A bill awaiting Governor Edwards’ signature will allow truckers to begin pulling tandem trailers again on Louisiana roadways. Kevin Gallagher has more on that…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Another COVID vaccine could be available soon in the US if the FDA decides to follow the advice of its advisory panel. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A proposed option for the foreign language requirement for TOPS could mean a new career pathway for students. David Grubb has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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Big rigs pulling tandem trailers will be seen again on Louisiana roadways. Norco state Senator Gary smith says his bill is now awaiting the governor’s signature. Smith says the bill creates a new tandem load permit; allowing trucks to haul two 20-foot trailers. He says it addresses a statewide shortage of truck drivers and wear & tear on the highways…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…weight per axle.”

Smith says under his bill, DOTD will issue the permits, which will only be allowed for travel on designated highways. Interstates do not apply, because they are federally regulated. He says the bill actually has a “sunset” of four years; meaning it has to be revisited down the road…:

Cut 5 (13) “…the trucking out there.”

Smith says, under the bill, such tandem loads would still have to be under the state’s 37-thousand-pounds-per-axle limit. He says it’s hoped this can help with supply chain issues plaguing the state…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…it needs to go.”

Under state law, log trucks only are allowed a higher weight limit; 40-thousand-pounds-per-axle.

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The FDA advisory committee is recommending that the FDA give full approval to another COVID vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Doctor Lucio Miele says the Novavax offering is similar to the more traditional vaccines we are used to, like flu and hepatitis.

Cut 7 (12) “…for decades.”

Miele says while the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use RNA extractions so your own body will make the protein, the Novavax vaccine consists of two shots that deliver a small amount of the COVID spike protein so your immune system will respond and build antibodies.

Cut 8 (07)  “…and purified.”

Miele says it’s best to have as many different vaccines as possible that use different technologies to combat a virus that he says is here to stay.

Cut 9 (10)  “…by it.”

At this time FDA is considering two adult doses of the Novavax COVID vaccine. Studies show Novavax is 90% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID.

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Monday the legislature approved a bill that will allow students seeking TOPS eligibility to substitute computer coding for foreign language credits. SB 191 was sponsored by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who says it gives students who struggle with learning languages and those looking to develop workforce skills more options and follows successful models from across the nation.

Cut 10 (07) “…a language.”

Hewitt says the need for computer coding skills is there as it represents the single biggest workforce gap in the state. She says unless Louisiana starts making some aggressive changes, it might be impossible to develop enough qualified candidates to meet demand.

Cut  11 (12)  “…next five years.” 

Some lawmakers contend that with the state’s French heritage and the increase in Spanish speakers foreign languages are essential. Hewitt says she doesn’t disagree, she just wants to provide another option for students that could better serve their academic needs and give them a marketable skill at the same time.

Cut 12 (10) “…option for them.” 

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The latest report from trustees of the Social Security Trust Fund says the program will be insolvent by the year 2034. Senator Bill Cassidy says that means in 12 years there will not be enough money to pay the full benefits promised to seniors and those who will be on retirement then.

Cut 13 (05) “…cliff.”

Cassidy says this is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and current laws regarding social security would greatly reduce monthly benefits for those collecting benefits.

Cut 14 (10)  “…an option.”

Cassidy says he has spoken with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the concern and says she told him the current administration does not have a plan to address the issue, but they are willing to meet with Congress to devise a plan. Cassidy says he and fellow Republicans will attempt to do so.

Cut 15 (08)  “…us all.”

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There are plenty of unsettled questions about the 2022 LSU football team, but one player on the roster seems like a sure thing. Kayshon Boutte is expected to be THE next great LSU wide receiver and is already projected as a top 10 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. In 16 career games, Boutte has 83 catches for 1244 yards and 14 touchdowns but is coming off of two ankle surgeries and returns to a new coaching staff and offensive scheme. In a conversation with Tiger Rag Radio, Boutte said he’s excited about how Brian Kelly plans to utilize his skills.

Cut 16 (12)  “…amount of ways.”

