There’s been a national surge in road fatalities and Louisiana hasn’t avoided the trend. David Grubb has the story…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Speaking of which, State Police report a motorcycle crash in Calcasieu Parish over ten days ago has taken the life of a Sulphur man. Troopers say, on May 6^th, 27-year-old John Baldwin ran from troopers trying to stop him for speeding. He lost control after hitting a curb and was thrown from the bike. He died Monday in the hospital.

Police in Winnfield are investigating a shooting incident last night that left two people dead and two injured. The two men killed were young Black males. Two wounded victims were airlifted to an Alexandria hospital, where they are expected to recover. Police say over 30 rounds of ammunition were fired in the gunfight.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee advances a House-approved bill aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The bill would allow the existing licensed cannabis pharmacies to open satellite stores, and even do home delivery. Only Denham Springs Senator Rogers Pope voted against the proposal…:

CUT 11(11)      “…that’s where I am.”

The measure moves to the full Senate, where it is expected to reach final passage.

Consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams due to the nationwide shortage of baby formula. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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While a bill to criminalize abortion in Louisiana failed to get out of committee, two other anti-abortion bills did advance to the Senate. Senate Bill 342 would increase criminal penalties for abortion providers and SB 388 would prohibit out-of-state vendors from selling abortion-inducing medication to people in this state.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years with nearly 43-hundred deaths in 2021, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says driver behavior is typically the cause of traffic deaths, and the leading cause is highly preventable.

Cut 7 (10) “…safety belt.”

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The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and now that the committee has approved the measure, it’s expected to receive approval from the full senate. But there is opposition. Military veteran Tony Landry says there’s a monopoly on the medical marijuana industry with just nine licensed pharmacies and two licensed growers, LSU and Southern.

Cut 10 (10)  ”….in Louisiana”

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes in favor of a House-approved bill that’s aimed at improving access to medical marijuana. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says his measure will allow pharmacies open satellite locations and home delivery would also be an option….

Cut 9 (13) “…rural access.”

The House voted 77-16 for the legislation and it’s expected to receive full approval from the senate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports US traffic fatalities are at their highest level in 16 years, up 11 percent from 2020. Mark Lambert, spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, says the numbers don’t get better here at home…

Cut 6  (10) “…2020 to 2021.” 

As the nationwide shortage of baby formula continues, President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million warns of possible scams. She says to be sure to research the vendor or individual you intend to purchase formula from. See if they have a brick-and-mortar store and know that reviews can easily be falsified. Million says formula is called formula for a reason.

Cut 4  (11) “…their kids.”

Cleco’s CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix and the campaign teaches customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.

Cut 8 (12)  “…energy efficient.”

As the nationwide shortage of baby formal continues consumer watchdog groups are warning parents of potential scams preying on parents. President of the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana, Carmen Million says fear makes people make rash decisions and scammers are taking advantage of it.

Cut 3 (11) “….physician”

A bill that would prohibit biological males from playing female sports as a transgender girl is one step closer to final legislative passage. The House approved the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on a vote 72-21. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says the legislation is an attack on vulnerable transgender children…

cut 14 (12) “….an attack”
A minor amendment was added so the bill goes back to the Senate for final approval.

The full House advances a bill that would prohibit giving COVID shots – or any other vaccines – at public schools unless parents give explicit permission. Terrebonne Parish Representative Beryl Amedee (BEAR-il AH-muh-day) says her bill would require schools to obtain written permission to administer a shot, then follow that up with a verbal verification…:

Cut 10 (07) “…parental permission..”

The bill passed on a 65 to 31 vote.

The full Senate will debate the budget bill this week that contains a 15-hundred dollar pay raise for teachers. But Louisiana Association of Educators President Doctor Tia Mills believes the raise should be two-thousand dollars to help curb a teacher shortage…
AM cut 5 (10) “…than later”
The Southern Regional Average is 55-thousand dollars, while the average teacher pay in Louisiana is 51-thousand.

