Several roads are flooded across south Louisiana as a result of a slow-moving storm system that’s dumped a half-foot to a foot of rain in some areas. In West Baton Rouge Parish, the sheriff’s office says one person is dead and another missing after a vehicle drove into a flooded ditch. Another four to six inches of rain is possible today.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the House will vote today on his legislation that would legalize marijuana…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A debate over the credibility of COVID vaccines broke out in the House civil law Committee yesterday. Here’s an exchange between Amite Representative Robby Carter, who shared that he’s had a kidney transplant, and Candace Timphony, who spoke against vaccines.
Cut 10 (07) “….yes I am” (2x)
The House panel approved two bills one that would protect employers from civil liability if they don’t require workers or customers to get the coronavirus vaccine. Another measure would prohibit state or local governments and agencies from requiring a COVID vaccine to get a license or even a degree from a university.

A Disney Plus feature film called Crater is set to begin filming at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge. Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham….
Cut 4 (10)“…pandemic.”
More than a dozen film and TV projects are reportedly in production or pre-production in Louisiana right now.

Some parts of South Louisiana saw over a foot of rain yesterday and last night as a result of a slow-moving storm system and the National Weather Service says there’s a moderate risk for more excessive rainfall through tonight for south and central Louisiana. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 Press conference on the flooding that’s already occurred in the Lake Charles and Baton Rouge areas.

Baton Rouge and Celtic Studios are set to play host to the crew of a new 40 million dollar Disney plus feature film. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

A Houma woman is facing numerous charges after she posed online as a teenager to lure juveniles into human trafficking. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says 39-year old Angela Lirette allegedly made contact with several teenagers and even had a sexual relationship with one teen.
Cut 7 (12) “…of a minor.”
Soignet opted not to say how many victims were involved.

A tense debate over the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine erupted in the House Civil Law Committee yesterday as Amite Representative Robby Carter discussed his desire for as many people as possible to get vaccinated, but Candace Timphony was there to support bills that would prohibit the state from mandating vaccines to enter state buildings or get licenses or degrees from a university..
cut 12 (12) “…individeuals”
The bill passed and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A slow-moving storm has dumped over a foot of rain in some parts of south Louisiana. Dozens of homes in stormy weary Lake Charles took in water, there have also been reports of flooding in Acadiana and Baton Rouge. A strong line of heavy rainfall is now falling in the New Orleans area. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 press conference today.

A bill that would prohibit state and local government agencies from barring access to public facilities to someone who isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19 received a House committee approval. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston’s bill also says a state entity can’t refuse to issue a license, permit or a degree to a person not vaccinated. This woman testified in favor of the bill, saying her daughter in nursing school can’t get the vaccine because of preexisting health conditions…
cut 11 (12) “…nursing school”
More discussion on the measure will take place on the House floor.
The author of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana says the House will vote on his bill today. Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’s optimistic he now has the votes needed to send this bill to the Senate and he does not plan on delaying that vote again.
Cut 13 (09) “..question.”
This vote comes as a JMC Analytics poll of nine south and central Republican-held legislative districts shows strong support for legalization. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…
Cut 15 (08)“…March.”
A March statewide poll showed 67 percent of Louisianans favored legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has passed away at the age of 77. Roemer served as Louisiana’s governor from 1988 to 92. Before that was a Congressman. Roemer was known as a reformer when he was sworn in as governor at the age of 44. He helped increase teacher pay and also worked to improve the state’s environment.

While the rest of the country is racing to file their taxes today, Louisiana is one of three states whose federal tax deadline is June 15th instead. Brooke Thorington explains.
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Tax reform legislation that Republicans are pushing in this legislative session may not happen, because the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus is upset with House leadership for failing to remove state representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman. Garofalo suggested there was some good with slavery and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says black lawmakers are not accepting his apology…
cut 9 (06) “…view”
A tax reform bill needs two-thirds support and there are enough black lawmakers in the House to keep that legislation from passing.

State Police is seeking cadets for its 100th Cadet class that will begin training in October. Trooper Monroe Dillon says like other professions, recruiting has become a challenge….
cut 14 (09) “…challenges”
For more information you can visit the State Police’s Facebook Page for more information.

A poll is released that shows most voters support sending tax revenue generated by sports betting to early childhood education. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A sports betting tax bill could be heard on the Senate floor this week. A bill that could be heard on the Senate floor today is the legislation that would allow college athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness. Six states have a similar law that would go into effect in July.

Passing a tax reform bill is a major priority for Republican lawmakers but that effort has hit a stumbling block as the Legislative Black Caucus is withholding support because they are upset state representative Ray Garofalo is still House Education Chairman after suggesting there was some good that came out of slavery. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 8 (11) “…pass this”
Despite calls from the Black Caucus, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has not removed Garofalo as House Education Chairman.

State Police is looking for men and women who want to be a part of the Louisiana State Police’s 100th Cadet Class. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the historic class will begin in early October, but participants need to apply by next Monday…
cut 13 (10) “….this class”

A State Capitol observer says a dispute between Black Caucus members and House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo related to Garofalo’s comments about slavery threatens to tank major tax reform legislation. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Tomorrow the full House will debate whether recreational marijuana use should be legalized in Louisiana. The debate on the House floor has been postponed twice as the bill’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, tries to secure the 53 votes needed for passage.

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey of 600 people finds over 75-percent of Louisiana voters support dedicating tax revenue from sports betting to early childhood education. LPIC Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier says there’s an ongoing debate as to where to send revenue from the soon-to-be-available activity. She says most voters agree early childhood education is the best option…
Cut 10 (08) “….learn”
The full Senate could debate a sports betting tax revenue bill today.

It’s tax day for most Americans, but not in Louisiana as the federal and state deadline was pushed back months ago to June 15th. But Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Ben Tate, says if you need an extension beyond June 15th, you might want to file the extension request today….
cut 6 (05) “…file those”