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.”

______________________________________

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.” 

______________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________

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”

_______________________________________________

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.”

_______________________________________________

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.” 

_____________________________________________

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.

_____________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________

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”

Authorities say a Winn parish softball coach was fatally shot by his son after being questioned about returning home late. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________

With legislation to make tax incentives for the film industry permanent, a poll indicates there’s widespread support for them. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old men in the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child early Sunday morning. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says minutes before the shooting – the victim dropped off teens at a party in the area.

Cut 3 (11) “…them up.”

36-year-old Kerisha Johnson – who was nine months pregnant – heard gunfire in the area after dropping off the teens and returned to pick them up. McKneely says while Johnson was sitting in her vehicle waiting for the teens to come out of the party, the three suspects fired at her car.

Cut 4 (09)  “…been her.” 

McKneely says one of the shooters was injured by gunfire and was transported to a local hospital and was booked upon his release into Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Cut 5 (09) “…year old.”

19-year-old Marques Porch, 19-year-old Gregory Parker, and 19-year-old Derrick Curry were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree feticide. The investigation is ongoing.

______________________________________________

The Winn Parish Sheriff is investigating a murder that claimed the life of a Calvin High School softball coach who was fatally shot by his son after an altercation Saturday. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says 51-year-old Kevin Chad Camp was pronounced dead on the scene.

Cut 6 (09)  “…gunshot wound.” 

Camp’s 17-year-old son – whose name has not been released – shot his father at a residence on LA 501 north of Calvin after an argument about returning home late. Jordan says this is an unfortunate incident-Camp was an upstanding individual.

Cut 7 (08)  “…last year.” 

Camp coached the Cougars to the 2022 LHSAA Class C state title with an 11-1 win over Harrisonburg in the title game.  Calvin is scheduled to host Castor High in the opening round of the LHSAA Division 5 playoffs today. Jordan says the teenager has been charged with manslaughter in the death of his father.

Cut 8 (08)  “…man with.” 

The teenager is in custody of the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

_______________________________________________

Legislation to keep film tax incentives in place permanently in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means tomorrow and a recent poll indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of those incentives. Acting President of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says they commissioned the JMC Analytics Poll of 600 residents.

Cut 9 (07) “…the numbers.”

The data indicates there is broad support for the Louisiana film industry.

The survey also found that 78 percent of those polled are more likely to watch a movie if it was filmed in Louisiana. Burvant says seeing familiar places on the screen gives viewers a sense of belonging and it also brings visitors to the state.

Cut 10 (11) “…years later.” 

The poll also asked which industry is the most deserving of tax incentives. Healthcare was ranked first with 25 percent, followed by Agriculture and Seafood with 21 percent and the Film Industry ranked 3^rd with 14 percent. Film incentives ranked higher than the petrochemical sector.

Cut 11 (09)  “…positive it is.”

Current Film Tax Incentives in Louisiana will sunset in 2025, House Bill 562, authored by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s, would remove the sunset date.

_______________________________________________

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax is likely dead for the session. Nelson’s major tax reform idea is to phase out income taxes and replace the revenue lost by eliminating dozens of sales tax exemptions and lowering the homestead exemption. But Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her constituents like the 75-thousand dollar homestead exemption

Cut 12 (10) “…oppose.” 

Nelson’s main argument for getting rid of the state’s income tax is that it will make Louisiana a more attractive state to businesses and people. He believes it would stop the brain drain…

Cut 13 (12) “…fix it”

Nelson also proposes to do away with ITEP, a lucrative property tax break that manufacturers can receive. But Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says that tax break has helped out southwest Louisiana…

Cut 14 (10)  “…in your area”

After discussing the legislation for about an hour, the proposal was tabled. Nelson who is running for governor, believes he would have a better chance at getting this tax reform effort passed if he was in the Governor’s Mansion.