A slow-moving storm has dumped over a foot of rain in some parts of south Louisiana. Dozens of homes in stormy weary Lake Charles took in water, there have also been reports of flooding in Acadiana and Baton Rouge. A strong line of heavy rainfall is now falling in the New Orleans area. Governor Edwards has issued a state of emergency and will provide more information at a 3:30 press conference today.

A bill that would prohibit state and local government agencies from barring access to public facilities to someone who isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19 received a House committee approval. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston’s bill also says a state entity can’t refuse to issue a license, permit or a degree to a person not vaccinated. This woman testified in favor of the bill, saying her daughter in nursing school can’t get the vaccine because of preexisting health conditions…
cut 11 (12) “…nursing school”
More discussion on the measure will take place on the House floor.
The author of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana says the House will vote on his bill today. Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’s optimistic he now has the votes needed to send this bill to the Senate and he does not plan on delaying that vote again.
Cut 13 (09) “..question.”
This vote comes as a JMC Analytics poll of nine south and central Republican-held legislative districts shows strong support for legalization. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…
Cut 15 (08)“…March.”
A March statewide poll showed 67 percent of Louisianans favored legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession.

Baton Rouge and Celtic Studios are set to play host to the crew of a new 40 million dollar Disney plus feature film. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

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There was a tense debate in House Civil over the efficacy and long-term effects of COVID vaccines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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 Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the House will vote on his legislation that would legalize marijuana today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The upcoming Disney Plus feature film Crater is set to begin filming around the Baton Rouge area, primarily at Celtic Studios.

Celtic Director of Studio Operations Aaron Bayham says hosting the production is a big win for the struggling Capital City film industry and the regional economy.

Cut 4 (10)“…pandemic.”

More than a dozen film and TV projects are reportedly in production or pre-production in Louisiana right now.

The plot is described as a “futuristic teen adventure”.

Cut 5 (09)”…production.”

The 40 million dollar film plans to employ 325 crew members and 400 extras, with hundreds of Louisianans expected to be hired as well.

Bayham says despite the big-budget don’t expect to see much filming going on around Baton Rouge…

Cut 6 (07) “…as the moon.”

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A Houma woman is facing numerous charges after she posed online as a teenager to lure juveniles into human trafficking. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet says 39-year old Angela Lirette allegedly made contact with several teenagers and even had a sexual relationship with one teen.

Cut 7 (12)  “…of a minor.”

Soignet says the case remains under investigation and opted not to say how many victims were involved.

Cut 8 (08) “…investigate.” 

The investigation began on May 11th and Lirette was arrested within two days. Soignet credits the department’s Special Victims division with a quick arrest.

Cut 9 (05) “…we’re doing.”

Lirette is being held on a one-million-dollar bond and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact them.

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A debate over the credibility of COVID vaccines broke out in House Civil Monday over a civil liability bill. House Bill 103 prevents businesses from being sued if they don’t require employees to be vaccinated and also prevents the state from denying a business a license if they choose not to mandate vaccines. Amite Representative Robby Carter, who shared that he’s had a kidney transplant, and Candace Timphony, who spoke against vaccines.

Cut 10 (07) “….yes I am”

Timphony expressed her concern over educational facilities requiring vaccines and referenced her daughter who attends nursing school and has preexisting health conditions.

Cut 11 (12) “….nursing school”

Carter and Timphony continued to debate the efficacy of the vaccines and both admitted to being immunocompromised. Carter feels more people should be vaccinated so those who are immunocompromised.

Cut 12 (12) “…individuals.”

The committee passed the amended version of the bill without objection. It now heads to the house floor.

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The author of legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana says the House will vote on his bill today.

Mandeville Republican Representative Richard Nelson says he’s optimistic he now has the votes needed to send this bill to the Senate and he does not plan on delaying that vote again.

Cut 13 (09) “..question.”

Nelson says agreeing to limit personal possession to two and a half ounces and removing language allowing people to grow pot at home helped win over some skeptical lawmakers.

The Sheriff’s Association still opposes the legislation, but Nelson says they don’t represent the views of all Louisiana law enforcement officers.

Cut 14 (10) “…bad guys.”

Lawmakers will be voting on both legalization and taxation instruments.

This vote comes as a JMC Analytics poll of nine south and central Republican-held legislative districts shows strong support for legalization. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…

Cut 15 (08)“…March.”

A March statewide poll showed 67 percent of Louisianans favored legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession.

Couvillon says in those south and central Louisiana districts he found even evangelicals and older voters backed legalization.

Cut 16 (08) “…are.”

