The Senate votes down legislation requiring cable and internet providers to provide refunds to customers without service for over 24 hours during a declared disaster. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Efforts to raise the state’s minimum wage failed to get the support of the House Labor Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Louisiana Public Service Commission made headway this week in an effort to help close the digital divide in North Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative will be the first utility co-op to supply internet service to their customers, PSC Chair Lambert Boissiere says it’s historic…

Cut 3 (09) “…internet existed.”

Boissiere says this will help individuals who lacked broadband and also businesses that need access to remain competitive in Northeast Louisiana.  He says federal infrastructure grants laid the groundwork for the private-public partnership.

Commissioner Foster Campbell says Northeast Louisiana Power Co-Op will supply broadband for members in seven northeast parishes.

Cut 4  (09) “…the poorest.”

According to the 2022 Louisiana Survey about three-fourths of homes in the state have broadband internet access.  LSU Public Policy Research Director Mike Henderson says of the remaining 25-percent who don’t, 40-percent say it’s not available and 60-percent say it’s too expensive.

Cut 5  (06) “…to them.”

And while the approval of the state’s first co-op to provide broadband access to rural northeast Louisiana is significant, Henderson says for areas of the state that have the service it’s a premium that many can’t afford.

Cut 6  (11) “…the cost.” 

The Louisiana Survey polled 508 adults from February 21^st to March 14^th.

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A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote. Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills

Cut 7 (12) “…be a problem.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive. But River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says just because your cable is out on your television, some providers offer other ways to watch…

Cut 8 (10) “…on your phone.” 

There’s a push to increase broadband internet in rural areas and Minden Senator Robert Mills expressed concern this measure could impact those efforts…

Cut 9 (06) “…with this”

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LSU cornerback Derek Stingley is a strong candidate to be taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, which starts tonight. Stingley has been on the NFL’s radar since he stepped onto the LSU campus in 2019. His coach at Dunham High School in Baton Rouge, Neil Weiner, says he’s been hearing from teams for years looking for inside info on the budding star.

Cut 10 (08) “…would reach out.”

Stingley has been considered a first-rounder since he dominated the SEC as a freshman for the 2019 national champions. Weiner said that he has always been ahead of his time, dating back to his earliest workouts in the summer before his first year at Dunham.

Cut 11 (12)  “…13-year-old.” 

By Stingley’s third year of high school, he was already one of the most sought-after athletes in the country and Weiner says he knew that Stingley had the ability to reach the NFL and become one of the best in the game. Tonight, Derek Stingley Jr. should take the first steps on that journey.

Cut 12 (10) “…state of Louisiana.”  

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Once again the House Labor Committee voted down proposals to increase the minimum wage. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says he’s concerned that increasing the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour will result in job losses…

Cut 13 (10) “…the workplace.”

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle disagrees that a higher minimum wage will lead to fewer jobs…

Cut 14 (09)  “…jobs are there.”

Marcelle believes raising the minimum wage will lead to more people entering the workforce and she had a proposal to increase the minimum wage to 12-dollars an hour…

Cut 15 (12) “…at your job” 

As we’ve seen in years past, business groups lobbied against minimum wage hike proposals. Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry on why the state should not raise the minimum wage…

Cut  16 (08)  “…their businesses“

An elderly Slidell man was hospitalized after being attacked by a squirrel. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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The World Meteorological Organization has retired Ida from the rotating lists of Atlantic Hurricane names. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Baton Rouge man who was found not guilty by reason of insanity after driving his speeding truck into the back of a 51-year-old woman’s car, killing her as a result has been released from a state mental facility. 21-year-old Jack Jordan’s attorney James Manasseh says his client has met all the conditions set forth by the hospital.

Cut 3 (11) “…or himself.”

Jordan was 19 years old when he drove his vehicle 90 miles per hour into the back of 51-year-old Stephanie Payne’s SUV in 2019. Jordan told authorities God told him to commit suicide but killed Payne in his attempt. Manasseh says when one pleads guilty by reason of insanity, they still have to meet conditions set forth by the Judge.

Cut 4  (12) “…anticipated.”

Manasseh says even though Jordan has been released, he still remains under supervision, and his medication is also monitored. Manasseh says Jordan has weekly meetings with psychiatrists, and probation officers and is no longer allowed to drive.

Cut 5  (08) “…supervision.”

Manasseh says Jordan will essentially be on probation for the remainder of his life.

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When a dog bites a man, that’s not news, but how about when a squirrel bites a man? Authorities say a 78-year-old Slidell man sustained significant injuries in a squirrel attack. It all started Wednesday morning, says Slidell Police Department spokesman Daniel Seuzeneau (Soos-ih-no), with a call to 9-1-1.

Cut 6  (12) “…the man’s hand.” 

Seuzeneau says emergency responders quickly made their way to the scene as the man attempted to fend off the squirrel. When they arrived the victim was attempting to choke the squirrel but he wasn’t able to get a grip on the animal.

