An effort being supported by the Louisiana trucking industry due to truckers being upset over trial attorneys demonizing the industry could cap number of billboards in the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The latest installment of the Louisiana survey finds that 81-percent of Louisiana residents support an increase in the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour. Governor Edwards is pushing a constitutional amendment that would increase the minimum wage to 9 bucks an hour in 2020.

The Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana has broken ground on a new biomedical research complex in Shreveport that will add 25 new jobs to the area. Officials say the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy will use new technology to help develop diagnosis and therapy for chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson….
cut 6 (10) “…we’ve established’

31 of the 105-members of the state house of representatives are term-limited and can not run for their seat again this October. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton is one of several House members looking to serve in the upper chamber…
cut 9 (09) “…another story”
Norton has already announced that she will seek to become the next senator that represents District 39, which is currently occupied by Senator Greg Tarver, who has yet to announce if he’ll seek re-election.

Legislation set to be debated during this legislative session would cap the number of billboards in the state. Currently, there are seven-thousand billboards and Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the billboards are a distraction for drivers and makes highways less scenic…
cut 14 (08) “….and federal highways
But a spokesperson for Lamar Advertising calls the legislation anti-business.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking the state legislature to change state law to end mandatory life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. Executive Director Alanah Odoms Hebert says this doesn’t mean those serving life sentence for second-degree murder should be released…
cut 11 (11) “…considered”
Louisiana is one of six states where adults serving life sentences are never eligible for parole.

Construction has started on the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy on a $14- million dollar expansion in Shreveport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company works in the next generation of radiopharmaceutical treatment for diseases like cancer. The expansion will result in two dozen new jobs…
Cut 4 (08) “…these research scientists.”
The center will be operated by the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and Governor Edwards says they are a leader in the field of molecular imaging and research.

There are 16 senators and 31 House members serving their last year of their 12-year term in the state legislature as term limits will create a huge turnover. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the Senate will lose some influential members…
cut 8 (12) “….to fill”
Voters approved term limits for lawmakers in 1995.

There are bills in the House and Senate that seek to cap the number of billboards in Louisiana at around their current number, which is seven-thousand. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says his bill is not a violation of the First Amendment…
cut 15 (11) “….can cause accidents”
But outdoor advertising giant, Lamar calls the legislation an assault on their company.

For 16 senators and 31 House members this will be their last session in their current seat because of term limits. Voters approved 12-year term limits for legislators in 1995 and this is the second time there will be a large turnover. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says there’s even more turnover than that…
cut 7 (10) “….to choose”

The ACLU has a blueprint for reducing the Louisiana prison population by half. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A Caddo Parish judge has sentenced 67-year-old John Essary to 16 months for prison after he pleaded to cruelty to the infirmed. Prosecutors say Essary had not moved his 68-year-old wife from the couch in months and as a result she became unresponsive, severely malnourished and suffered from life-threatening wounds.

Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state. Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.
Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”
But Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has a bill that would seek to reduce the number of trial attorney billboards, especially the ones that appear to go after the trucking industry.

The ACLU of Louisiana has released a blueprint on how to cut the state’s prison population by 50 percent. One recommendation is to change the multiple offender statute that substantially ramps up penalties for offenders who’ve committed the same crime previously. Executive director Alanah Odoms Hebert says it’s better to fix the cause of the crimes…
Cut 10 (09) “…of poverty”
Hebert says the ACLU also recommends ending mandatory life prison without possibility of parole.

Construction is underway on a innovative biomedical research complex in Shreveport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the 14-million dollar Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy expansion will deliver next-generation diagnostic, treatment and research techinques through advanced radiopharmaceuticals. He says the new medical equipment will enable C-M-I-T physicians and scientists to diagnose, treat and mange chronic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s…
cut 5 (10) “…in northwest Louisiana”
The capital investment will result in 25 new jobs for northwest Louisiana.

Dozens of lawmakers will be purged after this session as their 12-year term limits take effect. Matt Doyle spoke to some of them about whether or not the law has been effective…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The ACLU has a blueprint for reducing the Louisiana prison population by half. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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An effort being supported by the Louisiana trucking industry due to truckers being upset over trial attorneys demonizing the industry could mean fewer billboards in the state.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy has broken ground on a $14.2 million expansion in Shreveport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company works in the next generation of radiopharmaceutical treatment for diseases like cancer. The expansion will add 25 new, highly skilled jobs to the area.

Cut 4 (08) “…these research scientists.”

Pierson says the expansion gives the area more to be excited about beyond the jobs.

Cut 5 (10) “…in northwest Louisiana.”

Pierson says he is happy to see northwest Louisiana is benefiting from the statewide economic momentum.

Cut 6 (10) “…that we’ve established.”

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It’s been a dozen years since the last term limit purge in the legislature, and now dozens of lawmakers are taking part in what will likely be their last legislative session, as the class of 2007 is set to hit their 12 year limit.

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was a member of that 2007 class, and says the law was well intentioned, but is having unexpected consequences.

Cut 7 (12) “…to chose”

In the 1995, voters approved the 12 year term limit.

Since the law passed in 1995, every dozen years the Capitol sees a huge wave of turnover, and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says this will be the last year for many of the Legislature’s most influential members.

Cut 8 (12) “…to fill”

15 states have term limits including Louisiana.

But not all lawmakers are concerned about the change. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says there’s great opportunity for House members who have shown they can be effective to run for Senate seats, which is her plan.

