A Monroe woman who allegedly fled police after being caught shoplifting, then got into a traffic crash that killed two – including her own baby – is now in custody. It happened Monday. Monroe PD Sgt. Mike Fendall says Candace Gill fled the accident scene on foot; leaving her injured & dying baby in the car. A male passenger, reportedly her boyfriend, was also killed. He says she was taken into custody today without incident…:

CUT 11(08)      “…to deal with.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is among the 50 GOP senators who will vote “no” on a bill to codify the terms of the Supreme Court Roe V. Wade decision into federal law. The bill is seen as a move to protect abortion rights, should the High Court overturn Roe. Senator Cassidy…:

CUT 14(12)      “…against it again.

The House committee looking into the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene charges former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves with contempt for failing to turn over his personal journals. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

Cut 01  (34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

We’ve had an uptick in COVID 19 cases. The Department of Health reports just over 700 new cases today, with 68 people in the hospital with the virus statewide. LDH also reports 4 more people have died with COVID.

The legislative committee investigating the 2019 death of Ronald Green in State Police custody is holding former LSP head Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to turn over journals from when he was in charge. He turned over some, but far from all. Committee chair Tanner Magee, of Houma, says he’d also like Reeves to be fined $5000..:

CUT 08(08)      “…in contempt.”

If other lawmakers agree, a court order will be issued to make Reeves hand over the un-redacted documents requested.

A suspected shoplifter, fleeing from police in Monroe Monday and causing a car crash that killed two people, has been apprehended. Monroe Police Sgt. Mike Fendall says Candace Gill led cops on a high speed chase, running a red light and crashing the car. She then fled on foot; leaving her baby injured and dying in the car…:

CUT 10(11)      “…negligent injury”

An unidentified adult male also died in the crash.

A U.S. Senate bill to make the terms of the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling a matter of federal law seems destined to fail in a vote today. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and all fellow GOP senators will vote no, as well as one or more Democrats. Cassidy says, as a doctor, he cannot support a bill that allows abortion right up to the week of birth…:

CUT 13(13)      “…outside the womb.”

The bill needs 60 votes to pass, which it apparently does not have.

At the Capitol, lawmakers made an unusual move this week to resurrect a controversial Louisiana version of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill after it was shot down by the House Education Committee last week. The bill would ban educators from teaching sexual orientation and gender identity to students up to eighth grade, and prevent them from talking about their OWN identities in all grades.

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote today on a bill to codify abortion rights in federal law, but it apparently lacks the needed votes to pass. Among the Republican Senate members who say they will down-vote the bill is Louisiana’s Senator Bill Cassidy. He says Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer is pushing for a vote, but he has concerns…:

CUT 12  (10)        “…the moment of birth.”

Cassidy and all his fellow Republicans intend to vote no, as does Democrat Joe Manchin, of West Virginia. Needing 60 votes to pass, the bill appears destined to fail.

Meanwhile a state bill that would make abortion a crime of murder draws fire from Governor John Bel Edwards. The bill by Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick would punish women who have one, and the doctor who performed the procedure, with prison time. The Governor calls the measure “problematic” and “patently unconstitutional” and takes Louisiana in a bad direction. McCormick’s bill is up for House floor debate Thursday.

A Monroe woman accused of killing two passengers – including her own child – after fleeing from police is now in custody. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(36)      “…David Grubb.”

Louisiana’s District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the prestigious U.S. House Appropriations Committee. That panel determines all discretionary spending and has oversight of almost all federal government expenditures. Letlow’s appointment could potentially mean more federal money coming Louisiana’s way.

CLECO customers might be eligible for a discount on their utility bills during the hot summer months. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

Police in Monroe seek a woman they say shoplifted from a local store, then fled police; causing a fatal traffic crash. MPD says Candace Gill ran a red light and crashed into another car; killing one and injuring three others. A warrant is out for her arrest.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs to improve the nation’s mental health infrastructure. He and Connecticut Democrat Senator Chris Murphy pushed the bill through 6 years ago, which provides key services, especially for kids. Cassidy says re-funding the act is important, because services suffered during the COVID crisis…:

Cut 14  (10)      “…just a stretch.”

