The House Criminal Justice Committee meets today and they are expected to take up a bill that would remove the gassing method of execution, known as nitrogen hypoxia as an option to carry out a death sentence. Jacquelyn Stern has spoken to several lawmakers and many were surprised to hear the use of gas as a form of execution is triggering to Jews…
cut 8 (12) “….and Louisiana”
The bill passed the Senate on a 22-16 vote.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism says a record 43-million people visited Louisiana in 2023, an increase of 420-thousand over 2022. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s an impressive increase despite a rise in travel costs and concerns from the U-S Travel Association that international visitation is not expected to recover until 2025…
cut 6 (12) “….to Louisiana”
A Belle Rose man faces theft charges for allegedly running a ponzi scheme. Sean Richardson has more…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Pointe Coupee Parish Coroner’s office has identified the 16-year-old fatally shot in New Roads on Sunday. Its Jonathan Johnson, a student at Zachary High School. New Roads police say they do not have a suspect, but it’s an active investigation.

Louisiana saw an increase in tourism and visitor spending last year. Mel Bridges has the totals.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson has endorsed Republican Julia Letlow and Garret Graves in their re-election efforts. But Graves’ sixth district is changing to a majority-minority district and Graves has said he’s looking at other districts to represent. Political observers say Johnson’s endorsement of Graves is to send a message he should seek re-election in the sixth district, not Letlow’s district.

In House Criminal Justice today, committee members will hear from the Jewish community, who are pushing a bill to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. In February, during a special session on crime, gassing was added as a means to carry out the death penalty. Jacquelyn Stern says that’s when they started the coalition Jews Against Gassing…
Cut 7 (11) “…for anybody.”
The bill cleared the Senate on a 22-to-16 vote.

A Belle Rose man faces a theft charge after he allegedly ran a Ponzi Scheme that allowed him to steal thousands of dollars from his friends. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Lonny Cavalier says 44-year-old John Michael Thibodeaux collected significant amounts of money from the victims, claiming they would receive high returns on their investments through E-trade…
cut 11 (09) “…this point”
Thibodeaux says victims became suspicious when dividend payments either stopped or never started.

Senator Thomas Pressly’s Abortion by Fraud Criminalization bill inspired by the poisoning of his sister with the abortion pills mifepristone (muh-fuh-pri-stown) and misoprostol (mai-sow-praa-stowl)by her estranged husband will be heard in the Louisiana House today. The bill adds the medications to Schedule IV of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. Sarah Zagorski with Louisiana Right to Life says access should be limited…
Cut 13 (08) “…these drugs”
Some in the health care industry are concerned classifying mifrepristone and misoprostol as Schedule Four Drugs will limit their availability when needed for reproductive care.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will hear a Senate approved bill that will prevent the state from using gassing as a method of execution. The Jews Against Gassing coalition is pushing for the legislation because millions of European Jews died in gas chambers at the hands of Nazi Germany. Jacquelyn Stern…
cut 9 (10) “….what it is”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser announced Louisiana saw an increase in visitation and visitor spending last year. 420 thousand more people visited, pushing the total up to 43 million, and spent 5% more than in 2022. Nungesser says International visitors saw the biggest gain increasing 17% and spending almost 2 billion….
Cut 4 (11) “…Louisianians live.”
Nungesser says the international market has grown thanks in part to a grant from the US Commerce Department to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination to markets overseas.

Forty-four-year-old John Michael Thibodeaux of Belle Rose faces criminal charges for running an alleged Ponzi scheme. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman Lonny Cavalier says they’ve investigated Thibodeaux for five months and since arresting him Friday, other potential victims have come forward.
Cut 10 (10) “…friends of his.”
The victims became suspicious when they stopped receiving interest payments after a few months or some never received any payments.

Louisiana saw an increase in tourism and visitor spending last year. Mel Bridges has the totals.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Members of House Criminal Justice will hear from the Jewish community to remove gassing as a means of execution in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Forty-four-year-old Michael Thibodeaux of Belle Rose told his friends he was investing their money in an E-trade account, but now he’s facing theft charges for allegedly running a ponzi scheme. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.” 

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser announced Louisiana saw an increase in visitation and visitor spending last year. 420 thousand more people visited, pushing the total up to 43 million, and spent 5% more than in 2022. International visitors saw the biggest gain increasing 17% and spending almost 2 billion, says Nungesser.

Cut 4 (11) “…Louisianians live.”

Nungesser says the international market has grown thanks in part to a grant from the US Commerce Department to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination to markets overseas.

Cut 5 (11) “…next three years.” 

Those markets are Spain, India and Italy, where the Lieutenant Governor is currently. Though the US Travel Association doesn’t predict international visitation to recover until 2025, Nungesser says the increases in visitation show that Louisiana tourism is coming back strong.

Cut 6 (12) “…to Louisiana.”

Additionally last year, visitors spent almost 2 billion in state and local taxes, saving each household in Louisiana over a thousand dollars a year in taxes.

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In House Criminal Justice today committee members will hear from members of the Jewish community, to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. In January during a special session on crime, gassing was added as a means to carry out the death penalty. Soon after Jacquelyn Stern says the group Jews Against Gassing was formed.

Cut 7 (11) “…for anybody.”

Senate Bill 430, passed in the upper chamber after a 22-16 vote. Stern says when members of her group have been able to talk directly to lawmakers, many she says did not realize how triggering the use of gas as a form of execution was for Jews.

Cut 8 (12) “…and Louisiana.” 

Stern says for a state that is home to the National World War II Museum, it feels like many lawmakers are quick to forget what veterans fought for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…what it is.”

