A bill to eliminate the death penalty in cases of first degree murder, child rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell’s legislation would apply to offenses after August 1st 2018. Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre (FOB) testified in favor of the measure.

Morrell says he authored the bill, because the death penalty has not reduced violent crimes.  Fabre says the death penalty is just matching violence with violence.

Cut 4 (13) “how bad.”

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee.  The money committee agreed to the legislation, even though it will cost the state an additional million dollars. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti believes that most 18-year-olds will stay in foster care if benefits are extended to 21…

Cut 8 (11) “towards graduation”

One-million-dollars from the BP settlement would be used to finance the extension. The bill next heads to the Senate floor.

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A 24-7 Wall Street report shows Louisiana is one of the least taxed places to live in the country. Louisiana taxpayers are tied for fifth in the least amount of taxes paid to local and state governments when compared to other states. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this state has been a low tax state for years.

Cut 10 (11) “at all”

The Senate approves a bill that makes it clear bestiality is illegal in Louisiana. There is a law that says people can’t have sex with animals, but it’s unenforceable, because it’s contained in legislation that was ruled unconstitutional in 2003, because it criminalized sex between two males or females. Morrell says its important the state has a way to arrest someone for bestiality.

Morrell says the law protects does who have to touch animals in private areas, because they are either a doctor or for scientific research. He says some have complained his legislation is too ambiguous, but that’s not the case…

Cut 14 (04) “explaining it”

A bill to eliminate the death penalty in cases of first degree murder, child rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell’s legislation would apply to offenses after August 1st 2018. Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre (FOB) testified in favor of the measure.

Cut 3 (:09) “culture of death”

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee.  The money committee agreed to the legislation, even though it will cost the state an additional million dollars. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti of Bossier City says it’s a tragedy that once a foster child gets put on the street once they turn 18

After benefits for foster children are taken away, if they end up in trouble, Gatti says more money is spent taking care of their needs in jail that in a foster home…

Cut 7 (12)  “foster kids”

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The Senate approves a bill that makes it clear bestiality is illegal in Louisiana. There is a law that says people can’t have sex with animals, but it’s unenforceable, because it’s contained in legislation that was ruled unconstitutional in 2003, because it criminalized sex between two males or females. Morrell says its important the state has a way to arrest someone for bestiality

Cut 13 (05)  “to children”

Mini pig

Louisiana Sheriff Association Executive Director Michael Ranatza told the House Appropriations committee that there are 13-hundred people in local jails that have been waiting to go on trial for at least four years. Ranataza says sheriff departments are spending a lot of money to house those who are accused.

The full Senate approves legislation that allows students to wear bulletproof backpacks in a school. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says he filed the legislation in response to the tragic school shooting in Florida in which 17 people were killed…
cut 9 (10) “…guarantee”
The measure heads to the House for more discussion. Legislation that increases penalties for teachers who engage in sexual relationships with students is set for a hearing in a senate committee today. Bossier city senator Ryan Gatti says it makes such an offense a felony.

Governor Edwards says despite expiring temporary sales taxes on June 30th, the state cannot approve a budget in the regular session that adequately funds TOPS, higher education and health care. He says a special session is needed so revenues can be raised and put the state in a good fiscal posture…

Cut 4 (13) “job done.”

House Republican legislative leader Lance Harris says they are determining if they can pass a budget by making cuts and using savings to fill the deficit.

Cut 5 (09) “we’re in”

Harris says they will have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets on Thursday

A lethal shooting early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge has authorities thinking the victim, 18 year old Brice Lewis, might have been attempting to break into vehicles by an apartment complex. According to the apartment manager who said she saw surveillance video, claims the person who shot Lewis drove away. Corporal Don Coppola says they would like to talk with that person…

Cut 9 (08) “they may have”

Coppola says they are still seeking the person who shot Lewis.

Gas prices have held steady for the week and Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the jump in gas prices we see every spring appears to be over. Redman says despite a strong demand, the statewide average for regular gasoline has been holding at $2.44

Cut 13 (06) “prices”

Redman expects fuel prices to rise slightly when the summer driving season arrives.

Gas prices usually rise in the spring time as refineries shut down operations to switch from a winter grade gasoline to a summer grade. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump has increased 11-cents over the last month, but much of that increase occurred in the weeks leading up to Easter weekend….

Cut 14 (10) “very shortly.”

Redman says there could be a slight increase in the price when the summer driving season arrives.

A case of measles is confirmed today by Louisiana state health officials. A traveler from the United Kingdom was hospitalized over the weekend in New Orleans. Test results for measles came back positive. The virus is known to be highly contagious with symptoms that can include high fever, runny nose, followed by red spots on their skin. The Louisiana Department of Health says the best protection against measles infection is vaccination.

A bill that requires instruction and display of the national motto, “In God We Trust’ in public schools passed out of the Senate Finance committee today. Don Molino has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

Baton Rouge Police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in which the person who died is suspected of breaking into vehicles at the time. Corporal Don Coppola says 18-year-old Brice Lewis died at the scene early Sunday morning
Cut 7 (07) “struck him”
Coppola says the Baton Rouge Police are still looking for the person who shot Lewis.

Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early to take up fiscal matters that are pressing. Testifying in a rare Sunday meeting of the senate finance committee Edwards again urged early dismissal.

Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”

Edwards says the passing of a budget that is responsible will put the state in a good posture for a while.

Republican leader Lance Harris say they have put in over-time to hear all the bills presented this session just in case of early dismissal.

