Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee Day will no longer be state holidays. A bill taking them off state books is headed for Governor Edwards’ desk and it’s highly unlikely he’d veto such an act. The bill started with New Orleans House member Matthew Willard. It passed in the House and, on the Senate floor, New Orleans Senator Joe Bouie said it’s a big step in dealing with a past that still haunts many minority Louisianans. Bouie says holidays are about unity and these two don’t meet that standard…:

CUT 08  (12)        “…of our citizens.”

State Police in Jeff Davis Parish say a 73-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit & run driver while riding his bike today along state highway 1126 near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal identifies the victim as Jerry Hughes, who died at the scene this morning…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…really unfortunate.”

The search is on for the white SUV and it’s driver.

A bill to forbid abortion in Louisiana SHOULD Roe versus Wade be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court is awaiting the Governor’s signature…or veto. Mr. Edwards says the bill has no exceptions for rape or incest and that’s still a problem for him…:

CUT 04  (16)        “…should force that.”

Senate Bill 342 strengthens Louisiana’s existing “trigger law” that will take effect ONLY if the High Court tosses Roe out.

A Marksville cop is under arrest for alleged malfeasance in office and abuse of his power as a cop. State Police say 45-year-old Dana Adams is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty. LSP’s investigation is ongoing.

Legislation that would close abortion clinics in Louisiana if Roe v Wade is overturned and ban the procedure is on its way to the governor’s desk for signature. Governor John Bel Edwards, a pro-life Democrat, is expected to sign the bill but would prefer the legislation had exceptions…:

CUT 03(10)      “…radio program.”

The legislation would result in a 10 year prison sentence for doctors who perform abortions IF abortion becomes illegal in Louisiana.

Both New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been plagued lately with motorheads taking over busy intersections and staging impromptu stunt shows. Burnouts, donuts, drag racing and the like. Social media from the weekend shows another taking placed in the Crescent City, with other motorists angry & frustrated and police seemingly unable to do anything about it. NOPD says this bunch was largely FROM Baton Rouge. They says weapons are often present, and – yes – sometimes people get hurt. They vow to crack down.

State Police say a 73-year-old bicyclist from Welsh was killed in a hit and run crash that took place this morning on state Highway 1126 in Jeff Davis Parish near Jennings. Trooper Derek Senegal says witnesses saw a small white SUV hit the victim…:

CUT 12(08)      “…where’s the vehicle at.”

The victim is identified as Jerry Hughes. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police in Troop L say a mid-morning crash today took the life of a toddler, who troopers say was not properly restrained. They say a sedan driven by the child’s mother went off state Highway 440 in Washington Parish and overturned; ejecting one-year-old Caisen Williams, who died at the scene. A blood tox sample was taken from the mother, to determine if she was impaired when she crashed.

State lawmakers are rushing to conclude their business on this, the final day of the Regular Legislative Session. No matter what, matters have to end at 6pm. Sine Dei.

A bill to officially end Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday as state holidays reaches final passage. The bill started in the House and was carried in the Senate by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau. He says arguments to not erase Louisiana history do not justify ignoring the feelings of descendants of slaves, and those events need to be put in proper perspective…:

CUT 07  (13)        “…on our nation.”

That bill is headed for the Governor’s desk.

A bill to create a state Office of Women’s Health, under LDH, is also awaiting the Governor’s signature, despite one lawmaker’s concern the bill grows an already bloated government. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel responds to that…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…outcomes.”

Legislation that would close abortion clinics and ban the procedure in Louisiana should Roe v. Wade be overturned is headed to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(37)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Cotton Valley man is behind bars for allegedly tampering with the steering of a car driven by a woman with whom he was angry. The car crashed on I-20, but no one was killed. 52-year-old Earl Lewis is charged with attempted murder.

The state Legislature is poised to approve an anti-abortion law that clarifies what happens should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The House gives final legislative passage to a Senate-passed bill that would make it illegal for out-of-state providers to provide Louisianans with so-called abortion pills by mail. The bill goes back to the Senate now, for concurrence on amendments made in the Lower Chamber. The session ends Monday afternoon.

