Today’s US Supreme court ruling means sports gambling won’t just be restricted to Nevada. Jim Shannon on what it means for Louisiana.
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Governor John Bel Edwards holds a press conference this afternoon where it’s expected he’ll release the call for a special session that would begin next week. Edwards has said a special session is needed, because the state needs to replace expiring sales taxes to fill a 648-million budget deficit.

A bill that would allow convicted felons who have been out of prison for five years to vote, even if they are on probation or parole is heading to the full senate for final passage. The measure passed the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, despite opposition from Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin, who says five years too soon….
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If passed, the measure would take effect on March 1st, 2019.

A Sorrento man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the boating death of his son. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 53-year-old Patrick White was operating a a 20-foot aluminum vessel when he slammed into a river wall. Einck says White flunked a field sobriety test when an L-D-W-F agent arrived…
cut 5 (08) “…as well”
Caleb White was 27-years-old.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Bill Riley is the executive of “voice of the experience” a pro voting rights organization.

Cut 9 (12) “of imprisonment”

The Webster Parish School District has settled a lawsuit with the ACLU that alleged that they created a coercive environment that subjected students to school sponsored Christian religious activities. ACLU Staff Attorney Bruce Hamilton says they received complaints from a Webster Parish student’s family that the activities had been ongoing for some time.

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The school has argued that the religious ceremonies were student initiated and led.

A boating wreck on the Amite River Saturday night leaves one dead, while the victim’s father faces charges. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Jim Shannon”

A gas leak in St. Mary Parish sent residents and officials scrambling this morning. The leak forced the closures of two schools, amidst a frantic effort by firefighters, police and ambulance personnel to evacuate everyone from the area. Initial investigations indicate the incident occurred at 7:15 this morning in the Baldwin area after a tractor hit an Enterprise Products natural gas valve. Officials have now given the all clear to return.

Authorities say A Sorrento man was killed when his dad wrecked a boat they were in Saturday night on the Amite River. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the impact killed 27-year-old Caleb White…

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Caleb White was 27.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says ultimately the decision to keep sports gaming out of Louisiana will exacerbate the state’s already problematic budget issues.

cut 8 (10) “rely on”

Its estimated that the new, unrestricted, sports gaming industry will be worth 7.1 billion dollars a year.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Current law says felons must complete probation and parole, before they are able to vote. Checko Yancy is the executive director of “Organize to Educate” who still cannot vote.

Cut 10 (09) “voting polls”

Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent, and that five years is too soon to get your voting privileges back.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for final passage.

And now here’s commodity’s

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s not just New Orleans that’s going to suffer as a result.

Cut 7 (06)  “those markets”

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent.

Cut 11 (11) “criteria”

A Sorrento man died Saturday night on the Amite river after the boat he was riding in slammed into a river wall. The boat was driven by Patrick White 53 of Sorrento his son Caleb slammed into the bulkhead during the wreck. Louisiana Wildlife and fisheries agents were close by and assisted. Adam Einck is a spokesperson with wildlife and fisheries.

Cut 3 (08) “head on”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says  criminal justice reformers are pushing this legislation, because the non-unanimous jury requirement leads to more defendants pleading guilty to crimes they may have not committed

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The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that’s great news…. for Beau Rivage.

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The Metairie Republican says the Shreveport will also suffer.

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

The Tangipahoa parish Sherriff’s office has requested a Louisiana State Police investigation of an officer involved shooting incident on Taylor Creek Road rd. The initial investigation reported that officer’s response to a domestic disturbance at 10:03PM last night involving a suspect who was allegedly threatening family members with a weapon. Officers made contact, and shots were fired, leading to the suspect’s death. The investigation is ongoing.

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

But it’s not just budget issues and fiscal cliffs. Alford says one of the most controversial issues, riverboat gaming on land, will come to a head later this week.

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The Governor is calling for the special session, which could get the revenue needed to fund the budget, to begin Friday after the regular session ends.

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

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The project was founded, and funded by Klinsky, the Chair of Harvard’s Public education Policy Group. OR GO TO Modernstates.org

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says he doesn’t see the bill passing in its current form, unless Harrah’s puts up more on its end.

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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche

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A Senate committee will hear arguments today on a bill that would extend the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story.

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There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.The Senate will be forced to reckon with a budget from Finance that includes cuts to many state agencies that are as deep as 25 percent. Alford says Senate President John Alario is likely to wait for the public to weigh in this week before deciding whether or not to bring a budget to a vote.

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Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Klinsky says his program is the “Netflix” of online college curriculum.

Cut 8 (11)  “you credit”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal single vessel boating incident involving a father and son in Ascension Parish.

A 20 foot aluminum vessel being operated by Patrick White, 53, of Sorrento, with Caleb White, 27, of Sorrento, as a passenger hit a bulkhead on the Amite River around 9 p.m. on May 12.  Patrick White sustained minor injuries whereas Caleb White sustained fatal injuries.

A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

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A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. says there’s also another concern.

Harrah’s officials say in exchange for a new 30-year contract, they will spend 350-million dollars on a new 340-room hotel, plus restaurants and a nightclub that would result in 500 full-time jobs. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says that’s not the only bonuses.

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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence”