10:30 LRN Newscast April 20

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which was vetoed last year and received opposition from transgender advocates passed in the Senate Tuesday. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell’s bill prohibits transgender females from competing against women. Mizell says the legislation has wide support.

Cut 14 (07)  “…believe in.”

The vote was 29 to 6. The bill now heads to a House committee.

LSU’s 2022 Louisiana Survey indicates 40-percent of home insurance policyholders filed claims in the last two years and almost half weren’t pleased with the process. Associate Professor Michael Henderson says whether it’s two years of significant weather events or COVID respondents generally aren’t hopeful.

Cut 10 (11) “…be getting better.”

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in Senate Judiciary C. Bill author Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson says Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentence people to death, and it should stop…

CUT 04(15)      “…in their hands”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of survivors of a capital crime…

CUT 06(13)      “…to ask for.”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass in committee therefore will go no farther in this legislative session.

 

09:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill to repeal the death penalty in Louisiana fell to defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Bill sponsor and Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson tells senators if they cannot agree with the moral argument against capital punishment, consider a fiscal one…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…million dollars a year.”

She says too many people in Louisiana have been sentenced to death; only to have their conviction later overturned. She says some were actually executed, then found to be innocent later. Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White – who could not support the bill – says that was an earlier, less-enlightened time. He points to the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against a mistake…:

CUT 07(09)      “…a guilty verdict”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass, and is dead for this year.

A Concordia parish church is severely damaged, after severe weather swept through the area Sunday. High winds toppled a tree, which crashed into the St. John Baptist Church. Church elders say they will rebuild.

 

Sports book was a real boon to the Bayou State last month. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says $232-million was wagered; meaning over $5-million in state tax revenue for the state. He credits the NCAA Final Four with a lot of that betting and says this fall should see even more app-based sports betting…:

CUT 13(09)      “…once again.”

He says a lot of Texans come to Louisiana to take advantage of sports betting and that means hotels, motels and restaurants benefit as well.

A bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports passes the full Senate, by a 29-6 vote. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau spoke up against the bill, saying the LHSAA has rules about this and a law isn’t needed. Bill Sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton responds…:

CUT 16(07)      “…right now”

That bill moves now to the House.

08:30 LRN Newscast April 20

The full Senate passes a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”, the bill drew opposition on the senate floor. Here’s Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau, who says it’s not an issue in Louisiana and the LHSAA has rules in place should the problem arise…:

CUT 15  (11)        “…state of Louisiana.”

The measure passed by a 29-to-6 vote; meaning 4 senators did not vote at all. Last year Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation saying the bill was mean-spirited and a solution looking for a problem. A veto override attempt failed.

Legislation aimed at expanding patient access to medical marijuana in our state was advanced Tuesday by a state House committee. The bills would change the agency that regulates the medical marijuana industry and allow licensees to have more than one store.

 

Sports book gaming in March was a slam dunk for the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Gaming Control Board chairman about it…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” shows a great many of us are unhappy with our property insurers and coverage. Research director Mike Henderson…:

CUT 08(08)      “significant number.”

07:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson argued for her bill before the Judiciary C panel, saying Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentence people to death and it should stop…:

CUT 04(15)      “…in their hands”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of the survivors of a capital crime…:

CUT 06(13)      “…to ask for.”

By a vote of 5-to-1, the bill failed to pass.

Shreveport area police are investigating a shooting on I-220 Tuesday. The victim took a bullet to the leg from a car that pulled alongside him. Motive and suspect? Yet unknown.

 

Insurance. You hope you don’t need it, but you’ve GOT to have it. But are Louisianans satisfied with what they have? David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A gas well on Barksdale Air force Base in Bossier City exploded Tuesday. It took some time to bring the fire under control but no one was reported seriously hurt.            The cause of the well explosion is under investigation.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

I’m Kevin Gallagher and this Louisiana Radio Network sportscast is brought to you be tele-leaf-dot-com. Louisiana’s Access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home…
Not many NBA analysts had the Pelicans beating the Suns, but New Orleans showed last night they will not be an easy out for the defending Western Conference champs. Brandon Ingram nearly had a triple double as the Pels upset Phoenix 125 to 114 to even up the series at one game a piece. Ingram had 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Coach Willie Green…
cut 17 (12) “…on display tonight”
C-J McCollum hit six three-pointers and had 23 points. Devin Booker had 31 for the Suns, but barely played in the second half because of a hamstring injury. Game three is Friday night in New Orleans.
____________________________________________________________
In the final Wally Pontiff Junior Classic, the LSU Tigers doubled up the Ragin Cajuns eight to four. Jordan Thompson hit a two-run homer in a five-run fourth inning and Ty Floyd dominated on the mound, striking out eight and allowing two runs on four hits. The Tigers host Missouri starting tomorrow, while the Cajuns are at Georgia State this weekend.

