New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee today after passing the full senate Friday.  Miguez says his legislation does not change current law, which prohibits guns near a parade route or in bars. He also says there’s evidence his legislation will help deter shootings…

Cut 14 (09) “. took effect”

Wildfires cost Louisiana tens of millions of dollars last year and Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says a statewide burn ban is planned prompted by a weekend increase in fires.

Cut 4 (08) “…massive wildfires.”

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was in Avoyelles Parish today as he’s representing Jerome Stevenson. He died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. An inmate and two correction officers have been charged in his murder. Crump says he will fight for justice for the Stevenson family

Cut 6  (11) “…were fighting” 

Heartbreaking news for a New Iberia family as the body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia who had been missing since early January has been identified as the body found in Catahoula Parish in the Ouachita River on January 24^th. A fisherman spotted her body about three miles north of Jonesville. The case is being treated as an active homicide investigation and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Turner’s funeral expenses.

A Jefferson Parish Correctional Center prisoner escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder, was being transported back to the correctional center from the hospital when he escaped. Lopinto says Ruffin pepper-sprayed the deputy to gain control of the car.

Cut 10 (08) “…point and time.”

he Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has not released many details about the November in-custody death of Jerome Stevenson. The Stevenson’s Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump says an autopsy report shows the 26-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and stomach…

Cut 7 (13) “…to death”  

An inmate at the time, 37-year-old John Williams of Mansura, has been charged with second degree murder. Corrections deputies, 60-year-old Byron White and 61-year-old Frank Overbey also face charges.

After several wildfires sparked over the weekend a statewide burn ban will be issued. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Legislation that would give non-felon adults the ability to legally carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training continues to sail through the Legislature. The full Senate has already approved New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez’s measure and today it received approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee…

Cut 12 (10)  “…our safety”  

51-year-old Leon Ruffin, who’s been in custody for second-degree murder in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, escaped from the parking lot of Ochsner Westbank Sunday and drove off in a deputy’s marked car. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Ruffin was being treated for a seizure and other injuries they believe he was now faking.

Cut 9 (11) “…on her.” 

The stolen unit was later found abandoned in Algiers.

Wildfires in the Bayou State increased dramatically over the weekend prompting a statewide burn ban. Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain…

Cut 4 (08) “…massive wildfires.”

He says several burn piles got out of control and they believe in some blazes arson could be involved.

The family of Jerome Stevenson have hired nationally renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump as they are seeking justice and more information on Stevenson’s in-custody death in Marksville. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

LSU Women’s basketball won their 6th straight game yesterday against Tennessee 75 to 60. The Lady Tigers were only up by 3 heading into the 4th quarter after Tennessee outscored LSU 19 to 10. LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey says that LSU could’ve lost to Tennessee, but her team’s grit helped them find a way to win.

Cut 20 (14) “… make us better.”

LSU will visit Georgia on Thursday.

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LSU baseball went 3 and 1 in its four game series against Northern Illinois and Stony Brook. The Tigers avenged their loss to Stony Brook on Friday by beating the Sea Wolves 18 to 10 yesterday. The Tigers had an offensive explosion in the game recording 18 runs on 17 hits.

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And the Pelicans have now lost two in a row after the Bulls defeated New Orleans, 114 to 106 yesterday. Brandon Ingram had 22 points and Zion Williamson had 11 assists in the game.

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LSU men’s basketball magical run of come back victories has come to a close as the Tigers lost to Mississippi State 87 to 67 on Saturday. LSU had comeback victories against South Carolina and Kentucky after being down double-digits in both games at halftime, and the Tigers were only down 7 against Mississippi State on Saturday. LSU guard Jordan Wright says that the Tigers shouldn’t have to comeback in order to win games.

Cut 16 (16) “… you know.”

LSU will host Georgia tomorrow, with tipoff at 6pm on the SEC Network.

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In college baseball news, Louisiana Tech is still undefeated after defeating Kent State 13 to 2 yesterday.

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And McNeese men’s basketball will look to secure at least a tie for the Southland Conference regular season title when they take on Lamar tonight at 7 pm. The game will be on ESPN+.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would require first offense DWI offenders to install an interlock ignition device for at least six months in order to get their driver’s license back. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says passing this legislation will save lives and it will result in federal grant dollars from the National Traffic Safety Administration…
cut 16 (08) “…having struggles”
The measure sill needs House approval.

