11:40 LRN Sportscast May 19

There’s a lot on the line for LSU baseball as they head to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt in their SEC regular-season finale. Less than a week ago the Tigers were a near lock to host an NCAA regional, and now they’re flirting with a below .500 finish in the SEC. Pitching will be key against the Commodores and Jay Johnson likes what he’s seen lately from sophomore Ty Floyd.

Cut 16 (20) “…him in there.”

As the regular season comes to a close a number of big series open tonight…Southern hosts Alcorn with first place in the SWAC West on the line. UL-Monroe closes the season with Arkansas State in town, while Tulane takes on Memphis.

The U-L Ragin Cajuns are fighting to get back into the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. Coach Matt Deggs’ team likely needs a big weekend against Little Rock and a strong showing in the Sun Belt tourney to get there. Deggs’ biggest concern leading up to the conference tournament is his pitching staff. The Cajuns will use this weekend to set up their rotation, but Deggs says they’ll adapt to matchups and hopefully get some hitting.

Cut 19 (19) _“…be a grinder.”

A new NCAA rule will allow major college football programs to sign as many players as they want for the next two years as long as the don’t exceed 85 scholarship players. The NCAA Division I Council says this will create more flexibility for schools and opportunities for athletes.

Pelicans forward Herb Jones was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

11:30 LRN Newscast May 19

The Senate approved the $39-billion state budget on Wednesday and the House will vote on it this afternoon. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s pleased the majority of his budget requests have been approved but he wishes the $2,000 teach pay raises instead of 15-hundred for teachers would make the cut.

Cut 3 (12) “….working out”

House-approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Governmental Affairs. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the bill is an effort to protect innocent individuals from the embarrassment of the photo.

Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”

The bill was amended to allow for the release of booking photos for violent charges.

Though things look back to normal, Louisiana isn’t out of the COVID woods just yet. After seeing numbers fall for the past several weeks, 114 people were hospitalized with COVID Wednesday…the highest figure in the state since March 24. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s concerning…

Cut 10 (12) “…certainly increasing.”

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow is among the lawmakers the FDA Commissioner is testifying before this morning. And Letlow says in an effort to help desperate parents she’s signed on to co-author Republican legislation House Resolution 7718, also known as the Formula Act.

Cut 15 (06)  “…for parents.”

House Democrats also proposed legislation to give the FDA $28-million to address the formula shortage.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast May 19

A Senate-passed bill proposing risk assessment for juveniles who run afoul of the law clears another legislative hurdle. Central Louisiana Senator Heather Cloud’s SB 323 has already won approval from the full Senate. She tells members of the House Criminal Justice Committee the bill is in response to a big uptick in violence among juvenile offenders…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to a tiered system.”

The bill now heads to the House.

House-approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Governmental Affairs. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the intent of his bill is to keep those who are innocent from being negatively impacted a mugshot.

Cut 9 (09)  “…effect.”

The bill was amended to allow for the release of booking photos for charges of violent crimes.

Even though the COVID vaccine will not be on the elementary and secondary school schedule this fall, Governor Edwards and the LDH are still in agreement with the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations that all children between the ages of five and 17 should be fully vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “…any boosters.” 

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment. Last year he vetoed the legislation saying it was mean-spirited towards transgender community.

Cut 24 (12) “…unfortunate.”

 

9:30 LRN Newscast May 19

To address the ongoing baby formula shortage the US Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee will hold a hearing today. Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow who was just named to House Appropriations, says it will be her first hearing on the committee.

Cut 13 (11) “…searching.”

The FDA Commissioner will appear before committee members today.

The Louisiana Department of Health has removed the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for elementary and secondary school students, citing a lack of full approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Governor John Bel Edwards.

Cut  11 (10)  “…17-year-olds.”  

On Wednesday the state reported 114 COVID hospitalizations in Louisiana, the highest since March.

A Senate-passed bill to use a tiered risk assessment system to evaluate and house juvenile offenders wins House committee approval. More on that from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Despite removing the COVID vaccine from the list of required vaccines for elementary and secondary students, the Louisiana Department of Health issues a statement that their official recommendation to be fully vaccinated is still in place. The requirement was removed for students because it has yet to receive full FDA approval.

 

8:30 LRN Newscast May 19

Louisiana is not out of the COVID woods just yet. 114 people were hospitalized statewide due to the virus as of Wednesday…the highest figure in the state since March 24. Speaking during his Ask the Governor radio show, John Bel Edwards expressed his concern with the recent rise in cases…
Cut 10 (12) “…certainly increasing.”
Despite those concerns, Edwards says the Louisiana Department of Health will not add the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for school children, citing a lack of full approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Also, the governor said on his monthly call-in show, that he believes the bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports is unnecessary, but will not say if he’ll veto it this year. The Senate is expected to give final legislative approval to this bill soon.