Cut 7 (12) “…of that attack.” 

The gentleman was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for significant injuries, though he is expected to make a full recovery. ER doctors have requested to examine the squirrel to test for any possible diseases. The cause of the attack is unknown, and in general, they aren’t common.

Cut 8 (10) “…start a study.” 

This is the second reported squirrel attack in Slidell this year. The first happened in February during a Mardi Gras parade where three people were injured.

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The House Education Committee approves a bill that bans corporal punishment in public schools. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says children should not be physically punished by the principal or teacher…

Cut 9 (13) “…in school”

No one on the House Education Committee objected to the bill. It has the support of retired educator and Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg….

Cut 10 (06) “…school system”

Executive Director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Michael Faulk, says he knows of 19 school districts in Louisiana that have a school board policy allowing corporal punishment…

Cut 11 (10)  “…discpline” 

This same bill failed to pass in the House last year as it failed on a floor vote of 48 to 49.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would require convicted drunk drivers who had a blood alcohol content of .15 to have an interlock device system installed on their vehicle for two years. The bill’s author is Covington Representative Mark Wright…

Cut 12 (08) “…others from”  

The interlock prevents individuals from starting a vehicle if they have been drinking. Wright is admitted recovering alcoholic and knows individuals with a drinking problem are chronic drunk drivers…

Cut 13 (08) “…of it.”

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre owns a company that sells interlock devices and there are concerns his business could profit from the passage of this legislation. The Ethics Board has ruled that Webre can not sell his interlock devices in LaFourche and Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says if lawmakers have questions they can bring Sheriff Webre to the capitol in the future

Cut 14 (11)  “…about Craig Webre.”

The anticipation for Festival International is at an all-time high as the global musical event returns to Acadiana tonight after a two-year absence. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A bill seeking to repeal the state’s 2016 Raise the Age law will go to the full Senate for debate. Kevin Gallagher reports it would mean more juveniles could tried as adults…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Entergy renews its effort to make renewable energy accessible to its customers next month. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The largest free international music festival kicks off tonight in Lafayette and after a two-year absence organizers of Festival International are tuning up for record-breaking crowds. Spokesperson Brad Cradeur says there’s plenty of anticipation for the five-day festival to get underway.

Cut 4 (08)  “…tons of fun.”

For this year’s festival which features musical acts, crafts, and food from all over the globe, there’s a new cashless payment system. Cradeur says you can register for an account ahead of time on their website FestivalInternational-dot-org

Cut 5 (10) “…bank account.”

If you’ve never attended the event Cradeur says it’s hard to explain in a few words just how distinctive the event is for Acadiana. He says he can’t think of any other place in the world where you can experience such a gamut of music in less than a tenth of a mile.

Cut 6 (10)  “…something years now.”

Festival International normally attracts up to 300,000 attendees over the five-day period but organizers expect to eclipse previous records in attendance this year.

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A bill to repeal Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law passes a Senate committee without objection. The law assures all persons under 18 who commit serious crimes are tried in juvenile court. The bill seeks to make that age limit 17. Speaking for it, state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who referenced a terrible New Orleans carjacking last month, in which a woman was dragged to death. The persons arrested were all minors…:

Cut 7 (10) “…tried as adults.”

The “Raise the Age” law was part of a criminal justice reform package, pushed by Governor John Bel Edwards during his first year in office. Passed in 2016, it took effect in March 2019, and provides that – for court and trial purposes – “child” means anyone under 21 who commits a crime before age 18. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill would return that definition to “before age 17”. Eighteenth JDC District Attorney Tony Clayton says it’s time to get rid of “Raise the Age”…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…with the rest of us.”

Among those opposing the bill was Rachel Gassert, with the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. She says the 2016 law merely stops the automatic routing of 17-year-olds through the adult court system, and she says the measure is unnecessary…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…question is relevant.”

Passed without objection by Senate Judiciary B committee members, the bill moves to the Senate floor.

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Soon Entergy customers will have the option to match some or get all of their electricity usage from renewable energy sources. Director of regulatory affairs Elizabeth Ingram says the Green Select program starts in May with customers able to choose from receiving 25 to up to 100 percent of their power from facilities like the Capital Region Solar site in West Baton Rouge.

Cut 10 (08) “…renewable sources.”

The Entergy Green Select program makes renewable energy available to people who rent their homes or are unable to install solar panels. Customers will have to pay a slight surcharge depending on which tier they select.

Cut  11 (11)  “…per kilowatt hour.”  

Ingram says roughly 30 percent of the energy supplied to customers comes from clean sources and Green Select should help increase that number as Entergy looks to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent over the next eight years from where they were in the year 2000, with a net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Cut 12 (11) “…to bring customers.” 

For more information, you can visit renew-dot-entergy-dot-com.

