The Coast Guard has ended its search in the Gulf of Mexico for the eight crew members of the Seacore Power lift boat who are now presumed dead. The National Transportation Safety Board is launching an investigation into the tragedy that claimed 13 lives. NTSB marine accident investigator Andrew Ehlers says they will focus on the weather conditions…
cut 15 (09) “….that vessel” (2x)
And Ehlers says they are also asking for anyone who was in the area at the time of the accident to contact the N-T-S-B.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not support legislation that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at public schools…
cut 12 (07) “…other things”
New Orleans hosts the men’s final four next year and the NCAA has said they will only hold championship events in states that are free of discrimination..

Legislation that would allow voters in St. Tammany Parish to decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has placed four Angola guards on administrative leave after they were charged with malfeasance for allegedly using excessive force on an inmate and then trying to cover it up. The D-O-C says the inmate received minor injuries and two of the people charged are from Louisiana, 44-year-old Karla Williams of Baton Rouge and 58-year-old Roy Favre of Port Allen.

The Coast Guard has ended its search for the eight missing crewmen that were on the Seacor Power lift boat when it capsized last Tuesday eight miles from the coast of Lafourche Parish. Seacor Marine has hired divers to continue the search and the National Transportation Safety Board is beginning its investigation. N-T-S-B investigator Andrew Ehlers says the probe will take a year or two to complete…
Cut 13 (08) “…happening again”
Ehlers says they will focus on the weather conditions at the time of the accident.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would give voters in St. Tammany Parish the opportunity to vote on whether they want a riverboat casino in Slidell, despite opposition from religious groups. Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Cranford…
cut 5 (10) “…are wolves”
The discussion will continue on the Senate floor.

A proposal to allow Louisianans to carry a concealed handgun without taking a class to get a permit is headed to the Senate floor after narrowly passing out of a Senate committee. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Legislation allowing the voters to St. Tammany to approve a waterfront casino in Slidell is headed to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

A proposal to allow Louisianans to carry a concealed handgun without taking a class to get a permit is headed to the Senate floor after narrowly passing a Senate committee. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Four bills have been filed in the legislature impacting transgender individuals in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington on why they don’t have the Governor’s support

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________

A Senate committee narrowly approves legislation allowing the people of St. Tammany Parish to vote on allowing a casino to operate in Slidell.

Bill author Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says a developer has proposed a waterfront casino that would create 1,900 permanent jobs and keep parish residents from spending money in Mississippi.

Cut 4 (11)“…customers in Mississippi.”

The proposal is by P2E, who currently owns DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City. DiamondJacks did not reopen after COVID restrictions were lifted.

Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Cranford opposes allowing the referendum vote, saying allowing a casino would corrupt the family-friendly culture of the Northshore.

Cut 5 (10)“…are wolves.”

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper supports allowing the vote and the Parish Council has issued a resolution in support.

Speak Hope representative Cynthia Collins argues casinos are hotbeds of human trafficking, a charge Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns denied.

Cut 6 (12) “…trafficking.”

The final vote was 4-3. The bill heads to the Senate floor.

_____________________________

A bill allowing Louisianans 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training passes out of a Senate Committee 3-2.

Bill author West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says Louisiana already allows open carry for anyone over the age of 18…

Cut 7 (08)  “…weapon.”

20 states have already approved “Constitutional Carry” legislation with Texas seemingly on track to become the 21^st state.

Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Fabian Blache Jr. spoke against the bill. He says they’re not opposed to concealed carry, just concealed carry without education and training…

Cut 8 (11) “…fear.”

Constitutional Carry proponents argued there’s no data supporting claims that not requiring a permit for concealed carry will result in more crime. Those with criminal records would still be forbidden from possessing a weapon.

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says the legislation promotes untrained gun ownership. He says this would increase the likelihood of accidental shootings.

Cut 9 (07) “…matters.”

The legislation is headed to the Senate floor. A similar bill in the House that would set the age limit at 18 instead of 21 awaits a hearing in committee.

____________________

There are several bills making their way through the legislature that impact transgender individuals in Louisiana. Two bills would prohibit transgender girls from competing in women’s sports. Governor John Bel Edwards says he does not support any of the bills.

Cut 10 (10) “…in sports.”

The other bills would make it more difficult or even ban health care for transgender children and teenagers.

Edwards says he’s concerned about the emotional impact these bills could have on the transgender community.

Cut 11 (09) “…individuals”

Louisiana is scheduled to host the NCAA’s Final Four basketball tournament next year. The NCAA has stated it will not hold tournaments in states with antitransgender laws. Edwards believes the state will receive national backlash if transgender girls are not allowed to compete.

Cut 12 (07) “…other things.”

In 2016 the NCAA disqualified North Carolina from hosting neutral-site championship events for the 2016-17 academic year after the passage of a bill banning transgender use of public restrooms. The law has since been reversed.

_____________________________

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the Seacor lift boat that capsized off the coast of Lafourche Parish last Tuesday. Eight of the nineteen crew members remain missing. N-T-S-B investigator Andrew Ehlers says the investigation can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months.

