The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down legislation on a 9-7 vote that would have given teachers the option to have guns in school if they have the proper training. The vote came after a long debate, Pat Greshem testified that as a mother and former teacher she experienced first hand how helpless kids are in schools….
cut 11 (08) “….protect children”
But New Orleans Democrat John Bagneris was one of nine representatives to vote against the measure. Bagneris says he can’t support guns in schools at any level….
cut 12 (10) “…a good thing”
A bill to allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry guns on college campuses also failed to get out of committee today.

Two children in Bastrop were killed in a home fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the tragedy could have possibly been averted….
cut 15 (05) “…the home”
The parents were able to escape the blaze and authorities believe the mother sustained injuries trying to rescue her children. The family has identified the victims as 8-year-old J’marion Holmes and 7-year-old Kadrick Robinson.

Slidell police have charged 24-year-old Zachary Brooks with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, after his four-year-old son drowned in a pool. Chief Randy Fandal says the home was in a deplorable condition and Brooks was doing drugs at the time of the drowning…
cut 8 (09) “…man’s death”
The drowning occurred March 5th. Slidell Police announced the arrest at a press conference this morning.

The house committee on criminal justice is locked in a battle over allowing teachers or school staff to carry weapons. Chalmette representative Raymond Garofalo who authored the bill says he’s not requiring teachers to carry weapons, only to carry them after extensive training. He says gun free signs on campuses are invitations to kill.

Cut 9 (08) “like sheep.”

Opponets argued they would be more concerned for their children’s life if the bill passes and teachers are allowed to carry guns to schools.

A fire in Bastrop claimed the lives of two children this morning. The two boys, seven and eight years old, died after a fire broke out that went undetected, but parents were able to able escape. Fire marshal Butch Browning says the parents barely made it out alive.

Cut 13, 11 seconds, those boys

One of the parents sustained injuries trying to reenter the house.

24-year-old Zachary Brooks of Slidell has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of his four-year-old son Timothy Brooks. Police responded to a call on March 5^th from the father, who found the boy non-responsive in his pool. Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says he believes that drug use played a big part in the negligence that led to Timothy’s death.

Cut 7 (07)  “child’s death”

The House Governmental Affairs committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ measure would lower the required the number of signatures from voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Hollis says it’s nearly impossible to recall an elected official in large cities and parishes…

Cut 4 (08) “it done.”

The bill now moves to the House Floor.

24-year-old Zachary Brooks of Slidell has been arrested in connection with the drowning death of his four-year-old son Timothy Brooks. Police responded to a call on March 5th from the father, who found the boy non-responsive in his pool. Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says when officers arrived, they found a house in disarray.
Cut 6 (10) “with debris”
Zachary Brooks been charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Legislation has been filed to be discussed in the ongoing session to prohibit smoking in bars and casinos statewide. Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign spokesperson Raegan Carter says this legislation will improve the well-being of all…
cut 9 (11) “…right direction”
The House Governmenal Affairs Committee has voted for legislation designed to make it easier to recall an elected official. Under Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ bill, the percentage of needed signatures in larger cities and parishes would drop from 33-percent to 20-percent, medium sized communities to 25-percent and towns with less than 25-thousand voters would remain at 33-percent. Hollis says his measure also requires the recall organizer to state a reason for the petition…
cut 5 (10) “…be recalled”
The measure received unanimous support in committee and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off its Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would strengthen the current law…
Cut 7 (08) “they work.”
Several cities have passed local ordinances that prohibit smoking in bars and casinos.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved legislation that would require the state to give information on adoption to abortion clinics, so they can give that info to mothers seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says many expecting mothers are not aware of their adoption options…
cut 11 (09) “…the family”
A Governing Magazine report says Lousiaina’s per capita income rose 2.9 percent, which is above the national percentage increase. Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage….
cut 14 (05) “…minimum wage”
Efforts to raise the minimum wage were defeated in the legislative session.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill to make it easier to recall an elected official. Covington Representative Paul Hollis’ bill would lower the required signatures from registered voters in larger cities and parishes to trigger a special election. Pollster John Couvillon testified in favor becaue the state’s threshold to recall is too high…
cut 3 (09) “…from Louisiana”

A bill to ban smoking in bars and casinos state wide has been filed. Jeff Palermo has more on what this might mean for those who work there and their customers.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.

The state Fire Marshal’s office says two children were killed this morning in residential fire in Bastrop. Authorities say the parents were able to escape the burning home on Snyder Avenue, but the children did not. Officials say the scene is still active and more information will be released as they become available.

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…
Cut 4 (08) “other states.”
Gonzales says Louisiana is also considered the most stressed out state, because its high percentage of population living below the poverty line, divorce rate, crime rate and fewest number of psychologists per capita.

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved the Adoption Option Act. It requires abortion clinics to provide information on adoption options to a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says both pro-life and pro-choice advocates should be able to get behind this bill…
cut 12 (09) “…the situation”
The legislation is inspired by a recent documentary on LSU law student, who says his birth mom seriously considered an abortion, but at the last minute decided to put her child up for adoption.

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…

Gonzales say many in Louisiana swim in credit card debt and pay high interest rates.

There isn’t one item that is directly leading to such a low score for Louisiana. Gonzales says Louisiana is also considered the most stressed out state, because its high percentage of population living below the poverty line, its divorce rate, crime rate and fewest number of psychologists per capita…

Cut 6 (08) “are not.”