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Louisiana Gaming Commission Chairman Ronnie Johns says sports gamblers wagered $628.3 million in the first five months of the expansion for online betting.

Cut 13 (10) “…it works”

Johns says it works well enough that sports wagering has generated $7.4 million in tax revenue for Louisiana.

Johns says while the commission was under lots of pressure to get online sports betting up and running ASAP, he says it wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of several agencies.

Cut 14 (11)  “…we did.”

Instead of rushing online gaming, Johns says he’s relieved they took the time to ensure it launched smoothly…

Cut 15 (06)  “…pleased with.”

Casinos brought in $53.8 million from sport betting from November to March.

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The NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow and for the first time in a while, there won’t be a lot of LSU Tigers taken early. One player who should hear his name called on day one is cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. While his LSU career was cut short by injury, draft expert Mike Detillier says Stingley still has everything needed to be a star at the next level.

Cut 16 (18)  “…in 2019.”

After playing 15 games for the 2019 national champs, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley came back with a fantastic pro-day performance that has likely lifted him back into the top 10 of the draft. Detillier says the health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field.

Cut 17 (16) “ …NFL season.” 

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The New Orleans Pelicans fell behind early and never recovered, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting. He says his team has to be better, and it starts with him.

Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.” 

Now down three games to two, the Pelicans face elimination in Game 6. Ingram says he’ll be ready to step up in front of the home crowd on Thursday night and hopefully send the series back to Phoenix.

Cut 19 (15) _“…defensive end.” 

The Pelicans have trailed by double digits at halftime in all three losses. Coach Willie Green says they have to be ready to play from the outset against the best team in the league.

Cut 20 (13) “ …really good team.” 

The series returns to New Orleans on Thursday for Game 6. Tip-off will be at 6:30 pm.

After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse with poor living conditions during Hurricane Ida, lawmakers are responding with legislation. Brooke Thorington has more on one of those bills.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Encouraging news as COVID cases in the state are at an all-time low…David Grubb has the latest numbers.

Cut 2 (36)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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After 850 nursing home patients were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, legislation to give the state more oversite powers have been proposed in this session. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds’s bill gives the Department of Health more enforcement.

Cut 3 (10) “…approve the plan.”

House Bill 291 gives LDH the ability to reject questionable evacuation plans. Edmonds says Health and Welfare Committee members repeatedly asked who approved a plan to evacuate patients to a warehouse where patients’ bedding consisted of mattresses on the floor.

Cut 4  (09) “…and rejected.”

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey asked if the legislation requires nursing homes to show proof of the ability to execute approved evacuation plans, for example, their finances and contracts for supplies. Edmonds welcomed Ivey’s input on the legislation.

Cut 5  (06) “…sir, thank you.”

Bill passed in the House with only one vote in opposition. There’s also Senate legislation that charges the State Fire Marshal’s Office with inspection of evacuation plans.

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The numbers on COVID infections in Louisiana are very encouraging. The latest figures show only 38 patients hospitalized statewide, with not a single patient currently on a chemical ventilator. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter likes what he sees.

Cut 6  (06) “…this pandemic.” 

Kanter says the numbers don’t mean there’s no longer a reason to take precautions and believes another surge is likely at some point, though Louisiana is in much better shape to face that when the time comes.

Cut 7 (14) “…is significant.” 

Individuals still have to assess the level of risk for themselves and their families. Vaccinations remain the best protection from COVID, and Kanter says if you haven’t gotten a booster, now’s the time to do so.

Cut 8 (11) “…these variants.” 

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The Louisiana Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would criminalize the act of prescribing, distributing, or administrating abortion pills without an in-person visit with a licensed doctor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she wrote the bill because the current law prohibiting such activity is unclear…

Cut 9 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Hewitt says businesses located out of the state and the United States are selling abortion pills online and mailing them to women in Louisiana for them to take at home without physician oversight…

Cut 10 (10) “…for women”

Hewitt says her legislation would apply criminal penalties to the distributor of the abortion pill, not the pregnant woman…

Cut 11 (12)  “…abortion industry” 

The bill moves to the House for its consideration.

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Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow will not move forward with a bill that would give judges the authority to sentence a convicted sex offender to surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13. Barrow says she’s heard several different concerns, including what happens if the castration happens, but it turns out to be a wrongful conviction…

Cut 12 (12) “…convicted wrongly”  

Morgan Lamandre is the legal director for a group called sexual trauma awareness and response. Lamandre told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that surgical castration does not serve as a deterrent…

Cut 13 (11) “…more deadly.”

Barrow says she’ll study the issue and plans to file a surgical castration bill for child rapists next year. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodi White says he’s watched video that sex crime prosecutors have where young children are raped and he can’t wait to vote for this legislation…

Cut 14 (09)  “…threw up.”

