LRN AM Newscall May 24

Shielding your kids from smut? Or un-needed censorship? A Senate-approved bill restricting what kids can view at the public library clears the House Education Committee Tuesday…:

Cut 1 (33)  “…Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you’ve been binging “Stranger Things” thanks to a friend of a friend’s Netflix password, the day of reckoning has arrived. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A House-backed measure that would allow law-abiding people 18 and older to conceal carry a weapon without needing a permit or training passed in a 70-29 vote. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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One of the “social hot button” bills before the legislature this year – a bill to restrict what minors can see and read at public libraries – moves closer to passage after clearing a House committee Tuesday. Senate Bill 7, from Turkey Creek Republican Senator Heather Cloud, drew opposition in the House Education Committee from St. Tammany resident Joan Simon, who accuses Republicans of using the issue to score points with voters…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…it’s grandstanding!”

Speaking for Senator Cloud’s bill was Attorney General (and candidate for Governor) Jeff Landry, who says his investigators were able to find abundant evidence of adult material available for children to view  in Louisiana libraries…:

Cut 5 (12)   “…perform said acts.”

But Louisiana Association of School Librarians President Amanda Jones says child safeguards are already in place at virtually ALL libraries, and she says people are using libraries and librarians as political pawns…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…and He weeps.”

The bill has also been accused of seeking to ban books; a claim refuted by A.G. Jeff Landry as not true…:

Cut 7 (13) “…appropriate shelves.”

By an 8-to-3 vote, the committee approves the bill. The measure has already passed in the Senate. It moves now to House floor debate, and possible final passage.

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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office announces say a Deville woman has been arrested on child rape and human trafficking charges. R-P-S-O Spokesperson Tommy Carnline says they began their investigation into 29-year-old Danielle Sober Trapp in early April after receiving a complaint in reference to criminal sexual conduct….

Cut 8 (10) “…was investigating.”

The investigation included interviews with the victims through the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center. Trapp was arrested on four counts of obscenity and two counts of sexual battery. Carnline says detectives also identified several additional victims.

Cut 9 (12)  “…following day.”

Detectives were able to uncover more alleged crimes and warrants. Carnline says Trapp was re-arrested a second time on outstanding warrants on April 28.

Cut 10 (13) “…a juvenile.” 

The investigation is ongoing.

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If you share your Netflix account with a friend or five, you’re going to see a price increase on your monthly bill if you plan to continue sharing your password outside of your home. Haggai Davis with General Informatics says primary account holders should be on the lookout for an email about the password crackdown.

Cut 11 (11)  “…friends with.”

Netflix has already begun the new restrictions in Canada and Spain and now the account-sharing protocols are now rolling out in the US.  If you’re among the individuals who use your friend’s account Davis says you’ll have the option to create your own account and keep your profile.

Cut 12 (08)    “…with you.” 

Davis says if you’re a Netflix consumer you either need to get ready to spend more each month or whittle down who you share your account with.

Cut 13 (11) “…your account.”  

Standard accounts can add one extra member while Premium accounts can add two extra members.

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The House approves legislation that would allow non-felons 18 years of age and older to conceal carry a firearm without a permit or training in a 70 to 29 vote. Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick says the Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the right to do so.

Cut 14 (06)  “…our citizens.”

Referred to as the “Constitutional Carry” bill, many believe under the 2nd Amendment it gives law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms and should not require a concealed carry permit. Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain voted against the bill. He believes under this legislation it makes it easier for people to act and to endanger our communities.

Cut 15 (13)  “…each other.”

Oakdale Representative Dewith Carrier favored the bill. He said the issue is not people carrying guns.

Cut  16 (13)  “..to happen” 

Twenty-seven other states already have similar laws in effect.

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The LSU Baseball team will begin its SEC tournament run at 9:30 this morning. The fifth-ranked Tigers will face South Carolina after their 9-0 win over Georgia yesterday. The Tigers and Gamecocks split the season series in Columbia since game 3 of the series was canceled due to weather. Coach Jay Johnson says the early start won’t affect how he and his team approach the game…

Cut 17 (17) “..nine-thirty” 

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UL-Lafayette will look to defend its Sun-Belt title starting against 5th-seeded Texas St. tonight. The 36-20 Cajuns swept the Bobcats in the season series and will have to beat them a fourth time in one season if they want a shot at a  postseason berth, but coach Matt Deggs says he’s approaching this rematch like any other game…

