A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. The WWL-TV report also claims that his staffers were getting paid by taxpayers while work on his re-election campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says legislative auditor should look into this…

Cut 4 (12) “…him around” 

The Lt. Governor says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A bill that would have required producers of “almond milk” to label their product something other than milk has had an amendment added that would only allow the law to go into effect if similar regulations are approved at the federal level. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the legislation now represents a show of support for federal efforts.

Cut 9 (07) “…United States“.

Louisiana Tech has launched the school’s inaugural Giving Day. President of the Student Advancement team Maddie Patton says that donor can select if they want their money going toward the general school fund helping students attend Louisiana Tech through scholarships or toward fixing the damage from last week’s EF-3 tornado that impacted the Ruston area.

Cut 7 (10) “…and ladies soccer.”

On a narrow vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that expands the state’s stand your ground law to protect an individual who may have to use deadly force in churches. The measure passed on a nine to eight vote as Democrats on the panel voted against the legislation. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has concerns about the bill…

Cut 13 (12) “…belong there”

On a narrow vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill that expands the state’s stand your ground law to protect an individual who may have to use deadly force in churches. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says current law allows residents to use deadly force to prevent unlawful entry or force an unlawful intruder to leave
Cut 12 (10) “…to work.”
The measure heads to the House floor.
Louisiana Tech has launched the school’s inaugural Giving Day. Donor support makes it possible to help students attend Louisiana Tech through scholarships, plus it helps rebuilding portions of the school that were impacted by an EF-3 tornado last week. President of the Student Advancement team Maddie Patton says the fundraising effort has been in the planning stages for about four months.
Cut 6 (10) “…is about to celebrate.”
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An investigative report from WWL-TV questions expenses made by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Shreveport Democrat railed against vaccinations on the Senate floor during discussion of a bill that would allow adults to opt into a statewide immunization database. Senator John Milkovich says the database could be discriminatory, and adds there’s a “very contentious scientific debate” about the safety of vaccines.
Cut 11 (12) “…vaccinations.”
Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor, disputed those claims and endorsed vaccinations. Cassidy added that unvaccinated people pose significant threats to the lives of at-risk children…
Cut 14 (12) “…of measles”
Cassidy called the research that linked vaccinations and autism “fake news” that’s responsible for the resurgence of measles nationwide.
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The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to a reality following Senate approval. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
The USA Today Network is reporting that Vice President Mike Pence will visit St. Landry Parish Friday to meet with faith leaders of the three churches that burned down in an alleged case of racially motivated arson. 21-year-old Holden Matthews, the son of a St. Landry deputy, has been arrested in connection to the crimes, and two million dollars has been raised on a GoFundMe page for the recovery efforts.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Opponents say the proposal is not constitutional, but the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich disagrees for a couple of reasons…
cut 6 (12) “….staturory law”
The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee. The legislation does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest and that bothers New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who says legislators need to consider that exception
` Cut 7 (10) “…just a theory”
Also heading to the Senate floor is a bill that would abolish the death penalty.

On a 24-to-15 vote, the Senate approves legislation that would allow for betting on college and professional sporting events at the state’s casinos and racetracks. The bill’s sponsor, Kenner Senator Danny Martiny, says if the bill doesn’t pass, sports betting will continue in Louisiana, so the state might as well regulate and tax it…
cut 10 (09) “…of it”
Martiny says he would like to see tax revenues from sports betting go towards early childhood education.

A WWL-TV report says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but he still receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive a personal vehicle to work. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the investigative report is not a good look for Nungesser…
cut 3 (10) “…State Police”
The Lt. Governor says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight risk for severe weather from today until Friday morning for a large portion of north Louisiana that includes Shreveport and the concern stretches to the west of Ruston and northwest of Natchitoches. Flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes are the biggest threats.

One day after Shreveport Senator John Milkovich claimed that vaccines are causing autism, Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy responded by calling the research that links vaccinations and autism as “fake news”…
cut 13 (11) “…no link”
Cassidy, who is also a doctor, says vaccinations are safe and responsible.

With 14 commitments for the 2020 class, 24-7 sports rates the LSU football program as the number one class in the country. Three of their 14 commitments are wide receivers, including five-star prospect Rakim Jarrett from Washington D-C. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon believes big name pass catchers are turning their eye to Baton Rouge due to the professional success of a duo of Cleveland Browns.
Cut 16 (10) “…right now”

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…
Cut 4 (07) “…Indians.”
If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal
Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”
This legislation faces more discussion on the Senate floor. Also heading to the Senate floor is a proposal to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana. The state has not executed anyone in nearly a decade.

The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to a reality following Senate approval. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bomb threat on a commercial bus shut down Interstate 10 late yesterday afternoon near PPG Drive in Calcacsieu Parish. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the bus was evacuated and one person with a backpack tried to flee. He was arrested after cocaine was allegedly discovered in his bag. Mancuso says they ended up arresting three people on drug charges.

