There’s plenty of anticipation in the Big Easy as Jazz Fest returns after being silenced by the pandemic since 2019. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

A bill mandating equal pay for women who do the same work as men is halted in a House committee. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_____________________________________

A New Orleans grand jury has indicted four teenagers for their alleged roles in the carjacking and murder of Linda Frickey. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival finally returns to the Fairgrounds today after being silenced by the pandemic, and with headliners like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, and Erykah Badu; Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says the one thing he’s looking forward to the most is the audience.

Cut 4 (06)  “…waiting for.”

With opening weekend competing with Festival International, Garth Brooks, and the State Fair Davis says he’s not sure attendance records will be broken but he is positive once the gates open it will be memorable, similar to the first Jazz Fest after Katrina, but this time it’s been absent for three years.

Cut 5 (05) “…festival’s back.”

And not only is Jazz Fest going to be memorable for the crowd this year, Davis says it’s going to be extremely special for the musical acts also. He says they were overwhelmed with requests to play the festival this year.

Cut 6 (08)  “…live people.”

Jazz Fest will take place over seven days, beginning April 29^th to May 1^st and then on May 5^th until the 8^th.  For more information visit NOjazzfest.com.

________________________________________

The House Labor Committee votes down a bill to demand all employers in the state give equal pay regardless of gender. Speaking for his bill, Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green says his bill seeks to extend equal pay mandates for government workers – passed in 2013 – to include everyone…:

Cut 7 (13) “…for women of color.”

But Caddo Parish Republican Representative Dodie Horton wondered if Green was aware the state already has a 2013 non-discrimination law that achieves the same thing…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…national origin, disability…”

Horton says passing a redundant bill will probably not help close the gender pay gap.

Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews agrees that women already have a state law under which to address a gender pay inequity. He says employers who arbitrarily pay men more than women are only hurting themselves…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…at a higher rate.”

By a vote of 3 “yeas” to 7 “nays”, the bill fails to pass and is dead for the session.

_______________________________________

A grand jury in New Orleans has indicted four teenagers on charges of second-degree murder in the death of Linda Frickey, who died after the teens allegedly carjacked and dragged her down a street last month. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams says all four will be tried as adults.

Cut 10 (11) “…not enough.”

Frickey died on March 21 after being forced from her car and dragged for the length of a city block. While discussing the indictments, Williams relayed the thoughts of Mrs. Frickey’s family, whom he has been in contact with since the arrests.

Cut  11 (11)  “…asked for it.”  

The carjacking occurred in the middle of a weekday afternoon and has been viewed as particularly brazen and brutal. Williams says that nothing will undo the tragedy, but his office is determined to bring some justice to the Frickey family and the community.

Cut 12 (11) “…horrible murder.” 

If convicted on an adult charge of second-degree murder, each juvenile would face a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

_______________________________________

Two high-ranking state police officers and a retired officer appeared before the House committee investigating the 2019 State Police custody death of Ronald Greene Thursday. Lt Col Chavez Cammon, who was then over internal affairs, acknowledged that officers involved in Greene’s arrest should be held responsible.

Cut 13 (13) “…held accountable.”

In past hearings, some LSP personnel have told committee members they could not answer questions due to an active investigation. Lt. Col Kenny VanBuren, Deputy Superintendent Bureau of Investigations told lawmakers there have been no indictments, no arrests so, therefore, there are no pending judgments. VanBuren said he would answer questions about the case and that…

Cut 14 (07)  “…no idea.”

The committee is also questioning how much Governor John Bel Edwards knew about the Greene case and when he knew it. Kenner Representative Debbie Villio asked Cammon if he ever spoke with former LSP Commissioner Calvin Braxton about the Greene case with the intent it would be relayed to the Edwards Administration, he said he did not.

Cut 15 (12)  “…make those statements.”

On April 7^th Third District Attorney General John Belton told committee members a grand jury will be convened to consider charges against troopers involved with Greene’s death.

___________________________________________

Two of the Saints biggest needs heading into the NFL draft were at wide receiver and offensive tackle and they addressed both areas in the first round. New Orleans traded up to take receiver Chris Olave with the 11th pick. The former Ohio State standout joins former Buckeye Michael Thomas in the wide receiver room

Cut 16 (13)  “…going.”

