35-year-old Earl Johnson, Jr. of Baton Rouge is charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing death of 34-year-old Janice David that was broadcast on Facebook Live. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s home in Plaquemines Parish was burglarized and set on fire. Nungesser told WWL-TV in New Orleans that burglars took a bunch of sports memorabilia. He says he’s in the process of moving.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation that would transfer regulatory authority from the state department of agriculture to the Louisiana Department of Health. Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s bill also allows medical marijuana licensed pharmacy owners to open multiple locations…
cut 7 (09) “…pharmacy location”
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

After 18 years and 17 games, the final Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic will be played tonight at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. The All-SEC third baseman passed away in 2002 at the age of 21. Pontiff’s father, Wally Sr., says the games may be ending, but the mission continues.
Cut 9 (11) “…we’ve been blessed.”
The Tigers and Cajuns will meet tonight with proceeds benefiting the Wally Pontiff Junior foundation.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 35-year-old Earl Johnson Jr. who allegedly killed 34-year-old Janice David during a Livestream on Facebook Live. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Johnson was already in custody after a stolen vehicle chase when they learned he was the murder suspect.
Cut 3 (12) “…stabbed her.”
McKneely says someone who saw the video notified Facebook who then contacted Louisiana authorities.

After two loose dogs mauled another dog and dragged it to their owner’s home, it led authorities to the arrest of 24-year-old Derrick Johnson of Greenwood. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Bia Roldan says deputies were called to the home of the owner of dogs who attacked another
Cut 13 (10) “…a gun.”
A short-time leader deputies arrested 24-year-old Derrick Johnson, a convicted felon on drug and gun charges.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill to move the regulatory authority of the state’s medical marijuana from the state Department of Ag to the Louisiana Department of Health. It will also lead to more medical marijuana pharmacies. But some patients say the legislation doesn’t go far enough to address supply, access and cost. Veteran Tony Landry…
cut 8 (12) “,…currenty monopoly”
The legislation heads to the House for more discussion.

Legislation that would limit tax assessors to 12 consecutive years or three consecutive terms narrowly received approval from a House committee on a seven to six vote. The bill’s author New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says voters have shown overwhelming support for term limits in the past…
cut 30 (10) “….to them first”
Landry’s bill heads to the House floor and it will need a two-thirds vote to pass.

Legislation that would limit tax assessors to 12 consecutive years or three consecutive terms narrowly received approval from a House committee on a seven to six vote. Brian Eddington an attorney for the Louisiana Assessor’s Association says this legislation threatens the loss of institutional knowledge when it comes to assessing taxes on properties…
cut 6 (13) “….and repeatability”
New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says voters have shown overwhelming support for term limits in the past…
cut 5 (10) “….to them first”
Landry’s bill heads to the House floor and it will need a two-thirds vote to pass.

College tuition continues to rise, but a new study by Tulane University says some students have actually seen their costs go down. David Grubb has more.
voicer 2 (34)…I’m David Grubb.”

This week Keep Louisiana Beautiful is holding over 250 cleanup and beautification vents as part of Love the Book Week. Vice-Chair of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Courtney Hornsby says they’ll be busy picking up trash this week, but she wants to know why individuals continue to litter…
cut 12 (06) “…preventable”

A Senate committee today will discuss a proposed bill to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Three bills of interest have received Senate approval. A bill to allow the state fire marshal to look over nursing home evacuation plans, also a bill that requires nursing homes to have generators and legislation to prohibit the importation of Russian products into Louisiana while the U-S has sanctions against them. These three bills still need House approval.

New Orleans representative Mandie Landry believes tax assessors should be held to the same standard as state legislators when it comes to term limits. Landry’s House Bill 288 would limit assessors to no more than three full terms. She says it may be controversial, but it is necessary.
Cut 4 (12) “…encourages and requires turnover.”
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill on a seven to six vote and it will need two-thirds approval from the full House.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says a dog mauling led to the arrest of a felon, who had drugs and guns inside his home. Spokesperson Bia Rolden says deputies searched the home of 24-year-old Derek Johnson after his dogs killed a neighbor’s dog…
cut 14 (12) “….$61,000”
Johnson is now facing drug and weapon charges.

A bill that would end the death penalty in Louisiana is scheduled for discussion in a Senate Committee today. Outspoken death penalty opponent and author of “Dead Man Walking”, Sister Helen Prejean says it’s time to do it because Louisiana hasn’t actually executed anyone in many years…:
Cut 7 (10) “…system in place.”
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the recent dismissal of a death penalty lawsuit opens the door for Louisiana to resume executions.

