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.”

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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.” 

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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.” 

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New Orleans representative Mandie Landry says that tax assessors should be held to the same standard as the state’s legislators when it comes to term limits and her House Bill 288 would allow voters to decide if the state’s constitution should be amended to make that happen. Landry says it may be controversial, but it is necessary.

Cut 4 (12)  “…encourages and requires turnover.”

Landry says that Louisiana voters have shown overwhelming support for term limits in the past and that her bill leaves the decision in their hands.

Cut 5 (10) “…to them first.”

Attorney Brian Eddington spoke against the bill on behalf of the Louisiana Assessor’s Association, saying that the loss of institutional knowledge would outweigh any gains made in fairness and ultimately hurt taxpayers.

Cut 6 (13)  “…and repeatability.”

The measure passed House Ways and Means by a 7-6 vote.

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A bill that would end the death penalty in Louisiana is scheduled for discussion in a Senate Judiciary Committee today. Outspoken death penalty opponent and author of “Dead Man Walking”, Sister Helen Prejean (PRAY-zhon) says it’s time to do it because Louisiana hasn’t actually executed anyone in many years…:

Cut 7 (10) “…system in place.”

In 2010, Livingston Parish resident Gerald Bordelon became the last man executed in Louisiana, after he waived any and all appeals and ASKED to be put to death. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson’s bill would simply end the practice. Prejean says public opinion on executions has changed and continues to turn…:

Cut 8 (13)  “…and he won!”

The bill also requires that state dollars saved by having no executions and no death row expenses be given to childhood education and literacy programs. Proponents of the death penalty argue that the punishment gives closure to families of murder victims. Prejean disagrees…:

Cut 9 (13)  “…for this so-called justice.”

If it reaches final passage, Senator Jackson’s SB294 would end executions for any person convicted after August 1, 2022, of 1st-degree murder, 1st-degree rape, or treason.

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It’s Love the Boot Week in Louisiana and Keep Louisiana Beautiful is kicking off its largest litter removal l effort with more than 250 cleanup and beautification events. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says with more than twice the number of volunteers this year and says there’s plenty of trash for them to tackle.

Cut 10 (11) “…state up.”

Volunteers are picking up trash across 52 parishes this week and Dawn Cantrell with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says they pick up tons of plastic, like bags, takeout containers, and eating utensils. She says they’ve even picked up roofing shingles and tarps that weren’t disposed of properly.

Cut  11 (06)  “…imagine.”  

Because litter has become an ongoing issue a task force is looking at ways to reduce trash to help beautify the state year-round.

Vice-Chair of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Courtney Hornsby says while they’ve been able to pick up plenty of trash, she wants to know why individuals continue to litter.

Cut 12 (06) “…preventable.” 

Love the Boot Week events continue through Saturday. For more information visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.

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After two loose dogs mauled another dog and dragged it to their owner’s home, it led authorities to the home and arrest of 24-year-old Derrick Johnson of Greenwood. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Bia Rolan says it happened Friday evening after the owner of the dog that was attacked called them and while waiting for Johnson to return home…

Cut 13 (10) “…a gun.”

The marijuana smell from his car and a visible gun then prompted authorities to run his record. Rolan says Johnson’s prior convictions then allowed officers to secure a search warrant for the home.

Cut 14 (12)  “…$61,000.”

Rolan says if it wasn’t for Johnson’s dogs he would still be on the streets.

Cut 15 (08)  “…on there.”

Johnson was arrested for possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and dog at large charges.

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Midway through the season, the UL Ragin Cajuns are in a three-way tie for fourth place in the tough Sunbelt Conference, trailing Texas State by three games. Coach Matt Deggs’ team is finding its stride, having won six of its last seven ball games. Deggs says the Cajuns are primed to make a run in the second half of the conference schedule.

Cut 16 (17)  “…trip to Atlanta.”

The UL Ragin Cajuns take on LSU tonight in the annual Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic. UL returns to The Box for the first time since 2015. The Cajuns have had some good success against the Tigers of late, taking three of the last four matchups between the two programs. Deggs knows it won’t be easy slowing down the LSU offense, but he likes his club’s chances.

Cut 17 (17) “ …a good ball game.” 

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After dropping three straight to Arkansas in Fayetteville, LSU finds itself dropping in the standings. The Tigers sit fifth in the SEC West and Jay Johnson says his team has to start doing the little things to give itself any chance of competing with the big boys.

Cut 18 (20) “ …come out” 

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Former New Orleans Hornet dominated the Pelicans down the stretch in their game one loss to the Phoenix Suns. Coach Willie Green says there are things that he and his players can do to try to slow down the future Hall of Famer, but he is who he is.