Greg Martinez threw seven innings of shutout baseball as La Tech blanked Little Rock ten to nothing. Steele Netterville had a three-run double.

Nicholls blanked Southern three to nothing as the Colonels pitching staff tossed a one-hitter and that hit didn’t come until the ninth inning.

Tyler Finke went five for five, including a walk-off two run homer as Southeastern Louisiana defeated South Alabama eight to six.

And Northwestern State beat LSU-Alexandria 11 to four as Jeffrey Elkins hit a three-run homer in the eighth. The Demons are at Louisiana Tech tonight.

This sportscast was brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com. Kevin Gallagher Louisiana Radio Network Sports.

06:30 LRN Newscast April 20

A bill to end executions in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Brooke Thorington reports…:

CUT 01(36)      “…Brooke Thorington”

The state Department of Health reports 228 new cases of coronavirus in Louisiana, but only 51 people in the hospital with the virus statewide. Ten more people are reported to have died from complications with COVID. Since the pandemic began, just over 17-thousand Louisianans have died with the virus.

 

$232 million in sports betting was wagered in the Bayou State last month, which translates into more than $5 million in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns credits March Madness for the impressive numbers and says the Final Four in New Orleans even attracted new customers…:

CUT 11(10)      “…of the Superdome.”

The full Senate has passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act; basically a ban of transgender athletes competing in women’s events. Bill sponsor Beth Mizell, of Franklinton, says the bill has widespread support…:

CUT 14(07)      “…believe in.”

The same bill reached final passage last year, but was vetoed by the Governor. A veto override attempt failed.

AM LRN Newscall April 20 ##updated with Pelicans sound###

A bill to end executions in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee Tuesday. Brooke Thorington reports…:

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

Insurance. You hope you don’t need it, though you’ve got to have it. But are Louisianans satisfied with what they’ve got? David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

_____________________________________

In March $232 million was wagered on sports in Louisiana, and the state’s gaming chairman says it was a slam dunk for the Bayou State. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson argued for her bill before the Judiciary C panel, saying Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentenced people to death and it should stop…:

Cut 4 (15)  “…have in their hands.”

Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010, and the state’s last death sentence was handed out on 2020. The state has difficulty in buying the drugs used for a lethal injection execution, and so Jackson feels it’s time to put an end to the punishment altogether. She says, if you cannot agree with a moral argument, consider a fiscal one…:

Cut 5 (05) “…13-plus-million dollars a year.”

But there was doubt among committee members. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson bill forgets the rights of the survivors of a capital crime…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…a right to ask for.”

Jackson argued that too many people in Louisiana have been sentenced to death; only to have their conviction overturned later. She says some were actually executed, then found to be innocent later. Baton Rouge Republican Bodi White – who could not support the bill – says that was an earlier, less-enlightened time. He points to the state’s recent decision to end non-unanimous jury verdicts as a safeguard against a mistake…:

Cut 7 (09) “…get a guilty verdict.”

Voted down by a 5-to-1 vote, the bill is defeated for this session.

________________________________________

The LSU Public Policy Research Lab continues to release its findings from the 2022 Louisiana Survey. Insurance, something nearly everyone deals with in one form or fashion, is the focus of the latest report. Associate professor Michael Henderson says the numbers reveal just how many people have had to file property claims while the state deals with repeated weather events.

Cut 8 (08)  “…significant number.”

Attitudes among those who have filed claims are split about evenly among those satisfied and dissatisfied with their insurance provider’s response, but Henderson says that overall the survey shows…

Cut 9 (10)  “…things are going.”

Perhaps it’s two years of weather events or the lingering effects of a pandemic that hasn’t gone away…No matter what, Henderson says that there’s a general dissatisfaction consistent across a number of areas of the 2022 Louisiana Survey.

Cut 10 (11) “…be getting better.”

_______________________________________

$232 million in sports betting was wagered in the Bayou State last month, which translates into more than $5 million in tax revenue. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns credits March Madness for the impressive numbers and says the Final Four in New Orleans even attracted new customers.

Cut  11 (10)  “…Superdome.”  

Johns says both online and retail March sports wagering in Louisiana ranked 8th among states with legalized sports betting and ranked third when you compare to those states per capita.

With only a few months of legalized sports betting under the belt in Louisiana, Johns says he’s extremely impressed with how things are progressing, and no major technicalities with online wagering.

Cut 12 (10) “…of March.” 

Predicting which months will be more profitable than others Johns says is hard to do with Louisiana sports betting still in its infancy, but he does anticipate the numbers will increase dramatically in the fall.

Cut 13 (09) “…once again.”

In addition to out-of-state wagers in New Orleans for the Final Four, Johns says technology indicates a significant number of Texans crossed the state line near Lake Charles and Shreveport to place bets last month.

