Louisiana’s version of what opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill has been killed for this legislative session. House Education voted 7-to-4 to reject the measure. Bossier Parish Republican Dodie Horton wrote the bill…:
Cut 7 (12) “state standard-slash-curriculum”
Some in opposition argued the measure is too broad.

The committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene wants to hold former State Police Head Kevin Reeves in contempt for refusing to hand over a journal entry on the matter, but Reeves’ lawyer says members already have what they need. Attorney Lewis Unglesby says anything in the journals kept by Reeves pertaining to the Greene case has been given to lawmakers..:
Cut 16 (11) “the committee”

The draft opinion indicating the US Supreme Court might be poised to overturn Roe v Wade would immediately make abortions illegal in Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says having a justice’s draft opinion leaked to the press is rare and the Supreme Court will not take lightly…:
Cut 13 (08) “a vigorous one”
Abortions would be illegal here, under a 2006 “trigger bill”; written to kick in if the Justices ever took that action.

The FBI is warning parents about a sextortion scheme going around in Louisiana which tricks minors into sending inappropriate photos which are then used to extort them into sending money, or else. Spokesperson Connor Hagan offers this to parents who believe their kid is a victim..:
CUT 6 (12) “contact the FBI”

A House committee rejects Louisiana’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

After a long stretch of falling gas prices, we’re starting to see them slowly inch back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.89 which is down 7 cents from a month ago — but up nearly a nickel over the week.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to make the signing of former LSU star safety Tyrann Mathieu official today.

The lawyer for the former head of State Police, Kevin Reeves, says the committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Green has what they need from his client. The members believe Reeves is acting in contempt for refusing to provide a particular journal entry. But Lewis Unglesby says it’s not relevant…:
Cut 15 (08) “interested in”

The FBI is warning parents of a rise in sextortion schemes targeting children in Louisiana. The crime-fighting agency says it has received several reports in the Monroe, Alexandria, and Shreveport areas of predators posing as children and coercing minors into sending them sexually explicit materials for the purpose of extorting money. Spokesperson Connor Hagan…:
Cut 4 (11) “that they are”
Hagan says an underage person should never send intimate or explicit photos or videos over the internet.

The emergence of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision might soon be overturned has implications for Louisiana. Tulane University law professor Keith Werhan (pronounced “WER-han”) says the draft has preliminary support, but it’s not yet a “done deal”…:
Cut 11 (11) “gonna want that”
If the High court reverses Roe v. Wade, abortions would become illegal in Louisiana immediately.

The House Education committee rejects a measure prohibiting teachers from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation in classrooms. Opponents call it the Don’t Say Gay Bill. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says its too broad…:
Cut 9 (09) “…cannot support this bill”
The matter is dead for the session.

The lawyer for former State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves says a legislative committee investigating the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene has the information they need from the journals kept by Reeves. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has threatened to charge Reeves with contempt, but attorney Lewis Unglesby says that is an unreasonable response..:
Cut 14 (10) “confusion there”
Magee met with Unglesby on Monday to make copies of pages in the journal pertaining to anything written about the Greene case.

State Police have changed the status of the case of Ella Goodie, the 33-year-old ride share driver from Scott who vanished in March, from missing person to homicide. No body has been found and no suspect charged, but troopers say the transition is based on investigative techniques and witness statements.

The state 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 licensee holders to open multiple pharmacies…:
Cut 6 (10) “who are closer”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A junior from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. Kelsie Tillage has a 4.29 GPA and is dually enrolled in Southern University, Honors and AP courses. She says she’s always enjoyed serving others…:
CUT 15 (10) “to do it”
The accolade is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House.

Congressman Garret Graves says he’s still fighting to bring down spiking flood insurance costs for Louisianans. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

According to Money Geek, Louisiana ranks second in the nation among states with the most distracted driving fatalities. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they looked at stats from 2020 when fewer people were driving…:
CUT 5 (06) “it’s flat”

A measure that removes Robert E Lee and Confederate Memorial Day from the state’s official holidays gains approval in the House. David Grubb reports:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m David Grubb”

A bipartisan legislative committee investigating the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene says it plans to move to hold the former head of state police in contempt for refusing to turn over documents on the matter. The dispute is over a journey entry mentioning Governor John Bel Edwards. Kevin Reeves has been accused of covering up the initial investigation into Greene’s death. Reeves’ lawyer says his client is cooperating.

