The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would require first offense DWI offenders to install an interlock ignition device for at least six months in order to get their driver’s license back. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says passing this legislation will save lives and it will result in federal grant dollars from the National Traffic Safety Administration…
cut 16 (08) “…having struggles”
The measure sill needs House approval.

Wildfires in the Bayou State increased dramatically over the weekend which has led to parishes issuing burn bans again. 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.”
The next big chance for rain is on Friday.

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”
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.

A little good news from UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast. The state has gained nearly 40,000 jobs in the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 20 years…
Cut 26 (07) “…metro region.”
New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas are responsible for about 62% of the growth.

Today marks the start of the second week of the crime special session. All of the bills that received approval in the Senate, will be heard in the House this week, and all of the bills that were approved in the House will be heard in the Senate. Including Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s legislation that would lead to Louisiana restarting executions. Muscarello’s bill received approval in the House last week, despite objections from Democrats like Marrero Representative Kyle Green…
cut 28 (13) “…that commitment”
During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry says the state owes it to the victims of death penalty cases to pass this bill…
cut 15 (10) “…my position”

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 legislation requires the ignition interlock device to remain in a vehicle for six months.

In the upcoming regular session, the state’s near abortion ban is expected to be a topic again. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell has already filed a bill that tries to clear up what she says is some confusion over when an abortion can take place in cases to protect the health of the mother…
cut 12 (08) “….our citizens”
Doctors can go to jail if they violate the state’s abortion ban.

The House Criminal Justice Committee meets today at 10 AM and on the agenda is a bill already approved by the Senate that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Governor Jeff Landry says if concealed carry passes in Louisiana, it does NOT mean gun owners can possess their gun everywhere…
cut 14 (07) “….in Louisiana”
Opponents are concerned permitless concealed carry will lead to more shootings.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will also discuss a Senate-approved bill that would require drivers convicted of a D-W-I to get an ignition interlock device for at least six months in order to get their driver’s license back. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says multiple DWI offenders, would be required to have the interlock device for four years…
cut 6 (09) “….while intoxicated”

UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast brings good news. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

We’re starting to see wildfires pop up again in Louisiana. Firefighters spent the weekend battling a large wildfire near DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish along Highway 389. There was also a massive brush fire near a neighborhood in Livingston Parish that consumed 200 acres on Saturday. There’s a slight chance for rain on Wednesday, the better chance is this weekend starting on Friday.

Most of Governor Jeff 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 Louisiana’s neighboring states…
Cut 13 (11) “..than us.”

U-L Lafayette economist Doctor Gary Wagner’s latest economic report found the state added 40-thousand jobs over the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 40 years. Wagner says not only is the state seeing a growth in jobs, but wages are increasing too…
cut 8 (08) “….outpacing inflation”

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.”

The search is on in Jefferson Parish for a confessed killer who escaped from custody after pepper spraying a deputy in Gretna. The incident happened as the deputy was taking Leon Ruffin back from Ochsner Hospital to the jail. Authorities say after pepper spraying the deputy, Ruffin stole the police SUV.

The crime special session begins its second week today and there’s a bill halfway through the process that would result in first-time DWI offenders having to install an ignition interlocking locking device in order to avoid having their license suspended….
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx

The sheriff of St. Mary Parish passed away over the weekend. Blaise Smith had served as St. Mary’s top law enforcement officer since 2018. He’s known for his open door policy that fostered an environment of trust and collaboration. Smith’s term was set to end on July 1st.

A little good news from UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast. The state has gained nearly 40,000 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.

Looking ahead to the regular legislative session that begins March 11th. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell has a bill that would make it clear a woman can have an abortion in cases of an ectopic pregnancy. Newell says an ectopic (uhk-taa-puhk)pregnancy because is not viable and it can cause the fallopian tubes to burst. As the law reads now she says physicians can face criminal penalties.
Cut 11 (09) “…woman through.”