The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was forced to euthanize a black bear after it became a threat to the public in Port Allen. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) …I’m Brooke Thornigton”
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies say a homeowner used a pair of scissors to fight back against an armed robber who got inside his home. Chief Jimmy Travis says Twenty-six-year-old Devin Mitchell of Hammond died from his injuries. Travis says the homeowner will not be charged…

Cut 11 (11) “…bodily harm”
Louisiana’s Legislative Black Caucus has asked for the removal of Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman over a comment he made about slavery. While discussing his bill to ban “divisive concepts” Garofalo said there were some good components of slavery…

Cut 3 (11) “…maybe.”
Former LSU wide receiver Ja’marr Chase should hear his name called early in tonight’s NFL draft as he’s projected to be a top-10 pick. Chase’s high school head coach and Rummel athletic director Jay Roth thinks Chase might be the best receiver he’s coached.

Cut 8 (10) “..in the NFL.”

Louisiana’s Legislative Black Caucus has asked for the removal of Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman over a comment he made about slavery. While discussing his bill to ban “divisive concepts” Garofalo said there were some good components of slavery. A video of him making the comment has gone viral but Garofalo says the slavery comment was taken out of context and blames the media of inflammatory reporting…

Cut 4 (11) “…accused of.” 

Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Ted James calls Garofalo’s comments about slavery troubling and his comments on the House floor explaining the situation never resulted in an apology…

Cut 5  (11)  “…initial comments.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder told the Advocate he has not decided on whether Garofalo will be removed as House Education Chairman.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff deputies say a homeowner used a pair of scissors to fight back against an armed robber who got inside his home. Chief Jimmy Travis says the homeowner feared for his life and two small children as one of the assailants was attacking him…

Cut 10 (10) “…on the scene” 

Twenty-six-year-old Devin Mitchell of Hammond died from his injuries. Travis says Mitchell was one of five people involved in the armed robbery and home invasion. The other four have been arrested.

Former LSU wide receiver Ja’marr Chase should hear his name called early in tonight’s NFL draft as he’s projected to be a top-10 pick.  Chase’s high school head coach and Rummel athletic director Jay Roth says he knew Chase had a chance to be great.

Cut 7 (14) “…special here”

House Education approves legislation outlawing the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools. 36-year veteran teacher Tammy Wood spoke in support of the bill. She says if a student is acting out schools should work to find out why instead of just beating them.

Cut 8 (11) “…psychologists.”

Currently, 29 districts allow corporal punishment, and parents are allowed to opt-out.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife of Fisheries was forced to put down a black bear once it became a threat to public safety in Port Allen. LDWF Biologist Supervisor Scott Durham it’s the same bear they rescued Saturday but this time it demonstrated dangerous behavior looking food.

Cut 14 (10) “…the town” 

The bear was put down Tuesday.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is facing backlash and calls for his removal as House Education Chairman as a result of a comment he made about slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Louisiana’s Legislative Black Caucus has asked for the removal of Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman over a comment he made about slavery. While discussing his bill to ban “divisive concepts” Garofalo said there were some good components to slavery…

Cut 3 (11)  “…maybe.” 

A video of Garofalo making the comment has gone viral.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder told the Advocate he has not decided on whether Garofalo will be removed as House Education Chairman. The Speaker says he spoke with him and plans to meet with the Black Caucus. Caucus Chairman Ted James says as a chairman of a committee, Garofalo, should be held to a higher standard.

Cut 6 (07) “…of the chairman”

Garofalo says the slavery comment was taken out of context and blames the media of inflammatory reporting.

House Education approves legislation outlawing the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents head Michael Faulk says this decision should be left up to districts and notes the 29 that still allow it must follow certain corporal punishment guidelines.

Cut 9 (12) “…thickness.”

In the 29 districts that allow corporal punishment parents can opt out of it and chose other punishments instead.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife of Fisheries had to make a difficult decision to put down a black bear after it became a threat to public safety in Port Allen. LDWF Biologist Supervisor Scott Durham says after relocating the bear in the woods over the weekend it returned to the city.

Cut 13 (07)“…this case”

The bear was put down Tuesday night.

House Education approves legislation outlawing the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg, a retired educator, says children mirror the behavior they see in adults, and utilizing corporal punishment teaches kids to solve problems using violence.

Cut 7 (07)  “..conflict.”
Twenty-nine school districts allow corporal punishment and parents are allowed to opt-out. BESE supports the legislation.

A bill requiring mandatory reporting on college campuses of power-based abuse passes unanimously in the house. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says she worked with the Board of Regents at all public universities and STAR, Sexual Trauma Awareness Response Group…

Cut 15 (06)“….the table.”

Power-based abuse includes sexual assault and harassment, dating and domestic violence. The Bill now heads to the Senate.

