Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has a plan to keep the rising cost of gas from sinking the state’s tourism industry. David Grubb has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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A special committee to investigate the 2019 death of Ronald Greene while in police custody meets this afternoon at the capitol. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins is frustrated with hurricane recovery for southwest Louisiana, and he’s asking for federal assistance…again. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The rapidly rising cost of gasoline is impacting commuters on a daily basis, but as we get into festival season and the summer months, how will it impact the state’s tourism industry? Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says step one is encouraging folks to be tourists at home.
Cut 4 (11) “…set up for you.”
Nungesser says to support the more than 400 fairs and festivals about to kick off, targeted marketing will be key. That means an adjustment in strategy and in the use of resources to make sure visitors are aware of and excited about what’s to come.
Cut 5 (10) “…these events successful.”
With the successful return of Mardi Gras, the state was looking to follow a steady upward trend of welcoming back tourists. The fuel crisis has thrown uncertainty back into the mix. Nungesser says his office is going to stay as flexible as it can to get the message out that Louisiana is ready to extend its hospitality to everyone who’s ready to enjoy it.
Cut 6 (12) “…here in Louisiana.”
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Members of a bipartisan special legislative committee to oversee the events surrounding the 2019 death of Ronald Greene, while in police custody, meet this afternoon. Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee says they want to find answers to the many questions that remain unanswered, for example why State Troopers who were involved had their phones wiped.
Cut 7 (12) “…bottom if it.”
Magee says today’s meeting will lay the groundwork for the committee including those they plan to call to testify before the committee.
Cut 8 (10) “…that goes.”
Col Kevin Reeves served as head of State Police from 2017 until his retirement in October 2020. Reeves was named to replace Superintendent Mike Edmonson after he stepped down amid an investigation.
Magee says he hopes the committee finds those involved acted accordingly and followed procedure…
Cut 9 (12) “…troubling.”
Magee says he expects the committee will meet weekly and they want all the questions answered for the sake of Greene’s family.
At 1:30 today the committee will adopt a name and rules, and also discuss committee objectives.
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Louisiana District 3 Congressman Clay Higgins is asking U.S. House and Senate leaders to include more disaster relief funding for Louisiana, as they race to meet a federal budget deadline. Mr. Higgins says the damage done by Hurricanes Laura, Delta & Zeta in 2020 and then Ida this past fall was massive, and so…:
Cut 10 (08) “…gonna fall short.”
Higgins says Louisiana has received about $600-million in federal aid, and red tape – at both the federal and state levels – is slowing the speed with which is gets to those who need to rebuild their lives and businesses. In a letter sent Monday, he asks House & Senate leaders to find a way to get another $400-million for Louisiana’s recovery into a new omnibus funding bill…:
Cut 11 (13) “…state that I serve.”
Higgins is aware that many residents in District 3 have grown tired of waiting for substantial recovery funds to flow to “street level.” He says money is needed for homes, businesses, schools, infrastructure and future disaster mitigation, but the wheels of federal and state government grind slowly. He asks for patience…:
Cut 12 (12) “…required by law.”
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Covington Representative Paul Hollis wants to outlaw citations issued by traffic cameras in Louisiana. Hollis says the only studies that show cameras impact traffic safety are by the companies that operate them and keep a large portion of the fees they collect.
Cut 13 (12) “…what does.”
Hollis has filed two bills for the session that begins next week to eliminate traffic cameras. One is House Bill 85 which if passed would allow the matter to be voted on by constitutional amendment in Louisiana and Hollis believes it would pass by a huge margin.
Cut 14 (07) “…dust bin.”
The other is House Bill 181 which would prohibit the splitting of profits, fees, and commissions of traffic fines from a private entity or company. Hollis says the traffic cameras are a money grab by municipalities and with the economy so dire their use needs to stop.
Cut 15 (09) “…big government.”
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LSU has added another piece to its offensive arsenal on the gridiron with the addition of former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels spent three seasons with the Sun Devils, passing for more than six thousand yards. LSU beat writer, Brody Miller of The Athletic, says adding Daniels just makes sense.
Cut 16 (14) “…massive upside.”
One element that Daniels brings that LSU had been lacking is mobility at the quarterback position. In 2021, he rushed for more than 700 yards and has topped 13-hundred for his career with 16 touchdowns. Miller says with the talent that LSU has in the backfield and at the receiver spot if Daniels pans out it could be explosive.
Cut 17 (21) “ …in the pocket.”
The player who could be impacted the most by the arrival of Jayden Daniels? Myles Brennan. Brennan flirted with transferring after last season and was convinced to return. With Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard waiting in the wings, if Brennan loses out on the starting job, Miller says Myles could be on the move again.
Cut 18 (18) “ ..on the table.”
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