The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year ago. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says oil prices are also rising, up 21-dollars a barrel from Christmas. He says expect gas prices to keep rising for another six weeks…
Cut 4 (12) “…wraps up”

The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour.  While support for the pay hike for minimum wage workers is there from the public, the state has yet to see that same support from lawmakers. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says he would not bet on an increase passing this year.

Cut 7 (09) “…down in committee.”
Governor Edwards has been pushing for an increase in the minimum wage.

Governor Edwards raised 2.55 million dollars in the last quarter, bringing his cash on hand to 10.2 million dollars for his reelection effort. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says the price at the pump is rising, because production is down
Cut 3 (10) “…summer driving season.”
DeHaan says oil prices are also rising, up 21-dollars a barrel from Christmas.
The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, from the current rate of $7.25.  Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says the numbers indicates that not only is that a lot of support, but broad support for the increase.

Cut 6 (08) “…that minimum wage.”

The $8.25 an hour proposal saw support among Democrats at 94%, Independents at 78%, and Republicans at 72%.

Governor Edwards campaign is reporting they raised 2.55 million dollars in the 1st quarter of 2019, giving the reelection effort a total of 10.2 million dollars cash on hand. His two Republican challengers have yet to release their numbers, but political analyst Clancy DuBos says Edwards fundraising sends a strong message to the GOP.

Cut 9 (10) “…good”

The fundraising quarter ended on April 5th.

Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state.  The sentiment of reducing billboards is backed by Louisiana’s trucking industry, because truckers feel demonized by the content of accident lawyers’ roadside ads.  Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.

Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”

Dozens of lawmakers will be purged after this session as their 12 year term limits take effect. Matt Doyle spoke to some of them about whether or not the law has been effective…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Democrat Charlie Greer from Natchitoches Parish has announced he’s challenging incumbent Ag commissioner Mike Strain in next fall’s election, making his second attempt at the office. He has taken on medical marijuana as his top campaign issue, saying Strain is dragging his feet on cannabis that patients in Louisiana are legally entitled to.  In 2015, Greer finished with 30% of the vote, second to Mike Strain with 58%.

There are bills in the House and Senate that seek to cap the number of billboards in Louisiana at around their current number, which is seven-thousand. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says his bill is not a violation of the First Amendment…
cut 15 (11) “….can cause accidents”
But outdoor advertising giant, Lamar calls the legislation an assault on their company.

A report from the ACLU of Louisiana lays out a blueprint for cutting the state’s prison population by 50 percent.  African Americans make up 33 percent of the state’s population, but are 66 percent of the inmates. President Alanah Hebert says among the recommendations, eliminating racial disparities in sentencing, and reducing or eliminating cash bond and other monetary penalties that hit the poor hardest.

Cut 12 (09) “…as well″

The ACLU is backing LaPlace Representative Randal Gaines’ bill that would reform the multiple offenders statute.

Dozens of lawmakers will be purged after this session as their 12-year term limits take effect. Matt Doyle spoke to some of them about whether or not the law has been effective…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The ACLU has a blueprint for reducing the Louisiana prison population by half. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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An effort being supported by the Louisiana trucking industry due to truckers being upset over trial attorneys demonizing the industry could mean fewer billboards in the state.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy has broken ground on a $14.2 million expansion in Shreveport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company works in the next generation of radiopharmaceutical treatment for diseases like cancer. The expansion will add 25 new, highly skilled jobs to the area.

Cut 4 (08) “…these research scientists.”

Pierson says the expansion gives the area more to be excited about beyond the jobs.

Cut 5 (10) “…in northwest Louisiana.”

Pierson says he is happy to see northwest Louisiana is benefiting from the statewide economic momentum.

Cut 6 (10) “…that we’ve established.”

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It’s been a dozen years since the last term limit purge in the legislature, and now dozens of lawmakers are taking part in what will likely be their last legislative session, as the class of 2007 is set to hit their 12 year limit.

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was a member of that 2007 class, and says the law was well intentioned, but is having unexpected consequences.

Cut 7 (12) “…to chose”

In the 1995, voters approved the 12 year term limit.

Since the law passed in 1995, every dozen years the Capitol sees a huge wave of turnover, and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says this will be the last year for many of the Legislature’s most influential members.

Cut 8 (12) “…to fill”

15 states have term limits including Louisiana.

