The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would make abortion a crime in Louisiana. Under Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s proposal, the mother and those assisting in the termination of a pregnancy can be charged with homicide:
Cut 4 (09) “not yet born”
Opponents of the bill say the measure would criminalize in vitro fertilization.

The New Orleans Saints and safety Tyrann Mathieu made it official Wednesday, as the three-time All-Pro signed a reported three-year, $33-million contract to join the team. The “Honey Badger” says he’s still pinching himself…
Cut 14 (12) “take advantage of it”
Mathieu said he is excited to join a Saints defense under new head coach and former coordinator Dennis Allen.

The bill aimed at cracking down on theft of catalytic converters continues to move through the legislative process. Under the proposal, a person convicted of stealing auto emissions systems worth over 25 grand could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years. Prairieville Representative and retired Ascension Sheriff’s deputy Tony Bacala says Louisiana needs this law…:
Cut 12 (10) “growing trend”
The Senate has already moved the bill and so has House Criminal Justice.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the retirement of State Fire Marshal Butch Browning; who has accepted the position of executive director of the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Browning’s 14 years serving Louisiana is the longest tenure for the position in the state’s history.

A bill to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in Louisiana cleared another legislative hurdle. In support of the proposal, the panel heard from retired women’s soccer player Anne Metz, who said her career ended when she was blindsided during a game by a biological male competing as a woman…:

Cut 11  (11)      “…my head.”

The bill now goes to the House floor for final passage. The same bill was passed last year, but vetoed by the Governor. A veto override attempt failed.

A bill banning use of a handheld cellphone while driving failed to pass the full House. Bill sponsor Mike Huval, of Breaux Bridge, had this exchange with Amite Rep. Robby Carter, who was concerned not everyone has or can afford hands-free tech…:

CUT 03(11)      “…not use your hands”

The bill got more “yeas” than “nays”, but fell shy of the 53 votes needed to pass.

A House committee approves a bill that would allow law enforcement to charge a mother who has an abortion with murder and also charge those who assist with terminating a pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

The House Committee on Criminal Justice also approved a bill creating the crime of theft of a vehicle’s catalytic converter or engine control module. Another bill moved forward increases the criminal penalties for committing a carjacking. Both those crimes are happening with alarming frequency. The same committee rejected a bill that would have allowed earlier parole for certain inmates who meet criteria for good behavior and time served. That bill appears dead for the session.

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 House Education Committee approved a Senate-backed measure that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams. The panel heard testimony from retired women’s soccer player Anne Metz, who said her career ended when she was blindsided during a game by a biological male who self-identified as a female…
cut 11 (11) “…my head” (2x)
The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act just needs full House approval and then it goes to the governor, where could it be vetoed again.

A bill to prohibit handheld cell phones while driving failed to gain passage in the House. Plaquemine Representative and Attorney Chad Brown is concerned Mike Huval’s proposed law could lead to illegal searches…
Cut 4 (09) “..thank you”
The bill failed to pass by five votes.

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 the nation’s highest court is going against popular opinion across the country…
cut 12 (10) “…abortion is okay”
A recent LSU poll found 49-percent of Louisiana residents thought abortion should be illegal, while 46-percent say it should be legal.

It’s hurricane preparedness week and state officials are encouraging residents to get prepared now even though the season does not officially begin until June 1st. Governor Edwards says one of the lessons learned from Hurricanes Laura and Ida is that storms are intensifying faster…
cut 8 (08) “…new normal”