The House Health and Welfare Committee is expected to vote today on a bill that would raise the age to purchase or possess tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. The sponsor of the bill, West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman, says raising the age could prevent potential young smokers from ever picking up a pack of cigarettes…
Cut 7 (07) “…ever smoke.”
The bill would also prevent those under 21 from buying vaping products.

The House has approved legislation that will allow seat belt usage as evidence when deciding how much in damages a person should receive if injured in an auto crash. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says his legislation can help trim the costs for businesses…
cut 14 (11) “….a seat belt” ”
The measure was approved on a 88-5 vote and heads to the Senate.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the state and Nicholls State to bring a coastal center to the Thibodaux campus to study the effects of land loss in the Terrebonne and Atchafalya Basins. Nicholls President Jay Clune says this new partnership with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the state is vitally important…
Cut 4 (12) “…personal.”
Clune says the Coastal Center will expand their engineering curriculum.

Another round of severe weather is on its way as strong storms are expected to move into western Louisiana tonight and impact southeast Louisiana tomorrow.

A vote is expected on a bill today that would raise the sale age of tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

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A New Orleans senator spoke openly about her gambling addiction in a committee considering legislation that would legalize sports betting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Nicholls State announces plans to have a Coastal Restoration center dedicated to saving the endangered wetlands where most of their students live. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A center dedicated to coastal restoration and preservation could in the cards for Nicholls State University as the school prepares to expand it’s engineering curriculum.

School President Dr. Jay Clune says 70 percent of their students come from St. Mary, Terrebonne, and Lafourche parishes.

Cut 4 (12) “…personal.”

Louisiana has lost 1,800 square miles of land to coastal erosion since 1932.

The facility will resemble the LSU Center for River Studies, famed for it’s huge model of the Mississippi River and it’s flow patterns. Clune says the facility will be a hub for wetlands protection research.

Cut 5 (11) “…campus.”

Clune says the center will focus on land loss in the Terrebonne Basin, and study why the Atchafalaya Basin has managed to be so resilient. He says much of their efforts will center on one beloved waterway…

Cut 6 (11) “…this point.”

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The House Health and Welfare Committee is expected to vote on a bill that would raise the age to purchase or possess tobacco from 18 to 21 years old. The sponsor of the bill, West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman, says raising the age could prevent potential young smokers from ever picking up a pack of cigarettes…

Cut 7 (07) “…ever smoke.”

The bill would also prevent those under 21 from buying vaping products.

Hoffman says the Bayou State would not be breaking any ground as 11 other states have enacted similar laws.

Cut 8 (07) “…everywhere.”

Hoffman says the goal of the legislation is to reduce the number of smokers which would create healthcare benefits that cannot be ignored.

Cut 9 (07) “…hopeful.″

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New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson spoke publicly for the first time about her struggles with gambling addiction Tuesday at a committee hearing on the legalization of sports betting.

Peterson says she’s dealt with the disease for years, but had managed to keep it a secret.

Cut 10 (12) “…addiction.”

A 2015 report showed those labeled “problem gamblers” were 2.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.

Peterson credited her ability to cope with the disease to a supportive family, but says not all problem gamblers have the luxury of strong family support, which is why she’s taking a public stand to bring awareness to the issue.

Cut 11 (10) “…disease.”

The revaluation of Peterson’s addiction led to accusations of hypocrisy related to her criticism of a 2017 New Orleans city council candidate’s pill addiction.

The Crescent City Democrat was the lone dissenting vote in Tuesday’s 3-1 committee approval of the legislation. She says the public outing of her addiction has given her the freedom to more openly voice her views.

Cut 12 (10) “…a plan”

Peterson was issued a misdemeanor citation earlier this year for entering a Baton Rouge casino. The Senator had voluntarily signed up for a program where problem gamblers ban themselves from casinos.

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Breaux bridge Representative Mike Huval has legislation that would allow information about whether or not a driver was buckled up to be used in determining damages in trials related to car wrecks. Currently that information is not allowed to be entered into the record. Huval says 90 percent of drivers nationwide buckle up, but…

Cut 13 (12) “seat belt.”

Huval says the additional expenses are weighing heavily on Bayou State employers.

Cut 14 (10) “…accident”

The Breaux Bridge Republican says the average inpatient costs for victims who did not wear seat belts was 50 percent higher than those who did buckle up.

