In Baton Rouge, a three-year-old boy was killed while sleeping in his bed Tuesday night, after shots were fired outside his home; some penetrating the walls. BRPD Sgt L’Jean McKneely says little Devin Page Jr was killed around 11 last night…:

CUT 03(12)      “…the home.”

Police ask anyone with knowledge of who did the shooting to come forward.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has raised $5-million in the first quarter of this year, for a total of over $14-million in his warchest. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says add to that national support from GOP members and out-of-state PACs and his campaign cash goes even further…:

CUT 12(11)      “…promoting himself.”

Kennedy has not – so far – drawn a well-funded Democrat opponent, with statewide name recognition.

Is legalized marijuana on the horizon for Louisiana? New poll results may surprise you. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

Today marks one year since the Seacor Power lift boat disaster, in which 6 crewmen died. & 7 are still missing and presumed dead. The crew boat owned by Seacor Marine was hit by a sudden microburst storm packing 70-mile-an-hour winds that capsized the craft in the Gulf south of Port Fourchon.

A House committee approves a bill that would give the Legislature the ability to end certain portions of a governor’s emergency executive order.  The measure is in response to the governor’s public health orders during the COVID pandemic that placed restrictions on businesses. Many of them closed for good. Bill sponsor and Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman says there needs to be checks and balances in state government…:

CUT 15(11)      “…checks and balances system.”

Opposition to the bill feel it would eliminate separation of powers.

Would lawmakers ever legalize recreational marijuana in the state? Public opinion has shifted on the subject; with almost 60-percent of a UNO survey saying they’d be OK with that, a 22-percent increase from just 54 years ago. A bill decriminalizing weed on a federal level is moving now through Congress.

Today marks one year since the Seacor Power lift boat disaster, in which 6 crewmen died. & 7 are still missing and presumed dead. The crew boat owned by Seacor Marine was hit by a sudden microburst storm packing 70-mile-an-hour winds that capsized the craft in the Gulf south of Port Fourchon.

Senator John Kennedy has raised over $5-million in the first three months of this year; bringing his total re-election funds to something just over $14-million. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy is heavily predicted to win another term this fall, but he is also smart enough to be prepared given the current political divide in DC…:

CUT 11(09)      “…millions of dollars.”

So far no Democrat with statewide name recognition has announced intent to challenge Kennedy this fall.

A tornado watch is in effect for parishes in northwestern Louisiana until 10 o’clock tonight. Be on alert for any further severe weather notices.

Is legalized marijuana on the horizon for Louisiana? New poll results may surprise you. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Senator John Kennedy’s re-election campaign reports the St. Tammany Parish Republican has raised five million dollars in the first quarter of 2022 and has 14-million in his war chest

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A three-year-old was killed while sleeping in his bed Tuesday night after shots were fired outside his home. Baton Rouge Police Sgt L’Jean McKneely says the victim Devin Page Junior was killed around 11 PM in the 5100 block of Fairfields Ave.

Cut 3 (12) “…the home.”

McKneely says the toddler was pronounced dead on the scene and the home where he was sleeping was not the intended target.

Cut 4  (11) “…three-year-old.”

Police are asking for anyone with information to assist with their investigation.

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Many residents in Northwest Louisiana are without power after storms swept through the area Tuesday.  SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says more than 34,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier area are without power.

Cut 5  (12) “…and dangerous.”

Sullivan says over 700 linemen and additional crew worked overnight to speed restoration efforts.

Weather-wise however another round of storms is in the forecast today which Sullivan says could hinder restoration efforts.

Cut 6  (10) “…come through.” 

Sullivan says you can visit their website at SWEPCO.com and view their outage map and also sign up to receive text messages with updates on when your power will be restored.

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There’s a shift happening in Louisiana…at least when it comes to supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana. According to results of polling done by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center, almost 60 percent of registered voters in the state support making cannabis legal. Dr. Ed Chervenak says that’s a 22 percent increase from just four years ago.

Cut 7 (11) “…of doing that.” 

Chervenak says Louisiana’s results mirror what’s happening around the nation as attitudes have evolved based on a number of factors…

Cut 8 (15) “…of tax revenue.” 

A proposal to decriminalize marijuana has moved to the U-S Senate, but what does that mean for Louisiana? Last year House Bill 524 would have done the same; it advanced out of committee before dying on the House floor. Chervenak says the governor has not been a proponent in the past, but now…

Cut 9 (07) “…final decision.”

