Now that the embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner has been sworn-in there’s a recall effort to remove him. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to eliminate the need for drivers to have a vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Democrat Henry Whitehorn has made history by becoming the first black man elected as Caddo Parish Sheriff after a closely contested second runoff election. The former head of State Police secured 53 percent of the vote on Saturday, after winning by one vote over Republican opponent John Nickelson in November. Political Analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 3 (11) “…vote margin.”  

Whitehorn received 34-thousand votes and Nickelson received 30-thousand votes in the second run-off election.

Hughes says the Caddo Parish election, which captured statewide attention drew high numbers of voter turnout to the polls. He points out the unity and commitment from Democrats and the African American community to place Whitehorn into leadership.

Cut 4 (10) “…128 boxes.” 

A second run-off election was needed after Nickelson got the courts to agree there were several questionable votes. Hughes says Whitehorn’s victory marks a significant milestone in the Caddo Parish community.

Cut 5 (11)  “…Caddo Parish.”

Whitehorn will be sworn in on July 1st.

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A recall effort is underway to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape, who officially took office today after it was revealed he was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there will be a gathering at the state capitol this afternoon.

Cut 6  (09) “…that office.” 

Tape notified nurses who administer the sexual assault nurse program Thursday night their jobs were to be eliminated as of today. Mizell says eliminating the vital program impacts not just St. Tammany, but Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes also.

Cut 7 (07) “…nurse program.”  

If the recall effort is successful in removing Tape from office Mizell says there will be a thorough vetting process for his replacement.

Cut 8 (07) “…is shocking.” 

Tape was accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter. He ran unopposed to replace Dr. Chuck Preston who retired.

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The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to do away with the requirement for Louisiana drivers to have an up to date inspection sticker on their vehicle. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says getting the sticker is an inconvenience, an unnecessary expense and does nothing to keep our roads safer…

Cut 9 (09) “…into a fine.” 

One state lawmaker said the fine for an expired inspection sticker can be as much as 250-dollars.

Bagley says vehicles are built better and law enforcement officers can pull over a vehicle they believe is not safe. State Police Captain Bryan Lee says State Troopers and police officers can’t tell if a vehicle’s tires are worn, which is something that can be spotted during a vehicle inspection. He says bald tires are a safety threat… 

Cut 10 (07) “…bad tires. “

The elimination of inspection vehicles would cost State Police and the Office of Motor Vehicles 14-million dollars a year. The measure will now head to House Appropriations for more discussion. Hornbeck Representative Rodney Schamerhorn says there are several inspection stations that do not take it seriously, so why require it…

Cut 11 (09) “…they’re not.”

If Bagley’s bill becomes law, motorists who live in East Baton Rouge and four surrounding parishes would still need to get an emissions test, because of high ozone levels in the Capital City Region.

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The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 after beating Middle Tennessee 83 to 56. LSU trailed by nine points early in the second half before they got it going. Coach Kim Mulkey was asked if an anticipated Washington Post story on her distracted the team

Cut 12 (05) “…absolutely not” 

A Washington Post article on Mulkey could possibly come out this week. Mulkey says the same reporter previously did a hit job on football coach Brian Kelly and he’s spent the last two years trying to dig up dirt on her…

Cut 13 (11) “…positive stories”   

Mulkey has refused to talk with this reporter, believed to be Kent Babb. The hall of fame coach claims the reporter has not been transparent in his intentions and she says it’s this type of journalism on why the public no longer trusts the media. Mulkey also promises to fight back…

Cut  14 (10) “…about me”

While some other states have outlawed the sale of nitrous oxide paraphernalia, Louisiana may become the first to outlaw the substance with few exceptions. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The legislation making its way through the Legislature designed to end the state’s insurance crisis has been labeled as beneficial to the insurer, not the consumer. Jeanne Burns has Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s reaction…

Cut 2 (28)  “I’m Jeanne Burns.” 

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LSU Health Shreveport is about to be wheels-up with the Air Force Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 Louisiana may become the first state to outlaw the sale, use, and possession of nitrous oxide. The House Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed legislation to ban the substance with few exceptions. Bill author, Rep Joe Stagni (Stag Knee) says Nitrous oxide has become a highly addictive party drug with devastating consequences.

Cut 4 (11) “…laughing matter.”

