The constitutional amendment aimed at ending capital punishment in Louisiana met its demise on the Senate floor following a 13-25 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the amendment, and says in order for death to be an option, the government must be infallible in its decision on who is executed.

Cut 11 (07) “…they’re just dead.”

So the lethal injection remains a form of capital punishment in Louisiana.

A bill to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected soared through the Senate 31-5, and is headed to the House.

The debate on the measure placed bill author Shreveport Senator John Milkovich in a tense confrontation with and New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson. Their debate was related back to Milkovich’s vote against a constitutional amendment barring the death penalty. Senator Peterson appeared to express concerns about Milkovich’s hypocrisy, and walked him into this statement…

Cut 15 (08) “kay.”

In response to the recent nationwide outbreak of measles, the Louisiana Department of Health is reminding people of just how vital it is to be vaccinated, Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In response to the recent nationwide outbreak of measles, the Louisiana Department of Health is reminding people of just how vital it is to be vaccinated, Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The constitutional amendment aimed letting voters decide the fate of the death penalty in Louisiana will not make it on the November 2020 ballot.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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 A bill to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected passed the Senate, but not without provoking an argument about whether or not it’s hypocritical to outlaw abortion, but support the death penalty…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Alabama head coach Nick Saban will sit down for an hour long Q&A session at Grambling today. The former championship winning LSU coach will speak at the Eddie G. Robinson Museum.

Grambling Sports Information Director Brian Howard says the museum has previously honored Saban with the Eddie G. Robinson award, named after the legendary Grambling coach.

Cut 4 (10) “…campus.”

Robinson is regarded as one of the greatest college coaches of all time, having turned a small, Historically Black University into a wildly successful program at a time when most southern college teams were white only.

Howard says Saban was honored to be invited to speak at Robinson’s 100th anniversary event.

Cut 5 (12) “…special.”

Robinson ran the organization from 1941, when he was only 22-year-old, to his retirement in 1997. He passed away in 2007.

Tickets are still available at GSUTigers.com, running at 100 bucks a pop. Howard says it’s a real deal to have the opportunity to see a living legend in person.

Cut 6 (10) “…right now”

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The Louisiana Department of Health is emphasizing the importance of immunizations in the wake of the nationwide measles outbreak. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while there have not been any reported cases in the state so far, over 760 cases have been reported in other states.

Cut 7 (10) “…eliminated in 2001.”

Kanter says measles vaccine misinformation and myths are putting people at risk, adding myths such as vaccines being a cause for autism and containing mercury are not true.

Cut 8 (09) “…our communities safe.”

Kanter says of those national measles cases, over 72% were unvaccinated. The vaccine is not perfect in guaranteeing someone stays well.

Cut 9 (09) “…to get vaccinated.″

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The constitutional amendment aimed at ending capital punishment in Louisiana met its demise on the Senate floor following a 13-25 vote.  Louisiana has the highest homicide rate in the nation and bill author Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says death row is not working as a deterrent.

Cut 10 (10) “…in our country.”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the amendment, and says in order for death to be an option, the government must be infallible in its decision on who is executed.

Cut 11 (07) “…they’re just dead.”

Morrell says the death sentence in Louisiana has a history of inaccuracy with multiple exonerations over the years.

Cut 12 (09) “…and taken off.”

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A bill to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected soared through the Senate 31-5, and is headed to the House.

Bill author Shreveport Senator John Milkovich says there is scientific evidence that life exists at the moment of conception, which why he hopes to continue pushing for abortion restrictions such as this one…

Cut 13 (12) “…mother”

Governor Edwards has indicated that he would sign the legislation into law if it were to reach his desk, and it appears that’s likely to happen as the House has historically supported pro-life legislation. Milkovich added that it would not immediately go into effect though…

Cut 14 (10) “…effective.”

The vote provoked a rare confrontation between lawmakers over the issue of abortion, this one related back to Milkovich’s vote against a constitutional amendment barring the death penalty just minutes earlier. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson appeared to express concerns about Milkovich’s hypocrisy, and walked him into this statement…

Cut 15 (08) “kay.”

Peterson pressed Milkovich repeat or clarify that statement, and in response the Senator expressed his opposition to abortion, and did not comment on his death penalty vote.

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LSU Coach Paul Mainieri has already announced that freshman right-hander Cole Henry will not pitch in the upcoming SEC series against Arkansas. Henry has missed the last two weekends, because of soreness in his elbow and Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says news of Henry not pitching against the Razorbacks raises serious concerns

Cut 16  (18) “…don’t know” 

LSU heads into tonight’s home game against La Tech with a 30-18 record. Moran says the Tigers are a bubble team to host an NCAA regional

 cut 17 (18)   “regional hosting potential” 

LSU was ranked number one in the preseason, but Moran says injuries have taken their toll on this team…