Cut 15 (10) “accident”

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling passed a Senate committee on a 3-1 vote. First Baptist Church of Ponchatula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.
Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”
But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says failing to legalize sports betting won’t stop addicts from betting.
Cut 9 (09) “…this bill.”
Gambling addicts, spoke out about the need to increase gambling addiction recovery services, especially if the law were to pass, including former LSU basketball player Randy Livingston.
Cut 10 (11) “…here.”
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Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law of ag products receives unanimous support from the state senate and moves to the House for more discussion. Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…
Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”
Thompson also has a bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk, like soy and almond milk. That measure is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health committee.
The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and was asked about improving the fan experience at LSU football games…

Cut 15 (11) “…do that here.”

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch.  The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate but security expert Joshua Nicholson says a tall fence is not always effective…

Cut 11 (09)   “…U.S border”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the Senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…

Cut 4 (10) “…the violation”

Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effect in October 2020.

An effort to legalize sports betting at the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land-based casino received approval from a Senate committee today. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says this legislation could raise up to 60-million dollars a year for the state and against this bill will not keep addicts from betting…
cut 9 (09) “….this bill”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

State Police is discussing how they can provide better protection for the governor’s mansion after an intruder was able to get inside John Bel Edwards home and fall asleep on the couch. Security expert Joshua Nicholson says this will force State Police to look at their protocols…
cut 12 (11) “…in the mansion”
The intruder was arrested after he allegedly assaulted two officers in the mansion.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

A proposal to allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports gambling at the state’s 15 riverboat casinos, four racetracks and New Orleans land based casino passed a Senate committee, despite opposition from religious leaders. First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula Pastor David Cranford says this bill will cost lives.
Cut 8 (12) “…gambling”
Supporters of the legislation say sports gambling is here already, but this allow the state to generate tax revenues from it.

Baton Rouge native Scott Woodward says it’s an incredible opportunity to take over as LSU’s athletics director. The LSU alum said at his introductory press conference that LSU will win SEC and NCAA championships and do so with integrity. He says money to pay good coaches and have great facilities will be important…
Cut 14 (09) “ important thing”

Governor John Bel Edwards and State Police are not releasing many details about the reported break-in that occurred last week at the governor’s mansion where a man was found sleeping on the couch after breaking an antique table. State Police say they are evaluating their security procedures and security expert Joshua Nicholson says more manpower isn’t just the answer…
cut 13 (09) “….enforce that”
34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was arrested and faces numerous charges.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s truth in labeling law for ag products has cleared the Senate. It would prohibit a food from being called cauliflower rice when there is no rice inside the package. Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars. Thompson says they have until October 2020 to properly label their packages…
Cut 5 (10) “…labeling laws”
Thompson has a separate bill that prohibits the mislabeling of milk.

A bill that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal in parishes that have riverboats, race tracks and land-based casinos clears a Senate committee 3-1.
Cut 2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle.”

New LSU athletics Director Scott Woodward was formally introduced today and gave this ringing endorsement of football coach Ed Orgeron…
cut 16 (11) ‘..get it done”

Legislation that would prohibit food manufacturers from labeling a package and naming it cauliflower rice, if it doesn’t contain rice receives unanimous approval from the senate. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposed law would also protect other ag products like rice and meat, so no more tofu burgers…
cut 4 (10) “…the violation”
Food manufacturers in violation of this proposed law would be fined 500-dollars and it would take effecti in October 2020.

The state legislature took a step in bringing back sales tax holidays as the House approved a measure to reinstate three separate sales tax holidays for school supplies, guns and hurricane preparedness. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says his bill would cost the state five million dollars a year, which brought this question from Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox
Cut 6 (09) “…everything else”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

State Police announce 34-year-old Reynard Green of Baton Rouge was able to get into the governor’s mansion last Wednesday and broke an antique table. Green was arrested on multiple charges after he was discovered sleeping on the couch. The mansion is enclosed by a tall iron fence with only one entrance gate and Security Expert Joshua Nicholson says the break-in raises concerns…
Cut 11 (09) “…U.S border”
A state police spokesperson says they are evaluating security procedures for potential areas of improvement.

Legislation to reinstate sales tax holidays is heading to the Senate after the proposal received overwhelming support in the House. Legislators inadvertently suspended sales tax holidays for seven years when they approved a tax deal last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris says tax holidays should not have been halted…
Cut 7 (08) “…our state.”
The three separate sales tax holidays would be for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies, including guns.

The state senate unanimously approves a truth in labeling law for ag products. Brooke Thorington tells us what this mean…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

New LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is wrapping up his introductory press conference. The Baton Rouge native says it was an easy decision to return to his alma mater and he couldn’t say no when asked to take over the athletic department.