Cut 18 (17) “…the bat”

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The Saints began offseason training activities (OTA’s) yesterday as they usher in a new era in New Orleans football under Derek Carr. For Carr though, he says he hasn’t had to change much for the franchise with the strong culture already in place in the building. He says he’s enjoyed his time in New Orleans so far and is here to win a championship…

Cut 19 (20) “….for me” 

New tight end Foster Moreau saw the field for the first time this offseason just two months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A full participant in practice, the former Raider was able to connect with his old quarterback several occasions in a strong first day for both he and fellow tight end Juwan Johnson. Carr says they’ve got a talented tight end group…

Cut 20 (19)  “…with ’em.”  

LRN PM Newscall May 23

A bill to create accountability for rape kits in Louisiana advances in the legislature. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Adoptions can be financially challenging but a bill that would provide families with a $5,000 tax credit for adopting children under the age of three was approved by a full House. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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After numerous stories of rape kits getting lost and the backlog of processing Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell decided to make the system more accountable with legislation to create a tracking system for the kits. Senate Bill 169 establishes a database system so victims can follow where their kits are in the process.

Cut 3 (09) “…rape kit.”

In addition to creating accountability for the vital piece of evidence, Mizell says the tracking process will place Louisiana in the ranking of 40 other states who have similar mechanisms.

Cut 4 (08)  “…for that point.” 

Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat thanked Mizell for bringing attention to the matter and sponsoring legislation to create a tracking system.

Cut 5 (08) “…evidence.”

The bill has passed in the Senate and heads to the full House for final passage.

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Legislation that would provide families adopting a child under the age of three with a $5 thousand tax credit was approved by a full House in a 97 to 0 vote. Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says he hopes this will alleviate some of the financial burden for adoptive families.

Cut 6 (12)  “…bill does.” 

Under the legislation, if the $5,000 credit exceeds the adoptive family’s tax liability, the state would give the family the balance of that money the year the adoption takes place. Edmonds says it’s about helping families help children.

Cut 7 (08)  “…lives forever.” 

The bill also prohibits the tax credit from applying to the adoption of a child from foster care and prohibits a taxpayer from claiming the credit and claiming the deduction.

Cut 8 (07)  “…the other.” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

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The state House has unanimously approved a bill that would symbolically abolish slavery in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s legislation would add language to the state’s constitution that would abolish slavery and involuntary servitude forever…

Cut 9 (07) “…we are good.”

Jordan’s measure heads to the Senate for its approval. Since it’s a constitutional amendment, it will also need voter approval.

Louisiana voters rejected a similar proposal last year, but Jordan asked voters to reject it because the amendment’s language was confusing. He says the language is more clear this year

Cut 10 (04) “…needs to be.”

Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865. But more than 150 years later, states are banning involuntary servitude and slavery in their state constitutions. Jordan says this legislation will not prevent convicts from performing hard labor while in prison…

Cut 11 (15)  “…to slavery.”

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There’s an effort by a state lawmaker to provide free lunches and breakfast for public school students who currently receive school meals at a reduced price. Families who have children that qualify for reduced-price meals have to pay 70-cents a day. Marrero Representative Kyle Green’s legislation calls on the state to pick up that cost, which is about 14-dollars a month…

Cut 12 (09) “…weren’t able to pay” 

Green’s bill will cost the state 860-thousand dollars and it will be needed to be included in the state’s budget. The budget proposal that’s in the Senate currently does not include this allocation.

Green says Louisiana is a poor state and low income families shouldn’t have to worry about their kids not eating while at school

Cut 13 (12) “…is impossible” 

The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are named SEC Hitter and Pitcher of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches. Skenes has been dominant, winning a league-high 10 games, striking out an SEC-high 164 hitters and posting a league-low ERA of 1.77
Cut 16 (16) “..this year”
For the second consecutive season, Crews is named SEC Hitter of the Year. The junior from Florida leads the SEC with a .424 batting average. He’s also belted 14 home runs.

Eleven game winner Grant Rogers has been named the Southland Pitcher of the Year for a second consecutive year. Rogers will make the start tonight for McNeese when the Cowboys take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi in the Southland Tournament opener.

Offseason training activities also known as OTAs begins today for the Saints. It’s basically ten practices over a three week period. New starting quarterback Derek Carr is expected to be there and we’ll see when new tight end Foster Moreau will take the field after his Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnoses in March.

