12:30 LRN Newscast May 3

Bossier City authorities plan to announce more information about on the armed gunman who murdered two people and injured two more including a police officer at a Valero gas station yesterday. Spokesperson Louis Johnson says officers responded to an armed robbery call in the 3800 block of Industrial Drive.

Cut 4 (07)  “…a clerk.” 

The officer who was shot is listed in stable condition and the other victim is in critical condition.

A proposed bill to prohibit third graders who cannot read proficiently from going into the 4th was approved by House Education on a 7 – 3 vote. Bill sponsor Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson was questioned by Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps about the legislation.

Cut 6 (12)  “…we have.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

 

11:40 LRN sportscast

For the 12th time this season, the top ranked LSU baseball team run-ruled an opponent last night as the Tigers shutout Southeastern Louisiana ten to nothing. It was also the eighth time LSU has blanked a team, which leads the nation. LSU right-hander Gavin Guidry made his first career start and worked the first 2.1 innings and struck out four to improve to 3-and-0 on the season. Second baseman Gavin Dugas snapped out of his slump with a three-hit performance, including a two-run homer.

More bad injury news for LSU, the Advocate reports relief pitcher Garrett Edwards will miss the rest of the season as he needs surgery on his elbow.

For the second time this season, Northwestern State defeated Louisiana Tech in extra innings last night. The Demons downed the Bulldogs ten to seven in eleven innings to complete their first season sweep of Tech since 2019. Daunte Stuart drove in the winning runs on a bases-loaded double.

Todd Garvin has been named the new head football coach at West Monroe. Garvin was an assistant coach at West Monroe for 16 years. The last two seasons he was the head coach at Ouachita Parish and the Lions beat the Rebels in 2021.

U-L Lafayette star cornerback Trey Amos got in the transfer portal over the weekend and Shea Dixon of on-three-dot-com, the Bengal Tiger, says LSU is very interested….
cut 18 (18) “…with the Gators”

Calvary Baptist star John Simon the Fourth has committed to Louisiana Tech. The three star receiver had seven touchdown catches in eight games last season. His Dad John Simon the third was a standout running back and receiver at Tech from 1998 to 2001.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 3

 

Legislation to ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Bill author Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says several European nations that pioneered gender reassignment surgery have reversed course.

Cut 10 (09) “… and surgeries.” 

 

New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified in opposition to the bill. He says healthcare professionals try every alternative possible before performing such procedures and prohibiting them will have dire consequences.

Cut 11 (10)  “…your hands.”

Cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers and surgery on minors would be banned under the legislation.  The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

The House Education Committee approves legislation requiring high school students to take a financial literacy class to graduate. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he hears from parents who say public school students should be educated on how to handle their finances…

Cut 13 (12) “…going to make.” 

The measure heads to the House floor.

Bossier City authorities arrested and charged an armed gunman who murdered two people and injured two more including a police officer at a Valero gas station yesterday. Spokesperson Louis Johnson says the scene was chaotic upon arrival.

Cut 3 (08) “….two fatalities.”

The victims’ names have not been released and the third victim is ilisted n critical condition.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast May 3

Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from House Health and Welfare. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says surrounding states and other conservative southern states have passed similar laws and Louisiana should also.

Cut 12 (10)    “…our kids.” 

Proponents say social media is what’s causing children to be trans. Olivia Gowan, a transgender woman, refuted the argument and told committee members she was a transgender child in the 90s long before social media.

Cut 13 (11) “…time’s up.” 

Committee Chair Larry Bagley, who lost his wife to suicide, quickly dismissed Gowan. The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

House Criminal Justices advances Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s bill to give police the right to say, “stay back” and establish a 25-foot safe zone. He says the bill’s language does not mention videotaping officers but he believe it is still plenty close enough for cell phone video…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…not accurate.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

Minden Rep Wayne McMahen bill to make it legal to have your pet’s cremated remains to be buried with you passed unanimously in the House. Amite Representative Robby Carter questioned about the size of one’s pet.

Cut 15 (13)  “…about a pound.”

House Bill 248 passed in the House 98-0 and heads to a Senate committee.

 

 

9:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation to prohibit minors from having transgender procedures advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Bossier City Authorities have arrested the suspect involved in a shooting that killed two people and injured two others including a police officer, at a Valero gas station in Bossier City on Tuesday.   Media reports indicate the suspect is 50-year-old Cortell Burks who is also suspected of stabbing and shooting a woman and injuring four other people in Alabama on Sunday. The officer who was shot multiple times is listed in stable condition and the third victim is in critical condition.

Legislation that prevents third graders from being promoted to the fourth grade if they can not read on an average reading level was approved by House Education. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson -the author of the bill- says he birthed the bill when he realized his child could not read. Addressing the committee, Nelson’s wife, Ashley says

Cut 5 (11)   “…the water.”