With the 19th overall pick, the Saints selected Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning. Penning is known for having a nasty side…

Cut 17 (17) “ …get ready to compete.” 

___________________________________________

The New Orleans Pelicans led by 10 at the half, but ultimately fell to the Phoenix Suns, 115-109, losing their opening round playoff series four games to two. It was a tough conclusion to a season that took the Pels from a 1-12 start to pushing the NBA’s top team nearly to the limit. Herb Jones gave his thoughts on the journey.

Cut 18 (18) “ …did this year.” 

Like his mentor Monty Williams, Pels head coach Willie Green was able to lead New Orleans to the playoffs in his first season on the bench, something that seemed impossible just two months ago. Jones explained how the team fed off of Green’s positive energy during its postseason push.

Cut 19 (18) _“…off his energy.” 

Jose Alvarado came off the bench to score 11 points to go along with four assists, three rebounds. and two steals. Following the loss, the undrafted rookie, who went from two-player to a major contributor, talked about the influence Willie Green had on him this season…

Cut 20 (17) “ …the whole time.” 

The Senate votes down legislation requiring cable and internet providers to provide refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage failed to get the support of the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers, PSC Chair Lambert Boissiere says it’s historic…

Cut 3 (09) “…internet existed.”

Boissiere says this will help individuals who lacked broadband and also businesses that need access to remain competitive in Northeast Louisiana.  He says federal infrastructure grants laid the groundwork for the private-public partnership.

Commissioner Foster Campbell says Northeast Louisiana Power Co-Op will supply broadband for members in seven northeast parishes.

Cut 4  (09) “…the poorest.”

According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-fourths of homes in the state have broadband internet access.  LSU Public Policy Research Director Mike Henderson says of the remaining 25-percent who don’t, 40-percent say it’s not available and 60-percent say it’s too expensive.

Cut 5  (06) “…to them.”

And while the approval of the state’s first co-op to provide broadband access to rural northeast Louisiana is significant, Henderson says for areas of the state that have the service it’s a premium that many can’t afford.

Cut 6  (11) “…the cost.” 

The Louisiana Survey polled 508 adults from February 21^st to March 14^th.

________________________________________

A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote. Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills

Cut 7 (12) “…be a problem.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive. But River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says just because your cable is out on your television, some providers offer other ways to watch…

Cut 8 (10) “…on your phone.” 

There’s a push to increase broadband internet in rural areas and Minden Senator Robert Mills expressed concern this measure could impact those efforts…

Cut 9 (06) “…with this”

_______________________________________________________

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley is a strong candidate to be taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, which starts tonight. Stingley has been on the NFL’s radar since he stepped onto the LSU campus in 2019. His coach at Dunham High School in Baton Rouge, Neil Weiner, says he’s been hearing from teams for years looking for inside info on the budding star.

Cut 10 (08) “…would reach out.”

Stingley has been considered a first-rounder since he dominated the SEC as a freshman for the 2019 national champions. Weiner said that he has always been ahead of his time, dating back to his earliest workouts in the summer before his first year at Dunham.

Cut 11 (12)  “…13-year-old.” 

By Stingley’s third year of high school, he was already one of the most sought-after athletes in the country and Weiner says he knew that Stingley had the ability to reach the NFL and become one of the best in the game. Tonight, Derek Stingley Jr. should take the first steps on that journey.

Cut 12 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”  

_____________________________________________________

Once again the House Labor Committee voted down proposals to increase the minimum wage. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says he’s concerned that increasing the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour will result in job losses…

Cut 13 (10) “…the workplace.”

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle disagrees that a higher minimum wage will lead to fewer jobs…

Cut 14 (09)  “…jobs are there.”

Marcelle believes raising the minimum wage will lead to more people entering the workforce and she had a proposal to increase the minimum wage to 12-dollars an hour…

Cut 15 (12) “…at your job” 

As we’ve seen in years past, business groups lobbied against minimum wage hike proposals. Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on why the state should not raise the minimum wage…

Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“