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….

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. Harrisonburg Senator Glen Womack’s legislation would add another five years to a prison sentence for that. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White offers his support, having seen what the drug has done to the Capital Area…:

CUT 05(07)      “…overdose on fentanyl.”

The bill moves to the Senate floor for debate.

The National Hurricane Center issued its final report on Hurricane Ida. The biggest finding of the report? It WAS a Category 4 storm with maximum winds at 150 miles-an-hour; making it one of the strongest to ever hit Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says – given that – the damage could have been much worse…:

CUT 10(10)      “…associated with it.”

An Opelousas mom is angry and upset, after a St. Landry Schools bus driver closed her kid’s head in the bus door and started to drive away. It happened as the child was getting off the bus and was captured by a neighbor’s home security camera. The child received minor injuries but it could have been worse. The driver says she closed the door too soon, because she was distracted by kids still on the bus. The mom says the kids were trying to tell her there was a child stuck in the door. No comment yet from school officials.

After almost two full years of pandemic-related cancellations, spring & summer festivals are back for Louisiana. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser says nearly 400 events will happen statewide between now and Labor Day. Then, he says, LSU football is back..:

CUT 07(10)      “…to Louisiana.”

The House Transportation Committee put the brakes on a proposal that would prohibit the state department of transportation from putting tolls on existing interstate systems. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum authored the legislation as he’s concerned about tolls being used to fund a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles…
cut 12 (06) “….could be next”
Despite Farnum’s argument, his bill failed on a six to nine vote. Several local groups also opposed the bill like the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce and Ascension Parish government. Tolls might also be needed to build a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he does not want to limit his options…
cut 14 (11) “…Mississippi River bridge”
It has yet to be decided if polls will be needed in Lake Charles to build a new I-10 bridge.

The National Hurricane Center released its final report on Hurricane Ida today and the major storm that hit southeast Louisiana last August will go down in the record brooks…
cut 9 (09) “…per hour”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the 150-miles per hour maximum sustained winds at landfall ties it with Hurricane Laura and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest storms in terms of wind to ever impact Louisiana.

Fentanyl has had its impact on many families as studies show Louisiana has experienced one of the largest increases in deaths caused by the synthetic opioid. A Senate committee approved legislation today that would call for longer prison sentences for those who knowingly lace drugs with fentanyl and give them to someone else. Lilly Harvey works as an advocate for tougher penalties for drug crimes and says fentanyl use is increasing among junior high students…
cut 4 (09) “…students alone”

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-increase in overdose deaths…

Cut 3 (10) “…a rise”

It’s an exciting time of year in the Bayou State as festival season kicks off with someone 400 parish festivals on the calendar for 2022. After almost two years of cancellations, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’s hopeful the trend of large crowds from carnival and the Final Four continues.

Cut 6  (08) “…festival season.” 

Nungesser says festivals are vital to the state’s hospitality industry.

A Lake Charles lawmaker says the only thing in the way of a new Calcasieu River Bridge is a few hundred million dollars. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A toddler drowned in north Caddo Parish on Monday morning. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Bia Roldan says the two-year-old’s mother found the little boy in Black Bayou Lake in the Hosston community after realizing the child had wandered away from his house. Rolan says Youth Services detectives and crime scene investigators are trying to determine what happened.

Cut 14 (09)  “…for there.”
In the House Commerce Committee this morning, lawmakers were set to consider a bill to would allow a pet’s remains to be buried alongside their owners in a cemetery. Minden Representative Wayne McMahen says he’s receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback about the legislation and even a stranger approached him at the capitol about the bill…

Cut 12 (06) “…way overdue.”

The bill was scheduled to be heard in House Commerce this morning however it was not.

The federal government launches a grant program; aimed at making schools and school buses cleaner and safer for kids…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 
Louisiana’s U.S. Senators will vote against the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. John Kennedy says he finds Judge Jackson smart, well-versed in the law, but failed to say anything of substance when it came to critical questions…:

CUT 26(07) “…judicial restraint.”
Senator Bill Cassidy says he is also a “no” vote for Jackson.