Boutte wasn’t a participant in spring football due to his recovery from multiple ankle surgeries, but he kept himself involved mentally. He says he’s not certain who will be the Tigers’ quarterback this fall but was very impressed by the development of Garrett Nussmeier, who drew plenty of praise this spring.

Cut 17 (18) “ …he can do.” 

LSU Baseball finished 40-22 this season,  17-13 in the SEC. The Tigers’ regular season and conference wins reached their highest totals since 2019. LSU great and college baseball broadcaster Ben McDonald gave his assessment of year one of the Jay Johnson era.

Cut 18 (20) “ …and then some.” 

McDonald says that Johnson changed the culture of LSU baseball this season, and the future for the Tigers looks very, very bright.

Cut 19 (19) _“…transfer portal.” 

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Children who attend city-sponsored summer camps in Lafayette this week are also learning how to respond to active shooters. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin on June 15th to redraw a Congressional district map, but a Republican legislator says it may not happen. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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In addition to normal camp activities, children who attend city-sponsored camps in Lafayette this week will also be trained on how to respond to an active shooter. Lafayette Police Corporal Matthew Benoit says it’s a growing concern that can’t be ignored.

Cut 3 (11) “…talk about.”

The presentation covers topics like what to do if you come across a gun and what to do at school if there’s an active shooter. Benoit says two school resource officers who already have a working relationship with students are presenting the program to children ages 9 to 12, and they are able to…

Cut 4  (09) “…more of a game.”

In addition to how to respond appropriately at school, they also instruct children on how to be more aware of their surroundings outside of school and if they see something out of the norm to say something. Benoit says they cover how to respond in a variety of situations.

Cut 5  (09) “…dangerous event.”

Resource officers are also teaching campers the proper way to respond to any threat of violence not just an active shooter.

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Republican lawmakers are confident the Congressional District map they approved in February is compliant with federal and state laws, despite a federal judge ordering the Legislature to redraw the map because it does not have two majority-Black congressional districts. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 6  (10) “…about that” 

Governor Edwards has issued the call for a special session to begin on June 15th for legislators to redraw a Congressional district map. Hewitt says a special session may not be needed depending on what the 5th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals says about the map approved by the Legislature. She says time is short as Congressional elections are this fall and other states are in a similar situation…

Cut 7 (12) “…new map.” 

Critics of the map approved by the Republican-led Legislature say a second majority-Black congressional district is warranted because one-third of Louisiana’s population is Black, therefore two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority-minority.  But Hewitt says the federal voting rights act says the minority party does not have a right to proportional representation…

Cut 8 (11) “…voting rights act” 

Hewitt says the Black population is not concentrated enough to create to two majority-Black districts.

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Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval watched his bill that would have banned hand-held communication while operating a motor vehicle go down to defeat in the Senate. Huval has been relentless in his effort to make the state’s highways safer and says this push isn’t about taking away rights, it’s about saving lives.

Cut 9 (12) “…you’re speaking.”

One of the major hurdles Huval faced with his bill was concern that it could lead to overreach by law enforcement and potential profiling of drivers. To alleviate those concerns he received input from other lawmakers and agreed to a number of amendments that would have increased protections for motorists and oversight of law enforcement agencies.

Cut 10 (10) ” …in their hands.” 

Huval hasn’t been dissuaded by this most-recent setback. He promises that he will be back with another bill. He says there’s enough evidence from other states, like Georgia, that have adopted similar policies that this type of legislation could not only improve safety but decrease insurance rates as well.

Cut 11 (12)  “…much-needed legislation.” 

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While Americans are watching their pennies due to inflation, Senator Bill Cassidy has some positive news to report. Cassidy’s “No Surprises Act,” to keep patients from being caught off guard by medical bills is showing results.

Cut 12 (11) “…is working.”  

A recent study indicates that 12-million surprise bills are anticipated to be avoided this year alone.

Cassidy says if you do receive a higher bill for services contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3095…

Cut 13 (07) “…two-five-nine 53-hundred”

(Louisiana Department of Insurance 1-800-259-5300)