Congressman Steve Scalise’s comprehensive energy bill that would bolster oil and gas production in the United States received approval from the U-S House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Legislation that would put an end to the death penalty in Louisiana has garnered support from Governor John Bel Edwards. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The actions of a Southwood High school resource officer prevented a possible school shooting in Caddo Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The U-S House has approved Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise’s energy bill. Scalise says the Lower Energy Costs Act will increase American oil and gas production and lower energy costs for families…

Cut 4 (06)  “…household electricity.”

Scalise says the legislation will also reform the permitting process to speed the construction of pipelines, it will streamline energy exports and imports, boost the mining of critical minerals and reverse what he calls the Biden Administration’s anti-energy policies…

Cut 5 (12) “…from China”

Scalise claims the President would rather import oil from hostile countries like Russia instead of taking steps to make America energy independent…

Cut 6 (10)  “…in America.”

The GOP Energy Bill passed on a 225-204 vote. The bill is not expected to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House prefers legislation that support green energy initiatives. The President and Democrats claim this bill would increase pollution.

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Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly come out against the death penalty  – after remaining neutral on the controversial issue during his tenure. Under the proposed legislation, individuals would receive a life sentence without parole for offenses of first-degree murder, rape, and treason. Edwards told KNOE TV in Monroe he is concerned about executing an innocent person.

Cut 7 (07) “…actual executions.”

A shortage of lethal injection drugs has paused executions in the state for the past 13 years. Edwards support of the death penalty is based on morality and believes lawmakers should remain consistent in their views.

Cut 8 (10) “…death penalty.”

The current bill authored by Marrero Representative Kyle Green was proposed in 2020 and 2022 but failed on the House floor. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there’s no sure way of knowing how far the bill will advance with the Governor’s approval.

Cut 9 (06)  “…both chambers.”

The state has carried out only one execution since 2010. Cross says with a new governor coming in next year Conservative lawmakers would rather pass this issue to the next governor.

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Governor Edwards has been termed out of office. The upcoming legislative session begins in less than two weeks.

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A Caddo Parish school resource officer is credited with thwarting a school shooting after a 19-year-old threatened to kill a coach. Sheriff Steve Prator says when Southwood High student Caleb Morris was told to stop vaping Thursday morning, he responded with a death threat as he left the gym. A school resource officer was called and stopped Morris as he walked back toward the school.

Cut 11 (04)  “…in his backpack.”

Morris faces Terrorizing, Aggravated Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon in a Gun Free Zone charges.

Prator says had deputy Calvin Williams not acted as he did as a school resource officer the outcome could have been much different.

Cut 12 (08)  “…being shot.”

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage of the incident and Prator says they don’t know if Morris retrieved the gun and went back to the school or if he already had the gun on his person.

Cut 13 (09) “…folllow-up investigation.” 

Once the investigation is completed Prator says it will be turned over to the District Attorney’s office.

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Senator John Kennedy says in an effort to combat crime in New Orleans police officers in that city should have the ability to stop and frisk potential crime suspects. It’s a policy not allowed in New Orleans, but Kennedy says cops all over America stop and frisk suspects and they’ve done it for the last 50 years…

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During a speech on the Senate floor, Kennedy said there were 280 murders in New Orleans last year, the highest murder rate in the country and twice the murder rate of Atlanta. Kennedy says NOPD officials have tried several other crime fighting techniques…

Cut 15 (12)  “…will help”

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The LSU Tigers make their first appearance in the Final Four tonight since 2008 when they take on Virginia Tech in a national semifinal game. LSU is led by the SEC single-season double-double record holder and All-American Angel Reese…

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Senior Alexis Morris says the team that’s more mentally tough will advance to Sunday’s national championship game…

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LSU women’s basketball is making its sixth trip to the final four in program history. Second-year head coach Kim Mulkey won three national titles at Baylor and led the Lady Bears to the Final Four four times. This is Virginia Tech’s first appearance in the Final Four, but Mulkey says the Hokies have been playing together longer…

Cut 18 (18) “…course of the game.”

Tip-off is at 6 PM.

