A proposal attempting to make Louisiana the first state in the South to legalize recreational use of marijuana failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Kevin Caldwell of Common Sense NOLA says marijuana use is increasing and the state is not getting any benefits from it…

Cut 9 (12) “…40 years”

tax revenues from the sale of legal pot would go towards public schools, TOPS and better roads.

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to extend Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans’ license with the state through 2054. In return, Harrah’s will invest 325-million dollars into the property which will result in a second hotel, new restaurants and other upgrades. Norco Senator Gary Smith says the bill is about economic development

Cut 6 (10) “…the table”

“Home of the Who Dat Nation” road signs legislation receives final passage following a 35-0 Senate vote. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Senate approved legislation that would increase penalties for state officials who sexually harras heads for final approval on the House floor. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says her legislation was inspired by a Legislative Auditor’s report that showed taxpayers have been on the hook for millions of dollars in costs associated with sexual harassment suits.

Cut 13 (08) “…settlements”

A proposal attempting to make Louisiana the first state in the South to legalize recreational use of marijuana failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee. New Orleans Representative John Bagneris brought the bill before the panel.

Cut 8 (12) “…smaller and smaller .”

Colorado was one of the first to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. But Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant says that state is still dealing with illegal drug activity as authorities recently executed the state’s biggest drug bust involving marijuana growers.

Cut 10 (12) “…in Colorado”

After about a ten-minute discussion on the proposal, the marijuana legalization bill was soundly defeated.

State officials found guilty of sexual harassment could be set to foot much of the bill for their misdeeds if Senate approved legislation gets final approval on the House floor before the end of the session. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says if an official is sued for sexual harassment, her legislation would limit the impact of the damages to taxpayers.

cut 12(09)   “…financially””

The legislation received approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee and heads to the House floor for final passage.

The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that places signs on I-10 at the Texas and Mississippi borders declaring that motorists are entering the Home of the Who Dat Nation. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says a metal banner with the message will be added to existing road signs, and they will be funded by fans.

Cut 5 (11) “…paying for it.”

“Home of the Who Dat Nation” road signs legislation receives final passage following a 35-0 Senate vote. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee rejects a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that places signs on I-10 at the Texas and Mississippi borders declaring that motorists are entered the Home of the Who Dat Nation. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says he wanted to honor Saints fans following the controversial end to the NFC title game.

Cut 3 (09) “…the Super Bowl.”

Originally, the bill called for I-10 to be renamed the Who Dat Nation Highway, but it was already named in honor of veterans.  The signs will be placed at the state lines of I-10 as well as the exit for the Superdome.

Bishop says Franklin Representative Sam Jones added a provision to the bill designating Highway 90 from Raceland to Lafayette as the “Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Highway.”

Cut 4 (08) “…I had filed” 

Bishop says a metal banner with the message will be added to existing road signs, and they will be funded by fans.

Cut 5 (11) “…paying for it.”

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Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to extend Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans’ license with the state through 2054. In return, Harrah’s will invest 325-million dollars into the property which will result in a second hotel, new restaurants and other upgrades. Norco Senator Gary Smith says the bill is about economic development

Cut 6 (10) “…the table”

Harrah’s will also pay an additional millions of dollars more to the state and city for having Louisiana’s only land-based casino license. A similar bill died last year over concerns that the state was not getting a good deal. Smith says prior to this year’s debate, the legislature hired a consultant to study the casino license’s market value

Cut 7 (10) “…we know.”

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A proposal attempting to make Louisiana the first state in the South to legalize recreational use of marijuana failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee. New Orleans Representative John Bagneris brought the bill before the panel

Cut 8 (12) “…smaller and smaller .”

Bagneris says tax revenues from the sale of legal pot would go towards public schools, TOPS and better roads. Kevin Caldwell of Common Sense NOLA says marijuana use is increasing and the state is not getting any benefits from it…

Cut 9 (12) “…40 years”

Colorado was one of the first to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. But Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant says that state is still dealing with illegal drug activity as authorities recently executed the state’s biggest drug bust involving marijuana growers

Cut 10 (12) “…in Colorado”

After about a ten-minute discussion on the proposal, the marijuana legalization bill was soundly defeated

Cut 11 (10)“ eight nays”

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State officials found guilty of sexual harassment could be set to foot much of the bill for their misdeeds if Senate approved legislation gets final approval on the House floor before the end of the session.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says if an official is sued for sexual harassment, her legislation would limit the impact of the damages to taxpayers.

cut 12(09)   “…financially””

Hewitt says her legislation was inspired by a Legislative Auditor’s report that showed taxpayers have been on the hook for millions of dollars in costs associated with sexual harassment suits.

Cut 13 (08) “…settlements”

The issue took on more prominence after former Secretary of State Tom Schedler settled a sexual harassment suit brought by his secretary. That incident cost Louisiana 184,000 dollars.

The legislation also features rules governing incidents where a false accusation is made. Hewitt says there are guidelines in place for false accusation related penalties.

Cut 14 (08) “…accusation” 

The legislation received ap

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Cut 15 (07) “…be bold”

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Cut 16 (08) “…initial release”

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The House Criminal Justice Committee rejects a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A barge has arrived that will be sunk in Bayou Chene and will act as a temporary floodgate site to prevent backwater from flooding parts of Assumption, Lower St. Martin, Iberville, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes.  The process is being carried out in response to the opening of the Morganza Spillway on Sunday due to rising river levels.

