17:30 LRN Legislative Report

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says voters would have a chance in October to add the anti-abortion language to the state constitution…
Cut 3 (09) “…in DC.”
Opponents say constitutions are meant to protect a persons right.

Legislation that would create a database of veteran-owned businesses to help consumers who may want to do business with them is one step closer to final legislative approval. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and he says safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the program…
cut 9 (12) “….do this”
The Senate Commerce committee approved the House approved bill today and it heads to the full Senate.

An effort to give voters a chance to decide if the minimum wage should be raised to nine dollars an hour has died in the Louisiana Senate. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says the 26 votes needed to send his proposal to the House are not there…
Cut 5 (08) “…do not have the votes”
It’s a legislative defeat for Governor John Bel Edwards who has backed legislation to increase the minimum wage, but the Republican controlled legislature does not support it.

The Louisiana House has passed the lethal injection secrecy bill. It would keep secret the drugs used to carry out a lethal injection in Louisiana. But opponents cried foul about the ethics of keeping contractual details away from taxpayers. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says if drug companies that make lethal serums are proud of their work, they should stand behind it.
Cut 15 (13) “use”
Despite the objection, the bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers will get a chance to improve their resume to host an NCAA Regional when they face Mississippi State tonight in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers took two of three from the Bulldogs during the regular season. Eric Walker will start on the mound for the Tigers and he pitched very well against the Bulldogs earlier this season. The game will start after 8 PM.

Louisiana Tech is in the loser’s bracket of the Conference USA Tournament after falling to Marshall six to four in 12 innings. The Ragin Cajuns also dropped a close game in the Sun Belt Tournament as Georgia Southern beat U-L Lafayette six to five. ULM will play top seeded Texas State tonight.

Southeastern Louisiana is in the loser’s bracket of the Southland tournament. Sixth seeded Stephen F Austin blanked Southeastern Louisiana five to nothing. Northwestern State was shutout as the Demons were downed by Central Arkansas two to nothing. McNeese will face U-I-W later tonight.

New Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon has made his first comments to the media since his hiring. Langdon says the franchise is committed to a sustainable team building approach, even if it means the team misses out on the playoffs for a year or two.
cut 17 (20) “behind”
Langdon was previously the assistant general manager for Brooklyn and he was named the G-League Executive of the Year.

Some news out of the NFL today, Divisional playoff games on Sunday will be pushed back to two and 5:30 PM central time. Cleveland and Kansas City will host future drafts. New Orleans can’t host, mainly because the draft falls of Jazz Fest weekend. And starting in 2020, drills for the NFL combine will take place in the afternoon and during the prime-time so more people can watch live.

16:30 LRN Newscast May 22

A Florida man working as a DOTD contractor was killed Wednesday morning while working on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. State transportation says a vehicle collided with equipment that ultimately made impact with the worker. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are not sure what led to the tragic incident, but distracted driving has been a big problem on this stretch of highway…

cut 12(10)   “…distracted driving””

 

An effort to give voters a chance to decide if the minimum wage should be raised to nine dollars an hour died in the Louisiana Senate. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says the 26 votes needed to send his proposal to the House were not there…

Cut 5 (08) “…do not have the votes”

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. Supporters of House Bill 425 say it will make sure abortions are not legal in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overturned. Opponents say constitutions are meant to protect a person’s right. But Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says Louisiana has shown to be a pro-life state…

Cut 4 (11) “…supreme court” 

A House approved bill to certify veteran-owned businesses advances out of the Senate Commerce committee. Any business that is majority owned by veterans would be provided a statewide insignia to display. Governor John Bel Edwards says the bill will also create a database of veteran-owned business…

Cut 8 (06) “…trade with”

Now it goes to the senate for a vote.

15:30 LRN Newscast May 22

Once again an effort to increase the minimum wage fails to gain support in the legislature. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

____________________________

A house approved bill to certify veteran-owned businesses advances out of the Senate Commerce. Census data indicates Louisiana has 42,000 veteran-owned businesses. Governor Edwards says as a former army ranger he hopes House Bill 391 will connect these businesses with unemployed veterans…

Cut 10 (12) “…designation.”

 

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says voters would have a chance in October to add the anti-abortion language to the state constitution…

Cut 3 (09) “…in DC.”

 

 

An employee for a DOTD contractor was killed Wednesday morning while working on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. The state transportation department says a vehicle collided with equipment that ultimately made impact with the worker. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says State Police is investigating, but they have this advice for motorists

Cut 11 (07)“   doesn’t happen”

 

A cause on the wreck has not been determined.

2:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

The Louisiana Senate has approved an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson’s proposal would make it clear in the state’s constitution that the state doesn’t protect abortion rights…
cut 4 (11) “…supreme court”
If the House approves Senate changes to the bill, voters will have a chance to vote on this amendment in October.

An employee for a DOTD contractor was killed in a work zone on the I-10 Atchafalya Basin Bridge. State transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says in this particular work zone, workers are conducting joint repairs during non-peak driving hours…
cut 13 (10) “…crash occurred”
State Police is investigating the incident.

A proposal seeking voter approval to increase the minimum wage to nine-dollars an hour has died in the senate, because the votes are not there to place the item on the ballot. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says that’s a shame, because a recent LSU poll found Louisiana voters support a higher minimum wage
Cut 6 (07) “…turn out”
Governor John Bel Edwards has backed legislation to increase the minimum wage, but the GOP controlled legislature does not support it.

