Today is the start of the 2022 legislative session. Don Molino looks at the issues that legislators will discuss over the next three months…
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Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them, because of the over two-billion dollars in one-time revenues they can spend. The governor is also expected to make another push for raising the minimum wage.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is supporting a Senate Bill which clarifies that policyholders can collect additional living expense benefits when they evacuate…
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Many people evacuated from Hurricane Ida last year, but State Farm refused to pay policyholders for expenses because an official evacuation order was not called.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police oversight committee that he recommended to his supervisor one of the troopers involved in the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene in 2019 should be fired, but the recommendation fell on deaf ears. Senator Cleo Fields hopes Lt. Brown’s testimony doesn’t cost him his job…
cut 15 (13) “…agitates me”

The 2022 legislative session begins Monday and it’s expected to provide a lot of spirited debate. Last year the governor vetoed an anti-transgender bill that would have prevented biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill and the governor may not veto it this year
Cut 5 (10) “…doing that.”
Also back for the 2022 session is the bill that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns without needing a permit, safety training, and background check. The governor vetoed this legislation last year.

Even though there are no more statewide COVID restrictions in place, Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislation has been filed to restrict future governors from imposing similar restrictions…
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The session must end on June 6th.

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.
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A light dusting of snow blanketed North Louisiana this morning, but it will not last long as temperatures are slowly warming. Be prepared for a windy day today and below-freezing temperatures for much of the state tomorrow morning. There’s a slight risk for severe weather for northwest Louisiana Monday afternoon and night.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police Oversight committee that he recommended one of the troopers involved in the Ronald Greene case should be fired, but his immediate supervisor did not follow his advice. Brown made that revelation as he was questioned by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson…
Cut 13 (07) “…Greene incident.”
Greene died in 2019 in State Police custody. Body camera video shows he was beaten and tased before his death. A federal investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been handed down.

Tomorrow morning Daylight Saving Time begins and studies show setting your clock forward and potentially losing an hour of sleep can impact your heart health. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says once DayLight Saving Time begins it takes two days to get adjusted
Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”
Smart says going to bed an hour earlier tonight can help and also laying off the alcohol.

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:
Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them as the state has two-point-eight billion dollars in one-time revenue to spend. Insurance reform, teacher and first responder pay, raising the minimum wage will be other topics the governor is expected to address.

North Louisiana residents woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning and now get ready for a cold and windy Saturday. Gusts of 35 to 40 miles per hour are possible today. The high-temperature today will be in the low 50s and there’s a chance we can break some record lows tomorrow as temperatures will get down to the mid to upper 20s.

Also Sunday morning, Daylight Saving Time begins. Brooke Thorington reports moving the clocks forward one hour can impact your health…
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Before passing a $1.5-trillion government funding bill this week, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment adding over $2-billion for further recovery from Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. It was brought by our two senators, John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy. Cassidy says despite federal help already sent, there’s still a big need. He says he’ll keep doing whatever he can to help with the recovery…:
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Congressman Garret Graves introduces a bill to create a special postage stamp that will help raise money to combat Louisiana’s invasive species – like the nutria, the Asian Carp and more. He says his bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. House…:
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Nutria are known to damage coastal marshes and feed on young cypress trees – weakening the marsh ecosystem.

The state legislature starts its yearly regular session Monday. Kevin Gallagher looks at some of what’s to come…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says they’ve hired an outside consultant to conduct a $1.5 million review of the agency. Davis says they are owning it and fixing it as the agency has been plagued with numerous scandals and is under federal investigation for the 2019 death of Ronald Greene.

The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment from Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy that would have appropriated $2.5-billion in disaster aid to Louisiana for the hurricanes that hit the state in 2020 and 2021. Kennedy tried to attach the amendment to a $1.5- trillion government funding bill. Senator Cassidy says he’s frustrated the amendment did not pass because there are hurricane victims who are desperate for money to rebuild…:

CUT 07(09)      “…blighted neighborhoods.”

Studies show setting your clock forward and losing an hour of sleep can impact your health. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Cardiology Dr. Frank Smart says DayLight it takes two days for one’s hormone levels to stabilize in order to reduce the risk of a cardiac event.

Cut 5 (10) “…time frame.”

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We go back on Daylight Saving Time Saturday night. Not only is the time change unpopular, but it can also impact your health. Brooke Thorington has more..:

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A Bastrop cop is on administrative leave after a video turned up online showing him dragging a half-naked woman across a street toward his patrol car. Her entire lower half is nude. The circumstances of the arrest are under investigation, but his use of force is also under question.

Baton Rouge area Congressman Garret Graves proposes federal legislation to create a special postage stamp featuring the nutria; the money from which would go to helping combat the invasive species. Nutria are known for eating cypress saplings and generally damaging the marshes. Congressman Graves…:

CUT 09(03)      “…on a stamp, right?”

Graves says the bill would also help with other invasive species across Louisiana and elsewhere.

The coronavirus continues to diminish in Louisiana. The state Department of Health reports only 142 new cases today, with 239 in the hospital statewide. Over the two year course of the pandemic, 16,887 Louisianans have died with the virus.

Another quick COVID note: Grambling State University is the latest to lift coronavirus protocols. As of today, masks are no longer required at Grambling. If staff or students WANT to wear them, they may.