The “Bulletproof Backpack” bill is on its way to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has more.
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The US Supreme Court has allowed sports gaming outside of Nevada. Jim Shannon has more on when you might be able to place a legal bet on a sporting event in Louisiana
Cut 3 (12) “Education Process”
Dunn also credits financial aid programs, which are mandatory for high school students to participate in.
Cut 4 (12) “parents signature”
She says many students in high school may have never even thought of going to college are now doing so.
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A bill allowing students at public schools to wear backpacks with bullet proof material in them is on its way to the governor’s desk. The bill was inspired by the tragic deaths of 17 people during the Parkland school shooting. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the backpacks would provide parents and students with peace of mind.
But Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith, who voted against the legislation, voiced concerns that students in poorer districts would be unable to afford the same protection allowed to students in more affluent areas.
Bulletproofing a backpack can cost anywhere from 50 to 400 dollars. Landry responded by saying that concerned parents in those districts could hold fundraisers aimed at distributing the protection.
cut 8 (10) “get them
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Dozens of states, including Mississippi, have passed legislation that will allow them to permit sports gaming in the wake of a US Supreme Court decision to allow it outside of Nevada, but Louisiana currently is not one of them. This year’s sports gaming bill was shot down in the legislature. But, Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says that could change next year.
Despite reports that the new sports gaming market could be worth as much as 7 billion dollars, Jones says the actual fiscal impact of allowing the activity would be fairly tame.
Even if sports gaming doesn’t stuff state coffers, Jones still believes legalizing it would allow cut back on the black market that exists around sports wagers.
The interview was conducted with a Shreveport radio station.
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A report by Greg Hillburn of the USA Today Network says Houma Senator Norby Chabert and Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop got into a fist fight at a Baton Rouge bar last night, supposedly related to a bill blocked in committee by Bishop. Bishop issued his apology on the House floor.
Chabert told the USA Today Network that he loves Stuart like a brother and sometimes brothers fight. Bishop attempted to inject some levity into the awkward subject
Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the severe budget woes, lack of trust, and rising levels of partisanship have are pushing the legislature to the breaking point.
Polls indicate the legislature is not a popular body at the moment, and Pinsonat says this altercation just makes them look even worse at time when the state is already struggling.
Both Chabert and Bishop are Republicans.
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