08:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

A House committee didn’t discuss or object to a bill to remove from Louisiana’s holidays Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day. The measure is by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard who implored lawmakers to consider how these holidays affect people…:
Cut 6 (10) “affect you”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit passes in the House. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation due to the removal of the training requirement to conceal carry. McCormick says training is not required for open carry and it shouldn’t apply to conceal carry…:
Cut 15 (08) “my objection”
The bill advances to a Senate committee.

A transgender sports ban bill is poised to pass the state legislature again and it looks like it will get vetoed again. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two people from Slidell have been arrested accused of robbing and starting a fire to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser’s home. Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shawn Domingue says the pair were found in Tuscaloosa…:
CUT (12) “to the crime”

07:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

Robert E Lee day and Confederate Memorial Day are still official Holidays in Louisiana, and one lawmaker is trying to change that. Brooke Thorington reports:
CUT 1 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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 the state has bigger fish to fry…:
Cut 8 (08) “one of them”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit passes in the House 64 to 27. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation due to the removal of the training requirement to conceal carry. McCormick filed the same measure this session…:
Cut 13 (06) “open carry”
The bill advances to a Senate committee.

A New Orleans Police officer is facing drugs and weapons charges after a joint NOPD-FBI investigation led to his arrest. Reginald Koeller was booked on charges of possession with intent to distribute crack and illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

One of the big topics slated to be discussed today in a House meeting on the budget is funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is confident lawmakers will be able to move forward with plans for a new bridge before this session adjourns on June 6th.

06:30 LRN Newscast April 21st

Governor John Bel 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. Mr. Edwards believes there is no need for a law like this…:
Cut 7 (08) “…to it”
But he didn’t fully say he would veto the bill again after it passed the Senate.

The suspects accused of robbing and setting fire to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s home have been arrested. Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shawn Domingue…:
Cut 11 (10) “Plaquemines Parish”
Robert Kelly and Angela Goodfellow, both of Slidell, were apprehended in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday.

A bill to remove Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the list of legal holidays in the state advances unanimously in House Judiciary. The measure is by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard who says he was unaware the legal holidays were still on the books until a constituent let him know..:
Cut 4 (11) “those two”
The bill now moves to the House floor.

The Louisiana House has passed a resolution that would repeal a decision made by the governor that would require students to receive a COVID vaccine in order to attend a school or college. The vote was 69-to-30 in favor and heads to the Senate. Since it’s a resolution the governor cannot veto it.

5:30 Legislative report

A bill to remove Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the list of legal holidays in the state advances unanimously in House Judiciary. Bill Author New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says he was unaware the legal holidays were still on the books until a constituent let him know.
Cut 4 (11) “…those two.”
Willard says it was very emotional as a young black man to see the two holidays still recognized.

On his monthly, “Ask the Governor” show Governor John Bel Edwards says his position on the bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing on girls sports has not changed after vetoing the legislation last year. The same bill passed the Senate on Tuesday, but Edwards wishes legislators would focus on other issues…
cut 8 (09) “…one of them”
The transgender sports ban bill heads to the House for its consideration.

The Louisiana House has passed a resolution that would repeal a decision made by the governor that would require students to receive a COVID vaccine in order to attend a school or college. The vote was 69-to-30 in favor and heads to the Senate. Since it’s a resolution the governor can not veto it.

A proposed constitutional amendment that sought to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in a House committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

4:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education.  Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says as much as 40-percent of college students have food insecurities. UL System President Jim Henderson says the bill creates a task force to assist those students in need.

Cut 3 (09) “…a win-win.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated 9 to 2 in House Judiciary. The proposed constitutional amendment sought to limit sheriffs to no more than three consecutive full terms. Longtime St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says it’s not needed because there’s a 25-percent turnover among sheriffs every four years.

Cut 6  (11) “…important thing.” 

Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath was their suspect the whole time.

Cut 12 (08) “…attempted first-degree murder.” 

The Pelicans Brandon Ingram nearly had a triple-double last night as New Orleans beat Phoenix 125 to 114 to even their NBA playoff series at one game apiece. Prior to the season, BI promised they wouldn’t miss the playoffs this year, and he’s delivered all year.
Cut 9 (12) “…for us.”

Game three is Friday night in New Orleans.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A proposed constitutional amendment that sought to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in a House committee today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A bill to remove Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the list of official state holidays advances without opposition in the House Judiciary. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says when he learned they were still on the books, as a young black lawmaker he vowed to change that. The bill now moves to the House floor.

