1:30 LRN Newscast

The state’s three abortion clinics are closed this afternoon after the U-S Supreme Court released a ruling that overturns Roe Versus Wade, which makes abortions illegal in Louisiana. Greg Hilburn, who covers the State Capitol for the USA Today Network says the only real exception is to save the life of the pregnant woman
Cut 4 (06) “…like that.”

The U-S Senate approved its first gun reform bill in decades last night and it has bipartisan support. Senator Bill Cassidy helped craft the legislation. He says it could have prevented the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas because the bill allows expansive background checks for individuals under the age of 21 trying to purchase a gun…
cut 30 (12) “….are sealed”
Louisiana’s junior U-S Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law a bill that requires carbon monoxide detectors in all one or two-family homes sold or leased after January 1st. It also requires any home with a generator installed to have a detector as well. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says she wrote the law after a carbon monoxide detector saved the lives of her family during Hurricane Ida.
Cut 13 (10) “…would have happened.”
Hilferty worked with the State Fire Marshal’s office to help craft the bill.

LSU President William Tate is touting a $27-million dollar donation from Shell USA, the largest gift from a for-profit partner in the university’s history. Tate says the funds will establish the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, dedicated to advancing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy.
Cut 10 (12) ” …and solutions.”

11:30 LRN newscast June 24

The constitutional right to have an abortion in the United States was reversed by the Supreme Court of the United States this morning. The decision was expected after a brief overturning Roe v Wade was leaked last month. President of the Louisiana Family Forum, Gene Mills says Louisianan’s trigger laws essentially closes the state’s three abortion clinics.
Cut 6 (12) “…post Roe Louisiana.”
New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman say the ruling is a major setback for women’s rights and will have devastating consequences.
Cut 7 (12) “…our country.”
A statement from the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom says they are ready to keep up the fight for abortion access and do whatever it takes to get people the care they need.

To address the ongoing teacher shortage lawmakers passed a few bills, including a pay raise but a good government group says more can still be done. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Wallethub ranks Louisiana fourth in the county for best states to do a summer road trip. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says based on the metrics they looked at, Louisiana has some of the best driving laws in the country…
cut 12 (10) “…a state”

10:30 LRN Newscast June 24

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe V Wade, the official announcement was made this morning after a brief was leaked on the abortion ruling in May. The high court voted to overturn the nearly 50 years of a constitutional right to an abortion. Trigger laws in Louisiana that will go into effect will ultimately close the three remaining abortion clinics in the state.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is one of 15 Republican Senators to vote for a gun control bill last night that passed the U-S Senate on a 65-33 vote. Kevin Gallagher spoke with Senator Cassidy prior to the vote….

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The legislature passed some laws to help address the ongoing teacher shortage. But President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin, says one issue facing the teaching profession is the growing political mindset to vilify educators and accusations of indoctrinating children.

Cut 9 (12)  “…teaching as a profession.”

The legislature passed a $15-hundred pay raise for teachers this year.

According to WalletHub Louisiana is ranked fourth in the nation as the best state for a summer road trip. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the ranking looked at the most fun, scenic, and wallet-friendly road trip destinations, and when it comes to cost the Bayou State ranked second in the nation on road trips.

Cut  11 (12)  “…right now.” 

9:30 LRN Newscast June 24

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was one of 15 Republican lawmakers to vote for a new gun control bill last night that received approval in the Senate. Cassidy says the measure includes more stringent background checks for gun buyers, and will also take steps to make schools safer…:

Cut 4 (09)  “…access to mental health.”

Louisiana Lawmakers passed several bills to help address the ongoing teacher shortage in the regular session this year. Barry Erwin President of the Council for a Better Louisiana says he’s hopeful a college scholarship program will foster more students to enter the profession.

Cut 7 (07) “…some of the bills.”

And the legislature changed measures to allow retired teachers to return to the classroom and they are still able to collect retirement.

Thanks to Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty, carbon monoxide detectors are required in all one or two-family homes sold or leased now. She worked with former State Fire Marshal, and current director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals, Butch Browning in crafting the legislation and both say it’s an evolutionary step for the state in making homes safer.

Cut 14 (09)  “…of the code.”

After Ida four people died from carbon monoxide poisoning and 150 were taken to the ER.

According to WalletHub Louisiana is ranked fourth in the nation as the best state for a summer road trip. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the ranking looked at the most fun, scenic, and wallet-friendly road trip destinations. And the Bayou State ranked first when it comes to driving laws…

Cut 12 (10) “…a state.” 

LRN newscast 8:30

After years of failure, The U-S Senate has approved a significant gun safety bill. 15 Republicans, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy, joined 50 Democrats to vote for the legislation that includes more stringent background checks for gun buyers under 21 years old, provides billions of dollars to improve mental health services and hardens schools. Cassidy says if you support the 2nd Amendment, you should support the bill…
cut 6 (09) “….they are wrong”
Louisiana’s junior US Senator John Kennedy voted against the legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into a law legislation requiring working carbon monoxide detectors for one and two family homes that are sold or leased after January 1st. Whole house generators will also need a dectector and the bill’s author Stephanie Hiliferty says every household should get one…
cut 15 (08) “….can save lives”

To address the ongoing teacher shortage lawmakers passed a few bills, including a pay raise but a good government group says more can still be done. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Shell is donating 27-million dollars to LSU to establish the Institute for Energy Innovation, which will advance reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible energy. The gift is the university’s largest ever from a for-profit corporate partner and the largest philanthropic investment in energy-related initiatives.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S Senate approved its first gun reform bill in decades last night and it has bipartisan support as 15 Republicans joined 50 Democrats in the Senate to send the legislation to the House. Senator Bill Cassidy helped craft the legislation. He says it could have prevented the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, because the bill allows for a background check to include a person’s record of juvenile offenses…
cut 5 (12) “….are sealed”
Louisiana’s junior U-S Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.