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Louisiana Senator John Kennedy raised more than $5 million in the first quarter of 2022 for a total of $14 million for his re-election campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the dollar signs are indicative of Kennedy’s ability to raise money.

Cut 10 (10)  “…popular with.”

Pinsonat says while Kennedy is heavily predicted to win re-election the state’s junior senator knows all too well to be extremely prepared given the current stanch political divide in DC.

Cut 11 (09)  “…millions of dollars (x2).”  

And because Kennedy will receive national support from Republicans and out-of-state political action committees, Pinsonat says that means his more than $14 million will go even farther.

Cut 12 (11) “…himself.” 

So far Democrats Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon have announced their intent to run against Kennedy.

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A House committee approves legislation that would give the Legislature the ability to end certain portions of a governor’s emergency executive order. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman’s measure is in response to the governor’s public health orders during the pandemic that placed restrictions on businesses…

Cut 13 (10) “…end those”

A similar bill was vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards last year, but today the House  Governmental Affairs approved Frieman’s proposal that would allow a majority vote from the House and Senate to overturn a governor’s emergency order.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis voted no because he believes in a separation of powers in state government…

Cut 14 (10)  “…to do that”

But Frieman says there also should be checks and balances in state government…

Cut 15 (11) “…checks and balances system.” 

________________________________________________

Cut  16 (07)  “….judicial restraint“

Police in Baton Rouge seek the person or persons who fired shots into a home Tuesday night; killing a three-year-old child as he slept in his bed. BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says little Devin Page Jr. was not the intended target, but lost his life nevertheless…:

CUT 04(11)      “…three-year-old.”

Police ask anyone with knowledge of who did it to contact them.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has raised more than $5-million in the first quarter of this year, for a total of $14-million in his re-election campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the dollar signs are indicative of Kennedy’s ability to raise money…:

CUT 10(10)      “…he’s very popular with.”

So far Democrats Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon have announced their intent to run against Kennedy.

Is legalized marijuana in Louisiana’s future? Results of new public polling may surprise you. Here’s David Grubb…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

More than 34-thousand homes & businesses in Shreveport-Bossier are without power after heavy storms hit the area. Here’s SWEPCO’s Carey Sullivan…:

CUT 05(12)      “…and dangerous.”

Most all of northwest Louisiana is under tornado WATCH until 5.

Senator John Kennedy’s re-eleciton campaign reports the Republican from St. Tammany Parish has raised five million dollars in the first quarter of 2022 and has 14-million in his war chest.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A UNO poll finds that 58-percent of Louisiana residents favor legalzing recreational use of marijuana, up from 36-percent in 2016. UNO Pollster Ed Chervenak says the public’s attitude is changing, but what about the governor???
cut 9 (07) “…final decision”

A House committee approves legislation that would give the Legislature the ability to end certain portions of a governor’s emergency executive order. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman’s measure is in response to the governor’s public health orders during the pandemic that placed restrictions on businesses…
Cut 13 (10) “…end those”
A similar bill was vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards last year, but today the House Governmental Affairs approved Frieman’s proposal that would allow a majority vote from the House and Senate to overturn a governor’s emergency order. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis voted no because he believes in a separation of powers in state government…
Cut 14 (10) “…to do that”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Two pieces of legislation pertaining to COVID vaccines advance to the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

Another round of storms is in the forecast today, which could hinder efforts to restore power for nearly 35-thousand customers in Northwest Louisiana according to SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan.

Cut 6  (10) “…come through.”

—

There’s a shift happening in Louisiana…at least when it comes to supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana. According to results of polling done by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center, almost 60 percent of registered voters in the state support making cannabis legal. Dr. Ed Chervenak says that’s a 22 percent increase from just four years ago.

Cut 7 (11) “…of doing that.”

Chervenak says Louisiana’s results mirror what’s happening around the nation, as voters are less likely to see marijuana use as a crime, or know someone who benefits from medicinal cannabis. Tax revenue generated from legal sales is another factor in changing attitudes as well.

—

A nationwide survey by the NFIB finds that inflation has overtaken labor quality as the top problem for small businesses. Aside from inflation, NFIB state director Dawn McVea pointed to several other areas of frustration…
cut 9 (06) “….labor shortages”
McVea says the percentage of business owners expecting conditions to improve over the next six months is at its lowest love in the 48-year history of the survey.