_______________________________________

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which was vetoed last year and received opposition from transgender advocates passed in the Senate on a 29 to 6 vote Tuesday. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell’s bill prohibits transgender females from competing against women. Mizell says the legislation has wide support.

Cut 14 (07)  “…believe in.”

On the Senate floor, Alexandria Democrat Senator Jay Luneau spoke in opposition, because the Louisiana High School Athletic Association already has regulations prohibiting transgender females from competing against biological females and it’s not an issue in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (11)  “…State of Louisiana.”

Mizell responded to Luneau’s statement about LHSAA and says they told her the legislation merely clarifies the language in their policy.

Cut 16 (07)  “…right now.”

Last year Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation saying the bill was mean-spirited and a solution looking for a problem.

___________________________________________

The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 125-114 to even their playoff series at one game each. Brandon Ingram put on a show, finishing with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Here’s head coach Willie Green on where this performance ranks in Ingram’s career.

Cut 17 (12) “ …on display tonight.” 

It was an unlikely victory for the Pelicans, with the worst record in the playoffs, over the team with the best record in the league. Green has been praised all season for his part in turning the Pels’ season around, but he says the credit shouldn’t come to him.

Cut 18 (20) “ …do it every game.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast April 19

The Senate passed Senator Beth Mizell’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bill 29-6 Thursday. The bill has received opposition from transgender advocates, and this is the same bill that Governor Edwards vetoed last year. The bill prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports in Louisiana. The bill now heads to the House.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves legislation that would transfer regulatory authority from the state department of agriculture to the Louisiana Department of Health. Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s bill also allows medical marijuana licensed pharmacy owners to open multiple locations…

Cut 7 (09) “…pharmacy locations” 
The bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana meets defeat in a Senate committee. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson argued for her bill before the Judiciary C and says Louisiana is only one of 27 states that still sentenced people to death and it should stop…:

Cut 4 (15)  “…have in their hands.”

Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010, and the state’s last death sentence was handed out in 2020. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell worries Jackson’s bill forgets the rights of survivors of a capital crime…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…a right to ask for.”

The bill was voted down by a 5-to-1 vote, and will not move forward this session

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 19

The New Orleans Pelicans will be trying to buck some historical trends in tonight’s Game two of their opening-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, as they trail one game to none. Since arriving in 2002, no New Orleans team has ever won game two of a series after losing game one. That’s oh-and-five all-time. Coach Willie Green hopes the effort that he saw as his team cut a 23-point deficit to six in the fourth quarter on Sunday night carries over to tonight’s performance.

Cut 22 (14) “…to do it.”

Tip-off is at 9 pm.

LSU adds depth to its secondary via the transfer portal. Brian Kelly announced on Tuesday that Sevyn Banks, a two-year starter at corner for Ohio State has been added to the roster. In four years with the Buckeyes, Banks appeared in 36 games with 15 starts, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2020.

It’s a busy night for college baseball as the 22nd-ranked LSU Tigers host the Ragin Cajuns in the Wally Pontiff Junior Classic. The Bayou Bengals were swept by Arkansas last weekend, while the Cajuns are 9-and-6 in the Sun Belt after taking two of three from ULM. U-L Lafayette Coach Matt Deggs believes his team is primed to make a run in the second half of the conference schedule…

Cut 16 (17) “….trip to Atlanta”

The Cajuns are at Georgia State this weekend.

Back to tonight’s schedule, La Tech begins a five-game home stand by hosting Little Rock. Southern is at Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana hosts South Alabama, and last night McNeese doubled up Sam Houston eight to four for its 20th win of the season.

4:30 LRN Newscast April 19

A Baton Rouge man is charged with murder, after stabbing a woman to death while it was sent out live on Facebook. Brooke Thorington reports on the arrest of Earl Johnson, Jr…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Now that a federal judge has struck down a federal mask mandate, travelers are urged to check with their airport and/or airline to see what their individual policy may be for COVID safety. Many air carriers have made masks voluntary, but there are still some airports requiring them. If you’re flying soon, you may want to check out where you’ll be expected to have a mask handy.

 

A Bastrop man is under arrest for allegedly setting two arson fires in Morehouse Parish. An abandoned funeral home and an unoccupied nearby house were both torched within an hour of each other on April 3rd. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 28-year-old Jamie Wall has been charged with aggravated arson for one fire, simple arson for the other and with criminal trespass. Rodrigue credits the Morehouse Sheriff’s Office and Bastrop firefighters, and the public for helping with a speedy arrest…:

CUT 14(11)      “…without even asking.”

Legislation to expand the state’s medical marijuana program moves past a House committee. The bill moves oversight to the Department of Health and away from Ag & Forestry. Bill sponsor Tanner McGee of Houma says many were critical the Ag Department was hindering distribution intentionally…:

CUT 06(100     “…program overall”

The bill moves to the House floor for debate.