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Louisiana Tech welcomes Conference USA newbie Dallas Baptist J-C Love Field tonight for the start of a weekend series against the Patriots. Dallas Baptist is 4-2 in league play, while the Bulldogs are 3-3, even though they rank last in the conference in hitting and third to last in pitching. Coach Lane Burroughs says his experienced team is figuring out how to win games…

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The Bulldogs are coming off a dominating win over Sacramento State on Tuesday and they’ve won three of their last four. Burroughs believes Tech’s best baseball is ahead of them….

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Minden Police make two arrests from this past weekend’s mass shooting that was gang-related. Teiko Foxx has the latest.

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Further efforts to make home and auto insurance more affordable for Louisiana consumers will be before the state legislature when they convene April 10th. Kevin Gallagher reports a watchdog group hopes they’ll make real, substantial change…:

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Minden Police have made two arrests in the shooting of at least four people at a gathering Sunday night. The shooting happened at Ewell Park Recreation Center. Police Chief Jared McIver says his officers responded quickly.

Cut 3 (10) “…laying everywhere”

20-year-old Reginald Moore of Heflin and 22-year-old Jamontae Holyfield of Homer were taken into custody and charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder. Holyfield was also charged with four counts of attempted carjacking. Three males and one female were injured and at least one was flown to Ochsner LSU Health Hospital in Shreveport after the incident.

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Detectives discovered the shooting involved multiple gangs. McIver says this has been an ongoing problem before he took office.

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The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

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Addiction specialists are praising the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter Narcan to help with the ongoing opioid crisis. Director of Addiction Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Lee Michals is hopeful with Narcan more widely available the number of overdose deaths will decrease.

Cut 6 (11)  “…when it’s needed.” 

The nasal spray can reverse an opioid overdose. And as with any medication Michals says you should learn how to use it properly before it’s needed.

Cut 7 (11)  “…on hand.” 

As for who should have Narcan on hand, Michals says if you have a friend or family member with an opioid addiction it’s imperative and even if you don’t it’s like a fire extinguisher always better to have it available than not due to the widespread use of opioids. And even though Narcan will be over-the-counter-soon, Michals says don’t be afraid to ask your physician for a prescription.

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The FDA says in the U.S. there were more than 100,000 reported fatal overdose deaths from October 2021 to October 2022.

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With the state legislature going to work in just over a week, a non-profit insurance watchdog group shares its hopes and concerns for consumer-oriented insurance reforms. Ben Riggs is the executive director of Real Reform Louisiana. He says his group is hoping to see substantive help for consumers, rather than bills to make a more business-friendly environment for insurance companies…:

Cut 9 (11) “…and small businesses.”

Riggs says some of the bills proposed by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon at a March 12^th meeting with the industry would force policyholders to pay their legal expenses even if they WIN in court, and would force policyholders to actually go to court twice in some cases. He says Louisiana needs to be on the taxpayers’ side…:

Cut 10 (10) “…consumers and taxpayers” 

Riggs says tort reforms passed in recent years were touted as a way to reduce auto insurance rates, but they have failed to do so. In fact, auto coverage rates have increased. He says his group does like a bill that would forbid setting auto rates based on gender. Currently, women pay higher rates than men (in most cases) and Riggs says that’s not right…:

Cut 11 (12)  “…those in gender”

Riggs says Real Reform Louisiana lobbies to “deliver real reform that levels the playing field, increases competition, and lowers costs.

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State Police has arrested the driver of a log truck that slammed into a state department of transportation vehicle in DeSoto Parish killing a DOTD worker. Trooper Jonathan Odom says 42-year-old Charles Barker of Florien was not attentive behind the wheel

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The crash occurred on U-S  Highway 171 on January 25th. Barker and two DOTD workers suffered moderate injuries, while 35-year-old Christopher Gray of Lake Charles died at the scene.  Odom explains why Barker was charged with negligent homicide…

Cut 13 (10) “…of someone else”

Gray was standing behind a DOTD dump truck when he was killed. The crew was performing road surface improvements to the highway.