On a three-to-two vote a Senate committee voted against The Pastor Protection Act, which would have provided protection for religious organizations if they refuse to perform a same sex marriage. Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says this bill is NOT as expansive as some of the religious freedom bills passed in other states…:
CUT 3 (11) “its scope”
But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says pastors and clergy members are already protected under the Religious Freedom Protection Act. He says he doesn’t see a need for this bill…:
CUT 4 (10) “a problem”
This bill won easy approval in the House on an 80-18 vote, but Democrats in the Senate fought against it.

The Tangipahoa Parish NAACP is calling for the resignation of school Superintendent Mark Kolwe (Cole-Way) after Amite High valedictorian Andrew Jones was not permitted to walk at graduation because he had facial hair.
Tangipahoa NAACP President Patricia Morris says this has more to do with Jones’ race than his goatee…:
cut 1 (08) “about it”
Kolwe issued a statement saying, rules are rules.

New Orleans sports officials are making their pitch to NFL owners today on why they should host the 2019 Super Bowl. Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa are the other cities competing against the Big Easy and the Mrecedes-Benz Superdome. CBS Sports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora says the vote will be close…:
Cut 9 (09) “settle it”
He says New Orleans has a fighting chance as the received good reviews after the 2013 Super Bowl.