Louisiana Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require an ignition interlock device to be placed in the vehicle of all drunk driving offenders. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast brings some good news. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________________

Legislation that would require drivers convicted of a DUI to install an ignition locking device in their vehicle unanimously cleared the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says the interlock device will not let the car start unless it knows the driver is sober.

Cut 4 (09) “…your car.”

The bill increases the use of the device to a minimum of six months for first time offenders. In 2021, 299 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver who had been drinking, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Edmonds points out thirty states already have this law on their books. He says it also allows the state to qualify for federal grant money from the National Traffic Safety Administration.

Cut 5 (09) “…having struggles.” 

LHSC report reveals 40 percent of all crashes in the state were alcohol-related.

Edmonds says it’s time to do more to change the negative behavior and help save lives,”. He says it also expands the requirement for multiple DUI offender to have the interlock device on their vehicle for four years.

Cut 6 (09) “…while intoxicated.”

The bill will be discussed in the House this week.

__________________________________________

A little good news from UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast. The state has gained nearly 40,0000 jobs in the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 20 years…

Cut 7 (07) “…metro region.”

New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas are responsible for about 62% of the growth.

Wagner says the areas of employment have been broad, mostly in healthcare, and in New Orleans especially, robust growth in hospitality. He says we’re not only seeing growth in the number of Louisiana jobs, but jobs seem to be paying more too…

Cut 8 (08) “…outpacing inflation.” 

Expect more of the same for the next 12 months, says Wagner. He expects the Bayou State will gain another 27,000 jobs but he does mention one concern…

Cut 9 (08)  “…the economy.”

________________________________________________________

Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says her bill clears up confusion so the removal of a miscarriage would not be considered an abortion.

Cut 10 (09) “…as well.”

The bill also defines that the removal of an ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion. Newell says women shouldn’t be forced to carry an ectopic pregnancy because it’s not viable and it can cause their fallopian tubes to burst. As the law reads now she says physicians can face criminal penalties.

Cut 11 (09) “…woman through.” 

Since Roe v Wade was overturned abortions are completely banned except for the case in which a fetus is found non-viable, or the mother’s life is at risk. Newell says the current law is not clear and healthcare providers are fearful of prosecution.

Cut 12 (08) “…our citizens.” 

Under current law whoever commits the crime of abortion shall be imprisoned for no less than a year or more than 10 years and fined no less than $10,000 or more than $100,000.

_____________________________________________________

Most of Governor Landry’s proposals are halfway through the process as we enter week two of the crime special session. The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. Opponents say the proposed law will make Louisiana a more dangerous state. Landry says 27 other states have this law, including every state around Louisiana…

Cut 13 (11)  “..than us.”

Landry says if concealed carry passes in Louisiana, it does not mean gun owners can possess their gun everywhere…

Cut 14 (07) “…in Louisiana.”

Landry is also backing legislation that will give the state more options to carry out death sentences. The House-approved bill that will be heard in the Senate this week will also take steps to make sure companies that supply lethal injection drugs are not identified. Landry says the state owes it to the victims of death penalty cases to pass this bill..

Cut 15 (10) “..my position.”

________________________________________________________

There was no big comeback for the LSU men’s basketball team on Saturday night. The Tigers who rallied from double-digit deficits to beat South Carolina and Kentucky, trailed Mississippi State by seven points at halftime and lost to the Bulldogs 87-67. Jordan Wright says it’s hard to keep coming back from large deficits…

Cut 16 (16) “..you know.” 

Second-chance points were a big stat in this game. Mississippi State had 16 offensive rebounds and had 27 second-chance points to LSU’s ten. Coach Matt McMahon’s team also had 15 turnovers…

Cut 17 (13) “…with that.” 

The Bulldogs also got a big game from Josh Hubbard, who scored a career-high 32 points. The freshman from Madison, Mississippi hit six threes. LSU point guard Trae Hannibal says he didn’t do a good enough job of minimizing Hubbard’s touches…

Cut 18 (18)  “…come Georgia” 

LSU hosts Georgia on Tuesday.

