Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana won a major legislative battle today when the House Criminal Justice Committee approved a bill that would give voters a chance to legalize weed. Sherriffs and prosecutors oppose. St. Tammany and Washington Parish D-A Warren Montogmery…
cut 15 (12) “….mental health issues’
The measure still passed on a seven to five vote, giving the full House a chance to debate the issue.

The New Orleans Police Department is looking for a street performer that wears a Star Wars Chewbacca costume. That person allegedly stabbed another after a verbal altercation on Saturday night in the French Quarter. New Orleans paramedic Holly Sherman from A&E’s “Nightwatch” told Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge she received a strange call.
cut 11 (11) “…Bigfoot costume”
It turns out the suspect was dressed up as Chewbacca.

The 2020 Census shows Louisiana’s population increased 2-percent since 2010, but compared to the national average of 7-percent growth, the state’s slight increase is not as promising as it sounds. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce new coronavirus health restrictions when he meets with reporters at 3:30 today. It’s possible the governor will announce changes to the mask mandate. Edwards will also discuss COVID-19 vaccine progress.

For the first time ever Louisiana’s House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would give Louisiana voters the opportunity in 2022 to decide if recreational marijuana use should be legal. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal passed on a seven to five vote. He says it’s an activity that can be taxed, generating as much as 200-million dollars in state revenues and some of that money can go towards beefing up law enforcement…

Cut 13 (08)“….significant”

Louisiana Sheriff Association Executive Director Michael Ranatza says taxing the legal use of marijuana is not worth it, because it will bring on a host of other problems. He pointed to a study out of Colorado that shows marijuana was mostly likely to be present in adolescents who commit suicide…

Cut 14 (08) “..of yours” 

The Louisiana House will have its first debate on a bill that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana use.

The Bayou State’s population sits a 4.6 million according to the 2020 Census, a 2-percent growth from 2010, but well below the national average growth of 7-percent.  After the 2010 Census, Louisiana lost a congressional seat but as for the 2030 outlook Demographer, Greg Rigamer says it’s not promising.

Cut 5  (09)  “…live here.”

Rigamer says the state’s high poverty and unemployment rates are hindering the state’s ability to attract and retain residents.

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill requiring the National Anthem be played before all sporting events at publicly funded facilities in Louisiana. Bill author Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it’s in honor of veterans and she hopes it will teach the youth about patriotism.

Cut 10 (11) “…to that” 

2020 Census data shows the Bayou State’s population at 4.6 million, a 2-percent growth from the 2010 tally but well below the national average growth of 7-percent. Demographer Greg Rigamer says when you look at several business surveys Louisiana consistently ranks low for a number of reasons in attracting and retaining residents.

Cut 4 (12) “…and income.” 

Louisiana is ranked 25^th among state population, the same spot it held after the 2010 Census.

A Senate committee unanimously approves a bill requiring the National Anthem be played before all sporting events at publicly funded facilities in Louisiana. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt wrote the bill. She says it’s in honor of our veterans…

Cut 9 (07) “..country”

Hewitt noted there are no penalties included in the bill for facilities that do not comply.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would give voters the opportunity to decide if recreational marijuana use should be legal in Louisiana. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal passed on a seven to five vote.

Cut 12 (14)   “…drug dealers” 

It now goes to the house floor for debate.

The most recent report of COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes indicates a continued downward trend. Of the state’s 275 homes they are reporting fewer than 30 new cases. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says it’s a testimony of the strong efficacy of the vaccines.

Cut 7 (08)  “…progress.”

Governor Edwards will hold a COVID briefing this afternoon at 3:30. Current health restrictions expire tomorrow.

2020 Census data released Monday shows the Bayou State’s population at 4.6 million, up 2.4 percent from 2010 but well below the national average  increase of 7.4 percent. Demographer Greg Rigamer says our slow growth is the result of our poor economy…

Cut 3 (05)  “…money.” 

Louisiana is ranked 25^th among states for population, the same spot it held after the 2010 Census.

This afternoon at 3:30 Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will further loosen COVID restrictions tomorrow. Currently, most businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity, but with social distancing. Edwards warns that even with progress being made locally, some of the final restrictions may have to stick for a while longer…

Cut 6 (11) “…Louisiana.”

Nursing home COVID cases are at all-time lows as evidence suggests within those facilities the vaccine campaign has created a form of herd immunity. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says not only are those vaccines preventing new infections, but they’re also saving lives for the few who do test positive.

Cut 8 (08) “…outcome.”

Despite the success of the nursing home vaccination campaign Louisiana as a whole is third-worst in the nation for vaccination rates.

Legislation now headed to the House floor bans the OMV from putting a person’s vaccination status on their driver’s license. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says including medical information on state IDs would be a violation of privacy.

Cut 12 (10) “…matters.”

An OMV spokesperson says the office is currently not authorized by the Legislature to do this anyway.

