Governor Edwards makes legislation allowing sexual assault victims to break their rental leases early the first bill signed into law of the 2021 regular legislative session. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says previously the law only allowed renters to break their lease early if they were assaulted in a domestic situation…

Cut 6 (09) “..survivors”

The law went into effect yesterday.

Despite support from the highly influential Louisiana Sheriffs Association, a compromise bill limiting law enforcement officer’s ability to claim civil immunity in wrongful death and injury cases was defeated by a Senate committee. Veteran Shreveport police officer Kevin Goodwin says cops don’t make enough money to carry malpractice insurance.

Cut 10 (10) “…my children.”

A 30 million dollar rehabilitation of the Mississippi River Bridge on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge in Madison Parish was built about 50 years ago and like any interstate corridor, it is well-traveled.

Cut 3 (10)  “…itself.” 

The bridge also new LED lighting, cameras, and radar that are integrated into Mississippi’s IT network.

A tragic boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish high schooler. The victim has been identified as Cavalry Baptist Academy football player Hayden “Lane” Mangum. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says he was out fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.

Cut 12 (09)   “…middle ground.” 

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. The law also allows landlords to immediately evict a tenant if they are documented as the individual who perpetrated the assault. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre notes there are some stipulations…

Cut 8 (12) “…before.” 

The law went into effect Tuesday.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Shreveport Police Officers Association president Michael Carter voiced his concerns with legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against officers who acted “unreasonable”…

Cut 9 (10) “…huge arguments.”

A boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish teen.  Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis Hayden “Lane” Mangum was killed in the accident when the boat capsized while Mangum was fishing with a close friend. Davis says it’s a tragic, shocking accident.

Cut 14 (11) “…body.” 

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will investigate what led to the capsizing of the boat.

The $30-million Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in addition to resurfacing the structure, there were also corroded bolts and other components of the bridge that were replaced.

Cut 5  (11)  “…that goes.”

A House-approved bill that would have limited law enforcement officer’s ability to shield themselves from civil liability in the event of a wrongful death or injury case was defeated in a Senate committee. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says the Sheriffs Association-backed his bill and knew it wouldn’t drive away good cops like some had suggested…

Cut 11 (09) “…deal with.”

The body of 15-year-old Cavalry Baptist Academy football player was found this morning after an extensive search following a boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway yesterday. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says crews desperately searched through the night for Hayden “Lane” Mangum…

Cut 13 (07)“…capsized”

The Mississippi River bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete in Madison Parish. Brooke Thorington has more on what travelers can expect in northeast Louisiana.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A two vehicle crash in Concordia Parish claims the life of two people, 31-year-old Robert Seals of Jonesville and 35-year-old Naymond Purdion Jr. of Ferriday. An investigation reveals that for reasons unknown a truck driven by Seals crossed the centerline on US 84 near Wildsville and struck another truck head-on, resulting in Purdion and Seals being ejected.

A tragic boating accident near the Lake Bistineau Spillway Tuesday claims the life of a 15-year-old Bossier Parish high school student. The victim has been identified as Cavalry Baptist Academy football player Hayden “Lane” Mangum. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says he was out fishing with his best friend when the incident occurred.

Cut 12 (09)   “…middle ground.” 

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will conduct a full investigation.

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. STAR Legal Director Morgan Lamandre says the new law is similar to an existing law, but it covers a loophole that’s been particularly problematic for students.

Cut 7 (09) “…assaulted.” 

The bill was inspired in large part by the sexual misconduct scandal at LSU.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Veteran Shreveport police officer Kevin Goodwin says if this became law, it would change how officers would police.

Cut 10 (10) “…my children.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s bill received approval from the House and it had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.

An over two-year rehabilitation Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now complete. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in addition to resurfacing the structure, there were also corroded bolts and other components of the bridge that were replaced.

Cut 5  (11)  “…that goes.”

The cost of the project in Madison Parish cost 30-million dollars.

