US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm toured the Bayou State Tuesday to see how the state is a major contributor to energy. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Senate-approved bill that would allow the state to put violent 17-year-old criminals in with adult prisoners clears another legislative hurdle. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

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Ochsner Baton Rouge adds to its list of innovative procedures with a new method for repairing a torn ACL. David Grubb has the details…

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Congressman Troy Carter accompanied US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on her trip to Louisiana Tuesday, touring the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Bayou Choctaw and GE’s Wind Turbine facility at the Michoud Assembly in New Orleans. Carter says it’s important to show how Louisiana is using resources to create green energy.

Cut 4 (12)  “…the White House.”

There’s been a lot of focus on petroleum reserve sites recently as the Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing record-high prices at the pump. Carter says the tour of the reserve in Plaquemine’s Parish was illuminating.

Cut 5 (10) “…professionals.”

Carter says Louisiana is poised to be a leader in wind turbine energy with the plant strategically located near major ports and just offshore to proposed wind turbine placement in the Gulf.

Cut 6 (09)  “…green source.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Garret Graves also accompanied Granholm on her tour.

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A Senate-passed bill to roll back Louisiana’s 2016 “Raise the age” law clears another legislative hurdle. On Tuesday, Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill won approval from the House Criminal Justice Committee. He says his SB 418 would only apply to youthful offenders who commit serious or violent crimes, like murder, assault, battery rape and armed robbery…:

Cut 7 (06) “…within 24 hours.”

The so-called “Raise the Age” law was passed in 2016; keeping 17-year-old offenders from being imprisoned with adult jail inmates. Cathey’s bill allows for an evaluation of 17-year-old offenders to see if they need to be in juvenile detention, or sent to adult population. He says he brought the bill at the request of local district attorneys…:

Cut 8 (15)  “…committing these crimes.”

Opponents feel putting juveniles in with adult criminals will only make them harder to reach and rehabilitate. Cathey says the problem of teens committing serious crimes knows no political favoritism, with a Republican Attorney General and a Democrat DA agreeing the bill is needed…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…out of this committee.”

By a vote of 6 FOR and 5 AGAINST, the bill cleared the committee and heads now for full House debate and what could be final passage.

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Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many have expressed interest in assisting those displaced by the war. A recently approved $40-billion aid package will allow Americans to sponsor a Ukrainian family through the “Uniting Ukraine” program. David Aguillard with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Baton Rouge says this is a unique opportunity.

Cut 10 (07) “…experience.”

Aguillard says sponsors will help families or individuals acclimate to the community and teach them things like how to shop at Walmart, how to enroll in school, or make medical appointments.

Cut  11 (10)  “…adequate housing.” 

Potential sponsors must apply to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and complete a background check. Aguillard says while it’s a rewarding experience it comes with a big responsibility.

Cut 12 (05) “…help Ukraine.” 

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An innovative new surgery for repairing a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, has come to Louisiana. Ochsner Baton Rouge Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jeremy Burnham says this method is about healing the ligament rather than replacing it.

Cut 13 (10) “…with something new.”

Burnham is the first surgeon in the region to utilize the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair Implant, known as BEAR. The less-invasive procedure has produced very exciting results.

Cut 14 (07)  “…long term outcomes.”

Roughly 400,000 ACL injuries occur each year in the US and Burnham says there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of advancement in dealing with this injury. At least not until now.

Cut 15 (12)  “…really promising.”

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Louisiana Tech opens play in the Conference USA baseball tournament this afternoon against Charlotte. The Bulldogs are seeking their second consecutive NCAA tournament bid. Coach Lane Burroughs believes Tech has done all it can to earn a spot in the field, but winning a few more games can’t hurt.

Cut 16 (17)  “…leave no doubt.”

For the second year in a row, Louisiana Tech will open the Conference USA tournament facing the team it closed the season against. The Bulldogs beat UTSA in the first round last season and are looking for a similar outcome against Charlotte this year. Here’s Coach Lane Burroughs…

Cut 17 (15) “ …just played them.” 

