With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.

With the special session in the rear view mirror, legislators are looking ahead to a regular session. They aren’t allowed to talk revenue, but issues like TOPS reform and the minimum wage will be on the table.

Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor will be bringing two constitutional amendments to the floor. State judges are not allowed to be elected after the age of 70 and Claitor has proposed a constitutional amendment that prohibits any person over the age of 70 from running for a statewide position or the legislature…

Cut 25 (08)  “of it.”

Claitor also has also filed a constitutional amendment that would allow a person over the age of 70 to be elected as a judge. He says he’s filed the two to start a conversation

Cut 26 (08) “about it.”

Claitor says he has heard some opposition from long time legislators.

Cut 27 (07)  “know it.”

Claitor says he hopes the amendments will get the public’s attention for the issue.

and following up on last years criminal justice reforms, A Baton Rouge lawmaker is proposing legislation that would keep families together, even after a criminal conviction would normally break them apart. Jim Shannon has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman is propsing two bills as part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to improve the well-being of Louisiana children. One bill would lower requirements for obtaining teacher tenure, and the other would reduce the percentage of a teacher’s evaluation that is comprised of growth in student achievement.

LRN

Target and Walmart workers will see more money in their paycheck. Walmart says Associates in Louisiana will receive 13.7 million dollars in bonuses today, while Target announced it’s raising its minimum hourly wage to 12-dollars this spring and 15-dollars by the end of 2020. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says this is the effect of the recent federal tax overhaul…

Cut 6 (10)  “our employees.”

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send some convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. It’s part of House bill 264 that would give judges more flexibility on deciding how to punish parents who have committed non-violent crimes. Smith says, if passed, it will be up to district court judges to determine how they serve their punishment…

Cut 4  (:07) “at home.” 

A State Trooper’s kindness has gone viral after he found a wallet on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans and personally paid to send it back to the owner. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says Alexandria Master Trooper John Jett truly showed what being a state trooper is all about…

Cut 12 (08) “particular circumstance.”

The Reddit post showing the wallet and a personal letter from Jett has been viewed nearly 100-thousand times

The Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish is in operation for the 12th time since the 1930s. Water from the rising Mississippi River is flowing into Lake Pontchartrain, Colonel Mike Clancy of the Corps New Orleans office says they are easing levee levels by opening eight of the 350 bays on the flood control structure…

Cut 13 (10) “in the spillway”

Can spending time with your kids be considered punishment? One Baton Rouge lawmaker is convinced it can be as Jim Shannon reports.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The NFL is reportedly looking into the some of the questions former LSU running back Derrius Guice received while speaking with teams at the Draft Combine. Guice told SiriusXM Radio he was asked whether he likes men and whether his mom sells herself.

Target and Walmart workers will see more money in their paycheck. Walmart says Associates in Louisiana will receive 13.7 million dollars in bonuses today, while Target says they are raising its minimum hourly wage to 12-dollars this spring and 15-dollars by the end of 2020. Will higher wages result in higher store prices. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa…
Cut 7 (10) “disproportionately high.”

A State Trooper’s effort has gone viral after finding a wallet on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras and personally paying to send it back to the owner. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says Master Trooper John Jett from central Louisiana worked in the city last month, and found the owner’s wallet still containing money and personal information…
Cut 11 (06) “like that.”
The Reddit post that the wallet’s owner put online about Trooper Jett’s actions has been viewed some 96-thousand times.

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send some convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. It’s part of a proposed bill that would give judges more flexibility on deciding how to punish parents who have committed non-violent crimes.
Cut 3 (:11) “been committed.”
Smith says research has determined that kids who have lost contact with their parents are more likely to cause problems in school or on the streets.

The state ag department is seeking the public’s help in trying to determine who is responsible for the death of a cow and three calves. Commissioner Mike Strain says they were killed in a pasture at a levee near Port Barre…
cut 9 (10) “…March 3rd”
Anyone with information is urged to call 10-855-452-5323.

Water from a rising Mississippi River is now flowing into nearby Lake Ponchartrain as a result of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers opening part of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish. In 2011, the Mississippi River was extremely high and another flood control structure in Pointe Coupee Parish was also used. But Colonel Mike Clancy doesn’t think that action will be needed this time…
cut 14 (10) “….Morganza spillway”

In a viral social media post, Clint Durrett thanks Master Trooper John Jett from Alexandria-based Troop E for shipping his lost wallet back to him. He lost the wallet on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. State Police spokesperson Melissa Matey says L-S-P is known for highway patrols, but they do much more…
cut 12 (08) “….particular circumstance”

Can spending time with your kids be considered punishment? One Baton Rouge lawmaker is convinced it can be as Jim Shannon reports.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

______________________________________

Target and Walmart are putting more cash in their employees pockets. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

_________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send some convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. It’s part of a proposed bill that would give judges more flexibility on deciding how to punish parents who have committed non-violent crimes.

Cut 3 (:11) “been committed.”

The measure is House Bill 264 and is pending in the upcoming regular session. Smith says, if passed, it will be up to district court judges to determine who  qualifies

Cut 4  (:07) “at home.” 

Smith says research has determined that kids who have lost contact with their parents are more likely to cause problems in school or on the streets.

Cut 5  (:10 ) “act out.”

_________________________________________________________

Target and Walmart workers will see more money in their paycheck. Walmart says Associates in Louisiana will receive 13.7 million dollars in bonuses today, while Target announced it’s raising its minimum hourly wage to 12-dollars this spring and 15-dollars by the end of 2020. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says this is the effect of the recent federal tax overhaul…

Cut 6 (10)  “our employees.”