The state Senate unanimously approves a House-passed bill which would punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants; an issue that became pervasive after hurricanes last year and the year before. The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center’s Cashauna Hill says this is a huge victory for the state’s 1.4-million renters…:

CUT 10(12)      “…think twice.”

The bill would impose steep fines for those who evict tenants without good cause. 39 other states have similar laws.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say too many of us go boating without proper Personal Floatation Devices aboard. LDWF’s Lt. Tim Fox says many boaters are in violation, and don’t even know it…:

CUT 03(07)      “…or approved.”

By law, you have to have enough PFDs aboard – sized correctly for your passengers – and they ALL must be Coast Guard approved. He advises you check yours before going out this weekend.

The state Senate unanimously approves a House-passed bill which would punish landlords who illegally evict their tenants; an issue that became pervasive after hurricanes last year and the year before. The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center’s Cashauna Hill says she credits the bill’s success with the many who came to the Capitol to testify…:

CUT 12 (12)      “…make a difference.”

The bill calls for landlords who illegally evict tenants to pay either a minimum of a $500 fine or an amount equal to two months’ rent. That bill goes now to the Governor’s desk.

LSU fans are somewhat enjoying the feud going on between Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher. They’re really cheering LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward’s recent assessment while appearing on Paul Finebaum’s ESPN program. Woodward called the spat “two hillbillies fighting” referencing the fact that both Saban and Fisher are from West Virginia.

State Police are investigating two fatal crashes in Acadia Parish. Just after midnight last night, a two-car crash in Interstate 10 claimed the life of one person, whose identity is withheld for now. At around 3 this morning, a pedestrian walking along Highway 95 in Church Point was struck by a hit-and-run driver and killed. A search is on for that driver right now.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve noticed a concerning trend when making routine spot checks for personal floatation devices on private boats. LDWF’s Lt. Tim Fox says many PFDs they find on boats do NOT meet the required standards. By law, you are required to have US Coast Guard-approved PFDs that are properly sized for any intended wearers and enough for everyone aboard the vessel. He says they do not feel anyone is trying to get away with anything though..:

CUT 05 (09)      “…do everything right.”

He urges all boaters to make sure their PFDs are in compliance before going out on the water.

The Senate unanimously passes legislation to help protect the state’s 1.4-million renters. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge Wal-Mart employee is recovering from stabs wounds he received when he tried to break up a fight between two customers. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies say one of the two women tussling cut him with a box cutter when he intervened. She fled, but was arrested later at her home.

The state Department of Health marks a big milestone in its efforts to treat those who were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Assistant Secretary of Health Kim Hood says a modified Medicaid pharmaceutical program has meant 11-thousand Louisianans have received treatment. Hep C is a viral disease; transmitted by blood and about half of those with it show no symptoms. She says it’s important to catch the disease early and treat it…:

CUT 14(10)      “…even death.”

For more information visit HepCuredLA.org

Entergy serves notice to its one-million-plus customers they can all expect higher utility bills over the summer. The company cites two factors as the reason for the price spike: the rising cost of natural gas and severe weather that has impacted the region over the past two years. They say Entergy customers can expect and monthly increase of from $9 to $15. Call them to know more.

Legislation to allow non-felons to carry a concealed firearm in Louisiana without a permit was heavily amended Wednesday and now its primary intent is to provide school safety officers. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge couple are charged with murder for the death of their 8-week-old baby boy. Analise and John Noehl says the infant fell and hit his head, but doctors say the baby’s skull fracture is more consistent with physical violence. The infant also had broken ribs and numerous bruises. Police have charged them with homicide.

Lt. Colonel Chris Eskew, who was the head of State Police internal affairs when Ronald Greene died in LSP custody in 2019, tells state lawmakers he saw no criminal activity when he watched the body camera video of Greene’s beating and arrest. But, when challenged by panel member Denise Marcelle of Baton Rouge, he changed his answer; explaining he was reluctant to answer for fear it could harm the ongoing investigations into Greene’s death. Marcelle sees it as State Police officials trying to protect each other…:

CUT 05(10)      “…bring down.”

It’s only day two of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, but researchers at Colorado State University have already revised their forecast UP to 20 named storms. Alex DeRosier with the CSU storm team give 50-50 odds a big one will hit the Gulf Coast, and he advises we be ready for a rough five months ahead.

