A Shreveport Democrat’s speech against vaccinations on the floor of the Louisiana Senate gets the attention of Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

WWL-TV says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has State Police troopers drive him everywhere he goes, but yet he receives 84-hundred dollars in annual salary to drive his personal vehicle to work. Nungesser says he rides with troopers only part of the time.

A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state receives Senate approval and is heading to the House. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says there’s already an active sports betting black market, and while the law may increase the overall amount of gaming, it will also contribute funding for early childhood education….
cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education”
No one spoke against the legislation.

National signing day is months away, but LSU football currently has the number one rated class in 2020, according to 24-7 sports. The Tigers just landed a verbal pledge from the country’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antonie Sampah. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to come to Baton Rouge after Tampa Bay used the fifth overall pick to select Devin White…
cut 17 (09) “…in the draft”

The state senate has approved legislation that would lead to the legalization of sports betting. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says under his legislation there are specific places where a gambler can legally put money down on a sporting event…
cut 9 (11) “…place a bet”
The measure heads to the House where it will likely face opposition from Republicans that represent conservative districts.

During discussion on the Senate floor over a bill that would allow adults to opt into a statewide immunization database, Shreveport Democrat John Milkovich listed reasons why he believes vaccinations are dangerous…
cut 12 (11) “….mercury”
But Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy calls Milkovich’s rant “fake news.”

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

Hancock Whitney Bank announces it will buy MidSouth Bancorp of Lafayette for 213-million dollars. MidSouth has been struggling with bad loans.

A state senate committee approves legislation that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnart”

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The legalization of sports betting in Louisiana is one step closer to reality following a full Senate vote. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Shreveport Democrat’s speech against vaccinations on the floor of the Louisiana Senate gets the attention of Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…

Cut 4 (07) “…indians.”

If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal

Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”

But Milkovich believes a fetal abortion ban is legal because of a couple of reasons…

Cut 6 (12) “…statutory law”

The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee. The legislation does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest and that bothers New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, who says legislators need to consider that exception

Cut 7 (10) “…just a theory”

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A measure to legalize sports wagering in the state has survived a full Senate vote and is heading to the House. Bill sponsor, Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, says there’s already an active sports betting black market, and while the law may increase the overall amount of gaming in the state, it will contribute funding to early childhood education.

Cut 8 (11) “…early childhood education.”

Martiny says there are several options for those looking to place a bet on sports if the bill makes it on to the books.

Cut 9 (11) “…place a bet.″

Previously the measure had met resistance from organizations such as the Louisiana Family Forum, but upon the vote, no one spoke in opposition of the bill. Martiny says not only would the dark side of gambling still be present either way, but it would make casinos in Louisiana less competitive with nearby states.

Cut 10 (09) “…off of it.”

Following the 24-15 vote in favor of passage, the bill now heads to the House.  If the measure makes it to the voters on the fall ballot and is successful there, sports betting could be in place as early as January 2020.

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A Shreveport Democrat railed against vaccinations on the Senate floor during discussion of a bill that would allow adults to opt into a statewide immunization database. Senator  John Milkovich says the database could be discriminatory, and adds there’s a “very contentious scientific debate” about the safety of vaccines.

Cut 11 (12) “…vaccinations.”

The Democrat checked off a list of reasons why he believes vaccinations may not be trustworthy, and could be poisonous to children.

Cut 12 (11) “…mercury.”

Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor, spoke out against the claims, calling the research that linked vaccinations and autism “fake news” that’s responsible for the resurgence of measles nationwide.

Cut 13 (11) “…no link.”

The doctor endorses vaccinations and says he’s seen patients who’ve had to have liver transplants due to not receiving a hepatitis B vaccination. Cassidy added that unvaccinated people pose significant threats to the lives of at-risk children…

Cut 14 (12) “…of measles”

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LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron says the team’s number one ranked 2020 recruiting class according to 247Sports.com is evidence the team’s brand has gone national.  247Sports.com recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the most remarkable part of the class is that 11 of the 14 commitments are from out of state…

Cut 15 (13) “…doing.”

LSU’s two five star targets are cornerback Elias Ricks of California and wide receiver Rakim Jarrett from D.C. There are no five star rated prospects from Louisiana this year.

Three of those hard commitments are wide receivers, a position that the Tigers are fairly deep at the moment. Dixon says he thinks big name pass catchers are increasingly turning their eye to Baton Rouge due to the professional success of a duo of Cleveland Browns.

Cut 16  (10) “…right now” 

The class jumped back on top of the rankings after the team captured the commitment of the nation’s number two inside linebacker, Virginia’s Antoine Sampah. Dixon says expect more linebacker talent to take a hard look at LSU after the team saw a beloved captain go early in the NFL Draft.

 cut 17 (10)   “White” 

Alabama is close on LSU’s heels with the number two class. Elsewhere in the SEC you’ve got Florida at 5, Georgia at 11, Mississippi State at 13, and Auburn at 18, South Carolina at 25, and A&M at 26.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would prohibit an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator John Milkovich, says the state must do more to protect unborn humans and if it doesn’t…
Cut 4 (07) “…indians.”
If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts determine if a similiar law in Mississippi is constitutional. Reproductive Rights Attorney Ellie Schilling says there’s no way the courts will rule that a fetal abortion ban is legal
Cut 5 (12) “…been upheld”
The measure advances to the Senate floor after a five to two vote in a judiciary committee, and does not include an exception if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest.
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US Senator Bill Cassidy blasted Milkovoch for a previous speech the state senator gave on the floor of the chamber, where the Shreveport Democrat called into question the safety of vaccinations. Milkovich said there’s scientific links between vaccines and autism in children, but Cassidy, a doctor, says that’s fake news…
Cut 13 (11) “…no link.”
A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana passed a Senate committee on 4-2 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if prosecutors seek the death penalty, the state has infinite resources to defend that decision compared to a person who is handed the sentence, and noted that outside groups have had to exonerate death row inmates who the state had failed to defend.
Cut 7 (10) “…from being killed.”
Two DAs spoke in opposition.

