Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act”; providing teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity if they intervene in an on-campus fight. Denham Springs Rep. Valarie Hodges says her bill seeks to help educators who find themselves in a no-win scenario when a fight breaks out…:

CUT 04(10)      “…or whatever.”

The bill had bipartisan support.

The Governor has also signed a bill requiring health insurers to cover freezing one’s eggs (or sperm) in advance of cancer treatments which can sometimes ender a patient infertile. Bill sponsor and Baton Rouge Rep. Paula Davis says the increase in cost is negligible to insurance companies and consumers…:

CUT 08(11)      “…cover it.”

If you go out on waterways, be prepared to see possible large fish kills. State Wildlife & Fisheries expert Robby Maxwell says it’s due to all the heat, recent storms and other weather factors that upset the balance of the water. He says, whatever you do, do NOT consume dead fish…:

CUT 10(11)      “…something else.”

To report a fish kill, visit “lwf.louisiana.gov.”

A Baton Rouge hotel – just off I-10 – had to be evacuated Tuesday night, after someone sprayed chemical MACE into the building’s AC vents. Guests throughout the building reported trouble breathing. Firefighters responded and cleared the building. A few guests were treated for inhaling fumes, but no one was reported hospitalized. Now the search is on for the person responsible.

SWEPCO reports about 29-thousand customers in northwest Louisiana still without power; six days after a severe storm and tornado impact. They hope to have all power restored by Saturday evening.

SWEPCO reports 29-thousand of its customers in Louisiana remain without power from last week’s severe storms. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 02(26)      “…Palermo.”’

Tropical Storm Bret continues to trek westward, and is – at this time – NOT expected to impact Louisiana’s coast. Bret’s current path takes it towards Central America. Forecasters feel conditions in the Caribbean are favorable to bust the storm up before it can reach hurricane strength. However, storms are notoriously hard to predict.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries warns us all of potential fish kills due to scorching hot temperatures, extended cloudy weather, and storms. Inland Fisheries expert Robby Maxwell says when something changes the water balance it can be bad for fish…:

CUT 09(12)      “…the water.”

To report fish kill, visit wlf.louisiana.gov and call the number related to the district you live in.

LSU left-hander Nate Ackenhausen delivered a legendary performance last night as he threw six shutout innings in a five to nothing win to eliminate Tennessee from the College World Series. A well-rested Ackenhausen received a text yesterday morning that he would make his first start of the season…:

CUT 12(09)      “…all I got.”

Blake Money or Javen Coleman are possible starters for tonight’s game.

The state announces additional steps to protect yourself from identity theft as a result of the cybersecurity breach involving the Office of Motor Vehicles. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(38)      “…Palermo.”

The LSU Tigers stay alive in the College World Series, after beating Tennessee again last night, 5-0. Up next for the Tigers, Wake Forest again. That game starts just after 6 tonight.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act” into law; an act that provides teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity, if they intervene in a physical fight on campus. Bill’s author, Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges believes this gives added protection to teachers and staff with no intent to harm students…:

CUT 03(10)      “…passed overwhelmingly.”

She says if a teacher does the right thing and intervenes, they should be protected.

Another bill signed by the Governor requires health insurers to cover fertility preservation for those undergoing cancer treatments, which could render them infertile. Baton Rouge Rep. Paula Davis is the bill’s author. She says with new medical breakthroughs, this needs to be covered..:

CUT 07(11)      “…amazing to me.”

The coverage would be for having eggs, or sperm, frozen before such treatments begin. The bill received bipartisan support in both chambers.

The governor has signed legislation requiring private health insurance to cover the cost of fertility preservation for those undergoing medical treatment for cancer or other illnesses that could affect their fertility.  Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis patients will now have the option to freeze their eggs or sperm before treatments begin.

Cut 6 (06)  “…infertile.” 

Davis says this is welcome news to individuals who could be faced with a loss of fertility on top of a cancer diagnosis.

And the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act” which provides teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity if they intervene in a physical fight on campus has been signed. Bill author Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges…

Cut 5 (13)  “…protect them.”

Two suspects wanted for a double homicide in Lafayette were taken into custody in West Baton Rouge Parish Tuesday. 21-year-old Zaylin Sion of Carencro and 18-year-old Alayna Moreau of Church Point were apprehended at Motel Six on Frontage Road. The two will be transferred back to Lafayette to face charges.

