A bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students. Freeman told committee members that many female students miss class due to a lack of access to feminine products and providing them will ease that burden.

Cut 4 (06) “…for them.”

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Ponchatoula police have made multiple arrests involving firearms in recent weeks. The first took place in a Walmart parking on May 18 when officers responded to a call of an individual pointing a gun at children. Chief Bry Layrisson says two men, 22-year-old Kylin Sexton and 25-year-old Tyshon Coleman, both of Hammond were taken into custody on weapons and drug charges without incident.

Cut 6 (10) “…incidents occurred.”

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Former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves, who is facing a contempt charge, has agreed to turn over his personal journals by tomorrow afternoon if they remain sealed from public view. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is seeking to hold Reeves in contempt after he withheld certain pages from the journals from a committee investigating the state police custody death of Ronald Green…

Cut 9 (12) “…for now.”

Reeves’ attorney Lewis Unglesby says his client has nothing to hide.

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Entergy Louisiana customers could soon be paying hurricane restoration charges monthly for the next several years. However, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s time for the utility provider to pay their fair share after giving stockholders $3 billion in dividends and the CEO a one million dollar raise.

Cut 12 (12) “…the people.”

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…

cut 10 (07) “…right now”

A House bill to require public schools to provide menstrual products for students advances in Senate Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says the bill was amended to remove the word restrooms and changed to an easily accessible location for female students.

Cut 3 (09) “..they need.”

The bill was referred to Senate Finance for funding for the products.

A House Resolution for members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey supports the legislation and says while many lawmakers already volunteer in the community this is an ideal way to serve and have a better understanding of what teachers’ experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…our children.”

The resolution advances to the House floor.

Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter reacts to Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Carter says the massacre is “heartbreaking”, and mass shooters often have mental problems and there are steps we could take to screen them before they get a gun…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…should have been checked.”

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber on two previous tries this session. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s voted against the legislation in the past but likes the opt-in language it contains…

Cut 16 (11)  “…on their child.”

The legislation still needs Senate approval, and the legislative session ends June 6th

State Police are investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish that resulted in one death. LSP says shortly after 5 PM Wednesday they were asked by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on US Highway 167 Dodson. No other details were available.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and people are ready to hit the road. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before an 18-year-old gunman unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly younger ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says local and federal authorities need to take whatever steps are necessary to assure maximum safety for children at school…
cut 5 (14) “….prospensity for violence”

A resolution urging state representatives to serve as substitute teachers and then write about their experiences is awaiting a vote on the House floor. New Orleans Representative and former teacher Candace Newell says it’s important for lawmakers to serve in the education trenches, especially when they end up voting on a policy that impacts public schools…
cut 12 (11) “….should demand”

Triple-A is predicting 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, an eight percent increase over last year. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says about 35-million travelers will travel via automobile…
cut 9 (09) “…summer travel”
Redman says daily car rental rates have increased 170-percent compared to last year.

Louisiana Congressmen react to Tuesday’s mass shooting at a grade school in Uvalde, Texas. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police is investigating a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Winn Parish. Very little information has been released. All we know is that a subject is deceased after a deputy-involved shooting involving the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on U-S Highway 167 near Dodson. L-S-P says more information will be released when it becomes available.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools finally gets House approval after it failed to get enough votes in the lower chamber after two previous tries in this session. It’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…
Cut 14 (10) “…making that choice.”
The bill passed on a 70-28 vote and still needs Senate approval before the session ends on June 6th.

Triple-A predicts 39-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says nearly eight percent of travelers are choosing air travel…
cut 10 (07) “…right now”
Triple-A finds the average lowest airfare at six percent more than last year, coming at 179-dollars a ticket.

