Community activists are calling on lawmakers to pass a law allowing local governments the right to set their own minimum wages. Step Up Louisiana member Pamela Bourgeois says such a move would empower local municipalities to raise the 7.25 minimum, and reinvigorate their economies by putting more money in a larger number of peoples hands.

Cut 13, 10 seconds, your city

A 1999 law bars local municipalities from setting pay and benefit standards, instead leaving that up to the state.

Former Vikings running back Latavius Murray has reportedly agreed to a four year deal with the Saints, likely signaling the end of Black and Gold standout RB Mark Ingram’s tenure in New Orleans. Reports indicated that several teams were pursuing Ingram at a price point that would have been untenable for a team with limited cap space. Murray ran for 578 yards and 6 TDs last year.
_____________________________________
Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards is also proposing a 500-dollar increase in pay for school support workers and if re-elected the governor pledges to push for additional raises…

Cut 8 (08) “…just a start.”

Edwards has made teacher pay raises his number one priority in the upcoming legislative session.
State lawmakers are hearing from supporters of the death penalty today, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and victims’ families, at the state capital. Louisiana currently has over 70 inmates on death row. Landry says the lack of executions is denying justice to victims’ families.

Cut 9 (12) “…feel the same.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee is holding a hearing today on the Death Penalty. The last execution in Louisiana was 2010. Attorney General Jeff Landry has invited family members of victims whose killers are on death row in the hopes of jump starting executions again….
Cut 8 (09) “…stories.”
The Edwards administration says the drugs needed to put a person to death are not readily available

The legislative session is about a month away and legalizing sports betting in Louisiana will be a hot topic. An effort to legalize it in 2018 fell flat. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…
Cut 11 (10) “again”
Supporters of legalizing sports betting say it will help Louisiana cainos compete with Mississippi casino parlors.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning to urge them to include a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise as part of their public education funding request to the legislature. Edwards says teaching is an underappreciated profession and he wants to change that…
Cut 6 (10) “…they supported.”
Edwards has made teacher pay raises his number one priority in the upcoming legislative session.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act. Cassidy says the legislation will force colleges to make certain data available to the public, so students can make a determination if a particular school is right for them…
Cut 4 (08) “…after high school.”
Cassidy says LSU President F King Alexander supports the legislation.

January 2010 was the last time a convicted murderer was executed in Louisiana and that’s why the House Criminal Justice Committee is holding a hearing this morning to discuss the status of the death penalty…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s office announces plans to seek the death penalty against 34-year-old Dewayne Watkins who authorities say robbed, kidnapped and murdered a Shreveport couple in November. The bodies of 43-year-old Kelly Jose and 32 year old Heather Jose were found inside a burned car.

The legislative session begins in about a month. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s an odd number year so that means legislators can debate tax bills…
cut 12 (12) “..exemption”
Alford says teacher pay and sports betting will be the other two big topics.

LSU A-D Joe Alleva has taken a lot of heat for the suspension of basketball coach Will Wade after it was reported that the FBI has a recorded conversation between Wade and recruiting middleman discussing an offer for a recruit. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says Alleva wasn’t the only one involved in the decision…
cut 14 (10) “…thing to do”
Interim head coach Tony Benford will coach the team in the SEC Tournament.

In Jefferson Parish a fourth victim has died at a hospital following last Thursday’s brutal attack in Terrytown that initially left one woman and two other children dead. The Jefferson Parish Coroner confirmed a third child’s death Monday night. Another child in the case has also been declared brain dead.

The regular legislative session kicks off in about a month and LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says get ready for teacher pay, sports betting, and tax issues…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards has not voiced his personal opinion on the ethics of the death penalty but says as governor it is his duty to follow the law, and currently, the law provides no pathway towards enforcing executions. AG Jeff Landry called on Edwards to publicly testify at the hearing that’ll be held just a few minutes from the Governor’s mansion…

Cut 9 (09) “…his position″

The hearing is set for 9AM.

So what benefit is it to LSU to suspend head basketball coach Will Wade for his alleged role in an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption? LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says it makes the school look better in the NCAA’s eyes since they’ve taken steps towards self-disciplinary actions
Cut 13 (06) “…of institutional control.”

The NCAA is watching what federal prosecutors find as they investigate the practice of giving recruits and middlemen money to play at certain schools.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing today on the Death Penalty, featuring family members of victims whose attackers are on death row

The Governor’s administration says the serum needed for the death penalty has not been accessible since 2010. Attorney General Jeff Landry says that’s a poor excuse.

Cut 8 (09) “…stories.”

Landry cited recent executions in Texas and Oklahoma as evidence that Louisiana could begin executing again as well.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act.  Cassidy says the legislation aims to make education more affordable by updating the college reporting system. He want to ensure accurate data and help guide students to the school that best suites to their needs

Cut 6 (09) “…have affordable education.”

The legislative session is a less than a month away and the prospect of legalizing sports betting in Louisiana is a hot topic again. The US Supreme Court OK’d the practice for all states, but a last second effort to authorize it here fell flat. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…

Cut 11 (10) “again”

The LSU basketball team returns to practice today. Interim head coach Tony Benford says he plans on coaching the team at this weekend’s SEC Tournament, while the status of freshman Javonte Smart could be determined today. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU for USA Today Network…

Cut 15 (09) “…of what ifs”

LSU is trying to determine is Smart’s family received a payment, which was suggested in reported FBI wiretap involving Coach Wade.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing today on the Death Penalty, featuring family members of victims whose attackers are on death row, but have not been put to death. The state has not executed anyone in over a decade but Attorney General Jeff Landry says he will showcase a legal path forward for the death penalty.

Cut 7 (08) “…families.”

The Governor’s administration says there are legal barriers preventing the death penalty stating the serum is not available.