Cut 13 (08) “…happening again”

Ehlers says the investigation will focus on three factors to determine the cause of the accident.

Cut 14 (10) “…accident.”

Ehlers says they will focus first on weather conditions at the time of the accident and the National Weather Service is assisting with the investigation.

Other organizations assisting include the U-S Coast Guard, Seacor Marine, and the American Bureau of Shipping.

The N-T-S-B is also asking for the public’s help. Ehlers says if you were in the area and witnessed the accident or experienced similar weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico that day to contact them.

Cut 15 (09)“…that vessel”

The N-T-S-B can be reached at eyewitness@ntsb.gov. You can follow the investigation on Twitter @ntsb_newsroom.

___________________________________________

Halfway through the SEC season, the LSU Tigers find themselves four and eleven in league play and in fifth place in the SEC West. The Tigers dropped another series this past weekend against South Carolina and once again it featured a game in which the Tigers blew a late lead. Coach Paul Mainieri says finding a dependable closer has been an issue all season

Cut 16 (15) “…frustrating.”

The Tigers have used three closers, Devin Fontenot, Garrett Edwards, and Ty Floyd and none of them have been able to get the job done consistently. Mainieri says despite the team’s struggles, there are some positive things to point out too…

Cut 17 (19) “..frustrating.”

LSU will host ULM tonight. Freshman Will Helmers will start against the Warhawks. Hellmers is 5-and-1 with a 3.46 ERA and Mainieri was asked about using him as a game three starter for the weekends…

Cut  18 (18)”…work in progress.” 

Major tax reform legislation advantaged out of committees in both the Senate and House that would lower state income tax rates but eliminate state tax deductions for federal taxes. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says non-partisan groups have backed this reform for years…

Cut 4 (09) “…more fair PM

The change would need two-thirds backing in both chambers and approval from voters.

On a 3-2 vote, a bill allowing Louisianans to carry concealed handguns without a concealed carry permit is headed to the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter asked bill author, Senator Jay Morris, about the specifics…

27

20 states have so far adopted Constitutional Carry laws.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will reject legislation to be considered impacting transgender sports participation and healthcare access for teens.

Cut 11 (09) “…individuals” AM

On a slim 4-3 vote a bill authorizing a parish-wide vote in St. Tammany Parish over allowing a casino to be built in Slidell moves to the Senate floor. Louisiana Baptist Convention President David Cranford opposes allowing the vote…

Cut 5 (11)“…wolves.” AM

But bill author and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt countered…

22

The proposed casino would be built by P2E, who seeks to relocate DiamondJacks from Bossier to the waterfront in Slidell.

With no opposition, a Senate committee approved a bill that would task the Louisiana Department of Health with creating a comprehensive grading system for state water systems by 2023. The bill author says the list could be used to map out a series of municipal water system consolidations.

House and Senate committees approve a tax reform that would remove the ability for Louisiana taxpayers to deduct taxes paid to the federal government on their state tax returns, but lower individual income tax rates. Senator Brett Allain of Franklin calls it a good tax policy…

Cut 5  (06)  “…we have now.”

Legislation that would task the Department of Health with creating a statewide grading system for all water systems is headed to the Senate floor. Bill author, Parks Senator Fred Mills says the A through F grading system will be based on past violations, the system’s financial sustainability, infrastructure violations, and customer satisfaction.

Cut 11 (10) “..public”

The legislation cleared the Senate Health and Welfare without opposition.

The Coast Guard is suspending the search for the eight crewmembers from the Seacor Power lift boat that capsized off the coast of Lafourche Parish. Captain Will Watson says suspending a search is one of the toughest decisions they have to make, and he describes the meeting they had with the families of the victims…

Cut 12 (08)   “…still” 

The captain of the Seacor Power has been identified as 63-year-old David Ledet of Thibodaux. The vessel capsized on Tuesday afternoon after it encountered hurricane-force winds unexpectedly. Seacor Marine President John Gellert says it was the captain’s decision for the vessel to operate that day and the captain had decades of experience on lift boats…

Cut 14 (09) “..what so ever.” 

The N-T-S-B will investigate and look at weather conditions at the time.

The Coast Guard is suspending the search for the eight crewmembers from the Seacor Power lift boat that capsized off the coast of Lafourche Parish Tuesday. Seacor Marine President John Gellert says 17 divers will continue to search the boat as they remain committed to recovering the eight missing. He says the divers have been through half of the vessel.

Cut 13 (09)“….we know”

The NTSB will investigate if the weather was a factor.

Parks Senator Fred Mills introduces legislation tasking the Department of Health to create a statewide grading system for all water systems. Mills says there have been independent studies that rate the state’s water infrastructure at a D minus, and say it would cost five billion dollars to get to an acceptable level…

Cut 9 (09) “…problem.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation eliminating the ability for Louisiana taxpayers to deduct taxes paid to the IRS on their state return, but individual income tax rates would drop. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…

Cut 4 (09) “…more fair.” 

Those who make 50-thousand dollars or above would see their individual income tax rates drop from six to 4.25 percent.

