A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 16-years-old advances out of the Senate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The bill to bring legalized sports betting to Louisiana casinos and racetracks clears another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado.  Edwards says unfortunately because of bureaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive

Cut 3 (10) “…normal.”

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile

Cut 4 (10) “…started today.” 

Edwards says once the rebuild is over, Louisiana Tech and the city of Ruston will be stronger…

Cut 5 (11) “…city of Ruston.”

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The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.   Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.

Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long spoke in opposition of the bill, saying that less than 1% marry before the age of 18, adding the arbitrary number could result in unintended consequences.

Cut 7 (11) “…to allow that.”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the regulation, saying it combats human trafficking in the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…marriage age”

The bill advances to the House following a 22-15 vote.

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A 30-year license extension for the Harrah’s land-based casino  in New Orleans  heads to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing a Senate committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.

Cut 9 (10) “…stability”

Reoccurring revenue from the deal will be sent to education specific funds.

Last year the renewal push fell apart amidst cries that Louisiana was getting ripped off relative to similar deals in other states, so this year’s deal will pay the state 130 million dollars more over the length of the deal. Satz says this agreement is incline with the national market.

Cut 10 (12) “…there.“

Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.

Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”

Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars, and the City of New Orleans will receive 7.5 million.

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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it

cut 12(12)   “…your not””

Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to win money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that…

Cut 13 (09) “…first quarter”

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated

Cut 14 (11) “…this to you” 

The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate and it may end up before House Appropriations to examine the fiscal impact to the state.

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it

cut 12(12)   “…your not””

A 30-year extension for the Harrah’s Casino license in New Orleans Is headed to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing committee. Last year the renewal push fell apart amidst cries that Louisiana was getting ripped off relative to similar deals in other states, so this year’s deal will pay the state 130 million dollars more over the length of the deal. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz.

Cut 10 (12) “…there.“

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A bill from Baton Rouge Senator Yvonne Colomb setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana to 16 advances out of the Senate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Legislation to legalize industrial hemp production and CBD oil in Louisiana cleared the Senate Ag Committee on a 5-2 vote, but not without a list of amendments that heavily regulate both products. The new amendments are supported by Ag Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s department will oversee those regulations. The passage is considered a major milestone for industrial hemp.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would set the minimum age to get married at 16-years-old. It passed on a 22-15 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the proposal, saying it will help combat human trafficking…
cut 8 (08) “…marriage age”
Opponents of the measure say an arbitrary number shouldn’t be set on when a couple wants to tie the knot.

Governor John Bel Edwards is promising a better Ruston as the state has begun the process of seeking federal assistance to help Louisiana Tech, businesses and homeowners rebuild from last month’s EF-3 tornado. Edwards made the statement at La Tech’s baseball stadium that has to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (11) “…of Ruston”
No word on when the federal government will announce whether the area qualifies for disaster assistance.

A Senate panel agrees to legislation that extends the New Orleans Harrah’s land-based casino license for 30 years. Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.
Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”
Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says education is not successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”

The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.   Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.

Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long spoke in opposition of the bill, saying that less than 1% marry before the age of 18, adding the arbitrary number could result in unintended consequences.

Cut 7 (11) “…to allow that.”

The bill advances to the House following a 22-15 vote.

LSU cornerback Kelvin Jospeh has removed his name from the transfer portal after putting it in earlier this week.

A 30-year extension for the Harrah’s Casino license in New Orleans Is headed to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.

Cut 9 (10) “…stability”

House Republicans push to undo a seven-year sales tax rate put in place in 2018 was successful in advancement of a bill following a 12-5 favorable vote in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Rep. Lance Harris says since the state is running surpluses, that money should go back to tax payers, but Governor’s Executive Council Matthew Block says it should go towards vital government programs..

Cut 11 (09) “…about infrastructure.”

 The 2019 Senior Report is showing positive trends in health for many Louisiana residents 65 and over. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Pawnee Street in Port Barre is the scene of an alleged murder-suicide that resulted in three deaths including the shooter. The incident reportedly occurred around 2:45AM this morning, and officers are saying that a man called 911 and reported that he had shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, and her new boyfriend, after informing police of shootings, he shot himself.  

Today is Early Childhood Education Day at the Capitol, and proponents are hoping to convince lawmakers to pump 31 million dollars into a program that subsidizes early childhood programs for working class families to clear a 5,100 child long waitlist for assistance. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin.