The House Appropriations Committee approves a 30-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year that contains funding for a teacher pay raise that’s more than the governor’s proposed one-thousand dollar pay hike. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says the state can do better than a one-thousand dollar raise…
Cut 6 (10) “…500 or 600”
Henry’s proposed budget does not include an additional 39-million dollars for school districts, which is funding that the governor wants to see included. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says local school leaders say the extra money can go towards school supplies and teacher retirement costs…
Cut 7 (11) “…with it.”
The full House is set to vote on the budget Thursday.
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A constitutional amendment that would abolish the death penalty in Louisiana goes down 13-25 in the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says the death penalty is not a deterrent.
Cut 10 (10) “…in our country.”
A bill that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat flew through the Senate 31-5 and is headed to the House.
The legislation triggered a dispute, which is rare during abortion legislation proceedings, between New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson and Shreveport Senator John Milkovich. Just minutes earlier Milkovich, the abortion bill’s writer, voted against a constitutional amendment that would outlaw the death penalty. Peterson seemed to be indicating her displeasure with the perceived hypocrisy, and walked Milkovich into this statement…
Cut 15, 8 seconds, kay

Debate has begun in the legislature about whether or not the state should invest hundreds of millions into renovating the Superdome. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

Today marks new LSU athletics director Scott Woodward’s first day on the job. Woodward has posted a letter to the LSU family on the school’s athletics website. In that published statement, Woodward says he believes in LSU and he believes the school will win championships under his leadership.

 
Today marks the 12 year anniversary of one of the longest, continually active criminal cases in the State Fire Marshal Office’s history.  In 2007 a Ruston home fire that resulted in the death of 25 year old Ronia Washington was determined to be arson and her death a homicide.  Fire Marshall Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it has been a multi-agency investigation for years.

Cut 3 (12) “…to an arrest.”

Rodrigue says the family is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Governor John Bel Edwards and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell announce a funding deal that will provide the city with 67.5 million dollars up front to fix streets and the drainage system.  Edwards says the agreement also calls for 26-million dollars in annual recurring funding. The announcement of the deal comes after a 114-year-old water main busted, flooding roads and closing schools…

Cut 14 (06) “…essence”

The House Appropriations Committee approves a 30-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year that contains funding for a teacher pay raise that’s more than the governor’s proposed one-thousand dollar pay hike, but it does not include an additional 39-million dollars for school districts, sought by the Governor. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says local school leaders say the pay raise will incur additional costs that could be covered by the 39 million.
Cut 7 (11) “…with it.”
The Superdome is hoping to complete a 450 million dollar renovation before the 2024 Superbowl, but questions abound about whos going to pay for it, and that sparked an animated discussion in Senate Finance today. New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop…
Cut 12 (13) “…city.”
The debate over financing will likely take shape in full before the next legislative session.
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Today marks the 12 year anniversary of one of the longest, continually active criminal cases in the State Fire Marshal Office’s history. In 2007 a Ruston home fire that resulted in the death of 25 year old Ronia Washington was determined to be arson and her death a homicide. Fire Marshall Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says says the family is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Cut 4 (09) “…line after that.”
Governor John Bel Edwards and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell announce a funding deal that will provide the city with 67.5 million dollars up front to fix streets and the drainage system. Mayor Cantrell says this is a historic day for her city…
Cut 15 (10) “…absolutely great.”
For the agreement to be finalized, the legislature will need to approve three pieces of legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell announce a funding deal that will provide the city with 67.5 million dollars up front to fix streets and the drainage system. Edwards says the agreement also calls for 26-million dollars in annual recurring funding…
Cut 13 (12) “…infrastructure”
The agreement requires legislative approval.
The Superdome is hoping to complete a 450 million dollar renovation before the 2024 Superbowl, but questions abound about whos going to pay for it. Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White expressed concern that there’s just not enough information available right now to make an informed decision about whether or not the state should fork over the cash.
Cut 11 (10) “…back.”
The debate was held in Senate Finance.
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The Appropriations Committee sends a budget to the House floor that contains money for teacher pay raises, but it doesn’t have additional dollars for public schools. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Today marks new LSU athletics director Scott Woodward’s first day on the job. Woodward has posted a letter to the LSU family on the school’s athletics website. In that published statement, Woodward says he believes in LSU and he believes the school will win championships under his leadership.

Debate has begun in the legislature about whether or not the state should invest hundreds of millions into renovating the Superdome….
cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

Meanwhile, are news partner 710 KEEL in Shreveport is reporting Bossier Parish teachers could conduct a strike, a walk out or sick out this school year, because voters overwhelmingly rejected a tax proposal to fund teacher pay raises. 74-percent of the voters opposed the teacher salary hike proposal.

House Republicans have pushed forward a 30-billion dollar budget proposal for next fiscal year that contains a 12-hundred pay raise for teachers, but it doesn’t include an additional 39-million dollars for public schools. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says school districts are receiving a lot of money, while teachers are underpaid…
cut 8 (14) “….Southern average”
The full House is set to vote on the budget Thursday.

It was 12 years ago this weekend since 25-year-old Ronia Washington of Ruston was killed in a house fire. Her death has been ruled a homicide and State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are once again asking the public for information into Washington’s death…
cut 5 (08) “…than their fear”
Washington’s family is offering a 25-hundred dollar reward for information.