Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that could open the door for a riverboat casino in Ouachita Parish. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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A new report from LSU Health will let you compare your local area’s rate of cancer to the state average. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A constitutional amendment requiring a unanimous jury verdict in felony cases is approved by the Senate and is now heading to the House. Jeff Palermo.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that would allow a riverboat casino to relocate on the Ouachita River in Ouachita Parish. There are currently no casinos in Monroe. Hunter says this bill will allow voters to make the decision if they want casinos in the November election…

Cut 4  (07) “conversation started.” 

Hunter says it is not known which of the 15 licensed riverboat casinos would relocate to northeast Louisiana. He’s leaving that up to the gaming operators and others in the chain of command…

Cut 5  (07)  “best idea.”

Hunter says some of the business community see this possibility as a way to grow tourism in Monroe. However, he wants to make sure that all his constituents are involved in the process and to vote the way they feel…

Cut 6 (11) “the case.”

Hunter expects his bill to be before a committee sometime later this week.

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LSU Health New Orleans has released a first of its kind report that allows Louisiana residents to see if people in their local area are more or less prone to cancer. Louisiana Tumor Registry broke the state up into 1,148 sectors, and compared their rate of cancer to the state average. LTR Liason Lauren Maniscalco says it’s a great resource in the fight against cancer.

Cut 7 (08)  “the state”

After digging into the numbers, Maniscalco says they found one concerning statistic.

Cut 8 (10)  “the state.”

Wana know if your home is in one of those problem areas? Check out the full map and report by googling Louisiana Tumor Registry 2018.

But those living in the dreaded “Cancer Alley”, the area stretching from West Baton Rouge to St. Charles Parish, have some good news. Maniscalco says while there are some smaller problem areas, the Parishes in the state’s industrial belt aren’t particularly any worse off than other areas.

Cut 9 (05)  “these parishes”

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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions passed the Senate by 2 votes after impassioned arguments from supporters. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says requiring unanimous verdicts protects citizens from government overreach.

Cut 10 (12) “your peers”

Currently only 10 of 12 jurists are needed for many criminal convictions in Louisiana, one of only two states that don’t require unanimous verdicts.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, the bill’s sponsor, says unanimous verdicts were a foundational part of the American justice system.

Cut 11 (08) “unanimous juries”

Non-unanimous jury verdicts were first enshrined in law in Louisiana during the post reconstruction era. Morrell says it’s a relic of the state’s racist past.

Cut 12 (11) “their peers”

A House committee has shot down a teacher gun bill by a slim 7-9 margin. Jim Shannon has more
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Two children, ages seven and eight, in Bastrop were killed in a home fire Wednesday morning. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the tragedy could have possibly been averted….
cut 15 (05) “…the home”
The parents were able to escape the blaze and authorities believe the mother sustained injuries trying to rescue her children.

The state Senate has passed a measure that would let voters decide if Louisiana should move to unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in felony trials. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says unanimous verdicts were a foundational part of the American justice system.
Cut 11 (08) “unanimous juries”
Louisiana is one of two states that allows 10 of 12 jursits to agree on a guilty verdict. The measure still needs House approval.

Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation to pave the way for a riverboat casino to come to Monroe. The state has 15-licensed riverboat casinos and for a casino to be located on the Ouachita, the license would have to move from another location in the state. But Hunter wouldn’t say what gaming operator is interested in moving to northeast Louisiana…
cut 5 (07) “…best idea”
Ouachita Parish voters would have to okay a casino in Monroe.

The House Criminal Justice committee shot down a proposal to allow certain teachers or school staff to carry weapons in school. Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo says his bill would only allow teachers to possess a gun after extensive training. He says gun free signs on campuses are invitations to kill.

Cut 9 (08) “like sheep.”

Shreveport representative Barbara Norton argues that she would be more concerned for her grand-daughters life, if the bill passes and teachers are allowed to carry guns to schools.

Cut 10 (11) “wild west.”

A bill to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry guns on college campuses also failed to get out of committee today.

Monroe State Representative Marcus Hunter has filed legislation that would allow a riverboat casino to relocate on the Ouachita River in Ouachita Parish. There are currently no casinos in Monroe. Hunter says this bill will allow voters to make the decision if they want casinos in the November election…

Cut 4  (07) “conversation started.” 

A constitutional amendment requiring a unanimous jury verdict in felony cases is approved by the Senate and is now heading to the House. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down legislation on a 9-7 vote that would have given teachers the option to have guns in school if they have the proper training. The vote came after a long debate, Pat Greshem testified that as a mother and former teacher she experienced first hand how helpless kids are in schools….
cut 11 (08) “….protect children”
But New Orleans Democrat John Bagneris was one of nine representatives to vote against the measure. Bagneris says he can’t support guns in schools at any level….
cut 12 (10) “…a good thing”
A bill to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry guns on college campuses also failed to get out of committee today.

Slidell police have charged 24-year-old Zachary Brooks with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, after his four-year-old son drowned in a pool. Chief Randy Fandal says the home was in a deplorable condition and Brooks was doing drugs at the time of the drowning…
cut 8 (09) “…man’s death”
The drowning occurred March 5th. Slidell Police announced the arrest at a press conference this morning.

The House Governmental Affairs committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ measure would lower the required number of signatures from voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Hollis says it’s nearly impossible to recall an elected official now…
Cut 4 (08) “it done.”
The bill now moves to the House Floor.

