A bill to require social media to verify a user’s age advances to the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A new poll on the fall elections shows A.G. Jeff Landry with a comfy lead and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser also leads in his re-election bid. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Deridder Insurance professional Tim Temple has reported $2 million in his campaign finance report and is the only candidate running for Insurance Commissioner in the upcoming election. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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Legislation to require social media companies to verify a user’s age advances from a Senate committee. Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s bill would restrict a minor’s use unless there’s parental consent. McMath says former social media employees have testified about the danger of algorithms they once developed, have on juveniles.

Cut 4 (10)  “…media yet.”

McMath says the increase in cyberbullying and teen suicides is related to the use of social media.

Monroe Senator Jay Morris applauded McMath’s legislation and acknowledged that the bill would need to be amended in the future due to technological advances. And it’s not only children, Morris says social media creators have made use of their platforms extremely addictive.

Cut 5 (09) “…start somewhere.”

Kouri Marshall with the Chamber of Progress, a trade group that represents technology companies, spoke in opposition because the bill undercuts the privacy of every social media user in an effort to protect children.

Cut 6 (08)  “…user online.”

Marshall also noted in states, for example, California, Utah, and Arkansas, that have passed similar legislation are all being challenged in court.

Larry Murray with Tech Net, a network of technology CEOs and executives, also spoke in opposition and says adding age verification is not as simple as one would think, but he is willing to consult with lawmakers about the process.

Cut 7 (10) “…a simple bill.”

Senate Bill 162 with amendments passed in committee without opposition and advances to the Senate floor.

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A new poll on the 2023 election in Louisiana shows Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson with comfortable leads on the rest of the pack. The poll shows 35 percent of those surveyed will vote for Landry, and 25 percent say Wilson is their choice. Political analyst Roy Fletcher says all other candidates in the race drew only single digits…:

Cut 8 (13) “…in this race.”

Landry also leads in fundraising, with about $ 6 million cash on hand and nearly $ 2 million in PAC money committed to him. The poll also asked voters who’d be their second choice for governor, and John Schroder drew 8 percent. All others got 4 percent or less. A large 68 percent said they were undecided on who would be their second choice. Fletcher says that says two things: those who support Jeff Landry support Landry only, and…:

Cut 9 (05)  “…a ripple.”

The poll was done by WPA Intelligence for the Billy Nungesser re-election campaign. It shows the incumbent with 42 percent voter support and challenger, Elbert Guillory of Opelousas, with just 9 percent. Another 42 percent are undecided. Fletcher says, with 42 percent on his side, this is Nungesser’s race to lose…:

Cut 10 (09) “…with those numbers.” 

Qualifying for the October 14^th primary election is coming August 8th through 10th.

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Plans to renovate the entire hotel and bring slot machines on land are part of a $100 million expansion and renovation plan for the Belle of Baton Rouge. The Belle is the oldest casino in the market but has fallen behind its sister property Hollywood Casino. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says primary plans consisted of more scaled-down renovations.

Cut 11 (11)  “…base casino.”

The parent company – The Queen Casino & Entertainment – originally estimated remodeling costs around $35 million. The Belle will move the 17,000 square foot gambling floor into the casino atrium, operating 650 slot machines, table games, and sportsbook. Johns says this is a great win for downtown Baton Rouge as a gaming destination and more hotel space is definitely needed.

Cut 12 (12)    the casino.” 

Renovations also include a café and an oyster bar/bistro in the atrium. Johns says the parent company – who also owns Hollywood Casino which is less than a mile away from The Belle –  is working to remodel and rebrand that property as well.

Cut 13 (08) “…gaming market.” 

The Belle Hotel has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the only state-regulated gambling hall without a sportsbook. The new property is expected to be operational by 2024.

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With only six months until the primary Insurance Executive Tim Temple is reporting $2 million in his campaign finance report, and he’s the lone candidate in the race for Louisiana Insurance Commissioner.  Jim Donelon announced he’s not seeking re-election, and Temple says he’ll will bring more than 20 years of insurance experience to the office.

Cut 14 (09)  “…change hands.”

The Republican from Deridder committed $950,000 of his own. Temple helped businesses recover from the BP Oil Spill but was unsuccessful in his quest for Commissioner against current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon four years ago. Temple believes with some of the highest auto rates in the country, the homeowners crisis, and the flood crisis, Louisiana need someone who knows the industry.

Cut 15 (11)  “…rates down.”

Temple believes to improve the state’s current insurance status the state needs to deregulate and bring new companies to create a more competitive industry to lower premiums.

Cut  16 (13)  “…lower rates.” 

Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and State Representative Edmond Jordan have mentioned an interest in the race. Qualifying for statewide offices is August 8th to the 10th.

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LSU football will hold its spring game this Saturday in Tiger Stadium. The format for this year’s spring game will feature an offense versus defense. Fans will be watching the quarterbacks, Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier compete, but Coach Brian Kelly says he’ll be paying closer attention to the new players on the roster…

Cut 17 (25) “…nice Spring.” 

Saturday’s scrimmage will also feature special teams work and special teams struggled last season. John Jancek is the Tigers new special teams coordinator John Jancek and has spent time looking at what went wrong last season…

Cut 18 (21) “…move forward.”

Jancek is a former defensive coordinator at Georgia and Tennessee and this is his first stint as a special teams coordinator. Jancek says during his three decades of coaching experience, he’s always had a role in special teams…

Cut 19 (19) “…a good thing.”

Jancek was part of Kelly’s coaching staffs at Grand Valley State and Central Michigan.

The latest campaign finance reports show Attorney General Jeff Landry has a clear financial advantage in the governor’s race with $6 million on hand for his campaign. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Heading to the Senate floor is a bill that mandates stronger penalties for those convicted of producing fentanyl Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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The latest campaign finance report shows Attorney General Jeff Landry at the top with $6.3 million on hand in his bid for governor. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s finances and endorsements make him the frontrunner.

Cut 3 (09) “…so far.”

And Landry is launching a statewide TV ad campaign tomorrow, six months before the primary.

Pinsonat says Schroder’s off to a good start in second place with $2.4 million in his account. He says it allows Schroder’s campaign to operate, however…

Cut 4 (12)  “…tough money.” 

The next campaign finance report, which is due mid-July, Pinsonat says will be an indicator of who’s Landry’s main competitor.

Cut 5 (06) “…Jeff Landry.”

With Shawn Wilson as the only Democrat in the race, Pinsonat says his campaign funds aren’t as imperative compared to the other Republican candidates in the race.

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A resolution to create a Task Force to review protocols and safety for officers involved in high-speed police pursuits was approved today by a Senate Committee. Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter says many law enforcement officers agree guidelines are needed to set policies for chases.

Cut 6 (08)  “…of hand.” 

The resolution is in response to a high-speed chase on New Year’s Eve in West Baton Rouge parish where 42-year-old David Cauthron, an Addis Police Officer, ignored a red light and slammed into a vehicle killing 17-year-old Maggie Dunn and 16-year-old Caroline Gill and seriously injuring Maggie’s brother. The Republican lawmaker says there needs to be a determination of “is it worth a life?’.

Cut 7 (06)  “…bright future.” 

Task force members would include legislators, law enforcement representatives, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney.

In this particular case, officers were chasing a suspect who stole his father’s vehicle. Kleinpeter says the task force would produce guidelines on when a high speed chase is appropriate.

Cut 8 (12)  “…turned on.” 

Members of the Dunn and Gill family attended the meeting. The measure heads to the Senate Floor.

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The Senate Judiciary C Committee approves legislation that increases the penalties for individuals convicted of producing drugs containing fentanyl. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the current penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison is not enough

Cut 9 (11) “….your first conviction”

A second conviction calls for a minimum sentence of 30 years and third conviction will result in at least a 99 year prison sentence. Hewitt says decades ago penalties were increased for those convicted of making heroin and that significantly decreased the amount of heroin on the streets…

Cut 10 (08) “…some place else.” 

None of the lawmakers on the panel opposed the legislation, but a member of the public Bruce Riley testified against the legislation. Riley questioned whether longer prison sentences is the right solution for addressing the fentanyl crisis

Cut 11 (11)  “…family members”

Despite Riley’s opposition, the measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

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Louisiana has received 44-million dollars in tax revenue from sports betting since it became legal in Louisiana 17 months ago. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says that’s a little more than what they expected…

Cut 12 (09) “…sports betting revenue” 

Johns says gamblers have placed three-billion dollars worth in legal sports bets in the last 17 months. He says mobile sports betting has been around in 14 months and so far it seems like legalized sports betting is good for Louisiana…

Cut 13 (10) “…successful program”

The day many Americans dread has arrived. If you’re one of the estimated 31-percent of taxpayers who wait until the last minute to file your taxes, the deadline is here. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx”

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A Senate committee will hear a bill aimed at protecting kids from some of the darker sides of social media. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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It’s Love the Boot Week and that means it’s time to talk trash about the state’s litter problem. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The deadline to file your federal tax return is today and if you’ve been procrastinating, you’re not alone. Metairie CPA Gina Rachel says her number one tip for filers is if you’re not prepared to file, request more time.