The LSU Tigers take on Wake Forest tonight and will need to beat the Demon Deacons twice to advance to the Championship Series. There’s a concern LSU does not have enough pitching, but Coach Jay Johnson does not share that concern…

Cut 13 (15) “…be successful” 

Blake Money or Javen Coleman are possible starters for tonight’s game

Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White regrets voting for the $100 million dollar funding cut to the Louisiana Department of Health in the final moments of the legislative session. White says his time was limited and admits he did not read much if any of the budget.

Cut 10 (11) “…should not have.”

L-D-H officials told state senators the 100 million dollar cut could result in a 740-million dollar reduction in funding when you factor in federal matching dollars.

The “Protecting Teachers Rights Act” which provides school employees immunity from civil liability and criminal prosecution if they try to stop fights on school grounds. Bill’s author, Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges says teachers are often in a no-win situation when a fight happens.

Cut 4 (10)  “…or whatever.” 

The bill gained support from the House of Representatives and Senate.

State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the “Protecting Teachers Rights Act” which provides teachers and administrators with civil and criminal immunity if they intervene in a physical fight on campus. Bill author, Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges…

Cut 3 (10) “…passed overwhelmingly.”

LSU left-hander Nate Ackenhausen delivered a legendary performance last night as he threw six shutout innings in a five-to-nothing win to eliminate Tennessee from the College World Series. A well-rested Ackenhausen received a text yesterday morning that he would make his first start of the season…

Cut 12 (09) “…all I got” 

LSU needs to beat Wake Forest twice and they play tonight at 6 PM

The parents of 29-year-old Donovan Bailey who was killed in Reserve in 2013 have joined with Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans to increase the reward amount for new tips in the cold case. Crimestoppers President Darlene Causanza says an arrest was made in 2014 …

Cut 8 (13) “…was released.’”

The reward is $17,500 .

According to CreditCards-dot-com Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt in the country. The report compares credit card debt and household incomes across the country. Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says people in Louisiana live on a below-average household income.

Cut 14 (10)  “…it off.”

Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White says it was a big mistake when lawmakers rushed to approve a budget on the final day of the session. It resulted in a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health at a time when the state has a surplus. White says if he had to do it again, he wouldn’t have brought the budget bill up for a vote in the waning minutes of the session…

Cut 11 (04)  “…special session.”

LDH tells lawmakers the cut will result in a loss of services for Medicaid recipients and a loss of funding for some nursing homes, a graduate medical education program, and mobile cancer screenings.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is alarmed to see a cut in funding to Our Lady of Angels Hospital in Bogalusa…

Cut 13 (11) “…happen”  

White is calling on the governor to use his line-item authority and remove the cut from the budget so funding could be restored to L-D-H.

State Treasurer John Schroder is calling on the Louisiana Cash Management Review Board to develop a plan for all state agencies to accept electronic payment options like PayPal and Venmo.

Cut 6 (10)  “…the taxpayer.”

By law, the state treasurer can make the electronic payment process available to state agencies but he can’t require them to use it.

According to CreditCards-dot-com Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt in the country. CreditCards-dot-com Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says using a personal loan as a form of debt consolidation and working with a reputable nonprofit credit counseling agency can help make payments manageable. He also suggests a zero percent balance transfer credit card.

Cut 16 (11) “…tremendous savings.”

State senators express regret over approving a state budget that contained a 100-million dollar cut in funding to the Department of Health. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU toppled Tennessee last night in a 5-to-nothing win. LSU left-hander Nate Ackenahusen threw six shutout innings. The Tigers will need to beat Wake Forest tonight to stay alive. The first pitch is at 6PM.

A new report by CreditCards.com finds Louisiana has the third highest credit card debt burden in the country. The state’s average credit card balance is 54 hundred dollars. Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says people in Louisiana live on a below-average household income.

Cut 14 (10)  “…it off.”

Louisiana ranked 47^th in average household income with an average of $76,000 annually.

The parents of 29-year-old Donovan Bailey who was killed in Reserve in 2013  have joined with Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans to increase the reward amount for new tips in the cold case. President Darlene Causanza (cu-zan-za) hopes increasing the amount will garner new leads in the case.

Cut 7 (13) “…final arrest.”

Anyone with leads should contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, download the  CSGNO app, or visit crimestoppersgno.org to post a tip.