During debate on a bill that would make vaccine discrimination a crime, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the COVID vaccines are what may have caused a heart attack he suffered earlier this month. But the American Heart Association recommends that people should get the COVID vaccine and studies have shown getting COVID increases the risk of heart problems.

Within hours after the tornado hit the community of Arabi, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana was collecting donations. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation that would force a person found guilty of vehicular homicide to pay restitution to the children of a parent who dies in the crash heads to the House floor. Valerie Sanders testified in favor of the bill after her son was killed by a drunk driver and left behind two small children to be raised by her son’s widow.
Cut 14 (10) “…financial responsibility.”
The measure heads to the House floor.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has approved a new policy that eliminated remedial courses in colleges, instead, college students needing remediation will be placed in gateway math-English courses while given additional academic support, an approach known as co-requisite. Doctor Tristan Denly says this new approach will help current students but also attract adult learners to come back to campus as well…
cut 6 (13) “….continue their studies”

A bill to force those guilty of vehicular homicide of a parent to pay restitution advances from House Criminal Justice. Bill author Lafayette Representative Johnathan Goudeau says the offender would make payments to the victim’s minor child until the age of 18 or 21 if enrolled in college.

AM Cut 13 (12) “…that difference.”

Payments would be due once they are released from prison and if they are on probation the payments are handled through their probation officer.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has set a goal of 60 percent of working adults with a degree or credential of some type by 2030. To help get there, Dr. Tristan Denly says Louisiana colleges and universities will be removing what has been a significant barrier for many in completing their coursework…remedial studies.

Cut 4 (12)  “…not to work.”

Legislation that would make state waters more attractive to companies interested in developing wind energy projects off of the state’s coastline is headed to the House floor. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says he supports oil and gas production but also recognizes alternative energy is coming

Cut 9 (10) “…jobs”

A proposal to make it a crime to deny someone entrance into a building based on their vaccination status received a hearing today in a House committee, but even Republican lawmakers who oppose vaccine mandates had issues with the measure. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, blames the COVID vaccine for his recent heart attack…

Cut 12 (12) “…heart attack.” 

Bagley voluntarily deferred his bill, but plans to present a revised version later in the session.

At the Capitol today, a bill to impose fines on businesses who deny entry based on vaccination status got pushback from republicans and democrats on a House committee. DeSoto parish Representative Larry Bagley blames the COVID vaccine for his recent heart attack and doubts the vaccines’ efficacy. Mandeville Republican Richard Nelson says he’s not comfortable with the propose penalties…:

CUT 14(09)      “…to make this, make this work.”

Sensing the committee’s feelings, Bagley pulled his bill for some re-writing, but says he’ll bring it back in the weeks ahead.

In another committee room, a House bill that would restrict public access to booking mugshots wins approval. New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis’ bill would keep such pics private until the person is convicted. No conviction; no mugshot released. Media outlets often rely on booking mugs for their news coverage. The bill moves now to the House floor.

Police in Lafayette arrest a local man they say was in possession of over $165-thousand in illegal drugs. Among the items found: 5000 tablets of an opioid pain reliever, over 4 pounds of marijuana, various other pain meds, plus guns and cash. 53-year-old Joe Kemp faces a long list of charges.

The tornado that ravaged the community of Arabi Tuesday night also claimed the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Desoto Parish lawmaker temporarily pulls his bill to impose fines on businesses that deny entry based on whether or not you’ve had COVID shots. Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley’s bill got bipartisan pushback in a House committee … like this from Baton Rouge Republican Scott McKnight…:

CUT 13(10)      “…how to run it.”

Bagley says there are concerns about whether coronavirus vaccines are safe and work as they should. After discussion, he deferred his bill for some tweaking, but says he’ll bring it back before the session ends.

Police in Slidell says they’ve identified – and arrested – 12 members of what they call a high-level drug distribution ring. The gang was moving large amounts of heroin, meth, amphetamines and fentanyl. Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says their Operation Clean Sweep is still ongoing and more arrests are coming.

A bill that would make developing renewable energies in Louisiana more attractive to entrepreneurs passes committee and heads to the House floor. State Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Harris says some developers have passed us by because our lease acreage offered is limited to just 5-thousand acres…:

CUT 11(12)      “…do business.”

Estimate reports show a single offshore wind farm could generate up to 5-thousand jobs.

Tuesday’s fierce tornado that hit St. Bernard Parish took the life of a 25-year-old U.L.-Lafayette graduate and aerospace engineer. Connor Lambert was an Arabi native and his Chalmette High football coach, Jason Tucker, says the whole town mourns him…:

CUT 04(11)      “…will be missed.”

Lambert was in the home he’d just purchased three months ago when the tornado hit.

