The full House is set to debate a bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder and send mothers who have one to prison. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Due to a nationwide shortage of infant formula, the Louisiana Department of Health issues advice for parents. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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LDH takes a major step forward in addressing the state’s opioid crisis with expanded treatment services. David Grubb has the story…
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A bill that would consider an abortion an act of murder is scheduled for debate today on the House floor. House Bill 813 would punish women who have the procedures, and doctors who perform them, with prison time. Oil City Republican Rep. Danny McCormick says his bill seeks to put abortion on the same level as infanticide…:
McCormick’s bill is scheduled for full House debate today. He says his bill is not about putting doctors and mothers in jail…:
Cut 5 (07) “…protection of the child.”
Speaking Wednesday to the Baton Rouge Rotary Club, Governor John Bel Edwards said he doesn’t often come out on a bill before lawmakers have had their votes, but he worries HB813 won’t survive any possible legal challenge…:
The governor indicates he’d use the veto pen, should McCormick’s bill reach final passage.
McCormick’s HB813 is scheduled for House floor debate today.
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The nationwide shortage of infant formula has parents of newborns looking for options and guidance. Director of Nutrition Services at the Louisiana Department of Health Jennifer Nicklas is advising families to shop at different stores if they are having difficulty finding formula.
A recall of formula made by Abbott at their Michigan plant along with supply chain issues has only exacerbated the formula shortage. Nicklas also suggests asking friends and family to help you search for formula and for WIC clients the list of approved formula substitutions has been expanded.
For a list of substitutions and other retailers who accept SNAP benefits the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.
Nicklas acknowledges it’s a frustrating situation for parents. She says switching to another formula could cause discomfort for an infant’s digestive system for several days. Nicklas says however do not water down formula in an attempt to make it last longer. Do not attempt to make your own formula, and never…
Nicklas says also never purchase expired formula or products that have been punctured or damaged.
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As part of the ongoing effort to fight the nation’s opioid epidemic, the Louisiana Department of Health Office of Behavioral Health is offering extended hours and treatment services in the Northwest and Northshore regions of the state. Traci Perry, the opioid treatment authority at OBH says the goal is to get services to the areas where they’re needed most.
Cut 11 (12) “…life-saving services.”
Access is one of the largest barriers for people trying to break the cycle of addiction. The OBH clinics will provide comprehensive services on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis. Perry says it takes a combination of medication and evidence-based treatment to keep patients on the right track.
Cut 12 (11) “…stay in recovery.”
Services are already available at Behavioral Health Group in Shreveport and are expected to be up and running at BayMark Programs North Shore in Hammond in June. Perry says those two regions were chosen based on data collected by the state’s prescription monitoring program, though OBH expects to expand the program in the future.
The program is funded by the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and through the Louisiana State Opioid Response 2.0 Grant.
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A Senate bill requiring public schools to adopt policies by the end of the year regarding cameras to be installed in Louisiana special education classrooms advances from House Education. Sandra Guichard, a mother of two special needs children says she placed a recorder on her daughter when she suspected she was being abused at school.
The bill requires policies to be in place by December 31, 2022, for about 9,000 once funds are available. The cameras will cost an estimated $6-million.
Jennifer Carignan, President of Louisiana Save Our Schools says she’s talked with several parents of special needs children and heard horror stories of abuse in the classroom. She begged lawmakers to find funding and to hold schools accountable for installing cameras in the classroom.
Jody Rollins, whose son is nonverbal with severe autism, implored lawmakers to remove any obstacles school districts have to install cameras. She says it’s as if education is lawless and they are not forced to follow policies set forth by lawmakers.
The bill advances to the House floor for final passage.
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The national rankings are all over the place when it comes to LSU, but D1-Baseball-dot-com has the Tigers projected as an 11-seed and hosting a regional in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Editor Kendall Rogers says though LSU is flawed he still likes the Tigers’ chances in the postseason.
Cut 17 (20) “ …stock on that.”
Pitching remains the biggest question mark for the Tigers, as it has been since the start of the season. Though Ma’Khail Hilliard has delivered, LSU doesn’t have a consistent number two. Rogers says there are ways to work around that.
Rogers believes that one of LSU’s biggest advantages isn’t on the field. He says Coach Jay Johnson brings one of the best offensive minds in the game into the dugout every night, and he could be a difference in the postseason.
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