A bill that would require schools to provide feminine products for students advances out of House Education. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes co-authors the measure…:
CUT 9 (11) “her with”
The bill is slated to be heard next on the House Floor.

Even though people were driving less in 2020, a new analysis by MoneyGeek found Louisiana had the second highest distracted driving fatality rate in the nation. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says they compared those fatalities based on miles driven in each state…:
CUT 4 (11) “and Kansas”
Texting while driving is the most common distracted driving offense in Louisiana.

Legislation to require Louisiana schools to provide feminine products for students advances to the House floor…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

According to Money Geek, Louisiana ranks second in the nation among states with the most distracted driving fatalities. Head of Data Analytics Doug Milens says that coupled with high auto-insurance only adds insult to injury for the state:
Cut 6 (08) “tougher”

Congressman Garret Graves says members of the Louisiana delegation are still working on a measure aimed at dealing with the rising cost of flood insurance that has yet to be approved. He says amendments have been drafted to provide temporary relief from the “Risk Rating 2.0″, but the Democrat majority in the U.S. House isn’t interested in fixing the problem…:
Cut 10 (07) “offering the amendment”
New plan rates are based on distance from water, elevation, construction type, flood history and rebuilding costs.

A student from Southern University Lab in Baton Rouge has received the honorable Gold Medal Congressional Award. The accolade awarded to Kelsie Tillage, who is in 11th grade, is the highest honor a young person can achieve through the US Senate and House. Tillage says she’s so grateful…:
CUT 13 (06) “community as well”
In addition to maintaining a 4.29-grade point average, Tillage is dually enrolled at Southern University, Honors and AP courses, is a published author.

Congressman Garret Graves says efforts are still underway to provide homeowners relief from new, greatly increased flood insurance premiums. The National Flood Insurance Program’s “Risk Rating 2.0” has gone into effect, and Graves says it’s an undue burden on many…:
Cut 11 (09) “these increased costs”
Graves says the ultimate solution is to build better storm and flood mitigation measures, so flood insurance is not a necessity.

The parents of a woman who died in her home after spending years rotting away on a couch have been indicted by a grand jury on second degree murder charges. Sheila and Clay Fletcher are accused of giving no care to their 36-year-old daughter and the East Feliciana Parish Coroner’s Office believes Lacey Fletcher could have been on the couch not moving in her own waste for almost 12 years. A trial date has not been set.

A bill to require public schools in Louisiana to carry free feminine products for students passes in House Education. Bill author New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says she learned that many students experience “Period Poverty…”
Cut 7 (10) “them back”
The bill passed unanimously in committee and is scheduled to be heard on the House floor Thursday.

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying an individual connected to a stabbing in a concession stand on LSU’s campus Saturday before the Garth Brooks concert. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact authorities. The victim was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

It’s not what you wanted to hear today but Colorado State University is predicting yet another above average hurricane seasons this year. Ph.D. candidate Alex DesRosiers (Dee-rose-ee-ay) says in addition to La Nina conditions, the water is also warm in the Caribbean and subtropical Atlantic right now which typically leads to warmer main development region in the peak of the season…:
CUT 6 (08) “for you”
Hurricane season begins June 1st.

The man wanted for questioning in connection to the case of the missing woman from Lafayette Parish is now in custody in Rapides Parish. Ella Goodie has been missing since March 9th and Brandon Francisco is believed to be the last person to see her. Francisco was extradited from Missouri to Rapides on unrelated attempted murder charges and is only a person of interest right now in the Goodie case.

Researchers at Baton Rouge’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center identify a chemical compound that COULD be an anti-aging breakthrough. Pennington Center’s Christopher Axelrod says the research continues, but the possibilities for improving the quality of life for seniors are significant…:
Cut 9 (09) “healthier, longer lives”
Axelrod says, in human applications, BAM15 could prevent age-related obesity and/or age-related muscle loss and even reduce inflammation in older persons.

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival gets underway today and organizers say this could be the most well attended year in the 50-year history of the event. spokesperson Donald Lanier says they are expecting anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 people so come one, come all…:
Cut 12 (04) “out here”
Visit LAstrawberryfestival.com to learn more.