A bill to prohibit discrimination in housing based on gender identity & gender preference advances out of the House Commerce Committee Monday. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A New Orleans wrestler becomes the first high-school athlete in the state to sign a deal for his name, image, and likeness. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Legislation to address a technicality of insurance companies denying living expenses for policyholders because mandatory evacuations were not issued, passed in the House. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A House bill to prohibit discrimination in housing based on gender identity or sexual orientation advanced out of the House Commerce Committee Monday. Bill sponsor and New Orleans Democrat Representative Aimee Freeman says her HB303 parallels federal law already in place…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…with federal law.”

But committee members questioned why – if there is already a federal law – is a state statute necessary? Metairie Republican Representative Polly Thomas asks how a landlord or seller would determine a person’s gender preference or identity…:

Cut 5 (12) “…to be adequate.”

A motion was made to kill Freeman’s bill. That received a terse response from New Orleans Democrat Rep. Royce Duplessis, who pointed out that not one person who filed an opposition “red card” chose to come to committee and testify against Freeman’s bill. He calls that “embarrassing and frustrating”…:

Cut 6 (09)  “…you can kill a bill.”

Another motion was made to advance the bill out of committee, and it passed without objection; moving now to the House floor.

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Brother Martin’s Richie Clementi is one of the very best high school wrestlers in the state and he’s only a freshman. Clementi is 80-0 over the past two years, including winning the state championship in his weight class this past February. Now, he’s the first high school athlete in Louisiana to sign a deal to compensate him for his name, image, and likeness.

Cut 7 (06) “…these deals.”

Friendly Powersports Slidell and Clementi agreed on a four-figure deal that will allow the young wrestler the opportunity to focus on improving without having to miss a practice or workout to go to work, a choice that Clementi says a lot of young athletes have to make.

Cut 8 (12)  “…at tournaments.”

Clementi’s father, Rich, says NIL is a benefit to athletes in all types of sports, not just football or basketball, and believes that more student-athletes may be able to stick with sports like wrestling with the potential avenues for financial support that weren’t available in the past.

Cut 9 (12)  “…overall process.”

Clementi has already received a second offer for a NIL deal, with more potentially to come.

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The Senate Finance Committee approves legislation that would double the fine for speeding on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Senate President Page Cortez is seeking lawmakers’ approval to use cameras to issue speeding tickets based on how fast it takes a vehicle to get from one end to the other…

Cut 10 (05) “…the exits.”

The speed limit on the 18-mile bridge is 60 miles per hour for cars and 55 miles per hour for trucks, so if a car does the speed limit, it should take 18 minutes to get across the bridge. Vehicles that make it across faster than 18 minutes could receive a speeding ticket in the mail.

Cortez’s legislation needed Senate Finance approval because it will cost the state to put up additional speed limit signs and cameras. The Lafayette lawmaker says the goal is to slow motorists down

Cut  11 (12)  “…off of it.”  

Violators would get two warnings and then face fines for a third violation. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan likes the measure as one of his friends who was a police officer was killed after stopping a motorist on the bridge…

Cut 12 (11) “…the bill.” 

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The Louisiana House approves a bill requiring insurers that offer loss of use of coverage to provide two weeks of evacuation living expenses to policyholders even if a mandatory evacuation is not called. The legislation is in response to Hurricane Ida which rapidly intensified and didn’t allow for a government-ordered mandatory evacuation Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel’s bill will keep insurance companies from denying such coverage in the future.

Cut 13 (10) “…(x2) be triggered”

State Farm denied policyholders who had the coverage, two weeks of additional living expenses, on the technicality that a mandatory evacuation wasn’t enforced.

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment opposed the bill because he says it’s a reaction to a rare occurrence and worries when a mayor in one area of the state calls for an evacuation it could impact insurance rates in other parts of the state.

Cut 14 (10)  “…and Monroe.”

Both Schlegel and Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni reiterated that the bill does not create additional coverage it only forces an insurance company to pay expenses of those who have the coverage. Stagni says he received numerous calls from constituents who were denied such expenses.

Cut 15 (10)  “…this is needed.”

The bill passed on a 68 to 31 vote.

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Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas grab the headlines, but Pelicans rookie Herb Jones has quickly made a name for himself this postseason. Jones leads all rookies in minutes during the playoffs and has had to guard nearly every player on the Suns’ roster. McCollum says he’s never seen a rookie quite like Herb.

Cut 16 (19)  “…get from him.”

During the Pelicans’ Game Four win Jones blocked three shots, all of them coming on three-point attempts, making him the only player over the last two seasons, both regular and playoffs to accomplish that feat. McCollum says there isn’t an area of weakness in Jones’ defensive arsenal.

Cut 17 (19) “ …the length.” 

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Coming off of their sweep of Missouri this past weekend, the LSU Tigers have won four in a row heading into tonight’s contest with intrastate foe UNO. Coach Jay Johnson says the Tigers are still improving, but he liked the way they handled themselves at the plate and in the field against Mizzou.

