Republican Senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish says he has no regrets about voting against a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth despite the criticism he’s receiving from conservatives. The pharmacist says the legislation restricted a physician from prescribing certain FDA-approved hormonal medications.
Cut 3 (09) “…to me.”
The bill failed in Senate Health and Welfare when Mills sided with Democrats on the committee and voted against the bill to break a tie.

New details have been released in the death of an interim manager at an Arby’s in New Iberia. 63-year-old Nguyet Le (New-wet Lee) was found dead inside a walk-in freezer on May 11th, but she tried to get out….
cut 14 (10) the floor”
That’s attorney Paul Skrabanek, he’s representing Le’s family in a lawsuit against the operator of the restaurant. Skrabanek says Turbo Restaurants knew the freezer door had a faulty handle.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” of public opinions shows residents’ Number One concern is CRIME. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…Kevin Gallagher.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the number of people employed during the month of April was the highest ever recorded in the state’s history. The number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals last month was 2,043,806, an increase of nearly 25-thousand from April 2022.

Family members of the 63-year-old Houston woman who died of hypothermia at the New Iberia Arby’s on May 11th are suing Turbo Restaurants, the Texas-based company that owns the franchise. Attorney Paul Skrabanek (Scraw-bonic) says Nguyet Lee (New wet Lee) was the acting manager when she was found dead in the walk-in cooler.

Cut 13 (11) “…thing broken.”  
Turbo Restaurants has not commented on the incident.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” public opinion poll shows crime is residents’ top concern. The survey is done by LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs to gauge public opinion of life, government and policies. Study lead Michael Henderson says the yearly telephone interview survey of over 500 random statewide residents got a surprising result…:

Cut 4 (05)  “…folks named ‘crime”
It’s the law to wear a seatbelt in Louisiana and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is making sure all occupants are buckled up during their “Click it or Ticket” campaign through June 4^th. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Before you take off on your Memorial Day travels, you’ll be paying an average of $3.13 a gallon for regular gas prices in Louisiana today. That’s down a penny from yesterday but up 10 cents a from a month ago, however this time last year it was $4.22 a gallon.

For the first time in the history of the Louisiana Survey crime is the biggest concern among residents. LSU runs the Louisiana Survey which asks hundreds of Louisiana residents every year about issues impacting Louisiana. Doctor Michael Henderson says crime is an issue that’s hitting closer to home…
cut 6 (05) “….last four years”
New details have been released in the death of an interim manager at an Arby’s in New Iberia. 63-year-old Nguyet Le (New-wet Lee) was found dead inside a walk-in freezer on May 11th, but she tried to get out….
cut 14 (10) the floor”
That’s attorney Paul Skrabanek, he’s representing Le’s family in a lawsuit against the operator of the restaurant. Skrabanek says Turbo Restaurants knew the freezer door had a faulty handle.

The most recent ALICE Report, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed from the United Way indicates more than half of Louisiana households are struggling to make ends meet. President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot says the Bayou State ranks second in the country, just behind Mississippi…
Cut 10 (05) “…survival budget. ”
Berthelot says the cost of lifving is changing, but pay is not.

Louisiana law enforcement from around the state are participating in the Click It or Ticket It campaign. State Police, deputies and officers will be targeting drivers and passengers who are not buckled up. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer says state law requires every person in a motor vheicle must wear a seat belt and it will save lives…
cut 8 (13) “…buckled up”
An observational survey shows only 57-percent of back-seat occupants wear their seat belts.

The family members of a Houston woman who died in a walk-in freezer at an Arby’s in New Iberia has filed a lawsuit against Turbo Restaurants, who owns the franchise.
cut 15 (09) “….to file it”
That’s attorney Paul Skrabanek who represents the family of Nguyet Le, who was found dead inside the freezer earlier this month. Scrabanek says Le was found with blood on her hands from pounding on the door.

Louisiana law enforcement agencies are paying closer attention to see if you are buckled up as part of the click it or ticket it campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Gregory Fischer says the state’s seat belt usage rate is 86-percent and lower for pickup truck drivers…
cut 9 (12) “….their seatbelts”
Seat belt usage rate for pickup truck drivers is 79-percent in Louisiana.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” public opinion poll shows crime is residents’ top concern. The survey is done by LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs to gauge public opinion of life, government and policies. Study lead Michael Henderson says the yearly telephone interview survey of over 500 random statewide residents got a surprising result…:
Cut 4 (11) “…folks named ‘crime’”
80-percent say that crime has increased over the last few years.

The Louisiana Association of United Ways releases a new report that says 900-thousand households, 51-percent of all families, can’t afford life’s basic necessities, an increase of nearly 23-thousand families. President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, says stagnant wages and inflation are to blame…
cut 11 (11) “…really tough”
The report also shows one-third of Louisiana households earn more than the federally designated poverty level, but less than the cost of living in their area.

LSU’s annual “Louisiana Survey” of public opinions shows residents’ Number One concern is CRIME. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…Kevin Gallagher.”

Republican State Senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish says he has no regrets about his vote as chairman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that resulted in the defeat of a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender children. Mills says statistics show this is not a problem in Louisiana and it’s ridiculous to create legislation that impacts a few dozen people.

Family members of the 63-year-old Houston woman who died of hypothermia at the New Iberia Arby’s on May 11th are suing Turbo Restaurants, the Texas-based company that owns the franchise. Attorney Paul Skrabanek says Nguyet Lee (New wet Lee) was the acting manager when she was found dead in the walk-in cooler.
Cut 13 (11) “…thing broken.”
Skrabanek says Le tried to force her way out and was found with blood on her hands. Turbo Restaurants has not commented on the incident.

