As part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, Governor John Bel Edwards, his staff, and several other officials held a press conference to signal the state’s ramp up with hurricane season less than a month away. Edwards says that state agencies will do everything that they can to ensure a strong storm response, but we all must do our part as well…:

CUT 07(12)      “…natural disaster.”

For help in putting your plan together and up-to-date information throughout hurricane season, visit getagameplan.org.

A bill seeking to ban using a handheld cellphone while driving fails to pass on the House floor. Among those opposed to the measure was Plaquemine Rep. Chad Brown, who questions how cops can reliably tell your holding your cellphone, as opposed to something else…:

CUT 05(09)      “…that’s my point.”

The bill fell short of the 53 votes needed to pass.

A Natchitoches woman, accused of the 2018 burning death of her baby boy, was taken a plea deal. Prosecutors say Hannah Barker pled guilty to manslaughter of a child under 10 and conspiracy to commit child murder. She’ll serve about 30 years. Barker’s girlfriend, who actually killed the infant, has already been convicted and will be sentenced later this year.

The proposed transgender athletes ban moves forward. Already passed in the Senate and advanced out of a House committee today, the bill drew opposition from many. Here’s Louisiana Trans Advocates spokesperson Peyton Michelle…:

CUT 10(10)      “…that need attention.”

A female athlete testified FOR the bill; saying she got a concussion on the field; courtesy of a biological male competing as a woman. The bill now moves to the House floor for what could be final passage.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval is having a hard time connecting with House colleagues on his bill to ban the use of a handheld cellphone with driving. Michelle Southern has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Michelle Southern.”

Did you file your taxes using TurboTax? Intuit software has agreed to pay customers back over $141-million for misleading claims their tax service was free. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say Intuit TurboTax’s “Free. Free. Free” ad campaign was actually NOT free. If you used them, you should get your filing fee sent back to you; that’s usually around $30.

Folks are reacting to a leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion brief indicating 5-to-4 support for overturning the 1973 Roe versus Wade abortion rights ruling. Jessica Frankel, with the Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, says tossing Roe v. Wade goes against public opinion…:

CUT 12(10)      “…abortion is OK.”

A recent LSU poll found that 49-percent of Louisiana residents think abortion should be illegal, while 46-percent say the opposite. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s more concerned with the fact that an internal Supreme Court document was leaked…:

CUT 15(07)      “…institutions of government.”

At the Capitol, a bill that would make abortion a crime of murder, and punish the mother and anyone assisting, passes the House Criminal Justice Committee by a 7-to-2 vote. The bill would not require the repeal of Roe V. Wade to trigger. It moves forward to the House floor.

Hurricane season is less than a month away, and the Governor says there’s no time to waste in getting prepared. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(35)      “…David Grubb.”

A New Orleans man arrested Tuesday near Bogalusa was found to have a dozen small baggies of cocaine hidden in his mouth and some marijuana stuck up his … bottom. Deputies stopped to help 38-year-old Isaac Sabatier with car trouble, but grew suspicious and then found the illegal drugs.

The U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the landmark Roe versus Wade case based on an opinion draft leaked to the media.  Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom coordinator Jessica Frankel says for women considering an abortion, the three licensed clinics in the state are still open..:

CUT 13(11)      “…in Louisiana.”

Speaking on the leaked opinion draft and the chance of Roe v. Wade being tossed, pro-life Senator Bill Cassidy…:

CUT 14(04)      “…I support.”

At the State Capitol, a bill to ban persons born male from competing in women’s sports passes out of the House Education Committee. The vote was 7 for and 1 against. The bill moves forward to the full House for debate.

The state House of Representatives approves a bill that expands the state’s medical-marijuana program. Michelle Southern has the story…:

CUT 01         (31)    “…Michelle Southern.”

Louisiana State Police have changed the missing person case involving the disappearance of 33-year-old ride share driver Ella Goodie, of Scott, to a homicide investigation. Goodie was last seen in early March. Her car was found a month later in Missouri. State Police ask anyone with knowledge of what happened to Ella to contact them.

Based on a draft opinion leaked to Politico the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the 1973 case Roe versus Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. Such a decision would mean abortion would be illegal in Louisiana. Ben Clapper, with Louisiana Right to Life, says a 2006 bill signed by Governor Kathleen Blanco will kick in if Row V. Wade is reversed. Some say that will be a sad day for women, but Clapper says women’s health need not be threatened…:

CUT 14(12)      “…giving birth.”