Will higher wages result in higher store prices? Rosa says it’s good to have wage growth, as long as its controlled…

Cut 7 (10)  “disproportionately high.”

Rosa says the raises that have been announced by Target and WalMart could cause other private and public employers to look at their pay scale in order to compete in the job market…

Cut 8 (05) “as well.”

_________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department is seeking information in finding persons responsible for the death of a cow and three calves. Commissioner Mike Strain says they were killed in a pasture at a levee near Port Barre…

Cut 9 (10) “March 3rd.”

The persons responsible for the cows’ deaths entered the property illegally where state owned cattle are present. Strain says vehicles should not be on the levee…

Cut 10 (07) “of us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Agriculture Department, Livestock Crimestoppers or the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.

_________________________________________________________

A State Trooper’s kindness has gone viral after finding a wallet on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans and personally paying to send it back to the owner. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says Alexandria Master Trooper John Jett was working in the city last month, and found the owner’s wallet still containing money and personal information…

Cut 11 (06) “like that.”

Matey says State Police are well known for keeping the roads throughout the state safe, but they do so much more and Jett exemplified that…

Cut 12 (08) “particular circumstance.”

The Reddit post that the wallet’s owner put online about Trooper Jett’s kindness has been views some 96-thousand times.

_________________________________________________________

The Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish is in operation for the 12th time since the 1930s. Water from the rising Mississippi River is flowing into Lake Pontchartrain, easing the pressure on New Orleans area levees. Colonel Mike Clancy of the Corps New Orleans office says eight of the 350 bays on the flood control structure will be opened today

Cut 13 (10) “in the spillway”

In 2011, Mississippi River levels were extremely high and another flood control structure in Pointe Coupee Parish was used. Clancy doesn’t think that action will be needed this time…

Cut 14 (10) “Morganza spillway”

The public is allowed to watch how the Bonnet Carre Spillway operates, but Clancy says there are some rules…

Cut 15 (07) “spillway”

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send some convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. The measure is House Bill 264 and is pending in the upcoming regular session. Smith says, if passed, it will be up to district court judges to determine who qualifies

Cut 4  (:07) “at home.” 

Smith says the bill would give judges more sentencing discretion.

Target and Walmart workers will see more money in their paycheck. Walmart Associates in Louisiana will receive 13.7 million dollars in bonuses today, while Target is raising its minimum hourly wage to 12-dollars this spring and 15-dollars by the end of 2020.

Rosa says the raises that have been announced by Target and WalMart could force other employers to do the same.

Cut 8 (05) “as well.”

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department is seeking information in finding persons responsible for the death of a cow and three calves at a levee near Port Barre. Commissioner Mike Strain says people should not be on the levee to begin with…

Cut 10 (07) “of us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Agriculture Department, Livestock Crimestoppers or the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A State Trooper’s effort has gone viral after finding a wallet on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans and personally paying to send it back to the owner. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says Alexandria Master Trooper John Jett was working in the city last month, and found the owner’s wallet still containing money and personal information…

Cut 11 (06) “like that.”

The Reddit post that the wallet’s owner put online about Trooper Jett’s actions has been views some 96-thousand times.

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send some convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. It’s part of a proposed bill that would give judges more flexibility on deciding how to punish parents who have committed non-violent crimes. Smith says research has determined that kids who have lost contact with their parents are more likely to cause problems in school or on the streets.
Cut 5 (:10 ) “act out.”
The measure is House Bill 264 and is pending in the upcoming regular session.

The Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department is seeking information in finding persons responsible for the death of a cow and three calves. Commissioner Mike Strain says they were killed in a pasture at a levee near Port Barre…
Cut 9 (10) “March 3rd.”

Target and Walmart are putting more cash in their employees pockets. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff palermo”.

Target and Walmart workers will see more money in their paycheck. Walmart says Associates in Louisiana will receive 13.7 million dollars in bonuses today, while Target says they are raising its minimum hourly wage to 12-dollars this spring and 15-dollars by the end of 2020. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says With higher wages, higher prices for customers at these stores may not be far behind. Rosa says it’s good to have growth, but it needs to be controlled…

Cut 7 (10)  “disproportionately high.”

Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith wants to send convicted criminals home if they have kids to take care of. It’s part of a proposed bill that would give judges more flexibility on deciding how to punish parents who have committed non-violent crimes.

Cut 3 (:11) “been committed.”

A pro-life movie that highlights the journey of Metairie native and current LSU law student David Scotton meeting his birth parents for the first time will premiere online tonight. Scotton, says “I Lived on Parker Avenue” tells the story of his adoptive parents and his journey to find his birth mom in Indiana and her choice of choosing adoption over abortion…

The film has been presented at a film festival in Los Angeles and has been nominated for an award for Best Documentary-Short Category. Scotton says the way the story is presented is the reason behind it’s success…

Cut 9 (08)  “impacting people.”

The film will premiere on Scotton’s website at i-lived-on-parker-ave-dot-com tonight starting at 7pm and will also be available order on DVD.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway is being opened as we speak for just the twelfth time ever as the Mississippi River swells. Eight of the 320 pods that are controlled by timber locks. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Michael Clancy says .The water will be released into Lake Ponchatrain, which has traditionally worried ecologists. Clancy says the Corps has a plan in place to make sure the damage is contained.

Cut 14 (11) “monitoring plan”