A bill banning drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving is set for debate on the House floor today. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A 16 year old girl is dead following a hit-and-run crash late Saturday night in Opelousas.  Authorities say the victim, identified as Princess Washington of Opelousas, was a passenger in a vehicle with her 18-year-old brother who survived the accident.  An active warrant for felony hit and run has been issued for Floydiece Washington, who authorities say has no relation to the victim.  Anyone with info on her whereabouts is encouraged to call 911 immediately.

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. House Republicans propose a 12-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 600-dollars for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving the additional 39-million dollars in public school funding. But Edwards is confident he’ll be able to deliver more money to local school districts…

Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has ghree areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.

Cut 13 (10) “…is up”

So far during this legislative session, House Republicans have resisted Governor Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…
cut 6 (10) “…as result”
The Senate seems to be in agreement with Edwards that public school funding needs to go up.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Opponents say why just signal out cell phones when it comes it distractions in a vehicle.

It is National Police Week and personal finance website WalletHub releases a report that ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers…
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Over four-thousand students were awarded undergraduate or graduate degrees from LSU this past weekend. One of them is a convicted murderer. 37-year-old Andrew Hundley was 15-years-old when he killed a 14-year-old in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison. But Hundley received a second chance at freedom when the Supreme Court made it unconstitutional to sentence juvenile defendants to a mandatory life sentence without parole.

At the Capitol today, the full House is expected to debate a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a hand held cellphone while behind the wheel. The proposed law calls a 100-dollar fine or community service for first time offenders. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the community service punishment could be handed out to teen drivers…
cut 11 (08) “…the law”

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…
cut 4 (12) “…in the other”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools.

Louisiana set a record in 2018 for the number of tourists as 51-million people visited the Bayou State last year. The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase from 2017….
Cut 15 (09) “per household.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says there’s been a total of 67-hundred new tourism-related jobs in Louisiana since 2016.

A report from the personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana ranks 49th for median income and 50th in police deaths per one-thousand officers Gonzales says it appears Louisiana needs better de-escalation tactics…
cut 8 (12) “….police deaths”

When the full House convenes this afternoon, they will take up a bill to prohibit the use of hand held cell phones when behind the wheel. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has tried to get this bill to the governor’s desk for the last two years, but each time it’s stalled on the House floor. Huval says this time legislators have come to him to express support, after being educated about the effects of distracted driving.
Cut 12 (09) “…relatives.”

National Police week is this week and according to the personal finance website WalletHub, Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers. The Bayou State is ranked 47th in highest crime rate and WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the high violent crime rate may be the reason Louisiana ranks 50th in police deaths…
Cut 7 (08) “…assaulted.”
Louisiana also ranks 49th for median income for law enforcement officers.

A report shows Louisiana hit record numbers for tourism once again, with 51-million people checking out the Bayou State in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Livingston parish native Laine Hardy has advanced to American Idol’s Top 3 A parade and concert in his honor is scheduled for tomorrow at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds. Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to personally congratulate Hardy on Tuesday morning.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state welcomed 51-million visitors to the state in 2018 a nine percent increase over 2017. Nungesser says the continued growth in tourists has led to 26-hundred new tourism-related jobs…
cut 14 (09) “…in Louisiana”
The Senate Finance committee will begin dissecting today a proposed budget that’s been approved by the House. Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. The House’s spending proposal would give teachers a 12-hundred dollars raise, 600-dollars more for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving an additional 39-million dollars in public school funding, which Governor Edwards is pushing for…
Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding.

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…
cut 4 (12) “…in the other”
House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…
cut 6 (10) “…as result”
The Senate also seems to be in agreement with Edwards that public school funding needs to go up.

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…
Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”
Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a 15-percent reduction in commercial vehicle fatalities, and a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved due to the new law.

Also today, the House Ways and Means committee is expected to discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says the state shouldn’t have one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, when Louisiana is losing population…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

It is National Police Week and personal finance website WalletHub releases a report that ranks Louisiana as the worst state for police officers. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

______________________________

A bill banning drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving is set for debate on the House floor today. Matt Doyle talked to the bill’s author…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

A report shows Louisiana hit record numbers of tourism once again, with 51.3 million people checking out the Bayou State in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is confident the legislature will approve his proposal for 39-million dollars in block grant funding that would go to Louisiana school districts. Edwards says public schools desperately need this additional cash…

Cut 4 (12) “… in the other”

Lawmakers seem to be in agreement on a teacher pay raise. House Republicans propose a 12-hundred dollar raise for teachers, 600-dollars for school support workers, but they have shown no indication of approving the additional 39-million dollars in public school funding. But Edwards is confident he’ll be able to deliver more money to local school districts…

Cut 5 (09) “…in the Senate”

House Republicans have resisted Edwards proposal for additional funding for public schools, because they say Louisiana already spends the national average when it comes to per pupil funding. But Edwards says funding for Louisiana public schools has been stagnant for too long…

Cut 6 (10) “…as a result”

_____________________

National Police week kicks off and according to the personal finance website WalletHub Louisiana is ranked the worst state for police officers in 2019. The Bayou State is ranked 47th in highest crime rate and WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the high violent crime rate may be the reason Louisiana ranks 50th in police deaths…

Cut 7 (12) “…assaulted.”