Cut 4 (09)  “…to pay.”

Failure to file a return on time is 5% of your tax bill each month but can increase to $425.Rachel says the more efficient route is to file electronically.

Cut 5 (12) “…taxpayer.”

Rachel says the deadline to file IRA contributions, health savings contributions, and deductions for 2022 is also today and suggestions tax preparers take advantage of every deduction and tax credit that they qualify for.

Cut 6 (07)  “…contributions later.”

The sum of estimated taxes owed must be paid by today. If an extension is requested, the federal tax return will be due on Oct. 16.

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A Senate Committee is scheduled today to take up a bill to establish certain controls to protect minors on social media. Covington Republican Senator Patrick McMath calls his SB 162 the “SOCIAL Act”. SOCIAL being an acronym for Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation. McMath says his bill would affect any platform with 5 million or more users…:

Cut 7 (10) “…16 and under.”

McMath’s bill would require social media platforms to restrict certain content from the view of minors and impose an “online curfew” for youths on such apps and websites. He says his bill would impose fines of $2500 per occurrence for violations…:

Cut 8 (11) “…does become law.”

McMath says a former Facebook employee testified to Congress that they knew their platform could be psychologically harmful to kids, yet they did nothing. He says he’s aware that some will oppose his bill as an infringement on Free Speech, but he stands behind the idea…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…protecting the public.”

McMath’s SOCIAL Act is scheduled before the Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection today.

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There’s news of a prospective buyer for the former Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says a few months ago Foundation Gaming was approved to build a land-based casino at the property. And now Foundation has been approached by The Cordish Companies and they plan to invest more than $250 million to transform the site.

Cut 10 (11) “…Bossier market.” 

Johns says Cordish is the owner of Texas Live in Arlington, that’s located next to Cowboy Stadium. He says it’s a large entertainment venue and they are doing a billion-dollar expansion at that property which had about 9 million visitors last year.

Cut 11 (11)  “…approved it.”

Johns says Cordish plans to remove the riverboat and will build a new land-based casino on the existing property which has approximately 400 hotel rooms. He says they will completely renovate the shuttered property that’s been closed for more than two years.

Cut 12 (12)    financially strong.” 

The property is expected to be operational in 2025 and Johns says the transition from Foundation to Cornish will be seamless. In the meantime, Foundation continues demolition efforts.

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It’s “Love the Boot” week, a statewide initiative to clean up trash and bring about awareness of the state’s ongoing litter problem. Keep Louisiana Beautiful spokesperson Melissa Kenyon says the project was developed to get boots on the ground and to motivate individuals to clean areas in their neighborhoods and businesses.

Cut 13 (07) “…this week.” 

The event takes place in conjunction with both Earth and Volunteer Week.

In 2022 for the inaugural Love the Boot week Kenyon says they had about 280 clean-up events and this year even more participation with over 500 events.

Cut 14 (11)  “…by Sunday.”

Kenyon says it’s easy to get involved, you can register for your own clean-up event or find one near you at LoveTheBoot.org. You can enter your zip code on the site and locate existing events. Kenyon says when you look at the numbers from a recent study, the amount of litter is staggering.

Cut 15 (10)  “…to address.”

The first 250 organizations that register their Love the Boot Week events will receive cleanup kits, shirts, and supplies.

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The Ragin Cajuns will head across the Atchafayla Basin today to take on the top ranked LSU Tigers. UL-Lafayette is looking to bounce back from a series loss to Troy and Coach Matt Deggs says tonight’s game allows his team to make a statement…

Cut  16 (15)  “…for us.” 

LSU continues to see the injuries pile up. Coach Jay Johnson says they are getting closer to getting relief pitcher Nate Ackenhausen on the mound and Johnson is hopeful starting second baseman Gavin Dugas will return this weekend after injuring his shoulder diving for a ball last Thursday…

Cut 17 (19) “…fielding” 

LSU’s weekend rotation is becoming a question mark. Friday night starter Paul Skenes has been sensational, but Saturday starter Ty Floyd has given up 13 runs in his last three starts and could not preserve a four-run lead last Friday. But Johnson reminds Floyd still has a 5-and-0 win-loss record…

Cut 18 (19) “…has pitched.”

LSU third baseman Tommy White was named SEC Hitter of the Week yesterday, but freshman first baseman Jared Jones has been equally hot. Jones was 7-for-14 at the plate last week with three doubles, two homers, 5 RBI, and six runs scored. Johnson says Jones is quickly getting acclimated to college baseball…

Cut 19 (24) “…that plan”