Cut 5  (08) “can do that”

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An LSU survey finds 70-percent of state residents believe women face a lot or some discrimination in society and that’s a seven-percent increase from a year ago. LSU Public Policy Research Lab director, Doctor Michael Henderson, says the survey also showed that nearly three-fourths of the respondents say elected officials accused of sexual harassment or assault by multiple people should resign

Cut 9 (11)  “even higher”

The full Senate could hear arguments today on a bill that would strip local jurisdictions of the ability to mandate real estate developers set aside a certain portion of their housing as lower rentBut Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center Policy Director Maxwell Ciardullo says it’s a gross overreach of state governmental power.

Cut 13 (07)  “think of”

LSU Engineering students have built a special wheelchair, designed for cruising beaches, in response to an inspiring essay from a girl with muscular dystrophy. Cheslyn Simpson of Plaquemine loves beaches, but is wheelchair bound. Blaize Vansickel from Livingston Parish says it’s technology for a better quality of life.

If the wheelchair works, Vansickel says they hope they can have it mass produced for others, who love a trip to the beach, but are wheelchair bound. He says working on the project has been a joy.

Cut 6 (09) “their own.”

They’ve setup a GoFundMe for donations, and also accept support through the LSU Foundation under team 43.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they have yet to find any positive results for chronic wasting disease in Louisiana. L-D-W-F was put on alert when a case was confirmed in the Mississippi Delta just five miles away from the Louisiana border. LDWF Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says they’ve sampled 188 deer from East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parishes

Bordelon says they will continue to work with private landowners to obtain consent for sampling efforts and they are asking for the public to watch out for signs of the disease

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The full Senate could hear arguments today on a bill that would strip local jurisdictions of the ability to mandate real estate developers set aside a certain portion of their housing as lower rent. Metairie Senator Dan Martiny, the bill’s sponsor, says affordable housing initiatives should be voluntary, not mandatory.

Martiny says rent prices and housing availability should not be subject to local control.

Cut 11 (05) “them self”

He says the bill is an attempt to preempt rent reform movements that are picking up steam in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

But Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center Policy Director Maxwell Ciardullo says requiring developers to build lower cost units gives thousands of working class people the chance at finding a reasonable rent.

Cut 12 (08) “average worker”

The Senate could hear a bill that would block localities from requiring real estate developers to build lower cost housing units. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU Engineering students have built a special wheelchair, designed for cruising beaches, in response to an inspiring essay from a girl with muscular dystrophy. Cheslyn Simpson of Plaquemine loves beaches, but is wheelchair bound. Blaize Vansickel from Livingston Parish says it’s technology for a better quality of life.

The project got off the ground with a contribution from an LSU donor, but since then has been mostly self-funded. Vansickel says they’re getting close to a finished product.

Cut 5  (06)  “gunna work.”

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An LSU survey finds 70-percent of state residents believe women face a lot or some discrimination in society and that’s a seven-percent increase from a year ago. LSU Public Policy Research Lab director, Doctor Michael Henderson, says most Louisiana residents agree gender inequality is a real problem in this state

Henderson believes the increase can be attributed to reports that Louisiana leads the country in gender pay inequality and the numerous accusations of sexual harassment. He says most of the victims claim they were harassed by someone they worked with

Cut 8 (06)  “work place”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they have yet to find any positive results for chronic wasting disease in Louisiana. L-D-W-F was put on alert when a case was confirmed in the Mississippi Delta just five miles away from the Louisiana border. LDWF Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says they’ve sampled 188 deer from East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parishes

An LSU survey finds that 72-percent of residents believe an elected official should resign if they are accused by multiple people of sexual harassment. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU Engineering students have built a special wheelchair, designed for cruising beaches, in response to an inspiring essay from a girl with muscular dystrophy. Cheslyn Simpson of Plaquemine loves beaches, but is wheelchair bound. Blaize Vansickel from Livingston Parish says it’s technology for a better quality of life.

Cut 4  (12) “the beach” 

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The full Senate could hear arguments today on a bill that would strip local jurisdictions of the ability to mandate real estate developers set aside a certain portion of their housing as lower rent. Metairie Senator Dan Martiny, the bill’s sponsor, says affordable housing initiatives should be voluntary, not mandatory.

Martiny says rent prices and housing availability should not be subject to local control.

Cut 11 (05) “them self”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they have yet to find any positive results for chronic wasting disease in Deer in Louisiana. L-D-W-F was put on alert when a case was confirmed in the Mississippi Delta just five miles away from the Louisiana border. LDWF Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says they’ve sampled 188 deer from East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parishes

Bordelon says they hope to sample over 100 more deer in northeast Louisiana. He says C-W-D is a neurodegenerative disease and it causes irreversible brain damage and infected deer can spread the disease even before symptoms develop

Louisiana is receiving a 1.2 billion dollar block grant from the federal government to construct flood protection projects in southeast Louisiana. There’s been a push for this funding after the 2016 August flood caused an estimated 8.7 billion dollars in damage. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the block grant will go right to the state and skip the red tape.

Cut 12 (10)   “for decades.”

Graves expects the money to be available by summer.

The northern half of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather this afternoon and into tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will sweep through the state bringing the chance for flash flooding, but more concerning is the chance for tornadoes

Cut 9 (08) “pretty bumpy”

Some scary moments for a Louisiana State Trooper last night in New Orleans as a yet unidentified man attempted to get into his vehicle. Police later apprehended a juvenile and charged him with attempted carjacking of the unmarked police vehicle. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says it started when a strange car just pulled up.

Cut 3 (09) “troopers vehicle”

Big crowds are expected this weekend for Wrestlemania 34 which will take place Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 75-thousand pro wrestling fans are expected to pack the Superdome and millions will watch on the WWE television network. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss will defend her RAW Women’s Championship when she battles Nia Jax on Sunday and says its the wrestling fan’s Mecca.

Cut 7 (11)  “forward to”