The Louisiana Association of United Ways released a report that says 51-percent of Louisiana households struggle to afford the basics, an increase of nearly 23-thousand families. President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, says the 11-percent increase in inflation is making it extremely difficult on so many families.
Cut 12 (11) “…concluding.”
A link to view the ALICE report can be found on the LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

The family of the 63-year-old Houston woman who died of hypothermia in a New Iberia Arby’s May 11th is suing the owners of the chain. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The search continues in the Bahamas for a recent Louisiana high school graduate who went missing after he went overboard during a sunset cruise. 18-year-old Cameron Robbins who graduated days ago from University High in Baton Rouge was on a trip with other grads when he reportedly jumped into the water on a dare and disappeared moments later.

According to a survey of 500 people, crime has surged to the top as the biggest concern among state residents….
cut 5 (06) “…20-percent
That’s the director of the Louisiana Survey, LSU’s Doctor Michael Henderson, who says four out of five Louisiana residents say crime has increased over the last few years.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement are paying close attention to see if motorists are buckled up during the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs through June 4. Spokesperson Gregory Fischer says wearing a seat belt increases your chances of surviving a vehicle crash. He says all you have to do is look at the 2021 crash statistics…
Cut 7 (07) “…their seatbelts.”
State law mandates every person in a vehicle must wear a seat belt. Based on a latest survey 86 percent of people in the front seat buckle up.

Republican state senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish is facing backlash after he cast the tie-breaking vote to kill a bill that would ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Mills sided with Democrats to defeat the legislation in Senate Health and Welfare. Louisiana Republican Strategist Lionel Rainey…

Cut 6 (09)  “…how does this happen.” 

Mills said he voted against the legislation because he believes in the doctor-patient relationship and the ability to allow a family to choose what’s best for them. A’niya Robinson, with the Louisiana ACLU says Mills and the four other lawmakers who voted against the bill stood up for transgender children and families…

Cut 9 (04) “…day went.”

He says his vote was based on testimony given during the lengthy debate.

Legislation to provide free and accessible menstrual products for female public-school students passed in House Education without objection. Bill author, New Orleans Senator Aimee Freeman says other states already provide funding for feminine products.

Cut 12 (08) “…and funding.” 

The bill heads next to House Appropriations

Senate Education advances House-approved legislation requiring high school students to complete a financial literacy course to graduate and qualify for TOPS. State Treasurer John Schroder supports the legislation….

Cut 3 (11) “…have money.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor for final passage.

The NOAA says we likely have a “near-normal” hurricane season ahead this year. They predict up to 17 named storms (the average is 14)…up to 9 of those hurricanes, and up to 4 of those Category 3 or stronger. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we got a break last year; getting NO storms at all. This year we have two climate factors at play…;

CUT 13 (10)      “…hurricane season.”

A Pacific El Nino can actually weaken Atlantic storms, and that would be a good thing.

A House-approved bill to require high schooler complete a financial literacy course to graduate and qualify for TOPS passed out of the Senate Education committee today. State Treasurer John Schroder spoke for the bill…:

CUT 03 (11)      “…have money.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor for what could be final passage.

A Senate bill to provide free and accessible feminine products to Louisiana public school girls advances out of the House Education Committee…:

CUT 02 (31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The family of a 12-year-old Kenner boy, who was killed when an ice cream truck crashed through his home, says they will donate his organs so that up to 8 lives can be saved. The crash left young Adrian Fajardo in critical condition and brain dead. Go to “LOPA.org” to learn how you can be an organ donor.

Hurricane season officially begins in a week, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (or NOAA) predicts near-normal activity this year. 12-17 named storms, 5-9 of those hurricanes and 1-4 of those Cat 3 or higher. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the developing Pacific El Nino could help calm the tropics down a bit for us…:

CUT 15(13)      “…deeper into the season.”

Hurricane Ida in 2021 was our last hurricane.

A bill to assure that public schools provide free and accessible feminine hygiene products for girls passed out of the House Education Committee un-opposed today. Speaking for the bill, Caddo high schooler Natalie Cockrell, who says she and classmates had to pitch in to buy what they needed once a month…:

CUT 11(06)      “…than normal.”

The Senate has already passed the bill, by New Orleans Senator Aimee Freeman. It goes now to House Appropriations due to its cost to taxpayers.

Republican Senator Fred Mills from New Iberia is receiving strong backlash from his own party for voting against a bill to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors…:

CUT 01(39)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Opening today in Lafayette, the 35^th annual Cajun Heartland State Fair; featuring live music, rides, food and even a big top circus style performances. The fair runs now through June 4^th.

At the State Capitol, a Senate bill to provide free and accessible feminine products to Louisiana public school students advances out of the House Education Committee. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

State Police report a 2 vehicle crash in Sabine Parish Wednesday afternoon left three people dead. Troopers says it happened on Highway 171 near Zwolle, when a pickup rear-ended a big rig that was waiting to make a left turn. A man and two teens in the pickup were killed. The crash is under investigation.

NOAA predicts a near-normal 2023 hurricane season. Weather officials say that means 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four of those Category 3 or higher. State Climatologist Barry Keim says an El Nino will likely be in full effect by the time we’re well into storm season…:

CUT 14(11)      “…be weaker.”

Louisiana was spared any hurricanes or tropical storms last year, but 2020 and 2021 were disastrous.

The Senate Education Committee advanced House-approved legislation requiring high school students to complete one unit of financial literacy course to graduate and to qualify for TOPS. State Treasurer John Schroder says businesses have contacted the Department of Treasury to donate money to help pay for the infrastructure of the program…:

CUT 05(09)      “…could use.”

That bill moves now to the Senate floor.