Senator John Kennedy’s re-eleciton campaign reports the Republican from St. Tammany Parish has raised five million dollars in the first quarter of 2022 and has 14-million in his war chest.
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A UNO poll finds that 58-percent of Louisiana residents favor legalzing recreational use of marijuana, up from 36-percent in 2016. UNO Pollster Ed Chervenak says the public’s attitude is changing, but what about the governor???
cut 9 (07) “…final decision”

A House committee approves legislation that would give the Legislature the ability to end certain portions of a governor’s emergency executive order. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman’s measure is in response to the governor’s public health orders during the pandemic that placed restrictions on businesses…
Cut 13 (10) “…end those”
A similar bill was vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards last year, but today the House Governmental Affairs approved Frieman’s proposal that would allow a majority vote from the House and Senate to overturn a governor’s emergency order. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis voted no because he believes in a separation of powers in state government…
Cut 14 (10) “…to do that”
The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

Two pieces of legislation pertaining to COVID vaccines advance to the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Another round of storms is in the forecast today, which could hinder efforts to restore power for nearly 35-thousand customers in Northwest Louisiana according to SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan.

Cut 6  (10) “…come through.”

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There’s a shift happening in Louisiana…at least when it comes to supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana. According to results of polling done by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center, almost 60 percent of registered voters in the state support making cannabis legal. Dr. Ed Chervenak says that’s a 22 percent increase from just four years ago.

Cut 7 (11) “…of doing that.”

Chervenak says Louisiana’s results mirror what’s happening around the nation, as voters are less likely to see marijuana use as a crime, or know someone who benefits from medicinal cannabis. Tax revenue generated from legal sales is another factor in changing attitudes as well.

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A nationwide survey by the NFIB finds that inflation has overtaken labor quality as the top problem for small businesses. Aside from inflation, NFIB state director Dawn McVea pointed to several other areas of frustration…
cut 9 (06) “….labor shortages”
McVea says the percentage of business owners expecting conditions to improve over the next six months is at its lowest love in the 48-year history of the survey.

Many residents in Northwest Louisiana are without power after storms swept through the area last night. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says about 37,000 customers in the Shreveport-Bossier area are without power.
Cut 5 (12) “…and dangerous.”
Sullivan says approximately 1,500 customers in the Mansfield area and nearly 600 in Logansport are also without service.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that will make it harder for a pregnant woman to get abortion-inducing medications without a prescription Bill author, Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt…
Cut 14 (10) “…medical oversite.”
An abortion-rights lawyer is concerned the legislation will also penalize the pregnant woman, but Hewitt says she’ll amend the bill to make sure that does not happen.

The House Health and Welfare Committee has approved a resolution that would prevent a rule from the governor going into effect that would mandate children 16 and up must be vaccinated to attend a public school, college or university. Shreveport Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Joseph Bocchini spoke in opposition and says the decision to incorporate any vaccine into the routine schedule for children is based on the merits of the vaccine.
Cut 6 (08) “…other staff.”
Supporters of the resolution say the COVID vaccine has shown it does not prevent infection and they claim there are still health risks with getting the vaccine.

A three-year-old was killed while sleeping in his bed Tuesday night after shots were fired outside his home. Baton Rouge Sgt L’Jean McKneely says the victim Devin Page was killed around 11 PM in the 5100 block of Fairfields Ave.

Cut 3 (12) “…a call.”

McKneely says the Page’s home was not the intended target.

A University of New Orleans Survey shows roughly a third of voters polled approve of the jobs Senator Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are doing, but also a third disapprove, and about a third don’t know what to think.  Research director Dr. Ed Chervenak says the “don’t knows” can be vexing for public opinion researchers…:

Cut 13 (10) “…the next election.”

Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley’s resolution to remove COVID vaccines from the state’s immunization schedule passed on a 10 to 6 vote in House Health and Welfare. New Orleans Democrat Representative Jason Hughes asked Bagley why House Resolution 3 is even necessary.

Cut 4 (08)  “…need this?”

Bagley says it’s a matter of principle and that some schools have not allowed parents to opt-out. He even quoted fellow Republican Representative Troy Romero who said the COVID vaccine doesn’t even stop the virus.

Cut 5 (06) “…your children.”

The resolution along with Shreveport Republican Thomas Pressly’s bill to prohibit the government from issuing vaccine mandates, head to the House floor.

