The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit the release of an arrestee’s mug shot before they are convicted. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the release of a mug shot before a conviction can cause irreversible harm to a person, especially if the criminal charges are dropped…

Cut 5  (07) “…personal life”

The measure passed on a 75-21 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

—

After the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended the closure of the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville last month, Congresswoman Julia Letlow reached out to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. Letlow says she’s encouraged by the open dialogue she’s established with Secretary McDonough about the VA facility in the 5th Congressional District.

Cut 7 (06) “…heroes.”

Letlow says she will continue to meet with McDonough in an effort to keep the Pineville facility open.

—

Nicholls State will be the first college campus in Louisiana to have a pet-friendly residence hall in the fall, Brooke Thorington has more on how the school will allow Fido and Fluffy to bunk with select students.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit the release of an arrestee’s mug shot before they are convicted. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says mug shots are prejudicial…
Cut 3 (07) “..undermines that”
Duplessis has a few exceptions to his legislation if the person is a fugitive or police determine the individual is an imminent threat. The measure passed on a 75-21 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Fifth District Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she met with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough to discuss the proposed closure of the Alexandria V-A hospital. Letlow says closing this facility in Pineville is unacceptable…
cut 6 (11) “…hospital open”
The V-A report says they could modernize services if they had a smaller outpatient clinic with 48 beds in the vicinity of Alexandria.

Leaders of Louisiana law enforcement are urging legislators to invest millions yearly in early education plans aimed at keeping kids away from a life of crime. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says numerous studies indicate it’s better to invest in young kids before they enter the criminal justice system…:
Cut 10 (06) “…a life of crime.”
Champagne is among lawmen asking state government to approve $115-million yearly in care & education programs to reach kids.

This fall at Nicholls State the university will welcome pets to the state’s first pet-friendly residence hall. Director of Residential Living Alex Coad says they’ll have space for 32 pets at North Babington Hall because the university understands how pets enhance our quality of life.
Cut 7 (07) “…car or dog.”
Coad says this goes beyond service and emotional support animals that are allowed for students through a separate waiver.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he has a package of bills that he calls a Safer Louisiana Agenda. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Senate President Page Cortez wants motorists to slow down, he’s filed legislation to toughen speeding penalties on the 18-mile Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Which includes fines five times the current amount. His bill also adds 28-speed limit signs to the bridge.

Law enforcement leaders like St. Charles Parish Sherriff Greg Champagne are urging legislators to invest $115 million annually in early education programs to reach kids, and hopefully, keep them in school and deter them from a life of crime. Champagne says the programs would target kids as soon as they begin pre-K…:

Cut  11 (11)  “…much more reduced.”  

He says 60-percent of young people convicted of crimes never graduated high school.

One week after a house fire destroyed their home in Amite, two of the four occupants, both in their 80s, have passed away. State Fire Marshall Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says two occupants made it out safely after being alerted by the home’s smoke detectors. Rodrigue says there’s a lesson to be learned through the tragedy.

Cut 14 (08)  “…home escape route.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris files a package of bills to address the increase in violent crime. He’s calling it a safer Louisiana Agenda; it includes legislation to address the issue of local prosecutors not acting on certain crimes…

Cut 6 (10)  “…local court.”

The agenda also includes legislation to limit the release of violent offenders.

Leaders of Louisiana law enforcement are urging legislators to invest millions yearly in early education plans in an effort to keep kids away from a life of crime. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne is a member of a group called “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids,” whose mission is to use a good education as a deterrent to the bad choices that lead to criminal activity…:

Cut 12 (11) “…look at the long term.”

One week after a house fire destroyed their home in Amite, two of the four occupants, both in their 80s, have passed away. State Fire Marshall Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…

Cut 13 (10) “…the other yesterday.”

A 59-year old woman and a 10-year-old boy both made it out safely after the woman was alerted by the home’s smoke detectors.

This fall at Nicholls State the university will welcome pets to the state’s first pet-friendly residence hall. Director of Residential Living Alex Coad says they’ll have space for 32 pets for returning students and if all goes well, he believes the ability to bring your pet to college will attract new students.

Cut 9 (06)  “…this opportunity.”

Right now pets are limited to cats and dogs and there are also plans for a dog park in the future.

The Louisiana House Transportation committee put the brakes on a bill that sought to prohibit tolls on existing interstates. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says toll money should not be used to fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles, but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says tolls could be necessary…:
Cut 23 (06) “…additional revenue.”
The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.”

Nicholls State will be the first college campus in Louisiana to have a pet-friendly residence hall in the fall. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he has a package of bills addressing the increase in violent crime. He’s calling it a safer Louisiana Agenda. Morris says these bills, along with those introduced by other legislators are the start of a multi-year effort to reverse the trend of letting violent offenders back on the streets
Cut 4 (09) “…something about it.”
Morris says a large part of the problem is light sentences, particularly for repeat offenders.

