Is Louisiana headed in the “wrong direction?” A new LSU public opinion poll indicates two-thirds of us think, “yes.” Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 01  (32)        “…Jeff Palermo.”

State Police say an Ascension Parish man was killed last night when – for reasons unknown – he stopped his car in the middle of westbound Interstate 10 and got out. 39-year-old Kyle Ripple was struck by two separate vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Why he stopped in the middle of a travel lane instead of pulling over is not yet known.

More than three years after the shooting death of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker has been convicted of second-degree murder. Video of the shooting was critical to the case, as jurors saw the fatal confrontation from multiple angles. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore applauded his prosecutors for their work and thanked the jury for reaching a guilty verdict…:

CUT 03(12)      “…actually was.”

Simpson faces a mandatory life sentence.

At the Capitol, a bill that would have forbidden grocers and other shops from bagging your goods in those familiar plastic bags was pulled from consideration, after the bill sponsor received a lot of pushback from committee members and citizens – like grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair, who feels the bill unfairly singles out grocers as a primary source of litter…:

CUT 07(09)      “…the place.”

An East Baton Rouge Parish man is found guilty of the murder of LSU basketball standout Wayde Simms back in 2018. 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson faces a mandatory life sentence for gunning Simms down outside a North Baton Rouge sandwich shop as he tried to break up a fight. Simms dad, Wayne Simms – who also played for LSU as a youth – spoke for the family of Simpson’s conviction…:

CUT 05  (12)        “…the best we can.”

Good news for folks in lower Lafourche Parish: Ochsner Health Center in Lockport has re-opened its doors for the first time since Hurricane Ida did major damage to the facility last August. In the time since then, patients needing care in that region had to travel to Raceland or Matthews. The re-opening signifies progress in the long-term recovery from the Category 4 hurricane.

At the Capitol, the House Criminal Justice Committee passes a bill that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit; providing they are a non-felon over 21. Oil City GOP Representative Danny McCormick is the bill sponsor. In support, Chalmette Republican Ray Garafalo who says if criminals can carry a hidden pistol, why not potential crime victims…?

CUT 14  (12)        “…that a criminal has?”

St. Martinville Democrat Marcus Bryant says removing restrictions on gun carrying concerns him…:

CUT 13  (07)        “…real crazy.”

The “yeas” outnumbered the “nays”, so the bill now goes to the full House for debate. The same bill reached final passage last year, but was vetoed by Governor Edwards. A veto override attempt failed, but by a thin margin.

A bill to allow so-called Constitutional Concealed Carry of firearms passes the House Criminal Justice Committee. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02  (34)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

Police in New Iberia are seeking four women they say attacked and badly beat a woman inside a restaurant last weekend. Cops say cellphone video shows the group savagely kicking and stomping the woman – even as she tries to flee the attack. All four have been identified and will be booked with aggravated battery and other charges, once caught.

A New Orleans area senator defers his bill to ban single-use plastic bags after hearing opposition from grocery store owners. Marrero Republican Patrick Connick says his measure is an effort to reduce litter, but Ascension Parish businessman Brandon Trosclair says the bill is not a solution to the state’s litter problem…:

CUT 06(10)      “…out there. One percent”

Trosclair also doesn’t like the bill singling out groceries as a litter source. Realizing he didn’t have enough votes to get it past the committee, Connick withdrew the measure.

A new LSU research poll shows two-thirds of the state’s people feel Louisiana is headed in a bad direction. LSU Manship School research director Mike Henderson says concerns about crime have doubled and confidence in government to solve problems is at its lowest in over a decade…:

CUT 11(07)      “…about 2010.”

Read the report at “pprlsu.com/projects”

66-percent of the adults who participated in an LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll say the state is heading in the wrong direction. LSU Manship School associate professor Doctor Michael Henderson says respondents point to the economy, education, and infrastructure as the most pressing issues…

Cut 10 (07) “…disconnect.”

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More than three years after the shooting death of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker has been convicted of second-degree murder. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore applauded his prosecutors for their work and thanked the jury for reaching a guilty verdict. Moore said ultimately though he believes justice was served, there is no joy to be taken from yesterday’s verdict. At least two families will have to live with the aftermath of that night forever.

