A House committee is expected to take up a Senate-approved proposal that seeks to change the state constitution so that unanimous juries are required in felony convictions. Jeff Palermo previews the debate…

Cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Senate passed a bill 22-14 that would allow riverboat casinos to expand their operations on land. Louisiana is the only state that requires floating gambling halls to keep all gaming operations on water. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says he can’t support the legislation, because it is an expansion of gaming.

Cut 4  (10) “what is” 

A teachers strike in Kentucky that led to increased funding for schools and higher pay is inspiring educator walkouts and work stoppages across the south. Louisiana Federation of Teachers is now polling its members to see what actions they would favor to address quality of life for teachers and students. LFT spokesperson Les Landon says it’s not just about winning a bigger paycheck.

Landon says six year ago, Louisiana teachers we’re paid about the same as other southern educators, but in 2018, that’s no longer the case.

Cut 11 (11) “regional average”

A 15 week abortion ban passes the Senate on a 31-3 vote. The bill mirrors a Mississippi law recently passed that has been halted by a federal judge. Shreveport Senator and Democrat John Milkovich says he’s well aware his potential law will lead to an expensive court battle, but it’s a price he’s willing to pay.

Milkovich says 15 week old fetuses show clear signs of life.

Cut 14 (10) “frowning”

The Senate approves legislation to allow riverboat casinos to operate on land, despite objections it’s an expansion of gambling. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The switch to make Louisiana juries come to unanimous decisions will face a tough test in the House Criminal Justice committee today. Currently only 10 out of twelve jurors have to agree if someone is guilty of a crime. A proposed constitutional amendment seeks to make all felony convictions unanimous. Christie Smith is the legislative liaison for the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Cut 7 (10)  “in Louisiana”

A teachers strike in Kentucky that led to increased funding for schools and higher pay is inspiring educator walkouts and work stoppages across the south. Louisiana Federation of Teachers is now polling its members to see what actions they would favor to address quality of life for teachers and students. LFT spokesperson Les Landon says it’s not just about winning a bigger paycheck.

Cut 10 (09) “to be”

A 15 week abortion ban passes the Senate on a 31-3 vote. The bill mirrors a Mississippi law recently passed that has been halted by a federal judge. Shreveport Senator and Democrat John Milkovich says he’s well aware his potential law will lead to an expensive court battle, but it’s a price he’s willing to pay.

Cut 13 (06)  “worth it”

This week marks the halfway point of the regular legislative session and it’s unclear whether the Senate will take up the House approved budget that is disliked by the Edwards adminstration because of its deep cuts to health care services. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it remains to be seen how the legislature will pass a budget…
cut 8 (08) “…or tried”
The governor is calling for a special session and to pass tax bills to close a 648-million dollar deficit.

The House approved Max Gruver Act moved a step closer to becoming law today when it passed out of a Senate panel. The proposal strengthens the criminal penalties for hazing. It’s named after the LSU student, who died last fall in a suspected hazing incident involving large amounts of alcohol. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore testifed in support….
cut 4 (06) “…it’s fair”
Currently, hazing is just a misdemeanor crime.

A Senate-approved resolution to create a panel to find a solution to Baton Rouge’s horrible traffic problems flew through a House committee today. The Capital City is plagued with rush hour gridlock, and Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says the sponsor of the measure was inspired to bring forth the legislation after one too many bumper to bumper trips through BR.
Cut 12 (08) “this resolution”

Festival International begins tomorrow in Lafayette. New to the five-day musical festival is electronic bracelets to purchase drinks and merchandise. Marketing Director Carly Viator says you can link your bank card to the wristband…
cut 10 (08) “….really smooth”
Festival International is expected to attract 300-thousand visitors.

84-year-old Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith passed away yesterday from complications related to a lung illness. Smith sheparded the north Louisiana town for 16 years. Homer Representative Pat Jefferson, who was hired by Smith as the city’s first black attorney.

Jefferson says Smith “mastered Baton Rouge”, and worked the rooms in the capital to get the best deal for his constituents and the surrounding areas.

Cut 8 (10)  “his stewardship”

The House-approved Max Gruver Act is sailing it’s way through the legislative process, passing out of a Senate Judiciary Committee without objection this morning. It calls for tougher penalties for those convicted of hazing. Police say Gruver died after an alcohol induced hazing incident last September at LSU. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry authors the bill.