Legislation that would create a database of veteran-owned businesses to help consumers who may want to do business with them is one step closer to final legislative approval. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the legislation and he says safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of the program…
cut 9 (12) “….do this”
The Senate Commerce committee approved the House approved bill today and it heads to the full Senate.

1:30PM LRN Newscall May 22

An effort to give voters a chance to decide if the minimum wage should be raised to nine dollars an hour has died in the Louisiana Senate.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says he knows he’ll hear from his constituents who are disappointed that the legislature failed again to increase the minimum wage…

Cut 7 (10) “   of Louisiana.”

 

A bill to certify veteran-owned businesses heads to the Senate floor after unanimously passing through the Senate commerce committee. Any business that is majority owned by veterans would be provided a statewide insignia to display. Governor John Bel Edwards says the bill will also create a database of veteran-owned business…

Cut 8 (06) “…trade with”

Edwards says as a former army ranger he hopes House Bill 391 will boost employment for veterans in need of work as they use the database to job hunt.

The state transportation department says a worker was killed while in a work zone on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Don Molino has more…

cut 2 (30) I’m Don Molino”  

 

Governor Edwards is requesting Federal Disaster Assistance for Lincoln, Morehouse and Union Parishes following the devastating tornadoes that killed two people and left a trail of more than 12-million dollars in damage. The tornadoes killed a mother and son in Lincoln Parish in late April and also severely damaged the campus of Louisiana Tech University. 206 homes were also destroyed. The Governor is requesting both FMEA Public Assistance and Individual Assistance.

12:30 LRN Newscast May 22

The Louisiana Senate has approved an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson’s proposal would make it clear in the state’s constitution that the state doesn’t protect abortion rights…
cut 4 (11) “…supreme court”
If the House approves Senate changes to the bill, voters will have a chance to vote on this amendment in October.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the state legislature to increase early education funding by another 18-million dollars. Some of that cash will be used to help low income families pay for their children to receive Pre-K education…
cut 12 (10) “…do that”
Edwards has faced criticism for not backing more funding for early childhood education.

Once again an effort to increase the minimum wage fails to gain support in the legislature.…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Also dead for the session is a bill that would allow for the seizure of firearms from persons who pose a risk of imminent injury to self or others. That legislation was shot down in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

11:30AM Newscall LRN May 22

It’s a legislative defeat for Governor John Bel Edwards who has backed legislation to increase the minimum wage, but the Republican controlled legislature does not support it.

But New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says that’s a shame, because a recent LSU poll found Louisiana voters support a higher minimum wage

Cut 6 (07) “…turn out”

 

Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello’s bill that would conceal the identity of the drug supplier for lethal injections passes the House floor on a 68-10 vote. Muscarello says this legislation is modeled after a Texas law that provides full details about the chemicals, but not who sold it.

Cut 14 (08) “…provide.”

Opponents however, cry foul saying it’s unethical keeping contractual details from taxpayers.

A statewide framework regulating rideshare services clears a legislative hurdle in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

 

New Orleans native and Pro-Football player Tyrann Mathieu also known as the Honey Badger, has turned in his cousin after he threatened to go public with sexual misconduct allegations against him. Mathieu’s cousin demanded millions from the athlete in hush money. But now his cousin is facing an extortion charge after Mathieu turned him in to the FBI.  His cousin sent text messages to the football star demanding a payoff.

10:30 AM LRN Newscast May 22

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says voters would have a chance in October to add the anti-abortion language to the state constitution…

Cut 3 (09) “…in DC.”

 

In effort to give voters a chance to decide if the minimum wage should be raised to nine dollars an hour has died in the Louisiana Senate. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says the 26 votes needed to send his proposal to the House are not there…

Cut 5 (08) “…do not have the votes”

It’s a legislative defeat for Governor John Bel Edwards who has backed legislation to increase the minimum wage, but the Republican controlled legislature does not support it.

 

Legislation to form a statewide framework for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft advances from a Senate judiciary committee. Currently Rideshare services are only available in six cities around the state.  Public policy manager for Lyft Carter Stearn says the availability of rideshare service is beneficial to a community.

Cut 10 (10) “…need to go.”

 

Governor Edwards is supporting 18-million for new funding for early childhood education while state lawmakers battle over where spending should be prioritized for education. Edwards says the 18-million will help more working class kids enter early childhood education programs and prepare them for academic success later in life.

Cut 11 (09) “…gunna be.”

More than 5-thousand children are on the waiting list.

 

 

 

9:30 LRN Newscast May 22nd

Despite concerns that there are not enough regulations in place, a measure that will help bring ride sharing car services to rural areas advances out of a Senate committee that killed the bill the previous two years. Uber driver Gwendolyn Wallace says there are more checks and balances on her than taxi cab drivers…
cut 9 (07) “…65 in a 60”
The House backed measure heads to the Senate floor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking lawmakers to increase funding for early childhood education by 18-million dollars in the proposed budget that’s currently under discussion in the Senate Finance committee. Superintendent of Education John White says the money will have a short-term and long-term impact on the state’s economy…
cut 13 (12) “…children”
The Edwards administration has been criticized for not putting more money towards pre-K education.

Legislation that would keep secret the identities of companies that sell Louisiana lethal injection drugs headsto the Senate…
cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would allow hemp to be grown in Louisiana. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fanin is skeptical that hemp will be productive crop for farmers…
cut 5 (06) “…in jeopardy”
The House-backed bill now head to the Senate floor.