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LSU begins its quest for a 13th SEC tournament title this weekend in Hoover, Alabama. The Tigers enter the tourney coming off a sweep of Vanderbilt and with a chance to host an NCAA regional. Coach Jay Johnson says playing in the SEC requires postseason-type focus all season long, and that mentality will carry over in LSU’s approach to the tournament.

Cut 18 (19) “ …element of competing.” 

The Tigers hosting a regional is almost as much of a summer tradition as crawfish boils or hurricane parties, and both the team and its fans would love to see that tradition continue. However, Coach Johnson says the focus is on getting better each game, not where it’s played.

Cut 19 (12) _“…and really improve.” 

Though this will be Johnson’s first SEC Tournament, he’s followed it each year from afar. Johnson says the combination of talented teams, tradition, and the stakes, make it one of college baseball’s truly great showcases.

Cut 20 (17) “ …outside of Omaha.” 

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After years of presenting legislation to ban handheld cellphone use, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill is finally closer to becoming law.  Brooke Thorington has more.

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After several attempts, a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of someone’s hair has advanced from the House to the Senate. David Grubb has more…

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The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above-average hurricane season with as many as 21 named storms and several major storms. NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad says their outlook is predicting between six and ten hurricanes…

Cut 3 (11) “..111 miles per hour”

The hurricane season begins June 1st. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says the public should get ready now…

Cut 4  (13) “…nine states”

Sprinrad says several climate factors give them confidence we’ll see an active hurricane season, including the ongoing La Nina and warmer than average sea surface temperatures…

Cut 5  (10) “…do now.”

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After years of presenting legislation to ban handheld cellphone use, Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill is finally closer to becoming law.  House Bill 376 passed in the House on a 55 to 38 vote. Huval says a number of lawmakers helped amend the legislation, which makes it a better bill, for example…

Cut 6  (11) “…goes away.” 

Current law in Louisiana bans the use of handheld devices in school zones, this bill expands that to public roadways in the state. Huval says the fine for his bill is reduced to $50 to $100.

Cut 7 (07) “…paying a fine.” 

The amended legislation also removes the possibility of arrest for the violation.

And while the bill’s intent is to improve highway safety, it’s received criticism that it could be used to racially profile motorists. Huval says the bill has also been amended to address that concern.

Cut 8 (11) “…use of this bill.” 

For vehicles without Bluetooth technology, the use of headphones with a phone is permitted so you aren’t holding your phone while driving.

The bill has just under two weeks to receive Senate approval.

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A Senate committee approved a House-backed measure today that would allow non-felons over the age of 21 years to conceal carry a weapon without needing a permit or the training to obtain a permit. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a similar bill last year and Tom Costanza, executive director of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops also opposes it…

Cut 9 (09) “…workplaces.”

But Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says allowing for concealed carry without a permit will not lead to more gun violence…

Cut 10 (10) ” ….few issues” 

The measure passed on a four to two vote and heads to the Senate floor for final legislative passage. Zelenka says requiring gun holders to get a permit costs as much as 325-dollars, while criminals are carrying guns without a permit,…

Cut 11 (11)  “…illegal carrying” 

Zelenka says gun owners would still be able to get a permit and training under this legislation. He says a concealed carry permit is needed in order to conceal carry in  many other states or at a restaurant that serves alcohol.

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House Bill 1083, also known as the CROWN Act, is on its way to the Senate after receiving overwhelming passage in the House. The bill, authored by New Orleans Representative Candace Newell, prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture, natural hairstyles, and protective hairstyles. It passed after no debate on a 74-24 vote.

Cut 12 (10) “…beyond excited.”  

Studies have consistently shown that Black people and Black women in particular with natural hairstyles such as afros, braids, or twists are seen as less professional which leads to bias in hiring and other areas. Representative Newell says that she hopes people in Louisiana are finally becoming aware of an issue that has been on the national radar for a while.

Cut 13 (12) “…has been introduced.”

Newell says that the straight hair standard essentially amounts to a tax on a large number of people forced to spend money simply because their hair doesn’t conform. She says this issue impacts not just Black men and women in the state, but cuts across all demographics in some way

Cut 14 (12)  “…of our citizens.”