The full House is set to debate a bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder and send mothers who have one to prison. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Due to a nationwide shortage of infant formula, the Louisiana Department of Health issues advice for parents. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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LDH takes a major step forward in addressing the state’s opioid crisis with expanded treatment services. David Grubb has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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A bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder is scheduled for debate today on the House floor. House Bill 813 would punish women who have the procedures, and doctors who perform them, with prison time. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick says his bill seeks to put abortion on the same level as infanticide…:

Cut 4 (10)  “…that’s my goal.”

McCormick’s bill is scheduled for full House debate today. He says his bill is not about putting doctors and mothers in jail…:

Cut 5 (07) “…protection of the child.”

Speaking Wednesday to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Governor John Bel Edwards said he doesn’t often come out on a bill before lawmakers have had their votes, but he worries HB813 won’t survive any possible legal challenge…:

Cut 6 (13)  “…with that bill.”

The governor indicates he’d use the veto pen, should McCormick’s bill reach final passage.

Cut 7 (07) “…off my desk.”

McCormick’s HB813 is scheduled for House floor debate today.

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The nationwide shortage of infant formula has parents of newborns looking for options and guidance. Director of Nutrition Services at the Louisiana Department of Health Jennifer Nicklas is advising families to shop at different stores if they are having difficulty finding formula.

Cut 8 (09)  “…give up.”

A recall of formula made by Abbott at their Michigan plant along with supply chain issues has only exacerbated the formula shortage. Nicklas also suggests asking friends and family to help you search for formula and for WIC clients the list of approved formula substitutions has been expanded.

Cut 9 (08)  “…substitutions.”

For a list of substitutions and other retailers who accept SNAP benefits the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

Nicklas acknowledges it’s a frustrating situation for parents. She says switching to another formula could cause discomfort for an infant’s digestive system for several days. Nicklas says however do not water down formula in an attempt to make it last longer. Do not attempt to make your own formula, and never…

Cut 10 (08) “…breast milk.”

Nicklas says also never purchase expired formula or products that have been punctured or damaged.

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As part of the ongoing effort to fight the nation’s opioid epidemic, the Louisiana Department of Health Office of Behavioral Health is offering extended hours and treatment services in the Northwest and Northshore regions of the state. Traci Perry, the opioid treatment authority at OBH says the goal is to get services to the areas where they’re needed most.

Cut  11 (12)  “…life-saving services.”  

Access is one of the largest barriers for people trying to break the cycle of addiction. The OBH clinics will provide comprehensive services on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis. Perry says it takes a combination of medication and evidence-based treatment to keep patients on the right track.

Cut 12 (11) “…stay in recovery.” 

Services are already available at Behavioral Health Group in Shreveport and are expected to be up and running at BayMark Programs North Shore in Hammond in June. Perry says those two regions were chosen based on data collected by the state’s prescription monitoring program, though OBH expects to expand the program in the future.

Cut 13 (11) “…be empowered.”

The program is funded by the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and through the Louisiana State Opioid Response 2.0 Grant.

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A Senate bill requiring public schools to adopt policies by the end of the year regarding cameras to be installed in Louisiana special education classrooms advances from House Education.  Sandra Guichard, a mother of two special needs children says she placed a recorder on her daughter when she suspected she was being abused at school.

Cut 14 (10)  “…her face.”

The bill requires policies to be in place by December 31, 2022, for about 9,000 once funds are available. The cameras will cost an estimated $6-million.

Jennifer Carignan, President of Louisiana Save Our Schools says she’s talked with several parents of special needs children and heard horror stories of abuse in the classroom. She begged lawmakers to find funding and to hold schools accountable for installing cameras in the classroom.

Cut 15 (08)  “…to help them.”

Jody Rollins, whose son is nonverbal with severe autism, implored lawmakers to remove any obstacles school districts have to install cameras. She says it’s as if education is lawless and they are not forced to follow policies set forth by lawmakers.

Cut 16 (11)  “…good feeling.”

The bill advances to the House floor for final passage.

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The national rankings are all over the place when it comes to LSU, but D1-Baseball-dot-com has the Tigers projected as an 11-seed and hosting a regional in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Editor Kendall Rogers says though LSU is flawed he still likes the Tigers’ chances in the postseason.

Cut 17 (20) “ …stock on that.” 

