Death row exoneree Shareef Cousin is teaming up with the ACLU of Louisiana and LA Repeal in an effort to persuade lawmakers to repeal the death penalty.

 Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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The Bryde’s (BROO-dus) whale in the Gulf of Mexico is now listed as an endangered species. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”  

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 The Violence Against Women Act re-authorization could be bogged down in the Senate after House Democrats passed a version that prohibiting gun ownership for those with misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Lawmakers will once again consider repealing Louisiana’s death penalty. The effort is being backed by the ACLU of Louisiana and LA Repeal. Shareef Cousin spent three years on death row in Louisiana for a crime that occurred in the 90s before having his name cleared. Cousin says his message for lawmakers is simple.

Cut 4 (10) “…that is flawed.”

Cousin says he is just one of many who has been released from death row and says even all these years later, his time in prison still haunts him.

Cut 5 (10) “…mental health disorders.”

President of the ACLU of Louisiana Alanah Odoms Hebert believes the support for the repeal is becoming stronger.

Cut 6 (12) “…state for repeal.”

There are two bills filed for this legislative session that seek to repeal the death penalty, one by Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor and New Iberia Representative Terry Landry. Louisiana’s Attorney General Jeff Landry is expected to oppose any effort to get rid of the death penalty.

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Former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming is a month into his new job as the assistant secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Fleming says because the U-S EDA serves areas impacted by disasters, as well as economically distressed communities, he can still serve the Bayou State…

Cut 7 (12) “…help Louisiana.”

Fleming served as a U.S. Representative for four terms in Louisiana’s 4^th congressional district from January 2009 to January 2017.

Fleming says while groups like the Cajun Navy provide immediate relief to disaster areas his position at the EDA is focused on long term recovery…

Cut 8 (11) “…same areas.”

Fleming says he’s excited about a relatively new provision in the law that can allow for private dollars to benefit distressed communities in Louisiana and the rest of the country. It’s known as Opportunity Zones. He says the process starts with federal funds, matched by local dollars and then can be multiplied by private investment…

Cut 9 (12) “…of that.″

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries’ service has listed the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s (BROO-dus) whale as endangered. NOAA estimates there are less than 100 Bryde’s whales in the Gulf but Marine Mammal Biologist Laura Engleby says the latest survey shows the population could be less than half of that…

Cut 10 (12) “…best case scenario.”

The whales are the only known resident baleen whales in the Gulf of Mexico.

Engleby says if the population continues to shrink it will be hard to track because of the size of the Gulf…

Cut 11 (09) “…ashore.”

Engleby says the whales live in a restricted area of the gulf and the many human threats make it hard for the whale population to thrive…

Cut 12 (08) “…things like that.”

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D.C. lawmakers are tangling over the Violence Against Women Act as it heads to the Senate after clearing the House 263 to 158, on a mostly party line vote.

Congressman Garret Graves says he voted against the legislation because it included over 200 pages of proposals that were not vetted before the bill was voted on…

Cut 13 (11) “…scrutiny”

Republicans have presented an unaltered version of the bill for short-term renewal.

The NRA called for “No” votes on the bill because it would lower the threshold for banning gun ownership to those with misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking, among other concerns. Current law only applies to felonies. Graves says he’s concerned that provision may have infringed on due process.

Cut 14 (12) “…rights.”

He did add that it’s a proposal worth considering though, given research that indicates a link between domestic abuse and gun violence.

But Sexual Trauma Awareness Response President Racheal Herbert says the lower legal requirements to ban gun ownership are vital, because it’s tough enough already to get any penalties for abusers.

Cut 15 (12) “…charged”

The new, House passed version also allocates about a billion dollars in funding to a range of programs.

Louisiana’s five Republican Congressmen all voted against the re-authorization, and Herbert says it was a partisan decision that neglected the fact that similar legislation was found success in the Louisiana Legislature.

Cut 16  (09) “…think.” 

