The nearly $26 billion dollar spending bill for next fiscal year is now headed to the Senate for consideration after nearly 14 hours of debate in the lower chamber. It includes a $72 million dollar cut to tops in order to give money to the state’s hospitals that serve the poor and uninsured.

Conservatives are not happy about the US Department of Education’s letter to schools indicating they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms based on their gender identity. Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham says we should be protecting our children…:
CUT 7 (05) “granddaughters”

But Matthew Patterson with Equality Louisiana says people who make statements like that don’t understand the gravity of this action…:

CUT 9 (05) “are about”

Patterson says policies like these are meant to protect the most vulnerable part of our population. Abraham says the state should make the decision regarding transgender bathrooms, not the federal government.

Four people have been arrested by the Gonzales Police Department in connection with a fight that occurred at the East Ascension High School graduation. The fight involved women in the football stands during the ceremony Wednesday, and a now viral video of the incident circled quickly on social media. Destiney Thompson and Delencia Williams, both 17, 18-year-old Rodneisha Patterson and 22-year-old Travonshay Mills were booked on charges including simple battery, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct.

Another Union Parish Detention Center inmate is arrested in connection with the rape of a 17 year old female at the center, who was being held as she was high on methamphetamine. Cops say 27-year-old Darandall Boyette left his cell without permission and went to the cell where the teen was being held and raped, allegedly by Demarcus Peyton. Boyette said he also intended to have sex with the female, but decided to leave. Boyette faces an escape charge. Peyton is charged with third degree rape. State Police is investigating.