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the draft opinion leaked IS authentic.

Police in Abbeville arrest a young mother in connection with alleged abuse of her baby. The child was brought to a hospital with broken bones and head injuries and is currently in critical condition. 26-year-old Kassidy McGee is charged with cruelty to a juvenile and possession of drugs in the presence of a child. The investigation is ongoing.

The Louisiana House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. The bill would assure the ten existing licenses are issued; there are currently only nine … and it would allow licensees to have more than one store. Gretna Representative Joe Marino added an amendment to allow that IF a pharmacy has more than 25-hundred patients…:

CUT 07(12)      “…only nine locations.”

The legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Health. It moves now to the Senate.

Police in Lafayette say someone shot a 14-year-old boy Monday, and left him to die in a public park. The teen was found in time and rushed to a hospital, where his condition is stabilizing. LPD is asking the public for information on the crime.

The Louisiana House unanimously backs legislation that would allow some retired teachers to return to work, while still receiving their full retirement benefits. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says his bill addresses a statewide teacher shortage. Currently, retired teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average compensation. Edmonds boosts that percentage up to 50-percent. He was asked why not move the percentage higher…:

CUT 05         (09)    “…we can pass.”

Edmonds bill heads to the Senate for further consideration. The Senate has already passed its own bill with the same intent.

State Police say a Monday morning traffic stop on Interstate 12 in St. Tammany Parish turned into a big drug bust. Sensing the big rig driver and his passenger were acting suspiciously, troopers got permission to search the rig and found 55 pounds of cocaine; worth over $5-million on the street. The two men – both residents of New York State – are in the parish jail.

Based on a draft opinion from the Supreme Court, abortions could soon be illegal in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The FBI warns of an increase in so-called “sextortion” schemes in northern Louisiana. Agents say criminals pose online as minors, convince others minors to take sexually explicit photos or videos, then they threaten to expose them if they don’t pay. They say get involved in what your kid is doing online.

The bipartisan committee investigating the circumstances of and events following the deadly arrest of Black motorist Ronald Greene is set to hold the former head of the Louisiana State Police, Kevin Reeves, in contempt for his refusal to turn over documents that could shed additional light on the actions of LSP. Committee chairman Tanner Magee says his meeting with Reeves’ attorney, Lewis Unglesby – in which he was supposed to hand over pertinent documents – didn’t go well…:

CUT 10(10)      “…got a little heated.”

Unglesby says that Col. Reeves hasn’t done anything to warrant contempt charges and has been wholly cooperative with the investigation.

By a strong margin the full House has voted to officially do away with two state holidays reminiscent of the Civil War era; Confederate Memorial Day and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday. The vote was 60 in favor, 20 against and 23 members absent or abstaining from vote. The measure now moves over to the Senate.

The Louisiana House overwhelming approves a bill to expand the medical marijuana program. There are currently nine licensed medical marijuana pharmacies in Louisiana and Houma Representative Tanner Magee’s measure awards a tenth license and allows license holders to open multiple pharmacies…:

CUT 06(10)      “…who are closer.”

The bill also allows home delivery. Magee says the legislation also shifts regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Health.

State Police say a Monday traffic stop on I-12 in St. Tammany Parish led to the seizure of over 55 pounds of cocaine. Street value in excess of $5-million. The driver of the big rig and a passenger were arrested and are in the parish jail.

Now missing for nearly two months, police say disappearance of 33-year-old Ella Goodie, of Scott, is now being investigated as a homicide. Goodie was last seen Match 9^th. Her car was found in Missouri April 4^th.

The Louisiana House unanimously backs legislation that would allow some retired teachers to return to work, while still receiving their full retirement benefits. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds on why this bill is needed…:

Cut 03  (04)      “…door step.”

Currently, retired teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25-percent of their final average annual pay. Edmonds’ bill boosts that percentage up to 50-percent.

Based on a draft opinion leaked to Politico the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn the 1973 case Roe versus Wade that legalized abortion nationwide. Such a decision would mean abortion would be illegal in Louisiana. Louisiana Right to Life Director Ben Clapper says that’s due to a 2006 state trigger bill signed into law by then-Governor Blanco..:

CUT 13(10)      “…in Washington DC.”

