A bill that would allow motorcycle riders over the age of 21 the option to ride without a helmet passed in the full House. Bill’s author, Representative Rodney Shamerhorn says wearing a helmet should be a personal choice.

Cut 3 (12) “…protect yourself.”  

The state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law, which has been in place since 2004, passed in a 60-43 vote. Monroe Representative Pat Moore opposes the bill. She says the legislation would increase highway deaths. And that would increase insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13)  “…of Louisiana.”

Louisiana is one of 17 states that require full time helmets while riding a motorcycle.

Legislation that would extend the time insurers and claimants can file a civil lawsuit from one to two years was unanimously approved by the House Civil Law Committee. Governor Jeff Landry says this gives all parties involved more time to reach a settlement…

Cut 7 (11) “…will go down”  

89 year old Dan Hollingsworth, former Ruston Mayor, died at his home on Monday. Hollingsworth served four consecutive terms from 1999 to 2015 as mayor. Current Mayor Ronny Walker says Hollingsworth will be remembered for strengthening the town’s relationship with Louisiana Tech.

Cut  14 (07) “…the future.”

The House Civil Law Committee approves a bill extending the amount of time a civil lawsuit can be filed from one to two years. Jeff Palermo explains why it has the support of the governor…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A four-year-old who Baton Rouge Police says accidently shot himself this morning is in critical condition. The shooting happened in north Baton Rouge and the child was reportedly wounded in the upper torso and Chief Thomas Morse says the gun involved was an illegal handgun with a conversion switch. DCFS is also investigating.

The Lafayette Police Department was involved in the fatal shooting last night. Sergeant Robin Green says officers had to use lethal force after a suspect in a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex tried to injure officers with his vehicle. The suspect initially but was found short time later

Cut 11 (12) “…shooting occurred.”

No officers were injured in the incident. The identity of the deceased suspect have not been released.

Former Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth, who served four terms died Monday at his home. Current Mayor Ronny Walker says Hollingsworth, who was a father of five, was well thought of not only for his accomplishments but for his character as well.

Cut 13 (12) “…for advice.”  

Hollingsworth was 89.

The Lafayette Police Department was involved in the fatal shooting last night. Sergeant Robin Green says officers had to use lethal force after a suspect in a domestic disturbance incident at an apartment complex tried to injure officers with his vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…the scene. “

No officers were injured in the incident. The identity of the deceased suspect has not been released.

Former Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth, who served four terms died Monday at his home. Hollingsworth served as mayor from 1999 to 20015. Current Mayor Ronnie Walker says Hollingsworth was always looking to improve Ruston and spearheaded their downtown revitalization.

Cut 12 (07) “…ever had.”

The father of five Hollingsworh was 89.

Hornbeck Representative Rodney Shamerhorn’s bill to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law has passed the full House in a 60-43 vote. Under the proposed bill, motorcycle riders 21 and older would have the option of wearing safety helmets if they can prove they have health insurance. Shamerhorn says riders have the right to make the final call.

Cut 4 (12) “…you make.” 

The state’s current law requires both riders and passengers to wear safety helmets regardless of age.

Opponent of the bill, Monroe Representative Pat Moore believes this legislation will lead to more highway deaths. She says insurance company payouts translate to increased insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13)  “…of Louisiana.”

The House Civil Law Committee unanimously approved a bill that would extend the time to file a civil lawsuit from one to two years. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple views the legislation as part of the solution to solving the insurance crisis.

Cut 9 (10) “…of solution” 

To reduce insurance rates, the House Civil Law Committee unanimously approved a bill to extend the time from one to two years to file a civil lawsuit. Governor Jeff Landry this says will give the insurer and claimant additional time to reach a settlement without having to go to court. Landry says most other states have a two-year prescriptive period and they see less lawsuits

Cut 8 (09) “…this math.” 

Landry says he’s heard from the insurance industry that fewer lawsuits can result in lower premiums.

Former Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth, who served four terms died Monday at his home. Hollingsworth served as mayor from 1999 to 20015 and was the brainchild of the Ruston 21 plan for capital improvements, economic development, and land-use improvements. Hollingsworth is remembered for strengthening the town’s relationship with Louisiana Tech. The former radio station owner and broadcaster was 89.

A move to do away with the state’s mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists has cleared another legislative hurdle. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Legislation to repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law passed the full House in a 60-43 vote. The law has been in place since 2004. Bill author, Hornbeck Representative Rodney Shamerhorn says wearing a helmet is a freedom of choice.

Cut 3 (12) “…protect yourself.”  

Under the proposed bill, motorcycle riders 21 and older would have the option of wearing safety helmets if they can prove they have health insurance.

Opponent Monroe Representative Pat Moore believes this legislation will lead to more highway deaths and she says there are benefits that come from wearing a safety helmet.

Cut 6  (06) “…possibly dying.” 

The measure heads to the Senate for more debate. Currently Louisiana is one of 17 states that require full time helmets while riding a motorcycle.

To reduce insurance rates, the House Civil Law Committee unanimously approved a bill to extend the time from one to two years to file a civil lawsuit. Governor Jeff Landry this says will give an insurer and the claimant additional time to reach a settlement without having to go to court…

Cut 7 (11) “…will go down”  

Landry says he’s heard from the insurance industry that fewer lawsuits can result in lower premiums.

