The Louisiana House has approved several spending bills including a 38-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. With the legislative session reaching the halfway point it’s unclear whether legislators will fund the governor’s request for 500-million dollars for a new Mississippi River bridge. John Bel 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”
Louisiana has excess cash now, but in 2025, the state will see a reduction in revenues when a temporary state sales tax expires. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue was asked if he took that into account when crafting next fiscal year’s budget…
cut 6 (11) “….all things considered”

The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” highway safety campaign begins tomorrow 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 and passengers are less likely to buckle up.

Pelicans fever is spreading across the state as the NBA team will host Game 3 of its playoff series with the Suns tonight. The series is tied at one game apiece and Rel Meyers, 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”
Tonight’s game in the Smoothie King Center tips off at 8:30.

An effort to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana failed to pass a Senate committee. The bill would have taken it from $7.25 up to $10.25. The vote was four to one against. Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Regina Barrow says there’s been no minimum wage hike since 2009…:
CUT 13(12) “…decent living.”
Feeling a higher minimum wage means higher consumer prices, the committee rejected the bill. Jim Patterson with LABI says a higher minimum wage also means fewer jobs for low-wage earners…:
CUT 14(10) “…would be.”

The Louisiana House approved a 38-billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. It contains funding to give teachers a 15-hundred dollar pay raise. The budget proposal also calls for raises for college professors, state employees and a few health care service providers will see more funds. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez is concerned about a shortfall in the next couple of years when a temporary sales tax expires..
cut 5 (12) “…in the next term”
House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue responds…
cut 6 (11) “…things considered’
Senate Finance will now spend the next few weeks going over the budget.

A bill that would raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.25 an hour meets failure in a Senate committee. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says if you require businesses to raise wages, they’ll raise prices on consumers…:

CUT 12(11)      “…to live.”

Only one committee member, the bill’s sponsor, voted for the bill.

A Union Parish prison inmate is on the run, after killing a work-release program co-worker then fleeing the scene. Union Sheriff Dusty Gates says 48-year-old Bruce Causey is from Baton Rouge and is more than likely on his way there now. He says Causey stabbed the unidentified victim to death, as the two argued…:

CUT 11(08)      “…motive behind it.”

You remember Ciaya (KEYE-uh) Whetstone? The New Orleans area college student who turned up dead last February, after an Uber driver dropped her at a hospital ER? A blood toxicology report shows she died from poisoning by fentanyl and ethanol. Ciaya’s family still wants to know why the ride share driver dropped her unconscious self at an ER without calling 9-1-1.

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 01(31)      “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

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. 48-year-old Bruce Causey, from Baton Rouge, 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)      “…Baton Rouge area.”

Sheriff Gates says the victim was a 53-year-old Black male, but cannot divulge more until his family is notified.

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. Edwards says Louisiana needs to allocate $25-million to show the federal government that it’s serious about the project. The legislature is less certain of that investment…:

CUT 05(11)      “…it’s that important.”

Once again, state lawmakers reject a bill to raise minimum wage in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Regina Barrow’s bill would have taken it from $7.25 to $10.25, but Jim Patterson with LABI says a higher minimum wage means higher consumer prices and fewer jobs for low-wage earners…:

CUT 14(10)      “…would be.”

The bill failed in committee; getting only one “yes” vote.

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 06(12)      “…pretty widespread.”

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

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Union Parish lawmen ask everyone to lookout for an escaped work-release inmate who stabbed a man to death this morning in Farmerville and fled the scene. 48-year-old Bruce Causey is African-American and from Baton Rouge. He may be headed back the Capital City right now.

An effort to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana fails to pass a Senate committee. The bill would have taken it from $7.25 up to $10.25. The vote was 4 “nays to 1 “yea” and that was bill sponsor and Baton Rouge Democrat Senator Regina Barrow. She says there’s been no minimum wage hike since 2009…:

CUT 13(12)      “…decent living.”

Feeling higher minimum wages means higher consumer prices, the committee rejected the bill.

More is now known about the death of Ciaya (KEYE-uh) Whetstone, the student who died in February after going to a Mardi Gras parade. Blood toxicology shows she died from fentanyl poisoning and ethanol poisoning. She was dropped off at a hospital by an Uber driver, but died. It’s still unknown if she was victim of a violent crime. The investigation is ongoing.