Louisiana has no required de-escalation training and Gonzalez says that is an issue for officer safety…

Cut 8 (12) “…police deaths”

Gonzales says Louisiana falls well below the average in officer income ranking 49^th…

Cut 9 (12) “…54,000″

_____________________

The House is expected to take up legislation today that would ban drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel. Bill author, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the proposal is a life saver, and a cost saver…

Cut 10 (11) “…accidents.”

Huval says Georgia recently passed a cellphone ban and the Peach State has seen a 15-percent reduction in commercial vehicle fatalities, and a four-percent reduction in all fatalities, which adds up to 50 lives saved due to the new law.

The penalty for first time offenders is 100 dollars, or community service, under Louisiana’s proposed law. Huval says many of those who will be ticketed for the offense are teen drivers who are financially dependent on their parents, which is why they’ve added a non-financial penalty option.

Cut 11 (08) “…the law”

Huval has tried to get this bill to the governor’s desk for the last two years, but each time it’s stalled on the House floor. Huval says this time legislators have come to him to express support, after being educated about the effects of distracted driving.

Cut 12 (09) “…relatives.”

__________________________________

A record breaking 51.3 million tourists visited Louisiana in 2018, a nine percent increase over 2017. That’s according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser who says the “Feed Your Soul” slogan is making waves, and the state has ghree areas of focus for tourism that are paying off.

Cut 13 (10) “…is up”

The state has now seen 13 straight months of over the year job gains, and Nungesser says part of that trend includes the booming tourism industry, that added 2,600 jobs between 2017 and 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The report, by DK Shifflet, says visitors in Louisiana spent nearly 19 billion dollars in 2018, a seven percent increase frin 2017. Nungesser says that’s a ton of money going back into the state and local budgets.

Cut 15 (12) “per household.”

The New Orleans Fire Department is currently on the scene of a 5 alarm fire in the French Quarter near the intersection of Conti and Bourbon.  They got word of the blaze around 7 am.  Oceana Grill, the Copper Monkey Bar & Grill and Olde N’awlins Cookery, along with several other businesses have been impacted.  First responders have closed Conti Street from Dauphine to Royal Streets.  Bourbon Street has been closed from Bienville Street to Saint Louis Street. City officials have not given an estimated time for a reopening of those areas.   No reason for the cause of the fire has been released yet and no injuries have been reported.
Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. The Republican says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments, through Social security, Medicare, and other social programs.
Cut 9 (12) “…them“.

According to research from Move.org, Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org spokesperson Cosette Jarrett says their study factored the cost of childcare for the first year of a child’s life as well as the medical cost of delivery.

Cut 3 (10) “…in the nation.”

After a St. Landry pastor said he’d already forgiven the man accused of the church burnings, Rep Steve Scalise says he and the pastor discussed his feelings about his shooting that nearly cost him his life.  Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican leader, said Friday he still struggles to forgive the man who wounded him and four others two years ago during a baseball practice.
Governor has declared a state of emergency on Twitter around 5:30 p.m. on Friday. He says current forecasts predict anywhere from 4″ to 8″ of rain across the state today.

It’s mothers day weekend and The average cost of being a new mom in Louisiana is cheaper than all but two other states in the nation. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Connor Ferrill”
In response to the wicked weather received in the state, the Governor has declared a state of emergency. He made the announcement on Twitter around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10. He says current forecasts predict anywhere from 4″ to 8″ of rain across the state.

Senator John Kennedy is once again bringing legislation aimed at getting dead people off the social security rolls. Kennedy says his legislation would address the long running issue by tackling the two biggest drivers of fraud, starting with Social Security’s list of deceased citizens…
Cut 10 (12)“…agencies.”
The Republican says every year the federal government spends 144 billion dollars on improper payments.
House Ways and Means will hear a bill Monday that would repeal the .45 percent state sales tax levied in the last legislative session to plug a budget deficit. Removing that .45 percent sales tax would likely mean cuts to state services, but Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says Louisiana needs to learn to live within it’s means.
Cut 14 (12) “…done that”

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and a report from Move-dot-org says Louisiana is the third least expensive state to be a new mom. Move.org says the average cost for childbirth and childcare costs in Louisiana is 12-thousand dollars and that’s cheaper than daycare costs alone in D-C, Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut…
cut 5 (07) “…doing so much”
The two states that rank ahead of Louisiana are Mississippi and Alabama for the cost of having a baby.
No action at the State Capitol yesterday, but when lawmakers arrive on Monday, the House Ways and Means committee will discuss a bill that will lower the state sales tax from 4.45 to four-percent. The state sales tax was four percent for many years before Governor Edwards took office, and in his first year it jumped to five percent to cover a significant budget gap, before falling to 4.45 percent last year. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
Cut 13 (05) “…population.”
The Edwards administration is expected to oppose the measure.

Senator Kennedy is pushing to force the Social Security Administration to get more dead people off the rolls, to cut back on benefit fraud. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

LSU baseball has a season-high five-game losing streak after losing to Arkansas 11 to six last night. The Tigers had a 3-0 lead after two innings after Saul Garza hit a two-run homer. But LSU’s bats went away for several innings and Zack Hess couldn’t repeat the relief outing he had last week.