The father of a young adult urged the committee to pass the bill as he described nearly losing his once healthy, able-bodied daughter whose struggles began when she bought a canister from a gas station because she thought it was a harmless party drug…

Cut 5 (12) “…diagnosis.” 

Nitrous oxide cartridges were once only sold in housewares and cooking supply shops but are now packaged in attractive bright colors with mouthpieces and sold in unlimited quantities in vape shops, gas stations, and online without age limits. Concerned citizen, Samantha McCann testified before the committee…

Cut 6 (08) “…stop him.”

The bill outlawing nitrous oxide’s possession, use, and sale now goes to the full house for consideration.

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Through two weeks of the legislative session, the package of bills Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting to improve the state’s insurance market is receiving the backing of the Louisiana Legislature. Temple says several of the bills focus on improving the state’s legal environment, which he says will bring more companies to the state and result in lower premiums…

 Cut 7 (10) “…litigate.”

When these bills receive committee approval, the headlines read that lawmakers are siding with the insurance companies rather than consumers. But Temple says regulations that are currently in place make it hard for insurance companies to do business in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (10) “…doing nothing” 

The consumer advocacy group, Real Reform Louisiana, says the insurance legislation filed this year will benefit the insurance industry. Director Ben Riggs says it will pad the profits of insurers and it will take away consumer rights. Temple pushes back by saying less regulation, means more companies writing policies and that should translate to lower premiums

Cut 9 (09)  “…from that.”

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A Merryville dog owner sought revenge by fatally shooting a dog after it allegedly attacked his dog. So, we asked Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt if it is legal to shoot another dog in another person’s yard if it attacked yours.

Cut 10 (13) “…to property.”

Borghardt says the owner of the labrador (number one) saw the man enter her backyard before gunfire rang out. He says the state’s statute of cruelty to animals prohibits a person from injuring any animal belonging to another person.

Cut 11 (12) “…number one.”

Boghardt says if the owner felt he had to rescue his dog from the labrador, he should have taken a different approach to handle the situation. The owner of the labrador can seek restitution or criminal charges.

Cut 12 (08) “…criminal court.” 

Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting of the Labrador.

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LSU Health Shreveport is joining forces with the Air Force to study the physical and cognitive effects of lengthy flights on B-52 aircrew members. Director of the Rehabilitation Science Program Dr. Cory Coehoorn (coo-horn) says this is a first for LSU-Health and the Air Force Global Strike Command.

Cut 13 (08)  “…things like that.”

Coehoorn says they are excited about the study, and he anticipates the research project will take flight in the next six months. And while civilians are familiar with an eight-hour overseas flight, Coehoorn says B-52 crewmembers can have in-flight missions of 30-plus hours.

Cut 14 (11) “…of time.” 

And once the three-year study is complete, Coehoorn says they’ll look at….

Cut 15 (08) “…mission objectives.”

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For the second straight weekend, LSU baseball dropped an SEC series and for the second straight Sunday, the Tigers were run-ruled. Florida beat the Tigers 12-2 in eight innings yesterday. Coach Jay Johnson was ejected in the fifth inning after both teams were warned about trash talking and Johnson came out of the dugout to complain that Florida’s pitcher said something to Hayden Travinski. The ejection didn’t fire up the team…

Cut 16 (24)  “…team today.” 

LSU fell to 2-4 in the SEC and visit top-ranked Arkansas on Thursday after hosting Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday. Johnson held a long team meeting following Sunday’s loss as he says his team’s competitive character is getting tested…

Cut 17 (17) “…answer the bell.” 

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The LSU women’s basketball team is headed to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year after beating Middle Tennessee 83-56. The Lady Tigers fell behind by nine early in the third quarter but finished the game by outscoring the Lady Raiders 51-15. Angel Reese stepped up her game in the second half after Coach Kim Mulkey told the All-American that she needed her…

Cut 18 (18)  “…I need” 

Reese scored 14 points in the second half and finished with her 14th consecutive double-double, 20 points and 11 rebounds. Coach Kim Mulkey says in the second half they picked up the pace offensively and played with more effort…

Cut 19 (17) “…third and fourth quarter”  

It was most likely Reese’s final game in the PMAC and she left to a loud ovation. Reese says the crowd’s energy inspired them…

.Cut 20 (20) “…everybody in Albany”

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Creighton in the Sweet 16 on Saturday afternoon.