Stern says they have yet to hear back from Governor Jeff Landry’s office if he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

_________________________________________________________________

Forty-four-year-old John Michael Thibodeaux of Belle Rose faces criminal charges for running an alleged Ponzi scheme. Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman Lonny Cavalier says they’ve investigated Thibodeaux for five months and since arresting him Friday, other potential victims have come forward.

Cut 10 (10) “…friends of his.”

An arrest warrant in connection to one case was issued Friday, Cavalier says there are at least 5 more victims and the amount that was stolen was significant.

Cut 11 (09) “…at this point.”

The victims became suspicious when they stopped receiving interest payments after a few months or some never received any payments.  When asked to show financial records, Thibodeaux couldn’t produce any and he had no E-trade account.

Cavalier warns people to be cautious when the opportunity seems too good to be true.

Cut 12 (16) “…not a realistic number.” 

Cavalier said that all the known victims are Thibodeaux’s personal friends.  He was booked Friday with theft and unlawfully promoting a pyramid scheme.

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Senator Thomas Pressly’s Abortion by Fraud Criminalization bill inspired by the poisoning of his sister with the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol by her estranged husband will be heard in the House on Tuesday. The bill was amended to add the medications to Schedule IV of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. Sarah Zagorski with Louisiana Right to Life access should be limited…

Cut 13 (08)  “…these.”

Pressy’s amended bill does not seek to outlaw abortion pills, only to reclassify them because, Zagorski says, there is risk for abuse and risk to a person’s health when used outside the FDA guidelines. Opponents contend classifying the medications Schedule IV is inappropriate because they are not addictive. Zagorski says that is inaccurate.

Cut 14 (11)  “…public health.”

Zagorski says easy access to the drugs puts young girls are at risk of harm because distributors are not asking the appropriate questions to safeguard their health and the girls are getting the medications without the guidance of their parents, their doctors, or their healthcare providers.

Cut 15 (11)  “…the FDA.”

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Cut 16 (12) “….no brainer.” 

Cut 17 (17) “…probably do that.”

Cut 18 (21)  “… on that one, I think.”

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Cut 19 (17) “… for a championship.” 

Cut 20 (18) “….over that one.”

The fate of a Constitutional Convention this fall is in the hands of the Senate as it awaits a hearing in Governmental Affairs after clearing the lower chamber. La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are many questions over Governor Jeff Landry’s appointment of 27 delegates there’s already been opposition from Senate leadership.

Cut PM 7 (11) “…that up.”

Alford believes the debate over Governor Landry’s appointment of delegates will be significant if the bill advances to the Senate floor.

Cut PM 8 (12)  “…state government.” 

Committee chair, Senator Cleo Fields has reportedly told the Illuminator’s Piper Hutchinson that the committee plans to take up other legislation this week before they consider the Constitutional Convention.

In House Criminal Justice Tuesday, committee members will hear from members of the Jewish community, to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. In January during a special session on crime, gassing was added to carry out the death penalty. Soon after Jacquelyn Stern says the group Jews Against Gassing was formed.

AM Cut 21 (11) “…for anybody.”

Stern says they have yet to hear back from Governor Jeff Landry’s office if he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Senator Thomas Pressly’s Abortion by Fraud Criminalization bill inspired by the poisoning of his sister with abortion pills by her now ex-husband will be heard in the House on Tuesday. The bill was amended to add the medications to Schedule IV drugs. Sarah Zagorski with Louisiana Right to Life says access should be limited…

Cut 13 (08)  “…these.”

The fate of a Constitutional Convention this fall is in the hands of the Senate as it awaits a hearing in Governmental Affairs after clearing the lower chamber. La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are many questions over Governor Jeff Landry’s appointment of delegates and how they could sway constitutional changes.

Cut 6  (11) “…they want. ” 

Target announces its lowering prices on about five-thousand items in its store. UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says Target is hoping the lower prices will result in more customers who end up buying more items….

Cut 9 (11) “…first in line.” 

LSU women’s basketball has a new assistant coach in a familiar face, as Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus is returning as an assistant coach. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (35)  “…I’m Mel Bridges”

LSU Softball is moving on to the Super Regionals after blanking Southern Illinois nine to nothing in five innings. Coach Beth Torina’s team will play at Stanford in a best out of three series starting on Friday

Cut 13 (12) “..next weekend.” 

Senate Governmental Affairs is discussing the fate of a Constitutional Convention this fall.  La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s already been opposition from Senate leadership over the governor’s appointment of 27 delegates to the convention and he believes the debate over delegates will be significant if the bill advances to the Senate floor.

Cut 8 (12)  “…state government.” 

The bill passed in the House on a 75 to 27 vote.

Target announces its lowering prices on about five-thousand items in its store. Earlier this year, they reported their first annual decline in sales in seven years due to factors like inflation and a seedy economic outlook. However, UNO Business Professor Mark Rosa says Target is proving they won’t just watch profits dip again.

Cut 11 (07) ” …ahead of that.”

Target says the lower prices will start over summer on both national and in-house brands.

Hall of Famer Seimone Augustus is returning to LSU to join the staff as an assistant coach. As a player at LSU, Augustus led the team to their first three Final Four appearances and was the first woman in school history to have her jersey retired. After 16 years in the WNBA and three Olympics appearances, Voice of the Lady Tigers, Patrick Wright says Augustus is the perfect candidate for the role.

Cut 5 (05)  “…the floor.”

This is Augustus’ second assistant coaching job after one season with the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

The Ragin Cajuns softball season ended on Sunday with a four to three loss to the Baylor Bears. A disappointing end for a team that won 45 games this season. Brooke Ellestad couldn’t hold back the tears in the postgame press conference.

Cut 12 (10) “…all year.” 

Congratulations on a strong season.