Just hours after releasing a photo of suspects in the Sunday evening fire set inside the Covington Wal-Mart store, two teens are under arrest. Ashley Rodrigue, with the state Fire Marshal, says citizens ID’ed the boys – ages 15 and 17 – pretty quickly. She says parents need to tell their teens fire is NEVER a toy…:

CUT 11(08)      “…out of trouble.”

The store will be closed for weeks while fire damage is repaired.

The bill to let citizens carry a concealed gun without a permit has been stopped for this year. Already passed by the House, the problems arose when Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau sought to amend mandatory training into the bill. He says he’s been told of gun buyers who don’t know how to LOAD the weapon…:

CUT 16(08)      “…what else does.”

The bill’s author chose to voluntarily defer his own bill; killing it.

Restore Louisiana announces homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms have until August 1st to complete a survey in order to receive rebuilding grant money. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Foxx.”

Game time for the LSU baseball team’s first game in the super regionals is 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. The fifth-seeded Tigers will play Kentucky in the best-of-three in the super-regional series in Baton Rouge. LSU beat Oregon State 13 to 7 at the Box Monday.

At the Capitol, the Senate gives final approval to a bill aimed at raising literacy by requiring 3^rd graders to pass a reading exam in order to move up to 4^th grade. Senator Beth Mizell of Franklinton spoke for the House bill. She says passing it will lead to better outcomes for kids later in life…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…we see.”

That bill will go to the Governor for his signature.

The federal environmental protection agency grants nearly a half-million buck to the Louisiana Department of Environmental quality to set up air monitoring in St. James Parish. Congressman Troy Carter says much needs to be done to assure the air is safe…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…punish them.”

The grant is part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda.

The so-called Constitutional Carry bill, which would have allowed citizens over 21 with no criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, is dead for this year. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull his bill – already passed in the House – from consideration, because of amendments senators were sought to tack on the bill…:

CUT 15(12)      “…defer it.”

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry. McCormick says that defeats much of the purpose of his bill.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a man after video circulates online showing him giving a marijuana cigarette to a toddler. The then-5-year-old takes the joint and smokes it. 48-year-old John Hall’s face is seen in the video, so cops had little trouble rounding him up. He is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A concerned citizen tipped police off to the video a couple weeks ago.

At the State Capitol, lawmakers give final passage to a bill that would require third graders to pass a reading test to advance to the fourth grade. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

Longtime Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says he will run for another term in office, and he now has an announced challenger. That is former Shreveport Police Chief and former State Police superintendent Henry Whitehorn. Prator has been sheriff in Caddo since 2000.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says two teen boys have been arrested for allegedly starting a fire inside a Covington Wal-Mart store Sunday that did tens of thousands in damage. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the 15-year-old and 17-year-old caused the store to have to be closed for quite some time for repairs…:

CUT 10(10)      “…frequently.”

The boys are in juvenile detention on numerous charges.

The state Office of Community Development has set an August 1 deadline for homeowners hit hard by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida – and the May 2021 severe storms – to complete the initial survey needed to get Restore Louisiana Program relief funds. OCD director Pat Forbes says thousands of homeowners statewide still have not completed the survey…:

CUT 12(13)      “…be elgible.”

Go online to “restore.la.gov.”

Two juveniles have been arrested in connection with the Sunday evening fire at the Covington Walmart. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it was the Northshore community that responded quickly after a photo of the suspects was released.

Cut 9 (12) “…from Covington.”

Charges include Aggravated Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson.

Conceal carry legislation is dead for the legislative session. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment for training as a requirement to conceal carry. Luneau says at a gun store in his district, he saw a young man interested in purchasing a handgun, but told the gun shop owner he didn’t know how to load it…

Cut  16 (08)  “…else does”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull his bill from consideration, because of proposed amendments.

Restore Louisiana announces an August 1^st survey deadline for homeowners affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida and the May 2021 severe storms.

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx ”  

Game time for the LSU baseball team’s first game in the super regionals is 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. The fifth-seeded Tigers will play Kentucky in the best-of-three in the super-regional series in Baton Rouge. LSU beat Oregon State 13 to 7 at the Box Monday.

The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require third graders to pass a reading test in April in order to to be promoted to the fourth grade. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell…
cut 6 (12) “…be retained”
The legislation gives third graders three chances to pass the literacy test. Students diagnosed with dyslexia and kids still learning English could still be promoted to the fourth grade. Gonzales Senator Ed Price voted against the bill as he believes it’s an unfunded mandate…
cut 7 (07) “….fund it”
Senators still approved the bill on a 28-11 vote. Mississippi has a similar program and they’ve seen an increase in reading scores.

Legislation seeking to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a firearm without a permit is dead for the legislative session. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull it from consideration, because of amendments senators were proposing to put on the bill…
cut 15 (12) “….defer it”
That was McCormick speaking before Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau wanted to add an amendment to make sure training would still be required to conceal carry.