Senate candidate Luke Mixon has been officially endorsed by fellow Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards. Mixon, an airline pilot from Pineville, is one of three announced candidates to challenge incumbent Senator John Kennedy this fall. UL-Monroe Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the Governor’s endorsement is definitely a big deal. He says Mixon, like Edwards, is former military with a distinguished career…:

CUT 11(11)      “…at the polls.”

Edwards will headline a fundraising event for Mixon’s campaign this month in New Orleans.

Amazon says it will probably be nearly a year before its Shreveport “fulfillment center” will be open and running, and so they won’t begin hiring workers until at least next February. Supply chain issues have impacted the timetable for the construction and internal build-out. Amazon also is taking time to upgrade the robots they’ll use at the center.

A bill to allow permitless concealed carry of a gun was amended to change its function entirely; making it now a bill about providing in-school security. It was amended by Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert, who says the bill now allows a school to appoint a teacher or administrator to serve voluntarily as a school protection officer. Lambert says the appointed individual will also have to be post-certified…:

CUT 07(11)      “…right now.”

The session ends Monday and it’s not likely there will be time for the bill in its current form to reach final passage.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the state’s $29-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st into law. Before his signature, he exercise his line-item veto on several items; mostly to restore some budget cuts to higher education.

The Department of Health reports nearly 1400 new COVID-19 cases, with just over 200 people in the hospital statewide with the virus. Another 5 COVID-related deaths are also reported.

A House-passed bill to allow persons over 21 with no criminal record to carry a concealed weapon without a permit was heavily amended in a Senate committee; essentially stripping its original language entirely. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert explains that his amendment makes the bill about school security officers…:

CUT 06  (07)        “…other schools.”
He says, with only a short time left in the session, this is the only way Louisiana can address school safety. This amendment could mean an unprecedented third committee review for the bill, and its likel;y demise.

A Baton Rouge couple faces serious charges in the death of their 8-week-old son. Analise and John Noehl says the infant bounced out of a bouncy chair and hit his head, but doctors say the baby’s skull fracture is more consistent with physical violence. The infant also had broken ribs and numerous bruises. Police have charged them with homicide.

A former head of Internal Affairs at the State Police tells lawmakers investigating the Ronald Greene death in 2019 that he saw no criminal activity when he watched body cam footage of Greene being beaten by troopers on a Union Parish roadside. Panel member and Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle found that hard to swallow…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…I don’t get it.”

Marcelle feels LSP officers – including Internal Affairs – “circled the wagons” to cover Greene’s death up.

The Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team predict the season could bring up to 20 named storms. Here’s CSU researcher Alex DesRosier…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…point in time.”

CSU models say the odds of the Gulf Coast seeing a major hurricane are at about 50-50 this year.

I’m ___________. Here’s today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network

The special House committee looking into the circumstances of the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene has requested that Governor John Bel Edwards appear at their meeting on June 16th. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says it’s unclear when Edwards saw the police body camera video that shows troopers beating Greene before he died…:

CUT 10(08)      “…they say.”

Greene died in May of 2019 and a recent Associated Press Investigative Report says Edwards and his top lawyers saw the body-camera video of Greene’s violent arrest in October of 2020. But Magee says the district attorney who could move forward with criminal charges against the state troopers involved didn’t see the video until the spring of 2021. The special legislative committee has been holding hearings since March looking into a cover-up. Magee hopes the meeting on June 16th featuring Governor Edwards will be the last one.

Legislation that would prohibit some juvenile offenders from possessing firearms until they are 24 years old is nearing final legislative passage. It passed in the House on a 59-39 vote. Kenner Representative Debbie Villio told the House that Florida has a similar law, but Gretna Representative Joe Marino believes the bill is unconstitutional…:

CUT 03(09)      “…that belief.”

But Villio calls it a common-sense approach in trying to reduce gun violence among young adults…:

CUT 05(10)      “…to the public.”

The Senate-passed bill now goes back there for concurrence on amendments made in the House.

The legislative session ends Monday at 6pm. Lawmakers have already passed all the must-do bills – like the budget and Capital Outlay – and sent them to the governor’s desk.