At the state capitol, the Louisiana House approved a Senate-backed bill that would prohibit transgender girls from playing female sports in Louisiana. Opponents say the legislation is unnecessary and mean-spirited, but Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds disagrees…

Cut 15 (10)  “…female sports.”

The bill heads back to the Senate for agreement on a minor amendment and then it heads to the governor’s desk.

The two largest teacher unions in the state join forces and tell lawmakers the proposed fifteen-hundred dollar pay raises aren’t enough. President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Larry Carter says they plan to continue to lobby lawmakers for adequate raises in an effort to retain certified teachers.

Cut 6 (10)  “…or leave.”

The state House passes a bill banning schools from giving COVID shots without parental approval. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves confirms to the USA Today Network he is considering a run for governor. The 50-year-old says nearly a thousand people have encouraged him to run. But Graves says 100-percent of his focus is on his re-election campaign and his job now in Congress.

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bill will return to the Senate after passing through the House on a 72 to 21 vote with a minor amendment that will require Senate approval. This was the same legislation that was responsible for the historic veto session last year. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel presented the bill in the House that prohibits transgender females from competing in women’s sports.

Cut 13 (09) “…sports.”

She then referred to the transgender female swimmer that won an NCAA championship.

Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins spoke in opposition to the bill, saying the bill is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana. Jenkins says the bill is an attack on vulnerable transgender children.

Cut 14 (12)  “…an attack.”

The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers joined forces at the state capitol to convey their disappointment with the proposed education pay increase for next year’s budget. The budget approved by Senate Finance sets aside $1,500 raises for teachers, instead of the original request of $2,000 by the governor. LFT President Larry Carter…

Cut 4 (09)  “…now.”

Cleco’s CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix says the campaign teaches customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.

Cut 8 (12)  “…energy efficient.”

At the state capitol, the Louisiana House approved a Senate-backed bill that would prohibit transgender girls from playing female sports in Louisiana. Opponents say the legislation is unnecessary and mean-spirited, but Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds disagrees…
cut 15 (10) “….female sports”
The bill heads back to the Senate for agreement on a minor amendment and then it heads to the governor’s desk.

Legislation requiring written and oral permission from a parent or guardian before a school administers a vaccine to a child receive full House approval. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says there were cases in Louisiana of kids forging a parental permission slip and getting the COVID shot. She says some school administrators asked her to file the bill to help protect them from liability…:
Cut 11 (13) “…got a shot?”

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves confirms to the USA Today Network he is considering a run for governor. The 50-year-old says nearly a thousand people have encouraged him to run. But Graves says 100-percent of his focus is on his re-election campaign and his job now in Congress.

Cleco is spreading the word on how you can save on your energy costs this summer. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

A bill to ban transgender athletes from playing women’s sports will return to the Senate after passing through the House on a 72 to 21 vote yesterday. This is the same legislation responsible for last year’s historic veto session Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel presented the bill.
cut 13 (09) “….sports”
She’s referring to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas who won an NCAA women’s championship. The bill needs Senate approval of a minor amendment and then it heads to the governor’s desk.

Either today or tomorrow, the full Senate will debate the budget bill that contains a 15-hundred dollar pay raise for teachers. But Louisiana Association of Educators President Doctor Tia Mills believes the raise should be two-thousand dollars to help curb a teacher shortage…
cut 5 (10) “…than later”
The Southern Regional Average is 55-thousand dollars, while the average teacher pay in Louisiana is 51-thousand.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would require a parent or guardian to sign a written form and also confirm orally before a vaccine is administered to a child at school. The bill’s author is Houma Representative Beryl Amedee…
cut 12 (11) “….given permission”
The measure passed on a 65-31 vote and heads to the Senate.

With air conditioners already working overtime due to the 90-plus temperatures, Cleco is telling customers to use L-E-D lightbulbs and regularly replace air conditioner filters in order to help save a few dollars on the energy bill. Cleco spokesperson Fran Phoenix says for more tips go to cleco-dot-com-slash watt matters…
cut 9 (12) “….summer months”