The bill that would increase hunting and fishing license fees for commercial and residential users continues to make progress through the state legislature. The measure has received House approval and more adjustments were made today in the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says he’s working with a lot of different parties so no one gets hurt too badly by the fee increases…
cut 12 (09) “….middle ground”

The state legislature also seems poised to pass a bill that would allow citizens 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The House-passed bill cleared the Senate Judiciary B committee today, despite objections from Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver…
cut 15 (11) “…killed
Governor Edwards is opposed to this legislature and could veto it once it reaches his desk.

Southwest Louisiana continues to struggle with recovery from the 2020 hurricanes and today marks the beginning of the 2021 season. Brooke Thorington has more.
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State Police report a Vicksburg, Mississippi man is dead after a standoff law enforcement. L-S-P says the incident happened yesterday when 29-year-old Michael Jackson barricaded himself in his vehicle on U-S Highway 65 north Tallulah. Jackson was wanted on several offenses, including dragging a Warren County Sheriff’s deputy. State Police say after several hours of negotiations Jackson approached LSP personnel and attempted to draw his handgun, which is when he was fataly shot.

US Senator John Kennedy announces he’s officially running for reelection in 2022. Kennedy, a Democrat until 2007, served as a lawyer to Governor Roemer and Revenue Secretary under Governor Foster before winning the 1999 race for State Treasurer.

Cut 7 (13) “…values.” 

UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Kennedy most likely won’t face a real challenger from within the Republican Party, giving him the freedom to use this reelection to pad his election bank account for a future move.

Cut 9 (11) “…impeachment.”

Governor Edwards has stated he planned to finish out his term and return to the private sector.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee has passed House-approved legislation that would raise recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses. Bill author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, says the restructuring of hunting and fishing licenses is needed because the Conversation Fund which has been funding the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is nearly empty. Bacala on the importance of passing this bill…

Cut 11 (12) “…purposes.”

Senate Judiciary Committee B approves legislation allowing those 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without needing a permit or training. Democratic Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver lambasted the bill saying this will lead to more gun violence.

Cut 13 (07)“..business.”

The proposal is opposed by both the Chiefs of Police Association and Governor Edwards.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season is officially underway and southwest Louisiana continues to struggle from the 2020 season, February’s winter storms and flooding two weeks ago. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says as for recovery it depends on who you ask.

Cut 4 (11) “…the woods.” 

The Senate Natural Resources Committee has passed House-approved legislation that would raise recreational and commercial hunting and fishing licenses. Chairman of the governor’s shrimp task force, George Barisich, opposes the legislation.

Cut 10 (08) “…proposal.”

The bill’s author, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, says the restructuring of hunting and fishing licenses, which will lead to fee increases, is needed because the Conversation Fund which has been funding the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is nearly empty.

Republican US Senator John Kennedy says he’s running for reelection in 2022. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season is officially underway and southwest Louisiana continues recovery efforts from the last season along with other weather woes. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says they hope they’ll receive a break this season.

Cut 3 (09)  “…I suppose.” 

NOAA predicts the Atlantic will have six to ten hurricanes this year.

Starting today, you can get a free drink at a participating restaurant and bar if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 within the preceding seven days. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says it’s a fun way to get more people vaccinated…

Cut 11 (08) “…before COVID.”
The Louisiana Restaurant Association will partially reimburse restaurants and bars for handing out the drinks as part of their “Shot for a Shot” campaign.

US Senator John Kennedy announces he is running for reelection in 2022. The Mississippi-born, Zachary-raised Republican says it’s been an honor to serve the state in D.C.

Cut 6 (11) “..again”

Kennedy won the US Senate seat in 2016. It took Kennedy three tries to win his Senate seat, first losing as a Democrat in the 2004 open seat race, then failing to unseat incumbent Mary Landrieu in 2008.

UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Kennedy will have a relatively stress-free reelection. Cross says the only Democrat who could potentially put up a real fight is Governor Edwards…

Cut 8 (7) “…at least” 

Cross says Kennedy most likely won’t face a real challenger from within the Republican Party.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today, and NOAA expects we’ll get an above-average number of named storms this year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Gunfire across the state led to several deaths of young people over the holiday weekend. A teenager was fatally shot in Shreveport last night. Three people were killed in Baton Rouge last night and one of the victims was a toddler. And a 12-year-old girl in New Orleans was killed in a drive-by shooting in New Orleans on Sunday night in the Lower Ninth Ward.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up legislation this week that would make a temporary portion of the state sales tax permanent and use that money on major highway projects. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward on how the money can be used…

cut 14 (11) “…north shore”
But critics say the temporary sales tax of .45-percent that’s set to expire in mid-2025 should roll off the books because lawmakers promised that would be the result when approved in 2018.

The ‘Shot for a Shot’ month-long campaign kicks off today in Louisiana. It is a joint effort with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the Louisiana Restaurant Association to incentivize more residents to get vaccinated for COVID. ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier (Leh-jay)  this is the first of several vaccine incentive programs.

Cut 12 (06) “…near future.”

The Senate Finance Committee will take up legislation this week that would turn the .45 percent of the state’s sale tax expiring in 2025 into a long-term infrastructure-only dedication. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says by 2025 his proposal would generate 350 to 380 million dollars a year to build new infrastructure and repair aging roads and bridges.
Cut 13 (10) “…infrastructure.”
Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich opposes the effort as the state GOP says the legislators promised this portion of the state sales tax would go away in 2025 when it was approved in 2018.

Today marks the start of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season and another above-average hurricane season is predicted. State Climatologist Barry Keim says because of increased activity over the last several years, the storm total for what is considered an average season has gone up…
cut 5 (08) “…new normal”
NOAA predicts 13 to 20 named storms this year.

Starting today, you can get a free drink at a participating restaurant and bar if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 within the preceding seven days. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says it’s a fun way to get more people vaccinated…
cut 11 (08) “..before COVID”
The ATC and the Louisiana Restaurant Association will partially reimburse restaurants and bars for handing out the drinks as part of their “Shot for a Shot” campaign.

Legislation is awaiting discussion on the Senate floor that would set up a grant program for the 180-million dollars the state is receiving from the federal government to expand high-speed internet to rural areas. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel…
cut 8 (11) “….of next year”

A Port Allen Senator wants to take the roughly half percentage point of sales tax that is set to expire in 2025 and extend it long term but dedicate it solely to infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

U-S Senator John Kennedy has announced he’s running for re-election. Kennedy will seek his second six-year term in 2022. There has been no talk of any major challengers.

State Police is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in St. Mary Parish. Very few details have been released. We know one person is dead and State Police detectives are investigating.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today and forecasters predict another above-average season. NOAA estimates 13 to 20 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because the odds are low of an El Nino forming.
Cut 4 (10)”… to be weak.”
GOHSEP is encouraging residents to have a game plan ready if a storm approaches Louisiana’s coast.

A bill that creates a grant program for the $180-billion dollars in federal funds dedicated for broadband expansion in the state heads to the Senate floor today. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says House Bill 648 establishes a structure in which unserved communities can apply for funding.
Cut 7 (12) “…that grant.”
Deshotel says the state currently has about 1.2 million residents who do not have access to broadband.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today and forecasters expect an above-average number of named storms this year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Gunfire across the state led to several deaths of young people over the holiday weekend. A teenager was fatally shot in Shreveport last night. Three people were killed in Baton Rouge last night and one of the victims was a toddler. And a 12-year-old girl in New Orleans was killed in a drive-by shooting in New Orleans on Sunday night in the Lower Ninth Ward.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up legislation this week that would make a temporary portion of the state sales tax permanent and use that money on major highway projects. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward on how the money can be used…
cut 14 (11) “…north shore”
But critics say the temporary sales tax of .45-percent that’s set to expire in mid-2025 should roll off the books because lawmakers promised that would be the result when approved in 2018.

The ‘Shot for a Shot’ campaign kicks off today. Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier (Leh-jay) says during June you can get a free shot at participating bars or restaurants by showing proof you have been vaccinated in the last seven days.
Cut 10 (07) “…nonalcoholic beverage.”
Legier says ATC and the LRA came up with the campaign when the governor asked state agencies to submit ideas for vaccine incentives