Legislation to lower the number of signatures needed to prompt a recall election advances from House Governmental Affairs. Instead of a calculation from the number of registered voters, the threshold of 30 percent is based on voter turnout from the election in which the official in question won.  Eileen Carter spearheaded the No-Latoya recall in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (07) “…not exist.” 

The bill passed on a nine to three vote with the opposing votes cast by Democrats.

President Biden says he plans to seek a second term because he wants to quote, “finish the job.”  ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley expects the Republican party will bring a strong challenge for Biden.

Cut 5 (09) “…for sure.”

Biden is the oldest person to serve as president.

A person convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl would receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole with passage of a bill by Crowley Representative John Stefanksi. Opponents say some people who sell or distribute drugs are unaware fentanyl if is inside the drug. But Stefanski says that’s not a valid defense…

Cut 8 (06)  “…face the consequences.” 

The bill heads to the House.

Legislation to give a $5,000 incentive payment to newly employed law enforcement officers receives committee approval. Houma State Representative Jerome Zeringue says new recruits must meet eligibility requirements including…

Cut 10 (11) “…criminal warrants.” 

If passed the legislation would take effect July 1^st the bill heads to the House floor.

Legislation that provides an incentive payment of $5,000 to newly employed law enforcement officers was approved by a House Committee yesterday. Houma State Representative Jerome Zeringue says the bill mirrors legislation implemented in Florida.

Cut 9 (09) “….this program.”

HB 563 – authored by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder – creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment Incentive Program allowing individuals to work with the sheriff’s office, city, or state police. The bill now heads to the House Floor.

President Joe Biden announced he will run for re-election in 2024 in a video released today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says a large percentage of party voters would prefer another candidate.

Cut 4 (12)  “…clear answer” 

Biden’s announcement comes four years to the day after the launch of his 2020 campaign.

Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill proposing offenders convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee today.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot believes any individual convicted of a fentanyl-related crime should also receive the same sentence…

Cut 7 (14)  “…large amount” 

A person convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl would receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole under a bill approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee today. Bill author Crowley Representative John Stefanksi…

Cut 6 (07)  “…how I feel” 

Individuals convicted of possessing or distributing less than 28 grams of fentanyl would be sentenced to five to 40 years in prison with a 50-thousand dollar fine.

President Joe Biden says he’s running for a second term in 2024, asking voters to allow him to “finish this job” in a video released today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it is unlikely Biden will face any serious Democratic party contenders.

Cut 3 (11) “…party challenger.”

A Danish-based energy investments group is looking to build a $4-billion reduced-carbon ammonia plant in St. Charles Parish. Project director Ramesh Raman (rah-MESH ROM-un) for the St. Charles Clean Fuels company says tax incentives were a factor in their decision but they also were drawn to the existing ports and infrastructure St. Charles Parish offers…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…for the incentives.”

The facility will create over 200 new direct jobs.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $3.24. Usually, at this time of the year, the price at the pump is rising, but it’s actually fallen a nickel in the last week. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…

Cut 13 (09) “…last week.” 

The price is forecasted to drop to $3.15 a gallon.

Legislation to make it legal to have cremated pet remains buried with their owner advances from House Commerce. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen told committee members that each cemetery could opt to either allow pet remains or not, the bill only makes it no longer illegal to do so.

Cut 12 (07)    “…want to.” 

The bill passed without opposition and moves to the House floor.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $3.24. Typically, we see an increase this time of year, but the average has gone down a nickel in the last week. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says crude oil is selling for about $79 a barrel, this time last year it was $102 a barrel…

Cut 15 (12) “…right now”

Georges Media Group – the parent company of The Advocate & The Times-Picayune – announces it is expanding to Shreveport-Bossier City with a new digital news service. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Baton Rouge native and media personality Don Lemon was fired by CNN after 17 years with the news network. An official reason has not been released. Lemon was under scrutiny for his on-air remarks made in February about women and aging. His departure was announced on the same day as Fox News personality Tucker Carson was relieved of his duties.

Legislation to allow pet’s remains to be buried with their owners was approved by the House Commerce yesterday. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The SEC is considering severe penalties to stop the storming of the field by fans after big victories. According to Sports Illustrated, the league is looking at taking away future home games or possibly forcing forfeitures. LSU was fined 250 thousand dollars twice in 2022 as fans rushed the field after wins over Ole Miss and Alabama.

Georges Media Group, publisher of The Times-Picayune and The Advocate will expand its news coverage to the Shreveport-Bossier City market with a digital news service. Publisher Judi Terzotis says the Shreveport-Bossier Advocate will be community focused.

Cut 5 (11)   “…that market.”

The news bureau will launch this summer and will hire local journalists covering general topics.

St. Charles Clean Fuels is exploring building a $4.6 billion ammonia production and export facility in St. Charles Parish. Company project director Ramesh Raman tells LRN they plan to create over 200 new direct jobs manufacturing so-called “blue ammonia”…:

Cut 7 (06) “…states as well.”

A final investment decision will be made early next year.

