A bill by Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton that that would provide equal pay for women gets a hearing today in the House Labor Committee. Some critics of Norton’s legislation say that this measure would duplicate existing federal law. Norton says laws regarding equal pay for women may be on the books, but they are not being enforced…

cut 5 (09) “at a dollar”

According to recent Census data, Louisiana has the largest gender pay gap in the nation.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a teacher from Christian Life Academy for allegedly having sex with a student two years ago. Spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks says when they brought 27-year-old Amber Anderson in for questioning, she admitted to the relationship. HIcks says the mother did not know what the teacher was doing with her son at the time…:

cut 11 (10) “just recently”

Anderson is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

The so-called revenge porn bill advanced from the House Criminal Justice Committee Tuesday without objection. Author, Kenner Representative Julie Stokes, says there are already laws about this for minors but she thinks something needs to be put in place for young adults…

cut 8 (14) “without consent”

The offense would be punishable up to a $10,000 fine and/or two years in prison.

The Big Easy’s new smoke free ordinance went into effect at midnight and smoking is no longer permitted in bars, casinos and most public places in New Orleans. Founding Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health, Doctor Elizabeth Fontham, says a study found that long-term exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke could increase a women’s risk of lung cancer as high as 86-percent…

cut 14 (06) “the risk became”

Fontham feels this should have a positive impact on tourism.