New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis is trying to prevent the release of a mug shot to the media after a person is arrested. His bill was approved in the House, but Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt amended the legislation in her committee so that the mug shot will be released if the person commits a violent crime…
cut 8 (11) “….be used”
The bill is heading to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud’s legislation that would require juvenile offenders to be assessed and secured as either low, medium or high-risk individuals in an effort to reduce the violence occurring at juvenile justice facilities is moving closer to final legislative passage. Cloud says evaluating and housing juvenile inmates based on a tiered system will be safer for guards and other detainees…:
Cut 6 (08) “…in that facility.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

K-through-12 schools will not require students to show proof of a COVID vaccine next fall. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Louisiana is experiencing another surge in COVID. LDH reported 12-hundred new cases yesterday and hospitalizations are over 100 for the first time since March 24th.

House-approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots to the press continues to advance in the Louisiana Legislature. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis
Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee added several amendments that would allow the release of a mugshot if the person is charged with a violent crime and once a person is convicted of a crime.

Legislation is moving through the capitol to address the violence in juvenile detention centers. The House Criminal Justice Committee heard from Michelle Piazza, a corrections officer at a youth detention center in Bunkie. A teenage offender attacked her at that facility…
cut 5 (10) “…..in the face”
The Senate and the House Criminal Justice Committee have approved a bill that would require an assessment of all juvenile offenders, assessing them from least to most dangerous.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team begins a huge three-game series tonight at Vanderbilt as the Tigers need to win the series to keep them in the conversation for hosting a regional. The Tigers were swept at home last weekend by Ole Miss and Coach Jay Johnson says his team has shown grit all year and he expects that to continue this weekend…
cut 17 (18) “…..this week”
First pitch is at 7 PM and the game can be seen on ESPN Two.

Louisiana Tech is in position to receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are at Charlotte tonight after sweeping Western Kentucky last weekend. Tech is in second place in CUSA, two games back of first place Southern Miss.

The Ragin Cajuns are fighting to get back into the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. Matt Deggs’ squad was on a major roll before being swept by Texas State last weekend. Now the Cajuns likely need a big weekend against Little Rock and a strong showing in the Sun Belt tourney to reach the postseason. Deggs says he’s been here before…
Cut 18 (19) “ …big at-bats.”
The Cajuns host Little Rock tonight. ULM hosts Arkansas State. The Warhawks have lost 11 of their last 12.

The NCAA Division One council has removed the 25-player signing cap in football. So major college football programs can sign as many players as they want as long as they don’t exceed 85 scholarships. Rules have also been relaxed on how conferences determine who plays in their football title games. So that means the SEC could scrap its division format.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate has approved a 39-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. Very little discussion on the Senate floor as the spending plan passed unanimously. The bill includes a 15-hundred dollar annual pay raise for teachers and 300-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge.

House approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Governmental Affairs. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a Senate-passed bill that would require the state to conduct a risk assessment of juvenile offenders before they are placed into a juvenile detention center. Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the bill is in response to a big uptick in violence at juvenile facilities…
Cut 4 (11) “…to a tiered system.”
High-risk individuals would be segregated from low and medium-risk juvenile offenders.

Congress is trying to do something about the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the head of the F-D-A will testify in front of a House Appropriations subcommittee today…
cut 14 (13) “….months ago”

LRN AM Newscall May 19

A Senate-passed bill to use a tiered risk assessment system to evaluate and house juvenile offenders wins House committee approval. More on that from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

____________________________________

House approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Government Affairs. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards is dropping the COVID vaccine as a requirement for Louisiana elementary and high school students. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

____________________________________

A Senate-passed bill proposing risk assessment for juveniles who run afoul of the law clears another legislative hurdle. Central Louisiana Senator Heather Cloud’s SB 323 has already won approval from the full Senate. She tells members of the House Criminal Justice Committee the bill is in response to a big uptick in violence among juvenile offenders…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…to a tiered system.”

Cloud’s bill would require that juveniles arrested and brought into the system be assessed for their tendencies toward violent behavior, and would be housed under a tier system; assessing them from least dangerous to most dangerous. Michelle Piazza is a corrections officer at a youth detention center in Bunkie. She tells members of her attack and serious injury by a violent teen…:

Cut 5 (10) “…in the face.”

