Republican senator Fred Mills from New Iberia is receiving strong backlash from his own party for voting against a bill to ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors.

Cut 1 (39)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

University Lab Student Cameron Robbins of Baton Rouge has been reported as missing after going overboard Wednesday evening on a boat ride in the Bahamas. The 18-year-old graduate was staying at a resort with other classmates.

Senate Education advances House-approved legislation requiring high school students to complete a financial literacy course to graduate and qualify for TOPS. State Treasurer John Schroder supports the legislation….

Cut 3 (11) “…have money.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor for final passage.

NOAA predicts a near-normal 2023 hurricane season. Weather officials say that means 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four major storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is because of two climate factors working against each other.

Cut 13 (10) “…hurricane season” 

Republican state senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish is facing backlash after he cast the tie-breaking vote to kill a bill that would have banned gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Louisiana Republican Strategist Lionel Rainey says the bill would prevent life-altering medical procedures on youth who are confused about their gender identity…

Cut 7 (11)  “…what they are going to be” 

But A’niya Robinson, with the Louisiana ACLU, says gender-affirming care starts with mental health care and there are very few cases where doctors are performing surgery on a child experiencing gender dysphoria…

Cut 8 (11)  “…not accurate” 

Mills said he voted against the legislation because he believes in the doctor-patient relationship and the ability to allow a family to choose what’s best for them.

Legislation to provide free and accessible menstrual products for female public-school students passed in House Education without objection today. Kay Riggs spoke on behalf of her daughter who was suspended for two days from Liberty Magnet High School in Baton Rouge after she had a period emergency.

Cut 10 (08) “…period products.”

The bill has already been approved in the Senate and advances to House Appropriations for funding.

A big travel weekend is coming up and Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says despite inflation they estimate 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend, a seven percent increase from last year…
cut 28 (12) “….in 2000″
Air Travel is up eleven percent and road trips are up six percent from last year.

Republican state senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish is facing backlash today after he casted the tie-breaking vote to kill a bill that would ban gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Mills sided with Democrats to defeat the legislation in Senate Health and Welfare. Louisiana Republican Strategist Lionel Rainey…
cut 6 (09) “…how does this happen”
Rainey says the bill would prevent life altering medical procedures on youth who are confused about their gender identity. But during committee debate, Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says gender-affirming care has the support of several major medical organizations
cut 16 (12) “….needed therapy”
Opponents of the legislation pointed to studies that show transgender youth are less at risk for depression and suicidal thoughts if they are able to access gender-affirming care.

A bill that would end capital punishment in Louisiana has failed to pass out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Opposing the bill was 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton, who says the death penalty still has a place in Louisiana justice… as punishment for the worst of the worst…:
CUT 09(09) “…the death penalty
Louisiana is one of 27 states that still allow capital punishment, but no one has been put to death here since 2010. The measure failed on an eleven to four vote.

Triple-A estimates 42-million people will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says today is a good day to make sure your vehicle is ready for the long road trip…
cut 13 (13) “…for help”

A bill to end capital punishment in Louisiana receives a death sentence in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “…Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information on the fatal police shooting in Bastrop last Thursday. L-S-P says the man Bastrop Police shot was a suspect in a stabbing and did not comply when the officer instructed him to lay on the ground. Investigators say the man instead charged the officer and was armed with a utility knife.

St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is taking criticism from conservatives around the country for his controversial vote yesterday that led to the defeat of a bill attempting to ban gender affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Mills, chairman of Senate Health and Welfare, sided with Democrats on the committee…
cut 14 (07) “…vote yes”
Right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh said on Twitter Mills sided with butchers and groomers and he’ll regret it. Mills is term-limited.

Delta Biofuel has green-lighted a project to build a renewable fuel facility in Jeanerette that will employ 126 individuals. CEO Phil Keating says they will convert sugarcane waste into feedstock for low-emissions energy generation….
cut 5 (13) “…..industrial scale”
Construction will begin next month.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee votes down on a House-approved bill that sought to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

State police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that fatally injured a man and two juveniles from Zwolle on U.S. Highway 171 south of Zwolle yesterday. Louisiana 66-year-old Bill Meshell, the driver of a 2003 GMC pickup truck failed to slow down when a 2012 Peterbilt log truck made a right turn. While the cause of this crash remains under investigation.

