LRN Legislative Report April 15

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention next month will be heard in House Governmental Affairs Tuesday. Bill sponsor New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says Governor Jeff Landry’s transitional team will describe what the convention will entail.

Cut 4 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

The last time the state’s constitution was revised was 1974 and for this convention, Beaullieu says there won’t be any huge changes, he says the plan is to move items from the constitution and put them in statute to give the legislature more flexibility.

Cut 5 (11) “…raise taxes.” 

 

The House Commerce Committee approves legislation that eliminates the requirement to have a license to be a florist. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam in order to sell floral arrangement…

Cut 13 (10)  “…one of them.”

 

General counsel for the Pelican Institute Sarah Harbison says the public can weed out bad florists…

Cut 15 (10)  “..expectations”

 

The legislation heads to the house floor.

The House Ways and Means Committee takes no action on a bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Columbia Representative Neil Riser says for over a decade there’s been talk about eliminating the state income tax and his bill would commit the state to doing it

Cut 9 (05) “…go get it.” 

4:45 LRN sportscast

The LSU Tigers Spring Game saw the Tigers struggle defensively as receivers were left wide open. Head coach Brian Kelly says figuring out the starting cornerbacks and adding defensive tackles are top priorities in fixing the Tigers defensive problems.
Cut 19 (22) “…solid defense”
LSU will open next season against USC on September 1st in Las Vegas.

The Eagles have signed Devonta Smith to a three-year, 75 million dollar contract extension. The Amite native and Heisman Trophy Winner at Alabama has 240 receptions in his three seasons in the NFL.

LSU baseball is now 3 and 12 in SEC play after getting swept at Tennessee over the weekend. The Tigers bullpen gave up six runs from the sixth to the eighth innings. Aiden Moffett suffered the loss and Gavin Guidry allowed a three run homer.

The UL-Lafayette baseball team have now won 14 Sun Belt games in a row after defeating Marshall yesterday 2 to 0. Ragin Cajun pitcher Carson Fluno pitched a no hitter into the 8th inning and UL-Lafayette infielder Duncan Pastore had three hits. D-1 Baseball has the Cajuns ranked 14 in the country.

The Pelicans finished in seventh place in the Western Conference after losing to the Lakers 124 to 108 last night. Lebron James had a triple-double. New Orleans will play the Lakers again tomorrow night in a play-in tournament game. Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson says that they need to regroup for the playoffs.
Cut 20 (14) “… make adjustments.”
It’s the first third consecutive year the Pels are in the play in tournament.

 

4:30 LRN Newscast April 15

An arrest has been made and the identities of two of the three victims from a triple homicide in Lafayette have been released. LPD Sgt Robin Green says police discovered the three bodies after family members of 45-year-old Brandon Touchet asked for a welfare check, he was found deceased inside his apartment Friday evening.

Cut 3 (11) “…gunshot wounds.”
42-year-old Chad Credeur (crater) of Duson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

It’s tax day and today is the deadline to file your federal income taxes. So far, the IRS has reportedly delivered more than $200 billion in refunds and 101 million people have already filed their returns this year. If you can’t file today, you need to file for an extension. State income taxes are due May 15th.

Governor Jeff Landry toured damage from Wednesday’s storms. Amongst the hardest hit was in Slidell with conformed EF-2 tornado, Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says an apartment complex was destroyed and they are making sure those residents have a place to stay…

Cut 8 (12) “to live” 

The House Ways and Means Committee takes no action on a bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Repealing the state income tax would result in an annual five-billion-dollar revenue loss. House Ways and Means Chairperson Julie Emerson supports doing so says it should be a priority for the legislature next year…

Cut 10 (11) “…affects this”

No vote was taken on the bill.

 

3:30 LRN Newscast April 15

One person is dead, and eleven others are wounded after a mass shooting last night in the New Orleans Warehouse district. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (22)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Family members have identified 24-year-old Jezreel Poleate of Harvey as the woman who was killed. A friend says they are sure the shots fired were not meant for the Helen Cox High School graduate.

And former three-term Representative Randal Gaines was elected chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party on Saturday.

Governor Jeff Landry was in West Feliciana Parish and Slidell today touring damage from last week’s tornadoes. He thanked the power utility companies for restoration efforts, and he also thanked the faith-based community for helping with the recovery…

Cut 7 (15) “…back to work”  

Landry expects to issue emergency declarations soon so the state can assist with debris clean-up.

The House Ways and Means Committee takes no action on a bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Columbia Representative Neil Riser says for over a decade there’s been talk about eliminating the state income tax and his bill would commit the state to doing so.

Cut 9 (05) “…go get it.” 

Repealing the state income tax would result in an annual five-billion-dollar revenue loss.

