A bill to prevent hazing proposed after Southern University student Caleb Wilson’s hazing-related death that would have required a semester-long course for students joining campus groups that university officials say will cost millions has been amended in the House Education Committee to include a two-hour annual training. Vacherie Democrat Ken Brass amended the bill adding penalties for non-compliant student groups and updating the current law’s requirement of a one-hour class.

Cut 7 (11) “…get money allocated.”

The bill now heads to House Appropriations for debate.

The summer heat has officially arrived in Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim forecast temperatures expected to soar this weekend.

Cut 3 (12) “…high 80’s.”

If you want to catch the Saints on primetime television this season, don’t hold your breath. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Addis native John Foster is back in LA, preparing for Sunday’s season finale of American Idol. He returned after a whirlwind day in his hometown, which included a parade and a mini-concert and a s stop by the State Capitol, where lawmakers issued a proclamation in his honor. Livonia Republican Jeremy LaCombe urged his members – and all Louisianans – to vote for Foster on Sunday, as many times as the show allows.

Cut 11 (11) “…take it home.”

The Saints have released their 2025 schedule; and for the first time in 25 years, they will not be on primetime television. WWL Saints Analyst Mike Detillier says it’s not exactly surprising, with the team not making the playoffs for four years in a row and in a total rebuild mode.

Cut 12 (08) “…a major surprise.”

Detillier notes that the Saints made three primetime appearances last season and stunk up the field in each and every one of them, and the NFL doesn’t want to risk losing its audience in the latter stages of its primetime games.

John Foster took a break from his preparations for Sunday’s season finale of American Idol to visit his hometown of Addis. Foster was also honored at the State Capitol, telling lawmakers he hopes to bring an American Idol title back to Louisiana.

Cut 10 (08) “…bring it honor.”

A bill to prevent hazing that initially required a semester-long course for students joining campus groups was revised in the House Education Committee. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The House will debate the state budget today. Governor Landry is looking to put 94-million dollars into the LA GATOR scholarship program, and House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says the House was able to keep that intact.

Cut 23 (08)  “…early childhood education.”

LA GATOR funding, however, could run into some resistance in the Senate. The budget also keeps teacher salaries at their current level, which was thrown into question following the failure of Amendment 2 back in March.

The House Education Committee yesterday revised a bill to prevent hazing, initially requiring a semester-long course for students joining campus groups. It was replaced with a two-hour annual training due to cost concerns. The bill was filed by New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd after Southern University student Caleb Wilson’s hazing-related death. 

Cut 6 (07) “…don’t have to deal with.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health is sounding the alarm on whooping cough. Secretary Bruce Greenstein says the number of cases so far this year has already exceeded those from all of last year.

Cut 5 (14) “…whole of 2024.”

Addis native John Foster is back in Los Angeles, preparing for Sunday’s season finale of American Idol. He returned after a whirlwind day in his hometown, which included a parade and a mini-concert. Earlier in the day, the 18-year-old LSU pre-med student stopped by the State Capitol, where lawmakers issued a proclamation in his honor. Foster said he makes it a point on American Idol to mention that he’s proud to be from Louisiana.

Cut 9 (08)  “…I am, absolutely.” (applause fades)

A bill that would ban kratom in Louisiana advances to the full House. The Senate has already passed it; and yesterday, the House Criminal Justice Committee followed suit. Supporters of the ban say kratom can lead to several health issues and even death. But opponents say when taken in its pure form, kratom has its benefits.

Cut 16 (07) “…opioids.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is sounding the alarm on whooping cough. Secretary Bruce Greenstein says so far this year, the state has confirmed 170 whooping cough cases; there were 154 all of last year. Greenstein says what’s especially concerning is that whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Cut 6 (12) “…help protect them.”

Governor Jeff Landry’s push for a new law that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rates without actuarial data cleared another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints have released their 2025 schedule; and for the first time in 25 years, they will not be on primetime television. That doesn’t mean that they won’t later in the season; with flex scheduling, NBC, ESPN or Amazon Prime can flex them into a primetime slot if they surprise the naysayers.