Cut 3 (:11) “Your support”

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A proposal to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses failed to get the necessary 70 votes to pass the House. The legislation would raise an additional six-point-eight million dollars a year for Wildlife and Fisheries, who says the increase is necessary to help sustain the department for years to come. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says if L-D-W-F needs more money, they can get it from the Conservation fund

Cut 13 (08)  “what happens”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Formosa Petrochemical Corporation announced an agreement to build a 9.4 billion dollar facility in St. James Parish. Once the ten year project is completed, officials say it will generate 1,200 full time jobs with an average pay of 84,500 dollars a year. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell

Cut 12 (11) “kinda issues”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Formosa Petrochemical Corporation announced an agreement to build a 9.4 billion dollar facility in St. James Parish. Once the ten year project is completed, officials say it will generate 1,200 full time jobs with an average pay of 84,500 dollars a year. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell says it’s a big deal.

8,000 construction jobs are expected to be created while the facility is built.

Roussell says Formosa, who employs over 100,000 people worldwide, including several hundred at its other Louisiana facilities, is looking forward to working with and in the St. James community.

Cut 11 (06) “organizations”

A proposal to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses failed to get the necessary 70 votes to pass the House. The legislation would raise an additional six-point-eight million dollars a year for Wildlife and Fisheries, who says the increase is necessary to help sustain the department for years to come.

The vote on the bill was 54-27. It needs 70 votes to pass, because it’s a fee increase. The measure can be brought up again. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the public is not opposing this legislation and hopes there’s another vote on the proposal

Cut 15 (09) “not citizens”

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15-year-old Seth Veillon was found dead by deputies in a mobile home Sunday in Paradis, and his mother is in critical condition. The child’s father is the suspected killer. Deputies found the boy, and his mother, both with multiple gunshot wounds. St. Charles Parish Sherriff’s spokesman Corporal James Grimaldi says they could not resuscitate the boy.

Cut 4  (09) “no avail” 

Lunches for Catholic and other non-public school students are threatened because of the House passed budget last week. The proposal, if eventually passed, would gut the program by 53 percent. The program is called school lunch salary supplements and it helps finance cafeteria operations and the cost of meals.

A proposal to raise fees on hunting and fishing licenses fails to get enough votes on the House floor. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

15-year-old Seth Veillon was found dead by deputies in a mobile home Sunday in Paradis, and his mother is in critical condition. The child’s father is the suspected killer. Deputies found the boy, and his mother, both with multiple gunshot wounds. St. Charles Parish Sherriff’s spokesman Corporal James Grimaldi says they could not resuscitate the boy.

Grimaldi says the victim’s mother, Nicole Veillon was taken to a local hospital.

Cut 6 (10) “unharmed”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and Formosa Petrochemical Corporation announced an agreement to build a 9.4 billion dollar facility in St. James Parish. Once the ten year project is completed, officials say it will generate 1,200 full time jobs with an average pay of 84,500 dollars a year. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell says it’s a big deal.

8,000 construction jobs are expected to be created while the facility is built.

Roussell says Formosa, who employs over 100,000 people worldwide, including several hundred at its other Louisiana facilities, is looking forward to working with and in the St. James community.

The project will require a major overhaul to local infrastructure, and Roussell says it’s the parish and state’s responsibility to make sure the road are up and working before construction begins.

Cut 12 (11) “kinda issues”

A LSU economic impact study estimates the facility will generate 313 million dollars in state revenue during its first ten years of operation.

A 9.4 billion dollar chemical manufacturing facility has been announced for St. James Parish. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

15-year-old Seth Veillon was found dead by deputies in a mobile home Sunday in Paradis, and his mother is in critical condition. The child’s father is the suspected killer. Deputies found the boy, and his mother, both with multiple gunshot wounds. St. Charles Parish Sherriff’s spokesman Corporal James Grimaldi says could not resuscitate the boy.

