The Louisiana House approves a bill that gives an adoptee access to their birth certificate once they reach the age of 24. The bill faces opposition from anti-abortion groups and the bill’s author, Rosepine Representative Charles Owen, was questioned if other states who have similar access have seen an increase in their abortion rate. He says he’s seen just the opposite in states similar to Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…in place.”

Owens says in Alabama they’ve had a similar law for 22 years.

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There’s another threat of severe weather tomorrow from a cold front that will sweep across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says everyone should be weather aware tomorrow.

Cut 6 (10) “…approaches.”

The Storm Prediction Center puts Monroe, Alexandria, the Delta Parishes, Baton Rouge, and Hammond under a four out of five risk for severe weather. That means there’s the potential for tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds.

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The House has postponed a vote on a bill proposed by Breaux Bridge Republican Representative Mike Huval that would create a new set of fines for holding a phone while driving, even if the driver is not texting. Huval faced some strong questions from Amite representative Robby Carter, who opposes the bill.

Cut 9 (13) “…to the judge.”

Huval proposed a similar bill last year. The House passed it, but the Senate rejected it, concerned that it could hurt minorities. Huval has decided to edit the bill and present it to the House again later.

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The U-S Food and Drug Administration has authorized another COVID-19 booster for those 50 and older, in order to offer extra protection for those most vulnerable to the virus, should there be another surge. The fourth dose would be open to those at least four months after their previous booster. The CDC is monitoring an omicron variant that has already created a jump in infections in Europe and is starting to show up here at home. Roughly two-thirds of Americans are fully vaccinated, but just half of those eligible for a booster have gotten one.

The Storm Prediction Center puts Monroe, Alexandria, the Delta Parishes, Baton Rouge, and Hammond under a four out of five risk for severe weather. There’s the potential for tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the entire state needs to be on its toes…
Cut 7 (10) “…for the state.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that gives adoptees access to their birth certificate once they reach the age of 24. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen, who’s adopted himself, says adopted children born in Louisiana are barred from seeing their original birth certificate unless they provide a judge with a compelling reason like…
Cut 3 (11) “…compelling reason.”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

How do Louisiana voters feel about a few of our statewide elected officials? A new poll says “not that great.” David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

For the first time since the state began reporting COVID hospitalizations, there are fewer than 100 people in the hospital suffering from COVID. But health officials continue to urge the unvaccinated to get the COVID shot…
cut 1 (30) “…..I’m Brook Thorington”

The state’s vaccination rate is nearly 53-percent.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters finds that 48-percent of respondents believe Governor John Bel Edwards did a good job of handling the pandemic and that same poll gives the governor a 49-percent approval rating.

Waiting for debate on the House floor is a bill that could lead to jail time for those under the age of 18 who are convicted of marijuana possession. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s bill would punish first offenders possessing half an ounce or less to probation, but no more than 15 days in jail. Having more than 14 grams could lead to no more than six months. Bagley compares his proposed sentencing to one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana for adults while forbidding it for minors; Colorado…:
Cut 11 (09) “…comparing the areas.”

Warm today with temperatures in the low 80s, but there’s another threat for severe weather tomorrow from a cold front that will sweep across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says everyone should be weather aware tomorrow.
cut 6 (10) “…approaches”

A new JMC Analytics poll indicates Governor John Bel Edwards has an approval rating of 48 percent. Pollster John Couvillon says however it’s bit more favorable for Republican, Senator John Kennedy with a 53-percent approval rating and his base is pretty reflective of the state’s voting habits.

Cut 9 (07)  “…leaning voters.”

The state’s senior Senator Republican Bill Cassidy has a 38 percent approval rating.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for juveniles in possession of small amounts of marijuana. DeSoto Parish Republican Larry Bagley’s bill corrects an oversight where possession penalties were lessened last year because the bill made no specific mention of minors in possession.

Cut 10 (13) “…doing it.”

After Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ broke a story that three State Civil Service employees received exorbitant raises leader of the department Byron Decoteau appeared before Senate Finance. Decoteau received a $20-thousand raise in a month, One employee’s pay increased 100-percent over a six-year period and another had a $43,000 increase in three years. Senator Bodi White…

Cut 15 (10)  “…over 100-percent.”