Debate is underway on what to do to prevent the next school shooting. Louisiana Republican Congressman Garret Graves says it’s time to revisit public policy on school safety and screening gun owners, but it should be a deliberate process…
cut 6 (15) “…from happening”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools, but a parent can authorize a spanking at the child’s school through written consent. Erath Representative Blake Miguez voted against the measure. He says each school district should clarify its policy on corporal punishment and if parents don’t want their child spanked, they could opt out…
Cut 15 (09) “…as well.”
The measure still needs Senate approval.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and an estimated 39-million Americans are expected to travel…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson has authored a resolution strongly encouraging state representatives to spend at least one day as a substitute teacher. Jefferson says it can be helpful to local school districts that are struggling with a teacher shortage…
cut 11 (10) “….is serve”
Jefferson’s resolution is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

More details are coming out about Tuesday’s Texas school shooting, where a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde. About a half-hour before 18-year-old Salvador Ramos unleashed terror at Robb Elementary School, he posted on Facebook he would shoot his grandmother, then announced he shot her and then sent another message declaring he would shoot an elementary school. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves says the issues for many mass shooters, particularly the very young ones-often start in the home…
cut 7 (07) “….by their parents”
Democrat Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter says more screening needs to be in place before a person purchase’s a gun…
cut 4 (11) “….have been checked”

A resolution calling on members of the Louisiana Legislature to substitute for one day in K-12 schools advances from House Governmental Affairs. Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Despite record gas prices, Triple-A predicts nearly 40 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says people are ready to hit the road at levels we haven’t seen in five years.
Cut 8 (10) “…have to ignore.”

New Orleans Representative Matthew Williard says he’s receiving death threats over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as legal holidays in Louisiana. Willard says authorities are investigating a voice mail his office received…

PM Cut 6  (07) “…executed” 

Williard made that statement minutes before a Senate committee approved his legislation, sending the House-backed measure to the Senate floor. Minden Senator Robert Mills says these Confederate holidays are part of the country’s history

PM Cut 7 (08) “…me a bit.” 

But Williard says the two holidays, Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day, honor those who fought to maintain slavery in the United States. The measure now heads to the Senate floor.

A bill to ban corporal punishment in public schools receives House approval after it failed to get enough votes previously in this session. But it’s not a total ban. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty amended her legislation giving parents the option to authorize a spanking of their child through written consent…

Cut 14 (10)  “…making that choice.”

The bill passed on a 70-28 vote.

A resolution for House members to volunteer as substitute teachers passes in House Governmental Affairs and advances to the House Floor. Homer Representative Patrick Jefferson who also serves as vice-chair of House Education says this is a way for members to gain firsthand experience and also assist with the ongoing teaching shortage.

Cut  11 (10)  “…is serve.” 

A St. Tammany Parish deputy was shot in the back early this morning, and Brooke Thorington reports the suspect is just 13 years old…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Sportsmen rejoice!! A bill that would legally allow “noodling” in Louisiana has reached final passage at the capitol and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. If you DON’T know, “noodling” is the art of catching a catfish with your bare hands; often by sticking your hand in its mouth.

Multiple bills aimed at reducing criminal penalties for marijuana possession have advanced to the full Senate. One would allow expungement of a marijuana convictions sooner. Another lessens penalties for possessing paraphernalia. Shonda Broome, a medical professional who had her career negatively impacted by a positive test for marijuana during pre-employment screening, spoke on behalf of HB 774. She says that one result has followed her from job to job and that the stigma impacts more than just those with criminal convictions…:

CUT 14(12)      “…cannabis laws”

They all move to the full Senate for what could be final passage.

A Baton Rouge man is in jail for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl and recording it on his cellphone. 51-year-old Ronald Thibodeaux is behind bars. No bail has been set.

A New Orleans lawmaker tells a Senate Committee he’s received a death threat over his legislation to remove Robert E Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day as official holidays. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

Bossier City Police say two bodies found Tuesday morning by firefighters trying to put out an apartment fire were victims of murder. They’re identified as 35-year-old Craig Stewart and 26-year-old Christopher Dillard, both Bossier residents. BCPD says they have a suspect in custody for the crimes.

Police in Houma say a local woman drowned last night, when she tried to swim across the Intracoastal Waterway. Terrebonne Deputies and the Coast Guard searched and found the woman’s remains before midnight. No one knows why 45-year-old Roberta Mackles chose to attempt the swim.

Monroe Police responded to a massive fight between inmates at the Swanson Correctional Center for Youth last night. MPD Sgt. Mike Fendall says they and Ouachita Deputies helped get it all under control. He says no one was reported seriously hurt, but the facility was pretty badly damaged…:

CUT 11(09)      “…as well.”

Several of the inmates involved were 18 or older.