The bill passed with a 7 – 3 vote and moves to the House floor.

A proposed bill that gives police the right to say ‘stay back’  and establishes a 25-foot safe zone between them and bystanders advances from the House Criminal Justice Committee. The author of the bill – Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson says it’s a safety measure for officers however, opponents say the bill will prevent witnesses from holding police accountable for their actions…:

Cut 8 (05) “…that far away.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

08:30 LRN Newscast, May 3rd

There is plenty of talk going around today over the bill that would ban transgender procedures on minors. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says of the, “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act,” that European nations which pioneered gender reassignment treatment have reversed course…:
Cut 10 (09) “and surgeries”
Opponents argue that restricting healthcare options for transgender minors would be devastating to their mental well-being. The measure heads to the House Floor.

Legislation to make it legal to bury your pet’s cremated remains in the owner’s coffin passes in the House. The measure is by Minden Representative Wayne McMahen, a former veterinarian…:
Cut 14 (09) “associations”
The bill heads to the Senate.

3rd graders would be held back if they can’t read under a measure that advanced out of House Education. Teiko Foxx reports…:
CUT 1 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

A suspect wanted for murder out of Alabama is the man who allegedly shot an officer and killed 2 people at a gas station in Bossier City Tuesday. The Bossier City police officer was hit several times in the shootout and is now in stable condition. 50-year-old Cortrell Burks was named as a person of interest in the stabbing death of a woman in Center Point Alabama Sunday.

07:30 LRN Newscast, May 3rd

Third grade students who can’t read would be held back under a measure approved in House Education. The bill is by Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson who says Louisiana has some of the lowest literacy performance rates in the country…:
CUT 4 (11) “at it”
75% of fourth graders in Louisiana cannot read based on national test results.

That debate now moves to the House Floor, and so does a bill that would give police the right to say “stay back” while they do their jobs. Mike Johnson is the bill sponsor. He told the House Criminal Justice Committee this would allow cops to take preventive steps for his or her own safety and the safety of an approaching citizen…:
Cut 7 (12) “of a misdemeanor”
Opponents of the bill are worried it will prevent people from being able to video police.

A bill to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

For the first time ever, Jazz Fest is trying out online ticket sales. Louisiana residents only have until 11pm tonight to purchase the “Locals Thursday” passes at NOJazzFest.com or via the Jazz Fest app for only $50. You can still get tickets at the gate tomorrow as in years past with a valid Louisiana ID.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, May 3rd

The top ranked LSU Baseball team picked up its first mid-week win in 3 weeks after a 10-0 seven-inning outing against Southeastern Tuesday in Hammond. Freshman Gavin Guidry got his first college start on the mound and he didn’t allow a hit in 2.1 innings pitched and had 4 strikeouts. The Tigers are now 36-8 on the year and travel to Auburn Friday.

Elsewhere around the state in college baseball Tuesday, Northwestern State gets the win over Louisiana Tech by a score of 10-7 in 11 innings. They also prevailed over The Bulldogs on April 4th, and its the first time the Demons completed the season sweep over Tech since 2019.

Tulane fell to Southern Miss 10-5, and UNO beat Jackson State 6-3.

LSU Women’s Basketball Coach Kim Mulkey continued her title tour on Tuesday ringing the closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange. She did it while flashing an L to the cheering crowd.

LSU football fans no longer have to worry about quarterback Garrett Nussmeier transferring. The window to enter the transfer portal for the spring closed on Sunday and Nussmeier remains on LSU’s roster. Shea Dixon with on-three-dot-com says LSU quarterback Jaiden Daniels will start this season and Nussmeier could be your starter in 2024 and 2025…:
Cut 16 (16) “right now”
Players can still sign with other schools if they are in the transfer portal like U-L Lafayette star cornerback Trey Amos and Dixon says LSU has their eye on him.

Meanwhile LSU assistant Brian Polian is leaving the team to become the athletic director at his alma mater, John Carroll University. Polian, who followed Coach Brian Kelly to LSU from Notre Dame, was the special teams coordinator last season but was moved to an off-field role 3 months ago. LSU’s kickoff and punt return units ranked near the bottom of the SEC in 2022.

06:30 LRN Newscast, May 3rd

The legislature advances a bill banning transgender procedures on minors. New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee in opposition. He says every alternative method possible is tried before performing reassignment surgery and prohibiting them would have consequences….:
Cut 11 (10) “your hands”
Supporters of the bill assert it would protect children from making such a decision before they are mature enough to do so. The measure heads to the House Floor.

A man accused in a deadly stabbing and shooting in Alabama is believed to be the same suspect arrested after a Tuesday shootout with police in Bossier City. BCPD says the Louisiana incident claimed the lives of two people at a gas station and wounded an officer. Cortrell Burks was booked into the Bossier City Jail on multiple counts including first degree murder, and is wanted in Jefferson County, Alabama.

