House Education approves legislation that says teachers must use a student’s name and pronoun that aligns with their birth sex unless the child’s parent says otherwise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And a bill to prohibit schools that receive state funds from serving imported seafood passes in the House on a 94-7 vote. The amended bill would also apply to the cafeteria at the state capitol. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state funds to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Opponents say it’s unconstitutional because it’s an endorsement of religion, but Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham argues the Ten Commandments set the foundation for laws we follow today.

Cut 24 (14)  “…Western civilization.”

The proposed law does not require teachers to educate students about the Ten Commandments, but New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says having them displayed could create issues beyond the U-S Constitution

Cut 25 (14)  “…the Bible.”

The bill now heads to Senate education.

Officials in St. Tammany Parish say damage caused by Wednesday’s tornado in Slidell is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina. Parish President Mike Cooper says they are asking for volunteers to help residents with removing and sorting construction debris from downed vegetation.

Cut 11 (09) “…is needed.”

Residents are also asked to self-report damage, and link can be found on LouisianaRadioNetwork.com

Entergy Louisiana expects to restore power to the majority of its 16,000 customers who are without power by tonight. Spokesperson David Freese says crews are working to clear debris and repair power lines.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the air.”

And approximately 24,000 Cleco customers remain without power.

House Education advances a bill, so teachers do not have use a students’ preferred gender pronoun, unless the child’s parents request that the child be identified as another gender. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews is the author of the bill…

Cut 7 (09) “…the legislation ”  

Even if the parent requests a pronoun that differs from a child’s biological sex, the teacher can still refuse over religious and moral objections.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the ten commandments posted in their classrooms.Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder believes it would do students good to see the Ten Commandments every day…

Cut 15 (13)  “…a bad thing.”

The measure passed on an 82 to 19 vote and heads to a Senate committee.

Cleco says 25,000 customers remain without power after tornadoes and strong winds ripped through the state Wednesday. Immediately following the storm, Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says they hired 400 additional line mechanics and they also brought in specialized equipment to move debris.

Cut 3 (08) “…make repairs.”  

The majority of the outages are in St. Tammany Parish.

An EF-2 tornado touched down in Lake Charles early Wednesday morning. Mayor Nic Hunters says as many as 15 families have been displaced. And because needs change after disasters Hunter says the best way to help is by donating to the United Way.

Cut 8 (10) “…United Way.” 

Tornadoes also caused damage in Slidell and St. Francisville yesterday.

House Education approves legislation to prohibit public school teachers from discussing topics involving sexual orientation and gender identity with students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

And House Education advances a bill to protect teachers who refuse to use a student’s preferred gender pronoun, even if parents give permission to call them by another pronoun. Critics say the committee did so without public input when other meetings were been canceled due to the severe weather.

House Education Committee approves legislation to prohibit teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says her legislation would allow for discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity if the parent said it is okay…

Cut 12 (08) “…the conversation” 

The bill passed on a 9 to 3 vote.

The full House overwhelmingly approves legislation requiring schools that receive state dollars to have the Ten Commandments posted in their classrooms. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says it could create issues beyond being unconstitutional…

Cut 14 (14)  “…the Bible.”

The bill likely will go to Senate Education next.

Three people have been arrested after 68-year-old James Morrow Ingram of Colfax’s burned body was found in the Kisatchie National Forest, April 2^nd. Investigators say the suspects injected Ingram with a drug twice and when he died, they drove around in his car with his body inside, used his credit card, and then dumped him in the forest.  Days later they went back and burned his body. Pineville Police Chief Darrel Basco…

Cut 6 (08) “…this investigation.”

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-2 tornado caused a considerable amount of damage in Lake Charles. Mayor Nic Hunter…

Cut 9 (11)  “…need to do.”

Tornadoes were also reported in Slidell and St. Francisville on Wednesday.

The House Education Committee approves legislation that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in K-through-12 public classrooms. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton believes these topics should discussed at home, not in the classroom…

Cut 10 (08) “…for this.”

A former substitute teacher who lives in Mandeville traveled to Baton Rouge to voice her opposition to the legislation. She describes herself as a heterosexual who sees this type of legislation as mean-spirited…

Cut 11 (12) “…this state.”

Despite the opposition, Horton’s bill was approved on a nine to three vote.

Legislation to require all public-school classrooms including colleges to display the Ten Commandments in Louisiana passed 82-19 to in the House. Bill author Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says all laws are based on God’s law. The bill will likely be referred to Senate Education.