 

LRN PM Newscall April 15

One person is dead and eleven others are wounded as a result of a mass shooting last night in the New Orleans Warehouse district. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (22)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor Jeff Landry has released the names of the people he plans to nominate as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention this year. Jeanne Burns has more on the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…flexibility” 

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An arrest has been made and the identities of two of the three victims from a triple homicide in Lafayette have been released. LPD Sgt Robin Green says police discovered the three bodies after family members of 45-year-old Brandon Touchet (two-chet)  asked for a welfare check, he was found deceased inside his apartment Friday evening.

Cut 3 (11) “…gunshot wounds.” 

42-year-old Chad Credeur (crater) of Duson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Green says at the time the bodies were discovered they received a call from authorities in Jeff Davis Parish where Credeur was arrested on unrelated charges.

Cut 4 (08) “…Police Department.” 

As for when the shooting occurred, is also under investigation, and Green says police spoke with residents of the apartment complex in the 700 block of College Road Friday night. They are asking for the public’s help…

Cut 5 (10)  “…Police Department.”

Credeur is being held in Jeff Davis parish on unrelated charges.

(Victims: 45-year-old Brandon Touchet and 49-year-old Eric Green both of Lafayette, third victim is a yet-to-be-identified female)

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Governor Jeff Landry was in West Feliciana Parish and Slidell today. Two areas hit by tornadoes last Wednesday. Landry expects the state will issue emergency declarations soon so that the state can help in the cost to clean up debris…

Cut 6  (07) “…back to work.” 

Landry says state officials are still assessing the damage to determine if the tornado outbreak last week caused enough damage to qualify for federal assistance. The governor thanked the power utility companies for getting the power back on quickly and he also thanked the faith based community in helping with the recovery…

Cut 7 (15) “…back to work”  

Landry viewed the destruction in Slidell from the air and then on the ground near Old Spanish Trail. That’s where an EF two tornado caused a considerable amount of damage. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says an apartment complex was destroyed and they are making sure the residents of the complex have a place to stay…

Cut 8 (12) “to live” 

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The House Ways and Means Committee takes no action on a bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Columbia Representative Neil Riser says for over a decade there’s been talk about eliminating the state income tax and his bill would commit the state to doing it

Cut 9 (05) “…go get it.” 

Repealing the state income tax would result in an annual five-billion dollar revenue loss. Riser recommends eliminating dozens of different state tax credits to offset the revenue loss. House Ways and Means Chairperson Julie Emerson supports repealing the state income tax, but let’s make this a priority for the legislature next year…

Cut 10 (11) “…affects this”

No vote was taken on Riser’s bill. Chris Alexander with the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group spoke in favor of the bill

Cut 11 (07) “…to death”

2:30 PM Newscast April 15

Police have arrested 42-year-old Chad Credeur (crater) of Duson in a shooting and triple homicide in Lafayette. LPD Sgt Robin Green says the bodies of 45-year-old Brandon Touchet 49-year-old Eric Green, and an unidentified female were discovered Friday but just when the shooting occurred in the 700 block of College Road, is not known. LPD is asking for the public’s help…

Cut 5 (10)  “…Police Department.”

It might not be a billion-dollar jackpot but Janice Tullos of Ball wasted no time in claiming a one million dollar match-5 prize. The Louisiana Lottery reported today that Tullos claimed the prize from the March 30th drawing on April 1st. She made the claim for a group including herself, Debbie Van Dyke, Cynthia Abbarno, Rachel Wooten, Yuri Hester, and Mark Howard. After state and federal tax withholding, the group takes home $717,500. And the Albertson’s that sold the ticket gets a 1% bonus of $10,000

No committee vote has been taken on Columbia Representative Neil Riser’s bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Chris Alexander with the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group spoke in favor of the bill…

Cut 11 (07) “…to death”

Governor Jeff Landry was in West Feliciana Parish and Slidell today. Two areas hit by tornadoes last Wednesday. Landry expects the state will issue emergency declarations soon so that the state can help in the cost to clean up debris…

Cut 6  (07) “…back to work.” 

Landry says state officials are still assessing the damage to determine if the tornado outbreak last week caused enough damage to qualify for federal assistance.

1:30 PM Newscast April 15

42-year-old Chad Credeur (crater) of Duson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 3 people whose bodies were found in an apartment in Lafayette, Friday. LPD Sgt Robin Green says at the time the bodies were discovered they received a call from authorities in Jeff Davis Parish where Credeur was arrested on unrelated charges.

Cut 4 (08) “…Police Department.” 

Victims were identified as 45-year-old Brandon Touchet and 49-year-old Eric Green both of Lafayette, third victim is a yet-to-be-identified female.

Today is the deadline to file your federal taxes but CPA Hardy Foreman with the firm, Carr Riggs and Ingram in Shreveport says since the COVID pandemic there’s been an increase in taxpayers filing for extensions. And he says it’s taking longer for business owners to get the proper documentation needed for them to file before the April 15th deadline…

Cut 8 (13) “…April 15th.” 