Cut 18 (18) “ …keep working.” 

Johnson says the team is better than it has been, and if the Tigers can get a bit healthier he believes they can make some noise during the final weeks of the regular season and heading into the SEC tournament.

Cut 19 (18) _“…keep working.” 

A bullet fired into an Alexandria home has killed a teenage girl. Jeff Palermo has the latest on the investigation…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The first of six public meetings get underway Monday evening on potential sites for a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge connecting LA 1 to LA 30. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Alexandria Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl who died when a bullet entered her home on Monroe street last night. Lt. Lane Windham says Kaliyah Turner was rushed to a local hospital…

Cut 3 (07) “…the hospital.”

Windham says Turner was in her bedroom when several bullets entered her home…

Cut 4  (05) “…innocent bystander.”

Windham says they do not have any suspects at this time….

Cut 5  (12) “…killed her.”

If anyone has information, they are urged to contact the Alexandria Police Department.

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State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Assumption Parish after sheriff’s deputies tried to make a traffic stop Sunday morning of a stolen Ford pickup. Trooper Ross Brennan says after a short pursuit the driver 26-year-old Rhett Thibodeaux of Larose, stopped the vehicle.

Cut 6  (10) “…units.” 

Brennan says when Thibodeaux’s truck went into reverse and hit two of the units behind him, one of the deputies fired their gun at the truck.

Cut 7 (10) “…his injuries.” 

The Ford pickup was reported stolen out of Lafourche Parish and Brennan says evidence gathered at the scene is being processed at the State Police Crime Lab and the investigation is ongoing.

Cut 8 (07) “…download it.” 

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This evening the first of six public meetings allowing residents to provide input for the potential Mississippi River Bridge LA 1 to LA 30 connector is being held.  DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says public meetings are vital so they can narrow down the ten potential bridge sites to two or three locations.

Cut 9 (09) “…public response.”

Tonight’s meeting is in Baton Rouge at the library on Bluebonnet from 5 until 7. For a listing visit DOTD-dot-la-gov and search Mississippi River Bridge LA 1 to LA 30 connector.

Wilson says with ten potential sites that the Coast Guard has also provided guidance on, they are now asking the public for their thoughts

Cut 10 (12) “…this bridge.”

And while Wilson is inviting the public for their input on the potential location for the two-billion-dollar bridge, he also wants the public to voice where they don’t want the bridge to be constructed.

Cut 11 (12)  “…should be.” 

Wilson says they expect to narrow down sites to two or three locations and then conduct more in-depth studies on those locations.

For a list of meeting sites visit http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/announcements/announcement.aspx?key=29706

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The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that gives Louisiana citizens the right to accept or reject any form of health care. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says he authored the constitutional amendment after seeing some people lose their job over not getting the COVID vaccine…

Cut 12 (12) “…health care.”  

The measure passed on an eleven to one vote, Lake Charles Representative Wilford Carter was the lone member to vote against the measure. He says current law prohibits the firing of an employee for race, age, gender and disability and this proposal would add a fifth basis for why you can not be fired…

Cut 13 (07) “…is doing.”

Frieman says the legislation does not prohibit an employer from instituting a vaccine mandate. He says this legislation is intended to give citizens a legal right to reject to any medical treatment…

Cut 14 (08)  “…or care.

A bill to allow sexual assault victims to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is expected to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Senator Cleo Fields has a bill on the table that would require cable and internet service providers to provide rebates after disasters. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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An LSU student-founded outdoorsman’s company wins big in a prestigious business plan pitching competition. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A bill to allow a sexual assault victim, if requested, to receive a copy of their forensic medical exam is scheduled to be heard in the Louisiana Senate today. Bill Author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she was shocked to learn this was even an issue after hearing testimony from former LSU students who claimed they were sexually assaulted.

Cut 4 (10)  “…her report.”

The bill was amended in committee that only a component adult victim may request a copy of the exam from the healthcare provider who performed the examination. Mizell says a copy must be provided to the patient no later than 14 days after the request is received.

Cut 5 (12) “…like that.”

STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response) Legal Director Morgan LeMandre says it’s about your medical health and victims of other crimes, for example, a gunshot wound, are able to have a copy but not victims of sexual assault.

LeMandre says she and Mizell were told at a sexual assault oversite commission meeting why victims are denied a copy of the report….

Cut 6 (12)  “…through something (right).”

If passed the bill is a companion piece of legislation to Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly’s, House Bill 313, granting crime victims certain rights.

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After a disaster strikes outages are likely, and paying for your internet or cable that is not working should not be another burden for consumers, says Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields. His Senate Bill 352 would fix that.

Cut 7 (10) “… have to pay.”

Fields says he’s not interested in punishing companies, but in making the process of recovery easier. To emphasize that, he proposed amendments to the bill that limited the scope of when the rebates would take effect and who would be subject to them.

Cut 8 (11)  “…are not metered.”

