Lawmakers appear likely to enter a historic, first-of-its-kind veto override session later this month. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says 28 bills were vetoed by the Governor this year but it’s the rejection of legislation banning transgender women from womens’ sports that played the biggest role in dragging lawmakers back to Baton Rouge…

Cut 7 (07) “…day one.”

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell received over two-thirds support in both chambers of the Legislature, which if it holds would override a veto.

The World Health Organization recommends vaccinated people return to masking as the Delta variant spreads. State Health Office Dr. Joe Kanter says the CDC hasn’t backed that call in the US because our vaccination rate is so high…

Cut 11 (08) “…vaccinations now.”

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a bipartisan infrastructure agreement touted by a group of Senators including Bill Cassidy would be the key to addressing the state’s billions of dollars of backlogged infrastructure needs. Wilson says this infrastructure package is a generational piece of legislation and the greatest investment since the New Deal.

Cut 4 (05) “…invovled”

The Senate and House appear set for a showdown over dueling infrastructure proposals as Friday the House passed a 715 billion dollar infrastructure proposal that includes more climate-related spending than the bipartisan agreement made in the Senate.

It’s been more than 10 months since Hurricane Laura ravaged southwest Louisiana and looks like finally, the feds are sending some real assistance to the region.  Governor Edwards says the state has demonstrated $3-billion in unmet needs from Laura, Delta, and Zeta and was able to get an agreement with HUD on that number…

Cut 12 (05) “…to begin with.” 

The Legislature appears set to head into a July 20^th veto session with widespread agreement that a simple majority of both the House and Senate will not return letters that would cancel the pre-scheduled session, as they have in the past. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says once lawmakers return to Baton Rouge they will only have a few days to override any vetoes and that’s not much time given the wide range of bills that were nixed…

Cut 6 (09) “…guns.”

Both of those bills received veto-proof support during the regular session.

Congressional lawmakers appear to be teetering on abandoning a half-trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure agreement. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says given what the bill would do locally he hopes they can ultimately get this legislation to the President…

Cut 5  (04) “…talk”

There are growing concerns among health experts that the delta variant of COVID could bring a return of the mask mandate. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Hammond Police are seeking a suspect in an early morning fatal shooting at a Waffle House on the 4^th of July. The incident claimed the life of 30-year-old Robbert Armstrong of Ponchatoula, who was pronounced dead on the scene when officers arrived around 4 AM in the morning. Anyone with information about his shooting is encouraged to contact Hammond Police.

Lawmakers will have a lot of vetoes to sort through in the likely upcoming veto override session later this month, but one bill is set to take center stage…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

An Environment America Research Policy Center report names 21 popular beaches of concern in Louisiana as hot spots for fecal bacteria and resulting infections. 12 of those beaches were found in Cameron Parish, one in St. Mary Parish, six in Jefferson parish in the Grand Isle area, and one at Fountainebleau State Park in St. Tammany Parish. 

The World Health Organization is advising even those who are fully vaccinated to wear face masks as the delta variant of COVID continues to spread at a rapid rate. State Health Office Dr. Joe Kanter says so far, the CDC has not put out such a recommendation.

Cut 9 (12) “…delta variant.”

The delta variant is a mutation of the coronavirus that spreads more quickly because it is better at latching onto cells in our bodies.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a roughly half-trillion-dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could alleviate many of the state’s long-suffering infrastructure concerns. Wilson says Louisiana currently has a D minus grade for infrastructure from the American Society of Civil Engineers. This bill looks tailor-made to address those concerns locally.

Cut 3 (09)  “….bridges”

Major disaster aid is one step closer to reaching Louisiana, that’s more than 10 months since Hurricane Laura.  Edwards says he believes an appropriation is coming in the relatively near future and the majority of funds would go to those impacted by Laura.

Cut 14 (08) “moves forward”

The governor says a change in presidential administrations as well other priorities in Washington have been contributing factors delaying approval.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a half-trillion dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could help with many of the state’s infrastructure concerns.  But Wilson hopes the entire push for a nationwide infrastructure overhaul doesn’t get taken down by partisan politics.

Cut 5 (04) “talk”

Governor Edwards issued 28 total vetoes of items passed during the recent session including a bill involving transgender athletes.  With a veto session becoming more likely, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after the trans sports bill legislators will likely try to undo the Governor’s veto of a bill allowing people to carry a concealed firearm without training or a permit.

Cut 8 (05) “veto”

The World Health Organization is advising even those who are fully vaccinated to wear face masks as the delta variant of COVID continues to spread at a rapid rate.

State Health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you compare the U-S to the rest of the world, as a whole 66-percent of adults have initiated the vaccine.

