The LSU baseball team is in Oregon getting ready for the Eugene Regional.  Center fielder Giovanni Digiacomo re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the final regular-season series against Texas A-and-M. Coach Paul Mainieri says Gio has been practicing and he expects he’ll get the start on Friday night.

Cut 20 (14) “play well”

The Southern Jaguars baseball team is in Texas for the Austin regional that begins tomorrow. The Jags are the four-seed after taking down a very tough Jackson State team in the SWAC championship. Coach Chris Crenshaw says playing in the tournament was beneficial because they learned how to handle adversity.

Cut 18 (09) “five days”

LSU has announced its parting ways with offensive line coach James Cregg. Cregg has been the Tigers o-line coach since 2018 and in 2019 he helped the team win the 2019 Joe Moore Award, which is given to the nation’s top O-line.  However his unit struggled last season as the Tigers went 5-5.

LSU running back Kevontre Bradford has entered the transfer portal after one year in Baton Rouge.  The former four-star recruit played a limited role last season as he had just 10 carries for 58 yards in 2020.

Louisiana Tech has added two players to its football program in offensive lineman Kellton Hollins and wide receiver Samuel Emilus.  Hollins spent the last five years at TCU where he appeared in 23 games.  Emilus comes from UMASS where he hauled in 59 catches for 653 yards and 7 touchdowns from 2018 to 2020.

Also, the United States Football League has officially announced its return.  The league will partner with Fox Sports and will debut in the spring of 2022.

The first bill of the 2021 legislative regular session to be signed by Governor Edwards allows sexual assault victims to terminate a rental lease early, with some stipulations. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre says The tenant would be allowed to apply for the early termination after a wait of at least 60 days after the assault. From that point, the victim would have to pay one more month’s rent, also…

Cut 8 (12) “…before.” 

The law also requires the assault to be verified by a “qualified third party”.

After weeks of stalling Senate Finance approves legislation giving St. Tammany residents a vote on allowing a new casino on the water outside of Slidell. Supporters say it would raise millions a year for the parish, but Slidell Pastor John Raymond isn’t impressed…

21

Port Allen Senator Rick Ward’s bill that would dedicate point four five percent of the state sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 permanently to infrastructure is approved by Senate Finance 7-4. Ward says the bill would generate 350 million a year for roads and bridges, and keep young people from leave the crumbling state for greener pastures…

22

The bill heads to the Senate floor and will need two-thirds support in both chambers, something that looks increasingly unlikely after the leader of the newly formed Conservative Caucus announced 41 members have pledged to vote against it.

Compromise legislation limiting qualified immunity for law enforcement officers that cleared the House got defeated in a Senate committee. The bill was the result of a bipartisan task force dedicated to policing policy reform and had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, but was opposed by many rank and file officers who were concerned their personal finances could be impacted by wrongful death and injury incidents.

Governor Edwards makes legislation allowing sexual assault victims to break their rental leases early the first bill signed into law of the 2021 regular legislative session. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says previously the law only allowed renters to break their lease early if they were assaulted in a domestic situation…

Cut 6 (09) “..survivors”

The law went into effect yesterday.

Despite support from the highly influential Louisiana Sheriffs Association, a compromise bill limiting law enforcement officer’s ability to claim civil immunity in wrongful death and injury cases was defeated by a Senate committee. Veteran Shreveport police officer Kevin Goodwin says cops don’t make enough money to carry malpractice insurance.

Cut 10 (10) “…my children.”

A 30 million dollar rehabilitation of the Mississippi River Bridge on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge in Madison Parish was built about 50 years ago and like any interstate corridor, it is well-traveled.

Cut 3 (10)  “…itself.” 

The bridge also new LED lighting, cameras, and radar that are integrated into Mississippi’s IT network.

A tragic boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish high schooler. The victim has been identified as Cavalry Baptist Academy football player Hayden “Lane” Mangum. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says he was out fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.

Cut 12 (09)   “…middle ground.” 

A House-approved bill that would have limited law enforcement officer’s ability to shield themselves from civil liability in the event of a wrongful death or injury case was defeated in a Senate committee. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says the Sheriffs Association-backed his bill and knew it wouldn’t drive away good cops like some had suggested…

Cut 11 (09) “…deal with.”

The body of 15-year-old Cavalry Baptist Academy football player was found this morning after an extensive search following a boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway yesterday. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says crews desperately searched through the night for Hayden “Lane” Mangum…

Cut 13 (07)“…capsized”

The Mississippi River bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete in Madison Parish. Brooke Thorington has more on what travelers can expect in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A two vehicle crash in Concordia Parish claims the life of two people, 31-year-old Robert Seals of Jonesville and 35-year-old Naymond Purdion Jr. of Ferriday. An investigation reveals that for reasons unknown a truck driven by Seals crossed the centerline on US 84 near Wildsville and struck another truck head-on, resulting in Purdion and Seals being ejected.

