I’m Kevin Gallagher with today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network

A panel of state lawmakers continue investigating the roadside death of Ronald Greene in State Police custody back in 2019. At issue, what did the head of LSP at that time – Kevin Reeves – know and when did he know it? Ascension Parish Representative Tony Bacala questions whether Reeves was engaged in the case…:

CUT 13(11)      “…further details”

Reeves says, yes, he WAS responsible for LSP at the time Greene died, but he says he trusts the process and those doing the investigation…:

CUT 14 (14)      “…in the investigation”

Green’s mother, Mona Hardin, says she’s troubled at how reluctant Reeves was to answer questions posed…:

CUT 30(10)      “…directly answered.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is behind Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover’s bill that would create an independent panel to help the Legislature with reapportionment the next time the Legislature holds a redistricting session. Edwards says 18 other states have some type of commission…:

CUT 11(09)      “…rule the day.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report gives Louisiana high marks for the security and integrity of its elections. This is pleasing to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, who says his department has already accepted the Auditor’s recommendations for areas of improvement. He says they’ll looking for best practices to ensure voter record accuracy and ballot counts…:

CUT 05(12)      “…is consistent.”

Former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves tells lawmakers there was no cover-up in the 2019 fatal arrest death of Ronald Greene, but legislators believe he should have been more involved in the investigation. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A Franklinton lawmaker’s bill would ban access of sexually explicit content on state-issued phones and or computers on Louisiana college campuses. Senator Beth Mizell says the tech is in place to do it, and the bill should be easy to pass through both chambers.

There’s been concern about the security and integrity of elections since the 2016 presidential election, but a report from the state Legislative Auditor gives Louisiana’s election systems two thumbs up. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says a score of 99-percent accuracy is great news, but he keeps working to improve on that…:

CUT 04(10)      “…to address that.”

While appearing on “Talk Louisiana” with Jim Engster, former LSU President F. King Alexander talked about the firing of Tigers basketball coach Will Wade. Alexander suspended Wade in 2019 for refusing to meet with university officials to discuss alleged NCAA recruiting violations…:

CUT 09(11)      “…to his suspension.”

Alexander says LSU Board members tend to cater to athletes, rather than seeking diversity and better graduation rates.

Former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves denies allegations that State Police tried to cover up the facts surrounding the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Reeves made the statement while testifying in front of a special legislative committee that’s looking into the death of Greene who died after body camera evidence shows him getting beaten and tazed by State Troopers. Reeves addresses accusations he was disengaged as LSP head, and says he trusts the process of the investigation and the people involved…:

CUT 14(14)      “…in the investigation.”

The U.S. Veterans Administration proposes shuttering the VA hospital in Alexandria; prompting responses from senators Kennedy & Cassidy. In written statements, Senator Bill Cassidy calls the idea “infuriating” and vows to work to assure veterans have access to health care at non-VA facilities. Senator John Kennedy says the VA plan is “unacceptable.”

How safe and secure are Louisiana’s elections? Really safe based on a new report. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge man is in jail; accused of killing his girlfriend and her 2-year-old son and dumping their bodies in separate locations. BRPD Lt. Don Coppola says that’s two murder charges, but a third may be coming because the victim MAY have been pregnant…:

CUT 07(06)      “…those determinations.”

A 20-year old Baton Rouge man is being held for the disappearance and deaths of his girlfriend and her 2-year old son. BRPD spokesman Lt. Don Coppola says Brynnen Murphy was brought in and questioned by investigators…:

CUT 06(10)      “…were later recovered.”

The victims are 24-year-old Kaylen Johnson and her son, Kayden. They went missing March 11^th. Kaylen may have been up to five months pregnant when she was killed.

At the Capitol, a panel of lawmakers continues looking into the roadside death on Ronald Greene in 2019. Greene’s family was told by State Police he died in a crash, but body cam footage shows him taking a severe beating from troopers. Panel member Rep. Tony Bacala feels then State Police head Kevin Reeves was disengaged…:

CUT 13(11)      “…further details.”

Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Louisiana this week. Ms. Harris will visit Sunset, in St. Landry Parish, to talk about White House endeavors to make high speed Internet available to low-income homes statewide. The VP will be here Friday.

Election security has been a major topic of discussion dating back to the 2016 presidential election, and in 2021 the Louisiana Legislative Auditor began a review of the Department of State to determine whether election security and integrity were preserved. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the report confirms what he already knew…:

CUT 03(13)      “…they deserve.”

Louisiana Uber drivers are speaking out, after the company added a 45-to-55-cent surcharge to all rides. The move was to help offset drivers’ gasoline costs, but Uber drivers themselves say it is pitifully little and won’t even come close to off-setting the high prices of gas. Drivers plan a one-day walkout to protest on the 17^th.

Former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves denies allegations that State Police tried to cover up the facts surrounding the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Reeves made the statement while testifying in front of a special legislative committee that’s looking into the death of Greene who died after body camera evidence shows him getting beaten and tased by State Troopers…
cut 12 (06) “…cover up anything”
Lawmakers on the panel have accused Reeves of being disengaged and not doing more to follow up after learning there was a violent struggle that turned deadly with a motorist in Union Parish.

Baton Rouge Police have charged 20-year-old Brynnen Murphy with murder after his 24-year-old girlfriend Kaylen Johnson and her two-year-old son were found dead in two separate locations.
cut 8 (07) “….Thruway area”
That’s Baton Rouge Police Lieutenant Don Coppola who says Murphy told detectives where the bodies were located.

In his State of the State speech to begin the legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his priorities for lawmakers to address. In addition to giving teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise, Edwards also wants to give a $100-a-month pay hike to first responders; like law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Cut 27 (14) “…the public deserves it.”

In an appearance on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, former LSU President F. King Alexander was asked about the firing of basketball coach Will Wade. Alexander suspended Wade in 2019 for his refusal to meet with university officials to discuss the investigation swirling at the time.
Cut 9 (11) “…was all about.”
Alexander and then-athletic director Joe Alleva received a lot of criticism from fans and board members for suspending Wade, but Alexander believes Alleva took the appropriate action.

Previous legislation to ban access to sexually explicit content on state-issued phones and computers gave universities an exception to the rule under the guise of research. Brooke Thorington has more on legislation to remove the exception.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana State Police has hired a firm to conduct a comprehensive and independent review and assessment of LSP policies, procedures, training, and overall culture. Here’s trooper Dustin Dwight.

Cut 4 (09) “…organizational areas.”

— Break

In his annual State of the State speech, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out some of his priorities for lawmakers to address, including dedicating $550-million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to refill Louisiana’s depleted Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund., which took a hard hit from the COVID pandemic.

Cut 9 (13) “…need right now.”

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A recent state report showed that nearly 50-thousand students go without their regular teacher each day. State Representative Rick Edmonds wants to create inducements to bring retired educators back to school. He says some rules would have to be temporarily relaxed in order to provide those incentives, including one that caps what teachers can earn if they do return to a public school position.

Cut 11 (12)  “… a bit more money.”

20-year old Brynnen Murphy is being held in connection with the deaths and disappearances of his girlfriend 24-year old Kaylen Johnson and her son 2-year old Kayden. Lt. Don Coppola with the Baton Rouge Police Department Johnson and her son were last seen on March 5th and reported missing March 11th. When asked about a motive and how the victims were killed, Coppola responded…

Cut 7 (06) “…determinations” 

He says Murphy told investors where they could find the bodies.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to ban access to sexually explicit or pornographic content by anyone using state-issued phones and or computers at colleges and universities.  Mizell says while it’s already enforced among state offices it now adds postsecondary education to the adopting the policy.

Cut 13 (10) “…not acceptable.”

Governor John Bel Edwards lays out his legislative priorities for the regular session during his State of the State address.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Special Committee to inquire into the circumstances and investigation of the death of Ronald Greene will hear testimony from former LSP Superintendents Col Mike Edmonson, Col Kevin Reeves.