6  (15) “…defend themselves.” 

The House approved the bill on 75-28 vote. Governor Jeff Landry plans to sign it and it will go into effect on July 4th.

______________________________________________________________________

The piglet that was tossed around like a football after a Mardi Gras parade received a full pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser today and “Earl the Pig Long” has been officially adopted by East Baton Rouge Representative Lauren Ventrella.

Cut 7 (12) “…least of these (clapping).”  

Nungesser thanked the individuals who rescued Earl along with the veterinarians who cared for him. The swine was placed in the care of the Louisiana Humane Society and Nungesser says Earl will now reside at Ventrella’s family farm.

Cut 8 (12) “…in Louisiana.” 

And even though the piglet was assured a cruelty-free remainder of his life, Nungesser and Ventrella hinted at possible career options Earl could entertain.

Cut 9 (09) “…lobbying efforts.” 

__________________________________________________________________

Former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels reportedly met with the Saints at the NFL draft combine. Daniels could be the number two overall pick, but the Saints have the 14th selection in the first round. WWL Radio Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Saints executives like to speak with the top players in the draft…

Cut 10 (11) “…twice a year.”

Daniels is not working out at the combine in Indianapolis. Detillier says that’s not a big deal for a player like Daniels who just won the Heisman Trophy. He says the physical exam and interviews with several NFL teams teams are way more important…

Cut 11 (08) “…for the NFL”

____________________________________________________

The Tiger Athletic Foundation is discussing building a new arena on campus that would be designed to hosting sporting events as well as music concerts and other entertainment activities. Lady Tigers basketball coach Kim Mulkey has said in the past it’s time to replace the 52-year-old Maravich Center as a basketball arena…

Cut 12 (11)  “…the ground”  

According to the Advocate newspaper, The Tiger Athletic Foundation has begun soliciting proposals from developers. LSU is also working with East Baton Rouge parish government as the goal is to make this venue a great place for concerts. Mulkey would rather see a new arena just for LSU’s athletic teams…

Cut 13 (11) “..everyday”  

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple will push for fewer regulations as part of his agenda for the regular legislative session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

_______________________________________________

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________________

More than one in four Louisiana rural hospitals are at risk of closing or having to cut services according to a report from Chartis, a national health care consulting firm. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

______________________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is discussing his agenda for the upcoming regular legislative session. Temple says he’ll ask lawmakers to put more state dollars towards the popular fortified roof program, which gives homeowners in south Louisiana ten thousand dollars to strengthen their roofs.

Cut 4 (11) “…stay dry.”

Temple says he also wants to cut down on the number of regulations insurance companies face in Louisiana. He says that’s keeping property insurance providers from doing business in Louisiana. He says he’ll lobby for the end of the three-year rule, which prohibits insurers from dropping a customer they’ve insured for three years…

Cut 5 (05) “…in the state.” 

Temple also wants to give insurance companies more freedom to adjust their rates and he also wants to see new guidelines for the appraisal process in an effort to reduce lawsuits. He says these measures will not immediately lower rates, but it will keep them from spiking…

Cut 6 (08) “…affordability.”

__________________________________________

Legislation to place a lifetime limit of two terms as governor in Louisiana has been filed for the upcoming regular session. Chalmette Republican, Representative Mike Bayham says serving as governor is one of the highest honors any civilian can have in the state.

Cut 7 (07) “…already served?”

In Louisiana, a governor can serve two consecutive terms and then must sit out the next election cycle but can run again in four years. Bayham wants to limit gubernatorial terms to two and no more.

Cut 8 (09) “…for Louisiana?” 

In the 20^th century, he says two governors, Edwin Edwards and Earl Long, served for a combined 25 years. When asked if the legislation is to keep former Governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards from running again, Bayham says the bill is about changing the political culture and future of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12)  “…political past.”

If passed by the legislature the change would be added as a constitutional amendment and go before voters in the November general election.

________________________________________________________

Rural hospitals across the country are in precarious financial situations and in Louisiana more than one in four are struggling financially, putting them at risk for closure. Tulane Professor of Health Policy and Management Mark Diana says closure isn’t the only risk…

Cut 10 (12) “…communities.”

Chemotherapy is another service disappearing from some rural hospitals.

Diana says rural communities are generally poorer and less healthy and the struggle to keep rural hospitals solvent is a problem all over the US. But he says, Louisiana has taken some steps that may put the state in a better position than other states.

Cut 11 (08) “…expanded Medicaid.” 

Independent rural hospitals are at the highest risk of closing and cutting services, says Diana. He also says those owned by hospital systems may fare better because they benefit from the size of the system.

Cut 12 (11) “…rural hospitals.” 

