TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are some of the big topics that will be up for discussion when the legislative session begins Monday. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says passing a tax hike is difficult. because many lawmakers are concerned that the additional revenues will not go towards their intended purpose:
Cut 5 (10) “structure”

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for the legislative session that begins Monday. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A New Orleans lawmaker wants to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products, as well as diapers, from the Louisiana sales tax. Supporter of Senator JP Morell’s bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Erenberg, says this is common sense legislation…:
Cut 14 (10) “made sense”
Opposition is coming from males who call this a special handout to women only and want fairness.

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. Retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says the president made the right move…:
Cut 6 (10) “took place”
But some say Mr. Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike.

It’s festival season in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the festivals underway around the state…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The legislative session begins the day after tomorrow and Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be looking at proven strategies from other southern states in order to push his agenda. He says we have to do something to lower Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate…:
Cut 16 (09) “any longer”
Lawmakers will convene at noon on Monday.

A man from Baton Rouge is in big trouble for allegedly cashing his dead mother’s state retirement checks for 18 years. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph stole over $400 thousand from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System…:
Cut 11 (10) “go to work”
Joseph is charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft.

Neil Gorsuch will be sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 101st associate justice on Monday, and Louisiana’s junior U.S. Senator, John Kennedy, is praising Friday’s confirmation. Kennedy says Gorsuch is the right choice as he truly understands how to interpret the law, not make it.

It was yet another rough night for the LSU baseball team as the Tigers drop its 5th in the last 7 to Arkansas, 9-3 in Fayetteville. LSU is now 5-5 in the SEC and three games back of the Hogs, who are in first place in the SEC West. Game two of the series is at 6 PM.

A proposed law would exempt items like tampons and diapers from the state sales tax. Emelie Gunn has more on the measure filed by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former Sons of Guns reality TV star Will Hayden has been found guilty on both counts of aggravated rape for which he was on trial. The jury only took a little more than an hour to make the call, and the verdict was unanimous and comes with a mandatory life sentence. Hayden’s conviction is for raping two young girls over the course of two decades.

It’s a beautiful day for a good Louisiana festival, and there is no shortage of them this weekend. The Baton Rouge Blues Fest is underway, as is the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. And in Lake Charles there’s a huge party going down at the Crawfish Festival. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it might be impossible to visit every festival here..:
Cut 5 (10) “visit em all”
In North Louisiana revelers are gathering for the big Street Rod Reunion in Bossier City. And the popular French Quarter Festival is happening in New Orleans.

The widow of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith is suing the man convicted of killing her husband. Racquel Smith filed in Orleans Parish Civil Court on Friday, seeking damages from Cardell Hayes. The 29-year-old is awaiting sentencing for murdering Smith and injuring Racquel. Hayes faces between 20 and 60 years in prison.

A New Orleans lawmaker has filed a bill that would eliminate the state sales tax when purchasing feminine products. Senator J.P. Morrell’s measure would exempt items like tampons and diapers. Supporter of the bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Ehrenberg, says these products are not luxury items for women.

Cut 12 (10) “of money”
Ehrenberg says this is common sense legislation.

Some federal leaders say President Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike on an air base in Syria. But retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana said on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana that he supports the President’s surprise attack.

Cut 8 (07) “to do”

Richard says this action was necessary given the heinous attack on innocent people.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says a Baton Rouge man has been arrested after he allegedly cashed in his deceased parent’s retirement checks from the Teacher’s Retirement System. Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph has been charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft.

Cut 10 (11) “particular benefits”
Joseph claimed over $400 thousand in undue benefits.

Festival season is in full swing, Lt. Governor Billy says it’s a great time to for locals to show off the Louisiana lifestyle and hospitality.

Cut 4 (07) “new friend”
The Blues Festival in Baton Rouge, the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival, French Quarter Fest, and the Crawfish Festival in Lake Charles are underway this weekend.

A proposal to be taken up in the legislative session that begins Monday would exempt items like tampons and diapers from the state sales tax. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Ehrenberg says supports the bill and says this is common sense legislation.

Cut 14 (10) “made sense”

She says the cost savings will help women living in poverty.

Criminal justice reform will be a key priority for Governor John Bel Edwards during the legislative session. He says we have to do something to lower the state’s incarceration rate.

Cut 16 (09) “any longer”

Edwards says the proposals will be consistent with the findings of the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force.

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. Retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says the president made the right move following Syria’s chemical attack on civilians.

Cut 6 (10) “took place”

Richard says this action was necessary given the heinous attack on innocent people.

Festival season is underway in the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says with over 400 festivals, there’s something to do every weekend in every city around the state. He says he wants to visit them all, but with new festivals popping up every year, it seems impossible.

Cut 5 (10) “em all”

The legislative session begins Monday. One of Governor John Bel Edwards’ priorities will be raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour. Edwards says in 2017, $7.25 an hour is inadequate to pay for the basic cost of living.

Cut 15 (11) “one job”

Edwards adds several other states have already increased their minimum wage well above the federal minimum.

A Baton Rouge man has been arrested after allegedly collecting his dead mother’s teaching retirement checks for 18 years. Attorney General Jeff Landry says if convicted, 42-year-old Lester Joseph should serve time behind bars.

Cut 11 (10) “go to work”

Joseph faces more than 200 counts of felony theft.

A jury finds former Sons of Guns star Will Hayden guilty of rape. The jury reached a unanimous verdict after deliberating for just an hour. Hayden was convicted on two counts of aggravated rape and one count of forcible rape for sexually assaulting two preteen girls between 1990 and 2014. Hayden will serve a mandatory life sentence.

It’s festival season in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the festivals underway around the state…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation support the president’s decision to launch a missile attack on a Syrian airbase. Military expert Maj. General Ron Richard of Louisiana says this action was necessary given the heinous chemical attack on civilians, and these missiles caused serious damage.

Cut 7 (08) “of action”

A Baton Rouge man faces over 200 counts of theft after allegedly cashing his dead mother’s retirement checks from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph’s father was the beneficiary for his wife’s retirement checks after Ruby Joseph passed away in 1997.

Cut 9 (09) “send checks”

Joseph collected over $400 thousand in undue benefits.

A bill filed for the regular session would exempt tampons from the state sales tax. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Ehrenberg supports the bill and says Louisiana women living below the poverty line could use any extra savings they can get.

Cut 13 (08) “than opposition”

But she does expect some push back since women’s issues bills haven’t had much success in the legislature.

Festival season is in full swing in all corners of the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the Blues Festival gets underway in the Capitol City, while the Crawfish Festival kicks off in Lake Charles. He says there’s plenty to do in Louisiana this weekend.

Cut 3 (11) “strawberry festival”

Louisiana holds over 400 festivals a year.