The Louisiana House approves legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription.  Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion-inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…

Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.” 

More than 200 doctors have expressed opposition to the bill saying they are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of this state.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended to only apply to 16 and 17-year-olds. But Many Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh, who supports the bill, objected to the amendment and says it will only deter employers from hiring those who are 15 and younger.

Cut 9 (14) “…do object.” 

The amended bill returns to the House.

Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveil recommendations to support public school teachers. The “Let Teachers, teach” workgroup focuses on identifying classroom disruptions and ways to unburden teachers with unrealistic expectations and allow teachers to focus on teaching. Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (06) ” …not what to think.”

Legislation requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032 fails to receive the support of the Louisiana House.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that classifies two drugs that induce abortions as dangerous controlled substances. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly’s legislation calls for a prison sentence of up to ten years if a person is in possession of the abortion pills without a prescription. Doctors oppose the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Pressly says the drugs will still be available for legitimate medical reasons with a prescription.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it returns to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.
Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”
The measure still needs House approval of the Senate change.

They will be playing a lot of baseball in Hammond and Ruston over the next few days as both cities are hosting conference baseball tournaments. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech is the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says they expect a surge of Bulldog fans…
cut 15 (09) “….here in Ruston”

Louisiana is poised to become the first state to classify two pills that are used to induce an abortion as controlled dangerous substances. Opponents of the legislation say this could cause delays in women receiving timely reproductive care, but Carencro Representative Julie Emerson made this argument
cut 4 (10) “…cause death”
The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the legislation will not present barriers to accessing the medication for legitimate medical purposes other than abortion.

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that called for all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning. The measure failed on a 57-42 vote. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of the “no” votes…
cut 12 (06) “…local school”
The bill passed the Senate 33 to 4.

The LSU Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season. They opened the SEC Tournament with a nine to one win over Georgia and they lead Kentucky two to nothing today. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…
cut 17 (12) “….realizes that’
Rogers says LSU will be one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Conference USA Baseball Tournament is underway in Ruston. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says the tournament kicks off a big summer of tourism for the area…
cut 16 (10) “…Louisiana Peach Festival”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would make it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could prevent pregnant patients from receiving care in a timely manner. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…
cut 3 (10) “…everything”
The drugs can treat miscarriages, induce labor and halt hemorrhaging. Proponents of the legislation say the pills will still be available for legitimate medical purposes.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has rejected a bill that would prevent the state from using nitrogen hypoxia as a method to carrying out an execution. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says they tried to talk with the governor about this issue…
cut 9 (11) “…our testimony”

A cicada known as the Great Southern Brood has emerged after 13 years, but there’s a concern they are no longer in Louisiana. The LSU Ag Center is asking the public to document the emergence of individual cicadas but also to see if if there are any chorusing activities in trees…
cut 27 (10) “…in the field”
That’s LSU Ag Center Insect Diagnostician Christopher Carlton.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is underway in Hammond. Southeastern Louisiana Athletics Director Jay Artigues says all of the games will be played at Alumni Field…
cut 14 (07) “…for the fans”
And in Ruston, Louisiana Tech is hosting the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are the top seed and will play Middle Tennessee late in the afternoon.

Members of the Jewish community were stunned after the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against a bill to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says it was as if the committee ignored their testimony altogether.
Cut 7 (13) “…and listening.”
Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, a member of the committee, argued the state is executing convicted murderers not innocent women and children like they did in the Holocaust.

The Louisiana House has rejected legislation that called for all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. Republicans argued it’s an unfunded mandate for local school systems. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment…
Cut 11 (11) “…thank you.”
The bill failed on a 57-42 vote.

Louisiana is poised to become the first state to classify two pills that can induce an abortion as controlled dangerous substances. Opponents of the legislation say this could cause delays in women receiving the proper reproductive care, but the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the bill does not present any barriers to accessing the medication for legitimate medical purposes other than abortion.

Two species of Cicadas are emerging together for the first time since 1803. But one species might not make an appearance in Louisiana.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana House has put the brakes on a bill requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. The proposal would also mandate all buses bought after August 1st would be equipped with heat and air. Amite Representative Robby Carter doesn’t see how anyone would vote against a safety measure…
Cut 10 (10) “…in the afternoon.”
But opponents say this is an unfunded mandate on local school systems.