Cut 19 (18) _“…what he does.” 

Game two of the best of seven series is Wednesday night in Phoenix.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you’re planning on boiling a few pounds of crawfish this weekend, David Grubb has good news for you…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette after the suspect barricaded himself inside his home. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows many people are concerned about coastal land loss, but aren’t worried it will affect them personally. Manship School of Mass Communications research director Mike Henderson says 85-percent of people surveyed fear that land loss is a serious problem…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to future generations.”

The survey polled over 500 adult Louisianans of a variety of ages, genders and races. Henderson says another finding under the topics of coastal land loss was that two-thirds of respondents felt hurricanes hitting the Bayou State are stronger than ever, and their frequency is also increasing. Those storms often cause floods, but only about 40-percent said flooding was worse in recent years…:

Cut 5 (11) “…in the past.”

Dr. Henderson says the survey also asked about public policy to encourage mitigation against future hurricane and flood damage and losses…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…subsidizing elevation.”

However, he says, about 60-percent of respondents were solidly against property insurance rate increases in flood-prone or storm-prone areas. Find the report at “lsu.edu/manship/research”

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With the holiday weekend approaching, many folks will be either hosting or partaking in a good crawfish boil. LSU Ag Center professor Greg Lutz says after a slow start to the season, there should be plenty of good eating.

Cut 7 (12) “…and prettier.”

Lutz says that recent temperatures and some timely rainfall have provided a nice boost for the crawfish crop, and the supply should stay high into the peak of mudbug season this summer.

Cut 8 (11)  “…some years.”

As the summer rains keep the ground wet, oxygen levels will rise and crawfish will get more active. Lutz says that means fatter and tastier crawfish. So grab your favorite boil mix, plenty of paper towels, and get to it.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of the season.”

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As COVID cases are beginning to increase again in certain parts of the country and the CDC extends the public transportation mask mandate until May 3^rd, closer to home, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says case numbers along with hospitalizations remain relatively unchanged.

Cut 10 (12) “…concerned about.”

Kanter says they are seeing a slight increase in COVID infections via wastewater detection in Orleans Parish however it’s still too early to tell if it’s significant.

Cut  11 (10)  “…ups and downs.”  

Nationally new cases are up about 10% over the past week and the average number of hospitalized COVID patients nationwide has increased by a hundred. Kanter says they are keeping an eye on how things progress over the next few weeks and if they show signs of increasing severe illness.

Cut 12 (06) “…and deaths.” 

On Thursday the state reported 504 new COVID cases, 60 hospitalizations, and 3 three fatalities.

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State Police release more details about the officer-involved shooting in Lafayette early Thursday morning.  Trooper Thomas Gossen says when Lafayette Police tried to serve a warrant to suspect 18-year-old Trevon Bonner, he barricaded himself inside his home. Officers then used an armored vehicle to breach the door to give Bonner a phone so he could communicate with officers.

Cut 13 (10) “…striking Bonner.”

Bonner was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officers were trying to serve an attempted murder warrant to Bonner after a 13-year-old girl was shot hours before his standoff with officers.

Gossen says it’s become common practice for state police to be asked to investigate whenever an officer-involved shooting takes place.

Cut 14 (08)  “…from there.”

Details that state police have released so far pertain to interviews with officers on the scene and body camera footage from the incident. Gossen says the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 15 (07)  “…the better.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans are already on their way to Los Angeles to prepare for Friday’s elimination game against the Clippers. A win puts the Pels in the playoffs for the first time in four years in a matchup with the Phoenix Suns. After beating the Spurs Wednesday night, coach Willie Green let the squad know, he’s not ready for this run to end.

Cut 16 (19)  “…pack a bag.”

The Pelicans Big 3 of Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas combined for 81 points against the Spurs and they will have to come up big again versus LA. The X-factor for the Pels could be rookie forward Herb Jones, who has played well beyond his years. Ingram, for one, wouldn’t be surprised.

Cut 17 (14) “ …all year.” 

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Spring football has concluded in the Sun Belt Conference…In Lafayette, the Ragin Cajuns are in transition. After leading the U-L to its best season in program history, Billy Napier is now the head man at Florida and Mike Desormeaux has big shoes to fill. The first-year head coach is excited about this year’s group of players and looks forward to seeing if they can build on last season’s success.

Cut 18 (19) “ …do it though.” 

At UL-Monroe, Terry Bowden enters his second season leading the Warhawks. Last season was full of upheaval with more than 20 players joining the team during the summer through the NCAA transfer portal. Bowden says there’s much more continuity this season and that should make his team more competitive in a very tough league.

Cut 19 (15) _“…starting for us.” 

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