Legislation that would impose fines against businesses that deny a person entry based on their vaccination status runs into resistance in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

For the second time this week, Interstate 10 West in West Baton Rouge Parish was closed for hours this morning due to a crash. State Police say a tour bus and a big rig collided; sending the buss careening into the median where it caught fire. One person was killed, three injured. Troopers are investigating the crash now.

The one reported fatality from Tuesday night’s tornado in the New Orleans area is identified as a 25-year-old U.L.-Lafayette graduate. Connor Lambert worked at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. His Chalmette High football coach, Jason Tucker, says Lambert was one of the good ones…:

CUT 03(06)      “…hang out with.”

During a standard press conference before his first spring practice at LSU, head coach Brian Kelly decided to put a toe in the murky legal waters of a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment by associate coach Frank Wilson. Kelly told media he is in Wilson’s corner on this…:

CUT 08(10)      “…of our staff.”

Former Associate A.D. Sharon Lewis claims Wilson exposed himself to her. Kelly says her allegations are “egregious” and “unfounded.”

The tornado that ravaged the community of Arabi Tuesday night also claimed the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Legislation that would result in fines against businesses that deny a person from entering a building based on their vaccination status runs into resistance in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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25-year old Conner Lambert was killed Tuesday night in the tornado that struck the community of Arabi. Lambert, a UL-Lafayette graduate who worked as an engineer at Stennis Space Center is remembered fondly by his Chalmette High School football coach Jason Tucker.

Cut 3 (06) “…hang out with”

Tucker says Lambert was in the home he’d just purchased three months ago when the tornado hit. In addition to playing football at Chalmette, Lambert also excelled at track and baseball and was even a National Merit finalist.

Tucker says Lambert was very family-oriented and moved back to the area to be near his relatives, and the loss is felt throughout the community.

Cut 4 (11) “…be missed.”

Lambert not only excelled on the field at Chalmette, but Tucker says in high school he received about 15 academic scholarships and even a National Merit Scholarship from Alabama. Lambert got his engineering degree at ULL and Tucker says the loss is even more tragic because of all Lambert’s potential.

Cut 5 (08) “…great kid.”

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In the midst of a mostly-positive press conference on the eve of Brian Kelly’s first spring practice session at LSU, the new head coach chose to step into the murky legal waters surrounding the lawsuit filed by former associate athletic director Sharon Lewis. Kelly was asked directly about the status of running backs coach and associate head coach Frank Wilson who has been added to Lewis’ complaint.

 Cut 6  (12) “…status has unchanged.” 

While Wilson’s status may be unchanged with regards to his position on Kelly’s staff, LSU should be aware that Lewis amended her lawsuit earlier this month alleging that Wilson showed her his genitals and harassed another female employee as well. USA Today has reported it interviewed two other women with similar allegations against Wilson. Kelly pushed back against those reports.

Cut 7 (10) “…that were unfounded.” 

Lewis alleges the incident occurred in 2013 when Wilson was a member of Les Miles’ staff, and that she reported it to two other associate ADs at the university without any investigation made or action taken. Wilson could also be attached to the NCAA’s Notice of Allegations citing a lack of institutional control within the football program over multiple years. Regardless, Kelly says he’s in Wilson’s corner.

Cut 8 (10) “…of our staff.” 

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Legislation that would make state waters more attractive to companies interested in developing wind energy projects off of the state’s coastline is headed to the House floor. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says he supports oil and gas production but also recognizes alternative energy is coming

Cut 9 (10) “…jobs”

Zeringue says a recent study shows a single offshore wind project could generate over five-thousand jobs.

The House bill would increase the maximum size of a lease from five thousand to 25-thousand acres. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says wind turbines need more space than oil and gas rigs

Cut 10 (09)  “…appropriately.”

Louisiana Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Harris says he’s heard from several wind energy developers but decided not to do business because of the current five-thousand-acre limit…

Cut 11 (12)  “…do business.”  

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A proposal to make it a crime to deny someone entrance into a building based on their vaccination status received a hearing today in a House committee, but even Republican lawmakers who oppose vaccine mandates had issues with the measure. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, blames the COVID vaccine for his recent heart attack…

Cut 12 (12) “…heart attack.” 

Bagley says since there are concerns over the safety of the COVID vaccine and its effectiveness, businesses, and schools should not require people to be vaccinated. But Baton Rouge Representative Scott McKnight doesn’t like the bill because it’s telling businesses what to do

Cut 13 (10) “…to run it”

Bagley’s bill called for fines if a person or business denied a person entry into a building based on their vaccination status. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is not comfortable with the potential penalties…

Cut 14 (09)  “..this work”  

Bagley voluntarily deferred his bill, but plans to present a revised version later in the session.