Optimism for an improving economy among small businesses continues to decline, according to the April survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State NFIB director Dawn McVea says supply chain issues, fuel costs, and inflation continue to impede earnings among small business owners. She says 70-percent of independent businesses have had to raise prices…:

CUT 11(10)      “…on record.”

93-percent of those surveyed report few or no qualified job applicants.

Along with gasoline prices, the price of our utility bills is also rising to match the heat. Cleco wants to remind you of its Alternative Rate for Electricity discount program for eligible low-income families. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix says, if you meet the guidelines for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, you automatically qualify for these savings during the hottest months of the year…:

CUT 08(08)      “…that discount.”

Find out more at “lhc.la.gov”

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs. It provides mental health services for kids in schools, but also for those who find themselves in juvenile detention. He says some teens are denied services while they await sentencing…:

CUT 13(10)      “…might be.”

Louisiana is sort of flush with cash – revenue – right now, and the Louisiana House has up-voted a proposal to help the next legislature deal with the future loss of a temporary sales tax. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans Police are seeking a woman they say stole food from a grocery store and used her toddler-aged child to shoplift as well. Store security video shows the woman and little girl carrying over $400 worth of meat without paying. Police say it’s sad they have to steal food, but she’s teaching the child criminal behavior.

A few years back, the Governor and state lawmakers plugged a big budget gap by passing a temporary sales tax hike; set to expire in 2025. It generates about $400-million a year for the state. The state House has passed a bill start phasing that tax increase out, starting next year. Bill sponsor Tony Bacala, of Prairieville, says better to start reducing the sales tax sooner, so budget planners face a soft landing instead of a fiscal cliff…:

CUT 05(08)      “…long term.”

Passed by a 67-to-40 vote, the bill heads now for the Senate.

Funeral services are today for East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Nick Tullier, who died after six years of struggling with injuries received when he was shot in an assassin’s attack in Baton Rouge in 2016. Tullier and two others were shot and wounded. Three other law officers were killed, as was the gunman.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs to improve the nation’s mental health infrastructure. Cassidy says current legislation is set to expire in September and the new bill also focuses on mental health programs for children…:

CUT 12(11)      “…support children.”

Cassidy’s 2022 Reauthorization Act not only provides mental health services for kids in schools but also for those who find themselves in juvenile detention centers.

Optimism among small businesses continues to wane, according to the April survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State NFIB director Dawn McVea says a net-negative 50-percent of owners feel the business environment for them will NOT improve, and record high inflation is why…:

CUT 10(07)      “operating right now.”

93-percent of those surveyed report few or no qualified job applicants.

I’m Kevin Gallagher with today’s Legislative Update from the Louisiana Radio Network.

One of Louisiana’s strongest pro-life lobbies comes out AGAINST a bill that would make having or performing an abortion punishable with prison time. Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick’s bill would define a procedure to terminate a pregnancy as murder. Louisiana Family Forum president Gene Mills says it’s un-needed, because the state already has a trigger law that will render abortions illegal, should the Supreme Court overturn Roe versus Wade…:

CUT 12(10)      “…Dobbs opinion”

Last week’s leaked Justice Alito opinion draft references the case of Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health, of Jackson Mississippi, and indicates a majority of justices support upholding it and returning control of abortion law to the states. Mills says McCormick’s bill needlessly punishes the mother…:

CUT 13(07)      “…even harmful.”

McCormick’s bill is scheduled for full House debate later this week.

The Revenue Estimating Conference increased income projections for this fiscal year by 350-million dollars today, giving state lawmakers additional money to spend. Economists are reporting better-than-expected tax collections from sales and personal income taxes. So, what to do with that extra money? Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Governor’s Office has some ideas…:

CUT 07(12)      “…bridge in Baton Rouge”

He also favors using the money for a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles and completing I-49 south to New Orleans. Administration economist Manfred Dix says the state is having a good year when it comes to better than expected revenues. He wonders if it could last beyond this calendar year…:

CUT 05(11)      “…ensuing fiscal year.”

The Governor’s Office would also like to use the surplus money to kick up planned $1500 teacher pay raises to $2000.