Two COVID vaccine-related pieces of legislation pass in House Health Welfare. Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley’s resolution would remove COVID vaccines from the state’s immunization schedule for students and Shreveport Republican Thomas Pressly’s bill to prohibit the government from issuing vaccine mandates.  House Bill 990 does not pertain to Federal vaccine mandates…

Cut 7 (05) “…to do so.”

Both Bills advance to the House floor.

Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt’s bill banning the sale of abortion-inducing medications without a prescription clears Senate Judiciary C. The bill would criminalize retailers and opponents worry pregnant women could also face prosecution. Hewitt says the bill is not intended to punish pregnant women…

Cut 16 (08)  “…use of the drug.”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor and Hewitt says she plans to amend the bill so pregnant women aren’t penalized.

A National Federation of Independent Businesses survey says inflation is now the number one concern for small business owners. State director Dawn McVea says supply chain issues have forced business owners to keep a watchful eye on their inventory due to difficulty in stocking and restocking items.

Cut 10 (08) “…to fewer sales.”

The survey indicates more small business owners are pessimistic about the future, the highest since 1981.

A University of New Orleans survey shows more Democrats versus Republicans approve of the job Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is doing. Research director Dr. Ed Chervenak says perhaps that’s because he voted with democrats for Donald Trump’s impeachment and a big democrat infrastructure bill. Chervenak says Cassidy is considering running for Governor next year…:

Cut 12 (13) “…going to be successful.”

The House Health and Welfare Committee voted 12 to 5 in favor of a bill that would prevent state and local governments from issuing proof of COVID-19 vaccine requirements in order to enter schools, restaurants, and businesses. Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly says House Bill 990 does not pertain to federal vaccine mandates…
cut 7 (05) “….to do so”
The measure heads to the House floor.

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that will make it harder for a pregnant woman to get abortion-inducing medications without a prescription Bill author, Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt…
Cut 14 (10) “…medical oversite.”
An abortion-rights lawyer is concerned the legislation will also penalize the pregnant woman, but Hewitt says she’ll amend the bill to make sure that does not happen.

New voter research from UNO shows overall job approval for Louisiana’s two U.S. Senators is under 50-percent. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

And Kennedy’s re-election campaign says the junior senator now has 14-million dollars in cash on hand after raising five million dollars during the first quarter of this year.

Strong storms last night caused significant power outages in northwest Louisiana. There’s another chance for severe weather today.

The House Health and Welfare Committee approves a measure that removes the COVID-19 vaccine from the state health department’s immunization schedule, meaning children five and up would not have to be vaccinated against COVID in order to attend school. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes voted against it because he says parents can opt-out by signing a form…
cut 4 (08) “….need this”
But Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says some schools have not allowed parents to opt-out.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is up for re-election this year and a UNO survey has his approval rating at only 36-percent, but pollster Ed Chervenak says Kennedy has a much higher rating from his political base…
cut 11 (09) “….job that he is doing”
Kennedy’s campaign reports the junior senator has raised five million dollars in the first quarter and now has 14-million in his war chest.

A new report shows historic lows in confidence among small business owners. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

66-percent of the adults who participated in an LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll say the state is heading in the wrong direction. LSU Manship School associate professor Doctor Michael Henderson says only 26-percent say the state is heading in the right direction
Cut 29 (06) “…2004″
Just over 600 adults participated in the online survey.

Strong storms rolled through north Louisiana last night. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office reports minor damage. SWEPCO reports about 40-thousand of its customers in Louisiana are without power from Shreveport to Natchitoches. There’s another chance for strong storms this afternoon.

Two pieces of legislation pertaining to COVID vaccines advance to the House floor. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would strengthen the penalties against those who distribute medication that can induce an abortion. Louisiana Right to Life says the measure would give local district attorneys the ability to prosecute these crimes and clarifies that it’s illegal to provide or mail so-called abortion pills without an in-person physician visit. But abortion-rights attorney Ellie Schilling is concerned the bill also punishes the pregnant woman…
cut 15 (12) “…pretty great”
The bill’s author, Slidell Senate Sharon Hewitt, says she’ll amend the legislation to clarify it does not criminalize a woman seeking an abortion.

A nationwide survey of small business owners finds inflation is their number one concern. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says the impact is real…
cut 8 (07) “….right now”
The percentage of business owners expecting conditions to improve over the next sixth months is at its lowest level in the 48-year history of the survey.