The NFL owners are meeting in Minnesota and approving new rules. NFL teams can dress a third string quarterback and he’ll be on the active roster. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard-line, instead of the 20-yard-line, following touchbacks and fair catches on kickoffs. San Francisco will host Super Bowl 60 in 2026. Flex scheduling will be allowed for Thursday night games for Weeks 13 and 17.

The schedule is set for U-L Lafayette’s super regional series in Seattle against Washington. Game one between the Cajuns and Huskies will take place Friday night at 9 PM central time. Game two is Saturday at 6 PM and Sunday is to be determined if a third game is needed.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House approves a constitutional amendment that would symbolically abolish slavery. Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865. But more than 150 years later, states are banning involuntary servitude and slavery in their state constitutions. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan…
Cut 11 (15) “…to slavery.”
Jordan’s legislation will need approval from the Senate and voters.

Legislation to phase out the corporate franchise tax continues to make its way through the legislative process. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says the tax hinders the state’s ability to attract new businesses…
cut 14 (10) “….has the on the books”
That’s Allain speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, which sent the legislation to the House floor for more discussion.

It wasn’t too long ago when Louisiana’s signature restaurant industry was struggling to stay in business when the pandemic turned things upside down. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) …“Brooke Thorington.”

For the second consecutive year, LSU’s Dylan Crews has been named the SEC Player of the Year. The junior leads the SEC in hitting with a .423 average. And Paul Skenes has been named SEC Pitcher of the year. He leads the SEC in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. LSU will begin play in the SEC Tournament tomorrow morning.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A Senate-passed bill that would phase out Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax passes the House Ways & Means Committee.
cut 13 (09) “…afford to it”
Bill sponsor and Franklin Republican Senator Bret Allain says several other states have ended the tax, which he says may be good for state coffers, but is harmful to the state’s business environment. The measure is moving in on final legislative passage.

Seven people were shot Sunday night during a street party in Thibodaux for a preschool graduation. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says five of the seven victims were female and two were male, between the ages of 17 and 25.
Cut 10 (11) “…hospitalized.”
Webre says they recovered a firearm at the scene. At least 12 shots rang out during a three second period, which sent hundreds of people scurrying for cover.

Three years ago restaurants were trying to stay afloat because of COVID restrictions. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says inflation is their current battle…
cut 6 (12) “….insurance”
Harris says finding employees is also a struggle for some restaurants.

ULM was able to raise over two-million dollars in 24 hours on its inaugural Day of Giving. ULM Foundation Advancement Officer Cindy Foust…
cut 9 (12) “….THAT DAY”
Two separate one-million dollar gifts were designated to the School of Business and Social Sciences.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The search continues for the gunman who fired off at least 12 bullets in a three-second span during a street party in Thibodaux Sunday. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says hundreds of people were on hand to celebrate a preschool graduation…
cut 11 (12) “….of people”
Seven people were shot and investigators have recovered one firearm.

Franklin Senator Bret Allain has been trying to get rid of the corporate franchise tax. A tax he says hinders economic development in Louisiana. Allain has a bill that phases out the franchise tax starting in 2025 and there are fiscal triggers for the bill to go into effect…
cut 15 (08) “….stabilization fund”
Also known as the Rainy Day Fund. The measure has received Senate approval and is awaiting debate on the House floor.

While the restaurant industry isn’t completely back to pre-pandemic levels, Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says things have improved since the height of COVID. Harris says there’s still more recovery to be made and some sectors fared better than others.
Cut 4 (10) “…to recover.”
Harris says workforce woes also continue to plague restaurants.

ULM raised more than $2 million from 86 donors in 24 hours on its inaugural Day of Giving. ULM Foundation Advancement Officer Cindy Foust says this day mimics the National Day of Giving held during the fall.
Cut 7 (10) “…donate to.”
Two donors made individual $1 million gifts with a total of more than two-point-three million dollars raised for their favorite academic programs and athletic teams.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s Paul Skenes is named SEC Pitcher of the Year, while center fielder Dylan Crews is the SEC Player of the year. It’s the second year in a row Crews has won the honor. The junior from Florida leads the SEC with a .424 batting average. He’s also belted 14 home runs and he’s driven in 57 runs. Now Crews is expected to lead LSU to its seventh national championship in program history…
Cut 17 (20) “..next to us”
First up for LSU is the SEC Tournament, which begins today in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers will play tomorrow against the winner of this morning’s game between South Carolina and Georgia.