Pitching remains the biggest question mark for the Tigers, as it has been since the start of the season. Though Ma’Khail Hilliard has delivered, LSU doesn’t have a consistent number two. Rogers says there are ways to work around that.

Cut 18 (20) “ …it pans out.” 

Rogers believes that one of LSU’s biggest advantages isn’t on the field. He says Coach Jay Johnson brings one of the best offensive minds in the game into the dugout every night, and he could be a difference in the postseason.

Cut 19 (19) _“…in-game adjustments.”    ___________________________________________

The House committee looking into the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene charges former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves with contempt for failing to turn over his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Monroe woman accused of killing two passengers after fleeing from police, including her own child, is now in custody. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (36) …I’m David Grubb.”  

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A bill that attempts to deter juvenile crime and foster more parental involvement is closer to final legislative passage. New Orleans Senator Jimmy Harris’ says after a juvenile offender is convicted, his bill calls for the juvenile along with their parents or caretakers to be involved in the court-approved rehabilitation and…

Cut 3 (10) “…restitution.”

Senate Bill 370 passed unanimously in the Senate and is awaiting a House vote after it advanced from the House Criminal Justice Committee. Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says the bill is a way to decrease the recent growth of juvenile crime.

Cut 4  (11) “…trying to do.”

Harris says the New Orleans carjacking by juveniles in which the victim died after her arm was severed has prompted juvenile crime legislation. Present law allows the judge to impose school attendance, community service, medical or psychological treatment, restrict driving privileges, prohibit possession of a firearm, and monthly supervision fees if a minor is found guilty.

Cut 5  (09) “…to the child.”

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The House Committee investigating the death of Ronald Greene voted to hold former State Police leader Colonel Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to turn over journals while he was superintendent. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Reeves’ attorney has agreed to turn over some of the pages, but not all of the written notes

Cut 6  (10) “…contention” 

Reeves’ attorney, Lewis Unglesby, says a lot of the information contained in the journals does not have anything to do with the Greene case and investigation. But Kenner Representative Debbie Villio says it’s best they can get all of the journals without redaction

Cut 7 (11) “…should be produced” 

Magee also recommends that the House impose a civil fine of five thousand dollars against Reeves…

Cut 8 (08) “…contempt.” 

The House Governmental Affairs Committee and the full House will vote on the motion to hold Reeves in contempt. If they do, that means the state legislature can seek court action to get Reeves to turn over the journals unredacted.

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The driver in a fatal accident that took two lives, including her five-week-old child, in Monroe Monday night, has been arrested. Monroe Police Sgt. Mike Fendall says officers responded to a theft at a Walmart and it turned into a high-speed chase, which ended in a crash. When officers arrived at the scene, they found one passenger critically injured…

Cut 9 (12) “…at the hospital.”

While police tended to the injured, Candace Gill took off, leaving the scene on foot, abandoning her child in the process. Just before 11 pm on Tuesday, Monroe Police received a tip on Gill’s location. Officers headed to an apartment complex in West Monroe where Gill was arrested without incident.

Cut 10 (08) ” ….negligent injury.” 

The adult passenger who died at the scene has not yet been identified but is believed to have been Gill’s boyfriend. This isn’t the 38-year-old Gill’s first brush with the law, said Sgt. Fendall, but it has become the most tragic, with two lives now lost.

Cut 11 (09)  “…as well.” 

In a sadly ironic, twist. Gill is accused of stealing items for the child, setting the tragic chain of events in motion.

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The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bill to codify abortion rights in federal law, but it apparently lacks the needed votes to pass. Among the Republican Senate members who say they will down-vote the bill is Louisiana’s senator Bill Cassidy. He says Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for a vote, but Cassidy has concerns…:

Cut 12 (10) “…,moment of birth.”  

Named the Women’s Health Protection Act, the measure would set Roe versus Wade into law, while banning some states’ restrictions on having the procedure; like waiting periods, mandatory doctor consultations and more. Cassidy – who is a medical doctor – says he cannot get past the bill allowing for pregnancies to be terminated right up to the last week…:

Cut 13 (13) “…outside the womb.”

Cassidy says he and his fellow 49 other Senate Republicans will vote to kill the bill…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…against it again.”

West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin says he will also vote against the bill. It needs 560 votes to pass and appears destined to be defeated.