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 vote failed by a 4-to-1 vote.

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 09  (10)        “…fled the scene.”

That victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Gates says Causey is from Baton Rouge and is still at large. He could be headed for safe haven back home.

Deputies in Caddo Parish are investigating a reported suspicious parcel left at Northwood High in Shreveport. The bomb squad however found no such package. Another similar call came in to Green Oaks school but was also determined to be a hoax. Dozens of schools nationwide have received similar calls. Federal authorities are also looking into it.

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 01(31)      “…Michelle Southern.”

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. 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.”

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The governor’s position on a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in female sports has not changed. Edwards vetoed that legislation last year, but the Legislature is poised to approve it once again. Edwards still believes the bill is unnecessary as he says there has not been an incident of a non-biological female playing a women’s sport in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…to it”

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Robert Kelly and Angela Goodfellow, both of Slidell, were apprehended in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday for allegedly burglarizing the home of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser before starting a fire in the kitchen of the residence last week. Most of the items taken from Nungesser’s home have been recovered, though for the lieutenant governor, having that duo behind bars is a greater relief than getting back some memorabilia.

Cut 12 (12) “…off the streets.”

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The LSU Tigers will wrap up spring football with a scrimmage this Saturday. Many will be keeping an eye on Walker Howard, the most highly touted quarterback recruit at LSU since Russell Shepard. For now, he’s another freshman trying to adjust to life away from home and the difference in competition between high school and college.

Cut 16 (15) “…to compete.”

After learning from a constituent that Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day are still listed as official state holidays, a New Orleans lawmaker vowed to change it. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana House approved Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill to allow adult non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit or training on a 64 to 27 vote….
cut 13 (06) “…open carry”

A man and woman who allegedly burglarized and set fire to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s home have been arrested. Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shawn Domingue says Robert Kelly and Angela Goodfellow, both of Slidell, were apprehended in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Cut 10 (12) “…to the crime.”
Nungesser is in the process of moving from the home.

Governor John Bel Edwards rode a passenger train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans as he promotes 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 its committed to providing a passenger rail service between B-R and NOLA.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ position on a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in female sports has not changed, even as lawmakers are poised to pass it after last year’s veto. He says state legislators have bigger fish to fry…:
Cut 8 (08) “one of them”
Supporters of the transgender sports ban bill, which passed the Senate this week, point to swimmer Lia Thomas, a biological male, who won an NCAA women’s title in the 500-yard freestyle.

A couple from Slidell has been arrested for burglarizing Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s home in Plaquemines Parish. Angela Goodwood and Robert Kelly were taken into custody in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They allegedly stole liquor, rare coins, and political and sports memorabilia. We got Nungesser’s reaction…
cut 12 (12) “…off the streets”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would allow non-felon adults carry a concealed gun without a permit or training. An amendment allowing those 18 and older to carry a concealed gun was rejected as Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says the House Criminal Justice Committee agreed that the age should be 21….
cut 14 (12) “….their word”
The measure now heads to the Senate.

And a bill heading to the House floor would remove Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says a constituent made him aware the holidays were on the state books and he couldn’t believe it…
cut 5 (08) “…change that”
Willard’s legislation was approved by the House Judiciary Committee without objection.

Two suspects have been arrested for burglarizing and setting fire to the home of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. David Grubb has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m David Grubb”

Governor John Bel Edwards took a train trip from Baton Rouge to New Orleans on Wednesday and is hopeful this is something everyone will be able to do soon. Federal regulators still need to approve Canadian Pacific’s merger with Kansas City Southern, and state lawmakers would need to agree on funding before it could happen.

Governor Edwards still opposes a bill that would ban transgender girls from competing in sports. He vetoed the same measure last year, but the Legislature is poised to approve it again. On his monthly radio show…:
Cut 9 (11) “haven’t changed”
He calls the bill unnecessary.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office is reportedly investigating a deputy-involved shooting. They say a deputy discharged his weapon when they were responding to a call this morning and a suspect is on the loose. More on this as it develops.

And Baton Rouge Police report a woman was hospitalized after being shot in the leg by a 5-year-old who got hold of a gun somehow. The woman is expected to survive, and no other details have been released at this time.