A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

House Education advances a bill to hold back 3rd graders who aren’t reading on grade level and get them the help they need to catch up. The same bill was proposed last year but ran out of time for consideration before the session ended. It goes to the full House floor next.

LRN AM Newscall May 3

Third-grade students in Louisiana may be required to take literacy screenings in order to be promoted to the fourth grade if the bill is passed on the House Floor.

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

A bill to give cops the right to tell you “stay back” while they do their jobs advances out of a House Committee. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

A bill to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________________

A proposed bill that prohibits the promotion of third-graders who can not read proficiently was approved by House Education with a 7 – 3 vote. Sponsor of the bill – Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says Louisiana is among the top ten states with the lowest literacy performance.

Cut 4 (11)  “…at it.”

Statewide more than 15,000 third graders failed below reading on grade level based on a literacy screener administered last year. 75% of fourth graders in Louisiana can not read based on national test results. Nelson birthed the bill when he realized his child had a reading impediment. Addressing the committee, Nelson’s wife, Ashley says imaging this bill in any other concept would be:…

Cut 5 (11)   “…the water.”

Nelson says his bill mirrors a Mississippi legislation that was passed in 2013. If the screening determines the child has a reading deficiency, the student would have three attempts to determine promotion to fourth grade. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps expressed concern over the present law and the proposed bill.

Cut 6 (12)  “…we have.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

_______________________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill that would give police the right to say “stay back” while they do their job and establish a 25-foot safe zone between them. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson is the bill sponsor. He tells committee members his bill is a safety measure and allows cops to take preventive steps for his or her own safety and the safety of an approaching citizen…:

Cut 7 (12) “…of a misdemeanor.”

Johnson says people have been hurt for walking up on a cop doing his job, who didn’t know that person’s intentions and cops have been hurt and even killed in similar encounters. Opponents of the bill worried it will prevent people from being able to video police. Citizen and attorney Allison McCrery says the bill’s 25-foot buffer zone means witnesses will have limited sight, and oversight, of police actions…:

Cut 8 (05) “…that far away.”

Johnson says the bill would apply only IF the officer asked or instructed you to stay back, and would not totally prevent approaching an officer – say to ask for help. Johnson says the bill’s language does not mention videotaping officers the 25-foot buffer zone is still plenty close for cell phone video…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…not accurate.”

Violators could get fines and possible jail time. By a vote of 8-to-1, the bill moves to the House floor for debate.

____________________________________________________

Legislation to prohibit transgender procedures on minors advances from the House Health and Welfare Committee. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment’s bill is entitled the Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act. The Republican says several European nations that pioneered gender reassignment surgery have reversed course.

Cut 10 (09) “… and surgeries.” 

New Orleans Pediatric Psychologist Clifton Mixon testified before committee members in opposition to the bill. He says healthcare professionals try every alternative possible before performing such procedures and prohibiting them will have dire consequences.

Cut 11 (10)  “…your hands.”

Firment says surrounding states and other conservative southern states have passed similar laws and Louisiana should also.

Cut 12 (10)    “…our kids.” 

Proponents of the bill say physicians are grooming children to have the costly procedures merely for greed and social media is what’s causing children to be trans. Olivia Gowan, a transgender woman, refuted the argument and told committee members she was a transgender child in the 90s long before social media.

Cut 13 (11) “…time’s up.” 

Committee Chair Larry Bagley, who lost his wife to suicide, quickly dismissed Gowan. The bill passed in committee on a 14 to 3 vote and advances to the full House.

________________________________________

Legislation to make it legal to bury your pet’s cremated remains in the owner’s coffin passes in the House. After receiving pushback from the Cemetery Association last year, Minden Rep Wayne McMahen pulled the bill. But this year the former veterinarian says they are backing the legislation.

Cut 14 (09)  “…associations.”

The bill also makes it legal to have pet cremated remains declared as personal property.

Amite Representative Robby Carter questioned McMahen about the size of one’s pet.

Cut 15 (13)  “…about a pound.”

House Bill 248 passed in the House 98-0 and heads to a Senate committee.

__________________________________________________

LSU fans no longer have to worry about quarterback Garrett Nussmeier transferring. The window to enter the transfer portal for the spring closed on Sunday and Nussmeier remains on LSU’s roster. Shea Dixon with on-three-dot-com says LSU is set at quarterback as Jaiden Daniels will start this season and Nussmeier could be your starter in 2024 and 2025…

Cut  16 (16)  “…right now” 

A lot of college football players are jumping into the transfer portal when they don’t get immediate playing time, but Dixon says Nussmeier has been committed to LSU…

Cut 17 (15) “…never wavered.”

The window has closed for players to enter the transfer portal, but players in the portal can still sign at another school. U-L Lafayette star cornerback Trey Amos got in the portal over the weekend and Dixon says LSU is very interested…

Cut 18 (18) “…with the Gators”