_____________________________________________________

State officials are urging residents to be extremely cautious about lighting anything on fire after dry and windy conditions contributed to a record number of wildfires over four days. State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says from Friday to Monday there were 124 fires in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (07)  “…four-day weekend.”

As a result, Strain says there are burn bans in Beauregard, Morehouse, Union, Washington, and Calcasieu Parishes. Dry vegetation and high winds allowed brush piles that were being burned to quickly get out of control and others who were burning timber.

Cut 14 (09) “…get away from you.”

Strain says if you plan to burn any brush piles anywhere in Louisiana with the current conditions, do not leave them unattended.

Cut 15 (11) “…on fire.”

Because the grass is extremely dry right now, he says it will easily burn and quickly spread. Strain says there have even been cases where vegetation above the waterline in bottomlands caught on fire.

____________________________________________________________________

The 7-0 Louisiana Tech baseball team is in Lake Charles tonight to take on the McNeese Cowboys. It’s the first time since 2017 that the Bulldogs started a season 7-0. Bulldogs infielder Dalton Davis is off to a good start as he has 10 hits, three doubles, one home run and he’s driven in seven runs. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs on Double-D

Cut 16 (16) “…all the time.” 

Tech ranks 11th in the nation in E-R-A. Burroughs gives a lot of credit to pitching coach Cooper Fouts…

Cut 17 (23) “…you quit.” 

_______________________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball goes after its fifth straight win tonight as the Bulldogs visit Western Kentucky. Isaiah Crawford is the Conference USA Player of the Week and is coming off a double-double. Bulldogs Talvin Hester says Crawford is one of the most underrated players in the nation…

Cut 18 (19)  “…every game.” 

____________________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns will try to snap a three-game losing streak tonight when they host Troy. Coach Bob Marlin’s team is coming off a loss to Southern Miss and the Cajuns lost by six to Troy earlier this season.

Cut 19 (19) “…physical game.”

___________________________________________________________________________

The third-ranked LSU baseball team is in Houston where they’ll play Rice tonight and then they’ll play three games at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Coach Jay Johnson says the Houston area is very important to the LSU baseball program…

Cut 20 (20) “…show up.”

After several wildfires sparked over the weekend several parishes have begun instituting outdoor burn bans. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The family of Jerome Stevenson have hired nationally renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump as they are seeking justice and more information on Stevenson’s in-custody death in Marksville. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

______________________________________

Wildfires in the Bayou State increased dramatically over the weekend. Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says some of the fires were a result of burn piles that got out of control or were abandoned.

Cut 3 (10) “…aggressively.”  

Several parishes have already issued their own burn ban. Strain urges people not to do any outdoor burning…

Cut 4 (08) “…massive wildfires.”

Wildfire activity has been reported across the state and in DeRidder alone, Strain says within 10 minutes they had six fires.

Cut 5 (09) “…the parish.”

________________________________________________________________

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was in Avoyelles Parish today as he’s representing Jerome Stevenson. He died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. An inmate and two correction officers have been charged in his murder. Crump says he will fight for justice for the Stevenson family

Cut 6  (11) “…were fighting” 

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has not released many details about Stevenson’s in custody death. Crump says an autopsy report shows the 26-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and stomach…

Cut 7 (13) “…to death”  

37-year-old John Williams of Mansura has been charged with second degree murder. He was an inmate at the jail. Corrections deputies, 60-year-old Byron White and 61-year-old Frank Overbey also face charges. White has been charged with malfeasance in office and Overbey principal to second-degree murder. Crump says the family deserves answers to what happened with Stevenson

Cut 8 (10) “…that yet” 

__________________________________________________________________

51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin was being treated for a seizure and other injuries they believe he was now faking.

Cut 9 (11) “…on her.” 

The stolen unit was later found abandoned in Algiers.

Ruffin was being transported back to the correctional center from the hospital when he escaped. Lopinto says Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car.

Cut 10 (08) “…point and time.”

Lopinto says State Police, NOPD, and the FBI are assisting in the search. He considers Ruffin, armed and dangerous…

Cut 11 (12) “…his custody.”

Ruffin has been in custody since July 2023 for second-degree murder, aggravated assault, a convicted felon with a firearm, and obstruction of justice.

____________________________________________________

Legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training continues to sail through the Legislature. The full Senate has already approved New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure and today it received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee…

Cut 12 (10)  “…our state”  

Officials from New Orleans oppose. City council president Helena Moreno says New Orleans police officers question individuals when they believe a person may be possessing a gun underneath their clothes. Moreno says it’s a important police tactic used during Mardi Gras and other big events…

Cut 13 (10) “…possible”  

Miguez says his legislation does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars. He also says there’s evidence his legislation will help deter shootings…

Cut  14 (09) “.took effect”