Decoteau says the raises were given to keep employees from leaving the department.

And the things you do for love can get you arrested… while attempting to bond her boyfriend out of the Grant Parish Detention Center, 21-year-old Alaina Cole of Houma was arrested because she drove a stolen vehicle to pick him up. Officials says Cole confessed and she was arrested for illegal possession of stolen things.

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for minors in possession of small amounts of marijuana. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

A Shreveport man who killed a postal worker pleas guilty to second-degree murder. 34-year-old Michael Gentry will be sentenced to 40 years in federal prison as part of the plea agreement. Gentry killed 52-year-old Antonio Williams in June of 2019 while he was delivering mail. Gentry also faces state charges.

The state marks a milestone with less than 100 hospitalized with COVID however LSU Infectious Disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says we need to be better prepared for the next surge and only 53-percent of Louisianans are vaccinated. O’Neal says there are no significant long-term side effects from the vaccine and it’s still the best form of preventing severe COVID.

Cut 5 (08) “…protection.”

After Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ reported three State Civil Service employees received significant pay raises in a span of a few years the leader of the division appeared before Senate Finance to answer questions. Byron Decoteau, who received a $20,000 pay increase within a month says the pay raises were given under the optional pay rule.

Cut 13 (10) “…your employees “

One Civil Service employee’s pay increased 100-percent in a six-year period

How do Louisiana voters feel about a few of our statewide elected officials? A new poll says “not that great.” David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State lawmakers will suspend the ongoing regular session to hold a veto session tomorrow. So starting tomorrow at noon, the Republican-led Legislature will attempt to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override the governor’s veto of the Congressional district map.

A bill awaiting debate on the House floor could lead to jail time for minors convicted of marijuana possession. Louisiana Progress opposes the bill because the proposed law would lead to harsher punishments for juveniles than adults when it comes to marijuana possession, but Hammond Representative Nicholas Muscarello says…
cut 12 (10) “…get you better”

And the state is in really good shape when it comes to COVID as there are now fewer than 100 people hospitalized as a result of the virus. But LSU Infectious Disease Expert Doctor Catherine O’ Neal says we will see another COVID surge…
cut 6 (09) “…to us”
O’ Neal says the state needs to get more people vaccinated. Nearly 53-percent of the population is vaccinated.

For the first time since the state began reporting COVID hospitalizations, there are fewer than 100 people in the hospital suffering from COVID. But health officials continue to urge the unvaccinated to get the COVID shot…
cut 1 (30) “…..I’m Brook Thorington”

The state’s vaccination rate is nearly 53-percent.

There’s another chance for severe weather tomorrow as forecasters say a strong line of thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and severe wind gusts will move across the state.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters shows Senator Bill Cassidy’s approval rating has dropped to 38-percent and the Republican’s disapproval rating is at 49-percent. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says Cassidy’s popularity took a hit last year when he voted to impeach former President Donald Trump….
cut 8 (12) “….those necessary changes”
Meanwhile, Senator John Kennedy’s voter approval rating is 53-percent and he’s up for re-election this year.

State Civil Service Director Byron Decoteau was grilled by members of the Senate Finance committee about big pay raises given to himself and his Deputy Director Chris Deer and Chief Operating Officer Nicole Tucker. Decoteau told Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White raises are warranted…
cut 14 (12) “…subordinates made”
White calls the raises absurd.

There are now fewer than 100 people hospitalized statewide with COVID, a mark that LSU Infectious Disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says gives the medical community a much-deserved break. But with only 53% of the state’s population vaccinated, O’Neal says that lull could easily change.
Cut 4 (07) “…next surge.”
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 34-hundred people in the state last week received their first shot.

A statewide poll of 600 likely voters finds that 48-percent of respondents believe Governor John Bel Edwards did a good job of handling the pandemic and that same poll gives the governor a 49-percent approval rating. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says in a red state, a Democrat like Edwards has to walk a tightrope…
cut 7 (10) “….of his term”

The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for minors in possession of small amounts of marijuana. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”