LSU is not allowing its employees to speak at a legislative hearing today that’s set to discuss the school’s past problems in reporting sexual misconduct claims. Brooke Thorington has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Voters in 55 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall but before you can legally place your wagers a few things but happen. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The legendary voice of Louisiana Tech athletics Dave Nitz has decided to retire from football and basketball and solely focus on baseball after 47 seasons of calling games on the gridiron and hardwood.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Taylor Sharp.”

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LSU barred all employees from testifying under oath at today’s Legislative hearing into the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.

This comes after both coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward decided not to attend. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this setback will not stop lawmakers from pressing on…

Cut 4 (10)“…again.”

Barrow says she keeps hearing from frustrated constituents who say they’re concerned that nothing is going to happen at LSU as a result of this scandal.

Cut 5 (09)“…questions.”

Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response President Rachel Hebert says seeing LSU leaders refuse to speak about this situation sends a bad message to victims.

Cut 6 (11) “…to that.”

LSU sent a letter to lawmakers Wednesday informing them that persons associated with the university cannot answer questions under oath due to a pending lawsuit by current athletic administrator Sharon Lewis, who is alleging a number of school officials engaged in a conspiracy to cover up sexual misconduct by former coach Les Miles and retaliated against her for investigating those claims.

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The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 57-percent of residents are in favor of raising the state gasoline tax if it’s used to fund transportation infrastructure. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says they received mixed messages on this question, and when asked about raising taxes in general for transportation it’s split evenly.

Cut 7 (12)  “…the pump.”

Henderson says support is strong among Democrats at 60-percent and independents at 62-percent for a gas tax for transportation infrastructure but lags among Republicans at 46-percent.

The survey also asked respondents if they would support a gas tax for transportation if more state revenue could be raised along with federal matching dollars. Henderson says support then decreased slightly.

Cut 8 (08) “…unexpected finding.”

Another item the survey indicated that when asked if you want more funds spent on maintaining current infrastructure versus expanding transportation infrastructure to create better flow, Henderson says responses were surprising.

Cut 9 (08) “…capacity.”

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

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Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and for it to become a reality both a regulatory and tax bill must make it through the legislature. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his bill proposes tax revenue from sports betting be undedicated so it can assist with budget shortfalls.

Cut 10 (11) “…as good.”

Stefanski said in the regulatory bill twenty licenses will be granted to specific gaming locations where you can place your bets, like casinos.

Cut 11 (08) “…as well.”

In addition to casinos and racetracks, Stefanski believes it is vital for sports betting to be successful to that there is a mobile app platform on your phone for making wagers.

Cut 12 (08) “…the state.”

Stefanski says the bills also must receive a supermajority in both the house and the senate for passage.

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The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz has decided to retire as the radio voice of football and basketball but will remain behind the mic to call baseball games.  The 78-year-old Nitz says he’s been considering this transition for quite some time.

Cut 13 (10) “…football and basketball.”

Nitz has been the voice of Tech athletics for over four decades and has called over 4,000 games as he enters his 48^th season of Bulldog baseball.  Despite his long career in Ruston, the West Virginia native says he never thought he’d be here this long.

Cut 14 (13) “…somewhere like that.”

Nitz will certainly miss calling football and basketball, and he hopes the fans enjoyed his time in the booth.

Cut 15 (09)“…it may be.”

Nitz was inducted as a member of the LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Tigers football coach Ed Orgeron and athletic director Scott Woodward will not appear before a legislative committee looking into LSU’s sexual misconduct scandal.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

LSU issued a statement blocking all employees from testifying under oath before lawmakers tomorrow because of a lawsuit that attorneys plan to file on behalf of LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting, Sharon Lewis. Attorneys say it’s a 50-million-dollar lawsuit against the school claiming she faced retaliation for trying to report cases of sexual misconduct by former football coach Les Miles.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the bipartisan panel will discuss ways to make sure voters have confidence in Louisiana elections and how to combat voter fatigue…

