After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says until the investigation of the bridge collapse in Baltimore is completed it’s hard to answer if what happened there could happen here. But Mallet points out that the new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge, that’s been there since the 60s…

Cut 5 (09)  “…occurence.”

Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over. DOTD is required to inspect all bridges every two years, but Mallet says those with high-traffic, are inspected every six months.

AccuWeather has released their early forecast for the 2024 hurricane season and to sum it up, climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not good. They are forecasting between 20 and 25 named storms; they expect 8-12 of them to become hurricanes and of those 4 to 7 to be major hurricanes.

Cut 10 (10) “…around that. “

In 2020 there were 30 named storms and Keim says the forecast is in line with what we’ve seen in recent years.

A Senate committee has given approval to a bill that would give Louisiana police officers the ability to arrest people living in Louisiana that are not legal citizens. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says the team is confident defensive end Chase Young will be 100-percent once he goes through the rehabilitation process following surgery on his neck last week. Allen says everyone was aware of the procedure when he signed a one-year 13-million-dollar contract

Cut 18 (20)  “…as possible.”  

A Senate committee approves legislation that gives Louisiana police officers the power to arrest people who are in the United States illegally. Denham Springs Senator Valarie Hodges says the federal government is doing a poor job of keeping migrants from coming over the southern border, the U-S constitution gives states the ability to protect themselves…

Cut 6  (13) “…an invasion.” 

Huey Fischer Garcia, a staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, says this law would clog up the state’s legal system as state judges are not up to speed on immigration law.

Cut 8 (07) “…that system.” 

Because Louisiana has multiple bridges and major ports, many worry that what happened in Baltimore could happen here. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A FedEx driver was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after crashing his delivery truck into a house in Houma. The homeowners were inside at the time, but authorities say no one was injured. Houma police say 31-year-old Michael Smith failed a field sobriety test, and an open alcoholic beverage, marijuana, and a schedule IV narcotic were found in Smith’s possession.

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. Governor Landry’s deputy chief of staff Andree’ Miller says the legislation will give every child the chance to receive a quality education.

Cut 13 (08)  “…much better.”

LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”

Because of its cost this bill now heads to House Appropriations.

After the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday, many in Louisiana are concerned if it could happen in the Bayou State. State Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallet says bridges that have large vessel traffic the support beams are protected by a fender system.

Cut 3 (11) “…head-on.”  

And while not every bridge has a fender system in Louisiana, Mallet says for those waterways where cargo ships and other large vessels travel, a fender system is in place. Mallet also says if a bridge is open in Louisiana, it’s safe to drive over.

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says under her bill, even students at A-and-B public schools would have a choice…
Cut 14 (14) “…curriculum.”

A Senate committee has approved a bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone convicted of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.
Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says trusts a judge’s discretion.

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks the public’s help in identifying a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Authorities say the federal, district and city courthouses in downtown Lafayette have been evacuated as a result of a bomb threat. Officials say the threat was called in to all three courthouses. Lafayette Police are asking the public to avoid the area

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make it a crime to panhandle on Louisiana streets. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Coming up later today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to take up a bill that would require students to have their cell phones off and stowed away during instructional time. Also, the Senate Transportation Committee considers a bill that would prohibit the use of a handheld cell phone while driving.

A Senate Committee approves legislation that would give judges the option to sentence certain sex offenders to surgical castration if they abuse a child under the age of 13. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez discussed with the bill’s author, Regina Barrow, how castration can diminish the sexual impulses and aggression of sex offenders…
cut 12 (12) “….prevent that”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

Southwest Louisiana authorities are making a renewed push to solve an unsolved murder that dates back to 1993. Investigators believe a black man between the ages of 25 to 35 was shot in the head and his hands were bound behind his back. His skeletal remains were found in a wooded area 12 miles south of Merryville. Forensic Investigator Zeb Johnson…
cut 6 (09) “…know that’
Anyone with information should contact the Calcasieu Parish coroner’s office.

The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school. But not everyone is for it. Opponents say the Gator Scholarship Program will take millions of dollars away from public schools. LaPlace Representative Slyvia Elanie Taylor is concerned about state dollars going to a school that doesn’t have to be held to the same standards as a public school

Cut 15 (10)  “..accountability.”
A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps and this bill expands. Advocacy director of the Justice Accountability Center of Louisiana, Sarah Whittington opposes the bill because it’s something that local municipalities already cite.

Cut 9 (11)  “…local level.”

A bill to allow judges the option of sentencing a sex offender of a child to surgical castration advances from Senate Judiciary C. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The line up of food for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been announced. And some favorites that were gone for a time, are back, including Panorama Foods’ longtime favorite Crawfish Bread. It’s making a comeback along with favorites from Marie’s Sugar Dumplings, Jamila’s Café, and African restaurant Bennachin

The Calcasieu Parish Coroner’s office seeks help to identify a murder victim found in 1993 south of Merryville. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
A calf that was born with two faces in Vermillion Parish and became a viral phenomenon on social media has died. That’s according to its owners at Breaux Farms. In a Facebook post yesterday, they announced that Deaux Face had stopped eating over the weekend and moved on to greener pastures yesterday.

A bill to make panhandling a state crime in Louisiana advances from House Criminal Justice. State law already prohibits panhandling on interstates, including off and on ramps. But this bill expands the law to public streets, that local law enforcement police. Haughton Republican Dodie Horton asked wanted to know if the bill would ban individuals from collecting for charity.

Cut 8 (13) “…giving law.” 
The House Education Committee has approved the Gator Scholarship Program which in a few years would allow families of any income level to receive state dollars to attend a private school It would replace the state’s current voucher system which helps six-thousand students go to a private school, instead of attending a C, D, or F public school. The bill’s author, Carencro Representative Julie Emerson

Cut 14 (14)  “…curriculum.”

The Calcasieu Coroner’s office hopes to solve a 31-year-old mystery and identify the body of a man found bound and shot to death in Merryville in 1993. Forensic Investigator, Zeb Johnson says DNA shows a connection to the late Emma and Reuben Ardoin. Investigators reached out to the but no one knew of a missing family member.

Cut 5 (09) “…genetic material.” 

A bill to give judges the sentencing option of surgical castration to someone who sexually assaults a child under the age of 13 has advanced at the capitol. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham says he has a problem with castration if it’s a first offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…I agree.”
The bill’s author Regina Barrow says she trusts a judge to decide if surgical castration is warranted.

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Legislation to make panhandling a state crime advance from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.” 
Hey all you football fans, NFL owners have approved a new rule that will dramatically change kick-offs. The idea is to encourage more returns but also reduce big collisions. The kick-off team will now line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and can’t take off until the ball is caught or hits the ground.