Under a bill by Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston, that’s headed to the House floor your state driver’s license can’t be turned into a vaccine passport. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Bayou State is poised to keep its six congressional seats according to the most recent Census. Louisiana had more than 4.6 million people in the 2020 tally, about 124,000 more people than in 2010. Louisiana lost a congressional seat in the 2010 census after a post Katrina population loss.

The Title Nine scandal at LSU has dominated the news, but the school celebrated Monday as they introduced one of the most successful coaches in women’s basketball who will now steer the Ladies Tigers, basketball team. Kim Mulkey recognized the elephant in the room and promised to make a difference…
cut 15 (10) “….positive”

The most recent report of COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes indicates a continued downward trend. Of the state’s 275 homes they are reporting fewer than 30 new cases. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says it’s a testimony of the strong efficacy of the vaccines.

Cut 7 (08)  “…progress.”

Nursing home data is reported each Wednesday and of the 14 facilities that reported a new case last week, they had no more than two new infections.

About one thousand people filled the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to welcome Kim Mukley back home. The Tickfaw native and Hall of Fame coach is the new LSU women’s basketball coach after leading Baylor to three national championships. LSU women’s hoops reached the Final Four five consecutive times in the mid-2000s, but Mulkey wants to do better…
cut 14 (09) “…to do (cheering)”

A House committee unanimously approves legislation banning the Office of Motor Vehicles from putting a person’s vaccine status on their driver’s license, or requiring vaccination to receive an ID. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston says she filed this bill after hearing from her constituents…
Cut 10 (08) “…information.”
The legislation heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce a new public health order today during a 3:30 press conference as the current COVID restrictions expire tomorrow. Edwards says the state is making good progress fighting the pandemic, but the long-term fate of some COVID restrictions is somewhat out of our hands…
cut 6 (11) “…Louisiana”
The state health department says one-point-two million Louisiana residents have completed the vaccination series, but the C-D-C says only 32-percent of Louisiana’s eligible population is vaccinated, which is the third-lowest percentage in the country. Mississippi has the lowest percentage and Alabama is second. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig…
cut 9 (08) “…anymore”

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce new coronavirus health restrictions when he meets with reporters at 3:30 today. President Biden says he hopes for a return to relative normal by the 4th of July. Edwards says that’s a good goal to set…
cut 5 (08) “…too”
The state health department says one-point-two million Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated, but the C-D-C says Louisiana has the third-lowest percentage of vaccinations of its eligible population.

There is good news regarding the coronavirus and nursing homes. A report in the Advocate says nursing homes reported just 17 new COVID cases among residents in its last weekly update. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says it’s positive news for our most vulnerable population…
cut 8 (08) “…outcome”

Tickfaw native Kim Mulkey showed her passion that’s helped make her successful during her introductory press conference as the Lady Tigers’ new basketball coach. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

On the same day, Mulkey was introduced, seven women filed a federal Title Nine lawsuit against LSU and the school’s Board of Supervisors claiming the university failed to address allegations of assault and sexual harassment.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a 3:30 press conference today to announce new COVID-19 restrictions as the current order expires tomorrow. Many are wondering if Edwards will end the mask mandate.

The Advocate reports that nursing homes in Louisiana had just 17 new coronavirus cases among residents in its last weekly update…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state will continue to have six representatives in the U-S House as the state’s population grew enough not to lose representation in Congress.

A proposal to prohibit the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccine information on a person’s driver’s license or state I-D has started to move at the State Capitol as the measure received support from a House committee yesterday. Health Freedom Louisiana co-director Jill Hines testified in favor…
Cut 11 (13) “…overreach.”
The state Office of Motor Vehicles says there are no plans to enact vaccine passports in Louisiana, but this legislation still has a good chance of reaching the governor’s desk.

There was a big welcome home ceremony at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center yesterday as Tickfan native Kim Mulkey is the new coach of the LSU women’s basketball program after winning three national titles at Baylor…
cut 13 (08) “…home (cheering)”…
Mulkey takes over a program that went 9 and 13 last season.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce whether the state will further lift COVID restrictions this afternoon at a 330 press conference. Edwards is not tipping his hand as to whether the Bayou State will drop the mask mandate.
Cut 4 (06)“…low.”
The number of new COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday was six and COVID-19 hospitalizations were 319, a slight decrease from last week.

The Title Nine scandal at LSU has dominated the news, but there was reason to celebrate on the Baton Rouge campus yesterday as the school introduced one of the winningest coaches in women’s basketball, Kim Mukley, who takes over the Lady Tigers basketball program. During her introductory press conference, Mulkey recognized the elephant in the room and promised to make a difference…
cut 15 (10) “….positive”
Seven women have filed a federal Title Nine lawsuit against LSU and the school’s Board of Supervisors claiming the university failed to address allegations of assault and sexual harassment.

Under a bill by Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston, that’s headed to the House floor your state driver’s license can not be turned into a vaccine passport. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”