East Feliciana Parish Representative Kenny Havard says he’s not going to apologize for the joke amendment about skinny young strippers. It was tacked onto a bill targeting human trafficking requiring exotic dancers to be at least 21. The remarks have been called sexist, disrespectful and disgusting. But Havard says the amendment didn’t mention female strippers specifically…:
cut 14 (08) “160 pounds”
New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says, combined with the failure of the Equal Pay Act bill, it’s been a terrible week for women at the Capitol and she’s launched an #ItsNoJoke campaign on social media to raise awareness on women’s issues.

Nearly 30,000 Entergy customers are without power this morning following a line of storms that moved through south Louisiana last night with strong winds, lightning and heavy rain. Crews are out assessing damage right now including downed trees and power lines.

A measure that would let universities lower their out of state tuition is nearing final legislative passage. It’s an effort to attract more students from across the country. UL-System Vice President for External Affairs, Rachel Kincaid, says this would also help colleges bring in more international students…:
Cut 8 (08) “resident students”
The House approved measure heads to the full Senate.

Lots of kids are getting out of school today, and summertime means pool and beach time. But sadly, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids 14 and under. Baton Rouge General family practitioner Dr. Kristen Ducote says if you’re at the beach, your children should swim with a buddy, never alone…:
Cut 5 (07) “and under”
Ducote says it’s important to always keep an eye out on your kids even if they’re swimming in shallow water.

Governor Edwards has signed a bill into law that extends the waiting period for and abortion from 24 to 72 hours. This is the longest waiting period for an abortion in the country.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says he won’t apologize for his joke that strippers should be young and skinny. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Severe weather rolled through south Louisiana last night, causing damage in several parishes that are seeing downed trees and power lines. Entergy is reporting over 30,500 people are without power, after a line of strong storms hit with lots of lightning, heavy ran and gusty winds. Several baseball games in the region were suspended and postponed due to the weather.

With summer vacation already underway for most schools,experts are providing some tips to make sure your kids stay safe this break. Baton Rouge General family practitioner Dr. Kristen Ducote warns parents that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities in kids 14 and under. She says it’s important to invest in swimming lessons for your children…:
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She also warns parents with Memorial Day coming up, stay sober when your children are around the water.

The American Sugar Cane League says the 2016 Louisiana sugar cane crop is showing great potential and could possibly surpass last year’s 1.4 million tons of raw sugar. Senior Agronomist Herman Waguespack says we had a mild winter and hopes hurricane season will be quite so it doesn’t disrupt the crops…:
Cut 10 (08) “somewhat”

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard is not sorry for his amendment intended as a joke that said strippers in Louisiana must be young and less than 160 pounds. The amendment which was attached to a bill that raises the age of exotic dancers to 21 has received national attention. Havard spoke with reporters after adjournment and says he regrets if he offended anyone, but..:
Cut 13 (07) “politically incorrect”
House speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia said it’s ridiculous he has to ask elected officials to be respectful.

A bill is nearing final legislative passage that would allow universities to lower their out of state tuition in an effort to attract more students from neighboring states. There was concern about lowering tuition in light of the budget deficit. But Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin says bringing in more students could help curb those losses…:
CUT 7 (08) “we’re experiencing”

With many kids already out on summer vacations, Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor on some tips to keep your children safe while in the water..:
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Nearly 30,000 are without power in southeast Louisiana following storms that brought lots of lightening, heavy rain and gusty winds. At the height of the bad weather, Entergy reported nearly 75,000 customers without electricity.

More lawmakers and even the governor are still talking about the “joke” amendment that ended up hitting the House Floor Wednesday. The change was added to a human trafficking bill stating strippers should be no younger than 21, but Jackson Representative Kenny Havard suggested strippers should also be young and skinny.  Governor Edwards said he knows this was intended as a joke, but it was in bad taste…:

Cut 11 (06) “unfortunate incident”

People diagnosed with things like cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorders will soon be able to get medical marijuana in Louisiana because of a bill signed into law by Governor Edwards. The state is still seeking a grower for the drug. Edwards says signing this bill is one of this easiest decisions he’s made during this session, but also one of the most important.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is telling public schools they do not have to comply with President Obama’s transgender bathroom mandate. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Governor Edwards has signed a bill into law that extends the waiting period for and abortion from 24 to 72 hours. Five other states have similar waiting periods. The only exception to the wait time if for women who live more than 150 miles from an abortion clinic. This is also the longest waiting period for an abortion in the country.

Jackson Representative Kenny Havard’s joke that strippers should be young and skinny is making national headlines and sparking outrage from people across the country. New Orleans Sen. Karen Peterson says this is embarrassing and Havard should realize how many people he’s hurt and offended…:

cut 10 (09)  “I made a mistake”

Havard spoke with reporters after adjournment and says he regrets if he offended anyone, but….

Cut 23 (07) “…politically incorrect”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a bill into law that allows patients with a wider variety of medical conditions to receive medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. People diagnosed with things like cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorders will soon be able to get medical marijuana in Louisiana.

A Senate-approved bill seeking equal pay for men and women who perform the same job failed to make it out of the House Labor Committee. Louisiana has the biggest pay gap in the nation. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says this wage discrimination is hurting women in Louisiana.

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Vermillion Parish Representative Blake Miguez voted against the legislation. He says it interferes with how companies conduct their business.

cut 15 (08) “his employment”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports this proposal, and it is a significant defeat for his legislative agenda. The measure failed on a 10-5 vote.

More lawmakers and even the governor are still talking about the stripper age-weight requirement joke amendment. Michelle Southern reports…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Meanwhile in the House Labor committee, a bill was rejected that called for men and women workers to be paid the same for equal work. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says there’s already a law on the books regarding pay discrimination…
cut 12 (04) “…this bill”
The vote was 10-5 against the legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law that allows more conditions to be added to the list of acceptable ones for medical marijuana. He says this is not a gateway to the legalization of recreational marijuana and he does not want this bill to be an ever expanding list of diseases…:
CUT 7 (08) “out there”
The state is still seeking a grower for the drug.

Attorney General Jeff Landry believes President Obama’s mandate to allow transgender individuals to use the restroom of their gender identity is unlawful. Landry says schools should know they do not have to follow through, even though the President is threatening the yanking of federal funds if not followed…
CUT 4 (08) “immediately”
Landry says the president doesn’t have the authority to force students to share restrooms with members of the opposite sex.

New Orleans Senator and chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Peterson is demanding an apology from Jackson Representative Kenny Havard, who jokingly offered up an amendment to a bill that said strippers must be young and skinny. Peterson asked for the apology whil speaking on the Senate floor…
cut 9 (12) “….consequences”
The House Labor committee rejected the governor-backed equal pay legislation, requiring businesses to pay men and women the same for equal work. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says Louisiana has the largest gender pay gap in the nation and this bill would fix it…
cut 13 (07) “…against women”
Business groups opposed the legislation.

The governor signed a bill into law that allows patients with a wider variety of medical conditions to receive medical marijuana once it becomes available in Louisiana. Edwards this legislation could help hundreds of families…

cut 6 (11) “….medicinal marijuana”

The legislation also attempts to speed up the process of getting medical marijuana in the hands of the patient.

Attorney General Jeff Landry believes President Obama’s mandate to allow transgender individuals to use the restroom of their gender identity is unlawful. Landry says the President’s threat of defunding schools that don’t comply, jeopardizes student safety…
cut 3 (10) “….0.1%”
Landry says he’ll defend the schools, if the federal government takes action against them for failing to follow this order.