A Danish development company proposes building a $4-billion eco-friendly ammonia plant in St. Charles Parish. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

According to Yahoo Finance, the fast food chain Raising Cane’s, which is based in Baton Rouge, plans to pay its employees 19.50 an hour and workers can make more if they work past 10 PM or train employees. The chicken finger maker plans to open over 100 restaurants this year bringing their total to 800 locations.

This is the time of the year when gas prices are usually on the rise, but in the last week they have dropped five cents to $3.24 a gallon for regular gasoline. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says motorists are catching a break…
cut 14 (06) “….short term”
Redman says it’s possible gas prices will drop another ten cents in the near future.

The Advocate and Times-Picayune which provides print and digital news for New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette will expand this summer to the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Publisher Judi Terzotis says a news bureau of a dozen journalists will cover city government, education, health care, sports, culture and entertainment
cut 6 (13) “…to tell”
Terzotis says they will begin producing news on a digital platform in July.

St. Charles Clean Fuels is looking to build a four-point-six billion dollar reduced-carbon ammonia facility in St. Rose. Project Director Ramesh Raman says the facility would be designed to produce the world’s cleannest sources of ammonia by capturing greenhouse gasses during production…
cut 8 (13) “….sequestrian site”
Raman says blue ammonia is anticipated to be in high demand as a clean energy feedstock. A final investment decision will be made early next year.

Legislation that would make it legal for cemeteries to allow cremated pet remains to be buried with a person was approved by House Commerce Boyd Mothe who runs funeral homes in New Orleans opposes the legislation as he said cemeteries are dedicated properties for human remains…
cut 11 (10) “….property”
Despite the opposition, the bill heads to the House floor.

Georges Media Group – the parent company of The Advocate & The Times-Picayune – announces it is expanding to Shreveport-Bossier City with a new digital news service. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Baton Rouge native and media personality Don Lemon has been fired by CNN after 17 years with the news network. No official reason, but Lemon was under scrutiny for his on-air remarks made in February about women and aging. Many took it as sexist.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the Sportsman’s Paradise is $3.24. Usually, at this time of the year, the price at the pump is rising, but it’s actually dropped a nickel in the last week. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…
Cut 13 (10) “…last week.”

Legislation to make it legal to have cremated pet remains buried with their owner advances from House Commerce. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen filed the legislation last year but pulled the bill after pushback from the Cemetery Association.
Cut 10 (11) “…or not to.”
McMahen’s measure leaves it up to each cemetery to decide if they would allow the cremated remains of a pet to be buried with a person.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in 2025. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s legislation also calls for a graphic to be shown in the credits that lets viewers know where the movie was made.
Cut 28 (12) “…tourists in.”
The legislation heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The Advocate and The Times-Picayune announces they will start a new digital news service this summer that will provide local news for the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Publisher Judi Terzotis says their goal is to cover every area of the state.
Cut 4 (10) “…about July.”

Legislation to make it legal to have cremated pet remains buried with their owner advances from House Commerce. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen filed the legislation last year but pulled the bill after pushback from the Cemetery Association.

Cut 10 (11) “…or not to.” 

The bill makes it legal to have cremated animals’ remains declared as personal property and it’s still up to each individual cemetery to allow the practice or not. Boyd Mothe of Mothe Funeral Homes opposes the legislation on the grounds that cemeteries are dedicated properties for human remains only and are considered sacred.

Cut 11 (10)  “…property.”

The bill advances to the house floor.

The House Ways and Means approves legislation that would trim the state’s sales tax by two-tenths of a percent starting in July. The state sales tax is currently 4.45 percent, but .45 percent will expire in July 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala believes it would be a good idea to start phasing it out this year…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…future.”

And House Ways and Means approves legislation to extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in two years. Some say they credits yield little or no real return on investment, but Louisiana Film and Entertainment President Trey Burvant begs to differ…:

CUT 15(13)      “…film industry.”

Both bills move to the House floor. debate.

A Lafourche Parish man has been convicted of the 2020 drowning murder of his girlfriend. 47-year-old Travis Ourso was arrested shortly after the death of Dione Cheramie in Bayou Lafourche. Assistant D.A. Jason Chatagnier says the two argued after leaving a party and somehow wound up in the water. Ourso says he tried to save her but witnesses refuted that claim…:

CUT 06  (13)        “…was unresponsive.”

Convicted of 2^nd-degree murder, Ourso faces a mandatory life sentence.

Eleven Louisiana deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease during the 2022-23 hunting season. LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says when the first one in January 2022 was detected, they implemented a control plan…:

CUT 08(11)      “…the future.”

The House Ways and Means approves legislation that would trim the state’s sales tax by two-tenths of a percent starting in July. Louisiana’s sales tax is currently 4.45 percent, but .45 percent will expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would reduce state tax revenues by 210-million dollars, but he argues this money is going away in 2025, so the state should begin to live without it..:

CUT 12(05)      “…already are.”

Bacala had a similar bill last year. It died in a Senate committee after it was approved by the House.

That same House committee approved legislation that would extend the state’s film tax credit program to 2035. The program which costs the state 180-million dollars every year is set to expire in 2025. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the tax credits creates jobs…:

CUT 13(09)      “…community stronger.”

Both those bills now move to the House floor.