____________________________________________________________________

The LSU Lady Tigers missed 59 shots on Sunday, but guard Haily Van Lith had a hot hand and finished with a season high 26 points as the Lady Tigers defeated Tennessee 75-60. As a team LSU shot 33-percent from the field but Coach Kim Mulkey’s squad held the Volunteers to 31-percent from the field…

Cut 19 (12) “…third shots.”

It was LSU’s third game in three days and Flau’jae Johnson was not feeling well, but still contributed nine ponts and four blocks. Mulkey liked how her team responded after nearly blowing a 12 point halftime lead…

Cut 20 (14) “…make us better.”

LSU is at Georgia on Thursday.

The full House approves legislation that increases the penalties for convicted carjackers. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

The Louisiana House has approved a measure that expands the methods to carry out a death penalty and also puts penalties in place for releasing information on drugs used for a lethal injection. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

______________________________________

Legislation that would lower the age from 18 to 17 at which a person charged with a felony could be charged as an adult successfully cleared the Senate in a 30-9 vote. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis says putting juveniles in adult court and correctional systems is not the answer.

Cut 3 (13) “…these facilities.”  

The bill would Repeal the Raise the Age Act approved in 2017. It’s resulted in many 17 year old offenders being charged as juveniles for crime. West Monroe Republican Senator Jay Morris says having 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice facilities is not working.

Cut 4 (10) “…corrections officer.”

Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says an increase in crime including deadly shootings, home invasions and carjackings was the motivation behind the bill. She says the state has suffered from high crime rate and the current system for juvenile offenders is broken.

Cut 5 (12) “…not working.”

Duplessis points from 2017-2020 the number of under 18 crimes decreased from 6400 to 3700. He says putting juveniles in adult jails isn’t going to solve the problem.

Cut 6  (10) “…begin with.” 

The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

________________________________________________________________

A bill to double the minimum prison sentence for carjackings receives full passage in the House. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel was questioned by New Orleans Democrat Matthew Williard if the state can handle an influx of prisoners with new laws passed in the crime special session.

Cut 7 (12) “…to jail.”  

The bill would raise the minimum prison sentence from two to five years and for carjackings that result in serious injury from 10 to 20 years. Williard asked Schlegel if doubling the sentences would reduce the number of carjackings.

Cut 8 (12) “…our laws.” 

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry questioned if judges asked for the minimum sentences to be raised and if the bill takes away their discretion. In Schlegel’s bill judges can sentence one five to 20 years for carjacking and 20 to 30 years if bodily injury is involved.

Cut 9 (10) “…we’ll go.” 

The bill passed on an 89-15 vote and heads to a Senate committee for debate.

__________________________________________________________________

Early Literacy Matters ranks Louisiana for its comprehensive literacy policy for kindergarten through third grade students. Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson says the state was recognized for implementing a universal reading screener for students having trouble reading.

Cut 10 (13) “…reading plan.”

Education Recovery Scorecard found Louisiana is one of only three states where average reading achievement in 2023 was above levels in 2019.

Chaisson points out the most impactful policy requires kindergarten through third grade teachers and school leaders to undergo a science of reading training. She says getting rid of the three-cuing systems has also provided positive results.

Cut 11 (11) “…been eliminated.”

Chaisson says the state is leading the way with common sense reading reforms including parental notification of students with reading difficulties. She says kindergarten through third grade students are at critical ages when it comes to learning how to read.

Cut 12 (11)  “…later grades.”  

____________________________________________________

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that expands the methods the state can carry out an execution. Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s measure would give the state the option to use the electric chair or nitrogen to end the life of a death row inmate…

Cut 13 (12) “…ultimate decision.”  

The House voted 71 to 29 in favor of the legislation and heads to the Senate for further debate.

Democrats oppose the bill. Marrero Representative Kyle Green filed a bill last year to abolish the death penalty and questions Muscarello about whether the death penalty would actually reduce homicides…

Cut  14 (14) “..that commitment”

Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010. The state can not get the drugs to perform a lethal injection.

Muscarello’s bill also provides penalties for anyone that would publicize where the state obtained the drugs for an execution….

Cut 15 (10) “…novel concept”