The Louisiana House has approved the bill that would let St. Tammany Parish voters decide if they want a riverboat casino in Slidell. Opponents say it will result in increased human trafficking and immoral behavior. Covington Representative Mark Wright addressed those concerns…
Cut 8 (12) “…a vote”
The measure heads to the Senate, but an identical bill in the Senate has not received approval from the Senate Finance Committee.

Gas prices have increased nearly a dime in the last week to a statewide average of $2.72 for a regular gallon of gasoline. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says there’s enough gasoline to meet the increasing demand. He says a big issue at the moment is distribution…
Cut 10 (11) “..truck drivers.”

An LSU legend has retired from playing basketball. Brooke Thorington looks back at the career of future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Former Lady Techster standout and current LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey will be enshrined into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Saturday. She’s the only person in college basketball history to win a national championship as a head coach, assistant coach, and as a player. The Tickfaw native also won a Gold Medal in 1984.

Gas prices are now up eight cents over the week in Louisiana. AAA analyst Don Redman says the increase in local prices is not really due to the cyber-attack on a major pipeline that led to supply shortages on the East Coast this week.

Cut 9 (09) “…pipeline”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s frustrated with how long it took the CDC to put out recommendations stating those who are vaccinated don’t have to mask up or social distance in most indoor settings. He says this delay on an obvious policy hurts the agency’s credibility, but at least it’s better late than never.

Cut 5  (11)  “…vaccinated”

The state department of health says approximately 30-percent of Louisianans are fully vaccinated.

Legislation allowing St. Tammany residents to vote on whether a casino should be built on the water in Slidell is approved by the House. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Saints 2021 schedule came out this week and the Black and Gold’s first home game is September 12th against Green Bay. A team spokesperson says they plan on playing their games this season in front of a full stadium.  The Saints have no intention of requiring that fans provide any confirmation of a Covid vaccination to attend games, but vaccines are encouraged.

The House approves legislation that would allow St. Tammany voters the chance to vote on whether or not a waterfront casino should be built just outside Slidell. The bill was brought by Slidell Representative Mary DuBuisson who quoted recent survey results indicating local support for the right to vote on the issue.

Cut 6 (10) “…reality”

It was social media that two women used to sell fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers and it was also social media that helped them get caught. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they have arrested and charged Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and Yakeiva Hicks of New Orleans with forgery, computer fraud, and criminal conspiracy.

Cut 10 (10) “….catch up.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says news of the revised CDC guidelines that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks is long overdue. The physician says when studies show fully vaccinated individuals are unable to transmit the virus to others he doesn’t understand why the CDC delayed.

Cut 4 (05) “…American people. 

Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the new CDC’s recommendations should reassure individuals who are inoculated.

Cut 14 (08) “…environment.”

Both physicians hope the revisions will encourage more to get vaccinated.

Senator Bill Cassidy says news of the revised CDC guidelines that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks or socially distance is long overdue. Cassidy voiced his frustration publicly at a hearing in DC this week and the physician believes the federal agency is behind the curve.

Cut 3 (11)  “…most Americans” 

Cassidy says he also hopes this encourages more people to get vaccinated.

Legislation approved by a House Committee that would increase future state unemployment benefit amounts is amended to include a “hiring bonus” for people currently on unemployment. Monroe Representative Mike Echol’s amendment creates a 1,000 dollar bonus for beneficiaries who return to work off of unemployment. But there’s a catch…

Cut 4 (11)“…24 weeks.”

A House committee unanimously approves legislation barring the use of handheld telecommunication devices while driving. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

LSU legend Seimone Augustus has retired and she’ll serve as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks. The 37-year-old Baton Rouge native won four W-N-B-A titles after leading the Lady Tigers to three Final Four appearances. Current LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey will be sworn into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Saturday. Michael Jordan will present the Tickfaw native into the Hall.

