Louisiana lawmakers will begin a three-month long legislative session on Monday and one of the bills filed would give judges the ability to order a vasectomy for a convicted sex offender. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says she’s filed the legislation, because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not have exceptions for rape and incest. We asked Boyd why a vasectomy and not castration….
cut 8 (10) “…be reversed”

Lake Charles has made Southern Living’s rankings for Best Cities on the Rise. Southern Living says Lake Charles has rebounded from Hurricane Laura in 2020 and mayor Nic Hunter says the city is about ready to launch it’s latest attraction…
cut 11 (11) “…our lakefront”

We’re seeing some strong storms in central Louisiana at this hour and along the I-20 corridor. Northeast Louisiana is under a flood watch through tonight. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says the rest of the state could see less than an inch of rain from this storm system…
cut 6 (08) “…any stretch”
Expect cooler temperatures for the weekend.

Early voting for Louisiana’s Presidential primary begins tomorrow and runs through next Saturday, except for Sunday. Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Donald Trump. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says each state decides on when to hold a presidential primary and Louisiana’s law says late March
Cut 14 (14) “…the state”
Hogan says even if Haley remained in the race, it’s likely Trump would still be a big winner in the Louisiana Republican Presidential Primary.

Starting with next school year, it will no longer be a requirement for a high school senior to complete a form to see if they are eligible for federal aid to attend college. BESE President Ronnie Morris says they are making the change over concerns about privacy and the requirement is an additional burden on parents. He says schools will continue to assist students who do want to submit a FAFSA form…
cut 16 (12) “…for graduation”

A bill requiring convicted sex offenders to have a vasectomy has been filed for the regular session. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow exceptions for rape or incest, she feels the vasectomy requirement is needed.
Cut 7 (04) “…protecting women.”
The regular legislative session begins Monday. Boyd’s bill is among the more than 1,000 bills filed for the session.

Scattered thunderstorms are impacting the state this morning and there’s the potential for severe weather as the day goes on. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is moving through the state and we’ll see cooler temperatures this weekend….
cut 5 (11) “….around 70”
Sunday looks like a nice day and don’t forget we spring forward on Sunday so set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Two Louisiana cities ended up on Southern Living Magazine’s list of Best Cities on the Rise. Covington came in at number 11 and at 22 it’s Lake Charles. Lake Charles has been in recovery mode since Hurricane Laura in 2020 but Mayor Nic Hunter says this ranking is confirmation the city is bouncing back in a big way….
cut 12 (10) “…visit Lake Charles”
This weekend in Lake Charles, it’s the boys basketball state championships starting today at noon.

Governor Landry has signed the bill that provides three million dollars in funding to send Louisiana National Guard troops to Texas to help with border security operations. The Louisiana National Guard will send 50 soldiers to Texas on three different one month long rotations. The first rotation will start its mission by next Friday.

The regular session begins next week and a bill that will certainly grab headlines is a proposal that would require convicted sex offenders to have vasectomies.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting begins tomorrow for Louisiana’s March 23rd presidential primary. It’s already been decided who will represent the Republican and Democrat Party in November and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says since Louisiana leans heavily toward Donald Trump, it’s unlikely Trump or President Joe Biden will make any campaign appearances here, unless it’s too raise money…
cut 15 (10) “…usually”

Southern Living has named two Louisiana towns in their list of Best Cities on the Rise in 2024. After hurricanes, flooding, and the pandemic, the recovery and renaissance of Lake Charles is inspiring says Mayor Nic Hunter and he is proud to be number 22 on this list…
Cut 10 (09) “…and inspiring.”
Covington came in at number 11.

Early voting begins tomorrow for the March 23rd Louisiana presidential primary. The race has already been decided as former President Donald Trump will be the Republican Party presidential nominee and current President Joe Biden is the Democrat’s nominee. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…
Cut 13 (07) “…process”
Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Mr. Trump.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state is under a slight risk of severe weather today and into early tomorrow morning. The greatest chance for severe weather is north of the I-10-12 corridor.
Cut 4 (10) “…flash flood.”
Northeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through late tonight.

Two Louisiana cities have been named to the list of the Best Cities on the Rise 2024 by Southern Living. Colleen Crain has more.
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According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one in six women are victims, of rape or an attempted rape in their lifetime. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd wants health insurers to provide mental health coverage for victims. She says no matter their age, rape victims deserve mental health services and when the perpetrator is someone, they trust it’s another layer of difficulty.

Cut 12 (09)  “…the family.”  

House bill 302 is pending in the House Insurance Committee

Two Louisiana women unable to get an abortion in the state despite medical issues with their pregnancy will attend the State of the Union Address tonight. They were invited by a Congressman from New York. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy has invited Louisiana Right to Life director Ben Clapper as his guest.

BESE has removed the requirement for high school seniors to complete FAFSA to graduate. The new policy goes into effect next school year. The board believes requiring a student to apply for federal aid for college is an unnecessary burden on parents. And BESE President Ronnie Morris says some families do not want to give out their tax and income information.

Cut 3 (12) “…for everybody.”  

AAA is rolling out new technology that will cause an alert to automatically update motorists when the tow truck arrives at the location to help the stranded driver. Spokesperson Don Redman says this gives motorists more time to slow down or move over. And provides a safeguard for those responding to aid stranded motorists.

Cut 9 (12) “…so dangerous.” 

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd wants health insurers to provide mental health coverage for victims of rape. The legislation is personal for Boyd because her mother was raped at the age of 15. Boyd says her mother had psychological issues.

Cut 11 (10) “…was 30.”
The bill also requires coverage for at least one year of postpartum psychosis screenings for victims who have a child as a result of the rape.

For the upcoming regular session, Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed legislation that would have all statewide offices be term-limited to two terms, just like the governor…

Cut 7 (11) “…elected officials.”  
Green’s legislation is a constitutional amendment and will need voter approval.

BESE removes the requirement for high school seniors to complete FAFSA to graduate. BESE President Ronnie Morris says some families do not want to give out their tax and income information and the form is simply not necessary to graduate.

Cut 4 (09) “…line somewhere.” 

The new policy goes into effect next school year.

AAA is rolling out new technology that sends alerts to drivers to slow down and move over when they are approaching a stranded motorist on the side of the road. Spokesperson Don Redman says motorists will receive alerts when a AAA member is in an unsafe location.

Cut 8 (11) “…roadway assistance.” 
Cut 8 (11) “…roadway assistance.”
AAA researchers found 123 roadside assistant providers were killed by passing vehicles between 2015 and 2021.

Louisiana State Police have been asked to investigate a shooting involving Calcasieu parish Sheriff’s Deputy who was kidnapped while searching the vehicle of a suspect during a traffic stop Thursday morning. According to authorities, a deputy with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force made the stop on I-10 and discovered illegal narcotics. While in the deputy was in the suspect’s car for the search, the suspect got in the driver’s side and drove off. The deputy made verbal commands to stop. When he did not comply, the deputy shot the driver and they crashed. Both the suspect and deputy were transported to a local hospital.

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd wants health insurers to provide mental health coverage for victims of rape. The legislation is personal for Boyd. She says if someone had intervened and helped her mother deal with the trauma of being raped at age 15 and the following post-partum psychosis, she might be alive today.

Cut 13 (06) “…had me.”  

House Bill 302 is pending.

Starting next year, high school seniors will not have to apply for FAFSA to graduate. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Should there be term limits on all statewide elected offices? Marrero Representative Kyle Green has filed legislation seeking to change the state’s constitution so that lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, ag and insurance commissioner are all limited to two terms.

Cut 6  (09) “…term limit.”