Louisiana could soon become the first state to classify two drugs used to induce an abortion as controlled substances. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Northwest Louisiana is under a severe weather risk this afternoon and early evening. There’s an enhanced risk of severe storms that could be accompanied by hail, and damaging winds so you’ll want to be weather aware.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it heads back to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds. New Orleans Democrat Senator Gary Carter…

Cut 8 (08)  “…thank you.” 

The amended bill passed on a 26 to 11 vote and returns to the House.

Congressman Garret Graves says U-S Supreme Court was lazy with its decision ordering the state to use the Congressional map with two majority Black districts for this year’s federal elections. Graves still believes the political boundaries for this map are racially gerrymandered…

Cut  14 (12) “…figure it out later.” 

Graves will seek another term in Congress but may not run in his sixth district.

The Louisiana House approves legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription, making Louisiana the first state to do so. More than 200 doctors expressed opposition because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…

Cut 6  (11) “…education. ” 

The bill was filed because Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly’s former brother-in-law in Texas received a light sentence when he was convicted for trying to end Catherine Pressly Herring’s pregnancy by slipping abortion-inducing drugs into her drinks. Pressly says the two medications would require a prescription for legitimate medical uses, not abortions.

The amended bill returns to the Senate.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended to only apply to 16 and 17-year-olds. Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says minors are using their break to study or finish homework. After hearing proponents say ‘kids want to work’

Cut 10 (12) “…the bill.” 

The amended bill returns to the House.

Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveil recommendations to support public school teachers and students with the “Let Teachers teach” workgroup. Brumley shared a few recommendations, from removing cell phones in the classroom and students who misbehave.

Cut 12 (11) “…from learning.” 

The Louisiana House approves legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription.  Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion-inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…

Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.” 

More than 200 doctors have expressed opposition to the bill saying they are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of this state.”

The amended bill returns to the Senate.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended to only apply to 16 and 17-year-olds. But Many Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh, who supports the bill, objected to the amendment and says it will only deter employers from hiring those who are 15 and younger.

Cut 9 (14) “…do object.” 

The amended bill returns to the House.

Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveil recommendations to support public school teachers. The “Let Teachers, teach” workgroup focuses on identifying classroom disruptions and ways to unburden teachers with unrealistic expectations and allow teachers to focus on teaching. Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (06) ” …not what to think.”

Legislation requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032 fails to receive the support of the Louisiana House.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that classifies two drugs that induce abortions as dangerous controlled substances. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly’s legislation calls for a prison sentence of up to ten years if a person is in possession of the abortion pills without a prescription. Doctors oppose the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Pressly says the drugs will still be available for legitimate medical reasons with a prescription.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it returns to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.
Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”
The measure still needs House approval of the Senate change.

They will be playing a lot of baseball in Hammond and Ruston over the next few days as both cities are hosting conference baseball tournaments. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech is the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says they expect a surge of Bulldog fans…
cut 15 (09) “….here in Ruston”

Louisiana is poised to become the first state to classify two pills that are used to induce an abortion as controlled dangerous substances. Opponents of the legislation say this could cause delays in women receiving timely reproductive care, but Carencro Representative Julie Emerson made this argument
cut 4 (10) “…cause death”
The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the legislation will not present barriers to accessing the medication for legitimate medical purposes other than abortion.

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that called for all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning. The measure failed on a 57-42 vote. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of the “no” votes…
cut 12 (06) “…local school”
The bill passed the Senate 33 to 4.

The LSU Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season. They opened the SEC Tournament with a nine to one win over Georgia and they lead Kentucky two to nothing today. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…
cut 17 (12) “….realizes that’
Rogers says LSU will be one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Conference USA Baseball Tournament is underway in Ruston. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says the tournament kicks off a big summer of tourism for the area…
cut 16 (10) “…Louisiana Peach Festival”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would make it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could prevent pregnant patients from receiving care in a timely manner. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…
cut 3 (10) “…everything”
The drugs can treat miscarriages, induce labor and halt hemorrhaging. Proponents of the legislation say the pills will still be available for legitimate medical purposes.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has rejected a bill that would prevent the state from using nitrogen hypoxia as a method to carrying out an execution. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says they tried to talk with the governor about this issue…
cut 9 (11) “…our testimony”

A cicada known as the Great Southern Brood has emerged after 13 years, but there’s a concern they are no longer in Louisiana. The LSU Ag Center is asking the public to document the emergence of individual cicadas but also to see if if there are any chorusing activities in trees…
cut 27 (10) “…in the field”
That’s LSU Ag Center Insect Diagnostician Christopher Carlton.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is underway in Hammond. Southeastern Louisiana Athletics Director Jay Artigues says all of the games will be played at Alumni Field…
cut 14 (07) “…for the fans”
And in Ruston, Louisiana Tech is hosting the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are the top seed and will play Middle Tennessee late in the afternoon.

Members of the Jewish community were stunned after the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against a bill to remove gassing as a form of execution in Louisiana. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says it was as if the committee ignored their testimony altogether.
Cut 7 (13) “…and listening.”
Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, a member of the committee, argued the state is executing convicted murderers not innocent women and children like they did in the Holocaust.

The Louisiana House has rejected legislation that called for all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. Republicans argued it’s an unfunded mandate for local school systems. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment…
Cut 11 (11) “…thank you.”
The bill failed on a 57-42 vote.

Louisiana is poised to become the first state to classify two pills that can induce an abortion as controlled dangerous substances. Opponents of the legislation say this could cause delays in women receiving the proper reproductive care, but the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the bill does not present any barriers to accessing the medication for legitimate medical purposes other than abortion.

Two species of Cicadas are emerging together for the first time since 1803. But one species might not make an appearance in Louisiana.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana House has put the brakes on a bill requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032. The proposal would also mandate all buses bought after August 1st would be equipped with heat and air. Amite Representative Robby Carter doesn’t see how anyone would vote against a safety measure…
Cut 10 (10) “…in the afternoon.”
But opponents say this is an unfunded mandate on local school systems.

Despite pleas from the Jewish Community, the House Criminal Justice Committee rejected a Senate approved measure that would take nitrogen suffocation off the table as a method to execute a death row prisoner. John Sinquefield with the Attorney General’s Office said the use of nitrogen hypoxia is not comparable to the poisonous gas used during the Holocaust. But Jacquelyn Stern says Sinquefield missed the point…
cut 8 (12) “…as jews”

The LSU Tigers improved its NCAA Tournament resume with a solid nine-to-one win over Georgia in the opening game of the SEC Tournament.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Conference USA Tournament begins today in Ruston. Top-seeded Louisiana Tech takes on Middle Tennessee at around 4 PM. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says they are excited to welcome the seven other teams to Lincoln Parish…
cut 15 (09) “…in Ruston”