The invasive species, known as apple snails, because they grow to that size is causing issues for some crawfish farmers. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Blake Wilson says the apple snail and their egg have besieged some crawfish farms in six parishes.

Cut 5 (08)“…all together.”

Wilson says the egg masses resemble bubble gum.

The Softball State Championships in Sulphur begin today and fans will be happy to know there won’t be any capacity restrictions due to newly relaxed COVID public health orders. Visit Lake Charles Sales Director Eric Zartler says last year the teams didn’t even get to finish their season, let alone have a tournament, so this means a lot to the players and community…

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”

A House committee advances legislation prohibiting corporal punishment from being administered in Louisiana public schools. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police’s investigation into last August’s fatal police shooting of Trayford Pellerin has determined the shooting was justified. That’s according to an attorney representing Pellerin’s family. The case will still go before a grand jury. Investigators say Lafayette Police officers shot Pellerin as he attempted to enter a convenience store armed with a knife, but the family says Pellerin was not armed.

An invasive species is wreaking havoc for some Louisiana crawfish farmers. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Blake Wilson says apple snail egg masses are being reported in as many as six parishes.
Cut 4 (10)“…dead snails.”
Wilson says in some fields there has been more than a 50-percent reduction in the overall crawfish catch.

LSU announces they will be full capacity for outdoor sporting events and that starts this weekend with the Fighting Tigers baseball team hosting top-ranked Arkansas. No capacity restrictions as well for the LHSAA state softball championships that begin today in Sulphur. Visit Lake Charles sales director Eric Zartler…
cut 12 (07) “….full crowd”
Championship games are set for Saturday.

The House Education Committee gave a passing grade to a proposal that ends corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools. The measure passed on a nine to two vote. The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents opposes the legislation. Executive director Michael Faulk says it’s a decision that should be left up to local school systems and he says the 29 school districts that still allow it, must follow certain guidelines…
cut 9 (12) “…thickness”
More discussion will take place on the House floor.

The Legislative Black Caucus says Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo should be removed as House Education Chairman. While discussing his “divisive concepts” legislation Garofalo said there was some good with slavery to go along with the bad and ugly. Garofalo says his comment was taken out of context.

Outbreaks of apple snails are affecting the crawfish harvest in some areas of the state. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There are no more capacity restrictions for outdoor events in Louisiana, so organizers for the LHSAA State Softball tournament, which begins in Sulphur today, hope to see over 18-thousand fans over the next three days…
cut 11 (08) “….state”
That’s Eric Zartler with Visit Lake Charles.

The House Education Committee overwhelmingly supports a proposal that would prohibit public schools from paddling or using other forms of corporal punishment. 36-year veteran teacher Tammy Wood told the committee that if a student is acting out, schools should find out why, instead of beating them…
Cut 8 (11) “…psychologists.”
The measure passed nine to two and heads to the House floor.

The full House approves a bill requiring employees at colleges to report cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking to the campus Title Nine coordinator. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman on how a mandatory reporter must learn of the sexual misconduct…
cut 14 (08) “….another manner”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

LSU announces they will have full capacity for outdoor sporting events and it starts with tomorrow night’s game at Alex Box Stadium when the Tigers baseball team hosts top-ranked Arkansas.

No capacity restrictions as well for the LHSAA Softball State Tournament which begins today in Sulphur. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And tonight is the NFL draft, two former LSU wide receivers could be drafted in the first round, Ja’Marr Chase and Terrance Marshall. The Saints have the 28th overall pick in the first round and could pick a cornerback.

House Education approves legislation outlawing the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg, a retired educator, says children mirror the behavior they see in adults, and utilizing corporal punishment teaches kids to solve problems using violence.
Cut 7 (07) “..conflict.”
Twenty-nine school districts allow corporal punishment and parents are allowed to opt-out. BESE supports the legislation.

A bill requiring mandatory reporting on college campuses of power-based abuse passes unanimously in the Louisiana House. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her bill is a result of the Husch Blackwell Report that found numerous incidents of mishandled cases of sexual assault and harassment at LSU.
Cut 13 (07) “…abuse.”
Power-based abuse includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, and domestic violence

LSU Ag Center entomologist Blake Wilson says about three thousand of Louisiana’s estimated 200-thousand acres of crawfish farms have been impacted by the invasive apple snail egg masses, which is resulting in more than a 50-percent reduction in overall crawfish catch. Apple snails were sold in pet stores and Wilson says they believe once the snails reached full size some owners were possibly overwhelmed and released them into Louisiana’s ecosystem in 2016….
cut 6 (11) “….gulf coast states’
Wilson says the snails have been reported in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. James, and Vermilion Parishes.