Grimaldi says the boy’s father, Ed Veillon Jr. has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

Cut 5  (10)  “of deputies”

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A proposal to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses failed to get the necessary 70 votes to pass the House. The legislation would raise an additional six-point-eight million dollars a year for Wildlife and Fisheries, who says the increase is necessary to help sustain the department for years to come. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says if L-D-W-F needs more money, they can get it from the Conservation fund

The legislation would also consolidate the number of licenses from 117 to 35 and actually lower some fees. Miguez says he’s fine with a consolidation of licenses, but his constituents are not happy about a fee increase…

Cut 14 (09) “good government”

Lunches for Catholic and other non-public school students are threatened because of the House passed budget last week. The proposal would gut the program by 53 percent. The program is called school lunch salary supplements and it helps finance cafeteria operations and the cost of meals.

Arcadia Mayor Eugene Smith passed away yesterday at the age of 84. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

15-year-old Seth Veillon was found dead by deputies in a mobile home Sunday in Paradis, and his mother is in critical condition. The child’s father is the suspected killer. Deputies found the boy, and his mother, both with multiple gunshot wounds. St. Charles Parish Sherriff’s spokesman Corporal James Grimaldi says could not resuscitate the boy.

Cut 4  (09) “no avail” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards and Formosa Petrochemical Corporation announced an agreement to build a 9.4 billion dollar facility in St. James Parish. Once the ten year project is completed, officials say it will generate 1,200 full time jobs with an average pay of 84,500 dollars a year. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussell says it’s a big deal.

Cut 10 (08) “these jobs”

8,000 construction jobs are expected to be created while the facility is built

A proposal to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses failed to get the necessary 70 votes to pass the House. The legislation would raise an additional six-point-eight million dollars a year for Wildlife and Fisheries, who says the increase is necessary to help sustain the department for years to come. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says if L-D-W-F needs more money, they can get it from the Conservation fund

Cut 13 (08)  “what happens”

Huge economic development news as Formosa selects a site in St. James Parish near the Sunshine Bridge to build a nine-point-four billion dollar chemical manufacturing complex.  State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a natural fit for the state.

Cut 13 (10) “over decades”

US Senator John Kennedy is asking Louisiana officials to cancel state contracts with Citigroup and Bank of America after the banks announced that they would enforce restrictions on companies that sell firearms. Kennedy says  the restrictions are a form of political discrimination.

Cut 8 (10) “are blue”

Governor John Bel Edwards has responded to Kennedy’s divestment request saying: “The only contract with a direct cost to the state was signed by you during your tenure as state treasurer. This contract is  with Bank of America.” As such, the governor called for “less posturing on the issue.”

The National Safety Council has released it’s first-ever “Road to Zero” report. It’s their vision for achieving zero deaths on roadways by 2050. National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman says they have assembled a huge coalition to fight against roadway deaths.

Cut 3 (:12) “get to zero”

Nearly 40-Thousand people die each year on our nation’s public roads.

The Louisiana Department of Health will be offering free STD testing at a series of rotating sites from Tuesday through Thursday. The initiative is part of the CDC’s STD awareness month. Assistant State’s Health Officer Dr. Parham Jaberi says Louisiana in particular is in need of more extensive STD education and testing.

Cut 10 (10) “raise awareness.”

The National Safety Council has released it’s first-ever “Road to Zero” report. It’s their vision for achieving zero deaths on roadways by 2050. National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman says that technology has helped bring down some of the statistics on roadway deaths. That coupled with tighter laws also help.

Cut 4 (:11) “best practices”

Nearly 40-Thousand people die each year on our nation’s public roads.

US Senator John Kennedy is asking Louisiana officials to cancel state contracts with Citigroup and Bank of America after the banks announced that they would enforce restrictions on companies that sell firearms. Kennedy says after getting bailed out in 2008, banks have no right to be dictating policy.

Cut 6 (11)  “on America”

A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to expand onto land is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate today, after being pulled from consideration last week. The bill would remove restrictions for Louisiana’s 15 floating gambling halls. The bill’s sponsor, Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns, says the legislation is not an expansion of gaming, but Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says that’s disingenuous.

Cut 12 (11) “of opportunity”

Another gambling bill, one that would allow Tangipahoa residents to vote on whether or not to accept a casino in Robert, is also expected to be discussed.

And the governor has announced that a 9.4 billion dollar chemical plant will begin construction in St. James Parish in 2019. The project is expected to create 1,200 new jobs.

And now here’s commodity prices.