A House committee advances unemployment insurance legislation that includes an amendment offering a “hiring bonus” for people who return to work. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…Matt Doyle”

A House bill to allow voters in St. Tammany Parish to decide if they want a casino just outside the city limits of Slidell passes in the house 63-28. It now heads to a Senate committee. The bill faces opposition from conservative faith-based groups but proponents say the casino would create jobs and retain as much as 33-percent of the money that state residents spend at Mississippi gulf casinos.

It was social media that two women used to sell fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers and it was also social media that helped them get caught. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they have arrested and charged the pair with forgery, computer fraud, and criminal conspiracy. He says it was tips from the public that led to the arrests

Cut 12 (09) “…license plates.”

The CDC says those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no longer need to wear face masks or social distance from each other. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the news comes following real-life evidence that the vaccines not only prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and subsequent death…

Cut 13 (07) “…really important.”

State Health Department says approximately 30-percent of Louisianans are fully vaccinated.

Legislation that would provide unemployed workers with a one-thousand dollar bonus if they were hired to a full-time job has received approval from the House Labor Committee. There is a catch, residents who receive the bonus would be ineligible from getting unemployment benefits for six months. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox…
cut 6 (07) “…problem”
House Republicans are pushing this legislation as a way to motivate people to return to the workforce.

The Louisiana House is scheduled on Monday to consider legislation that would ban the use of handheld cellphones while driving. The Legislature has considered this type of bill in the past, but Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says there’s now ample evidence to support passing it.
Cut 7 (08) “…halfway.”
If approved, the handheld cell phone ban would go into effect on January 1st and fines would start at one hundred dollars.

The C-D-C says fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks in most cases but will it entice more Louisianans to get vaccinated, one local health expert says probably not. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (25) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints 2021 schedule came out this week and the Black and Gold’s first home game is September 12th against Green Bay. A team spokesperson says they plan on playing their games this season in front of a full stadium. Superdome Commission Chairman Kyle France told WWL-TV that they may require fans to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the dome.

A proposal is advancing in the House that would provide individuals who are unemployed with a one-thousand dollar check if they find a full-time job, but they wouldn’t be able to receive unemployment benefits for the next six months. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says another option is to cut off federal enhanced unemployment benefits…
cut 5 (11) “…valid alternative”
The legislation could be heard on the House floor next week.

The Louisiana House is set to debate on Monday a bill that would prohibit motorists that are behind the wheel from touching a handheld cell phone. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton supports the legislation…
cut 9 (09) “….hit”
The measure passed the House Transportation Committee unanimously this week.

The C-D-C says vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most indoor settings. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig agrees with the new CDC recommendation and says it should also reassure individuals who are inoculated.
ct 14 (08) “…environment.”
Nearly 30-percent of Louisiana’s population is vaccinated.

It was social media where two women allegedly sold fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection stickers and it was also social media that helped them get caught. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says they have charged Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and Yakeiva Hicks of New Orleans with forgery, computer fraud, and criminal conspiracy….
cut 10 (10) “…catch up”
Scrantz says the two sold the forged stickers under the screen names of “Kellz Goated” and “Big Kellz.”

The CDC says those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, no longer need to wear face masks or social distance in most situations. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the news comes following real-life evidence that shows the vaccines not only prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and subsequent death…
Cut 13 (07) “…really important.”

The House Labor Committee approves legislation that would increase Louisiana unemployment benefits by 28-dollars a week and an amendment was added that would give out a 1,000 dollar bonus to individuals who get off unemployment and find a full-time job. There is a catch…
Cut 4 (11)“…24 weeks.”
That’s Monroe Representative Mike Echols who authored the amendment. The newly written bill heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The House Transportation Committee approved legislation this week that would bar the use of handheld cellphones while driving…
cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police announce the arrest of Louvenia Allen of Baton Rouge and Yakevia Hicks of New Orleans for distributing fraudulent Motor Vehicle Inspection Stickers. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says the fake stickers were sold under the screen names of “Kellz Goated” and “Big Kellz” and if you purchased stickers from them…
Cut 11 (06) “….three-hundred-dollars.