Cut 13 (11) “…stay behind.”

The fall ballot will now feature a fourth name in the gubernatorial jungle primary, Independent Gary Landrieu, who is a cousin of former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu but holds starkly conservative views. The Independent says his legislative agenda would focus on repealing the .45 percent sales tax passed in last year’s session, building a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, TORT reform, eliminating traffic light cameras, and…

Cut 8 (08) “…choice”

Landrieu ran for Congress against Cedric Richmond as a Democrat in 2012, losing with 25 percent of the vote.

A proposal to reduce the state sales tax rate from 4.45 to four-percent received a favorable vote in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris bill looks to rollback the state sales tax rate over a four year period. Harris says it would cost the state 87-million dollars…
Cut 10 (10) “…as they want.”
The governor’s office opposes the measure, which heads to the House floor.

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars from last months’ EF-3 tornado. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Governor Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile…
cut 4 (10) “….started today”
Edwards says his office is seeking federal government assistance to pay for the rebuild on the Tech campus and in Ruston.

Gary Landrieu of the Landrieu family fame is running for governor as an Independent. Matt Doyle spoke to the candidate…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU has shut down the Pi Kappa Phi chapter on the Baton Rouge campus until May 2023, because of hazing allegations. It’s been reported LSU police has issued misdemeanor charges against three unidentified members of the fraternity. Pi Kappa Phi was also suspended in 2017 for a social event that allegedly violated the student conduct code.

The America’s Health Rankings Senior Report from the United Health Foundation has found that in the past six years, the percentage of senior citizens in Louisiana suffering from depression has increased 43-percent. Doctor Rhonda Randal with United HealthCare National Markets explains what might be leading to the increase….
cut 6 (12) “…rates of depression”

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado. Edwards says unfortunately because of beaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive…
cut 3 (10) “…normal”
Louisiana Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars.
A proposal to roll back the state sales tax rate from 4.45-percent to four-percent is heading to the House floor after it received approval from the House Appropriations committee. But Executive counsel for the governor, Matthew Block, says reducing the state sales tax will result in less dollars for the state to pay for pressing needs…
cut 11 (09) “…about infrastucture”
With just over two weeks left in the session, this measure might not have enough time to get through the process.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Melanie Bronfin says no successful educational program is successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”

Advocates are at the Capitol today pushing lawmakers to pony up for more early childhood education funding. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly 300 Cleco customers are still without power in Ville Platte as the Evangeline Parish city continues to recover from Sunday’s EF-1 tornado. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine…

Cut 30 (10)” …roofs”

She says nearly 100 homes and businesses were damaged by the twister.

Independent and conservative Gary Landrieu has entered the governor’s race. A relative of former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu admits his politics differs significantly from the Democratic Party. He’s hoping he can use name recognition to his advantage…

Cut 9 (09) “…personality.″

Landrieu was booked with aggravated battery in 2012 after allegedly grabbing a woman by the hair, and dragging her several feet alongside his car as he drove away.

A report from United Healthcare Foundation shows those in hospice care has increased in the state. United Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall says hospice care is up 20-percent in the last five years and the workforce has shown an increase in the amount of home health workers to meet the demand.

Cut 5 (11) “…terrific to see.”

The report also indicated an increase in physical activity among those 65 and older in the state.

A House bill to repeal a seven-year sales tax rate put in place last year is approved 12-5 in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’s bill looks to eliminate the point-45-percent state sales tax over four years. Despite government growth, Harris believes the money is better in the hands of the tax payers.

Cut 10 (10) “…as they want.”

But the bill has seen opposition from the Edwards’ administration as the Governor’s Executive Counsel Matthew Block says prior to the tax rate change, a discussion needs to be had as to where to make cuts in the state’s spending to accommodate the change.

Cut 12 (11) “…discussion with you.”

It’s Early Childhood Education Day at the Capitol today and proponents want to see an increase of 31-million for the early child care assistance program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Executive Director Melanie Bronfin has previously called for an immediate 80-million-dollar investment, with an additional 80 million over ten years to insure all children in Louisiana can have high quality early education.

Cut 14 (08) “…graduate.”

A recent report from the United Health Foundation shows in the past six years, physical inactivity among those 65 and older has decreased by 18% in Louisiana.  United Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall says the study indicates that now only 31.5% of that older group in the state now say they are physically inactive.

Cut 4 (10) “… of daily living.”