The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases without actuarial data. The meeting got contentious between Senator Royce Duplessis and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple as the New Orleans Senator is frustrated Temple will not support this legislation…

Cut 12 (14) “…red herring”

Temple says the legislation, which has already been approved by the House, would be over-regulation of the insurance industry.

The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)

Greenstein says for whooping cough, 170 cases confirmed this year, which already surpasses the 2024 total of 154. L-D-H says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications.

Big day today at the legislature as the House debates the state budget. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tonight LSU baseball faces its old coach. Paul Mainieri is in his first season as the head coach at South Carolina. The Gamecocks are going through a rough season, but Mainieri is optimistic he can make South Carolina a championship contender…

Cut 30 (06) “…recruiting”

A House approved bill that would give Louisiana’s Insurance Commissioner more authority to reject excessive rate increases has received approval from the Senate Insurance Committee. The bill also has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and the Executive Counsel for the Department of Insurance David Caldwell tried to make that point clear…

Cut 11 (11) “…done this.”

State health officials remain concerned about the high number of whooping cough cases. L-D-H Secretary Bruce Greenstein…

Cut 5 (14) “….whole of 2024”

Greenstein says there are vaccines available to prevent serious complications.

The House Criminal Justice Committee agrees with the Senate, kratom should be banned in Louisiana. Sean Richardson has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The House Education Committee has made significant changes to a bill designed to educate college students about the dangers of hazing. Instead of requiring any student who joins a student organization to take a semester long course on hazing prevention, the legislation now calls for student organizations to provide their new members with a two-hour anti-hazing training class, instead of one-hour training.

The Senate Insurance Committee approves legislation that would give the insurance commissioner more authority to reject rate increases without actuarial data. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis strongly supports the House-approved bill. Duplessis says drastic steps need to be taken to address the insurance crisis…

Cut 10 (07) “…need this authority”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his office already rejects rate increase proposals and he says this bill is over regulation, which is not what the Louisiana insurance market needs.

The state health department continues to see whooping cough cases increase, surpassing the total number of cases for 2024. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says there have been 170 whooping cough cases this year as the state will likely set a record for the number of cases. Greenstein says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications…

Cut 6 (12) “….help protect them”

The Louisiana House will vote on a budget for next fiscal year today. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they created some savings so Louisiana teachers can continue to receive a two-thousand dollar stipend they received the last two school years, but at this time there is no funding to continue high-dosage tutoring…

Cut 8 (09) “….dollars are recognized”

The Senate will comb through the budget for the next couple of weeks after the House approves it today.

A bill that makes it a crime to produce, sell or possess kratom continues to make its way through the Legislature. The bill’s author, Monroe Senator Jay Morris, says kratom use can lead to an elevated heart rate, seizures, psychosis, liver toxicity and even death. David Lubrano Senior says his son got hooked on kratom and ended his life…

Cut 14 (10) “…again”

Opponents of the legislation say kratom when used in its pure form is a better drug to take than opioids and its synthetic kratom that is the real problem. The Senate passed bill received House Criminal Justice Committee approval yesterday.

The Louisiana Department of Health gave updates on measles and whooping cough cases throughout the state. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (“green-steen”) says the state epidemiology team launched an investigation into potential measles exposures after the department confirmed two cases.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases were identified.” (No new cases identified)

Greenstein says for whooping cough, 170 cases confirmed this year, which already surpasses the 2024 total of 154. L-D-H says vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications.

The Louisiana House will debate the state budget today. The biggest question is whether the legislature would keep teacher pay at its current level in light of the failure of Amendment 2 at the ballot box in March. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they were able to do just that.

Cut 7 (11) “…in recurring revenue.”

Once the House approves the budget bill today, the Senate will spend the next few weeks going over the spending plan.

A bill to ban kratom continues to make its way through the legislative process. The House Criminal Justice Committee voted for the legislation that’s already been approved by the Senate. The committee heard tearful testimony from David Lubrano Senior, who told lawmakers his son took his own life after he could not get over his addiction to kratom…

Cut 13 (10)  “…causing.”

But there are those who say kratom is a better alternative than opioids when it comes to managing pain…

Cut 15 (09) “…to do?”

On a ten to one vote, the committee approved the bill, sending to the House floor for more consideration.