Fields says currently a customer needs to contact their cable or internet provider in order to receive a refund if they experienced an outage after a hurricane or severe weather. The Baton Rouge lawmaker believes these refunds should occur automatically if the outage lasts more than 24 hours.

The proposal also puts cable and internet providers under the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission.

Lauren Chauvin, executive director of the Louisiana Internet and Television Association, says they issued millions of dollars in refunds after Hurricane Ida and the bill calls for too many restrictions on service providers…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on our members.”

The amended bill passed through Senate Commerce, with Fields pledging to work on the wording of the legislation before he brings it up for a vote in the Senate.

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An LSU student-founded sportsmen’s charter business wins big in a business plan competition. Logan Meaux is the founder of Mallard Bay, which he describes as a marketplace for booking guided hunting and fishing trips with reputable charters and outfitters. He says they recently were in the Rice University Business Plan Competition, and won over $200-thousand…:

Cut 10 (14) “…pitching in the finals.”

Meaux is the son of WAITR delivery app founder Chris Meaux. He says problems with booking a hunting trip for his dad inspired him to build Mallard Bay from the ground up. In existence for less than a year, Meaux feels Mallard Bay did remarkably well in the prestigious business pitch competition…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…across North America.”  

Only 42 teams competed in the Rice competition, and Mallard took home the fourth largest amount of investments; totaling about $215-thousand. So what’s next for Meaux, his business partners and Mallard Bay? Perhaps an appearance on “Shark Tank?”…

Cut 12 (10) “…gonna go from here.” 

More online at “MallardBay.com”

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Trailing by two at halftime, the eighth-seeded Pelicans outscored top-seeded Phoenix 69-52 in the second half on their way to a 118-103 victory on Sunday night to even up their opening-round series at two games each. Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 30 points, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach that mark in three straight playoff games.

Cut 13 (13) “…look good”

It was an electric weekend in New Orleans, with sold out crowds making their presence felt in both games. Pelicans coach Willie Green says it was something special.

Cut 14 (11)  “…behind us.”

After scoring 31 points in game three, Chris Paul was held to four by the Pelicans, on just 2-of-8 shooting. Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado also forced Paul into three turnovers, one more than he had in the entire series coming in. It got testy between the two in the second half, Alvarado says it’s just basketball.

Cut 15 (11)  “…difficult for him.”

Game five of the series is Tuesday night with game six back in New Orleans on Thursday.

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LSU and Louisiana Tech held spring games on Saturday and both schools are undecided at starting quarterback. In Ruston, TCU transfer Matthew Downing, redshirt senior Parker McNeil and freshman Landry Lyddy are competing to be Q-B 1. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says it would be hard to name a starter right now

Cut 16 (06)  “…have to do that today.”

Going into spring, many believed it was between Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels to be the starting quarterback. But Garrett Nussmeier showed he should be considered as well as he threw for a game-high 136 yards and a touchdown. Following the spring game, Tigers Coach Brian Kelly admitted there’s less clarity on who will be the starter…

Cut 17 (17) “ …on the team” 

Jack Bech led the wide receivers with six catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Kelly is impressed with the soon-to-be sophomore from Lafayette and calls him deceptive…

Cut 18 (20) “ …that today” 

After a slow start on Saturday, LSU got the running game going. Tre Bradford led the way with 85 yards rushing, Armoni Goodwin had 71 yards on the ground and Josh Williams scored twice and had 51 yards rushing. John Emery also got four carries for 24 yards. Kelly knows they have holes on the team but not at running back…

Cut 19 (20) _“…in this league” 

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After getting swept last weekend at Arkansas, LSU baseball returned home this past weekend to sweep Missouri. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson likes the look of his line-up with freshman Josh Pearson leading-off…

Cut 20 (22) “ …this weekend” 

LSU hosts UNO on Tuesday and then Georgia this weekend.

Baton Rouge Police say a four-year-old died after being forced to consume a bottle of whiskey and her relatives are behind bars. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A bill staking New Orleans’ claim as the birthplace of Rock and Roll is headed to the house floor. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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After a four-year-old Baton Rouge toddler was allegedly forced to drink alcohol and found unresponsive Thursday morning, her mother and grandmother are charged with first-degree murder. BRPD Spokesperson L’Jean McKneely says when officers arrived the family had already attempted to revive China Record by placing her in a tub of cold water.

Cut 3 (11) “…later die.”

The coroner says China Record’s blood alcohol concentration was a deadly point-six-eight-zero. McNeely says the victim’s grandmother 53-year-old Roxanne Record and mother 28-year-old Kadjah Record were both charged, even though the investigation indicates the grandmother forced the child to drink the whiskey.

Cut 4  (10) “…unconscious.”

McKneely says this is just one of many heartbreaking cases where a child’s life ended due to abuse. He says they are trying to raise more awareness of available resources to help those in such situations. McKneely encourages the public to contact them.