Cut 10 (07) “across the world”

Governor Edwards issued vetoes on topics like a drug court funding bill touted by Attorney General Jeff Landry, mandatory election auditing by Senator Heather Cloud, ethics exemptions for Baton Rouge area groundwater board members, and, as is customary, line-item vetoed pet projects in districts held by his most prominent Republican rivals.

Pinsonat says without Edwards’ rejection of legislation banning transgender women from womens’ sports there’s a good chance this session would have never been called.

Cut 7 (07) “day one”

Major disaster aid is one step closer to reaching Louisiana, that’s more than 10 months since Hurricane Laura. Governor Edwards says the state has demonstrated $3-billion in unmet needs from Laura, Delta, and Zeta. He says the state had to make sure the numbers agreed with HUD because they oversee block grant funding for disaster recovery.

Cut 12 (05) “to begin with”

There are growing concerns among health experts that the delta variant of COVID could bring a return of the mask mandate. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a roughly half-trillion-dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could alleviate many of the state’s long-suffering infrastructure concerns.

Wilson says this infrastructure package is a generational piece of legislation and the greatest investment in infrastructure since the New Deal.

Cut 4 (05) “involved”

Wilson says Louisiana currently has a D minus grade for infrastructure from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Lawmakers will have a lot of vetoes to sort through in the likely upcoming veto override session later this month, but one bill is set to take center stage…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a roughly half trillion dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could alleviate many of the state’s long suffering infrastructure concerns.

Wilson says Louisiana currently has a D minus grade for infrastructure from the American Society of Civil Engineers. This bill looks tailor made to address those concerns locally.

Cut 3 (09) “bridges”

Governor Edwards issued 28 total vetoes of items passed during the recent session, but with a veto override session now likely some of those could end up getting overturned.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says lawmakers will only have a few days to override any vetoes and that’s not much time given the wide range of bills that were nixed…

Cut 6 (09) “guns”

The World Health Organization is advising even those who are fully vaccinated to wear face masks as the delta variant of COVID continues to spread at a rapid rate. State Health Office Dr. Joe Kanter says so far, the CDC has not put out such a recommendation.

Cut 9 (12) “delta variant”

The delta variant is a mutation of the coronavirus that spreads more quickly because it is better at latching onto cells in our bodies.

Major disaster aid is one step closer to reaching Louisiana, that’s more than 10 months since Hurricane Laura.  Edwards says he believes an appropriation is coming in the relatively near future and the majority of funds would go to those impacted by Laura.

Cut 14 (08) “moves forward”

The governor says a change in presidential administrations as well other priorities in Washington have been contributing factors delaying approval.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a half-trillion dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could help with many of the state’s infrastructure concerns.  But Wilson hopes the entire push for a nationwide infrastructure overhaul doesn’t get taken down by partisan politics.

Cut 5 (04) “talk”

Governor Edwards issued 28 total vetoes of items passed during the recent session including a bill involving transgender athletes.  With a veto session becoming more likely, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after the trans sports bill legislators will likely try to undo the Governor’s veto of a bill allowing people to carry a concealed firearm without training or a permit.

Cut 8 (05) “veto”

The World Health Organization is advising even those who are fully vaccinated to wear face masks as the delta variant of COVID continues to spread at a rapid rate.

State Health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says when you compare the U-S to the rest of the world, as a whole 66-percent of adults have initiated the vaccine.

Cut 10 (07) “across the world”

Governor Edwards issued vetoes on topics like a drug court funding bill touted by Attorney General Jeff Landry, mandatory election auditing by Senator Heather Cloud, ethics exemptions for Baton Rouge area groundwater board members, and, as is customary, line-item vetoed pet projects in districts held by his most prominent Republican rivals.

Pinsonat says without Edwards’ rejection of legislation banning transgender women from womens’ sports there’s a good chance this session would have never been called.

Cut 7 (07) “day one”

Major disaster aid is one step closer to reaching Louisiana, that’s more than 10 months since Hurricane Laura. Governor Edwards says the state has demonstrated $3-billion in unmet needs from Laura, Delta, and Zeta. He says the state had to make sure the numbers agreed with HUD because they oversee block grant funding for disaster recovery.

Cut 12 (05) “to begin with”

There are growing concerns among health experts that the delta variant of COVID could bring a return of the mask mandate. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a roughly half-trillion-dollar bipartisan agreement in the US Senate could alleviate many of the state’s long-suffering infrastructure concerns.

Wilson says this infrastructure package is a generational piece of legislation and the greatest investment in infrastructure since the New Deal.

Cut 4 (05) “involved”

Wilson says Louisiana currently has a D minus grade for infrastructure from the American Society of Civil Engineers.