The school choice legislation favored by Governor Landry would replace the current voucher system which allows low-income families to receive taxpayer dollars to send their child to a private school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the new program would give all families the opportunity to receive state dollars for private school education….

Cut 15 (10) “…serious debate about this.”
Cost will be a main question.

The civil rights group, Village 337, is demanding the release of an 11-year-old girl after her first-degree murder charge was dropped on Thursday but still faces obstruction of justice charges in the shooting death of 36-year-old Kameron Bedsole in New Iberia.  337 Vice President Angela Eaglin believes the teen should be released.

Cut 30 (10) “…facing time.”

Sentencing will be held April 16th and the attorneys are under a gag order.

A bill that would ban TikTok or force its China-based parent company, ByteDance to sell it has passed the US House. Senator Bill Cassidy talked about the problem with a China-based app doing business in the US.

Cut 10 (10) “…their information.”

Cassidy expressed concern for young Americans who engage with the app because of where control of the app is originates.

House Transportation Committee has approved legislation that would prevent the state or local governments from placing restrictions on buying or selling gas-powered vehicles. It’s to prevent government mandates that would say a certain percentage of vehicles on the road should be electric. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver is the author…

Cut 12 (06) “…to develop.” 

This measure heads to the House floor.Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the author of the Louisiana Gator Scholarship program, which seeks to give all families an opportunity to receive taxpayer dollars to send their child to a private school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says

it’s unclear how much money the state is willing to pay for this program and will it take away from other state services?

Cut 16 (07)  “…programs.” 

The bill has yet to be scheduled for debate in the House Education Committee.

A community organization is requesting the release of an 11 year old girl after murder charges were dropped in connection to a fatal shooting last November. Teiko Foxx reports the child still faces an obstruction of justice charge…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Lafayette Police Department fatally shot a man last night after he allegedly struck several police units with his vehicle, narrowly ran over two officers and damaged a resident’s property. No officers were injured in the incident that started with a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex on College Road.

Pro-choice groups have released a report that provides examples of how the state’s near total abortion ban is endangering patients and clinicians. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Erenberg says OBGYN doctors are fearful of facing criminal charges when problems arise early in a pregnancy….
cut 9 (11) “….doing so”
In Louisiana, a healthcare provider can face up to 15 years in prison and $200,000 in fines for performing an abortion.

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is in support of House approved legislation that forces the owner of the social media app Tik Tok to sell the company or be banned in the United States. Cassidy shares the concern of other federal lawmakers that ByteDance could share data with the Chinese government or manipulate content displayed on its platform….
cut 11 (11) “…..is exercised”
Cassidy is unclear when the Senate will take up this legislation.

A study shows prenatal care in Louisiana is being delayed due to the state’s abortion ban. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

On a 60-43 vote, the Louisiana House has approved a bill that would repeal the state’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law that’s been in place since 2004. Supporters say motorcyclists should have a choice whether to wear a helmet, while opponents say this legislation will lead to more highway deaths.

The landmark education bill of the legislative session has been filed. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson is the author of the Louisiana Gator Scholarship program, which seeks to give all families an opportunity to receive taxpayer dollars to send their child to a private school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says Governor Jeff Landry has touted school choice…
Cut 14 (12) “…them before”
There will be concerns that this will be a costly program for the state.

The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that says the state or a local government can not restrict the buying and selling of powered vehicles. Jaqueline Lindsey with A-BATE, a motorcycle rights organization, testified that California has already passed legislation that bans the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035…
Cut 13 (06) “…follow their lead.”
This measure heads to the House floor.

The school choice legislation that Governor Jeff Landry touted has been filed and will be debated in the current legislative session. It would replace the current voucher system that allows low income families to receive taxpayer dollars to send their child to a private school. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says this new voucher program would give all families the opportunity to receive state dollars for private school education….
cut 15 (10) “…serious debate about this”
Cost will be a main question.

The House Transportation Committee has approved legislation that would prevent the state or local governments from placing restrictions on buying or selling gas-powered vehicles. It’s to prevent government mandates that would say a certain percentage of vehicles on the road should be electric. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver is the author…
Cut 12 (06) “…to develop.”

A civil rights group called the Village 337 is demanding the release of an eleven year girl who was charged with murder in the November shooting death of 36-year-old Kameron Bedsole of New Iberia. The child still faces an obstruction of justice charge and could be sentenced to seven years in a juvenile detention facility. Village 337 Vice President Angela Eaglin says they worry about the girl’s mental health…
cut 5 (12) “…..a lot”
The murder charge was dropped against the girl last week. Her teenage brother and mother have also been charged in the shooting.

A new study indicates prenatal care in Louisiana is at risk because many obstetricians are refusing to see patients in their first trimester, when miscarriages are highest, due to the state’s abortion ban for fear of being prosecuted. Lift Louisiana Executive Director Michelle Erenberg says the report was conducted last summer.
Cut 7 (12) “…extremely alarming.”
Erenberg says based on their research, they are seeing a rise in unnecessary C-sections, prenatal care appointments are getting pushed back and physicians are also delaying treatment of miscarriages. We reached out to the state health department for comment, but no response as of yet.