Republican Congressman Clay Higgins is reintroducing a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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A Hammond man is charged with second-degree murder after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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One restaurant across from the site of the College World Series is gearing up for the onslaught of LSU fans. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Southwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress. Originally introduced in 2018, the legislation calls for at least one drug test per term, with positive results referred to the Committee on Ethics. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan.
Cut 4 (09) “…voting against it.”
Higgins, who first proposed the idea after taking a drug test himself as a law enforcement officer, insists the measure is serious. Hogan says this allows Higgins to promote clean living and law and order.
Cut 5 (06) “…would oppose it.”
Higgins says he has seen “behavior that would cause one to wonder,” reinforcing his motivation for reintroducing the bill. Though Hogan says the Congressman didn’t provide any specific examples in his statement.
Cut 6 (10) “…I don’t know.”
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A Hammond man is arrested after his 21-month-old daughter dies in a hot vehicle in Madisonville over the weekend. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says 35-year-old Joseph Boatman picked up his daughter from work.
Cut 7 (14) “…inside the car.”
Lieutenant Carboni says the girl was buckled into that car seat for more than nine hours.
Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon.”
Carboni says alcohol likely played a role in Boatman’s lack of sound judgment.
Cut 9 (08) “…multiple alcoholic beverages.”
When the girl was finally discovered unresponsive Sunday afternoon, the temperature was in the 90s, with a heat index of more than 100 degrees. Boatman is booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on a charge of second-degree murder.
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With LSU and their rabid fans headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one restaurant across the street from Charles Schwab Field is getting ready. Every year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sells Jell-O shots in the colors of the eight participating teams for five dollars apiece. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says when LSU went two years ago, they really cleaned up.
Cut 10 (09) “…happens this year.”
Culjat says to get ready for LSU’s arrival, they’re stocking 120-thousand Jell-O shots. He says the Jell-O shot tradition took off a couple years ago when social media got wind of it, so he decided to keep it going for a worthy cause.
Cut 11 (08) “…shot sold locally.” ($1 for every Jell-O shot is donated to the team’s local food bank)
Culjat says with another good year this year, they will hit a milestone.
Cut 12 (09) “…that pretty easy.”
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The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year. It contains 30 million dollars in high-dosage tutoring for students as well as 199-million for teacher stipends. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there is a 45-million-dollar difference in spending for the L-A GATOR scholarship program, which is the state’s new voucher program.
Cut 13 (08) “…cutting it back.”
The LA Gator funding debate has Governor Landry at odds with Senate President Cameron Henry. Pinsonat says Henry wants to keep funding for LA Gator at the same level as the state’s current voucher program, but Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.
Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”
The Louisiana Legislature has until 6 p-m Thursday to approve a budget, because that’s when the legislative session must come to an end. Pinsonat says the insurance reform legislation was completed a couple of weeks ago. He says it was a top priority for the Landry administration and lawmakers…
Cut 15 (08) “…concentration.”
A bill that received final legislative passage on Monday creates an individual income tax credit for residents who pay for a fortified roof that can help reduce storm damage during a high wind weather event. Supporters say a fortified roof can also help lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.
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LSU baseball has completed the road to Omaha. They are one of eight teams that are in the College World Series. Right fielder Jake Brown says the team’s resiliency has been positive characteristic this season.
Cut 16 (15) “…toughness.”
Brown was an LSU recruit when the Tigers won the national championship in 2023 and he’s thrilled to be part of Jay Johnson’s second LSU team that he’s brought to the C-W-S.
Cut 17 (11) “…go play.”
LSU left fielder Derek Curiel says the team is playing its best baseball at the right time.
Cut 18 (12) “…some fun.”