A Senate judiciary committee has voted down a bill that would limit the legal immunity Louisiana police officers have in wrongful death or injury cases. Shreveport Police Officers Association president Michael Carter voiced his concerns with legislation that would allow civil lawsuits against officers who acted “unreasonable” …

Cut 9 (10) “…huge arguments.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s bill received approval from the House and had the backing of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association

An over two-year rehabilitation Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now finished. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the 30-million dollar bridge project in Madison was paid for with both state and federal dollars.

Cut 4 (10) “…of both.” 

Governor Edwards signs into law legislation allowing sexual assault survivors to terminate their lease early. Matt Doyle has more on the law that took effect Tuesday…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The first bill of the session to be signed into law by Governor Edwards is one that would allow sexual assault survivors to terminate their residential leases early. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says this legislation was inspired in large part by all of the LSU students who had their sexual assaults covered up by the school.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, survivors

The assault would have had to have occurred while the tenant was in their current lease property.

The over two-year rehabilitation of the Mississippi River Bridge project on Interstate 20 is now completed. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the bridge in Madison Parish was built about 50 years ago and is well-traveled.

Cut 3 (11)  “…itself.” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry threatens to take LSU to court if it follows through with a request by the Faculty Senate to establish a vaccine mandate similar to ones adopted by about 400 colleges nationwide.

Cut 12 (08) “…disappointing.”

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says while they are reviewing the request “we do not believe we will be able to mandate vaccines on campus.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirms that a single Red Piranha was caught at University Lakes in Baton Rouge last week. Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Robert Bourgeois says the South American native fish with teeth can throw things out of balance in our ecosystem here in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11)  “…all young.”

All piranha species are illegal to possess or sell in Louisiana.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a college vaccine mandate, such as the one being requested by the LSU Faculty Senate, would be illegal.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in St. Mary Parish that occurred early Tuesday morning.  Berwick Police responded to a suspicious person call who then led officers to an on-foot chase Authorities says 37-year-old Robert Pearce of New Iberia then attempted to carjack a women’s car with what appeared to be a handgun. Officers then discharged their weapons and Pearce was pronounced dead on the scene. The handgun was determined to be a BB gun.

Louisiana K-12 schools will educate over 200,000 students for summer school after a year where most students spent a lot of time out of the classroom and in front of screens. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they managed to have 70 percent of students back in the classroom by the end of the school year, but many still need help before the next school year…

Cut 4 (07)”…I know.”

Brumley says to incentivize more summer school attendance they’ve encouraged school systems to use federal funds to create more of a summer camp, and not a traditional summer school experience.

A nasal spray clinical trial is underway to prevent COVID-19. Baton Rouge General Rhinologist Dr. Henry Barham is overseeing the trial in Louisiana and says the spray works differently from the vaccine. The vaccine helps you build up antibodies to fight off the virus when you contract it.

Cut 13 (08) “…first place.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry blasts the LSU Faculty Senate’s request that the school adopts a mandate requiring students be vaccinated to attend classes in the fall. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says he’s “reviewing” the request, but Landry says there’s nothing to review and the mandate would be illegal.
Cut 10 (08) “…right now.”
LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says the school is looking at options and alternatives to a vaccine mandate.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says over 200-thousand kids are enrolled in summer school at public schools. Brumley says to incentivize summer school attendance they encouraged school systems to use federal funds to create more of a summer camp atmosphere…
Cut 5 (12)”…social studies.”
Brumley says if your child is not attending summer school then engage them with some kind of continuing education.

Clinical trials are underway to see if an at-home nasal spray can prevent someone from getting COVID-19. Baton Rouge General Rhinologist Dr. Henry Barham oversees the trial in Louisiana and says the spray works differently from the vaccine. He says the vaccine builds up antibodies to fight off the virus when you contract it.
Cut 13 (08) “…first place.”
Barham says they are looking for around 90 additional participants for the study.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has verified that a Red Prinaha was caught in the University Lakes in Baton Rouge last week. The Red Prinaha is native to South America and the fish is illegal to possess or sell in Louisiana. Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator Robert Bourgeois says they are checking to see if there are more Red-bellied Piranha in the LSU lakes…
cut 9 (08) “….winter temperatures”
LDWF believes this was a pet released into the University Lakes.