Legislation that would close abortion clinics and ban the procedure in Louisiana should Roe v. Wade be overturned is headed to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The President of the Council for a Better Louisiana says infrastructure spending was a big winner in the legislative session that ends today…
cut 13 (09) “…across the state”

Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day will no longer be on the state’s calendar of official holidays after HB 248, authored by New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard, received final legislative approval. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau carried the bill in the Senate and said we can remember the negative parts of history without celebrating them.
Cut 6 (09) “…our nation’s history.”
Critics of the bill argue that the holidays should stay on the books so as not to erase history.

A bill to create an Office of Women’s Health in Louisiana is on its way to the Governor’s Desk. Senate Bill 116 would create the office to lead and coordinate efforts intended to improve women’s health outcomes. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says there are several reasons why such an office is needed…
Cut 9 (12) “…African American women.”
An amendment was added to the bill to exclude transgender women from receiving services from the office.

Legislation that would close abortion clinics in Louisiana if Roe v Wade is overturned and ban the procedure is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, says he’d prefer exceptions for rape and incest.

Cut 4  (16) “…for that.”

Edwards is expected to sign the legislation.

One Constitutional Amendment we’ll see this November is surprising: an act to remove any and all language allowing involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment from state statutes. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says most would assume it was removed decades ago…

Cut 6 (07)  “…slavery in Louisiana.”

An LSU Health New Orleans study shows significant promise with ultraviolent light therapy in hospitalized COVID patients. Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery Dr. Frank Lua says it helped lower the mortality rate among 30 patients in New Orleans from 33 to 13 percent and it’s part of a much larger 500-patient study.

Cut 8 (09)  “…right now.”

The Army Corps of Engineers expects to begin a $122-million project this summer to restore the levees surrounding Grand Isle.  Mayor David Carmardelle says they will finally place a stronger filling in that burrito, something he’s recommended for years.

Cut  11 (10)  “…us over here.” 

The system was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida.

On the eve of the final day of the legislative session, lawmakers sent legislation to the governor’s desk that would ban abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe Versus Wade, which is expected to occur this summer. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, is expected to sign the bill but would prefer the legislation had exceptions.
Cut 3 (10) “…radio program.”
The legislation would also result in a ten-year prison sentence for doctors who perform abortions if abortion becomes illegal in Louisiana.

The legislative session comes to a close at 6 PM today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislators spent time during the last three months trying to improve education by getting more certified teachers in the classroom. He says the legislation was approved that would allow retired teachers back to the classroom while still receiving their retirement benefits…
cut 15 (09) “….teaching em”

LSU Health New Orleans continues its research on COVID treatments and the latest study “shines a new light” on a possible new treatment. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In other news, former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey has passed away at the age of 80. He served as Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district from 1997 to 2003. The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline set a new record today at $4.45. And LSU and Southern Miss will play for the Hattiesburg Regional Championship at 3 PM.

The legislative session concludes today and lawmakers have agreed to put eight constitutional amendments on the November ballot. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says that makes for a very long ballot that will also feature a U-S Senate race, Congressional elections, and local issues and races will also be decided…
cut 5 (13) “….decrease in turnout”

LSU baseball faces a winner take all match-up in the Hattiesburg Regional after losing last night to Southern Miss eight to four. The Tigers and Golden Eagles are set to play for the Regional championship at 3 PM and Coach Jay Johnson expects his team to rebound from last night’s loss….
cut 20 (11) “…do that”
LSU won a winner take all contest last year against Oregon in the Eugene Regional.
LSU Health New Orleans reports shining a narrow band of ultraviolet light on hospitalized COVID patients helped reduce the mortality rate from 33-percent to 13-percent in a clinical trial. Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery Doctor Frank Lau says a much larger study still needs to be conducted, but this novel treatment shows promise and indicates getting some sun could possibly help in COVID treatment…
cut 9 (06) “….for hours”

The Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin a $122-million project this summer to restore the storm defenses surrounding Grand Isle after they were damaged by Hurricane Ida. Mayor David Carmardelle is glad the work is finally getting underway…
Cut 10 (09) “…work to do.”
The project will be done in three phases, starting with the sealing of leaks in the sand-filled “burrito levee” that runs along the beach.

Former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey passed away over the weekend at the age of 80. Cooksey represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District from 1997 to 2003. His political career ended when he lost a U-S Senate race against Mary Landrieu. Cooksey also served in the U-S Air Force and he was an eye surgeon.

LSU Health New Orleans continues its research on COVID treatments and the latest study “shines a new light” on a possible new treatment. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As the legislative session ends this evening, it looks like Louisiana voters will have at least 8 Constitutional Amendments to vote on this fall. J-M-C Analytics pollster John Couvillon says that’s a lot of amendments for voters, who will also face choices for U.S. Senate, Congress and numerous local elections…:
Cut 4 (09) “…regular general election.”
Lawmakers could still approve additional constitutional amendments today including House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s legislation that calls for a centralized sales tax collection system.