The Louisiana Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would stop a plan to issue hefty speeding fines on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

A likely tornado injured several people and caused extensive damage in Slidell this morning. Slidell police spokesperson Daniel Seuzeneau says the worst hit area appears to be Pontchartrain Drive near Kostmayer Avenue…

Cut 7 (07) “…leaning power poles ”  

He gave the update on Facebook and described the injuries as minor to moderate and they are asking individuals to avoid the area.

The aftermath of the severe weather continues to impact the state. DOTD is reminding Louisianans to travel only if necessary. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says road conditions remain dangerous.

Cut  14 (10) “…some areas.” 

DOTD crews are working to remove fallen trees, and other debris, and post warning signs.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry testified in the congressional map trial in Shreveport. The Democrat says she told the court there were two reasons why lawmakers were pressured to pass the map in January; the timeline from Judge Shelley Dick and that Governor Landry wanted to alter Congressman Garret Graves’s district. She believes it was because Graves backed another candidate in the governor’s race…

Cut 4 (05) “…last year.” 

A ruling on the map is expected in a matter of days.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is gearing up for his second term after easily winning his reelection bid in March with 64 percent of the vote. Among the top priorities is passenger rail service along I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (11) “…our community.” 

Ellis will be sworn-in for his second term in June.

There was emotional testimony in the House over expanding the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes surprised Republican lawmakers with his support of the bill.

Cut 6  (12) “…hardly read.” 

Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain spoke against the bill saying it would jeopardize funding for public schools, which are already having problems recruiting and retaining teachers.

Cut 7 (10) “…public education.”  

The House passed the bill 71-32 vote and now heads to the higher chamber.

A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…her father.”

The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years.

The Senate unanimously approves Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to prohibit students having their cellphones in class.

cut 4 (13) “…or not’
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

There was emotional testimony in the House over expanding the school voucher program. House Bill 745 will eventually allow all families to apply for state grants for private school tuition regardless of financial need. New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes surprised Republican lawmakers with his support of the bill.

Cut 6  (12) “…hardly read.” 

Alexandria Democrat Representative Ed Larvadain spoke against the bill saying it would jeopardize funding for public schools, which are already having problems recruiting and retaining teachers.

Cut 7 (10) “…public education.”  

The House passed the bill 71-32 vote and now heads to the higher chamber.

The brakes have been put on removing the requirement of the brake tags in Louisiana. In House Appropriations Monday Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voluntarily pulled his immensely popular bill at the request of State Police. A portion of the cost of the vehicle inspections goes towards their budget.

Cut 11 (10) “…about so.”

Bagley says he promised State Police to work with their budget and the bill could still be brought before lawmakers before the current session ends.

The House Civil Law Committee approves legislation that would prohibit a transgender individual from using a public bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (41) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

You’ll want to remain weather-aware today. Shreveport has already received several inches of rain and the northern half of the state is under a flash flood watch until tomorrow.

38-year-old Rodney Guillote Jr. of Pineville faces first-degree murder after he allegedly physically abused his infant daughter resulting in multiple injuries and bleeding on the brain. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Tommy Carnline says the case prompts a call to safeguard the most innocent and vulnerable among us. He says programs and agencies statewide are on standby to help parents struggling with infant situations.

Cut 6 (06) “…was senseless.”

The brakes have been put on removing the requirement of the brake tags in Louisiana. In House Appropriations Monday Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voluntarily pulled his immensely popular bill at the request of State Police.

Cut 12 (10) “…do that.” 

A portion of the cost of the vehicle inspections goes towards their budget.

House Civil Law approves legislation to prohibit transgender individuals from using a public bathroom that’s in line with their gender identity. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he’s trying to prevent a biological woman from having to share a bathroom with a transgender female.

Cut 7 (09) “…situations of assault”

The proposal covers bathrooms in schools, prisons, and domestic violence shelters.

An advocate for domestic violence victims, Morgan Lamandre, argued it would put federal funding for domestic violence shelters at risk because Louisiana’s shelters would be in violation of federal rules

Cut 8 (11) “…what they receive.” 

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

The brakes have been put on removing the requirement of the brake tags in Louisiana. In House Appropriations Monday Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voluntarily pulled his immensely popular bill at the request of State Police. A portion of the cost of the vehicle inspections goes towards their budget.

Cut 11 (11) “…about so.”

The bill could still be brought before lawmakers before the current session ends.

A federal court in Shreveport is hearing arguments in a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added a second majority-black district. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs claim the map is racial gerrymandering.

Cut 9 (10) “…only factor.” 
The hearing is set to end on Wednesday.