Former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is under hospice care. Blanco, who served as governor from 2004 to 2008 was first diagnosed with eye cancer in 2011, but the cancer returned in a checkup in 2017. Last December, she said there’s no escape from her cancer. Franklin Representative Sam Jones took time on Tuesday to recognize the governor’s fight for her life…
Cut 3 (12) “…do so ”
Blanco is 76-years-old.
The latest installment from the Louisiana Survey out of LSU shows that 70-percent approve of the criminal justice reforms that were approved in 2016. But LSU Public Policy Research Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says only a third of respondents believe the system is fair and only a third believe it keeps the public safe.

Cut 9 (11) “…today″

Bossier City has been selected as a top retirement destination according to Where to Retire Magazine. The city was highlighted in a feature called “8 Veteran-Friendly Cities” in an upcoming issue. Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer Pam Glorioso says the area offers a great part of Louisiana for people to live in and at a low cost.

Cut 4 (11) “…feel safe in.”

A wreck in Bossier Parish that claimed the life of four-year-old Katie Grantham in November 2017 has inspired legislation to run toxicology tests on drivers at fault for vehicle collisions that cause serious injury. The child’s mother, Morgan Grantham, spoke to a Senate Committee Tuesday and says evidence was found that could indicate the driver’s impairment, even though he was able to pass a field sobriety test.

Cut 11 (09) “…of custody issue.”

Currently a drug test is only mandated if someone dies at the scene of a crash. Grantham’s daughter died in the days that followed.

A proposed constitutional amendment advances to the House floor that would ask voters should the state constitution be amended to say the state does not protect abortion rights. Pro-choice advocates oppose the proposal. Steffani Bangel is with the New Orleans Abortion Fund…
cut 15 (13) “…pregnancy”
If the measure receives two-thirds support in the legislature, the question would appear on the October ballot.

Another round of severe weather is approaching Louisiana. Storms will arrive in northwest Louisiana tonight and then tomorrow much of the state is under an enhanced risk for severe weather. That includes the Mississippi Delta, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and all of southeast Louisiana. Much of north Louisiana is under flash flood watch through Thursday morning.

Legislation that would require drug testing of drivers at fault in wrecks that result in serious bodily injury heads to the Senate floor after emotional testimony from a Bossier Parish mother, who lost her four-year-old child in a car wreck…
cut 12 (08) “….moment of impact’
Morgan Grantham says the driver that caused the wreck that killed her daughter was not drug tested, because her daughter initially survived.

Where to Retire Magazine highlights Bossier City as a Veteran-Friendly city to retire.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A clear majority of Louisianans support the 2016 criminal justice reforms according to the latest installment of the Louisiana Survey. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Donations on Go Fund Me for the three St. Landry Parish churches that were burned down in what prosecutors call a hate crime have now surpassed one-million dollars. The goal is to raise one-point-eight million.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco, who is battling cancer, has been placed in hospice care. The New Iberia native is 76-years-old.

A proposed constitutional amendment heads to the House floor that would ask voters to put into the constitution that it’s not a right in Louisiana to have an abortion. Pro choice advocates are concerned this measure would lay the groundwork to ban abortions in Louisiana and Steffani Bangel with the New Orleans Abortion Fund says that would not be good…
cut 16 (12) “…assaulted’
Supporters of the measure say the amendment could become important if Roe Versus Wade is ever overturned.

Bossier City is among eight cities in Louisiana for best places to retire. That’s according to Where to Retire Magazine. The Where to Retire Editor says Bossier City is attractive to military personnel and Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer, Pam Gloriso says the area also contributes to the state’s reputation as a Soprtsman’s Paradise….
cut 6 (08) “…here doing that”

Former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco, who is battling cancer, is under hospice care. When state lawmakers gathered yesterday they paused to pray for the former state legislator, public service commissioner and governor. In December 2018, Blanco publicly said there’s no escape from the incurable cancer that has spread through her body.