33 House Republicans voted for the bill’s passage.

Severe weather risks are now rising in south Louisiana as a brutual line of weather is expected to begin slamming the state this afternoon, and much of north Louisiana is now under a severe thunderstorm watch until 3pm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says no matter where you are today, keep an eye on the weather…
Cut 5 (10) “…thunderstorms.”
The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says as the global market shifts to the use of 40-foot containers, ports that do not have the capability to process the steel boxes will fall behind their competitors.
Cut 13 (11) “…with them”
The existing container on barge service moves about 16,800 40-foot equivalent units between Memphis/Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
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LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s committed to ensuring any revenue generated goes towards early childhood education subsidies for working and middle class families.He says giving a cut to LSU because of their athletics opens up a nasty can of worms.
Cut 10 (06) “…i’m doing.”
When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.
Cut 8 (10) “…third party companies.”
The scooters would be able to be operated on roads which have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less.

The threat of severe rain and the possibility of tornadoes has increased for Baton Rouge and Lafayette, as a nasty weather system is set to impact pretty much all of the state later this afternoon. State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect a lot of water with these possibly damaging winds.
Cut 4 (10) “…severe weather.”
There’s a 10-15 percent chance of tornadoes in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas, with even higher chances of damaging winds as you move north past Alexandria and into Monroe.
LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. Alexander says it’s only right that a portion of the revenue should return to the individuals who will generate the revenue.
Cut 9 (12) “…about that”
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The Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are getting a 3.1 million dollar grant that could reduce traffic congestion by getting more shipping trucks off the road. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
US Senator John Kennedy says President Trump is getting involved in the duplication of benefits dispute. Kennedy says he spoke with the President during a lunch meeting
Cut 15 (11) “…couple of weeks”

The eighth ranked LSU baseball team won a wild game last night beating Missouri 12 to 11 in 10 innings. Tigers starting pitcher Zach Hess had to leave in the first inning with a groin injury. Missouri scored six runs in that inning to take a six-three lead. LSU rallied for five runs in the third inning, three more in the fourth inning. But despite an 11-6 lead, Missouri tied the game. An Antoine Duplantis ground ball, scored Josh Smith from third base for the winning run. Brandt Broussard and Cade Beloso each drove in three runs. Todd Peterson was the winning pitcher, striking out five in three innings and Devin Fontenot earned the save, his third of the year.

Louisiana Tech extended its winning streak to nine games with a five to three win over Florida Atlantic. The nine straight victories is the longest in the country and the longest for a Bulldogs team since 2007. Matt Miller was the winning pitcher, while Mason Mallard homered and drove in three runs.
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LSU athletic director Joe Alleva and Will Wade met face-to-face on Friday for the first time since the head basketball coach was suspended. But after the meeting the school sent out a statement and said no decisions have been made about Wade’s future with the team.

Many analysts believe the Pelicans have made a strong hire as the NBA franchise has reportedly hired David Griffin as the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations.The 45-year-old was the G-M when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship in 2017 with LeBron James. His trade of Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota for All-Star forward Kevin Love was a key transaction.

Back to baseball…Appalachian State upended ULM three to two, South Alabama downed UL Lafayette nine to two, Southeastern Louisiana defeated Northwestern State five to three, UNO and McNeese split a doubleheader, Incarnate Word over Nicholls six to four, Southern was a winner over Arkansas Pine Bluff 10 to 4 and Grambling defeated Prairie View 7-4.

US Senator John Kennedy says President Trump is getting involved in the duplication of benefits dispute that’s impacted about 62-hundred 2016 flood victims who are unable to get federal recovery grant dollars, because they received an SBA loan. Kennedy says he spoke with the President during a lunch meeting

Cut 15 (11) “…couple of weeks”

There’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says ingredients are in place for numerous thunderstorms, some of them could produce a significant severe weather event
Cut 3 (10) “…severe tornadoes.”

Central Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather, while south Louisiana is under a slight risk. Keim says flash flooding is also possible…

The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says we’re seeing more 40-foot steel containers in shipping, and our ports just aren’t built to process enough of them, which means many of them end up on trucks…
Cut 12 (12) “…congestion”
The existing container on barge service moves about 16,800 40-foot equivalent units between Memphis/Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.
Cut 8 (10) “…third party companies.”

US Senator John Kennedy says President Trump is getting involved in the duplication of benefits dispute that’s impacted about 62-hundred 2016 flood victims who are unable to get federal recovery grant dollars, because they received an SBA loan. Kennedy says he spoke with the President during a lunch meeting and saysif the President doesn’t get the answer he’s looking for, legal action is the next step.

Cut 16 (10) “…legislative intent”

The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says securing the grant was a big win for a state that has five of the country’s top 15 ports, and handles nearly 25 percent of America’s waterborne commerce.