Many residents in Northwest Louisiana are without power after storms swept through the area last night. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says about 37,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier area are without power.
Cut 5 (12) “…and dangerous.”
Sullivan says approximately 1,500 customers in the Mansfield area and nearly 600 in Logansport are also without service.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that will make it harder for a pregnant woman to get abortion-inducing medications without a prescription Bill author, Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt…
Cut 14 (10) “…medical oversite.”
An abortion-rights lawyer is concerned the legislation will also penalize the pregnant woman, but Hewitt says she’ll amend the bill to make sure that does not happen.

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved a resolution that would prevent a rule from the governor going into effect that would mandate children 16 and up must be vaccinated to attend a public school, college or university. Shreveport Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Joseph Bocchini spoke in opposition and says the decision to incorporate any vaccine into the routine schedule for children is based on the merits of the vaccine.
Cut 6 (08) “…other staff.”
Supporters of the resolution say the COVID vaccine has shown it does not prevent infection and they claim there are still health risks with getting the vaccine.

A three-year-old was killed while sleeping in his bed Tuesday night after shots were fired outside his home. Baton Rouge Sgt L’Jean McKneely says the victim Devin Page was killed around 11 PM in the 5100 block of Fairfields Ave.

Cut 3 (12) “…a call.”

McKneely says the Page’s home was not the intended target.

A University of New Orleans Survey shows roughly a third of voters polled approve of the jobs Senator Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are doing, but also a third disapprove, and about a third don’t know what to think.  Research director Dr. Ed Chervenak says the “don’t knows” can be vexing for public opinion researchers…:

Cut 13 (10) “…the next election.”

Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley’s resolution to remove COVID vaccines from the state’s immunization schedule passed on a 10 to 6 vote in House Health and Welfare. New Orleans Democrat Representative Jason Hughes asked Bagley why House Resolution 3 is even necessary.

Cut 4 (08)  “…need this?”

Bagley says it’s a matter of principle and that some schools have not allowed parents to opt-out. He even quoted fellow Republican Representative Troy Romero who said the COVID vaccine doesn’t even stop the virus.

Cut 5 (06) “…your children.”

The resolution along with Shreveport Republican Thomas Pressly’s bill to prohibit the government from issuing vaccine mandates, head to the House floor.

Two COVID vaccine-related pieces of legislation pass in House Health Welfare. Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley’s resolution would remove COVID vaccines from the state’s immunization schedule for students and Shreveport Republican Thomas Pressly’s bill to prohibit the government from issuing vaccine mandates.  House Bill 990 does not pertain to Federal vaccine mandates…

Cut 7 (05) “…to do so.”

Both Bills advance to the House floor.

Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt’s bill banning the sale of abortion-inducing medications without a prescription clears Senate Judiciary C. The bill would criminalize retailers and opponents worry pregnant women could also face prosecution. Hewitt says the bill is not intended to punish pregnant women…

Cut 16 (08)  “…use of the drug.”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor and Hewitt says she plans to amend the bill so pregnant women aren’t penalized.

A National Federation of Independent Businesses survey says inflation is now the number one concern for small business owners. State director Dawn McVea says supply chain issues have forced business owners to keep a watchful eye on their inventory due to difficulty in stocking and restocking items.

Cut 10 (08) “…to fewer sales.”

The survey indicates more small business owners are pessimistic about the future, the highest since 1981.

A University of New Orleans survey shows more Democrats versus Republicans approve of the job Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is doing. Research director Dr. Ed Chervenak says perhaps that’s because he voted with democrats for Donald Trump’s impeachment and a big democrat infrastructure bill. Chervenak says Cassidy is considering running for Governor next year…:

Cut 12 (13) “…going to be successful.”

The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 12 to 5 in favor of a bill that would prevent state and local governments from issuing proof of COVID-19 vaccine requirements in order to enter schools, restaurants, and businesses. Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly says House Bill 990 does not pertain to federal vaccine mandates…
cut 7 (05) “….to do so”
The measure heads to the House floor.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that will make it harder for a pregnant woman to get abortion-inducing medications without a prescription Bill author, Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt…
Cut 14 (10) “…medical oversite.”
An abortion-rights lawyer is concerned the legislation will also penalize the pregnant woman, but Hewitt says she’ll amend the bill to make sure that does not happen.

New voter research from UNO shows overall job approval for Louisiana’s two U.S. Senators is under 50-percent. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

And Kennedy’s re-election campaign says the junior senator now has 14-million dollars in cash on hand after raising five million dollars during the first quarter of this year.

Strong storms last night caused significant power outages in northwest Louisiana. There’s another chance for severe weather today.