If you’re driving in the left lane on a four-lane highway and you’re not passing any vehicles, you could receive a ticket under legislation heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A man whose federal death sentence for killing a 12-year-old girl in Catahoula Parish is now indicted on a state charge. And as Andrew Greenstein reports, the D-A is seeking the death penalty.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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North Louisiana could soon be getting its first law school. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at drivers who travel at the speed limit in the left lane and are not attempting to pass vehicles in the right lane. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s measure would result in a 150-dollar fine for a first offender for motorists who are camping in the left lane causing a traffic hazard.
Cut 4 (12) “…to other traffic.”
Luneau says left-lane “rolling roadblocks” cause driver frustration and contribute to accidents.
Cut 5 (11) “…on the highway.”
No one spoke out against the bill during committee discussion. Luneau says he’s received a lot of positive feedback about this legislation.
Cut 6 (09) “…feel the love.”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.
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A grand jury in Catahoula Parish hands down a first-degree murder indictment against a man who killed a 12-year-old girl back in 2010. Thomas Sanders was previously convicted in federal court for the death of 12-year-old Lexis Roberts. He was sentenced to death; but Brad Burget (bur-GET), the district attorney in Catahoula and Concordia parishes, says that sentence was commuted to life in prison in December by then-President Joe Biden.
Cut 7 (14) “…of that child.”
Sanders was in a relationship with Lexis’ mother, Suellen Roberts; and after the three had taken a trip to the Grand Canyon, Sanders shot Suellen to death. Burget says Sanders then drove Lexis to Louisiana and shot and stabbed her to death.
Cut 8 (08) “…she was murdered.”
So with Sanders’ federal death sentence commuted, Burget says he will seek the death penalty against him on the state first-degree murder charge.
Cut 9 (08) “…try this matter.”
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Northwestern State is in the process of establishing a law school. Currently, there are only four law schools in the state, none of which are in North Louisiana. Executive Vice President and Provost Greg Handel (HAWN-dle) says people in the region want a law school in North Louisiana.
Cut 10 (12) “…of the state.”
The idea started picking up steam when the school hired NSU graduate and former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese as its new president last year. Handel says there are many steps that need to happen before the university can officially launch its law school.
Cut 11 (14) “…of that approved.”
Handel says they hope to welcome the first students in the fall of 2026.
Cut 12 (10) “…surmountable for us.”
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The House Civil Law Committee has approved a bill that says if you are 51-percent or more at fault for an accident, you cannot recover damages for injuries suffered in the wreck. The bill’s author, Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert (SHEN-uh-vair), says you should not be able to collect if the accident is mostly your fault.
Cut 13 (08) “…the same measure.”
The bill passed along party lines on an 11-to-4 vote. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown voted against it, because if a plaintiff who is mostly at fault for an accident can’t recover damages than a defendant who is mostly at fault should have to pay 100-percent of the damages.
Cut 14 (13) “…pay 51-percent.”
Defense Attorney Sidney Degan argued the proposed legislation could reduce the amount of dollars awarded in a multi-vehicle wreck, which would help reduce rates and frivolous lawsuits.
Cut 15 (15) “…neligence and fault.”
The measure heads to the House floor and it has the support of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.
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Three days after announcing the firing of David Griffin, the Pelicans named Natchitoches native and McNeese legend Joe Dumars as the new executive vice president of basketball operations. Owner Gayle Benson says the hiring of Dumars was not hastily made and she spent time talking with players, coaches and league officials. The host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says the franchise should have interviewed multiple candidates.
Cut 16 (18) “…a wide net.”
Dumars was the President of Basketball Operations in Detroit when the Pistons won an NBA title in 2004. But a lot of his draft picks flopped, his free agent signings fizzled and some of his trades didn’t pan out. Madison says the NBA Hall of Famer is respected around the league.
Cut 17 (18) “…with this hire.”
Madison expects Dumars will retain Willie Green as the head coach, but former number one overall pick Zion Williamson could be traded because of his inability to stay healthy.
Cut 18 (12) “…sort of situation.”
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The ninth ranked LSU baseball team opens a three-game series against 15th ranked Alabama. The Tigers are 10-5 in the SEC and the Crimson Tide is 8-and-7 in league play. LSU Coach Jay Johnson says Bama has one of the best power hitters in the country in Justin Lebron.
Cut 19 (17) “..15 home runs.”
LSU was swept last weekend at Auburn. Johnson expects his team will respond.
Cut 20 (18) “…has been great.”
First pitch tonight is at 7 PM and the game will be on ESPN-U.