Debate on Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s abortion bill that would have charged a woman with murder was pulled from the calendar after an amendment removed criminal charges. It was Republicans who presented the amendment and they also questioned McCormick on the constitutionality of his original bill. Louisiana already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws on the books that would go into effect if Roe V Wade, is overturned. La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford was asked if McCormick’s bill is symbolic of a fringe GOP in Louisiana.
The legislation for all practical purposes is dead for the session but it could be filed again as a resolution however the session timeline might not allow. The bill received national attention because it was poised to be one of the most aggressive new restrictions on reproductive rights in the country if it has passed.
Child drownings are on the rise in Louisiana. Regional medical director Martha Whyte says there were 24 drownings in 2020, a 60 percent jump from 2019, and preliminary data from LDH indicates 25 drowning deaths last year. She says drowning isn’t confined to large bodies of water. For infants and toddlers, there are dangers inside the home also.
Sunday night should present Louisianans with an ideal view of the lunar eclipse. LSU Astronomy Professor Jeffrey Clayton says the earth will travel between the sun and the moon, and the earth’s shadow should be visible beginning at 9:30 and last a few hours.
Clayton says you won’t even need a telescope for the eclipse so make plans to kick back and enjoy nature’s free show.