Cut 6 (09) “…out state”

Ardoin says the commission will begin meeting after the 2021 legislative session and then issue a final report before February 1st.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds that 54-percent of adult residents believe the state’s sales tax is too high. It’s currently at 4.45-percent. The state sales tax helps pay for many different areas of government. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says a majority of the respondents also do not want to see cuts in education, health care, roads, prisons, and public assistance programs…

Cut 14 (06) “…spending” 

The attorneys for LSU employee Sharon Lewis discussed today her 50 million dollar lawsuit against her employer that alleges school officials retaliated against her for speaking out against sexual misconduct. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Lewis was one of several LSU employees asked to speak at tomorrow’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. But LSU’s legal team has informed the legislative panel that because of Lewis’s lawsuit no one from LSU is allowed to appear before the committee.

LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward and coach Ed Orgeron were requested to testify in person tomorrow at a legislative hearing on LSU’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases, but declined, instead opting to send letters. Senator Regina Barrow finds that suspicious…

Cut 4 (06) “..say it twice” 

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 54-percent of adult residents feel the state sales tax is too high. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says not only is it a majority, but it’s also a majority among the two major parties.

Cut 12 (11)   “…61% of Republicans” 

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued the watch for most of north Louisiana to the Arkansas and Texas State lines until 8 pm. The watch covers areas north of Alexandria which includes Monroe and Shreveport.

The attorneys for LSU employee Sharon Lews discussed today a 50-million dollar lawsuit they plan to file against the university for what they claim is retaliation against her for trying to stop sexual harassment involving former football coach Les Miles. Attorney Tammye Brown was asked why Lewis didn’t go public earlier with the misconduct claims against Miles….
cut 10 (11) “….investigator”
LSU officials, including coach Ed Orgeron, will not appear at tomorrow’s legislative hearing that’s been called to look into the sexual misconduct claims. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says they want to ask Orgeron about the accusations made by Gloria Scott that she was sexually harassed by former star running back Derius Guice in 2017….
cut 5 (07) “….for us”
Barrow made the comments as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds that 54-percent of those polled say the state’s 4.45 percent sales tax rate is too high. Director of the LSU Public Policy Lab Doctor Michael Henderson says the 781 respondents were also asked if others are paying their fair share of taxes…
cut 13 (10) “..fair share) (2x)

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced today the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the panel will work to assure continued confidence in Louisiana’s elections, how to combat voter fatigue and how to improve the voters’ experience. He says the panel is made up of a diverse group of experts…
cut 8 (13) “…family forum”

Tigers football coach Ed Orgeron and athletic director Scott Woodward will not appear before a legislative committee looking into LSU’s sexual misconduct scandal. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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Attorneys for LSU employee Sharon Lewis previewed their 50 million dollar lawsuit suit alleged retaliation against their client for reporting sexual misconduct. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (33) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Football coach Ed Orgeron, Athletic Director Scott Woodward, and other LSU officials will not appear at tomorrow’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children to discuss the mishandling of previous sexual misconduct cases. Senator Regina Barrow says Woodward told her he could not testify because an LSU employee filed a lawsuit against the school…

Cut 3 (05)  “…understand.” 

LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting, Sharon Lewis, has filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the school claiming she faced retaliation for trying to report cases of sexual misconduct by former football coach Les Miles.

Woodward and Orgeron have supplied written statements to the legislative committee, but Barrow believes they should still appear before lawmakers….

Cut 4 (06) “..say it twice” 

Barrow says Orgeron’s decision not to appear before the committee is troubling. She says they want to find out more about when the school learned about the accusations made by Gloria Scott that she was sexually harassed by former star running back Derius Guice in 2017…

Cut 5  (07)  “…for us.”