Road and bridge upkeep in the state is paid for by a gasoline tax, so do drivers of electric vehicles pay their fair share? A bill to include EVs and hybrid cars into the pool paying for highways has cleared a House committee. It would impose a road use tax on EVs of $110 a year and $60 yearly for hybrid cars, trucks & SUVs. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Frieberg says collecting that would be done via state income tax filing…:

CUT 14(12)      “…the filer.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.

Police in Lafayette identify the man they say opened fire on late night revelers in the city’s downtown area very early Sunday morning; injuring 11 people. LPD says 40-year-old Carl Thompson, of New Iberia, faces numerous attempted murder charges. Three LFP officers fired on Thompson; bringing him down. He’s in critical condition at a local hospital. His victims are expected to recover.

A grand jury in East Feliciana Parish indicts the parents of a woman who died in their home to stand trial for murder. The parents are now facing a charge of second-degree murder. A trial date has not been set. Coroner Dr. Ewell Bickham says 36-year-old Lacey Fletcher died at her parents’ home on January 3^rd. She was surrounded in her own feces and urine when he found her. He calls it the worst case of neglect he’s ever seen.

The New Orleans Saints and former LSU standout safety Tyrann Mathieu are joining forces. The NFL Network reports that the two-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion has reached an agreement with the team. Kyle Mosley of the Saints News Network says adding Mathieu to the mix will make the Saints defense a force in the league…:

CUT 11(12)      “…talented group.”

Honey Badger’s contract is worth a reported $33-million over 3 years, with at least $18-million guaranteed.

The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that levies a road usage fee on owners of electric and hybrid vehicles and the money will go towards highway and bridge maintenance. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a gasoline tax pays for road upkeep and EV drivers need to have skin in the game. Caddo Parish Representative Dodie Horton agrees…:

CUT 13(06)      “…usage fee.”

The bill would dun EV drivers an extra $110 a year. Hybrid drivers would be hit for $60 a year.

The Mayor of Pineville has been decided by only FIVE votes. James Rachal led for most of the night in Saturday’s election, but in the end it was Rich Dupree elected; again by a 5 vote margin. Rachal can request a recount, but he’s had no comment so far.

Nick Tullier, the East Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy shot in an ambush in June 2016, and clinging to life ever since, is reportedly in critical condition. Doctors say an infection has gone septic. The family asks for prayers. Tullier was among 6 officers shot in that attack. 3 of them were killed.

Saturday’s Garth Brooks concert in Tiger Stadium was a big success. The after-concert traffic? Not so much. Hundreds of motorists were stranded in a jam up at the Capital City’s I-10 / College Drive interchange, while an impromptu hot rod stunt show was held in the middle of the street. Police were nowhere to be found. It’s unknown if any arrests were made at all. Other such displays were also reported off Seigen Lane and Nicholson Drive.

The Honey Badger is coming home. David Grubb has the latest on Tyrann Mathieu joining the Saints…:

CUT 02(34)      “…David Grubb.”

Three Lafayette cops are on administrative leave, after shooting and disabling an alleged mass shooter Sunday. The suspect is 40-year-old Carl Thompson, of New Iberia. He reportedly went on an early morning shooting spree, wounding 11 people before officers fired on him. Thompson is in critical condition, the other victims are expected to recover. State Police are investigating.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a proposal to begin phasing out a state temporary sales tax that’s set to expire in July of 2025. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala’s bill would start incrementally cutting the .45-percent sales tax in the summer of ’23. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard suggested having a discussion on expiring .45-percent sales tax next year when there’s a fiscal session, but Bacala says the sooner legislators address it, the better…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…following year.”

The full House will debate the measure next.

A 13-year-old Shreveport girl was killed Sunday, the victim of a crossfire of bullets fired from three vehicles. Landry Anglin attended Caddo Middle Magnet School, where Principal Robin DeBusk says she spoke with Landry’s mother, Michelle, after the shooting, and even in her grief, she asked the school to look after those who were close to her daughter…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…been doing.”

Landry was in the 8^th grade.

The Honey Badger will return to Louisiana. Tyrann Mathieu has joined the New Orleans Saints. Kyle Mosley, with the Saints News Network, says Mathieu brings a lot of skills to the New Orleans defensive, both in his playing ability and his presence in the locker room…:

CUT 10(11)      “defensive backfield.”

Mosley says the Saints D is shaping up to be even better than last year.