The poll surveyed voters in five Greater New Orleans media market districts, two Lafayette and Lake Charles media markets, one in the Baton Rouge media market, and one in Alexandria.

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The offseason has begun for the Pelicans who finished the 2020-21 season with a 31-41 record.  New Orleans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin is not happy they didn’t make the playoffs.

Cut 17 (14) “..shooting.”

The Pels have two young all-stars in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, as well as some other young contributors.  Griffin says this team is definitely talented but…

Cut  18 (20)”…team.”

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The LSU baseball team is scheduled to host Northwestern State tonight for its final non-conference game of the year. The forecast does not look good as over an inch of rain could fall in Baton Rouge today. Coach Paul Mainieri says they will try hard to make sure this game is played

Cut 19 (24) “…tomorrow night” 

The Tigers are coming off a 13-5 win over Alabama. Giovanni DiGiacomo hit two home runs after not play in Friday’s win. Mainieri says he sat Gio on Friday after not giving 100-percent in the field in last week’s game against Louisiana Tech. Mainieri is glad DiGiacomo got the message…

Cut 20 (18) “…come here.” 

The author of legislation that would legalize possession and consumption of recreational marijuana says the House will vote on the bill Tuesday. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson is optimistic it will pass after agreeing to two key amendments…

23

Nelson says win or lose, he is calling for a vote and will not delay the bill for a third time. This decision comes as a poll by JMC Analytics of nine Republican Legislative districts shows strong support for legalization even from GOP voters. Publisher John Couvillon says support for legalization ranged from 64 to 84 percent…

Cut 10, 8 seconds, March

The nine districts were spread across south and central Louisiana. Couvillon says he found even evangelicals and older voters backed legalization.

Cut 11 (08) “….are”

The Senate votes to approve legislation allowing college student-athletes to receive paid endorsements and to profit off of their name, image, and likeness without impacting their scholarship status.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has died at the age of 77. The Roemer Revolution of 1988 to 1991 resulted in a number of major legislative achievements including legalized riverboat gaming and campaign finance reform. His former chief of staff Len Sanderson called Roemer a dynamic leader.

Cut 3 (10)  “…electric personality” 

Roemer’s biggest legislative setback came after voters rejected his sweeping tax reform legislation at the ballot box.

The National Weather Service says 10 to 13 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of southwest Louisiana today. Numerous roads are closed in the Lake Charles area and there are reports of rainwater getting into homes. Meteorologist Donald Jones says more rain is on its way.

Cut 9 (10) “…as well”

Most of southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Thursday night.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning. During his term from 1988 to 1991 Roemer signed the bill that legalized riverboat gaming, but his tax reform plan was rejected by the voters. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer’s administration also had to cut the budget because of a large deficit…

Cut 5  (10)  “…would like to”

Roemer was 77.

The US Supreme Court rules that those convicted in the past on non-unanimous jury verdicts will not automatically get a retrial. Attorney Andre Belanger who argued for retroactivity says about 1,500 Louisiana convictions would have to have been retried if the ruling went the other way, but Belanger says the Court did leave the door open for state and local action.

Cut 13 (09)“…verdict”

The ruling was 6-3 against retroactivity.

The temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline only highlighted the truck driver shortage. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar says the driver shortage was already an issue well before the pandemic.

Cut 6 (11) “…truckdrivers”

The National Weather Service says 10 to 13 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of southwest Louisiana today. Numerous roads are closed in the Lake Charles area and there are reports of rainwater getting into homes. Meteorologist Donald Jones says after dealing with two major hurricanes and a winter storm in the last year, a flooding event is the last thing they need in this area…

Cut 11 (10) “…as well”

A flash flood watch is in effect for southwest Louisiana through Thursday night.

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning, he served as governor from 1988 to 1991. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer only served one term but became a successful banker.

Cut 4 (05) “…American people. 

Roemer was 77.

The US Supreme Court rules 6-3 that a prior ruling deeming non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional is not retroactive. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The health department reports that 280 Louisianans are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. The last time the state reported a number in that range was March 23, 2020. The latest vaccine numbers show 1.4 million have completed their vaccine series.

One term Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has passed away at the age of 77. Roemer was Louisiana’s governor from 1988 to 1991. His former chief of staff Len Sanderson says the leader of the “Roemer Revolution” was a dynamic figure…

Cut 3 (10)  “…electric personality” 

Before becoming Governor Roemer served seven years in the US House of Representatives.

Attorney General Jeff Landry celebrated the US Supreme Court’s decision to not require retrials for prior non-unanimous jury convictions now that the practice has been deemed unconstitutional going forward. Landry argued ordering retrials would threaten the convictions of many violent criminals…

Cut 14 (08) “…rule of law” 

The ruling could have resulted in retrials for 1,500 Louisiana inmates.

The temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline only highlighted the truck driver shortage. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar says they need tens of thousands of drivers monthly and there’s now legislation to help train potential CDL-licensed drivers. She says the association is also looking at scholarships to entice more drivers to the workforce.

Cut 8 (09) “…those trucks”

The industry lost a lot of drivers during the pandemic who moved on to other jobs.

Streets in parts of southwest Louisiana are covered in water after 10 to 13 inches of rain fell across parts of the region. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says A flash flood watch is in effect for southwest Louisiana through Thursday night. The watch box also includes Alexandria, Lafayette, and Morgan City.

Cut 10 (07) “..few days” 

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning. During his term from 1988 to 1991 Roemer signed the bill that legalized riverboat gaming, he also worked to improve the state’s environment. But his tax reform plan was rejected by the voters. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer’s administration also had to cut the budget because of a large deficit…

Cut 5  (10)  “…would like to”

Roemer was 77.

The National Weather Service says 10 to 13 inches of rain has fallen in some parts of southwest Louisiana today. Numerous roads are closed in the Lake Charles area and there are reports of rainwater getting into homes. Meteorologist Donald Jones says more rain is on its way.

Cut 9 (10) “…as well”

The US Supreme Court rules that those convicted in the past on non-unanimous jury verdicts will not automatically get a retrial. Attorney Andre Belanger who argued for retroactivity says about 1,500 Louisiana convictions would have to have been retried if the ruling went the other way, but Belanger says the Court did leave the door open for state and local action.

Cut 13 (09)“…verdict”

The ruling was 6-3 against retroactivity.

The temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline only highlighted the ongoing truck driver shortage, Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar says consumers should expect to see an increase in prices and….

Cut 7 (10) “…issues there.”

Amar says the shortage of drivers was an issue well before the pandemic.

The US Supreme Court rules that those convicted in the past on non-unanimous jury verdicts will not automatically get a retrial. The decision states that a prior ruling deeming non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional is not retroactive. Attorney Andre Belanger argued for retroactivity, calling the 6-3 decision unfair…

Cut 12 (11)   “…factor” 

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office argued against retroactivity in front of the court.

The temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline only highlighted the truck driver shortage. Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Renee Amar says the driver shortage was already an issue well before the pandemic.

Cut 6 (11) “…truckdrivers”

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer died this morning in Baton Rouge at the age of 77. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning, he served as governor from 1988 to 1991. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer only served one term but became a successful banker.

Cut 4 (05) “…American people. 

Roemer was 77.

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey of 600 voters finds over three-quarters support dedicating revenue from sports betting to fund early childhood education. LPIC Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier says it would cost 86 million dollars a year to guarantee early childhood. Sports betting is estimated to generate 10 to 30 million a year…

Cut 11 (08) “….dent.”

Passing a tax reform bill is a major priority for Republicans and the Legislative Black Caucus is withholding support because they are upset state representative Ray Garofalo is still House Education Chairman after suggesting there was some good that came out of slavery. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 8 (11) “…this.” 
Despite calls from the Black Caucus, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has not removed Garofalo as House Education Chairman.

The deadline to file 2020 federal taxes for the country is today however Louisiana residents still have until June 15^th due to the February winter storms. Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Brad Tate you don’t have to claim income on any stimulus check received in 2020, however, if you failed to receive one…

Cut 5 (07)”…do that.”

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has passed away at the age of 77. Roemer was Louisiana’s governor from 1988 to 1991. Before that, he served as a U-S Representative for over seven years. His former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer was a compelling person

Cut 3 (10)  “…electric personality” 

The deadline to file 2020 federal taxes for the country is today however Louisiana residents still have until June 15^th due to the February winter storms. Filing your 2020 taxes presents a few oddities, for example, if you received unemployment, Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Brad Tate…

Cut 4 (07)“…tax return.”

If you filed your taxes before the law was changed Tate says there’s no need to amend your taxes, the IRS will send your return.

The Legislative Black Caucus is not supporting Republican-backed tax reform bills unless state representative Ray Garofalo is removed as House Education Chair. During a contentious committee debate about banning divisive teaching on race, Garofalo said the state should teach “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that outraged Black lawmakers…

Cut 7 (08)  “…apology.”
At the moment House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is keeping Garofalo as House Education Chair.

The deadline to apply for the 100^th Louisiana State Police Cadet Class is May 24^th. Trooper Monroe Dillon says cadet training offers several opportunities in law enforcement for example detective, narcotics, street patrol, and more.

Cut 15 (12)“…anyone’s liking.”