A Shreveport native who was poisoned with an abortion pill by her husband in Texas gives emotional testimony before lawmakers in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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According to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small businesses has reached its lowest point in twelve years. Teiko Foxx has more.
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Louisiana Lawmakers are looking to expand the state’s role in U.S. border enforcement. The Senate passed a bill creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry” into Louisiana. Colleen Crain has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
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A Shreveport native gives emotional testimony at the state capitol, after her husband poisoned her with an abortion-inducing drug and a Texas judge sent him to jail for only 180 days. Catherine Herring is the sister of Senator Thomas Pressly who’s authored a bill to increase the penalties for such crimes in Louisiana.
The crime of coerced criminalized abortion would be punishable by no less than five, nor more than 10 years and if the unborn child is more than three months of gestational age it would increase to no less than 10 no more than 20 years in prison.
Herring was poisoned multiple times and police finally charged her husband after video footage showed her husband lacing drinks he prepared for her.
The bill was reported favorably out of committee and advances to the Senate.
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Before legislation to expand the school voucher program becomes law, Senate President Cameron Henry says the higher chamber is concerned the program might not be feasible with the fiscal cliff looming for the state budget.
In a recent call with senate presidents from other states, Henry says he learned of both successes and pitfalls of education savings accounts (ESAs) and he wants to be sure Louisiana doesn’t overpromise what the state can realistically deliver.
Cut 8 (12) “…number of students.”
Henry says the Senate wants to tap the breaks on ESAs and thoroughly research expanding the option for all families regardless of their finances.
Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s bill, the Gator Scholarship Program, passed in the House Monday and heads to Senate Education.
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The optimism of small business took a significant decline by nine tenths in March reaching its lowest since 2012, according to the National Federation Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says it boils down to three major challenges.
It’s the 27th consecutive month that optimism has declined below the 50-year average. While the labor market has shown marginal improvement, 37 percent of independent businesses who are trying to hire, report few or no qualified applicants.
Aside from inflation, 43 percent of owners report raising selling prices. Long says owners are determined to get through this but hopes Louisiana lawmakers are planning business reforms to boost the economy.
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Following Texas’s lead, the Louisiana Senate passes a bill seeking to expand the state’s authority over border enforcement and creating a crime of “illegal entry or reentry into Louisiana”. Opponents argue the bill is unconstitutional, calling it an overreach of state authority. Senator Royce Duplessis…
Cut 13 (13) “…solve anything.”
Some fear the bill could increase racial profiling and clog the courts. Opponents argue the bill will do nothing to make the state safer. On the Senate floor, Duplessis questioned Senator Valerie Hodges.
Louisiana is among several states looking to expand their role in border enforcement. Senator Valerie Hodges says, Louisiana has a right to defend the nation…
Cut 15 (13) “…deportation process.”
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LSU linebacker Harold Perkins says he feels comfortable in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. Baker is trying to bring the Tigers defense back to respectability and the plan is for Perkins to play as an inside linebacker. Perkins says he loves being coached by Baker…
Cut 16 (15) “…cleats on and stuff”
The plan heading into the 2023 season was for Perkins to play inside linebacker, but after one game, they moved him back to outside linebacker where he excelled his freshman season. Perkins likes the role of being in the middle of the field…
For LSU’s defense to get back to respectability, Perkins knows he’ll have to be a main driver….