An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee, despite opposition from religious leaders. First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.
Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”
Supporters of the legislation say sports gambling is here already, but this allow the state to generate tax revenues from it.

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says money to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…
Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police are not releasing many details about the reported break-in that occurred last week at the governor’s mansion where a man was found sleeping on the couch after breaking an antique table. State Police say they are evaluating their security procedures and security expert Joshua Nicholson says more manpower isn’t just the answer…
cut 13 (09) “….enforce that”
34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was arrested and faces numerous charges.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law for ag products has cleared the Senate. It would prohibit a food from being called cauliflower rice when there is no rice inside the package. Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…
Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”
Thompson has a separate bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk.

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and gave this ringing endorsement of football coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 16 (11) ‘..get it done”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…
cut 4 (10) “…the violation”
Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effecti in October 2020.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch. The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate and Security Expert Joshua Nicholson says the break-in raises concerns…
Cut 11 (09) “…U.S border”
A state police spokesperson says they are evaluating security procedures for potential areas of improvement.

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

New LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is wrapping up his introductory press conference. The Baton Rouge native says it was an easy decision to return to his alma mater and he couldn’t say no when asked to take over the athletic department.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law of ag products receives unanimous support from the state senate and moves to the House for more discussion. Thompson’s bill would impact products such as cauliflower rice…
cut 3 (12) “…for meat ”
Thompson also has a bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk, like soy and almond milk. That measure is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health committee.

Debate has started in a Senate committee over legislation that lets voters decide if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Faith-based groups oppose, but the bill’s sponsor, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, says there’s already an active sports betting black market and this legislation could also provide the state more revenues…
cut 11 (06) “…market”
A constitutional amendment to add diapers and certain feminine products to the list of items that are not subject to a state sales tax has cleared the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee. Amendment sponsor New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says for women and parents, having these products isn’t a luxury, and the costs can add up for working class moms.
Cut 15 (08) “…items.”
The measure heads to Senate Finance which has previously killed the legislation.
Scott Woodward is introduced as LSU’s new athletics director today. Commissioner of Administration and longtime friend of Woodward, Jay Dardenne, says the Baton Rouge native doesn’t need much of an introduction…
Cut 24 (12) “…LSU graduate.”
Woodward met with coaches earlier today and said he started his career at LSU by selling peanuts in Tiger Stadium when he was 10-years-old.

State Police say they are looking into how a 34-year-old Baton Rouge man got inside the governor’s mansion. Once inside, Reynard Green allegedly broke an antique table and fell asleep on the couch. L-S-P says Green also assaulted two officers during the arrest. No word on where the governor was when this occurred.

LSU introduces its new athletics director at a noon press conference today. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A Senate committee is expected to debate a proposal this morning that would let voters decide if they want legalized sports betting in their parish. Sports betting would be taxed and the revenues could go towards early childhood education, but Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says the two causes should not be tied together…
cut 12 (11) “…merit”
Sports betting could generate 20-to-50 million dollars in tax revenues.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

State Police announce the arrest of a Baton Rouge man who according to a police report got inside the governor’s mansion during the early morning hours last Wednesday and broke an antique table and fell asleep on the couch. L-S-P says they are evaluating security procedures at the mansion.

A bill to allow voters to decide whether they want legalized sports betting in their parish will be heard this morning. Matt Doyle spoke with both sides of the debate.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana extends its streak of over the year job gains to 13 consecutive months. The state’s Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says since March of 2018, the education/healthcare super-sector has led the way with an additional 7,400 jobs.
Cut 7 (12) “…people.”
The job gains were powered by hiring in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

A Senate committee approves a proposed constitutional amendment that would exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax. The proposal would result in 10-million dollars less in state revenues, but author of the measure New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the state will recoup the revenues elsewhere…
cut 16 (11) “….economy”
This measure has failed in the past in Senate Finance, but this year the state is not dealing with a budget deficit.