The EPA is providing nearly 500-thousand dollars in grant money that will be used to operate an air monitoring site in St. James Parish’s cancer alley. Congressman Troy Carter says they want to make sure the community is safe….
cut 4 (10) “…is safe”
Equipment at the site will produce near-real-time data on certain pollutants affecting air quality.

Legislation to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth is close to final passage despite efforts by Democrats to stop the bill from heading to the governor’s desk. A Louisiana Department of Health report showed only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (08)  “…heard of it.”
But Republicans say it is happening and this legislation is needed to protect kids from having life-altering procedures that they may regret later in life.

A constitutional amendment that supporters say would make it clear slavery is prohibited did not receive enough votes to pass. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert argued the constitution is already clear that slavery is illegal…

Cut 15 (09)  “…than this”
A bill heading to the governor’s desk would result in life in prison for anyone convicted of possessing more than 250 grams of fentanyl. It’s an attempt to slow down the number of fentanyl overdoses, but LSU criminal law professor Doctor Ken Levy is skeptical…

Cut 9 (08)  “…are suffering.”
Levy says poverty and mental health issues are the root causes behind drug use.

EPA announces a $480,000 grant to DEQ to establish an air monitoring site in St. James Parish. Congressman Troy Carter says the people of St. James Parish are impacted by air pollution.

Cut 3 (13) “…and community.”

LDEQ received $450,000 to establish a temporary community air monitoring site targeted toward communities on the west side of the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (13) “…protect kids.”

The bill passed in the Senate 29-10.

The two suspects wanted for setting a fire inside the Covington Walmart Sunday, have been arrested. Hours after photos of the suspects were shared by the media the 17-year-old and 15-year-old boys were booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. Charges include Aggravated Arson, and Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Arson. The State Fire Marshal in conjunction with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office say they received an overwhelming amount of tips from the community which led to the arrest.

Attorney General candidate and Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill to increase the penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage in the legislature. But LSU Law Center criminal law professor Dr. Ken Levy says instead of passing laws to increase penalties, it’s the root cause of drug use that needs to be the focus instead.

Cut 8 (13) “…to address.”

A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson’s bill was represented on the Senate floor by Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard. He says the bill is a way to avoid misunderstandings between citizens and law enforcement officers that can sometimes get out of hand…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…please back up.”

A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Among those opposed was Democrat Senator Royce Duplessis, of New Orleans, who says the bill is potentially unconstitutional, because of the question of distance. He says it is also already addressed in state law…:

Cut 5 (08)   “…law enforcement investigation.”

The measure passed by a 29-10 vote. It goes now to Governor John Bel Edwards for his signature…or veto.

Attorney General candidate and Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill to increase the penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage and await the governor’s signature. But LSU Law Center criminal law professor Dr. Ken Levy says it’s simply a repeat of the “War on Drugs” from the 80s.

Cut 7 (09) “…mass incarceration.”

For the first offense of possession of 250 grams or more, the penalty is life in prison and at least 35 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

A legislative proposal that supporters say would make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order for the measure to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert voted “no”…

Cut 13 (09) “…constitution.”  

The United States abolished slavery in 1865.

The fifth-seeded LSU Tigers are Super Regional Bound after beating Oregon State 13 to 7 yesterday in Baton Rouge. Catcher Hayden Travinski had three hits including a solo home run in the fifth inning….

Cut  16 (15)  “..number is called”

LSU will play Kentucky in a best-of-three super regional series that will start in Baton Rouge Saturday at 3 PM.

Nearing final legislative passage is a bill that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 3 (40) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require third graders to pass a literacy test to be promoted to the fourth grade. Supporters say a similar program in Mississippi has improved fourth grade reading scores.

A proposal to make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert told Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields he does not believe the state constitution needs to be changed regarding slavery…
Cut 14 (14) “…from everybody”
The vote was 21-16 in favor of the measure, but it needed 26 yes votes to pass.

A bill heading to the governor’s desk would result in life in prison for anyone convicted of possessing more than 250 grams of fentanyl. It’s an attempt to slow down the number of fentanyl overdoses, but LSU criminal law professor Doctor Ken Levy is skeptical
cut 9 (08) “….are suffering”
Levy says poverty and mental health issues are root causes behind fentanyl use.

Legislation that would ban gender affirming healthcare for transgender youth is close to final passage despite efforts by Democrats to stop the bill from heading to the governor’s desk. A Louisiana Department of Health report showed only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…
cut 11 (08) “….heard of it”
But Republicans say it is happening and this legislation is needed to protect kids from having life altering procedures that they may regret later in life.

While that bill passed the Senate yesterday, a constitutional amendment that supporters say would make it clear slavery is prohibited did not receive enough votes to pass. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert argued the constitution is already clear that slavery is illegal…
cut 15 (09) “…than this”

A bill dubbed the “Stay Back” bill is headed for the Governor’s desk. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Two teenagers have been arrested after setting a fire inside a heavily occupied Walmart in Covington on Sunday night. The blaze consumed an aisle of products in the automotive section. 200 customers had to be evacuated. There were no injuries, but the store could be closed for a month.