While Governor Jeff Landry can claim some legislative victories in his first regular session, a few key pieces remain to be decided. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation has been signed into law making it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement.
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
The ACLU opposes the law claiming it hinders the ability to hold police accountable and it violates a citizen’s First Amendment rights.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 will leave for France next week as they will perform at several ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. St. Aug Principal Aulston Taylor says this is a tremendous honor for the 112 members of the famed marching band…
cut 4 (11) “…soil of France”
They will be gone for eight days.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 will head to Normandy, France next week for a special performance for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sean Richardson has more…

cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

This could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s final legislative session, which must wrap up by 6 PM on June 3rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says these next few days will determine the final tally on Landry’s overall accomplishments with his first session…

cut 8 (08) “…Jeff Landry.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the final time during this legislative session, and the panel never took up the House-approved constitutional convention bill. Chairman and Baton Rouge senator Cleo Fields says Senators disagree on the need for a constitutional convention…

cut 9 (04) “…uncertain.”

Governor Landry was pushing a constitutional convention so lawmakers and a group of appointed delegates can remove items out of the constitution and put them into state law to provide more flexibility where there are budget deficits.

The 18-year-old Ruston woman who was killed Saturday in a drive-by shooting has been identified. Police say Haleei (Haley) Newton, who graduated from Ruston High School last Tuesday, was shot and killed as she and a male friend traveled eastbound on I-20 between the Tarbutton Road interchange and Tech Drive just after midnight Saturday morning. Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers says one of the rounds entered the trunk and struck Newton. The male passenger was uninjured and steered her car off the road. Police have not yet identified a suspect.

While Governor Jeff Landry can claim some legislative victories in his first regular session, a few key pieces remain to be decided. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The St. Augustine Marching 100 is heading to Normandy, France. to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-day. School President Aulston Taylor says the students are excited and ready for this incredible journey.

Cut 5 (12) “…young leadership.”

The Marching 100 will head out Monday and return home on June 11th.

Earlier this month, the Louisiana House approved a bill that called for a constitutional convention to take place in August. But several lawmakers were concerned over the lack of specifics on how the convention would be held and what would exactly be changed in the constitution. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairman Cleo Fields says his committee will no hear the because there is not a consensus among state senators on holding a constitutional convection…

Cut 10 (04) “…is done.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that would make it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a police officer after they order you to stand back. ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says this is a violation of our first amendment.
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine.

This could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislative session. While lawmakers are hoping to wrap up business on Friday, they must adjourn by 6 PM on June 3^rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Senate has decided not to take up the Constitutional Convention bill.

Cut 7 (10) “…unanswered questions.”  

There is a push among legislators to end the session on Friday, they’ve been at the capitol for the most part since the end of January. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says there are bigger priorities for the Senate to address than a constitutional convention.

Cut 11 (04) ” …that now.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the last time in this session and they never reviewed the House-approved Constitutional Convention bill.

Louisiana is the first state to ban the sale of nitrous oxide. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee met today for what was likely the final time during this legislative session and the panel never took up the House-approved constitutional convention bill. Chairman and Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says Senators disagree on the need for a constitutional convention…

Cut 9 (04) “…uncertain.” 

We’re in what could be the final week of Governor Jeff Landry’s first regular legislation session. While lawmakers are hoping to wrap up business on Friday, they must adjourn by 6 PM on Monday June 3^rd. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are still some big items left to tackle.

Cut 6  (09) “…this Friday. ” 

The Senate still must vote on the state budget and any changes must be approved by the House before final passage.

Legislation has been signed into law making it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement.
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
The ACLU opposes the law claiming it hinders the ability to hold police accountable and it violates a citizen’s First Amendment rights.

The St. Augustine Marching 100 is heading to Normandy, France. to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. President of the New Orleans school Aulston Taylor says the students are excited and ready for this incredible journey.

Cut 3 (12) “…over on Monday.” 

The band members also visited the National WWII Museum to learn more about D-Day, June 6, 1944

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told that person not to come any closer. The measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable…
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison.

The search continues for two inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail over the weekend. Chief Jimmy Travis says 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian may have left the state…
cut 6 (06) “….armed bobbery”
Travis says they broke through a corroded piece of chain-link fence, crawled under an eight-inch gap in a wall and scaled two razor-wire fences.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says the bill amended the list of approved items of how the money can be spent on school-related expenses.

Cut 11 (08) “..things arise.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate for final passage. Governor Jeff Landry, who’s expressed his support of the bill, is expected to sign the legislation.

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that would make it a crime to stand within 25 feet of a police officer after they order you to stand back. Bill author, Representative Bryonn Fontenot of Thibodaux.

Cut 13 (09)  “…protect us.”

Fontenot says that violence against police officers is on the rise.

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail this weekend are still at large.  19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian remain on the run.   Chief Jimmy Travis says Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s offices takes responsibility.

Cut 4 (10) “…strand of wire.”

Travis also says inadequate head counts, manpower shortages, and insufficient experience and training as factors contributing to the escape.

Nicholls is in an NCAA Regional for a second consecutive season. Pitcher Jacob Mayers says seeing their name re-appear on the selection show was a thrill…

Cut 18 (11)  “…this year.”

Nicholls will play UC Irvine at 3pm in Corvallis, Organ.

Two of the four inmates who escaped from the Tangiaphoa Parish jail remain on the large. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangiaphoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says unfortunately they did not learn about their escape until they received a call from one of the inmates relatives…
cut 5 (11) “…seeking shelter”
Travis says it’s very concerning that the guards at the jail didn’t realize four inmates were missing. He blames it on manpower shortages and insufficient experience and training. 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian are still at large.

Louisiana is the first state to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide. Governor Jeff Landry …
cut 9 (11) “…limited”
Nitrous oxide can be used in food preparation, but some were using it as a party drug.

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach an officer while they are conducting an investigation or making an arrest and they’ve told that person not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers…
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable, it is impractical to enforce, and violates a citizen’s 1st amendment rights.
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine under the new law.