A Monroe lawmaker wants to make it clear in the state constitution that an abortion is not a protected right. Matt Doyle has more on this proposed constitutional amendment..
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The 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 70 percent of Louisianans support the criminal justice reforms championed by Governor Edwards and approved in 2016….
Cut 7 (07) “independents”
That’s LSU Public Policy Research Lab director, Doctor Michael Henderson. The reforms were aimed at reducing the prison population by reducing sentences and providing non-prison alternatives for non-violent offenders.

Bossier City has been selected as a top retirement destination by Where to Retire magazine. Bossier City will be highlighted in a feature titled “Eight Veteran-Friendly Cities” in the May-June issue. Bossier City is the home of Barksdale Air Force Base and Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer Pam Glorioso says many of those who work on the base return to the area to retire as the area has much to offer for vets.
Cut 5 (09) “…host in Bossier.”

A constitutional amendment is on its way to the House floor that would let Louisiana voters decide whether or not the state constitution protects abortion rights. Governor Edwards backs the measure and his executive counsel Matthew Block says the governor wants to send a strong pro-life message.
Cut 13 (08) “clearly.”
The proposal would need two thirds support in both chambers, and over 50 percent of the vote on the October ballot.

The Louisiana Survey out of LSU shows that 70-percent of Louisiana voters approve of the state’s criminal justice reforms passed in 2016. That’s up 61-percent from last year and director of LSU’s public policy research lab, Doctor Michael Henderson, says growth among Republicans is especially strong…
cut 8 (09) “…ago”

A Bossier Parish wreck that claimed the life of four-year-old Katie Grantham in November 2017 has inspired legislation that would require toxicology tests on drivers at fault for vehicle collisions that cause serious injury. The child’s mother, Morgan Grantham, testified for the bill in a Senate committee and says the driver that caused her daughter’s death was not drug tested and had a history of bad decisions.
Cut 10 (10) “…tricky like that.”
Grantham says the driver was not drug tested at the time, because her daughter was still alive, but she passed away a few days later. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Where to Retire Magazine has highlight Bossier City as a Veteran-Friendly city. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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A clear majority of Louisianans support the 2016 criminal justice reform according to the latest installment of the 2019 Louisiana Survey. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A Monroe lawmaker would like voters to have the option of deciding whether or not abortion rights are covered in the state constitution. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Bossier City has been selected as a top retirement destination according to Where to Retire Magazine. The city was highlighted in a feature called “8 Veteran-Friendly Cities” in an upcoming issue. Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer Pam Glorioso says the area offers a great part of Louisiana for people to live in and at a low cost.

Cut 4 (11) “…feel safe in.”

Bossier City is the home of Barksdale Air Force Base and Glorioso says many of those that have worked on the base, either in a military career or civilian career, have returned to the area to retire as the area has much to offer for vets.

Cut 5 (09) “…host in Bossier.”

Glorioso says the area certainly has much to contribute to the state’s reputation as being a Sportsman’s Paradise.

Cut 6 (08) “…here doing that.”

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The 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 70 percent of Louisianans support the criminal justice reforms championed by Governor Edwards and passed by a bi-partisan Legislature in 2016.

The reform now has majority Republican support, and Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says responsible for a dramatic rise in overall support.

Cut 7 (07) “independents”

The reforms were aimed at reducing the prison population by reducing sentences and providing non-prison alternatives for non-violent offenders.

60 percent of Republicans now support the reform efforts. in 2018 only 46 percent of Republicans backed the changes, and Henderson says it’s taken a few years for the average GOP voter to buy in…

Cut 8 (09) “…ago.”

79 percent of Democrats support the reforms, up five percent from last year, and 74 percent of Independents are on board, a 12 percent increase over 2018.

But the survey did reveal that despite the reform effort, most Louisianans are not happy about the state of the criminal justice system in Louisiana. Henderson says only a third of respondents thought the system was fair, and only a third thought it kept them safe.

Cut 9 (11) “…today″

65 percent of those polled say “mandatory minimum sentencing” should be eased so that judges have the flexibility to determine sentences on a case by case basis.

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A wreck that claimed the life of four-year-old Katie Grantham in November 2017 has inspired legislation to run toxicology tests on drivers at fault for vehilcle collisions that cause serious injury. The child’s mother, Morgan Grantham, spoke to a Senate Committee Tuesday and says the driver was not drug tested and had a history of bad decisions.