Cut 9 (09) “…another story″

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A report from the ACLU of Louisiana lays out a blueprint for cutting the state’s prison population by 50 percent.

One of the recommendations is changing the multiple offender statute that substantially ramps up penalties for offenders who’ve committed the same crime previously. President Alanah Hebert says it’s better to fix the cause of the crimes…

Cut 10 (09) “…of poverty”

Hebert says multiple offender statues can result in decades of prison time for people accused of low level crimes.

Another fix would be eliminating the ability for judges to sentence someone to life without parole. Hebert says that wouldn’t mean automatically releasing murderers early, but it would give some higher level offenders the opportunity to state their case…

Cut 11 (11) “…considered.”

Louisiana is one of two states where the mandatory sentence for second degree murder is life without parole, and one of only six states where life without parole is an option at all.

African Americans make up 33 percent of the state’s population, but are 66 percent of the inmates. Hebert says other recommendations eliminating racial disparities in sentencing, and reducing or eliminating cash bond and other monetary penalties that hit the poor hardest.

Cut 12 (09) “…as well″

The ACLU is backing LaPlace Representative Randal Gaines’ bill that would reform the multiple offenders statute.

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Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state.  The sentiment of reducing billboards is backed by Louisiana’s trucking industry because truckers feel demonized by the content of accident lawyers’ roadside ads.  Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.

Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”

The Department of Transportation already has authority to regulate billboards.  Both pieces of legislation say billboards clutter scenery of the state and contribute accidents from distracted driving.  McFarland says the ratio of billboards to roads in Louisiana is too far out of balance.

Cut 14 (08) “…and federal highways.”

A Senate bill aims to limit the spacing of the billboards and the advertised content to be for an establishment within a certain proximity of the ad.  Senator Conrad Appel of Metairie, who has filed the bill, says the measures are not a violation of the First Amendment.

Cut 15 (11) “…can cause accidents.”

Conrad says his bill is not demanding billboards be removed, but more scrutiny of the regulations.

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LSU shortstop Josh Smith has been named SEC Baseball Player of the Week after hitting three home runs in five games. Smith who was scuffling over a week ago, credits his work with hitting coach Sean Ochinko

Cut 16  (15) “…bit longer.” 

Since losing two to nothing to McNeese on March 26th, LSU has won six of its last eight. Smith says a players-only meeting after the loss to the Cowboys helped the team get back to its winning ways…

 cut 17 (17)   “…keep it going” 

With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.
Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. Edwards spoke for nearly 40 minutes during a joint session of the House and Senate and said his top priority is to give teachers a one-thousand dollar increase in pay…
cut 11 (06) “…teachers deserve more”
Edwards is also seeking a 500-dollar increase in pay for school support workers and he wants to see more money put into the classroom, increasing the public school education budget for just the second time in the last 10 years.
But House Education Chairman Nancy Landry is not on board with that proposal….
cut 15 (10) “…urgency there”
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Last fall voters in 47 out of 64 parishes approved online fantasy sports betting, and now lawmakers are tasked with figuring out how to regulate the game in the session that kicks off today. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says they plan on copying the laws passed in other states, but are considering one change…
Cut 8 (07) “ sports”
It’s been a dozen years since the last term limit purge in the legislature, and now dozens of lawmakers are taking part in what will likely be their last legislative session, as the class of 2007 is set to hit their 12 year limit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says that turnover will mean a major learning curve for next year’s freshman.
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But Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says it’s a chance for effective leaders to run for office in other seats…
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There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish. The FBI has recently announced they are joining in on the investigation. Higgins says the punishment will be severe.
Cut 6 (07) “…of the law.”
Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church.
A Houma man is in jail after an investigation by State Fire Marshal deputies and the Houma Police Department into a vehicle fire that left one man dead. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 37-year-old David Mason is accused of intentionally setting the blaze.
Cut 3 (10) “…families were asleep.”

Last fall voters in 47 out of 64 parishes approved online fantasy sports betting, and now lawmakers are tasked with figuring out how to regulate the game in the session that kicks off today.  River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he doesn’t expect fantasy sports to be much of a revenue generator, as the average player doesn’t spend more than a few hundred dollars, but…

Cut 10 (06) “…that work”

The majority of the parishes who did not legalize the game are in north and central Louisiana.
Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. Edwards wants to see legislators approve legislation that would make sure Louisiana residents are not denied access to health coverage because of a pre-existing condition. He says the proposal would go into effect if the courts throw out the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 13 (08) “…style politics.”

Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his legislative agenda to lawmakers on the first day of the 2019 legislative session. The governor is asking legislators to support legislation to raise the minimum wage and approve a bill to eliminate pay secrecy as a way to reduce the highest gender wage gap in the country…

Cut 12 (10) “…wage gap”

There was no holding back for Congressman Clay Higgins as he released a video message aimed at those responsible for the recent fires that destroyed three historically black churches in St. Landry Parish.  Higgins filmed the video just steps away from the charred remains of the St. Mary Baptist Church and says the responsible party has succumbed to evil and will be caught.

Cut 5 (13) “…will be caught.”

Legislators are working out ways to regulate fantasy sports after voters in 47 out of 64 parishes legalized the activity last year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state revenue department says they are collecting more revenue from internet sales tax collections as more remote sellers are voluntarily complying. From October to December, the state received one-point-four million dollars in online sales tax collections, double from the previous quarter.