Cut 4 (12) “…losing a son.”

Sims was killed while attempting to break up a fight at a party on September 28, 2018.

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On a ten to three vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approved legislation to allow non-felons 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is the author of the measure and says people should not have to pay for a permit to conceal carry. Current law requires gun training in order to receive a permit, and St. Martinville Representative Marcus Bryant expressed concern about removing instruction.

Cut 13 (07) “…real crazy.”

When asked if he had support from law enforcement, McCormick responded he had local support and that he had not spoken with State Police. LSP Superintendent Col Lamar Davis spoke in opposition saying legal conceal carry puts law enforcement at a disadvantage and the training one receives with their permit is invaluable to keep others safe.

In closing statements, McCormick says the state constitution is specific about a citizen’s right to bear arms.

Cut 15 (09) “…strict scrutiny.”

A survey conducted by LSU finds two-thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is headed in the wrong direction. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee approved legislation to allow non-felons 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Baton Rouge Rep. Denise Marcelle voted against the bill.

Cut 12 (13) “…poor people.”

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More than three years after the shooting death of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, 23-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker has been convicted of second-degree murder. Video of the shooting was critical to the case, as jurors saw the fatal confrontation from multiple angles. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore applauded his prosecutors for their work and thanked the jury for reaching a guilty verdict.

Cut 3 (12) “…actually was.”

Simpson did not testify in his own defense and faces a mandatory life sentence.

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66-percent of the adults who participated in an LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll say the state is heading in the wrong direction.  LSU Manship School associate professor Doctor Michael Henderson says only 26-percent say the state is heading in the right direction…
cut 9 (06) “…2004”
Just over 600 adults participated in the online survey.

A University of New Orleans research poll shows falling approval numbers for Governor John Bel Edwards. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says 38-percent of persons surveyed said they approve of the job Edwards is doing…:
Cut 10 (12) “…the death of Ronald Greene.”
A similar poll in 2020 had Edwards’ approval rating at 56-percent.

On a ten to three vote, the House Criminal Justice Committee approved legislation to allow non-felons 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Baton Rouge Rep. Denise Marcelle voted against it and says issuing gun permits is vital to know who has the legal right to carry.
Cut 12 (13) “…poor people.”
Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is the author of the measure and says people should not have to pay for a permit to conceal carry.

Cleco announces the company will invest 900-million dollars to reduce carbon emissions at the largest of its nine electric generation units in Louisiana. CEO Bill Fontenot.…
Cut 4 (12) “…economic development.”
Cleco calls the project Diamond Vault and estimates it will create up to 40 direct jobs and over one-thousand construction jobs.

Two bills to allow non-felons to conceal carry a gun without a permit in Louisiana are in legislative committees today. Last year Governor Edwards vetoed the legislation because it omitted training. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ legislation requires an online hour course on gun safety, but Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s legislation removes training and the entire permit process.

Cut 9 (10)  “…those rights.”

McCormick’s bill is currently being heard in House Criminal Justice and Morris’s is scheduled in Senate Judiciary C.

A one-vehicle accident in East Baton Rouge Parish involving 11 children results in the driver, Leticia Brothers, who is also the mother of all the children, facing cruelty to juvenile charges. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says when officers arrived on the scene Sunday night, they noticed an SUV had flipped several times.

Cut 13 (09) “…by AirMed.”

No major injuries were reported.

A new University of New Orleans research poll shows fewer than 40-percent of persons approve of the job Governor Edwards is doing, a similar poll conducted in 2020 showed a 56-percent approval rating. UNO political science professor Dr. Ed Chervenak says it’s not uncommon for a governor to see approval numbers wane as the years wear on, however…:

Cut 12 (13) “…magnitude of the drop.”

Cleco will invest nearly one billion dollars to reduce carbon emissions at their plant in in Lena. CEO Bill Fontenot says they have already secured $9-million in federal monies to help pay for the project and consumers won’t see rate changes.

Cut 5 (12) “…sequestering carbon.”