A recall petition has been filed to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape who was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but never tried on a technicality. Dillard University Political Science Professor Robert Collins says recalls are extremely difficult and rarely successful. He says the most efficient way to obtain enough signatures, in this case, at least 35,000, is to mail voters affidavits, have them sign them, and return them in a postage-paid envelope.
Cut 11 (11) “…the challenge”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee began discussion today on holding a constitutional convention. Supporters of a constitutional convention say they want to move items to state law so legislators can have more flexibility during difficult budget times. Covington Representative Mark Wright believes holding a convention is a great idea. Any changes to the constitution would need voter approval in November…
Cut 13 (11) “…doesn’t change.”

The committee is planning to discuss the idea more tomorrow.
LSU star player Angel Reese is heading to Chicago to play for the Sky. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bizarre break-in at Jennings High School Monday. Police say 37-year-old Dillion Champagne stole two vehicles, and held two employees at gunpoint, fortunately, no one was hurt. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says After a 12-hour multi-law enforcement manhunt, Champagne was located thanks to a tip that he was seen on Highway 97 about a mile from the school.
Cut 8 (12) “…to another.”

Lawmakers began their discussions on holding a constitutional convention today in the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Several have questions on how the convention would work. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says starting the constitutional convention on May 20th when the regular session is scheduled to end June 3rd can cause issues…

Cut  14 (14) “…this convention.” 

After a bizarre break-in at Jennings High School, before classes began on Monday, police have 37-year-old Dillion Champagne in custody. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says Champagne stole two vehicles, followed a custodian in the school, and held two employees at gunpoint, fortunately, no one was hurt.

Cut 6  (10) “…Dillion Champagne.” 

A petition to recall the embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner has been filed with the Secretary of State’s office. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (36)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Chicago Sky selected LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese with the seventh overall pick in last night’s WNBA draft. Reese led LSU to its first national championship in women’s basketball in 2023 and this past season she was named the SEC Player of the Year. The All-American could have returned to LSU for one more season, but Reese says she’s ready for a new challenge…

Cut 4 (06) “…be a sponge” 

A recall petition has been officially filed to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Christopher Tape because he’s unfit for office. Tape was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality. Dillard University Political Science Professor Robert Collins says recalls are extremely difficult and rarely successful.

Cut 9 (10) “…recall elections.” 

A bizarre break-in at Jennings High School, Monday caused classes to be cancelled. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says 37-year-old Dillion Champagne is in custody, but Semmes says he can’t imagine the fear that the two employees experienced when Champagne confronted them with a gun and stole the keys to one of the employees’ cars.

Cut 7 (09) “…the best.”  

The House Governmental Affairs Committee began discussion today on holding a constitutional convention. The bill’s author, New Iberia Representative, Beau Beaullieu, says the goal is to streamline the state constitution, which is one of the longest in the nation…

Cut 12 (10) “…in statue.” 

Angel Reese is the first LSU women’s basketball player selected in the first round of the WNBA draft since 2012 when Washington took LaSondra Barrett. The Chicago Sky chose Reese with the 7^th overall pick and Reese says she’s looking forward to spending her summers in Chicago…

Cut 5 (05)  “…Chi-town girl.”

Reese led LSU to its first national championship in 2023 and this year was named SEC Player of the Year. The W-N-B-A begins its season next month.

Classes at Jennings High School had to be cancelled Monday after a bizarre break-in at the school, before classes began, police say 37-year-old Dillion Champagne stole two vehicles, followed a custodian in the school, and held two employees at gunpoint, fortunately, no one was hurt. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says After a 12-hour multi-law enforcement manhunt, Champagne was located thanks to a tip that he was seen on Highway 97 about a mile from the school.

Cut 8 (12) “…to another.” 

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 to sell floral arrangements…

Cut 13 (10)  “…one of them.”

LSU star player Angel Reese is heading to Chicago to play for the Sky. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

This week, the Louisiana Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet as part of the effort to increase awareness, on Wednesday, April 17th, Louisiana DOTD is participating in Go Orange Day…

Cut 12 (09) “…of safety.” 

An Angel is heading to the Sky. The Chicago Sky selected LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese with the seventh overall pick in last night’s WNBA draft. Reese says she had a feeling Chicago would select her after positive conversations with Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon…

Cut 3 (12) “…the table.” 

