A hearing is underway in Gonzales as federal investigators try to gain more answers into what happened when a barge with a large crane crashed into the Sunshine Bridge near Donaldsonville. Legal analyst Tim Meche says if the Coast Guard’s final report finds the operators negligent, they may be liable civilly or even criminally….
cut 15 (06) “….or criminal prosecution”
The first witness is Desmond Smith, who had overall responsibility of the tugboat.

Coming up on the House floor this afternoon, state representatives will vote on legislation that would allow minors to work eight hours consecutively without taking a break. Current law says one five straight hours. Julie Cherry with the Louisiana AFL-CIO opposes the bill…
cut 5 (08) “….it can happen”
Supporters of the legislation say the current law makes it difficult for employers to hire minors.

The Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority is likely to see more money pumped into its operation with the newly added support of US Senator John Kennedy. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Gonzales Police say they arrested a 40-year-old Bogalusa man who they say stole an ambulance and claimed he took the vehicle from the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, because he needed a ride home, after he was released from the hospital. Clayton Young Florane also allegedly damaged the ambulance by ramming into a concrete barrier in the parking lot of a convenience store in Sorrento.

Coast Guard investigators are holding a public hearing at this hour in Gonzales as they try to find out what happened when a barge crane hit the Sunshine Bridge in October, knocking the major roadway out of commission for several weeks. Legal analyst Tim Meche, says in previous investigations, such as the BP oil spill, the agency was very thorough, and resulted in criminal charges. He says it’s possible that can happen with this investigation…
cut 16 (13) “…of that problem’

Senator John Kennedy has joined a political action committee that was formed to get more conservative Republicans in the state legislature. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says moderate GOP legislators should take notice…
cut 13 (08) “….weight and power”
The fall’s elections will feature a bunch of open seats in the legislature, because of term limits.

The House will hear a bill today that would allow minors to work eight hours without a break. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Today marks new LSU athletics director Scott Woodward’s first day on the job. Woodward has posted a letter to the LSU family on the school’s athletics website. In that published statement, Woodward says he believes in LSU and he believes the school will win championships under his leadership.

We’re a month away from the end of the 2019 regular session and there’s still several controversial topics left for lawmakers to tackle. Matt Doyle talked with a political analyst about what comes next…
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Motown legend Diana Ross says she was violated by an airport screener at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. In a series of tweets on Sunday, the singer says a T-S-A agent touched her between her legs and she can still feel it. The TSA says they reviewed the video and all protocols were followed correctly.
The House will hear a bill today that would allow minors to work eight straight hours without a break instead of the current five. Author of the bill, Shreveport Representative Raymond Crews says the current law discourages employers from hiring minors as the mandatory break can disrupt a fluid shift…
Cut 4 (12) “…real problem.”
The Louisiana AFL-CIO is against this legislation, because they say it could lead to minors not receiving breaks at all.

US Senator John Kennedy has joined with Attorney General Jeff Landry to help fundraise for a political action committee designed to get more conservative Republicans in the state legislature. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says left leaning lawmakers can’t be happy about this development…
cut 12 (10) “…for them”

The U.S. Coast Guard begins a public hearing today regarding the October 2018 barge wreck that resulted in damage to the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish. Legal analyst Tim Meche says anytime there is a major incident on a waterway, an investigation is followed up by a public hearing.
Cut 14 (10) “…major airplane crash.”
In the wreck, a crane carried on a barge collided with the bridge, resulting in the closure of the bridge until it was partially reopened in December.

The 2019 fiscal session at the State Capitol reaches the halfway point this week. A proposal to allow sports betting at the state’s casinos and racetracks has been approved by the Senate, but faces opposition from conservative House lawmakers. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says sports betting is no safe bet to pass..
Cut 10 (05) “…controversial.”
The session must end by 6pm on June 6th.

The Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority is likely to see more money pumped into its operation with the newly added support of US Senator John Kennedy. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Gonzales Police say they arrested a 40-year-old Bogalusa man who they say stole an ambulance and claimed he took the vehicle from the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, because he needed a ride home, after he was released from the hospital. Clayton Young Florane also allegedly damaged the ambulance by ramming into a concrete barrier in the parking lot of a convenience store in Sorrento.

U-S Senator John Kennedy is teaming up with Attorney General Jeff Landry to lead the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, a political action committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy brings his fundraising talents to an organization aimed at electing more conservative Republicans to the legislature.
Cut 11 (08) “…get Kennedy involved.”
16 state senators of the 39 in the upper chamber are term limited out this year, while nearly 30-percent of the House is term limited.

Governor Edwards is seeking 39 million dollars in new K-12 education funding, but House Republicans say the money is not there to do it. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says another battle is shaping up between the governor and the House….
cut 8 (04) “….priorities”
House Republican leaders say if they increase funding for public education, they’ll have to cut the budget somewhere else.

The House will hear a bill today that would allow minors to work eight straight hours without a break…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Gas prices have leveled off. Triple-A says the statewide average is 2.52 for a gallon of regular gasoline, two cents cheaper than a week ago.

Vice President Mike Pence visited St. Landry Parish on Friday to thank the parishioners of three African American churches for how they’ve handled the burning down of their places of worship by a suspected arsonist.
Cut 5 (14) “…the country”
Over two-million dollars have been raised to rebuild the churches.

U-S Senator John Kennedy is teaming up with Attorney General Jeff Landry to lead the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority, a political action committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy brings his fundraising talents to an organization aimed at electing more conservative Republicans to the legislature.
Cut 11 (08) “…get Kennedy involved.”
All 144 seats in the state legislature are up re-election this fall.

The flagship newspaper of New Orleans, The Times Picayune, has been purchased by their Baton Rouge rival, The Advocate. Matt Doyle gets analysis from an LSU professor…
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

The Arizona Daily Star reports the NCAA has launched an investigation into the Arizona men’s basketball program, which just like LSU has been tied to the FBI’s college basketball corruption case. One of their former assistant coaches pleaded guilty in January to accepting 20-thousand dollars in bribes to steer Arizona players to aspiring sports agent Christian Dawkins.

Vice President Mike Pence says the way religious leaders are working towards rebuilding the St. Landry Parish churches burned down by a suspected arsonist is inspirational….
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Making medical marijuana available to eligible patients will not meet a mid-May deadline. The LSU AgCenter says the first batch of therapeutic cannabis should be ready by the end of this month, but the ag department will still need to test it.

Governor Edwards is seeking 39 million dollars in new K-12 education funding, but House Republicans say the money is not there to do it. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says another battle is shaping up between the governor and the House.
Cut 8 (04) “…priorities.”
House Republican leaders say if they increase funding for public education, they’ll have to cut the budget somewhere else

Legislation that would require Louisiana businesses to provide employees with paid leave to deal with family or medical issues cleared its first legislative hurdle by getting out of the Senate Labor committee, but the proposal faces strong opposition. Dawn Starns state director of the National Federation of Independent Business objects to the measure…
Cut 11 (08) “…about that.”
The measure needs to go before Senate Finance because a small payroll tax paid by employers and employees is needed to create a fund that can provide for the paid leave.

Vice President Mike Pence says he’s inspired by the faith that continues to be shown in St. Landry Parish where three historically black churches were burned down by a suspected arsonist. Pence made his comments Friday afternoon in the front of the ruins of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas.
Cut 3 (11) “…express that to you ”
The son of a sheriff’s deputy, 21-year-old Holden Matthews, has been charged.

South central Louisiana is under a thunderstorm watch until 10:00 this morning as it’s a stormy Saturday for much of Louisiana. Entergy reprots over seven thousand customers are without power in Hammond. And there are reports of a possible tornado that touched down in St. Bernard Parish. At least Sunday looks dry with highs in the low to mid 80s.

Legislation that would require Louisiana businesses to provide employees with paid leave to deal with family or medical issues cleared its first legislative hurdle, but not without some opposition. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says businesses could be left paying higher taxes, if there’s not enough money to cover all the requests for paid family leave
Cut 10 (08) “…that difference”
The measure heads to Senate Finance, because it requires a small payroll tax paid by both the employee and employer.

Employees of the Times-Picayune and it’s online service, Nola.com, have been given a 60-day layoff notice as a result of the Advocate purchasing the longtime New Orleans paper. Some say it’s a sign of an increasingly unfriendly job market for print reporters, but veteran journalist Len Apcar of the LSU Manship School is optimistic.
Cut 8 (11) “…work out”

New Orleans’ historic newspaper, The Times Picayune has been purchased by their Baton Rouge based rival, The Advocate. Employees of the Picayune and it’s online service, Nola.com, have been given 60 days notice that they will be fired, and it is not certain how many, if any of them will be retained in the new publication. Some say it’s a sign of an increasingly unfriendly job market for would-be journalists, but veteran journalist Len Apcar is optimistic.
Cut 8 (11) “…work out”
The merger will use “brands and features of both publications” starting in June.
Vice President Mike Pence says he’s inspired by the faith that continues to be shown in St. Landry Parish where three historically black churches burned down by a suspected arsonist.
Cut 5 (14) “…the country”
________________________
Legislation that would require Louisiana businesses to provide employees with paid leave to deal with family or medical issues cleared its first legislative hurdle. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says businesses could be left paying higher taxes, if there’s not enough money to cover all the requests for paid family leave.
Cut 10 (08) “…that difference”
The measure heads to Senate Finance, because it requires a small payroll tax paid by both the employee and employer.
The LA Wallet app, which allows Louisiana drivers to present their license on their smartphone, is now free, but only until the end of May. OMV field administrator Paige Paxton says law enforcement will also accept the app as a valid ID, but..
Cut 14 (07) “…at that time.”

An Atlanta sports writer is stiring the pot with some harsh comments about the Superdome being a dump. This comes after news broke that the New Orleans icon was set to begin the first phase of a 450 million dollar renovation. Jeff Schultz covers the Falcons for new digital publication The Atlantic said “I love the city, the food and the people but there’s two things I know about the New Orleans. 1, the stadium is a dump, and 2, 450 million won’t fix that.”
The Saints ranked number for overall gameday satisfaction the last two years according to the NFL’s Observation program.
Former Pelicans Head Coach Monty Williams is a head coach again in the NBA. Williams has agreed to a five-year contract with the Phoenix Suns. The 47-year-old was the head coach in New Orleans for five seasons, leading the franchise to two playoff apperances. He’s currently an assistant coach with the 76ers.
__________________________________________
The 14th ranked LSU baseball team begins an important weekend series against 15th ranked Ole Miss tonight. The two teams have identical 13-8 records in the SEC, two games back of Arkansas for first place in the West division. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says the Rebels like to steal bases, they’ve swiped 76 bags on the season…
cut 17 (10) “curtail it”
Louisiana Tech looks to snap a five-game losing streak tonight when they begin a series at Old Dominion. The Bulldogs have scored nine runs during the five-game losing streak.
The Ragin Cajuns will try to snap a seven-game losing streak when they visit Coastal Carolina. ULM is home to take on U-T Arlington.
Southeastern Louisiana is in a tie for first place in the Southland as they begin a weekend series at Lamar. The Lions are 14-and-7 in conference play, tied with Sam Houston. Lamar has the worst conference record at 7-and-17.