Governor Jeff Landry has released the names of the people he plans to nominate as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention this year. Jeanne Burns has more on the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…flexibility” 

The House Ways and Means Committee takes no action on a bill that calls for Louisiana to repeal the state income tax in 2026. Columbia Representative Neil Riser says for over a decade there’s been talk about eliminating the state income tax.

Cut 9 (05) “…go get it.” 

12:30 LRN Newscast

One person is dead and eleven others are wounded as a result of a mass shooting last night in the New Orleans Warehouse district. Jeff Palermo has the story…
cut 1 (22) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

An arrest has been made and the identities of two of the three victims from a triple homicide in Lafayette have been released. LPD Sgt Robin Green says police discovered the three bodies after family members of 45-year-old Brandon Touchet asked for a welfare check, he was found deceased inside his apartment Friday evening.

Cut 3 (11) “…gunshot wounds.”
42-year-old Chad Credeur (crater) of Duson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Today is the deadline to file federal tax returns. C-P-A Carr Riggs in Shreveport says you can file for an extension, but it’s not an extension to pay. Riggs says for taxpayers filing an extension and unsure of the exact amount they owe, pay a little more than last year if you’re income is about the same as last year…
cut 9 (07) “…penalties”

Today on the House floor, the lower chamber is scheduled to vote on a bill from Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc who is proposing to put an end to the TOPS Tech Award program so the state can put more funding to the M-J Foster Promise Program, which goes to individuals looking to attend a two year school..
cut 15 (10) “…greater support”
interest is high in the Foster Promise Program, but only 10 million dollars is dedicated to it and the money goes quickly

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers Spring Game had some offensive explosiveness to it. LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed two long touchdown passes to Zavion Thomas as well as Kyren Lacy and Kaleb Jackson had a 32 yard touchdown run. LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly says that he likes how the offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage.

Cut 17 (22) “… good first step”

LSU will open next season against USC on September 1st in Las Vegas.

The Pelicans lost to the Lakers last night, 124 to 108. Zion Williamson had 12 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds on the night. They will play the Lakers again on Tuesday Night in the NBA play in tournament.

And the WNBA Draft is tonight and LSU’s Angel Reese is supposed to be a high first round pick.

LSU baseball has started SEC play at 3 and 12 after getting swept at Tennessee over the weekend. The Tigers pitching staff gave up 9 hits in an 8 to 4 loss yesterday and the Tigers will face UNO tomorrow at 6:30.

The UL-Lafayette baseball team now have won 14 SunBelt games in a row after defeating Marshall yesterday 2 to 0. Ragin Cajun pitcher Carson Fluno pitched a no hitter into the 8th inning and UL-Lafayette infielder Duncan Pastore had three hits on the night.

And in more baseball news across the state, Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 13 to 5 on 15 hits. Drake Anderson had a big night as the second baseman went 5 for 5 at the plate recording 4 RBIs for Nicholls.  Arizona defeated Louisiana Tech 5 to 2. Texas State defeated ULM 13 to 11. Southern swept Grambling over the weekend and Southeastern was swept by Lamar.

And in college softball news, LSU lost to Auburn yesterday 3 to 1 and UL-Lafayette lost to Texas state 5-0. LSU will host UL-Lafayette in a battle of top 25 teams tomorrow with first pitch at 6 pm.

11:30 LRN Newscast

One person is dead and eleven people are injured as a result of a fatal shooting in the New Orleans warehouse district last night. New Orleans Police say the person fatally shot was a woman. The investigation is ongoing.

Governor Jeff Landry has released the names of the people he plans to nominate as delegates to a proposed constitutional convention this year. Jeanne Burns has more on the story…
Cut 2 (35) “…flexibility”

The Louisiana Key Academy, which is a tuition free charter school that educates students with dyslexia is building a new school in Baton Rouge. The K-through-10th grade school will be open for next school year and Co-founder Doctor Laura Cassidy says they plan to start educating 11th and 12th graders in the Fall of 2026…
cut 6 (07) “…they need”
The Louisiana Key Academy also has a campus in Covington and Shreveport and they are opening a learning pod in Ruston this fall.

The Louisiana House is scheduled to consider a bill today that would eliminate the TOPS Tech award in four years so the state can put more funding towards the M-J Foster Promise Program. CABL President Barry Erwin says interest is high in the Foster Promise Program, but only 10 million dollars is dedicated to it and the money goes quickly
Cut 16 (10) “…to work.”
At least a 17 on the ACT and a 2.5 GPA are needed to qualify for the TOPS Tech Award. But the Foster Promise Program is needs-based, so no academic qualifications are required.