Cut 14 (10) “…cargo”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. Alexander says it’s only right that a portion of the revenue should return to some of the individuals who will be generating a lot of revenue for other people.

Cut 9 (12) “…about that”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. Now a bill introduced by Lafayette Senator Page Cortez gives more clarity to regulation.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with them”

The scooters would be able to be operated on roads which have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. It would also require minors to wear a helmet while operating the scooters.

If Louisiana legalizes sports betting, then LSU wants in on the action. Jeff Palermo talked with school President F. King Alexander…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday, especially for those in North Louisiana.
Cut 5 (10) “…thunderstorms.”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.  Cortez says the bill came from local government not knowing how to regulate because the scooter’s hybrid design didn’t fit the criteria of either a motorcycle or a bicycle.
Cut 7 (07) “…to call them.”
The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river. Congressman Garret Graves says as the global market shifts to the use of 40-foot containers, ports that do not have the capability to process the steel boxes will fall behind their competitors.

Cut 13 (11) “…with them”

All of north Louisiana is under a moderate risk for severe weather Saturday, while central Louisiana is under an enhanced threat for severe weather and south Louisiana faces a slight risk. State Climatologist Barry Keim says isolated tornadoes are possible and so is locally heavy rainfall…
cut 4 (10) “…severe weather”
Saturday’s stormy weather will result in cooler temperatures on Monday.

Senator John Kennedy says President Trump is getting involved in the duplication of benefits dispute that’s impacted about 62-hundred 2016 flood victims who are unable to get federal recovery grant dollars, because they received an SBA loan. Kennedy says he spoke with the President about this issue during a lunch meeting today…
cut 15 (11) “…couple of weeks”
The Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are getting a 3.1 million dollar grant that could reduce traffic congestion by getting more shipping trucks off the road. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

An 18-wheeler carrying soft drinks overturned on Highway 28 West in Vernon Parish this morning. No serious injuries reported, but soft drinks spilled across the road. And on I-10 eastbound near New Orleans, an 18-wheeler hauling frozen fish was involved in a crash and it took hours for crews to clean up the mess.

There’s a big threat for severe weather on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says ingredients are in place for numerous thunderstorms, some of them could produce a significant severe weather event
Cut 3 (10) “…severe tornadoes.”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold. But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s committed to ensuring any revenue generated goes towards early childhood education subsidies for working and middle class families. Martiny added that people are lining up to get a slice of the revenue from business that may only be worth 20 to 50 million dollars.
Cut 11 (10) “…casinos.”

The feds have awarded the Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge a 3.1 million dollar grant to get shipping containers off the roads and back onto the river.Congressman Garret Graves says we’re seeing more 40-foot steel containers in shipping, and our ports just aren’t built to process enough of them, which means many of them end up on trucks…
Cut 12 (12) “…congestion”
The existing container on barge service moves about 16,800 40-foot equivalent units between Memphis/Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. So Lafayette Senator Page Cortez has introduced a bill that provides regulations.
Cut 8 (10) “…third party companies.”

LSU President F. King Alexander says if sports betting is legalized in Louisiana, then LSU should get a cut of the revenue since a lot of the gambling will be on the Purple and Gold.

Alexander says it’s only right that a portion of the revenue should return to some of the individuals who will be generating a lot of revenue for other people.

Cut 9 (12) “…about that”

But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s committed to ensuring any revenue generated goes towards early childhood education subsidies for working and middle-class families.

He says giving a cut to LSU because of their athletics opens up a nasty can of worms.

Cut 10 (06) “…I’m doing.”

Will Wade will meet today with LSU and NCAA officials in the first official meeting between the groups since the basketball coach was suspended for alleged recruiting violations. Wade may not be forced to testify in the basketball corruption trial of a man he was reportedly caught on tape trying to bribe for recruitment.

Saturday’s stormy weather will result in cooler temperatures on Sunday with high temperatures in the 60s. But Keim says north Louisiana especially should be on the lookout for severe weather

Cut 5 (10) “…thunderstorms.”

When electric scooter companies Bird and Lime placed their electric scooters in Lafayette, there were no ordinances in place to govern their use on the city’s streets. Now a bill introduced by Lafayette Senator Page Cortez gives more clarity to regulation.

Cut 6 (09) “…deal with them”

The scooters would be able to be operated on roads which have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less. It would also require minors to wear a helmet while operating the scooters.