LRN PM Newscall May 7

A bill to allow cameras in special education classrooms advances from Senate Education. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legislation that protects employees from being discriminated against due to their natural hairstyle is headed to the House for final passage after a tense debate in committee. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A bill to allow cameras in special education classrooms, if requested by the parents, advances from Senate Education. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil authored the bill on behalf of the Louisiana Development Disabilities Council and concerned parents whose special needs children experienced mental and/or physical abuse in the classroom.

Cut 3 (03)  “…safeguard.” 

Baton Rouge physician and mother of a nonverbal special needs daughter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Christian says she will never forget the day when she sat in an Individualized Education Program for her daughter and learned of ongoing abuse.

Cut 4 (12) “… every day.” 

Tonya Williams shared the story of how her son Tyler was shuffled around in several schools and when she found bruises on his body, she received conflicting responses from administrators. Williams says cameras in the classroom could have saved her son from ongoing abuse.

Cut 5  (09)  “…tell me.”

The price tag to install the cameras could cost up to $8-million, but only if every special education classroom receives a request from a parent or guardian for the cameras.

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A Senate-approved bill aimed at ending employer discrimination against Black natural hairstyles is headed to the House floor after a contentious debate in committee.

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says his bill was inspired by the experiences of African Americans who were suspended from school or fired from jobs just for wearing their hair naturally…

Cut 6 (12) “…shouldn’t be”

The legislation protects against racial discrimination on the basis of natural hairstyles or textures including, but not limited to afros, braids, locks, or twists.

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill.

Cut 7 (08) “…hairstyle.”

Hodges says business owners should have the right to dictate what employees’ hair looks like.

Cut 8 (10) “…sued?”

Carter argues the bill will not prevent employers from setting restrictions on hair length, whether beards are allowed, or other limits such as the requirement for hairnets in kitchens.

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton was initially skeptical but voted to pass it after a lengthy discussion with Carter…

Cut 9 (12) “…*claps*”

The bill passed 7-4 and heads to the House floor for final approval.

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The Defenders of Liberty Air and Space Show returns to the Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish this weekend with shows Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Air Show director Major Daniel Drier says you need a ticket for your vehicle to attend the show and then drive up to the base…

Cut 10 (12) “..square” 

Tickets are free for the event and you only need one printout per vehicle.  Everyone is encouraged to get tickets but Dreier says there will be a capacity limit.

Cut 11 (10) “…for safety”

Dreier says that folks attending the event can expect a wide variety of military planes.

Cut 12 (13)   “…performers” 

The website to reserve tickets for the event is barksdaleasbairshow.com. Tickets are free and the gates open at 9 AM.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says because he and his family are fully vaccinated they’ll be able to enjoy a safe, normal Mother’s Day celebration Sunday.

Edwards says after having to cancel Mother’s Day 2020, he’s ready to return to normal.

Cut 13 (12)“…vaccinated”

Edwards says if you’re still on the fence about the vaccine know one major benefit is that you can have normal family get-togethers again.

Cut 14 (12) “..desire” 

Edwards says if your family is not fully vaccinated continue social distancing and hold the event outdoors.

Edwards says the faster everyone in the state gets vaccinated the safer we will be and the fewer holiday restrictions will be needed.

Cut 15 (08) “…today.”