The state fire marshal’s office announces two elderly people have died from a house fire that took place on March 27th in Amite. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home had working smoke alarms, but due to the mobility limitations of the victims that early warning was not enough. She says that’s why it’s important to have a planned and practiced home escape route…
cut 15 (08) “…help you out”

Louisiana law enforcement leaders urge legislators to support funding aimed at keeping kids in school and OUT of jail…
cut 3 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A bill that would prohibit tolls from going up on Louisiana’s existing interstates failed to get out of the House Transportation Committee. Meanwhile, the full House approves a bill that would restrict law enforcement from releasing mug shots of individuals not convicted of a crime.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris is working to pass a package of bills that he says will address the rising rate of violent crime. Morris says part of the problem is the state is light on prison sentences, particularly for repeat offenders…
cut 5 (10) “….again”
Morris says he also wants to get the Attorney General involved when a local district attorney cannot or refuses to initiate a prosecution.

Nicholls State University says next fall they will have the state’s first pet-friendly dormitory for students. Pets will be limited to cats or dogs and there are no breed or weight restrictions. Director of Residential Living Alex Coad says the response has been positive…
Cut 8 (10) “…another building.”
Coad says they’ll have space for 32 pets at North Babington Hall.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says he has a package of bills that he calls a Safer Louisiana Agenda. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

State Police say a lieutenant with the Louisiana Department of Corrections was killed early yesterday morning when his vehicle crashed into a tree that fell across a Webster Parish highway. 65-year-old Gene Latin of Gloster was pronounced dead at the scene, despite wearing a seatbelt. The DOC says Latin was heading to Ochsner LSU Health hospital in Shreveport to perform security duties for prisoners admitted to the hospital.

Leaders of Louisiana law enforcement are urging legislators to invest millions yearly in early education plans aimed at keeping kids away from a life of crime. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says numerous studies indicate it’s better to invest in young kids before they enter the criminal justice system…:
Cut 10 (06) “…a life of crime.”
Champagne is among lawmen asking state government to approve $115-million yearly in care & education programs to reach kids.

This fall at Nicholls State the university will welcome pets to the state’s first pet-friendly residence hall. Director of Residential Living Alex Coad says they’ll have space for 32 pets at North Babington Hall because the university understands how pets enhance our quality of life.
Cut 7 (07) “…car or dog.”
Coad says this goes beyond service and emotional support animals that are allowed for students through a separate waiver.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris has a package of bills to address the increase in violent crime. He’s calling it a safer Louisiana Agenda. Morris says his bills, along with those from other legislators are the start of a multi-year effort to reverse the trend of letting violent offenders back on the streets

Cut 4 AM (10)  “…something about it.”

Leaders of Louisiana law enforcement joined forces Tuesday at a media event to urge legislators to invest millions yearly in early education plans aimed at keeping kids away from a life of crime. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne, says studies indicate it’s better to invest in young kids before they go wrong, than for the criminal justice system to deal with them…:

Cut 10 AM (07) “…a life of crime.”

At the Capitol Tuesday, the House Transportation committee put the brakes on a bill that sought to prohibit tolls from being charged on any existing interstate highway system. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says it’s not the right way to fund a new I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles, but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says tolls may well be necessary…:

Cut 13 (06) “…additional revenue.”

The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.”

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill that enhances the penalties for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl but marketing it as another substance. Lilly Harvey testified in support. She lost her 28-year-old daughter to a drug overdose and says last year Louisiana experienced a 53-percent increase in overdose deaths…

Cut 3 (10) “…a rise”

The National Hurricane Center issues its final report on Hurricane Ida. The Category 4 storm packed 150 miles-an-hour winds. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it did over $18-billion in damage, but the loss of lives during and after was the real tragedy…:

CUT 11(12)      “…kind of numbers.”

The report confirms Ida as one of the worst storms to ever hit our state.

A bill to forbid charging tolls on any part of Louisiana’s Interstate system was voted down in a House committee today. Its sponsor is Sulphur Representative Les Farnum, who’s concerned the state will use tolls to pay for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…:

CUT 12(06)      “…could be next.”

But DOTD says tolls MAY be needed. The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.

Legendary Bourbon Street performer Chris Owens has passed away. Owens opened her first club in 1957 and entertained audiences ever since. She was also known for leading the annual New Orleans Easter Parade and for her hourglass figure right up until the end. Chris Owens was 89.

After record crowds for Mardi Gras, followed by the Final Four, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hopeful as festival season kicks off the tourism industry will rebound. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

At the Capitol today, the House Transportation committee put the brakes on a bill that sought to prohibit tolls being charged on any existing interstate highway system. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says it’s not the right way to fund a new I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles, but DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says tolls may well be necessary…:

CUT 13 (06)      “…additional revenue.”

The bill failed by a vote of 6 “yeas” to 9 “nays.”

A Senate committee approves a bill adding extra years to prison sentences for those convicted of knowingly lacing drugs with fentanyl, but selling it as something else. Testifying for the bill, Lily Harvey, who lost her daughter to a drug overdose. She says OD’s increased 53-percent last year…:

CUT 03 (10)      “…a rise.”

Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s bill would add five extra years if convicted of that offense. It now goes to the Senate floor.

The National Hurricane Center releases its final report on Hurricane Ida today, and the major storm that hit southeast Louisiana last August will go down in the record brooks. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02 (31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Spring turkey hunting season is underway, and state Wildlife & Fisheries agents say they cited nineteen persons over the weekend for violations ranging from hunting a baited field, to hunting during a lottery hunt without a lottery tag, to using an improper weapon. Well, Louisiana is gonna Louisiana….