She adds that many Louisianans don’t get enough sleep either, which adds to the low rating for health and safety related stress. Other states with some very high stress levels include New Mexico, West Virginia, Mississippi and Nevada.

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A House committee will hear a bill today by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds that would require the state to provide adoption information to women considering abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says women seeking to terminate their pregnancy at abortion clinics would receive this information.

He says says many pregnant women are not aware of the options and support available to those who chose adoption.

Cut 11 (09) “the family”

A Governing Magazine Report says Louisianan’s saw a 2.9 percent increase in per capita income last year. The report says the big parts of that gain were the state’s 8.3% increase in benefits received due to the Medicaid expansion, and 2.7 percent increase in property earnigns. Louisiana Department of Labor Executive Director Ava (Day-wah) Dejoie the Incumbent Worker Program for the boost in wages and employment levels that helped the state post a strong showing last year.

Cut 15 (09) “new employees.”

A bill will be heard today that would require abortion clinics to provide information about adoption options. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses.

Gonzales say many in Louisiana swim in credit card debt and pay high interest rates.

She says Louisiana is the third most stressed state when it comes to below average credit scores…

Cut 5  (11)  “pretty low.”

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The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off it’s Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would amend the current law…

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death nationwide as an estimated 480,000 die nationwide each year from either smoking or breathing second-hand smoke. Carter says a person working in a bar and casino should not have to  jeopardize their livelihood.

Cut 8 (08)  “their paycheck.”

Several cities have passed local ordinances that prohibit smoking in bars and casinos in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans and in Ouachita Parish. Louisiana would become the 18^th state to implement a statewide smoking ban in bars and gaming facilities.

A bill to ban smoking in bars and casinos state wide has been filed. Jeff Palermo has more on what this might mean for those who work there and their customers.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The personal-finance website Wallethub names Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they looked at a variety of factors and Louisiana has among the highest work and money related stresses than any other state…

Cut 4  (08) “other states.” 

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A House committee will hear a bill today by Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds that would require the state to provide adoption information to women considering abortion. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says women seeking to terminate their pregnancy at abortion clinics would receive this information.

Cut 10 (10) “law already”

A Governing Magazine Report says Louisianan’s saw a 2.9 percent increase in per capita income last year. The report says the big parts of that gain were the state’s 8.3% increase in benefits received due to the Medicaid expansion, and 2.7 percent increase in property earnigns. Louisiana Department of Labor Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the governor’s healthcare expansion is driving the state’s economic recovery.

The 2.9 percent was slightly above the national average of 2.4 percent.

Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage.

Cut 14 (05) “minimum wage.”

LSU is hosting its pro day today for 25 NFL hopefuls. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a great opportunity for some unheralded talents to show scouts what they’ve got….

Cut 16 (18) “…on one”

Detillier recently released a mock draft and has two former Tigers selected in the first round, Derrius Guice to the Seahawks and Arden Key to the Rams.

The current Tigers resumed Spring Practice yesterday after a week break. Coach Ed Orgeron said afterwards it was a spirited work out. Coach O talked about the three Q-B’s, he says Myles Brennan is comfortable in the pocket, Justin McMillan is great at extending plays with his feet, Lowell Narcisse has the strongest arm.

______________________________________________________________________

Back-to-back homers by Zach Watson and Austin Bain sparked the Tigers to a 10-1 win over Nicholls State last night at Alex Box Stadium. Bain scored twice and drove in two runs. Antoine Duplantis had three hits, while Bryce Jordan was 4-for-4. AJ Labas (Lay-biss) allowed just one run in five innings for his third win of the year.

Another rough loss for the Ragin Cajuns as they blew an 8-3 lead in the 8^th inning and lost to Southern Miss nine to eight. UL-Lafayette is now 12 and 16 on the year.

In Fayetteville, ULM scored four runs in the 9^th inning to tie 5^th ranked Arkansas and then took a 9-8 lead in the 10^th. But the Razorbacks scored two runs in the next half inning to beat the Warhawks 10-9 in 10 innings. Same two teams will play again this afternoon.

UNO scored a run in the ninth inning to beat Tulane three to two. And Brennan Breaud drove in three runs in a 9-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

And the Pelicans are home tonight to face the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. A must win for New Orleans who has a half-a-game lead over Denver for the final playoff spot in the West.

The personal finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the most stressed state in the nation. Kelley Ray has a look at some of the factors.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Louisiana kicked off it’s Smoke Free Louisiana Campaign, as Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller filed legislation to ban smoking in bars and casinos statewide. A smoking ban for restaurants has been in effect since 2007. Spokesperson Raegan Carter says Miller’s bill would amend the current law…

Cut 7 (08)  “they work.”

==========================————————————-

A Governing Magazine Report says Louisianan’s saw a 2.9 percent increase in per capita income last year. The report says the big parts of that gain were the state’s 8.3% increase in benefits received due to the Medicaid expansion, and 2.7 percent increase in property earnigns. Louisiana Department of Labor Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the governor’s healthcare expansion is driving the state’s economic recovery.

Cut 13 (11)  “care sector.”

The 2.9 percent was slightly above the national average of 2.4 percent.

Workers saw a one percent increase in pay last year. Dejoie says we could give that number a boost with an increase to the minimum wage.

The inflation rate, or how much less a dollar buys you, rose two percent last year.

Pig Guts