Education officials have raised concerns about a teacher shortage in Louisiana. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says more programs are needed to attract high school students to enter the field…
cut 8 (10) “….in high school”

Carbon monoxide poisoning is an unseen danger, particularly during hurricane season. A new law seeks to lessen the risk for families….
Cut 3 (37) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge abortion clinic says it’s no longer taking appointments as they wait to see if the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade, which would make abortions illegal in Louisiana. An abortion clinic in Shreveport has a waitlist of 400 people. A ruling from the nation’s highest court could come down today.

6:30 LRN Newscast

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is one of 15 Republican Senators to vote for a gun control bill last night that passed the U-S Senate on a 65-33 vote. Kevin Gallagher spoke with Senator Cassidy….
cut 1 (29) “….Kevin Gallagher”

Louisiana’s junior U-S Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill. Kennedy has not released an official statement on why he voted no, but previously said that we do not need more gun control in America, we need more idiot control.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs into law a bill that requires carbon monoxide detectors in all one or two-family homes sold or leased after January 1st. It also requires any home with a generator installed to have a detector as well. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says she wrote the law after a carbon monoxide detector saved the lives of her family during Hurricane Ida.
Cut 13 (10) “…would have happened.”
Hilferty worked with the State Fire Marshal’s office to help craft the bill.

According to WalletHub Louisiana is ranked fourth in the nation as the best state for a summer road trip. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the ranking looked at the most fun, scenic, and wallet-friendly road trip destinations.
Cut 10 (12) “…roundtrip destination.”
The statewide average gasoline price is $4.47 a gallon, seven cents cheaper than a week ago.

5:30 LRN Newscast June 23

Nursing homeowner Bob Dean is facing criminal charges for the 2021 evacuation of seven of his facilities to a Tangipahoa Parish warehouse during Hurricane Ida. More than a dozen patients died shortly afterward. Among the charges is cruelty to the infirm and Dean’s attorney John McLindon says his client was unable to travel to Louisiana due to the storm.

Cut 3 (07) “…a look at it.”

The Louisiana Conservative Caucus is pushing for a veto override session. Caucus Chairman and Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland says ballots will go out to lawmakers on July 1st. Lawmakers have until July 16th to decide whether they want to hold veto override session.

Cut 10 (12) ” …the community.”

Today marks 50 years since the signing of Title IX, which expanded athletic opportunities for girls and women across the country. Minden native, Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, who is now commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, says she greatly benefited from the expansion when she was a student and she looks forward to an even brighter future for the next generation.

Cut 8 (10) “…part of life.” 

It’s National Hydration Day. Louisiana Department of Health’s Regional Medical Director for the Greater New Orleans area, Doctor Shantel Hebert-Magee says we need to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, and while there are some who don’t like the taste of water, but there are ways to improve the taste…

Cut 14 (10)  “…provide flavor” 

With the current heat wave health officials are encouraging you to monitor your hydration.

4:30 LRN Newscast June 23

Now that the state’s regular legislative session is over, the question arises “will lawmakers vote to convene a special veto override session?” Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland is chair of the legislature’s Conservative Caucus. He says there a number Governor Edwards’ vetoes that deserve to be overridden…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the education bills.”

An override session is automatic, unless enough lawmakers vote NOT to have one. Ballots for that vote go out July 1st.

Another Louisiana child dies in an accidental shooting. Police in New Orleans says a 2-year-old with the Hollygrove neighborhood found a loaded handgun, left in an unsecured place, and fatally shot himself. This is the second child to die in that manner in New Orleans this year. Six other kids have been injured by unsecured guns.

 

An attorney for nursing home operator Bob Dean responds to the criminal charges his client is now facing as a result of last year’s botched hurricane evacuation plan. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Due to persisting drought conditions, the police jury in Vernon Parish has issued a parish-wide burn ban until further notice. No open fires are allowed. Fires caused by open burning in Vernon has resulted in the destruction of two vehicles and a building. Look for more parishes to enact burn bans as the drought continues.

3:30 LRN Newscast June 23

The Louisiana Conservative Caucus is calling for the Louisiana Legislature to override more of the Governor’s vetoes. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A bill Governor Edwards did NOT veto places a hard limit on how long a juvenile offender can be held in solitary confinement. The Governor signed the bill into law this week. Meanwhile the state’s Office of Juvenile Justice continues dealing with security issues at its facilities.

 

Today marks 50 years since the signing of Title IX, which expanded athletic opportunities for females. Minden native Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes is a former UNO basketball standout, former athletic director at Dillard University and is now commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. She says Title IX has brought about progress, but political and educational leaders have to maintain a commitment to equality…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in general deserve.”

Observing National Hydration Day…Dr. Shantel Hebert-Magee, with the state Department of Health, says drinking enough water daily to stay hydrated regulates your body temp and helps with electrolytes…:

CUT 13(09)      “…heart disease issues.”

Sher says in this harsh summer heat, hydrating is more important than ever.