A Senate committee is scheduled today to take up a second attempt to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

____________________________________

If you find yourself having trouble remembering when things occurred over the last two years, there are a few reasons why your memory might be fuzzy.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

A bill heading to the House floor would remove party affiliation from the ballot for judicial candidates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

Today, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to discuss a transgender athlete ban. Franklinton Republican Senator Beth Mizell brings the bill again after it was vetoed by Governor Edwards last year. An attempt to override that veto failed. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards nixed the bill  because he saw it as a “solution looking for a problem”, however…:

Cut 4 (15)  “…in Louisiana.”

Called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act”, the bill seeks to assure female athletes do not have to face unfair competition from athletes who are bigger, faster and stronger because they were once men. It passed in both chambers last year, but failed in a veto override attempt. Alford says GOP majorities in both chambers are anxious to send the bill to the Governor’s desk again…:

Cut 5 (08) “…for quite a while.”

Alford says this is a hot-button issue with conservative members of the Republican party, and many lawmakers are thinking of their re-election campaign next year. He says being on the wrong social side of this social issue could be costly…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…kind of Republican are you?”

The bill is scheduled today before the Senate Education Committee.

_______________________________________

Besides changing our normal way of life, it appears the pandemic might have also impacted our memory. When it comes to recalling exactly when something happened over the last two years things are a bit fuzzy for some of us. Head of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Rahn Bailey says general anxiety can impact cognition.

Cut 7 (10) “…forward with them”

Bailey says is COVID responsible for increasing our anxiety ranging from worries if you’ll catch the virus, to financial anxieties over the last two years.

The pandemic has also forced us to cancel many annual events. Bailey says we tend to link memories with emotional events, like weddings and graduations, and the lack of those occasions plays a part in our recall.

Cut 8 (13)  “…get out of.”

And while it’s too early to tell if the virus itself impacts cognition, Bailey says we’ll have to wait on research from long-term studies. But if you are finding difficulty remembering things and previous strategies to recall things aren’t working Bailey encourages you to ask for help.

Cut 9 (10)  “…helpful.”

If you are in need of counseling, you can call the Keeping Calm Through COVID Hotline at 1-866-310-7977.

________________________________________

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill that would remove from a voting ballot the party affiliation of a candidate running for judge. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says party should not matter, because judges should be non-partisan

Cut 10 (12) “…on the ballot.”

The bill was approved by the committee on a nine to three vote. A few Republican lawmakers opposed, including Haughton Representative Dodie Horton…

Cut  11 (10)  “…adheres to.”  

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says voters deserve to know who they are voting for

Cut 12 (12) “…or independent”

House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski, who is an attorney by occupation, says judges support this legislation…

Cut 13 (10) “…the other yesterday.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

___________________________________________________

On the House Floor Wednesday, Metairie Republican Representative Laurie Schlegel continued to make her case for HB 234, which would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in any form while either driving or riding in a motor vehicle on public highways.

Cut 14 (10)  “…while it’s operating.”

Schlegel was asked if the intent of her bill was to target those who smoke marijuana. In response, she cited studies from multiple states showing increased numbers of fatal vehicle crashes post-legalization and touted her own record on decriminalization.

Cut 15 (11)  “…our roads safe.”

Violators would face a 100-dollar fine if the proposal become law. Some lawmakers are concerned about the enforcement as Schlegel received several questions about that issue…

Cut 16 (12)  “…hold them accountable.”

The bill passed the House on a 66-31 vote and now heads to the Senate for more discussion.

______________________________________________

LSU held its annual Pro Day for NFL scouts on Wednesday and no workout was more anticipated than that of cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. After exploding onto the scene as a freshman for the 2019 National Champs, Stingley only played in 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley said he was confident he would perform even after the long layoff.

Cut 17 (13) “ …a little kid.” 

Stingley had been recovering from a torn ligament he suffered in his left foot last September that required surgery. He showed no lingering effects from the injury after clocking in unofficially with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and posting impressive numbers in the vertical jump and individual drills.

Cut 18 (11) “ …good to go.” 

Besides the measurable numbers, like his 40 time or the bench press, Stingley is confident that he has the skills and makeup to be the top corner, if not the top player selected in the draft.

Cut 19 (20) _“…how it goes.” 

A bill to ban the release of most mug shots passes the Louisiana House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Legislation to limit the number of insurance adjusters for a single claim to three, produces more questions than answers in the Senate Insurance Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

______________________________________

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit the release of an arrestee’s mug shot before they are convicted. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says mug shots are prejudicial…

Cut 3 (07) “..undermines that”

Duplessis has a few exceptions to his legislation if the person is a fugitive or police determine the individual is an imminent threat. But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews is concerned the banning of mug shots will have a negative impact on public safety…

Cut 4  (10) “…person”

Duplessis says the release of a mug shot before a conviction can cause irreversible harm to a person, especially if the criminal charges are dropped…

cut 5  (07) “…personal life”

The measure passed on a 75-21 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

____________________________________________________

After the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended the closure of the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville last month, Congresswoman Julia Letlow reached out to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. Letlow says she told him closing the hospital is unacceptable.

Cut 6  (11) “…hospital open.” 

The report suggests relocating some VA services to a new outpatient clinic in the vicinity of Alexandria and that the current 1950 constructed facility would cost an estimated $157 million to correct to current standards.

After meeting with him personally, Letlow says she’s encouraged by the open dialogue she’s established with Secretary McDonough about the VA facility in the 5^th Congressional District.

Cut 7 (06) “…heroes.” 

The report states the estimated enrolled veteran population for CenLa is expected to decline by 288 over a ten-year period and that along with construction costs led to the recommendation of closure. The same report also called for a complete rebuild of the VA Medical Center in Shreveport.

Letlow says she will continue to meet with McDonough in an effort to keep the Pineville facility open.

Cut 8 (09) “…the region.” 

_________________________________________

Louisiana is receiving $40 million in federal grant funding for flood mitigation. It’s part of the “Swift Current” initiative that’s funded by President Biden’s Infrastructure law that’s allocating $60 million to four states impacted by Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says the money will assist disaster survivors whose homes flood repeatedly.

Cut 9 (10) “…Hurricane Ida.”

To be eligible buildings must be insured through the National Flood Insurance Program to be considered for the funding opportunity.

Wilkins says the goal of the program is to help homeowners get protection for their structures.

Cut 10 (07)  “…comes through.”

Wilkins says FEMA has reduced the grant application process by developing pre-calculated benefits for those eligible for mitigation projects. The application process is open now until October 3rd.

Cut 11 (08)  “…floodplain manager.”  

For more information visit grants.gov and search Swift Current.

_____________________________________________________

The Senate Insurance Committee discusses whether there should be a law on the number of adjusters an insurance company use for a single claim. Executive Director for Real Reform Louisiana Eric Holl says after the recent hurricanes some policyholders have dealt with over a dozen adjusters

Cut 12 (09) “…south Louisiana” 

New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie has a bill that would limit the number of adjusters for a single claim to three. But Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says an adjuster can be anyone that touches a case and limiting the number of adjusters could end up hurting the consumer

Cut 13 (13) “…whatever number”

Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says “adjuster churning” needs to be addressed, but multiple adjusters have been needed in some cases, because the state has been hit by multiple hurricanes during a pandemic and finding licensed adjusters is also difficult…

Cut 14 (09)  “…perfect storm.”

After hearing concerns about his bill, Bouie says he’ll tighten up the language and bring it back before the committee at a later date, but believes there should be a limit on the number of adjusters that work on a single claim…

Cut 15 (11) “…they know”