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says this legislation was inspired in large part by all of the LSU students who had their sexual assaults covered up by the school.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, survivors

The assault would have had to have occurred while the tenant was in their current lease property.

The over two-year rehabilitation of the Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now completed. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge in Madison Parish was built about 50 years ago and is well-traveled.

Cut 3 (11)  “…itself.” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry threatens to take LSU to court if it follows through with a request by the Faculty Senate to establish a vaccine mandate similar to ones adopted by about 400 colleges nationwide.

Cut 12 (08) “…disappointing.”

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says while they are reviewing the request “we do not believe we will be able to mandate vaccines on campus.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirms that a single Red Piranha was caught at University Lakes in Baton Rouge last week. Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Robert Bourgeois says the South American native fish with teeth can throw things out of balance in our ecosystem here in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11)  “…all young.”

All piranha species are illegal to possess or sell in Louisiana.

We’re in the last two weeks of the session and lawmakers are scrambling to wrap up their business before the June 10^th finish.

One of the big ticket items left to consider has now been scheduled to be heard Wednesday in Senate Finance. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward’s bill would turn point four five percent of the state’s sale tax that is expiring in 2025 into a long-term infrastructure dedication. If approved it would generate about 350 to 380 million dollars a year for roads and bridges.

Cut 13 (10) “…infrastructure.”

House approved legislation upping hunting and fishing license costs is headed to the Senate floor. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says his bill is the only way to save LDWF’s budget…

Cut 11 (12) “…purposes.”

The average sportsman’s license would go up 10 bucks.

Legislation by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris that does away with the need for folks 21 and older to have a license or training to concealed carry receives final legislative passage and is headed to the Governor’s desk where he is expected to veto it.

A nearly identical bill by Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot is also nearing final passage after passing Judiciary B Tuesday on a 3-1 vote. The lone dissenter, Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver had some choice words for the proposal…

Cut 13 (07)“..business.”

But Fontenot countered that he’s researched the results of passing constitutional carry in other states and found no conclusive evidence it leads to more crime.

Cut 14

Another bill that would do away with the need for those 21 and older to get a license and training to carry a concealed weapon is gliding through the legislative process. Thibodaux Republican Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill was lambasted by another committee member who called it dangerous, but Fontenot argues there’s just no data to back up that claim…

Cut 14 (10) “…table.” 

A nearly identical bill by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris passed both the House and Senate.

The 2021 hurricane season may have officially begun today but many folks out in Southwest Louisiana still aren’t recovered from the brutal 2020 season. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says they could use a break this year…

Cut 3 (09)  “…I suppose.” 

Zachary native US Senator John Kennedy says he’s running for a second term in the Senate in 2022. The Mississippi-born former State Treasurer says it’s been an honor to serve the state in D.C but he’s not done yet…

Cut 6 (11) “..again.”

Kennedy won the 2016 US Senate election defeating Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell 61 to 39 percent. Kennedy took first place in the jungle primary that proceeded it with 25 percent, with Republican former Congressman Charles Boustany coming in third with 15 percent.

UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the only opponent who could give Kennedy a run for his money next year would be Governor John Bel Edwards, but with Edwards seemingly set on finishing out his term…

Cut 8 (7) “…at least.” 

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says today is a day to remember the tens of thousands of Louisianans who died while serving their country. There’s some debate as to what the current total of Louisianans who’ve died while in the military is, but ultimately…

Cut 14 (06) “…sacrifice.”

Higher Ed leaders cheered last week’s passage of the 38 billion dollar state spending plan for the fiscal year starting in July. UL System President Jim Henderson says the faculty pay raises and general formula increase is the biggest investment in higher ed in 13 years, but despite the big increase we still haven’t made up for the steep budget cuts enacted during the Jindal Administration.

Cut 5 (06)”…Legislators.”

Previously up to 70 percent of college budgets were state-funded, now 75 percent of college budgets are sustained by student tuition and fees.

If you’re thinking of taking the boat out today as a novice helmsman Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says make sure you are properly trained before leaving the dock. Frohnhoefer (Frone – hoffer) says new navigators are 142-percent more likely to need ungrounding services.

Cut 7 (11)  “…courteous boater.”

Hurricane season starts tomorrow and before this above average season kicks off you need to make sure you either have flood insurance, or make sure that your coverage has not lapsed. David Maurstad, the head of the National Flood Insurance Program with FEMA, says There’s no way to completely eliminate flood damage but a good policy can help with the recovery process.

Cut 10 (12) “…policy.”