Cut 5  (08) “…available.”

The case remains under investigation. Both women are being held in the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and bond amounts have not been listed

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Houma Representative Tanner Magee considers himself a music aficionado, and as one, something has bothered him for a very long time…the fact that the city of Memphis lays claim as the home of rock and roll. A trip to the legendary Sun Records studio years ago has inspired him to propose HB 889, which would create a rock and roll museum in New Orleans.

Cut 6  (12) “…comes to Memphis.” 

The Dew-Drop-America’s Rock and Roll Museum would celebrate and promote the city and state’s rich musical heritage, as well as the social, cultural, and economic history of rock and roll music near the site of one of the most famous music clubs and hotels in the country.

Cut 7 (12) “…just music.” 

Magee says cities like Memphis have built up cultural tourism sites, leading to increased revenue and that it’s time for Louisiana to start doing the same.

Cut 8 (09) “…all these things.” 

The pill passed House Municipal and now heads to the floor for further debate.

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Should Louisiana increase the number of medical marijuana pharmacy licenses? That’s a debate underway in the ongoing legislative session. Current law provides for the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to issue no more than ten, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino has a bill to increase the limit to 25…

Cut 9 (12) “…access to it.”

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved Marino’s bill and a full House vote is scheduled next week.

The legislation does not have the full support of the governor. John Bel Edwards says the framework for dispensing medical marijuana is still relatively new in Louisiana and adding more licensee holders could be unfair to the existing ones…

Cut 10 (10)  “…problematic”

Edwards believes it would be better to keep the number of licensed medical marijuana pharmacies to ten….

Cut 11 (11)  “…to have too.” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee has a bill that’s passed House Health and Welfare that would allow current marijuana pharmacy license holders to have satellite locations.

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Today marks 30 years since the multi-state, big money Powerball lottery game debuted, and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the anniversary comes with one of the game’s top twenty jackpot amounts…:

Cut 12 (09) “…for Saturday’s drawing.”  

The estimated Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is at just over $400-million. Chopin says ticket sales always soar when jackpots get this high…:

Cut 13 (08) “…for two dollars.”

This far from the biggest Powerball jackpot ever. That was a $1.6-billion sum awarded in January 2016 to winners in California, Florida and Tennessee. Chopin says it’s still good to observe three decades of Powerball with a chance for someone in Louisiana to become a millionaire…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…that multi-state game.”

The state’s $38-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st has passed the House of Representatives. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Law enforcement will increase their enforcement of seat belt use in pick-up trucks. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

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The Pelicans’ success has more birds of a feather flocking together, as fan groups sprout up and meet up to watch the team. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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The full House of Representatives passes the $38-billion state budget bill. The legislation is the state’s spending plan for fiscal year that starts July 1^st. Speaking on the House floor, Appropriations chair and Houma Republican Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG) says House Bill 1 makes good use of one-time money for the pandemic and from the federal CARES act…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…one-time expenses.”

The budget bill has no significant cuts for any department, fully funds higher education, TOPS grants and includes pay raises for teachers and school support staff. On the floor, Lafayette area Republican Rep. Blake Miguez (MEE-gez) asks Zeringue about the nearly half-a-cent temporary sales tax increase; passed in 2016 to address a fiscal cliff. He worries a growing a state budget ignores the impending loss of revenue when it expires…:

Cut 5 (12) “…in the next term.”

Zeringue says he and other budget architects DID take lowered sales taxes into account…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…all things considered.”

HB1 passed the chamber by a vote of 94-4 and now moves to the Senate Finance Committee for review.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is dismayed the Louisiana House does not back his proposal to put 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Edwards says thanks to state surplus dollars and federal infrastructure dollars the state can finally make a significant payment towards a project that could cost 2-point-5 billion dollars…

Cut 7 (04) “…shining now”

Many lawmakers are reluctant to put 500-million dollars towards a construction project that’s still several years away from happening. Officials have yet to decide where the bridge will be built. But Edwards says a 500-million dollar commitment will show the federal government the state is serious about building this bridge…

Cut 8 (10)  “…our state”

The governor is also disappointed the House did not support his proposal to give law enforcement and firefighters a 100-dollar a month increase in pay by using state dollars. Edwards says he’s not sure why the House didn’t appropriate the supplemental pay increase in a funding bill sent to the senate…

Cut 9 (12)  “…on there.”

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The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” highway safety campaign begins Saturday and runs for the next week. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement agencies will focus on making sure pick-up truck drivers and their passengers are buckled up….

Cut 10 (11) “…your seatbelt”

Lambert says they are targeting pick-up trucks because these vehicles are more likely to roll over in a crash…

Cut  11 (08)  “…even death.”  

Lambert says surveys also show drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up when they are in a pick-up truck….

Cut 12 (12) “…65-percent.” 