After a bizarre break-in at Jennings High School, before classes Monday morning, police have 37-year-old Dillion Champagne in custody. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says Champagne stole two vehicles, followed a custodian in the school, and held two employees at gunpoint, fortunately, no one was hurt.

Cut 6  (10) “…Dillion Champagne.” 

New Orleans is still reeling after the mass shooting Sunday night that left one person dead and eleven others injured. At a news conference yesterday, police did not reveal much about the investigation. Council Member Lesli Harris, who represents the Warehouse District expressed condolences and was visibly stunned over the incident.

Cut 8 (12) “…be caught.” 

Police are asking for the public’s help and a reward is being offered through Crimestoppers.

House Commerce approves legislation to eliminate the license requirement to be a florist. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam to sell floral arrangements…

Cut 13 (10)  “…one of them.”

The bill heads to the House floor.

No arrests have been made in the mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night in New Orleans.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A tenured professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is one of the three victims in triple homicide that occurred last week in Lafayette. Doctor Eric Green was found dead in a home on College Road along with 45-year-old Brandon Touchet and 46-year-old Elizabeth Reames. 42-year-old Chad Credeur of Duson was arrested for their deaths and some of the victims belongings were in his possession when arrested in Jeff Davis Parish.

At this hour, the House Governmental Affairs Committee is discussing legislation that would result in a constitutional convention being held next month. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says members of Governor Jeff Landry’s transition teams will describe what the convention will entail…
cut 4 (11) “…of Louisiana”
Beaullier says the plan is to move items from the constitution and put them in statute to give the legislature more flexibility.

A House Committee approves legislation that eliminates the requirement to have a license to be a florist in Louisiana. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham
Cut 14 (08) “…in Louisiana.”
Louisiana is the only state that requires a florist to take a written exam to sell floral arrangements. The measure awaits a vote in the full House.

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention next month will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. The goal: to give lawmakers more flexibility when it comes to spending. Right now, when there’s a budget shortfall it falls on the backs of healthcare and higher education and the convention hopes to change that…as lawmakers get a jump start on the convention now.

Cut 6 (13) “…couple of weeks.”

Louisiana is the only state in the country that requires a license to be a florist. Legislation that would change that has been approved by the House Commerce Committee. Lawmakers argue it’s an unnecessary and others agree. General Counsel for the Pelican Institute Sarah Harbison says the public can weed out bad florists…

Cut 15 (10)  “…expectations.”

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So far, no arrests have been made in the New Orleans Warehouse District mass shooting that killed one and injured 11 others Sunday night. At a press conference Monday afternoon Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said homicide detectives are actively working the investigation and Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a warning to those responsible for the shooting.

Cut 9 (10)  “…at all.”
Kirkpatrick urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Crimestoppers or NOPD. A $5,000 reward is being offered along with $1,000 for each gun involved.

The Pelicans face the Lakers tonight in an NBA play-in tournament game. New Orleans had a chance to avoid the play-in tournament but lost to Los Angeles on Sunday. Expect Brandon Ingram to play more tonight after playing 23 minutes on Sunday in his first game back in 3 1/2 weeks. Also Coach Willie Green wants a more aggressive Zion Williamson after he scored just 12 points on Sunday.

New Orleans is still reeling after that mass shooting Sunday night that left one person dead and eleven others injured. At a news conference yesterday, police did not reveal much about the investigation, but to say they are actively working the case. Council Member Lesli Harris, who represents the Warehouse District expressed condolences and was visibly stunned over the incident.

Cut 8 (12) “…be caught.” 

The Louisiana Department of Transportation is observing National Work Zone Awareness Week right now. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says when driving conditions change, you’re more likely to have a crash because of road conditions, lane shifts, and narrowing occurs, he urges drivers to pay extra attention in work zones.

Cut 11 (12) “…home safely.”

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The House Commerce Committee approves legislation to repeal the requirement for florists to be licensed. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain” 
A Slidell police officer crashed his motorcycle into an unmarked State Police car Monday while they were escorting Governor Jeff Landry during a visit. Authorities say the officer sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital. No one else was injured.