The U-S Army Corps of Engineers will begin 122-million dollars of work this summer to improve the storm defenses surrounding Grand Isle. Mayor David Camerdelle is appreciative of the work but wishes they would use more rock and clay, instead of sand…
cut 12 (09) “….of the island”

LSU could not put together another remarkable rally last night as they fell to Southern Miss eight to four. The Golden Eagles and Tigers will face each other in a winner take all game today. Meanwhile, U-L Lafayette and Louisiana Tech saw their seasons end yesterday.

The legislative session ends today and lawmakers have put eight constitutional amendments on the November ballot. Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (36) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Lawmakers have tried to improve education in Louisiana during the legislative session that ends today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says there’s legislation waiting for the governor’s signature that would provide more school choice options for certain students, legislators also provided more incentives to encourage dual enrollment for high schoolers and once a student gets to college
Cut 14 (10) “…big deal.”

The Army Corps of Engineers will begin 122-million dollars worth of work this summer on repairing the storm defenses for Grand Isle. The project will be done in three phases, starting with the sealing of leaks in the sand-filled “burrito levee” that runs along the beach. Mayor David Carmardelle says he is looking forward to the third phase that will put heartier filling in that burrito…
Cut 11 (10) “…us over here.”

The 2022 legislative session comes to a close today. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the budget is the most impactful legislation passed, as hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus money and federal aid is set to be used on major projects…
Cut 13 (09) “…the state.”
Yesterday, the Louisiana Legislature sent a bill to the governor’s desk that will ban abortions if the Supreme Court overrules Roe versus Wade which is expected to happen.

An LSU Health New Orleans study shows significant promise with ultraviolent light therapy in hospitalized COVID patients. Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery Dr. Frank Lau says while studies show vitamin D is effective in treating COVID, taking it in pill form is not beneficial, however, increasing one’s vitamin D levels with specialized light therapy does.
Cut 7 (08) “…13-percent.”
Lau says they are seeing positive results within two to four days of treatment.

The effort to save Grand Isle from coastal erosion gets a $122-million boost. David Grubb has more…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to approve an anti-abortion law that clarifies what happens if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The House gives final legislative passage to a Senate-passed bill that would make it illegal for out-of-state providers to provide Louisianans with so-called abortion pills by mail. The bill goes back to the Senate for concurrence on amendments made in the Lower Chamber. The session ends Monday afternoon.

The Louisiana Department of Health marks a historic milestone in its efforts to treat those who were diagnosed with hepatitis C. LDH and the drug manufacturer for the hepatitis C medication entered into an agreement to expand treatment for Medicaid and incarcerated populations. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says the cost of treating patients after they’ve developed serious diseases as a result of hepatitis C is astronomical.

Cut 15 (07) “…lives”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve noticed a concerning trend when conducting routine checks for personal floatation devices on private boats. Lt. Tim Fox says agents are seeing that users of inflatable life jackets in many cases, are lacking the CO2 cartridge which inflates the jacket.

Cut 4  (10) “…separately.”

The Senate unanimously passes legislation to protect the state’s 1.4 million renters.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”  

Entergy Louisiana serves notice to its one-million-plus customers that they can all expect higher utility bills over the summer. The company cites two factors as the reason for the price spike: the rising cost of natural gas and severe weather that has impacted the region over the past two years. Customers can expect an average monthly increase of $25.

The state Department of Health marks a big milestone in its efforts to treat those who were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says a modified Medicaid pharmaceutical program has meant 11-thousand Louisianans have received treatment. Hep C is a viral disease; transmitted by blood and about half of those with it show no symptoms. Hood says it’s important to catch the disease early and treat it…:

CUT 14(10)      “…even death.”

The LSU Tigers made quite a rally last night to advance in the Hattiesburg Regional. The Bayou Bengals entered the eighth inning down seven runs but erupted for ten runs in the eighth inning to beat Kennesaw State 14 to 11. The unbelievable comeback puts LSU into a winner’s bracket game against Southern Miss today at 6 PM.

The Louisiana Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would ban abortions, even in the cases of rape and incest if the U-S Supreme Court reverses Roe versus Wade. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says this bill makes it clear what would happen in Louisiana if Roe versus Wade is overturned.

Cut 6  (10) “…and fines.” 

Doctors or others who perform abortions if it becomes illegal will face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill to punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants. This issue became particularly pervasive following Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida. Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center…

Cut 10 (12) ” …think twice.” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve noticed a concerning trend when conducting routine checks for personal floatation devices on private boats. Lt. Tim Fox says many PFDs do not meet the required standards.

Cut 3 (07) “…approved.”

By law, you are required to have US Coast Guard-approved PFDs that are properly sized for any intended wearers and enough for everyone aboard the vessel.

The LSU Tigers made quite a rally last night to advance in the Hattiesburg Regional. The Bayou Bengals entered the eighth inning down seven runs but erupted for ten runs in the eighth inning to beat Kennesaw State 14 to 11. It’s the largest comeback in an LSU regional since 1998 when LSU trailed Cal State Fullerton 7-0 and won 13-11. The unbelievable comeback puts LSU into a winner’s bracket game against Southern Miss today at 6 PM.