A proposal to end the death penalty in Louisiana advanced out of a Senate committee today. Supporters of the constitutional amendment say the death penalty needs to go because there’s the chance the state could execute an innocent person. But 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says the intricacy that goes into death penalty cases today ensures the accuracy of the current system.
Cut 9 (10) “…system currently works“.
On a 4-2 yes vote, the measure heads to the Senate floor, where it needs a two-thirds vote to pass.
The Louisiana House passes a bill that says banks with gun control policies can not refuse to do business with companies involved in the manufacturing and selling of guns and ammunition. During floor debate, Baton Rouge Democrat Denise Marcell asked bill sponsor, Erath Representative Blake Miguez if he thought his bill was fair
Cut 5 (10) “…the case”
The House approved the measure on a 66-27 vote.

Governor Edwards is confident tornado ravaged Ruston and Louisiana Tech will receive federal disaster recovery funds once damage assessments are complete, and an application for aid has been filed. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning reportedly has already identified at least 1,200 damaged structures, and Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says they’re hoping to get started on the assessment process, but some areas still need to be checked for safety before the crews go out.

Cut 12 (10) “…to work.”

A former St. Landry Parish priest was sentenced to seven years in prison today and received three years probation. Michael Guidry pleaded guilty in March to giving a 16-year-old boy alcohol and then sexually molesting him. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s a harsh sentence…
cut 13 (12) “…significant reduction”
Guidry was a long time leader of St. Peter Church in Morrow.

A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana passed a Senate committee on a 4-2 vote. Co-author of the measure, New Iberia Representative Terry Landry, says the punishment is immoral and the criminal justice system is far from perfect.
Cut 6 (12) “…room for error.”
Two district attorneys spoke against the proposal that will need a two-thirds vote in the Senate to advance to the House

A judge sentenced former St. Landry Parish priest Michael Guidry to seven years in prison and three years probation for a sexually assaulting a teenage boy several years ago. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes Guidry received a harsh sentence…
cut 15 (10) “..get lower sentences”
The 76-year-old Guidry will have to register as a sex offender and turn over his passport.

A Senate committee voted for a proposal today that would ban abortions in Louisiana if a fetal heartbeat is detected. It’s similar to a recently passed law in Mississippi that’s facing a legal challenge. If Louisiana’s abortion ban proposal is signed by the governor, it would not take effect until the federal courts say its constitutional.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit banks from refusing to do business with companies that sell or make firearms. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana heads to the Senate floor after advancing out of a Senate committee…
cut 2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former St. Landry Parish priest Michael Guidry received a seven-year prison sentence today for sexually assaulting a teen boy several years ago. The 76-year-old was facing up to 10 years in prison. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the number of sex abuse cases involving priests may have contributed to the sentencing…
cut 14 (05) “…the maximum sentence”

The Louisiana House passes a bill that says banks with gun control policies can not refuse to do business with companies involved in the manufacturing and selling of guns and ammunition. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says his legislation protects against a discriminatory action
Cut 3 (10) “…move it forward”
The House approved the measure on a 66-27 vote and it heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The governor’s office believes there is enough damage in Ruston from last Thursday’s EF-3 tornado for the city and Louisiana Tech to qualify for federal aid. The governor’s office of Homeland Security spokesperson Mike Steele says they are meeting with FEMA officials to conduct damage assessments…
cut 11 (08) “…infrastructure”
If Ruston is deemed a federal disaster area, then the federal government would pay 75-percent of the repairs for public facilities.

A proposal to end the death penalty in Louisiana advanced out of a Senate committee today. Supporters of the constitutional amendment say the death penalty needs to go because there’s the chance the state could execute an innocent person. But 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says the intricacy that goes into death penalty cases today ensures the accuracy of the current system.
Cut 9 (10) “…system currently works“.
On a 4-2 yes vote, the measure heads to the Senate floor, where it needs a two-thirds vote to pass.

The Louisiana House passes a bill that says banks with gun control policies can not refuse to do business with companies involved in the manufacturing and selling of guns and ammunition. Democrats oppose the legislation. Franklin Representative Sam Jones says the legislation infringes on the First amendment rights of banks…
Cut 4 (06) “…don’t you.”
The House approved the measure on a 66-27 vote and it heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A former St. Landry Parish priest was sentenced to seven years in prison today and also received three years probation. Michael Guidry pleaded guilty in March to giving a 16-year-old boy alcohol and then sexually molesting him. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s a harsh sentence…
cut 13 (12) “…significant reduction”
Guidry was a long time leader of St. Peter Church in Morrow.

Governor Edwards is confident tornado ravaged Ruston and Louisiana Tech will receive federal disaster recovery funds once damage assessments are complete, and an application for aid has been filed. Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says assessment teams are preparing to survey the damage.
Cut 10 (10) “…next week”
Steele says there is no timeline for when federal aid could be available.