Wildfires in the Bayou State increased dramatically over the weekend which has led to parishes issuing burn bans again. Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says some of the fires were a result of burn piles that got out of control or were abandoned.
Cut 3 (10) “…aggressively.”
The next big chance for rain is on Friday.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was in Avoyelles Parish today as he’s representing Jerome Stevenson. He died while in custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s jail in Marksville last November. An inmate and two correction officers have been charged in his murder. Crump says he will fight for justice for the Stevenson family
Cut 6 (11) “…were fighting”
37-year-old John Williams of Mansura has been charged with second degree murder. He was an inmate at the jail. Corrections deputies, 60-year-old Byron White and 61-year-old Frank Overbey also face charges.

A little good news from UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast. The state has gained nearly 40,000 jobs in the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 20 years…
Cut 26 (07) “…metro region.”
New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas are responsible for about 62% of the growth.

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia who had been missing since early January has been identified as the body found in Catahoula Parish in the Ouachita River on January 24^th. A fisherman spotted her body about three miles north of Jonesville. The case is being treated as an active homicide investigation and a GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Turner’s funeral expenses.

Most of Governor Jeff Landry’s proposals are halfway through the process as we enter week two of the crime special session. The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. Opponents say the proposed law will make Louisiana a more dangerous state. Landry says 27 other states have this law, including Louisiana’s neighboring states…
Cut 13 (11) “..than us.”

Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says her bill clears up confusion so the removal of a miscarriage would not be considered an abortion.

Cut 10 (09) “…as well.”

The bill also defines that the removal of an ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion.

UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast says the state has gained nearly 40,000 jobs in the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 20 years. And he says to expect more of the same for the next 12 months. Wagner predicts the Bayou State will gain another 27,000 jobs but he does mention one concern…

Cut 9 (08)  “…the economy.”

Today marks the start of the second week of the crime special session. All of the bills that received approval in the Senate, will be heard in the House this week, and all of the bills that were approved in the House will be heard in the Senate. Including Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello’s legislation that would lead to Louisiana restarting executions. Muscarello’s bill received approval in the House last week, despite objections from Democrats like Marrero Representative Kyle Green…
cut 28 (13) “…that commitment”
During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Governor Jeff Landry says the state owes it to the victims of death penalty cases to pass this bill…
cut 15 (10) “…my position”

Legislation that would require drivers convicted of a DUI to install an ignition locking device in their vehicle unanimously cleared the Senate. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says the interlock device will not let the car start unless it knows the driver is sober.
Cut 4 (09) “…your car.”
The legislation requires the ignition interlock device to remain in a vehicle for six months.

In the upcoming regular session, the state’s near abortion ban is expected to be a topic again. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell has already filed a bill that tries to clear up what she says is some confusion over when an abortion can take place in cases to protect the health of the mother…
cut 12 (08) “….our citizens”
Doctors can go to jail if they violate the state’s abortion ban.

The House Criminal Justice Committee meets today at 10 AM and on the agenda is a bill already approved by the Senate that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit. Governor Jeff Landry says if concealed carry passes in Louisiana, it does NOT mean gun owners can possess their gun everywhere…
cut 14 (07) “….in Louisiana”
Opponents are concerned permitless concealed carry will lead to more shootings.

The House Criminal Justice Committee will also discuss a Senate-approved bill that would require drivers convicted of a D-W-I to get an ignition interlock device for at least six months in order to get their driver’s license back. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says multiple DWI offenders, would be required to have the interlock device for four years…
cut 6 (09) “….while intoxicated”

UL Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner’s latest Louisiana Economic Activity Forecast brings good news. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

We’re starting to see wildfires pop up again in Louisiana. Firefighters spent the weekend battling a large wildfire near DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish along Highway 389. There was also a massive brush fire near a neighborhood in Livingston Parish that consumed 200 acres on Saturday. There’s a slight chance for rain on Wednesday, the better chance is this weekend starting on Friday.

Most of Governor Jeff Landry’s proposals are halfway through the process as we enter week two of the crime special session. The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that would allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. Opponents say the proposed law will make Louisiana a more dangerous state. Landry says 27 other states have this law, including Louisiana’s neighboring states…
Cut 13 (11) “..than us.”

U-L Lafayette economist Doctor Gary Wagner’s latest economic report found the state added 40-thousand jobs over the last 12 months, the biggest increase in almost 40 years. Wagner says not only is the state seeing a growth in jobs, but wages are increasing too…
cut 8 (08) “….outpacing inflation”

Among the bills filed for the regular legislative session is one to amend definitions related to abortion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The search is on in Jefferson Parish for a confessed killer who escaped from custody after pepper spraying a deputy in Gretna. The incident happened as the deputy was taking Leon Ruffin back from Ochsner Hospital to the jail. Authorities say after pepper spraying the deputy, Ruffin stole the police SUV.