Today is the beginning of voluntary offseason training activities for the Saints otherwise known as O-T-As. It’s voluntary so several veterans might not show up. Linebacker Demario Davis, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and running back Alvin Kamara skipped OTAs last year and they are expected to do the same this year. Defensive end Cam Jordan told the media last week he’ll be there.

The NFL has approved rules that will allow the league to move a game from Sunday to Thursday during weeks 13 to 17. So it’s possible that if the Saints or Rams are not having a good season, the NFL could move their December 21st game in Los Angeles to a Sunday. The league has to give at least 28 days notice.

The schedule is set for U-L Lafayette’s super regional series in Seattle against Washington. Game one between the Cajuns and Huskies will take place Friday night at 9 PM central time. Game two is Saturday at 6 PM and Sunday is to be determined if a third game is needed.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation to phase out the corporate franchise tax continues to make its way through the legislative process. Franklin Senator Bret Allain has been critical of the tax for many years because he says it hinders the state’s ability to attract new businesses…
cut 14 (10) “….has the on the books”
That’s Allain speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, which sent the legislation to the House floor for more discussion.

LaFourche Parish Sheriff deputies continue to investigate a Sunday night mass shooting at a street party in Thibodaux where seven people were shot and two others injured trying to escape the gunfire. Sheriff Craig Webre…
cut 12 (08) “….following up’
Webre says there were as many people as 500 people in the crowd when at least 12 shots rang out within three seconds. Thankfully no one was killed.

It wasn’t too long ago when Louisiana’s signature restaurant industry was struggling to stay in business when the pandemic turned things upside down. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) …“Brooke Thorington.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

For the second consecutive year, LSU’s Dylan Crews has been named the SEC Player of the Year. The junior leads the SEC in hitting with a .423 average. He’s also hit 14 home runs, 13 doubles and 57 RBIs. Crews is second in the nation in on-base percentage, second in runs scored and third in walks.

And no surprise Paul Skenes has been named SEC Pitcher of the year. He leads the SEC in wins, strikeouts, earned run average and opponents batting average. LSU will begin play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday morning, playing the winner of tomorrow’s game between South Carolina and Georgia.

Matt Riser is out as head coach at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions failed to the make the Southland Tournament this season after finishing 25-and-25. Riser led S-L-U to four NCAA Regional appearances in ten years.

U-L Lafayette softball is moving on to the Super Regionals while LSU’s season is over after the Cajuns defeated the Tigers twice in the championship round of the Baton Rouge regional.

It’s a disappointing finish for the 11th ranked LSU softball team who went 42-17, but for the second consecutive season lost in the regionals. Coach Beth Torina could not hide the tears…
Cut 19 (18) “….all they had”
Cajuns Coach Gerry Glasco was also emotional during the postgame press conference. One of their biggest cheerleaders. Gail Savoie, the first lady of UL Lafayette died last year and Glasco says he’s determined to get to the Women’s College World Series for his daughter, Geri Ann Glasco, who died in a car accident in 2019…
Cut 13 (13) “…down on us”
U-L will play Washington in the Super Regionals starting on Friday.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Ragin Cajuns softball team is heading to the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 after a dramatic day of softball in Baton Rouge. UL-Lafayette beat LSU twice on Sunday to advance to the super regionals.

In the first game, three different players hit home runs and Sam Landry pitched five shutout innings of relief in a seven-to-four win. In game two, Jourdyn Campbell had 5 RBIs and Chloe Riassetto had three shutout innings of relief to get the win. Coach Gerry Glasco says everyone chipped in…
18 (17) “…team is”
The Cajuns move on to play Washington in the Super Regionals, who scored seven runs in the seventh to beat McNeese by one run in Seattle.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ordered former LSU football coach Les Miles and eight current and former LSU Board of Supervisors to testify in the civil lawsuit filed by Sharon Lewis. The former associate A-D says she faced retaliation for attempting to report sexual misconduct by Miles towards a student. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says U-S District Judge Susie Morgan has also pushed the trial date back from May to December….
cut 16 (13) “….three weeks”
Horne believes LSU will look to settle before the case makes it to trial.

Matt Riser is out as head coach at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions failed to the make the Southland Tournament this season after finishing 25-and-25. Riser led S-L-U to four NCAA Regional appearances in ten years.