Barrow made the comments as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

_______________________________________

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the bipartisan panel will discuss ways to make sure voters have confidence in Louisiana elections and how to combat voter fatigue…

Cut 6 (09) “…out state”

Ardoin says the commission will look at all aspects of voting and the goal is to enhance the confidence in Louisiana’s election process

Cut 7 (12) “…early voting sites”

Ardoin says the commission will begin meeting after the 2021 legislative session and then issue a final report before February 1st. He says the panel is made up of a diverse group of experts…

Cut 8 (13) “..family forum”

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LSU Athletics Administrator Sharon Lewis files a lawsuit alleging she suffered harassment and career repercussions as a result of investigating reports of sexual misconduct by coach Les Miles.

Lewis attorney Bridgette Brown alleged there was a broad conspiracy to cover up Miles’ harassment and her client was humiliated and ostracized by colleagues for challenging that conspiracy.

Cut 9 (12) “she had.”

A number of LSU officials including board members, administrators, and school leaders were named in the 50 million dollar RICO civil suit. The suit also names law firm Taylor Porter, alleging the firm helped hide documents related to Miles’ alleged harassment required for Title Nine compliance.

Attorney Tammye Brown was asked why Lewis didn’t go public with the misconduct claims against Miles. Brown said Lewis was ordered to report all allegations to Miriam Segar and say nothing else.

Cut 10 (11) “…investigator” 

Lewis is the Associate Athletics Director for Football Recruiting and has worked at LSU for 20 years. Attorney Bridgette Brown says Lewis has suffered continued harassment since 2013. She was asked why Lewis waited so long to file the suit…

Cut 11 (09) “…truth”

An LSU spokesperson says the school has no comment on the lawsuit at this time. Taylor Porter has been contacted for a statement as well. Miles denies allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct during his time at LSU.

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The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 54-percent of adult residents feel the state sales tax is too high and the majority want neither spending cuts nor tax increases. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says not only is it a majority that feels the sales tax is too high but a majority among the two major parties.

Cut 12 (11)   “…61% of Republicans” 

The current state sales tax is 4.45%

When residents are asked if they pay their fair share of state taxes 52-percent say yes and 41-percent say they are paying too much. Henderson says they also asked if they feel others are paying their fair share of taxes and most believe other income levels are.

Cut 13 (10)“…fair share.” (x2)

Henderson says a majority of those surveyed say they do not want to see spending cuts in six areas, elementary and secondary education; higher education; health care; roads and bridges; prisons; and public assistance programs.

Cut 14 (06) “…spending” 

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

The attorneys for LSU employee Sharon Lewis discussed today her 50 million dollar lawsuit against her employer that alleges school officials retaliated against her for speaking out against sexual misconduct. Matt Doyle has more.
cut 2 (33) …I’m Matt Doyle.”

Lewis was one of several LSU employees asked to speak at tomorrow’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children. But LSU’s legal team has informed the legislative panel that because of Lewis’s lawsuit no one from LSU is allowed to appear before the committee.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds that 54-percent of adult residents believe the state’s sales tax is too high. It’s currently at 4.45-percent. The state sales tax helps pay for many different areas of government. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says a majority of the respondents also do not want to see cuts in education, health care, roads, prisons, and public assistance programs…
cut 14 (06) “…spending”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced the formation today of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the commission will look at all aspects of voting and the goal is to enhance the confidence in Louisiana’s election process
Cut 7 (12) “…early voting sites”
Ardoin says the commission will issue a final report before February 1st.

LSU Athletics Administrator Sharon Lewis files a lawsuit alleging she suffered harassment and career repercussions as a result of investigating reports of sexual misconduct by former coach Les Miles. Attorney Bridgette Brown says Lewis has suffered continued harassment since 2013. She was asked why Lewis waited so long to file the suit…

Cut 11 (09) “…truth”

Lewis has worked at LSU for 20 years.

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 54-percent of adult residents feel the state sales tax is too high. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says not only is it a majority, but it’s also a majority among the two major parties.

