Lawmakers heard from Ronald Greene’s mother and even had tense exchanges with former state police Col Kevin Reeves during a special committee investigating Greene’s 2019 fatal arrest. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (45) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

For the first time in two years, Louisiana is not under a public health emergency order for COVID. Governor John Bel Edwards is allowing his latest order to expire today, as the state has seen a decrease in cases and hospitalizations. But Tulane epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says there’s still a possibility of another surge, so save your masks, get vaccinated and boosted if you are not and…
cut 10 (12) “…going forward”

Former LSU star and Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth has decided to go out on top after 16 seasons in the NFL as the West Monroe native has retired from professional football. Lifelong friend Rick Guillot says today is a day for celebrating
Cut 14 (12) “…better than that.”
Guillot expects Whitworth to remain involved in the game.

Former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves denied accusations that State Police was involved in a coverup in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Reeves testified before a special House committee investigating the Greene case. During questioning, lawmakers accused Reeves of being disengaged for not being more involved in the investigation into Greene’s death, who died after he was beaten and tased by State Troopers. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan found Reeves’ hands-off approach alarming…
cut 7 (10) “…do these things”
Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, watched as the testimony unfolded and broke down in tears when New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes called Greene’s death a murder…
cut 6 (12) “…I’m sorry”
Federal and state prosecutors have not charged the troopers involved in Greene’s arrest.

Governor John Bel Edwards is backing legislation that would create a non-partisan commission to help legislators in future redistricting sessions…
cut 12 (07) “…isn’t working”
Edwards says despite an increase in the state’s Black population, none of the maps approved by the Republican-led Legislature last month features additional majority-minority districts. GOP legislators are confident the maps they drew are legal and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

Rams offensive tackle and former LSU star and West Monroe standout Andrew Whitworth has announced his retirement from the NFL after 16 seasons. The 40-year-old was the oldest offensive lineman to start in the Super Bowl last month and a key component for ten playoff teams. Former high school teammate Rick Guillot believes Whitworth will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio…
cut 15 (10) “…Hall of Fame”

Former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves denies there was a coverup in the May 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Reeves made the statement during an emotional hearing in front of a special House committee formed to look into why the Greene family was initially told he died in a car accident, but body camera video shows troopers repeatedly punching and tasing Greene before he died. Reeves also told legislators it was standard procedure to not get involved in such investigations…
Cut 4 (08) “…the report (x2).”
The mother of Ronald Greene, Mona Hardin was disappointed in Reeves’ testimony.
Cut 5 (10) “…directly answered.”
Lawmakers accused Reeves of being disengaged.

Governor John Bel Edwards is behind Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover’s bill that would create an independent panel to help the Legislature with reapportionment the next time the Legislature holds a redistricting session. Edwards says 18 other states have some type of commission…
Cut 11 (09) “… the day”
Edwards vetoed the Congressional District map approved by the Legislature during the redistricting session because it did not have two majority Black districts. But Republican lawmakers say the Black population is not concentrated enough to create two majority-minority districts.

After 24 months, Governor John Bel Edwards’ COVID public health emergency order expires today as the state has seen a significant drop in cases and hospitalizations, plus there is a wide availability of vaccines. Tulane epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig is concerned because lifting the emergency order sends a message the crisis is over…
cut 9 (08) “….I’m concerned about”

Former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves denies allegations that State Police tried to cover up the facts surrounding the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Reeves made the statement while testifying in front of a special legislative committee that’s looking into the death of Greene who died after body camera evidence shows him getting beaten and tased by State Troopers…
cut 12 (06) “…cover up anything”
Lawmakers on the panel have accused Reeves of being disengaged and not doing more to follow up after learning there was a violent struggle that turned deadly with a motorist in Union Parish.

Baton Rouge Police have charged 20-year-old Brynnen Murphy with murder after his 24-year-old girlfriend Kaylen Johnson and her two-year-old son were found dead in two separate locations.
cut 8 (07) “….Thruway area”
That’s Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant Don Coppola who says Murphy told detectives where the bodies were located.

In his State of the State speech to begin the legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his priorities for lawmakers to address. In addition to giving teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise, Edwards also wants to give a $100-a-month pay hike to first responders; like law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Cut 27 (14) “…the public deserves it.”

In an appearance on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, former LSU President F. King Alexander was asked about the firing of basketball coach Will Wade. Alexander suspended Wade in 2019 for his refusal to meet with university officials to discuss the investigation swirling at the time.
Cut 9 (11) “…was all about.”
Alexander and then-athletic director Joe Alleva received a lot of criticism from fans and board members for suspending Wade, but Alexander believes Alleva took the appropriate action.

Governor John Bel Edwards lays out his legislative priorities for the regular session during his State of the State address. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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Edwards also supports legislation that would establish an independent redistricting commission to support the Legislature in reapportionment for future redistricting. The governor also supports insurance reform efforts and he is once again pushing legislators to raise the minimum wage.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has a bill to ban access to sexually explicit or pornographic content by anyone using state-issued phones and or computers at colleges and universities.
Cut 13 (10) “…not acceptable.”
Mizell’s measure also prohibits the downloading or streaming of pornographic material on a college’s wi-fi or through their internet service provider.

Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says Louisiana is facing a teacher shortage and he’s filed a bill to get retired teachers back in the classroom. The proposal would allow retired educators to earn more of their annual pension if they returned to school…
cut 11 (12) “…bit more money”
The bill is awaiting discussion in the House Retirement Committee.

In his State of the State speech to begin the legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his priorities for lawmakers to address. In addition to giving teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise, Edwards also wants to give a $100-a-month pay hike to first responders; like law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Cut 7 (14) “…the public deserves it.”

Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds has filed legislation to address the state’s public school teacher shortage. Edmonds is proposing that retired teachers can earn up to 50-percent of their annual pension, up from the current cap of 25-percent…
cut 12 (10) “….that way”
Edmonds’ legislation is waiting for discussion in the House Retirement Committee.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has legislation that would prevent students from accessing pornography or sexually explicit content on their personal phones or computers while connected to a university’s wifi network or internet service provider. Mizell says she’s received pushback from groups who say her bill violates the first amendment…
cut 14 (12) “…taxpayer money”
The bill will be discussed in the regular session.

State Police has hired the Bowman Group for one-point-five million dollars to perform a comprehensive independent external review and assessment of the agency’s policies, procedures, practices, culture and training of troopers. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the Bowman Group is the right choice for the job…
cut 6 (08) “….assessment”
When the assessment is concluded LSP will share the recommendations with the public.

A recent state report showed that nearly 50-thousand students go without their regular teacher each day, and roughly 25 percent of teachers in the classroom are either uncertified or teaching outside of their field. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the crisis is only getting worse.
Cut 10 (07) “…anytime soon.”
To help plug the hole in the dyke, Edmonds wants to create inducements to bring retired educators back to school. The Republican has a bill that would raise the cap on how much a retired teacher could receive from their pension if they returned to the classroom.

During his state of the state address, Governor John Bel Edwards urged lawmakers to give teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise. The governor also says it’s important to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund by using federal pandemic relief dollars…
cut 9 (13) “…right now”

Previous legislation to ban access to sexually explicit content on state-issued phones and computers gave universities an exception to the rule under the guise of research. Brooke Thorington has more on legislation to remove the exception.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”