State Police have revealed a security breach at the Governor’s mansion after a Baton Rouge man was arrested when he was discovered sleeping on a couch. East Baton Rouge Parish Sherriff records indicate that  34-year old Reynard Green was booked Wednesday for simple burglary, criminal trespass, damage to property, possession of a narcotic and two counts of battery of a police officer. Green allegedly tried to disarm one of the security officers. State Police are evaluating security procedures.

Scott Woodward will be introduced as LSU’s athletic director today at noon. Woodward leaves Texas A&M after the Aggies won nine SEC titles over four years under his leadership. Commissioner of Administration and longtime friend of Woodward, Jay Dardenne, says the Baton Rouge native won’t need much of an introduction…

Cut 4 (12) “…LSU graduate.”

A Proposal to allow voters to legalize sports betting at casinos and race tracks will be among discussions at a State Senate Judiciary Committee today. Bill sponsor Senator Dany Martiny warns not passing the legislation will result in depressed revenues for Louisiana casinos who will lose business to other states, and drive away new potential gaming investors.

Cut 13 (10) “again.”

If passed locally the activity would be limited to the physical premises of Riverboats, Tracks, and Land-Based Casinos.

Overall the state continues to see job gains for the last 13 months but there are exceptions in some parts of the state. Workforce Commissioner Ava Dejoie says Shreveport is down almost 2-thousand jobs over the last year, so they’re training up workers for jobs that start at 40-thousand a year.

Cut 8 (09) “…CDL.”

A Baton Rouge man was arrested last week after he was discovered sleeping on a couch in the Governor’s Mansion. Louisiana State Police revealed the security breach and that 34-year old Reynard Green was booked Wednesday for simple burglary, criminal trespass, damage to property, possession of a narcotic and two counts of battery of a police officer Green allegedly tried to disarm one of the security officers.  State Police are evaluating security procedures and have not commented on if Governor Edwards or his family was in the mansion during the incident.

Louisiana has now added jobs over the year for 13 straight months according to the latest jobs report. Matt Doyle also reports the state’s unemployment rate has hit an 11-year low

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Scott Woodward will be introduced at LSU’s athletic director today at noon. Woodward and Ed Orgeron are the first all Louisiana AD-football coach tandem since 1955. Commissioner of Administration and longtime friend of Woodward, Jay Dardenne says having locals from the Bayou State running the show in athletics could bring a bright future…

Cut 6 (12) “…this program.”

A constitutional amendment to exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax unanimously cleared its first committee, and is on its way to Senate Finance. Amendment sponsor New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the constitution calls for the exemption of necessities. Morrell says for women and parents, having these products isn’t just some luxury, and the costs can add up for working class moms.
Cut 15 (08) “…items.”

A Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a proposal to allow voters to legalize sports betting at casinos and race tracks in their parishes today.

Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills opposes the legislation, and says any revenue generated would be offset by the social damage caused by increased gambling.

Cut 10 (12) “…a wash.”

Mills says a UL study indicated there were nearly 200,000 problem gamblers in the state.

But bill sponsor, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, says there’s already an active sports betting black market, and while the law may increase the overall amount of gaming in the state…

Cut 11 (06) “…market.”

Martiny warned that not passing the legislation will result in depressed revenues for Louisiana casinos who will lose business to other states, and drive away new potential gaming investors.

A constitutional amendment to exempt diapers and feminine products from the state sales tax unanimously cleared its first committee, and is on its way to Senate Finance, where it previously died. Amendment sponsor New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says there’s precedent for the exemption…

Cut 14 (12) “…them”

If passed local municipalities would have the option of exempting the items from local sales tax as well.

Overall Job growth in the state remains steady yet the Houma area is one part of the state that remains the weak spot for employment. Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the area lost approximately 2-thousand jobs from last year in a city of roughly 34-thousand. Dejoie says she’s hopeful that rising oil prices can stem the losses.

Cut 9 (09) “…those.″

The majority of the job gains in the state were in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.