Cut 10 (10) “…tricky like that.”

Currently a drug test is only mandated if someone dies at the scene of a crash. Grantham’s daughter died in the days that followed. Grantham says evidence was found that could indicate the driver’s impairment, even though he was able to pass a field sobriety test.

Cut 11 (09) “…of custody issue.”

The bill won the approval of the committee. Grantham says victims should not have to die at a crash to mandate a drug test and adds she has experienced issues, both physical and mental, since the wreck.

Cut 12 (08) “…moment of impact.”

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A constitutional amendment is on it’s way to the House floor that would let Louisiana voters decided whether or not the state constitution protects abortion rights.

Governor Edwards is backing the measure and his spokesperson Matthew Block says the Governor wants to send a message to his constituents.

Cut 13 (08) “clearly.”

The proposal would need two thirds support in both chambers, and over 50 percent of the vote at the October 12th ballot that also features the primary round of the governor’s race.

The amendment was brought by Monroe Democratic Representative Katrina Jackson who says it’s an opportunity for voter to show the rest of the country that the Bayou State is the no. 1 pro-life state.

Cut 14 (11) “…Louisiana.”

Several states have adopted similar additions to their constitutions.

Pro-choice advocates were on hand to contest the proposal. Steffani Bangel with the New Orleans Abortion Fund disputed the amendment, saying a persons right to determine her own future, and her bodily autonomy are inextricably linked.

Cut 15 (13) “…pregnancy.”

Bangel says outlawing abortion in Louisiana would hit those living in precarious economic and social situations the hardest.

Cut 16  (12) “…assaulted.” 

The law would not outright ban abortion, and thus is unlikely to be challenged in federal court, but it may create a legal framework to outlaw the procedure if the US Supreme Court ever undid Roe vs. Wade.

A 14-3 vote in the House Transportation Committee has defeated a resolution aimed at reducing billboards in Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
A constitutional amendment is on it’s way to the House floor that would let Louisiana voters decided whether or not the state constitution protects abortion rights. The law would not outright ban abortion, and thus is unlikely to be challenged in federal court, but it may create a legal framework to outlaw the procedure if the US Supreme Court ever undid Roe vs. Wade.
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Lawmakers are seeking to bring back sales tax holidays. They were accidentally suspended for seven years when legislators crafted new tax laws last June. Monroe Representative Jay Morris’ measure would benefit consumers by reinstating a tax holiday for back to school shopping, hurricane preparedness and hunting supplies
Cut 6 (08) “…for the like.”
The school supply sales tax weekend would occur in August, hurricane preparedness would be in May and the second amendment sales tax weekend would take place in September.
The Senate Ag Committee approved and expanded a bill that would require “truth in labeling” for food products like Almond “milk”, “riced” cauliflower, and “sugar” substitutes. Louisiana rice industry representative Scott Franklin says the “substitute” industry is well aware that they are misleading the public, and they’d have trouble selling their product if it was labeled properly.
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Campaign numbers for the 2019 governor’s race have been updated. Jeff Palermo looks at what the candidates are reporting…

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A Pineville man has been charged with 100 counts of first degree rape. On April 1^st, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies received a complaint of possible criminal sexual conduct involving juveniles. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in the early 1970s and continued into the 80s. On April 9^th, the suspect, 71-year-old Harvey Joseph Fountain, was located and taken into custody. The investigation is on-going.

The Senate Ag Committee approved and expanded a bill that would require “truth in labeling” for food products like Almond “milk”, “riced” cauliflower, and “sugar” substitutes.
It’s legislation brought by Delhi Senator Francis Thompson who says while most of these “fake” products are not made in the Bayou State, they shouldn’t be outlawed, just forced to be upfront about what’s in the package.
Cut 10 (11) “…not true.”
Legislation has advanced to the House floor that seeks to lower auto insurance rates. Louisiana reportedly has the second-highest average auto insurance rates in the nation and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says his bill would create a legal environment that would reduce the costs for insurance companies…
Cut 3 (11) “…costs up.”