Attorney General Jeff Landry promises to crack down on crime in his first campaign ad for Governor of Louisiana. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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The Senate Education Committee approves a bill requiring every school in Louisiana to have an automated external defibrillator on campus in case a person goes into cardiac arrest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Legislation to require fathers to pay for half of the out-of-pocket pregnancy-related medical expenses advances to the House floor. Bill author, Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman (Freeman) says it’s crucial to have such a law with the state’s abortion ban in place.

Cut 3 (11) “…right direction.”

The Republican’s bill requires proof of paternity. Frieman says the bill was crafted out of was drafted out of fundamental fairness because it’s not right that the mother has to bear the expenses and the father gets off scot-free before the child is even born.

Cut 4 (10)  “…more rights.” 

Frieman says post-birth expenses fall under child-support laws. Examples of reimbursable expenses under this bill would be insurance co-pays and over-the-counter prenatal vitamins.

Cut 5 (06) “…that back.”

The bill had no opposition in House Civil Law and will be heard on the House floor.

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Camp Beauregard will be officially renamed as the Louisiana National Guard Training Center in Pineville later this year. Lt. Col Noel Collins says through the guidance of the National Defense Authorization Act the training installation was given a new moniker.

Cut 6 (09)  “…family members.” 

Camp Beauregard was originally named after PGT Beauregard who served as a general in the Confederate army and because the installation is owned by the state it was not subject to redesignation like Fort Polk which will be named Fort Johnson later this year.

Collins says they accepted more than 200 original name submissions from the public last year and the redesignation committee then narrowed down the list of choices.

Cut 7 (08)  “…redesignation.” 

In addition to having a new name that reflects the values of service members and civilian employees, Collins says the name choice also indicates the installation’s location in Rapides Parish.

Cut 8 (10)  “…that together.” 

A ceremony for the designation of the installation will be held in the Fall.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry launched the first 30-second television ad of his gubernatorial campaign today addressing one of the state’s top issues – crime. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Landry’s message is spot on for voters.

Cut 9 (12) “….will do it.”

Cross says Louisiana is home to three of the top ten most dangerous cities in America and leads the nation with 564 violent crimes per hundred thousand. And although one would think the governor could do little to fight crime, the governor is very powerful.

Cut 10 (09) “…a bit.” 

This will be a multi-market ad that will begin in Baton Rouge but expects to spread across the state. Cross says statewide advertisement during an election year is a hefty expense.

Cut 11 (09)  “…from them”

John Schroder, State Treasurer, was the first candidate to run a political campaign ad for governor this election year. The gubernatorial primary is October 14.

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The Senate Education Committee approves legislation requiring schools to have an automated external defibrillator at every educational institution and at all athletic events. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says his legislation also requires every school to have a plan in case a student collapses as a result of a heart issue…

Cut 12 (11) “…response plan” 

Cindy Bishop with the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association says A-E-Ds save lives

Cut 13 (12) “…..save his life” 

Fields legislation calls for every school to have an AED within a year of the bill becoming law. Dannie Garrett with the Louisiana School Board Association is urging legislators to allocate surplus dollars so every school in the state can purchase one…

Cut 14 (13)  “..looking at”

Fields’ legislation is called the Jump Start Your Heart Act and it may require a hearing in Senate Finance.

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.