A proposal to allow teachers to arm themselves in the classroom failed on a 9 to 7 vote in the House Criminal Justice committee. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton was one of the lawmakers to vote against it…
cut 10 (11) “…wild west”
Chalmette Representative Raymond Garofalo, argued the gun free zone sign at schools is an invitation to come slaughter our children like sheep.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. The measure lowers the required signatures needed from voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Pollster John Couvillon says the state’s current threshold is too high…
cut 3 (09) “…from Louisiana”

A Slidell man has been charged in his 4-year-old son’s drowning death. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Two children in Bastrop were killed in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the parents were able to escape, but they made a last ditch effort to save their kids…
cut 14 (07) “…the children’
The ages of the victims are 8-year-old 7-years-old.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down legislation on a 9-7 vote that would have given teachers the option to have guns in school if they have the proper training. The vote came after a long debate, Pat Greshem testified that as a mother and former teacher she experienced first hand how helpless kids are in schools….
cut 11 (08) “….protect children”
But New Orleans Democrat John Bagneris was one of nine representatives to vote against the measure. Bagneris says he can’t support guns in schools at any level….
cut 12 (10) “…a good thing”
A bill to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry guns on college campuses also failed to get out of committee today.

Two children in Bastrop were killed in a home fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the tragedy could have possibly been averted….
cut 15 (05) “…the home”
The parents were able to escape the blaze and authorities believe the mother sustained injuries trying to rescue her children. The family has identified the victims as 8-year-old J’marion Holmes and 7-year-old Kadrick Robinson.

Slidell police have charged 24-year-old Zachary Brooks with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, after his four-year-old son drowned in a pool. Chief Randy Fandal says the home was in a deplorable condition and Brooks was doing drugs at the time of the drowning…
cut 8 (09) “…man’s death”
The drowning occurred March 5th. Slidell Police announced the arrest at a press conference this morning.

The house committee on criminal justice is locked in a battle over allowing teachers or school staff to carry weapons. Chalmette representative Raymond Garofalo who authored the bill says he’s not requiring teachers to carry weapons, only to carry them after extensive training. He says gun free signs on campuses are invitations to kill.

Cut 9 (08) “like sheep.”

Opponets argued they would be more concerned for their children’s life if the bill passes and teachers are allowed to carry guns to schools.

A fire in Bastrop claimed the lives of two children this morning. The two boys, seven and eight years old, died after a fire broke out that went undetected, but parents were able to able escape. Fire marshal Butch Browning says the parents barely made it out alive.

Cut 13, 11 seconds, those boys

One of the parents sustained injuries trying to reenter the house.

24-year-old Zachary Brooks of Slidell has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of his four-year-old son Timothy Brooks. Police responded to a call on March 5^th from the father, who found the boy non-responsive in his pool. Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says he believes that drug use played a big part in the negligence that led to Timothy’s death.

Cut 7 (07)  “child’s death”

The House Governmental Affairs committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ measure would lower the required the number of signatures from voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Hollis says it’s nearly impossible to recall an elected official in large cities and parishes…

Cut 4 (08) “it done.”

The bill now moves to the House Floor.

24-year-old Zachary Brooks of Slidell has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of his four-year-old son Timothy Brooks. Police responded to a call on March 5th from the father, who found the boy non-responsive in his pool. Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says when officers arrived, they found a house in disarray.
Cut 6 (10) “with debris”
Zachary Brooks been charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Legislation has been filed to be discussed in the ongoing session to prohibit smoking in bars and casinos statewide. Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign spokesperson Raegan Carter says this legislation will improve the well-being of all…
cut 9 (11) “…right direction”
The House Governmenal Affairs Committee has voted for legislation designed to make it easier to recall an elected official. Under Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ bill, the percentage of needed signatures in larger cities and parishes would drop from 33-percent to 20-percent, medium sized communities to 25-percent and towns with less than 25-thousand voters would remain at 33-percent. Hollis says his measure also requires the recall organizer to state a reason for the petition…
cut 5 (10) “…be recalled”
The measure received unanimous support in committee and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off its Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would strengthen the current law…
Cut 7 (08) “they work.”
Several cities have passed local ordinances that prohibit smoking in bars and casinos.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved legislation that would require the state to give information on adoption to abortion clinics, so they can give that info to mothers seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says many expecting mothers are not aware of their adoption options…
cut 11 (09) “…the family”
A Governing Magazine report says Lousiaina’s per capita income rose 2.9 percent, which is above the national percentage increase. Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage….
cut 14 (05) “…minimum wage”
Efforts to raise the minimum wage were defeated in the legislative session.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ bill would lower the required signatures from registered voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Pollster John Couvillon testified in favor becaue the state’s threshold to recall is too high…
cut 3 (09) “…from Louisiana”

A bill to ban smoking in bars and casinos state wide has been filed. Jeff Palermo has more on what this might mean for those who work there and their customers.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.

The state Fire Marshal’s office says two children were killed this morning in residential fire in Bastrop. Authorities say the parents were able to escape the burning home on Snyder Avenue, but the children did not. Officials say the scene is still active and more information will be released as they become available.

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…
Cut 4 (08) “other states.”
Gonzales says Louisiana is also considered the most stressed out state, because its high percentage of population living below the poverty line, divorce rate, crime rate and fewest number of psychologists per capita.

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved the Adoption Option Act. It requires abortion clinics to provide information on adoption options to a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says both pro-life and pro-choice advocates should be able to get behind this bill…
cut 12 (09) “…the situation”
The legislation is inspired by a recent documentary on LSU law student, who says his birth mom seriously considered an abortion, but at the last minute decided to put her child up for adoption.