Cloud says evaluating and housing juvenile inmates based on a tiered system will be safer for guards and other detainees…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…in that facility.”

The committee advanced the bill, sending it to the House floor for debate, and what could be final passage.

________________________________________

House-approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Government Affairs. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the bill is an effort to protect innocent individuals from the embarrassment of the photo.

Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”

House Bill 729 was amended in committee allowing the photo to be released upon conviction and/or in the event an individual is charged with a violent crime. Committee Chair, Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 8 (11)  “…be used.”

Duplessis says he knows of situations where an innocent person has lost their job due to a mugshot and its intention to keep those who are innocent from being negatively impacted by a mugshot.

Cut 9 (09)  “…effect.”

The bill advances to the Senate floor.

________________________________________

Though things look back to normal, Louisiana isn’t out of the COVID woods just yet. After seeing numbers fall for the past several weeks, 114 people were hospitalized due to the virus as of Wednesday…the highest figure in the state since March 24. Speaking with Jim Engster on Ask the Governor, John Bel Edwards expressed his concern with the rise…

Cut 10 (12) “…certainly increasing.”

Despite those concerns, Edwards says the Louisiana Department of Health has removed the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for elementary and secondary school students, citing a lack of full approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

Cut  11 (10)  “…17-year-olds.”  

Though the COVID vaccine will not be on the schedule this fall, Governor Edwards and the LDH are still in agreement with the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations that all children between the ages of five and 17 get vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “…any boosters.” 

According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death among children ages 5-14 and individuals between 15-24 as recently as January of this year.

_______________________________________

To address the ongoing baby formula shortage the US Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee will hold a hearing today. Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow who was just named to House Appropriations, says it will be her first hearing on the committee.

Cut 13 (11) “…searching.”

The committee will hear from FDA Commissioner about the baby formula shortage. Letlow says it’s frightening to hear that some children are being admitted to the hospital as a result.

Cut 14 (13)  “…months ago.”

Letlow says in an effort to help desperate parents she’s signed on to co-author Republican legislation House Resolution 7718, also known as the Formula Act.

Cut 15 (06)  “…for parents.”

House Democrats also proposed legislation to give the FDA $28-million to address the formula shortage.

___________________________________________

There’s a lot on the line for LSU baseball as they head to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt in their SEC regular-season finale. Less than a week ago the Tigers were a near lock to host an NCAA regional, and now they’re flirting with a below .500 finish in the SEC. Pitching will be key against the Commodores and Jay Johnson likes what he’s seen lately from sophomore Ty Floyd.

Cut 16 (20)  “…him in there.”

Adversity has been a big part of Jay Johnson’s first year in Baton Rouge. Key players have missed time with injury, the starting rotation has been in flux, and LSU’s defense has been inconsistent. Johnson says his team has shown grit all year long and he expects them to continue to do so this weekend.

Cut 17 (18) “ …this week.” 

______________________________________________

The U-L Ragin Cajuns are fighting to get back into the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. Matt Deggs’ squad was on a major roll before being swept by Texas State last weekend. Now the Cajuns likely need a big weekend against Little Rock and a strong showing in the Sun Belt tourney to reach the postseason. Deggs says he’s been here before…

Cut 18 (19) “ …big at-bats.” 

Deggs’ biggest concern leading up to the conference tournament is his pitching staff. The Cajuns will use this weekend to set up their rotation, but Deggs says they’ll adapt to matchups and hopefully get some hitting.

Cut 19 (19) _“…be a grinder.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast and Legislative Report May 18

Since the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is one step closer to the Governor’s Desk, and when questioned on his monthly call-in show Governor John Bel Edwards says he not going to commit to vetoing the legislation at the moment.

PM Cut 12 (16) “…itself,”  

The bill prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports in Louisiana.

Senate Health and Welfare votes in favor of House-approved legislation aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern.

PM Cut 10 (10)  ”….in Louisiana”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

A Senate-approved bill proposing risk assessment for juveniles who run afoul of the law clears House Criminal Justice. Central Louisiana Senator Heather Cloud says the bill is in response to an uptick in violence among juveniles…:

AM Cut 4 (11)  “…to a tiered system.”

The bill now goes to the House floor for final passage.

House approved legislation to limit the release of mugshots in Louisiana advances in Senate Government Affairs. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the bill is an effort to protect innocent individuals from the embarrassment of the photo.

AM Cut 7 (12) “…release it.”

The bill was amended to allow for the release of mugshots of those charged with violent crimes. The bill now heads to the Senate.