Lawsuit reform is expected to dominate the upcoming session and the National Federation of Independent Business is backing this year’s effort to lower the jury trial threshold to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says Louisiana’s 50,000 dollar jury trial threshold is the highest in the nation, and that policy emboldens plaintiffs to file more lawsuits, and demand higher damages against businesses.

Cut 7 (07) “…approach.”

The NFIB says 53 percent of all state suits are filed for under 50,000 dollars, allowing plaintiffs to avoid a jury trial.

28-year-old Cameron Harville of Natchitoches died after striking a home along LA highway 494 and being ejected from his car. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the vehicle careened into the private residence early this morning.

Cut 12 (09) “reported”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the formation of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization at the Police Jury’s annual convention. The governor says rural revitalization will be a focus during his next four years in office…

Cut 11 (12) “…rural Louisiana”

The council will have 34 members.

A Holden teen is dead and four others badly hurt following a crash on US Highway 190 in Livingston Parish early Sunday morning.  State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 16-year-old Nathan Raymond was not buckled up, because he was ejected from the vehicle…

Cut 5 (08)  “…across State Police.”

Raymond played basketball for Holden High School. The other four passengers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries.

Matt Doyle spoke to The National Federation of Independent Business, who says not lowering the jury trial threshold in the upcoming session is not an option…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The legislative auditor’s office alleges a former fire chief in Webster Parish paid himself 24-thousand in excess compensation. The investigative report says Billy Rasberry Junior may have violated state law.

Governor John Bel Edwards says rural communities are in a crisis and that’s why he created the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Edwards says many rural towns struggle with poverty, lack of adequate access to healthcare and education, so this council will help identify innovate solutions
Cut 9 (09) “…for success″
Former Bogalusa senator Ben Nevers will serve as chairman of the Council.

The town of Holden is morning death of a 16-year-old who was killed in a single vehicle wreck on Highway 190 in Livingston Parish. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Nathan Raymond of Holden was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, four others in the vehicle that hit a tree, were seriously injured. Scrantz says they are trying to determine why the GMC Sierrra ran off the road…
cut 4 (09) “…prior to impact”
Scrantz says it was raining at the time of the wreck.

The National Federation of Independent Business has two goals for the upcoming legislative session; lawsuit reform and sales tax collection simplification. The omnibus “tort” reform bill this year would push the jury trial threshold for lawsuits from 50,000 dollars to 15,000 dollars. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says not passing this is not an option.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, that

71 percent of state NFIB members surveyed support dropping the threshold to 15,000 dollars.

A Holden teen is dead following a crash on US Highway 190 east of LA Highway 441 in Livingston Parish.  A single cab pickup truck carrying five people was eastbound when for unknown reasons, it ran off the road to the right and struck a tree.  Trooper Taylor Scrantz…

Cut 3 (10)  “…to local hospitals.” 

An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have concealed carry licenses to carry a concealed handgun…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the 34 people appointed to that council and he says the work is important because many of the rural areas are drying up.

Cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas.”

Seven Republicans joined Senate Democrats and Independents in voting to restrict the President’s war powers related to Iran. Senator Bill Cassidy was one of those seven and says it’s not about rebuking the President, it’s about exerting the authority of Congress, and keeping the Executive Branch from doing something like the Obama Administration did in Libya, where it openly bombed the country’s government.

Cut 5 (11)  “…a war”

President Trump has vowed to veto the measure, and Louisiana’s other Senator, John Kennedy, voted against it.

Oil City Republican Danny McCormick files legislation in the House to do away with the need for concealed carry permits. McCormick says the requirement infringes on  2^nd amendment rights.

Cut 8 (12) “…worship.”

Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

Shreveport Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman last night in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. A 9-1-1 caller reported hearing an argument before shots were fired. First responders rushed the victim to a local hospital where she died. There’s an active search for the suspect.

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of seven Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran.  Cassidy says the measure would not have prevented the President from taking action like the decision earlier this year to bomb an Iranian General, because…

Cut 6 (05) “…permissible”

The wording calls for the termination of the President’s ability to use the military against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or use of force.

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry license in order to carry a concealed handgun in Louisiana.  Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says open carry is already legal in Louisiana, and requiring people to get a permit to cover up that gun is just a tax.

Cut 7 (09) “…we call it.”

A 2019 report on from True Colors United and the National Law Center for Homelessness ranks Louisiana in the top ten among the fifty states and District of Columbia in its efforts to address youth homelessness.  Report co-author Dylan Waguespack says there is room for improvement, indicating limiting opportunities for contact between youth experiencing homelessness and the juvenile and criminal justice systems should be prioritized.
Cut 12 (07) “…a young person.”
Gov. Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization.  Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of the 34 people appointed to that council and he says the council will have duties in advising the Governor on the needs, issues of concern, and solutions linked to rural revitalization.
Cut 15 (08) “…our products around.”

Legislation has been filed for the legislative session that begins next month that would end the requirement for a concealed carry permit. Opponents of the proposal argue concealed carry creates additional public risk and the licensing classes exist to ensure gun owners are responsible and informed enough to carry a concealed weapon. But the author of the bill, Oil City Representative Danny McCormick disagrees…
cut 9 (04) “…per say”
Governor Edwards is a second-amendment supporter, but no word if he supports this legislation.

Meanwhile, Edwards has created an Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson is one of 34 appointees and says the work is important because many rural areas are drying up….
cut 13 (11) “…these rural areas”
Anderson says expanding broadband internet availability is one goal of the council.

The Senate votes to advance a measure limiting the President’s authority to engage in acts of war against Iran. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the measure’s supporters Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux has apologized after one of his detectives put down the wrong birth date of an individual who has failed to return a leased vehicle. The error led to Sara Saucier of Ponchtatoula spending 36 hours in a New Orleans jail after U-S customs agents arrested her on a cruise ship.

Governor Edwards signs an executive order formally establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

An 89-year-old man with dementia remains missing this morning after his truck was found in a field in Acadia Parish Friday morning. James Gunnels was last seen at the Canterbury House in Alexandria and left the assisted living facility to go to the store and never returned.

Two bills have been filed for the upcoming legislative session that would do away with the state’s law that requires a concealed handgun permit for those who possess a concealed handgun. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick believes the current law infringes on a person’s second amendment right…
cut 8 (12) “….worship”
The legislation would still require that a person is legally able to possess a firearm under state and federal law.

A 2019 report from True Colors United and the National Law Center for Homelessness ranks Louisiana seventh among the 50 states and District of Columbia in its efforts to address youth homelessness. Co-author of the study, Dylan Waguespack says the state has been dealing with this issue for some time…
Cut 10 (06) “…a new issue.”

An Oil City Representative thinks it’s time for the state to do away with the need to have a concealed carry license to carry a concealed handgun. Brooke Thorington has more on this proposed legislation that will be debated in the upcoming legislative session…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Shreveport Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman last night in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. A 9-1-1 caller reported hearing an argument before shots were fired. First responders rushed the victim to a local hospital where she died. There’s an active search for the suspect.

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of eight Republicans to join Senate Democrats in voting to limit the President’s authority to take military action against Iran. Cassidy says the vote was not a slight to President Trump, he just feels Congress needs to reclaim its responsibility in deciding when to head to war and make sure any decision has public support.
Cut 4 (10) “…united”
The measure heads to the House, where it’s expected to pass.

A new report ranks Louisiana seventh in the country for its efforts to address youth homelessness. The report comes from the True Colors United and the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. Co-author of the report Dylan Waguespack says a new law that allows children in foster care to remain in state care to 21 instead of 18 is one reason for the positive ranking…
cut 11 (08) “…their 18th birthday”