A suspected road rage incident in Jefferson Parish Saturday leads to a crash that killed three people, including an 11-year-old. Trooper Monroe Dillon says 49-year-old Paul Ferrara of New Orleans allegedly had a hostile exchange with a woman driving an F-150 and moments later rammed her truck…

Cut 6 (07) “..occured”

Ferrara’s vehicle then spun out of control and hit another car. Ferrara along with those in the other vehicle were killed.

The Coast Guard is ending its search for eight missing crewmembers from the Seacor Power lift boat. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Don Molino”  

A 12-year-old’s birthday in LaPlace got shot up Saturday resulting in injuries to nine juveniles. Two juveniles remain in the hospital in stable condition. The shooting allegedly began after two groups of juvenile men met at the party, got into an argument, and began firing. No witnesses have so far come forward with information about the shooting.

Committees in the Upper and Lower Chambers approve legislative that would lower state income tax rates in exchange for removing state income tax deductions for federal taxes paid. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop brought the lower chamber bill…

Cut 3 (08)  “…right direction.” 

The proposed tax swap plan has a lot of support among legislative leaders and will need a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate and also voter approval

Legislation that would task the Department of Health with creating a statewide grading system for all water systems is headed to the Senate floor. Bill author, Parks Senator Fred Mills says the grading system would give local communities a roadmap for potential future water system consolidations.

Cut 10 (12) “.merge” 

The first grades would be required by 2023.

The US Coast Guard announces they are suspending the search for the eight crewmembers from the Seacor Power lift boat that capsized last week eight miles south of Port Fourchon. Captain Will Watson says suspending a search is one of the toughest decisions the Coast Guard has to make

Cut 12 (08)   “…still” 

Seacor Marine President John Gellert says 17 divers will continue to search the capsized lift boat as they remain committed to recovering all of the missing.

House and Senate committees approve a tax reform that would remove the ability to Louisiana taxpayers to deduct taxes paid to the federal government on their state tax returns, but lower individual income tax rates. Senator Brett Allain of Franklin calls it good tax policy…

Cut 5  (06)  “…we have now.”

Legislation that would task the Department of Health with creating a statewide grading system for all water systems is headed to the Senate floor. Bill author, Parks Senator Fred Mills says the A through F grading system will be based on past violations, the system’s financial sustainability, infrastructure violations, and customer satisfaction.

Cut 11 (10) “..public”

Three people, including a child, are dead after a suspected road rage incident in Jefferson Parish Saturday ends in a fatal wreck. 49-year-old Paul Ferrara of New Orleans alleged spun out of control after feuding with another driver and struck another car, resulting in his death and the deaths of 31-year-old Raish-Nia Wright of Tennessee and 11-year-old Dezerra Wright of Tennesee. Trooper Monroe Dillon says if someone is threatening you with road rage, try not to engage them.

Cut 8 (11) “…location”

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson announced today that they will suspend rescue efforts at sunset today for the eight passengers who remain missing from the lift boat accident last Tuesday. 19 occupants were on the boat, only 6 have been rescued so far and five bodies have been recovered.

Legislation that seeks to eliminate the federal income tax deduction, a tax break many Louisiana taxpayers enjoy in exchange for lower income tax rates receives approval from the House tax-writing committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Parks Senator Fred Mills introduces legislation that would task the Department of Health with creating a statewide grading system for all water systems. Mills says there have been independent studies that rate the state’s water infrastructure at a D minus, and conclude it would cost five billion dollars to get us to an acceptable level…

Cut 9 (09) “…problem.”

A suspected road rage incident in Jefferson Parish claimed three lives Saturday. Trooper Monroe Dillon says it began allegedly began when 49-year-old Paul Ferrara attempted to pass a woman in F-150 in a no-pass zone during bad weather. He was unable and later pulled up alongside her truck and began to yell at her. Dillon says if someone is threatening you with road rage, try not to engage them.

Cut 8 (11) “…location”

Dillion says Ferrara then rammed the woman’s truck, he then spun out of control and hit another car. Ferrara along with those in another vehicle were killed.

A suspected road rage incident in Jefferson Parish claimed three lives Saturday. Trooper Monroe Dillon says it began when 49-year-old Paul Ferrara of New Orleans tried to pass a driver in a no-pass zone during bad weather. He was unable and later down the road Ferrara rammed the other driver’s truck…

Cut 7 (07) “…occurred.”

The crash killed Ferrara and two others in another vehicle.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation eliminating the ability for Louisiana taxpayers to deduct taxes paid to the IRS on their state return, but individual income tax rates would drop. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…

Cut 4 (09) “…more fair.” 

Those who make 50-thousand dollars or above would see their individual income tax rates drop from six to 4.25 percent.

Lawmakers are happy to hear that the state added 35-hundred individuals to the state’s workforce from February to March and the unemployment rate has dropped slightly to seven-point-three percent, the lowest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says nearly 130-thousand people have returned to work as the state nears the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 impact on the workforce and their Hire Site has tens of thousands of job openings…

Cut 14 (0)7 “…market.”
18-hundred leisure and hospitality jobs were added from February to March.