Delta Biofuel has announces the construction of a $100 million full-scale renewable fuel production facility in Jeanerette that will convert sugarcane waste into feedstock for low-emissions energy generation. CEO Phil Keating says the project will add jobs with an average salary of around 63 thousand dollars.

Cut 6 (12)  “…for everybody.”

The company is expected to break ground in late June.

Nearly 42 million people will travel out this Memorial Day holiday weekend, a 7 percent increase from last year, that’s according to AAA. 3 million people are boarding planes for the weekend, that’s an 11 percent increase over last year. Analyst Don Redman says that’s about 170,000 more passengers than the pre-pandemic level.

Cut 12 (13)    “…people fly.” 

The good news, if you plan to take a road trip, gas prices are lower this year compared to last year when the national average was more than $4 a gallon.

Despite support from Governor John Bel Edwards, the House Criminal Justice Committee rejected a bill that would eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana. Defense attorney Ralph Capitelli, says the process-from conviction to actual execution—simply takes too long to play out and it should be eliminated….
cut 8 (11) “….criminal justice sytem”
It’s been since 2010 since Louisiana has executed anyone. But John Sinquefield, chief deputy of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, worries what message ending capital punishment might send…
cut 10 (12) “…..no death penalty”
The bill was defeated on an 11-to-4 vote which is a death sentence for this session on an effort to end capital punishment.

After a lengthy debate, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted down a House-approved measure that would have prohibited gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment’s bill would prohibit doctors from giving minors puberty blockers or performing any gender-transitioning procedures. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there are no cases of a parent allowing their child to have a sex change before they are 18….
Cut 15 (13) “…has occurred”
Republican Chairman and New Iberia Senator Fred Mills casted the tie breaking vote which resulted in the bill’s defeat.

Triple-A estimates 42-million people will travel this Memorial Day weekend. Spokesperson Don Redman says today is a good day to make sure your vehicle is ready for the long road trip…
cut 13 (13) “…for help”

A bill that would end capital punishment in Louisiana failed to pass out of the House Criminal Justice Committee. HB 228 is from Marrero Democrat Representative Kyle Green, who tells committee members the death penalty needs to go…:
Cut 7 (09) “…innocent people.”
Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010, but Republicans believe the punishment serves a deterrent for murder.

The LGBTQ community got a big win in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. The panel voted against a bill to ban gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Alexandria Representative Jay Luneau says several major medical organizations support this type of care…
cut 16 (12) “….needed therapy”
Supporters of the legislation say the ban is needed to prevent teenagers from receiving life-altering medical procedures.

Do you plan to travel this Memorial Day holiday? If so, AAA projects a 7 percent increase in travelers compared to last year. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Delta Biofuel will break ground in late June on a $100 million renewable facility in Jeanerette that will produce 340,000 metric tons of biomass fuel pellets annually. CEO Phil Keating says this will solve a serious problem for the sugar cane industry…
Cut 4 (11) “…in utilities”
The facility will also employ 126 workers.

A bill to end capital punishment in Louisiana receives a death sentence in the House Criminal Justice Committee. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “…Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information on the fatal police shooting in Bastrop last Thursday. L-S-P says the man Bastrop Police shot was a suspect in a stabbing and did not comply when the officer instructed him to lay on the ground. Investigators say the man instead charged the officer and was armed with a utility knife.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee kills a bill that would prohibit gender affirming care for minors. The vote was five to four to defer the legislation for the regular session. Republican Chairman and St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills casted the tie-breaking vote…
Cut 14 (07) “…vote yes.”
Opponents of the legislation pointed to studies that show transgender youth are less at risk for depression and suicidal thoughts if they are able to access gender-affirming care.

A big travel weekend is coming up and Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says despite inflation they estimate 42-million Americans will travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend, a seven percent increase from last year…
cut 11 (12) “….in 2000″
Air Travel is up eleven percent and road trips are up six percent from last year.