Despite pleas from the Jewish Community, the House Criminal Justice Committee rejected a Senate approved measure that would take nitrogen suffocation off the table as a method to execute a death row prisoner. John Sinquefield with the Attorney General’s Office said the use of nitrogen hypoxia is not comparable to the poisonous gas used during the Holocaust. But Jacquelyn Stern says Sinquefield missed the point…
cut 8 (12) “…as jews”

The LSU Tigers improved its NCAA Tournament resume with a solid nine-to-one win over Georgia in the opening game of the SEC Tournament.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Conference USA Tournament begins today in Ruston. Top-seeded Louisiana Tech takes on Middle Tennessee at around 4 PM. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says they are excited to welcome the seven other teams to Lincoln Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…in Ruston”

Legislation requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032 fails to receive the support of the Louisiana House.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Also at the capitol, the Louisiana Senate approves legislation that removes the requirement 16 and 17-year-old employees must take a break if their shift lasts more than five hours.

And the House approves a bill that classifies two drugs that induce abortions as dangerous controlled substances.

For the first time since 1803 two species of cicadas are emerging at the same time. One species every 17 years and another called, the Great Brood every 13 years. The problem is in 2011 there were no sightings for the Great Brood in Louisiana. LSU Ag Center Insect Diagnostician, Christopher Carlton says that could be due to a few reasons from migration to extinction in the area.
Cut 4 (07) “…reliable emergence.”
Carlton says they are asking the public to take pictures of cicadas and load them on an app called the I Naturalist so they can see if the Southern Brood is still in Louisiana.

Two conference baseball tournaments get underway today in Louisiana, one in Ruston, the other in Hammond as Southeastern Louisiana hosts the Southland Conference tournament. S-L-U A-D Jay Artigues says it’s a nice economic boost for Tangiaphoa Parish…
cut 13 (14) “…Hammond, America”

Members of the Louisiana House Criminal Justice Committee failed to pass a bill that would remove gassing as a form of execution due to perceived similarities to execution methods used during the Holocaust. John Sinquefield with the Attorney General’s office spoke in opposition saying nitrogen hypoxia differs from what was used in Nazi Germany.

cut 9 (10): “…to death.”

Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Aaron Bloch, who spoke in support of the bill says execution by gas is triggering for the Jewish community.

cut 10 (10): “…their name.”

The bill failed in committee on a 3 to 8 vote and will not advance to the House floor.

On an eight to four-vote, House Education approved legislation to create the Gator Scholarship Program that one day would allow parents of all income levels to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private tuition. Louisiana Federation of Teacher’s President Larry Carter expressed his concerns…

Cut 7 (11) ” accountability.”  

The bill heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

The Louisiana House has put the brakes on a bill requiring all public-school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. The proposal would also mandate all buses bought after August would be equipped with heat and air.  Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of the no “votes…”

Cut 12 (07) “…local school.” 

The bill failed on a 57-42 vote.

A measure to expand the state’s voucher program so parents of all income levels could be eligible to use public dollars to pay for private school tuition receives approval from another legislative committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Despite appeals from the Jewish community, the House Criminal Justice Committee members failed to pass a bill to remove gassing as a form of execution. Former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Arnie Fielkow (Fill-co) urged the committee to support the bill because there are other methods of execution for death row inmates in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (09) “…light of day.” 

The bill failed in committee on a 3 to 8 vote and will not advance to the House floor.

State Police says an investigation prompted by video on social media of individuals driving ATVs recklessly through New Orleans resulted in the arrest of the three suspects, who were booked into St. James Parish jail. Though ATV and dirt bike takeovers pose a problem for New Orleans, Troop Nola Major Donovan Archote (R sho t) says the problem isn’t indicative of organized crime.

Cut 5 (05)  “…culture.”

The incident is still under investigation with more suspects and charges expected to come later.

State Police is offering an accelerated training program for Louisiana POST certified officers. The 14-week program begins in October and Trooper William Huggins says for those local officers that are interested in applying, the deadline is July 24^th

Cut 15 (10) “…State Police Commission.”

Applicants for Cadet Class 105 must have a Louisiana Level 1 POST certification at the time they apply.

State Police says thanks to video on social media they’ve arrested three people and recovered several stolen items as part of an investigation into lawless street takeovers by off road vehicles like ATVs. Troop Nola Major Donovan Archote says these individuals blatantly broke traffic laws…

Cut 3 (11) “…public safety.” 

State Police is offering an accelerated training program for POST certified police Officers. Trooper William Huggins says during the 14-week program, cadets receive advanced State Police training in firearm proficiency, de-escalation techniques, lawful use of force and LSP Core Values.

Cut  14 (12) “…shorter academy.” 

The deadline to apply for this October class is July 24^th.

House Criminal Justice Committee members voted against a bill to remove gassing as a means of execution despite pleas from the Jewish community. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

On an eight to four vote, the House Education Committee approves the legislation that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that one day would allow parents of all income levels to receive taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition. Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds is the author of the legislation…

Cut 6  (11) “…education. ”