A 35-0 Senate vote Tuesday gave final passage to a bill that aims to notify motorists on I-10 coming from Texas and Mississippi that they are entering the Home of the Who Dat Nation.  Bill author New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says Franklin Representative Sam Jones added a provision to the bill designating Highway 90 from Raceland to Lafayette as the “Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Highway.”
Cut 4 (08) “…I had filed” 
Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to extend Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans’ license with the state through 2054. Harrah’s will pay millions of dollars more to the state and city for having Louisiana’s only land-based casino license. A similar bill died last year over concerns that the state was not getting a good deal.  Norco Senator Gary Smith says prior to this year’s debate, the legislature hired a consultant to study the casino license’s market value

Cut 7 (10) “…we know.”

Sports gambling legalization is on life support as multiple attempts to approve the activity in the House, and a House Committee fell flat yesterday. There were two attempts to revive the legalization push on the House floor, both of which came up short, including one by Gretna Representative Joe Marino who says the revenue generated by the activity would fund thousands of kid’s early childhood education subsidies.

Cut 12 (12) “…it”

That argument prompted a frustrated response from opponents who say the two issues should not be combined.

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to extend Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans’ license with the state through 2054. A similar bill died last year over concerns that the state was not getting a good deal, and Norco Senator Gary Smith says they’ve addressed that concern.

Cut 7 (10) “…we know.”

Coach Will Wade says he regrets getting lawyers involved in the scandal that lead to his extended suspension from LSU’s basketball program.  

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

CBS has announced that the LSU/Alabama game will not be featured in prime time this year.

Sports gambling legalization is on life support as multiple attempts to approve the activity in the House, and a House Committee fell flat yesterday. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says future attempts at legalization cannot get weighed down by the same burdensome restrictions that were placed on the bill in committee…
Cut 10 (12) “…model.”

Gretna Representative Joe Marino says the revenue generated by the activity would fund thousands of kid’s early childhood education subsidies. But that claim led a visibly frustrated Metairie Representative Cameron Henry to hit back, saying just because you oppose gambling, doesn’t mean you’re against the kids…

Cut 13 (09) “…education”

A 35-0 Senate vote Tuesday gave final passage to a bill that aims to notify motorists on I-10 coming from Texas and Mississippi that they are entering the Home of the Who Dat Nation.  Bill author New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop says the idea to honor Saints fans came following the controversial end of the Saints post season.

Cut 3 (09) “…the Super Bowl.”

Originally, the bill called for I-10 to be renamed the Who Dat Nation Highway, but it was already named in honor of veterans.

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk to extend Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans’ license with the state through 2054. In return, Harrah’s will invest 325-million dollars into the property which will result in a second hotel, new restaurants and other upgrades. Norco Senator Gary Smith says the bill is about economic development

Cut 6 (10) “…the table”

The odds of sports gambling legalization passing this year look slim after multiple failures in the House yesterday. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “..Matt Doyle”

A 35-0 Senate vote Tuesday gave final passage to a bill celebrating New Orleans Saints fans that aims to notify motorists coming into the state on I-10 from Texas and Mississippi that they are entering the Home of the Who Dat Nation. The bill also would see the same signage added to the Superdome exit on I-10. The signs must be paid for using local or private dollars to be installed.

The Morganza Spillway is set to open Sunday to relive pressure on Mississippi River levees. State officials say the environmental impact will not be as substantial as the last opening in 2011.  Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson had reason to doubt that claim though, noting the Basin’s over-saturated soil.
Cut 8 (11) “different.”
Experts also warn opening the Basin will likely wipe out most of the crawfish and oyster crop in the area as well.

A Senate-approved bill has advanced from a House committee to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of two years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.  Current law does not set a minimum age on marriage so long as the marriage receives the approval of the parents of the minors.  Legislators questioned why parents would agree to something like this.

Cut 15 (10) “…full of deer meat.”

Legislation to legalize sports betting has stalled at the State Capitol despite the efforts from Gretna Representative Joe Marino, who says the revenue generated by the activity would benefit families seeking to send their children for pre-K education…
cut 12 (12) “…it”
The proposal has been bogged down by amendments and conservative lawmakers who look at sports betting as an expansion of gambling. The session ends next Thursday.

The Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will open Sunday and that will flood thousands of acres in the Atchafalaya Basin. Atchafalaya Basin Keeper Executive Director Dean Wilson says it will force wildlife to look for higher ground…
cut 9 (12) “…them alone”

LSU Coach Will Wade says he regrets getting lawyers involved in the college basketball recruiting scandal that lead to his extended suspension…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new arrest warrant has been issued for the man accused of breaking into the governor’s mansion last month. Authorities say they found 34-year-old Reynard Green sleeping on a couch in the mansion on April 17th. The new arrest warrant says Green also allegedly tried to enter a house near the mansion earlier that night.

Proponents to legalize sports betting are disappointed as it appears legislation to bring the gaming activity to Louisiana’s casinos and racetracks will not pass before the session ends June 6th. Wade Duty is the executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…
cut 11 (10) “…direction”
So many amendments have been added to the sports betting bill that the casino association has dropped its support for the legislation.

A bill that sets the minimum age to get married in Louisiana to 16 is moving closer to final legislative passage. Current law does not set a minimum age and executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan Nelson says the current law perpetuates a cycle…
cut 16 (09) “…finishes here education”

Ecologists say the opening of the Morganza Spillway Sunday threatens wildlife in the Atchafalaya Basin. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The St. Tammany Parish coroner rules the death of a three-month old as a homicide and the child’s parents have been charged with second-degree murder. Doctor Charles Preston says Kristian Scott died of complications from an untreated arm fracture and malnutrition. Kevin Scott and Samantha Hotard originally faced cruelty to juveniles charges.