If your car does not have Bluetooth, you might want to invest in an FM transmitter soon. The House has advanced a bill that would make hand-held cell phone use while driving illegal except in emergencies. The bill’s author, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso, says distracted driving is a huge problem in the state, and it’s one of the reasons that auto insurance rates in Louisiana are so high.
Cut 12 (11) “…distracted driving.”
Fellow Republican Mike Bayham of Chalmette is against it. He says a hand-held cell phone ban would not instantly make bad drivers better.
A similar bill last year failed in the House, 71-to-22. It was almost the complete opposite this year, with the House passing it by a vote of 71-to-28. It now moves to the Senate.
National Democrats are encouraging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026. The New York Times reports Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken with Edwards about the race, but Edwards has not confirmed his interest. Even though Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy is facing a challenge in the state’s newly-closed primary, Democrats expect him to survive. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the big question will be how the closed primary will affect Cassidy.
Cut 10 (12) “…especially the Republicans.”
More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says that’s something that the department simply does not do.