The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify the body of a man found bound and shot to death in Merryville in 1993. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the but no one knew of a missing family member.

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

A bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone who sexually assaults a child under the age of 13 has advanced at the capitol. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

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Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hey all you football fans, NFL owners have approved a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.
 

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin says House Bill 97 is an effort to improve both motorist and pedestrian safety.

Cut 7 (05) “…in them.”

State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police.

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (11) “…from prison.”

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The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify a body found south of Merryville in 1993 with 2-gun shots to the head and hands bound behind his back. Investigators recently obtained a DNA profile linking the victim to families in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson…

Cut 4 (11) “…some closure.”

House Education approves the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better”

The Gator Scholarship Program will replace the state’s current voucher system.

House Criminal Justice approves legislation to make it a crime to be within 25-feet of a working law enforcement officer who told the person to stop or retreat. The bill was approved last year but vetoed by then Governor John Bel Edwards. Policy Strategist for the Louisiana ACLU, Stephanie Willis, believes this law will be difficult to enforce…

Cut 12 (08) “…25ft away” 

A bill to give judges the discretion to punish individuals who sexually assault a child with surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow’s bill allows for the sentencing of surgical castration if the victim is under the age of 13.

Cut 10 (12) “…from prison.”

Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense and that he believes in second chances.

Cut 11 (13) “…I agree.”

The bill also allows a female offender to be castrated.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to be within 25-feet of a working law enforcement officer who told the person to stop or retreat. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s trying to protect officers with this bill. Opponents raised concerns about constitutional rights and whether on lookers can still get good video of potential police misconduct. Fontenot says 25 feet is a sufficient distance…

Cut 13 (14) “…use of force”   

Authorities continue to investigate the death of 26 year old Devin Repath of Westwego who died following a large fight at Fred’s Bar and Grill in Tigerland near LSU’s campus. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse says his investigators are working with LSU police and reviewing videos to identify those involved.

Cut 9 (08) “…near future.” 

State Police says a 14-year-old driver was in a fatal single-vehicle crash Sunday night in Richland Parish. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Don Molino.”

St. Tammany Parish leaders say they plan to file for a recall campaign to remove Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Tape was accused but never tried on a technicality for child sexual abuse in 2002 in New Mexico. Dillard University Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Collins says this case highlights the importance of researching a candidate before you cast your ballot.

Cut 7 (12) “…competitive election.”  

Tape was reportedly fired from his previous job at the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office last October by his predecessor Dr. Charles Preston who retired.

State Police says a 14-year-old driver died as a result of a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night in Richland Parish. Trooper Ryan Davis says 14 year old Suh’ renity Butler and four passengers in the vehicle, who were also minors, were properly restrained the vehicle veered off the road into a tree. A toxicology sample is pending, however Davis says under the state’s statue, Butler was not of legal age to be behind the wheel of a car.

Cut 4 (13) “…to drive.” 

The calf born with two faces in Vermillion Parish last month has died according to the owners, Breaux Farms. The calf known as Deux Face stopped eating over the weekend and owners say, they were happy to give her the best life possible and she’s moved on to greener pastures.

St. Tammany Parish leaders say they plan to file for a recall campaign to remove Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Tape was accused but never tried on a technicality for child sexual abuse in 2002 in New Mexico. Dillard University Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Collins says if Tape had had a challenger opposition research…

Cut 6  (09) “…call on it.” 

Collins says this case highlights the importance of researching a candidate before you cast your ballot.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to be within 25-feet of a working law enforcement officer who told the person to stop or retreat. The bill was approved last year but vetoed by then Governor John Bel Edwards. Policy Strategist for the Louisiana ACLU, Stephanie Willis, believes this law will be difficult enforce properly…

Cut 12 (13) “…step away from” 

State Police says a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night in Richland Parish claimed the life of 14-year-old driver and several others were injured. Trooper Ryan Davis says 14 year old Suh’ renity Butler veered off the roadway and slammed into a tree.

Cut 3 (13) “…the crash.”  

The death of 26 year old Devin Repath of Westwego who died following a large fight at Fred’s Bar and Grill in Tigerland near LSU’s campus is still under investigation. The incident happened early Saturday morning. Morse says Repath was struck during the brawl and knocked unconscious. He was taken off life support on Monday. No arrests have been made but it appears the fight started inside and spilled outside the bar. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse

Cut 10 (05) “…this time “

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to be within 25-feet of a working law enforcement officer who told the person to stop or retreat. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says he’s trying to protect officers with this bill…

Cut 11 (10) “…more difficult.”