The legislative session is a less than a month away and pay raises for educators looks to be a hot button issue. Teacher and school support personnel pay raises, comes with an estimated 135-million dollar price tag. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says figuring out how to pay for it could be a struggle.

Cut 10 (09) “…American history.”

The proposal would raise teacher pay by 1,000 dollars, and support personnel pay by 500 dollars.

LSU’s suspension of Will Wade leaves basketball fans with more questions than answers. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

They’ll be discussing the death penalty today at a public hearing at the capitol, where family members of victims whose attackers are on death row will speak…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

____________________________

The regular session kicks off in about a month and LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says get ready for teacher pay, sports betting, and tax issues…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

___________________________________

LSU’s suspension of Will Wade leaves basketball fans with more questions than answers. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act.  Cassidy says the legislation aims to make education more affordable to students by modernizing the college reporting system to make available accurate data on student outcomes.

Cut 4 (08) “…after high school.”

Cassidy says among the data used would be the completion of the curriculum, as well as post-college hiring rates and earning expectations based upon a selected school.  It will also factor in students with similar backgrounds succeeded at a school.

Cut 5 (12) “…years of graduating.”

Cassidy says he, along with LSU President F. King Alexander, coauthored an op-ed for CNN in support of the act.

Cut 6 (09) “…have affordable education.”

___________________________________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing today on the Death Penalty, featuring family members of victims whose attackers are on death row, but have not been put the death, as the state has not executed anyone in over a decade. but Attorney General Jeff Landry says today they will showcase a legal path forward for the death penalty.

Cut 7 (08) “…families.”

The Governor’s administration says there are legal and logistical barriers preventing the death penalty in Louisiana, as the serum needed has not been accessible since 2010. Landry says it’s a poor excuse, and the lack of an executable death penalty incentivizes more crime.

Cut 8 (09) “…stories.”

Landry cited recent executions in Texas and Oklahoma as evidence that with some legal and policy tweaks, Louisiana could begin executing again as well.

Governor Edwards has not voiced his personal opinion on the ethics of the death penalty, but says as governor it is his duty to follow the law, and currently the law provides no pathway towards enforcing executions. Landry called on Edwards to publicly testify at the hearing that’ll be held just a few minutes from the Governor’s house…

Cut 9 (09) “…his position″

The hearing is set for 9AM.

__________________________

The legislative session is a less than a month away and two topics look to be hot button issues. One of those, teacher and school support personnel pay raises, comes with an estimated 135-million dollar price tag. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says figuring out how to pay for it could be a struggle.

Cut 10 (09) “…American history.”

The proposal would raise teacher pay by 1,000 dollars, and support personnel pay by 500 dollars.

The other topic on many lawmakers lips is the prospect of legalizing sports betting in Louisiana. Last year the US Supreme Court OK’d the practice for all states, but a last second effort to authorize it here fell flat. Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…

Cut 11 (10) “again”

Neighboring Mississippi has legalized sports betting, and Louisiana casinos say they fear they are losing visitors as a result.

Odd numbered years allow lawmakers to propose tax increases in a regular session. Alford says revenue questions will take center stage…

Cut 12 (12) “…exemption”

The session begins at noon on April 8th.

______________________________

The suspension of LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade in response to his involvement in an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption has created more questions than answers.  Among the questions, what benefit is it to the school to suspend Wade at this point?  LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says it makes the school look better in the NCAA’s eyes since they’ve taken steps towards self-disciplinary actions.

Cut 13 (06) “…of institutional control.”

Guilbeau says it’s likely the decision to suspend Wade was not just made Athletics Director Joe Alleva, the LSU compliance department also played a role…

Cut 14 (10) “…thing to do.”

Guilbeau says he believes the Tiger fans have seen the last of Will Wade at courtside, but when it comes to the player in question, Javonte Smart…

Cut 15 (09) “…of what ifs”

___________________________________________

The 13th ranked LSU baseball team visits Natchitoches for the first time since 2014 when they play Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field. Demons head coach Bobby Barbier says it should be a fun night at the park…

Cut 16  (15) “tickets sold” 

The Demons are 7-6 on the season, while LSU is 11-4. Tigers shortstop Josh Smith says not a bad start so far…

 cut 17 (13)   “how it goes” 

LSU is coming off a series victory over Cal. In the last game of the series, freshman first baseman Cade Beloso belted two home runs. Beloso on his plan at the plate.

Cut 18 (13)  so far” 

It doesn’t appear LSU basketball coach Will Wade’s suspension will be lifted anytime soon. Interim Head Coach Tony Benford was asked if Wade’s suspension could be a rallying point. He says the team has already been through a lot, starting with the murder of Wayde Sims right before the season started. He says the players have formed a brotherhood…

Cut 5 (11)“…need to”

Studies have shown the Monday following a time change comes an increased risk of things such as heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents.  State Police Sgt. Melissa Matey says any time the time changes and there is a difference in lighting, it can pose problems on the roadways.
Cut 9 (12) “…your visual field.”
Matey says the lack of sleep can negatively impact driving habits, adding there is an uptick in distracted driving following time change.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is bringing a constitutional amendment in the upcoming session that asks voters whether local governments should have the authority to lower the homestead exemption. The amendment would first require two thirds support in the legislature to make it onto the fall ballot, where it would then need to be approved by a majority of voters.  Carter says at that point, local voters would still have a final say on homestead exemption rates in their own back yards…

Cut 8 (10) “…do it.”

Louisiana has now seen eleven straight months of jobs gains, with the state adding 10,200 jobs from January 2018 to 2019. It was a disappointing jobs report nationwide, with gains slowing to their slowest rate in months, but Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante says the Bayou State has managed to buck that trend…

Cut 14 (11)  “…statewide.”