You may be surprised to hear a major pro-life group in Louisiana comes down AGAINST a bill that would make abortion a crime; punishable with prison time for the mother, doctor and others as assisting. Louisiana Family Forum president Gene Mills says the measure is potentially harmful and won’t be needed if the U.S. Supreme Court reverses Roe v. Wade. Mills says if that happens the state and private sector need to be ready to step up for expectant mothers..:

CUT 14(14)      “…or chemical abortions.”

That bill is scheduled for full House debate this week.

Deputies in Webster Parish says three men were seriously burned in a propane explosion this morning at Aeropres in Cotton Valley. The men were airlifted to the burn center in Shreveport. If it’s known, the cause of the blast has not yet been made public. OSHA is investigating.

After taking a dip for a few weeks, the statewide average price for regular gas has gone up to $4-a-gallon…again. You remember, it hit $4.15 in March. Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says get used to what you’re paying now…:

CUT 10(09)      “…near term.”

He says another hurricane could cause another huge price spike.

A Lafayette area man is behind bars after a traffic stop yielded a huge number of illegal weapons and drugs. Sheriff’s deputies say they got permission to search 41-year-old Dustin McCullough’s vehicle and found 14 firearms (some fully automatic), over 2000 rounds of ammo, plus meth, ecstasy, marijuana and various opioid pills. He faces a long list of charges.

State Police seek the public’s help finding a hit & run driver that killed a man Friday in Shreveport. They have images of a silver early-2000’s GMC Sierra with black trim – pulling a trailer – and hope someone can identify the truck and its owner.

A state Wildlife & Fisheries agent is credited with saving 9 people off the coast of Grand Isle this past weekend. Sgt. Stephen Rhodes was patrolling the beach in that area when he noticed a boat taking on water before capsizing. After helping 8 people onto his boat, he went into the water to save a little girl trapped under the boat, then performed CPR until she was breathing on her own. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says Rhodes did everything right..:

CUT 08(08)      “…as well.”

Einck says the little girl is expected to fully recover.

The Louisiana Family Forum, a strong pro-life lobby, says it won’t support a House bill making abortion a crime punishable with prison time. Caddo Parish Representative Danny McCormick’s bill is set for House debate this week. LFF’s Gene Mills says the bill has some “language problems” and needlessly punishes the mother…:

CUT 13(11)      “…trying to accomplish.”

State Police Troop E reports two people died in separate weekend crashes in Sabine and Grant parishes. In Sabine, an overturned ATV killed an 11-year-old boy. In Grant, a two-car crash on U.S. 165 took the life of a 14-year-old passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

Louisiana lawmakers will have more money to spend as the state continues to report better than expected revenues. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference – the state panel that figures out how much money the state has, will have and will need – has upped the fiscal outlook for the current year by $350-million. Chief Legislative Economist Deborah Vivien says it’s due to better-than-expected tax collections. But, she says, she expects a drop next year…:

CUT 04(09)      “economic influences.”

Revenue estimates for the fiscal year that starts in July are also up; by $100-million.

Here’s another story on gasoline prices: the statewide average for regular gas has hit $4 again. There was a 14-cent jump in just 7 days. Louisiana AAA fuel expert Don Redman says that reflects a recent 10-percent jump in crude oil…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…production of crude…”

He says if you can budget for gasoline, budget for $4-a-gallon though the summer.

Pineville cops arrest a man today for yesterday’s shooting inside a Walgreen’s drug store. Two victims sustained minor injuries. 19-year-old Bryson Brosette is charged with attempted murder.

A Caddo Parish teen is under arrest for threatening to shoot up Donnie Bickham Middle School in Shreveport. The teen boy made the threats on social media Sunday. It didn’t take long to identify the culprit and round him up.

A state Wildlife & Fisheries agent is hailed as a hero, after rescuing 9 people from a sinking pleasure boat off the coast of Grand Isle Saturday. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says one of them – a little girl – was trapped under the capsized boat, so Sgt Stephen Rhodes dove in..:

CUT 07  (11)        “…breathing again.”

The girl is going to be OK.