But not all lawmakers are concerned about the change. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says there’s great opportunity for House members who have shown they can be effective to run for Senate seats, which is her plan.

Cut 9 (09) “…another story″

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A report from the ACLU of Louisiana lays out a blueprint for cutting the state’s prison population by 50 percent.

One of the recommendations is changing the multiple offender statute that substantially ramps up penalties for offenders who’ve committed the same crime previously. President Alanah Hebert says it’s better to fix the cause of the crimes…

Cut 10 (09) “…of poverty”

Hebert says multiple offender statues can result in decades of prison time for people accused of low level crimes.

Another fix would be eliminating the ability for judges to sentence someone to life without parole. Hebert says that wouldn’t mean automatically releasing murderers early, but it would give some higher level offenders the opportunity to state their case…

Cut 11 (11) “…considered.”

Louisiana is one of two states where the mandatory sentence for second degree murder is life without parole, and one of only six states where life without parole is an option at all.

African Americans make up 33 percent of the state’s population, but are 66 percent of the inmates. Hebert says other recommendations eliminating racial disparities in sentencing, and reducing or eliminating cash bond and other monetary penalties that hit the poor hardest.

Cut 12 (09) “…as well″

The ACLU is backing LaPlace Representative Randal Gaines’ bill that would reform the multiple offenders statute.

________________________

Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state.  The sentiment of reducing billboards is backed by Louisiana’s trucking industry because truckers feel demonized by the content of accident lawyers’ roadside ads.  Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.

Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”

The Department of Transportation already has authority to regulate billboards.  Both pieces of legislation say billboards clutter scenery of the state and contribute accidents from distracted driving.  McFarland says the ratio of billboards to roads in Louisiana is too far out of balance.

Cut 14 (08) “…and federal highways.”

A Senate bill aims to limit the spacing of the billboards and the advertised content to be for an establishment within a certain proximity of the ad.  Senator Conrad Appel of Metairie, who has filed the bill, says the measures are not a violation of the First Amendment.

Cut 15 (11) “…can cause accidents.”

Conrad says his bill is not demanding billboards be removed, but more scrutiny of the regulations.

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LSU shortstop Josh Smith has been named SEC Baseball Player of the Week after hitting three home runs in five games. Smith who was scuffling over a week ago, credits his work with hitting coach Sean Ochinko

Cut 16  (15) “…bit longer.” 

Since losing two to nothing to McNeese on March 26th, LSU has won six of its last eight. Smith says a players-only meeting after the loss to the Cowboys helped the team get back to its winning ways…

 cut 17 (17)   “…keep it going” 

With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.
Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. Edwards spoke for nearly 40 minutes during a joint session of the House and Senate and said his top priority is to give teachers a one-thousand dollar increase in pay…
cut 11 (06) “…teachers deserve more”
Edwards is also seeking a 500-dollar increase in pay for school support workers and he wants to see more money put into the classroom, increasing the public school education budget for just the second time in the last 10 years.
But House Education Chairman Nancy Landry is not on board with that proposal….
cut 15 (10) “…urgency there”
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Last fall voters in 47 out of 64 parishes approved online fantasy sports betting, and now lawmakers are tasked with figuring out how to regulate the game in the session that kicks off today. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says they plan on copying the laws passed in other states, but are considering one change…
Cut 8 (07) “ sports”
It’s been a dozen years since the last term limit purge in the legislature, and now dozens of lawmakers are taking part in what will likely be their last legislative session, as the class of 2007 is set to hit their 12 year limit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says that turnover will mean a major learning curve for next year’s freshman.
24
But Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says it’s a chance for effective leaders to run for office in other seats…
23

There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish. The FBI has recently announced they are joining in on the investigation. Higgins says the punishment will be severe.
Cut 6 (07) “…of the law.”
Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church.
A Houma man is in jail after an investigation by State Fire Marshal deputies and the Houma Police Department into a vehicle fire that left one man dead. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 37-year-old David Mason is accused of intentionally setting the blaze.
Cut 3 (10) “…families were asleep.”

Last fall voters in 47 out of 64 parishes approved online fantasy sports betting, and now lawmakers are tasked with figuring out how to regulate the game in the session that kicks off today.  River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he doesn’t expect fantasy sports to be much of a revenue generator, as the average player doesn’t spend more than a few hundred dollars, but…

Cut 10 (06) “…that work”

The majority of the parishes who did not legalize the game are in north and central Louisiana.
Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. Edwards wants to see legislators approve legislation that would make sure Louisiana residents are not denied access to health coverage because of a pre-existing condition. He says the proposal would go into effect if the courts throw out the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 13 (08) “…style politics.”

Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. The governor is asking legislators to support legislation to raise the minimum wage and approve a bill to eliminate pay secrecy as a way to reduce the highest gender wage gap in the country…

Cut 12 (10) “…wage gap”

There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish.  Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church and says the responsible party has succumbed to evil and will be caught.

Cut 5 (13) “…will be caught.”

Legislators are working out ways to regulate fantasy sports after voters in 47 out of 64 parishes legalized the activity last year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state revenue department says they are collecting more revenue from internet sales tax collections as more remote sellers are voluntarily complying. From October to December, the state received one-point-four million dollars in online sales tax collections, double from the previous quarter.

There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish. The FBI has recently announced they are joining in on the investigation. Higgins says the punishment will be severe.
Cut 6 (07) “…of the law.”
Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church.
A Houma man is in jail after an investigation by State Fire Marshal deputies and the Houma Police Department into a vehicle fire that left one man dead. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 37-year-old David Mason is accused of intentionally setting the blaze.
Cut 3 (10) “…families were asleep.”
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Last fall voters in 47 out of 64 parishes approved online fantasy sports betting, and now lawmakers are tasked with figuring out how to regulate the game in the session that kicks off today.
River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says they plan on copying the laws passed in other states, but are considering one change…
Cut 8 (07) “ sports”
Talbot says the legislation will include “geo fencing” that tracks a users location, and blocks their access to the game once they cross into one of the 17 that denied legalization.
Fleetwood Mac has canceled their May 2nd appearance at Jazz Fest. the 70s pop stars were filling in for the Rolling Stones, who had previously cancled.

The 2019 legislative session gets underway at noon. It was very contentious at the State Capitol last year as lawmakers struggled to pass a budget, because of a huge deficit. This year the budget is in better shape, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect the process of approving a new budget will go smoothly…
Cut 7 (11) “…should be cut”
One of the focal points of the legislative session is pay raises for teachers and school support staff. House Education Chairman Nancy Landry expects the pay hikes to go through, because there is bipartisan agreement that teachers do not get enough.
Cut 14 (11) “…right now.”
Landry says she’ll also look to increase state funding for early childhood education.

A Houma man is in jail after an investigation by State Fire Marshal deputies and the Houma Police Department into a vehicle fire that left one man dead.  Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 37-year-old David Mason is accused of intentionally setting the blaze and now faces a litany of charges following the March 31^st incident.

Cut 4 (09) “…of criminal conspiracy.”

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish.  Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church says the responsible party has succumbed to evil and will be caught.

Cut 5 (13) “…will be caught.”

The FBI has recently announced they are joining in on the investigation.

Senator John Kennedy is blasting LSU President King Alexander, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron, and Governor Edwards for a fundraising event on campus where the football coach appeared to endorse Edwards’ reelection effort. The Senator says if the shoe was on the other foot, you’d hear serious protests from the Democrats.
Cut 7 (11) “…campus”
Holl says “There’s a long record of coaches supporting candidates for elected office in Louisiana and other states, and they have the right to do so.”
State Police is investigating a fatal crash involving an on-duty West Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy driving on a suspended liscense and a pedestrian early Friday morning. Trooper Taylor Scranttz says 37-year-old Clinell Robertson was wearing dark clothing, and pedestrians can avoid the unfortunate scenario through simple steps…
Cut 11 (09) “…to do so”
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A new report has good news for those of us who love eating oysters, turns out the mollusk can help with anxiety and depression. Oysters are high in vitamin b12 and it can help reduce symptoms, and Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Michelle Moore says in addition to improving mood, oysters can improve brain power.
Cut 14 (05) “…we’re eating healthier.”
Studies have shown a link between long chain omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies and depression.
Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reports LSU and Will Wade are working toward a meeting that could lead to the reinstatement of the suspended head coach. Wade has a new attorney, Steven Thompson, and Dellenger says he’s had positive discussions with LSU, but there’s no guarantee Wade gets his job back.
Cut 5 (11) “…is open.”

Three of the teams top players have declared for the NBA draft.