The National Weather Service says the Arabi tornado was the strongest in history to hit the New Orleans area and it also claimed the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert. Chalmette football coach Jason Tucker who coached Lambert in high school says the loss is even more tragic because of all Lambert’s potential.

Cut 5 (08) “…great kid.”

A proposal to make it a crime to deny someone entrance into a building based on their vaccination status received a hearing today in a House committee, but even Republican lawmakers who oppose vaccine mandates had issues with the measure. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, blames the COVID vaccine for his recent heart attack…

Cut 12 (12) “…heart attack.” 

The bill called for fines if a person is denied entry based on their vaccination status.

Legislation to make state waters more attractive to companies interested in developing wind energy projects off the state’s coastline is headed to the House floor. The bill would increase the maximum size of a lease from five thousand to 25-thousand acres. Larose Representative Joseph Orgeron says wind turbines need more space than oil and gas rigs.

Cut 10 (09)  “…appropriately.”

During a mostly positive press conference on the eve of Brian Kelly’s first spring practice at LSU, the new head coach chose to step into the murky legal waters surrounding the lawsuit filed by former associate athletic director Sharon Lewis. USA Today has reported it interviewed two other women with similar allegations against Frank Wilson. Kelly pushed back against those reports.

Cut 7 (10) “…that were unfounded.” 

The tornado that ravaged the community of Arabi Tuesday night also claimed the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

—

Legislation that would make state waters more attractive to companies interested in developing wind energy projects is headed to the House floor. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue supports oil and gas production but recognizes alternative energy is coming.

Cut 9 (10) “…jobs”

—

In the midst of a mostly-positive press conference on the eve of Brian Kelly’s first spring practice session at LSU, the new head coach chose to step into the murky legal waters surrounding the lawsuit filed by former associate athletic director Sharon Lewis. Kelly was asked directly about the status of running backs coach and associate head coach Frank Wilson who has been added to Lewis’ complaint.

Cut 6 (12) “…status has unchanged.”

While Wilson’s status may be unchanged with regards to his position on Kelly’s staff, LSU should be aware that Lewis amended her lawsuit earlier this month alleging that Wilson showed her his genitals and harassed another female employee as well.

Tuesday’s tornado in Arabi claimed the life of 25-year-old Conner Lambert. Chalmette High School football coach Jason Tucker says his former player who also graduated from ULL, was very family-oriented and moved back to the area to be near his relatives.

Cut 4 (11) “…be missed.”

Lambert worked as an engineer at Stennis Space Center.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares a state of emergency for four parishes affected by Tuesday’s storms and tornados. Edwards says residents can help to speed up recovery aid by taking digital photos of damage to their homes and share that information with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.

Cut  11 (10)  “…go to ‘damage.la.gov’.”  

The parishes include St. Bernard, Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Tammany.

Many Hurricane Laura and Delta victims are still battling with their insurance companies and that’s why Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain has filed a bill to create a Fraud Prevention Authority to investigate claims of fraud following named storms. Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana says the authority is modeled after a task force that investigates automobile theft and insurance fraud…

Cut 5 (11) “…or prosecuted.”
The House Insurance Committee has approved this bill and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis wants to limit the release of mugshots in an effort to prevent those who are innocent from the public embarrassment that it can impose.

Cut 7 (12) “…to the public.”

The measure passed out of a House committee and heads to the House floor.

Governor Edwards declares a state of emergency for four southeast Louisiana parishes affected by Tuesday’s tornadoes. Edwards spoke with the media after surveying the damage in Arabi. The governor says teams will make their best estimate of damage to homes and businesses, to prepare the state’s request for FEMA assistance…:
Cut 10 (11) “…from the federal government.”
The National Weather Service says the approximate path of the tornado is 11 miles stretching from Gretna to Arabi. About 150 homes were significantly damaged in St. Bernard and one person was killed.

The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Conner Lambert who graduated from U-L Lafayette and worked as an engineer at Stennis Space Center. Chalmette football coach Jason Tucker…
cut 3 (06) “….hangout without”
Tucker says Lambert purchased his home that was completely destroyed just three months ago.

A bill that would restrict law enforcement from releasing to the media mug shots of people who are arrested is heading to the House floor. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says mug shots are sometimes used to shame people, even though they have not been convicted. Duplessis believes Louisiana should follow the U-s Marshal’s Service’s policy…
cut 8 (09) “…..invasion of privacy”
The House Governmental Affairs Committee voted 11 to 1 in favor of the bill and it faces another discussion on the House floor.

Since the start of the pandemic, home food delivery has become a bigger part of our lives. But record-high gas prices are impacting drivers. So Waitr has implemented a new GasCard program, giving drivers 5% off on gas from all major gas stations. Chris Barnes, the company’s director of driver experience…
cut 14 (10) “…time of purchase”
Barnes says GasCard program will continue even when gas prices go back down.