After 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville almost four years ago, the crime lab has linked evidence of the murder weapon to 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath. Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says a large amount of evidence was collected from the May 2018 crime scene and sent to the Acadiana Crime Lab.

Cut 13 (06) “…to do.”

Simon was already in custody on unrelated charges and murder charges have been added to the list.

The Pelicans are tied in the NBA playoff series with the Phoenix Suns. Brandon Ingram had a stellar performance last night, and forward Larry Nance Jr. says Ingram is the real deal, and the Pels will go as far as he can take them.

Cut 10 (11)  “…rocking with him.”

Tipoff for Friday night’s game in New Orleans is 8:30.

2:30 LRN Newscast April 20

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. The proposed constitutional amendment sought to limit sheriffs to no more than three consecutive full terms. Bill author New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says term limits allow for different people and ideas and it doesn’t allow one person to become entrenched…

Cut 7 (06) “…to address” 

The constitutional amendment was voted down nine to two.

Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect, 36-year-old Daniel Simon who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says detectives are relieved for the victim’s family they were able to make an arrest.

Cut 14 (08)  “…an arrest.”

Simon is being held in the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.

Following a game two upset win, the New Orleans Pelicans have tied their first-round playoff series with the Suns. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (34)…I’m David Grubb.”  

And more good news for New Orleans, Breeze Airways, a new low-cost airline will add a direct route from the Big Easy to Savannah, Georgia in September. The airline has been adding and cutting routes since it began flying 10 months ago. Flights to Savannah will run Mondays and Fridays and start at $59 each way.

 

1:30 LRN Newscast April 20

After evening their playoff series with the Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans will return home to the Smoothie King Center on Friday night for Game 3. CJ McCollum played for the Trail Blazers in 2018 when the Pelicans swept Portland in dominating fashion, and he’s glad that this time he’ll be wearing the home colors.

Cut 11 (12) “…do nice things.”

Game time is set for 8:30 pm.

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. In Louisiana, the governor is term-limited and so are state legislators.  Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says having term limits on lawmakers is one thing, but many voters like their current sheriffs…

Cut 8 (12) “…people decide”

The constitutional amendment was voted down nine to two.

A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education. The bill will designate colleges as a Hunger-Free Campus if they meet certain criteria, which include the presence of a food pantry and surveys of students to determine the level of food security on campus. UL system president Jim Henderson says the bill also raises awareness among students who are eligible for SNAP benefits.

Cut 5 (10) “…of resources.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

Almost four years after 26-year-old Heikeem Hebert was killed in Abbeville police make an arrest after the crime lab linked the weapon to a suspect who was already in jail on unrelated charges. Abbeville Police Spokesperson Johnathan Touchet says 36-year-old Daniel Simon of Erath was their suspect the whole time.

Cut 12 (08) “…attempted first-degree murder.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

An effort to place term limits on sheriffs was soundly defeated in House Judiciary. The proposed constitutional amendment sought to limit sheriffs to no more than three consecutive full terms. Longtime St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says the legislation is not needed because there’s a 25-percent turnover among the state’s sheriffs every four years.
Cut 6 (11) “…important thing.”
The bill was rejected on a nine to two vote.

A House committee approved a bill that attempts to address the lack of food security among college students. U-L System President Jim Henderson says it’s an important issue and why he started a food bank with the help of students on Northwestern State’s campus when he was the president there…
cut 4 (10) “…aware of it”

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board releases new totals on sports betting activity in March, and the chairman says it was a slam dunk
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Brandon Ingram nearly had a triple-double last night as the Pelicans downed the Suns 125 to 114 to even their NBA playoff series at one game apiece. Prior to the season, BI promised the Pelicans would not miss the playoffs this year, and he has delivered all year.
Cut 9 (12) “…for us.”
Game three is Friday night in New Orleans.

11:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill to raise awareness about hunger among students at Louisiana colleges and universities advances in House Education.  Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg says as much as 40-percent of college students have food insecurities. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says the bill creates a task force to assist those students.

Cut 3 (09) “…a win-win.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

A bill to remove the death penalty in Louisiana failed 5 to 1 in committee.  Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White spokes in opposition and says the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against executing an innocent person.

Cut 7 (09) “…get a guilty verdict.”

The bill no longer advances this session.

The Senate passes a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau, says it’s not an issue in Louisiana and the LHSAA has rules in place should the problem arise…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…state of Louisiana.”

The measure passed 29-to-6, last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation.

$232 million in sports betting was wagered in the Bayou State last month, which translates into more than $5 million in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says he’s extremely impressed with how sports wagering is progressing, and no major online technicalities.

Cut 12 (10) “…of March.”