Outbreaks of apple snails are affecting the crawfish harvest in some areas of the state. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

A House committee advances legislation prohibiting corporal punishment from being administered in Louisiana public schools. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The State Softball Tournament begins today and for the first time in over a year players will be treated to full stands with no capacity restrictions. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

An invasive species is wreaking havoc for some Louisiana crawfish farmers. LSU Ag Center Entomologist Blake Wilson says apple snail egg masses are being reported in as many as six parishes.

Cut 4 (10)“…dead snails.”

Wilson says apple snails got their name because they can grow to be the size of an apple and their eggs are bright pink and resemble bubble gum and in the egg stage, they emit toxins and can irritate your skin.

While the species isn’t extremely widespread across the state, Wilson says crawfish farmers that have been besieged with them are suffering.

Cut 5 (08)“…all together.”

Apple snails were introduced to the Louisiana ecosystem back in 2016 when they were sold in pet stores for aquariums. Wilson says they believe once the snails reached full size some owners were possibly overwhelmed.

Cut 6 (11) “…gulf coast states.”

Wilson advises if you have an infestation, do not move boats or equipment to another body of water because the species will continue to spread.

Wilson says the snails have been reported in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. James, and Vermillion Parishes.

_______________________

House Education approves legislation outlawing the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana public schools.

Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg, a retired educator, says children mirror the behavior they see in adults, and utilizing corporal punishment teaches kids to solve problems using violence.

Cut 7 (07)  “..conflict.”

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education spokesperson Ethan Melancon says the board is strongly in favor of adopting this law.

36-year veteran teacher Tammy Wood spoke in support of the bill. She says if a student is acting out schools should work to find out why instead of just beating them.

Cut 8 (11) “…psychologists.”

Louisiana Association of School Superintendents head Michael Faulk says this decision should be left up to districts and notes the 29 that still allow it have to follow certain corporal punishment guidelines.

Cut 9 (12) “…thickness.”

In the 29 districts that allow corporal punishment parents are allowed to opt-out of it and chose other punishments instead.

__________________

The Softball State Championships in Sulphur begin today and fans will be happy to know there won’t be any capacity restrictions due to newly relaxed COVID public health orders.

Visit Lake Charles Sales Director Eric Zartler says last year the teams didn’t even get to finish their season, let alone have a tournament, so this means a lot to the players and community…

Cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana.”

The removal of capacity restrictions will also be in effect for the State Baseball Tournament in mid-May.

Zartler says weather permitting they’re hoping for over 18,000 people to attend the 48 team tournament between today’s start of the semi-finals and Saturday’s championship finals.

Cut 11 (08) “..state.”

Zartler says the elimination of restrictions on outdoor gatherings means these students will get to play to packed stands for the first time this season.

Cut 12 (07) “…crowd.”

_________________________________

A bill requiring mandatory reporting on college campuses of power-based abuse passes unanimously in the house. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her bill is a result of the unreported cases of sexual assault and harassment at LSU that came to light in November.

Cut 13 (07) “…abuse.”

Power-based abuse includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, and domestic violence

The bill also requires termination of an employee if they fail to report the conduct to the Title IX coordinator.

Freeman introduced an amendment to the bill to clarify how a mandatory reporter must learn of the power-based abuse.

Cut 14 (08) “….another manner.”

Freeman says she worked with the Board of Regents at all public universities and STAR, Sexual Trauma Awareness Response Group…

Cut 15 (06)“….the table.”

The Bill which is part of the Governor’s legislative agenda now heads to the Senate.

________________________________________________

The NFL draft begins tonight and wide receiver Jamarr Chase seems to be a lock to go in the top ten, with some projections having Cincinnati picking him with the fifth pick.  Many LSU fans would love to see Chase re-unite with Joe Burrow, draft analyst Mike Detillier says that may not be the best option.

Cut 16 (17) “…with Tua.”

Another Tiger receiver in the draft is Terrace Marshall Jr.  Marshall battled injuries during his time in Baton Rouge but was a big-time playmaker when healthy.  Detillier thinks Marshall could hear his name called on the first day.

Cut 17 (12) “…Ravens”

While Chase and Marshall have the talent to make immediate impacts in the league, Detillier says the most intriguing LSU player in the draft might be Safety Jacoby Stevens.

Cut  18 (13)”..at LSU.” 

_________________________________________________

The Saints have eight selections heading into the seven-round NFL draft. They have the 28th overall pick in the first round. There was no NFL draft combine and getting medical information has been a challenge. General Manager Mickey Loomis wishes they had the chance to speak with some of the prospects face to face

Cut 19 (18) “…incomplete picture” 

The Saints have lost several starters from last year’s NFC South champion team. Quarterback Drew Brees retired and several others were released or lost in free agency to get below the salary cap. But Loomis does not see a lot of big holes on his current roster

Cut 20 (20) “…quality is a priority for us.”