A bill to allow adult adoptees access to their original birth record received House approval on a 76-21 vote. Brooke Thorington on what this means..:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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It’s “new year; same struggle” for a bill to fine drivers for holding a phone while at the wheel. David Grubb has more.
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The Louisiana House approves a bill that gives an adoptee access to their birth certificate once they reach the age of 24. Rosepine Representative Charles Owen, who’s adopted himself, says adopted children born in Louisiana are barred from seeing their original birth certificate unless they provide a judge with a compelling reason like…
Cut 3 (10) “…compelling reason.”
The bill faces opposition from anti-abortion groups and Owen was questioned if other states who have similar access have seen an increase in their abortion rate, he says he’s seen just the opposite in states similar to Louisiana.
Owens says in Alabama they’ve had a similar law for 22 years.
Thibodeaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says he thought a birth mother remained anonymous in adoption proceedings, but Owen said that’s a falsehood many believe. Fontenot says a mother should give consent if she wishes to later be contacted by the child.
Cut 5 (11) “…their documents.”
Owen amended the bill to allow birth parents to submit a form indicating if they’d like to be contacted or not.
The bill passed on a 76 to 21 vote and now heads to the Senate.
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There’s another threat of severe weather tomorrow from a cold front that will sweep across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says everyone should be weather aware tomorrow.
The Storm Prediction Center puts Monroe, Alexandria, the Delta Parishes, Baton Rouge, and Hammond under a four out of five risk for severe weather. That means there’s the potential for tornadoes and damaging straight-line winds. Keim says the entire state needs to be on its toes…
Keim says this weather system is similar to the one that hit the state last week spawning a tornado that killed one person in St. Bernard Parish…
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The House has postponed a vote on a bill proposed by Breaux Bridge Republican Representative Mike Huval that would create a new set of fines for holding a phone while driving, even if the driver is not texting. Huval faced some strong questions from Amite representative Robby Carter, who opposes the bill.
Huval had difficulty providing specifics on how the bill would impact users of different types of cell phones or on the technology required for drivers to be compliant with the guidelines, and Carter made sure to press him for answers.
Cut 10 (12) “…can’t answer that.”
Carter, who represents a district where 60 percent of his constituents make less than the state median income, says the bill would disproportionately impact poor people.
Cut 11 (12) “…against anyone.”
Huval proposed a similar bill last year. The House passed it, but the Senate rejected it, concerned that it could hurt minorities. Huval has decided to edit the bill and present it to the House again later.
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The 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the Fair Grounds Race Course one month from day and the times for when the various musical performers will take the stage were released today. Governor John Bel Edwards is glad the two-weekend musical festival is back
The COVID pandemic canceled the 2020 and 2021 Jazz Fests, even an effort to hold the music festival in the fall last year was scrapped. Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, Lisa Alexis, says hotel rooms are filling up fast…
Headliners for this year’s Jazz Fest include the Who, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, and Jimmy Buffet. Senior Vice President of New Orleans and Company Walt Leger says they are expecting a great festival…
Cut 14 (11) “..Jazz and Heritage Festival”
The Foo Fighters were scheduled to play at Jazz Fest on May 1st. But the rock band has canceled all upcoming concert dates after the sudden death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins, last week.