Louisiana lawmakers will hear numerous bills as the 2023 legislative session gets underway today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Expect an increase at the gas pumps – with the average price at $3.27 a gallon, according to the AAA’s Gas Prices. Last week it was $3.17, up ten cents in less than a few days. One of the reasons you will pay more at the pump is because of supply and demand.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has filed legislation to increase the age limit to enter bars in Louisiana from 18 to 21. The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender. Mizell expects some resistance from lobbyists who represent bars and nightclubs.

Cut 6 (04)  “…under 21.”

Businesses could face penalties ranging from $50 to $15,000.

A recent survey commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows viewpoints of Louisianans are shifting when it comes to putting criminal offenders in prison. Baton Rouge pollster John Couvillon, with JMC Analytics, says 75 percent of those surveyed say major improvement is needed in the criminal justice system,

Cut 12 (11)  “…of the offense.”

Read the survey report at “WinWithJMC.com”

The 2023 legislative session begins today. Jeremy Alford with La-Politics-dot-com says over the next two months lawmakers will discuss pay raises for teachers and legislators, discuss proposals to improve the state’s property insurance market and since it’s an election year, there will be what he likes to call “bumper sticker issues”….
cut 9 (08) “….transgender issues”
It’s a fiscal session, so lawmakers are only allowed to file up to five non-fiscal bills. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has a bill that prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar or nightclub. Current state law allows 18, 19 and 20 year-olds to enter…
cut 5 (12) “…of situations”
Mizell’s bill is in response to the death of 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks who was hit by a car following a night of drinking at a Tigerland bar.

A bill set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

One person is dead from an officer involved shooting that took place as officers responded to a shooting at the La Bamba Bar Lounge on Johnston Street in Lafayette. Lafayette Police say one person is in stable condition from the initial shooting and State Police say as cops responded, an officer working security detailed fired his weapon, killing an unidentified subject.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for the 2023 legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting at a Lafayette night club on Johnston Street last night. L-S-P says it was a Lafayette Police Officer working security detail that fired his weapon, killing one person. Lafayette Police say shots rang out at La Bamba before the officer involved shooting.

As we reported in the first segment, today is the start of the 2023 legislative session. Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21…
Cut 4 (09) “…a negative.”
The legislation is called the “Card’Em Bill and it’s Senate Bill 194.

Another bill set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is working a crime scene or traffic accident or any other job related task. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says his bill would require a person to maintain a distance of at least 25 feet away from a law enforcement officer, or face charges and penalties…
cut 14 (08) “…determine that”
This is one of over 800 bills to be heard in the two month long session

A mostly fiscal legislative session begins today at the Louisiana capitol. How to spend the state’s money will be a focus of the two month long session.
cut 8 (07) “…..this year”
That’s La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford, who says Gretna lawmaker Joe Marino is proposing to increase legislators’ annual salary from $16,800 to 60-thousand dollars in 2024.

A poll of Louisiana voters commissioned by the Justice Action Network shows attitudes changing about putting offenders in prison. JMC analytics pollster John Couvillon says a large percentage of respondents favor alternatives to jail, if the offense wasn’t a violent one…:
Cut 10 (11) “…non-violent offenses.”
The poll found 77-percent surveyed feel persons charged with misdemeanors or minor offenses – and no danger to others – should remain out of jail, pending trial.

A bill up for debate in the legislative session that begins today would require a person to be 21 or older to enter a bar instead of at least 18.
Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern reporting.”

Lawmakers return to the Capitol today to begin the 2023 Session. Among issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers….:
Cut 7 (12) “in the future”
Because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues. Alford says the House Criminal Justice committee will hear several emotional issues, like abortion, the death penalty, and tough-on-crime legislation.

There’s also a bill by State Representative Edmond Jordan that would make police departments pay up if they are involved in a chase that ends in death or injury to an innocent bystander. That’s got the goal of discouraging dangerous chases.

Another bill set to be heard this session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is bringing a bill to raise the age requirement to enter a bar from 18 to 21…:
Cut 4 (09) “a negative”
The bill would also require bartenders to be 21.

Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge Monday for the 2023 legislative session:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an Alexandria woman was killed in an Avoyelles Parish crash Friday night and impairment is suspected to be a factor. They say the investigation revealed 23-year-old Christopher McCoy of Bunkie drove his truck off the road into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. McCoy sustained moderate injuries but his passenger, 22-year-old Lauren Vaughn died on the scene. McCoy is suspected to have been under the influence.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson has a bill for the legislative session that makes it a crime to approach a cop while he or she is doing their job. He says he’s heard from LEOs about citizens walking upon them unexpectedly, while they’re working a crime scene or traffic accident…:
Cut 13 (09) “safety issue”
He says this will help set officers a little more at ease while they do their jobs.

Another measure to be heard would raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says her “Card’em” bill requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to show their ID verifying they are 21. She expects pushback from bar owners even though underage drinking is not legal…:
Cut 6 (04) “under 21”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender.

The 2023 regular legislative session begins on Monday and one of the issues to be discussed is whether to raise the state’s spending cap. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that would require a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers…:
CUT 7 (12) “in the future”
And because it’s a fiscal session lawmakers can only file five non-fiscal issues this session.

Another bill would require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could make them sterile. It’s a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis…:
CUT 6 (09) “bill does”
The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

Another matter set to be heard in the legislative session would make it a crime to walk up unexpectedly on a cop who’s doing their job. Kevin Gallagher elaborates…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

And there will be no Game 3 between the LSU and South Carolina baseball teams. The already rescheduled game was cancelled today due to ongoing rain in Columbia and will not be made up. This set began on Thursday and SEC rules state once it begins you have 3 days to play 3 games. The two teams evened the series with the Gamecocks taking Game 1 and The Tigers winning Friday 8-7.

Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar in Baton Rouge – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21.
Cut 4 (09) “…a negative.”
Mizell’s proposal will heard by lawmakers in the legislative session that begins Monday.

The Humane Society of Louisiana reminds you every Easter that you might want to think twice before getting a live baby chick or bunny. Spokesman Jeff Dorson says many of these animals become abandoned after the Holiday and it’s better to go for other gifts in the basket which don’t require a long term commitment:
CUT 5 (05) “with that”
He says it’s also illegal in many areas for photographers to use live animals as props unless they are licensed.

A bill to require insurance companies to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU says the National Champion Lady Tigers basketball program will accept the invitation to the White House. That invitation was made Friday when President Biden called Coach Kim Mulkey and Star forward Angel Reese to congratulate them on their championship. A date has not been set.

LSU says its national champion women’s basketball team will go to the White House after receiving an invite from the President, despite some hurt feelings from a statement made by First Lady Jill Biden. LRN Sports Director & Tiger Rag Radio host Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Palermo.”

The weather for Easter Sunday is expected to be much better. State Climatologist Barry Keim says lows to dip into the 60s for the next several days.

Cut 11 (06)  “…60s range.”

Things should be cloudy but dry Sunday.

Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis has filed legislation to require health insurance to pay fertility preservation costs for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. Davis says she was surprised to learn it wasn’t always covered by some health insurance plans.

Cut 6 (09)  “…bill does.” 

The proposed law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

It’s Easter weekend and while we’ll admit they are awfully cute, getting a baby chick and or bunny for a pet isn’t the best idea. Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says shelters and veterinarians see an influx of rabbits and chicks after the holiday that are surrendered and in poor health.

Cut 3 (12) “…your money.”

He says stick to stuffed animals and candy.

Placing a bunny rabbit or baby chick in an Easter basket is not the ideal gift for children.  Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says when the novelty wears off  – families realize they’re not equipped to properly care for the pets and suggests chocolate bunnies are a better option.

Cut 5 (05) “…with that.”

Dorson says the animals are released in the wild and state wildlife has to retrieve them because they are unable to fend for themselves.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill to require health coverage that provides medical benefits to cover necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation for cancer patients whose treatment could render them sterile. Representative Paula Davis…

Cut 8 (08)  “…cancer treatment.” 

Davis said her law would be known as “The Medically Necessary Fertility Preservation Act.”

With rainy weather in the forecast through Saturday, Easter Sunday may bring calmer weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s no major threat of severe weather, but expect heavy rainfall.

Cut 10 (06) “…south Louisiana.” 

Keim says the front will bring cooler temperatures dipping into the 60s for the next several days.

Louisiana has the fourth worst outlook for life expectancy in the near future according to a recent study by Life Extension Foundation. Life Extension Director of Education, Dr. Michael Smith, says a lifestyle change will raise life expectancy rate.

Cut 14 (12)  “…that’s critical.”

Louisiana’s ranking is based on having the 48th best actual life expectancy at birth at 73 years and the least healthy lifestyle.