Cut 12 (11)   “…61% of Republicans” 

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

Tigers football coach Ed Orgeron and athletic director Scott Woodward will not appear before a legislative committee looking into LSU’s sexual misconduct scandal. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

LSU issued a statement blocking all employees from testifying under oath before lawmakers tomorrow.

Parts of the state are under a tornado watch until eight o’clock tonight. The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued the watch for most of north Louisiana to the Arkansas and Texas State lines. The watch covers north of Alexandria which includes Monroe and Shreveport.

LSU Athletics Administrator Sharon Lewis files a lawsuit alleging she suffered harassment and career repercussions as a result of investigating reports of sexual misconduct by coach Les Miles. Lewis’s attorneys spoke earlier today. Bridgette Brown said after reporting harassment by Miles her client was ostracized and humiliated by colleagues and ordered to stay quiet.

Cut 9 (12) “she had.”

Miles has denied those allegations.

LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward and coach Ed Orgeron were requested to testify in person tomorrow at a legislative hearing on LSU’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases, but have declined to attend instead opting to send letters. Senator Regina Barrow finds that suspicious…

Cut 4 (06) “..say it twice” 

There’s an effort to allow voters to decide if recreational marijuana should be legalized and decriminalized in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Football coach Ed Orgeron, Athletic Director Scott Woodward, and other LSU officials will not appear at tomorrow’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children to discuss the mishandling of previous sexual misconduct cases. Senator Regina Barrow says Woodward told her he could not testify because an LSU employee filed a lawsuit against the school…

Cut 3 (05)  “…understand.” 

Barrow says that LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting; Sharon Lewis, who has filed the lawsuit will appear tomorrow.

Speaker Pro-Tem Tanner Magee says the legislative response to the LSU scandal will be in the form of mandatory reporting bills, for example, if you fail to report a sexual assault you can be terminated.

Cut 10 (07) “…this session.”

Magee also stated many lawmakers want to give the university level funding over the school’s lack of transparency.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced the formation of the Louisiana Commission on Election Integrity and Voting. Ardoin says the bipartisan panel will discuss ways to make sure voters have confidence in Louisiana elections and how to combat voter fatigue…

Cut 6 (09) “…out state”

Ardoin says the commission will begin meeting after the 2021 legislative session and then issue a final report before February 1st.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation VP John Spain says funding for a passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans could arrive as early as winter if Congress passes the President’s infrastructure bill. Spain says travel from the Capital to the Crescent City would take about 45 minutes to an hour and they’d likely start with eight to ten round trips per day and increase over the first few years.

Cut 15 (08)“…bridges.”

Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee says due to LSU’s lack of transparency over the alleged Title IX violations some lawmakers are considering only giving the school level funding.  Which could jeopardize construction of a new library and science building. Magee says ultimately, it’s the students who are punished and not those responsible.

Cut 12 (10) “…the table.”

Mandeville Republican Richard Nelson files legislation to allow a statewide vote on if marijuana should be decriminalized, regulated, and sold recreationally. Nelson says if the Legislature approves the ballot initiative and a majority of citizens vote in favor, marijuana would be decriminalized across the state.

Cut 5 (10)“…in favor.”

Nelson hopes it will make it on the Fall 2022 ballot.

Baton Rouge Police release body camera footage showing the November 8^th encounter between officers and LSU receiver Koy Moore that led to Moore filing a complaint. The footage shows Moore and a friend hiding behind a truck as police broke up a party. An officer tells them to put their hands on a truck before moments later pulling a gun on the two. Police Chief Murphy Paul says the officers’ intent was not malicious, but both were given letters of reprimand.

Cut 9 (11) “…experience.”

Included in President Biden’s two trillion-dollar infrastructure proposal is funding for passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Baton Rouge Area Foundation VP John Spain says it would be perfect for professionals who commute between the two cities. Commuters could get some work done while traveling, whereas…

Cut 13 (03) “…done.”

Spain adds the rail system could come in handy for moving people out of harm’s way during hurricanes.