A Shreveport Democrat’s speech against vaccinations on the floor of the Louisiana Senate gets the attention of Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

WWL-TV says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but yet he receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive his personal vehicle to work. Nungesser says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state receives Senate approval and is heading to the House. 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, it will also contribute funding for early childhood education….
cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education”
No one spoke against the legislation.

National signing day is months away, but LSU football currently has the number one rated class in 2020, according to 24-7 sports. The Tigers just landed a verbal pledge from the country’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antonie Sampah. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to come to Baton Rouge after Tampa Bay used the fifth overall pick to select Devin White…
cut 17 (09) “…in the draft”

The state senate has approved legislation that would lead to the legalization of sports betting. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says under his legislation there are specific places where a gambler can legally put money down on a sporting event…
cut 9 (11) “…place a bet”
The measure heads to the House where it will likely face opposition from Republicans that represent conservative districts.

During discussion on the Senate floor over a bill that would allow adults to opt into a statewide immunization database, Shreveport Democrat John Milkovich listed reasons why he believes vaccinations are dangerous…
cut 12 (11) “….mercury”
But Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy calls Milkovich’s rant “fake news.”

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

Hancock Whitney Bank announces it will buy MidSouth Bancorp of Lafayette for 213-million dollars. MidSouth has been struggling with bad loans.

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

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The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to reality following a full Senate vote. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Shreveport Democrat’s speech against vaccinations on the floor of the Louisiana Senate gets the attention of Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…

Cut 4 (07) “…indians.”

If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal

Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”

But Milkovich believes a fetal abortion ban is legal because of a couple of reasons…

Cut 6 (12) “…statutory law”

The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee. The legislation does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest and that bothers New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who says legislators need to consider that exception

Cut 7 (10) “…just a theory”

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A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state has survived a full Senate vote and is heading to the House. 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, it will contribute funding to early childhood education.

Cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education.”

Martiny says there are several options for those looking to place a bet on sports if the bill makes it on to the books.

Cut 9 (11) “…place a bet.″

Previously the measure had met resistance from organizations such as the Louisiana Family Forum, but upon the vote, no one spoke in opposition of the bill. Martiny says not only would the dark side of gambling still be present either way, but it would make casinos in Louisiana less competitive with nearby states.

Cut 10 (09) “…off of it.”

Following the 24-15 vote in favor of passage, the bill now heads to the House.  If the measure makes it to the voters on the fall ballot and is successful there, sports betting could be in place as early as January 2020.

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A Shreveport Democrat railed against vaccinations on the Senate floor during discussion of a bill that would allow adults to opt into a statewide immunization database. Senator  John Milkovich says the database could be discriminatory, and adds there’s a “very contentious scientific debate” about the safety of vaccines.

Cut 11 (12) “…vaccinations.”

The Democrat checked off a list of reasons why he believes vaccinations may not be trustworthy, and could be poisonous to children.

Cut 12 (11) “…mercury.”

Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor, spoke out against the claims, calling the research that linked vaccinations and autism “fake news” that’s responsible for the resurgence of measles nationwide.

Cut 13 (11) “…no link.”

The doctor endorses vaccinations and says he’s seen patients who’ve had to have liver transplants due to not receiving a hepatitis B vaccination. Cassidy added that unvaccinated people pose significant threats to the lives of at-risk children…

Cut 14 (12) “…of measles”

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LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron says the team’s number one ranked 2020 recruiting class according to 247Sports.com is evidence the team’s brand has gone national.  247Sports.com recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the most remarkable part of the class is that 11 of the 14 commitments are from out of state…

Cut 15 (13) “…doing.”

LSU’s two five star targets are cornerback Elias Ricks of California and wide receiver Rakim Jarrett from D.C. There are no five star rated prospects from Louisiana this year.

Three of those hard commitments are wide receivers, a position that the Tigers are fairly deep at the moment. Dixon says he thinks big name pass catchers are increasingly turning their eye to Baton Rouge due to the professional success of a duo of Cleveland Browns.

Cut 16  (10) “…right now” 

The class jumped back on top of the rankings after the team captured the commitment of the nation’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antoine Sampah. Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to take a hard look at LSU after the team saw a beloved captain go early in the NFL Draft.

 cut 17 (10)   “White” 

Alabama is close on LSU’s heels with the number two class. Elsewhere in the SEC you’ve got Florida at 5, Georgia at 11, Mississippi State at 13, and Auburn at 18, South Carolina at 25, and A&M at 26.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…
Cut 4 (07) “…indians.”
If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similiar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal
Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”
The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee, and does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest.
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US Senator Bill Cassidy blasted Milkovoch for a previous speech the state senator gave on the floor of the chamber, where the Shreveport Democrat called into question the safety of vaccinations. Milkovich said there’s scientific links between vaccines and autism in children, but Cassidy, a doctor, says that’s fake news…
Cut 13 (11) “…no link.”
A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana passed a Senate committee on 4-2 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if prosecutors seek the death penalty, the state has infinite resources to defend that decision compared to a person who is handed the sentence, and noted that outside groups have had to exonerate death row inmates who the state had failed to defend.
Cut 7 (10) “…from being killed.”
Two DAs spoke in opposition.