A Caddo Parish man is in jail after deputies discovered guns and marijuana with a street value of 61-thousand dollars at his home. Caddo Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Roldan says 24-year-old Derrick Johnson was arrested after one of his dogs killed a neighbor’s dog which led to a search warrant of his home after deputies smelled a strong odor of marijuana on him…
cut 15 (08) “….on there”

Volunteers are showing their Love for the Boot this week and picking up trash in an effort to Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Brooke Thorington has the dirt.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

St. James Parish deputies have arrested a man for stealing crawfish from a pond in Vacherie. The crawfish pond’s owner complained about crawfish thefts the night before 40-year-old Lance Rodrigue of LaPlace was caught trespassing. During the investigation, deputies determined Rodrigue allegedly had three sacks filled with stolen crawfish. Such a crime is punishable up to ten years in prison in Louisiana.

It’s Love the Boot Week and Keep Louisiana Beautiful has more than 250 cleanup and beautification events this week. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they have more than twice the number of volunteers this year and there’s plenty of trash.
Cut 10 (11) “…state up.”
Go to keep-louisiana-beautiful-dot-org to volunteer for a clean-up effort.

An emotional debate is expected at the state capitol today as a Senate committee is set to hear a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana. Proponents of the death penalty argue the punishment gives closure to families of murder victims. But death penalty opponent Sister Helen Prejean disagrees…:
cut 9 (13) “…for this so-called justice”

A bill that would allow voters to decide on term limits for assessors is moving forward. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The bill heads to the House floor for more debate.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a spending plan today for next fiscal year that contains 15-hundred dollar pay raises for teachers and 750-dollars for support staff. Chairman Jerome Zeringue of Houma says if this latest raise makes it through the legislative process, teachers would see their salary go up 33-hundred dollars over the last four years…
cut 6 (09) “…previous three”
The budget bill also calls for using 500-million dollars in federal pandemic aid to help replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund.

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state’s unemployment rate is 4-point-two percent, the lowest it’s been for March in 14 years. But employers are still in search of workers. Could inflation bring retirees back??? Economist Loren Scott says it hasn’t happened yet…
cut 11 (04) “….unemployment rate”

Today is the deadline to file your federal tax return. If you’ve been waiting until the last minute, you’re not alone. Metairie CPA John Theriot has advice if you are one of the 43 million Americans who procrastinate.
Cut 7 (09) “…file an extension.”
Theriot says the extension doesn’t give you an extension to pay, if you owe the federal government that payment needs to be made today.

The Pelicans came up short last night in their first playoff appearance since 2018 as they lost to the top-seeded Phoenix Suns 110 to 99. New Orleans started slow, scoring just 34 points in the first half, but they were within six points with six minutes left. Head Coach Willie Green…
cut 19 (09) “…second half”
Game two is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

America shifts gears from Easter Sunday to Tax Monday, with today as the deadline for filing your federal return. David Grubb has tips for procrastinators…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A hit-and-run crash in New Orleans results in one death and five others injured. It happened last night in the Seventh Ward. Police say a Chevrolet Suburban speeding and traveling in the wrong direction slammed into a Honda Accord. The Chevy Suburban then hit four nearby pedestrians. The Driver of the SUV pulled away but was arrested a short time later and then died at a local hospital.

At the State Capitol today, the House Appropriations Committee is expected to finish its work on the state’s annual budget, before sending it to the full House for debate. Committee Chairman Jerome Zeringue says the $38-billion House Bill 1 contains a lot of extra money, to be put to use…:
Cut 4 (12) “…into the budget.”
Teachers are reportedly set to receive a 15-hundred dollar pay raise.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state’s unemployment rate for March was four-point-two percent. That’s the lowest unemployment rate for March in 14 years. But economist Loren Scott says there are more jobs than available workers as there are many who have decided not to re-enter the workforce…
cut 12 (09) :,,,sock away”

Today is the deadline to file federal taxes. Some taxpayers have requested or will need to file an extension. Metairie CPA John Theriot says if you do need an extension, whatever you owe the federal government needs to be sent to Uncle Sam today…
cut 8 (09) “….penalties and interest”
Theriot also encourages taxpayers to file electronically and send your payment electronically.

A state senator in St. Tammany Parish is leading the effort to increase the pay for school bus drivers. Covington Senator Patrick McMath voted against similiar legislation last year, but he’s been enlightened about how the low pay rate is adversely impacting school bus drivers. McMath is a father of four and understands the importance of school bus drivers…
cut 15 (05) “….in a pickle”
McMath’s measure to give school bus drivers a pay raise will be heard by Senate Finance today.

At the State Capitol today, the House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state’s unemployment rate is 4-point-two percent, the lowest it’s been for March in 14 years. But employers are still in search of workers. Could inflation bring retirees back, economist Loren Scott says it hasn’t happened yet…
cut 11 (04) “….unemployment rate”