Because embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christoper Tape ran unopposed his background wasn’t researched by an opponent. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

It was a reporter’s investigative piece that revealed St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape was accused but never tried on a technicality for child sexual abuse in 2002 in New Mexico. Dillard University Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Collins says because Tape was unopposed there wasn’t any opposition research that could have informed voters.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the public.” 

St. Tammany Parish leaders are organizing a recall to remove Tape from office.

Authorities continue to investigate the death of 26-year-old Devin Repath of Westwego who died following a large fight at Fred’s Bar near LSU. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse says his investigators are working with LSU police and reviewing videos to identify those involved.

Cut 9 (08) “…near future.” 

State Police says a 14-year-old driver was in a fatal single-vehicle crash Sunday night in Richland Parish. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Don Molino.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill this morning that would make it illegal to panhandle on a public street. Also at the capitol, a Senate committee will consider legislation that would give state and local authorities the power to arrest a person who could be in the country illegally.

St. Tammany Parish leaders say they plan to file for a recall campaign to remove Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Tape was accused but never tried on a technicality for child sexual abuse in New Mexico. Dillard University Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Collins says this is a classic case of why you should research a candidate.

Cut 7 (12) “…competitive election.”  

Because Tape refuses to resign, St. Tammany Parish leaders are calling for a recall.

State Police says a single-vehicle crash on Sunday night in Richland Parish claimed the life of 14-year-old driver and several others were injured. Trooper Ryan Davis says 14-year-old Suh’ renity Butler veered off the roadway and slammed into a tree. Davis has a message for underage drivers…

Cut 5 (12)  “…to crashes.”

The House Civil Law Committee has voted against a proposal to give residents a chance to vote on whether abortion should be legal in Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 26 (36)  “I’m Colleen Crain” 

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman’s effort to give voters a chance to decide if abortion should be legal in Louisiana was voted down by a House committee. Freeman says a recent LSU poll shows 52-percent of Louisiana voters believe abortion should be legal…
cut 11 (08) “….families”
But most of the members on the House Civil Law Committee say voters have already spoken on this issue when they approved a constitutional amendment in 2020.

State Police say a 14-year-old was behind the wheel of a single vehicle crash that ended up killing the teen driver. It happened Sunday night in Richland Parish and 14-year-old Suh-renity Butler of Rayville was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Ryan Davis says it was illegal for Butler to be driving…
cut 4 (13) ” to drive”
Davis says they believe speed was a factor in the crash.

St. Tammany Parish leaders say they plan to file for a recall campaign to remove Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape. Tape was accused but never tried on a technicality for child sexual abuse in 2002 in New Mexico. Tape ran unopposed in the fall. Dillard University Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Collins says if there was challenger opposition research…
Cut 6 (09) “…call on it.”
Collins says this case highlights the importance of researching a candidate before you cast your ballot.

According to Wallet-hub-dot-com, Louisiana ranks number one in its study for most stressed state in the country. Wallet-hub-’s Cassie Happe says Louisiana’s stress levels are up because of the high crime and divorce rate and the state ranks second in median credit score…
cut 14 (12) “….their credit”

The House Civil Law Committee has voted against a proposal to give residents a chance to vote on whether abortion should be legal in Louisiana. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (36) “I’m Colleen Crain”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill this morning that would make it illegal to panhandle on a public street. Also at the capitol, a Senate committee will consider legislation that would give state and local authorities the power to arrest a person who could be in the country illegally.

St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape says he’s received death threats after it was revealed by an investigative reporter that Tape was accused but never tried on child sexual abuse charges in New Mexico. A recall effort is expected to remove him from office. At a press conference Monday, Tape talked about his first day as coroner.
Cut 28 (08) “…death threat.”
Tape says he’s not planning on resigning and as far as his child sexual assault accusations, he says it’s innocent until proven guilty.

State Police says a single vehicle crash on Sunday night in Richland Parish claimed the life of a 14-year-old driver and several others were injured. Trooper Ryan Davis says Suh’ renity Butler veered off the roadway and slammed into a tree.
Cut 3 (13) “…the crash.”
Davis says Butler and four passengers in the vehicle, who were minors, were properly restrained. A toxicology sample is pending,