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The success of the New Orleans Pelicans has led to a surge in popularity for the franchise. Rel Myers, co-founder of The Pels 12 fan group, says fans are meeting up to support the team and local businesses as well.

Cut 13 (11) “…local economy.”

Over the past few weeks, as the team moved closer to the playoffs, Myers says the franchise has reached out to her group and others to provide support for the growing fanbase.

Cut 14 (10)  “…as well.”

As the Pelicans return home for Game 3 tonight, Myers says The Pels 12 will be out in full force, and she expects New Orleans to show up and show out as only it can.

Cut 15 (09)  “…in that first round.”

Both games three and four have already sold out.

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One of the big factors for the New Orleans Pelicans in their push into the postseason has been the play of the team’s young role players. Coach Willie Green says his staff has done an excellent job in preparing them for this moment.

Cut 16 (18)  “…big-time results.”

All-Star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series, a major blow for the top-seeded Suns. Green says Phoenix, which went 5-2 without Booker this season, is still very dangerous.

Cut 17 (17) “ …as such.” 

Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is making his ninth straight playoff appearance and has stressed to his teammates the importance of taking care of business in this pivotal game three.

Cut 18 (15) “ …of this game.” 

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Saturday is the LSU Spring game and there will be several new Tigers on the football field for the fans to watch. Cornerback Mekhi Garner is now wearing purple and gold after playing for the Ragin Cajuns and he loves his new coach…

Cut 19 (17) _“…favorite coaches.” 

There are a lot of new names in LSU’s defensive secondary. Safety Joe Foucha transferred in from Arkansas and he says they’ll need the summer to bond…

Cut 20 (19) “ …as one” 

Governor John Bel Edwards and state leaders rode on a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, a concept talked about for a long time. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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There’s surprising new data on voter confidence in elections and media. David Grubb has the story.

Cut 2 (35)…I’m David Grubb.”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards rode a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans as he continues to promote the possibility of a commuter rail line. Before boarding the train, Edwards says a rail line connecting the Red Stick with the Big Easy would do wonders for southeast Louisiana…

Cut 3 (10) “…Saints games.”

Joining Edwards on the “inspection” train ride were executives from Amtrak, Kansas City Southern, and Canadian Pacific. Canadian Pacific says it’s committed to providing a passenger rail service between B-R and NOLA. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson was also on the trip…

Cut 4  (11) “…action plan.”

Edwards says Louisiana needs to allocate 25-million dollars to show the federal government that it’s serious about the project, but the Legislature has yet to commit to that level of spending…

Cut 5  (11) “…that important.”

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Election security remains a hot topic around the nation, but according to the 2022 Louisiana Survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, 88 percent of voters across the state, regardless of party, believe that Louisiana’s elections are conducted fairly and tallied accurately. Here’s Dr. Michael Henderson.

Cut 6  (12) “…pretty widespread.” 

Henderson says there is disagreement on what voting is, and who should be voting. More than three-quarters of Republicans polled see voting as a privilege, while more than 80 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Independent voters view it as a fundamental right.

Cut 7 (12) “…shouldn’t be restricted.” 

A surprising area of consensus among all groups is a decreasing level of confidence in the media. While distrust of national outlets isn’t unusual, Henderson says just over half of respondents say they trust their local news source, a 27-percentage point drop from four years ago.

Cut 8 (11) “…and Independents drop.” 

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Union Parish authorities are seeking a murder suspect, who escaped from a work release program after fatally stabbing a man this morning. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says the alleged killer was on a prison work-release crew at Foster Farms in Farmerville…:

Cut 9 (10) “…fled the scene.”

Gates says 48-year-old Bruce Causey is from Baton Rouge. He reportedly attacked a co-worker; stabbing him several times. That victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Gates says Causey is at large and could be headed for safe haven back home…:

Cut 10 (05)  “…Barton Rouge area.”

WBRZ in Baton Rouge reports Causey has a record of violent crime arrests going back 30 years.

Gates says Foster farms has hired work-release labor at their chicken processing plant for many years, and nothing like this has happened before. He says the victim was a 53-year-old Black male, but cannot divulge more until his family is notified. Gates says all that’s known at this time is an argument between the men triggered the violence…:

Cut 11 (08)  “…motive behindit.” 

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Once again a proposal to raise the minimum wage has been rejected at the State Capitol. The Senate Labor Committee voted against a constitutional amendment that would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.25 an hour on January 1st. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says if you require businesses to raise wages, they’ll raise prices on consumers…

Cut 12 (11) “…to live”  

The measure failed on a four to one vote. The only “Yes” vote came from the author of the proposal, Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow, who tried to increase the minimum wage in Louisiana for the first time since 2009…

Cut 13 (12) “…decent living”

Vice President of Government Relations at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Jim Patterson made the argument a higher minimum wage could lead to higher prices for consumers and fewer jobs for low-wage earners…

Cut 14 (10)  “…would be.”