The Louisiana House approves legislation that would reduce the number of weeks a person can receive unemployment in a 12-month period.  Jennings Representative Troy Romero proposes to reduce the maximum number of weeks from 26 to 20, which drew opposition from New Orleans Democrat Wilford Carter

Cut 12 (12) “…to work.” 

The bill says if the unemployment rate is below five-percent the max duration of benefits would be limited to 12 weeks.

House Education approves a bill to require daily recess of at least 15 minutes for public school students between kindergarten and fifth grade. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says it’s good for a child’s physical and mental health…

Cut 11 (11)  “…classroom.”

Amedee says 11-percent of schools have dropped recess.

State Police release police bodycam footage from the April 23^rd officer-involved shooting of 33-year-old Joseph Taylor. LSP Trooper Melissa Matey says Shreveport Police Officer Anthony Visciotti and the other officers are on administrative leave while their investigation continues…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…analyzed and reviewed.”

Taylor was pulled over for swerving and video footage shows him refusing to get out of the vehicle along and he was found to be armed with a Glock 9mm.

Labor quality surpassed inflation as the top concern in the latest Small Business Optimism Survey. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says 24 percent of ‘Mom and Pops’ say filling job openings with qualified workers is their top concern followed by inflation at 23 percent.

Cut 13 (08) “…that’s down.” 

McVea says finding qualified applicants has been an issue since the pandemic.

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L.R. 5:30 (17) 8:30 (20)

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee this morning. Katie Hunter Lowery with Louisiana Survivors for Reform testified about her own rape that she’s still processing. If she had become pregnant as a result, she said at least then she had the choice.

Cut 11 (14)  “…through violence.”

Lafayette OB/GYN Dr. Damon (cut-ah-hee) Cudihy spoke in opposition to the bill. He said it’s the rapist who should be subjected to the death penalty, not the unborn child, and that abortion doesn’t remove the trauma of rape.

Cut 12 (10) “…an abortion.” 

The state’s abortion bill remains unchanged.

A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passed in the House after an hour-long debate. Critics refer to the legislation as the “Don’t Say, Gay Bill.” Former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell spoke in opposition to the bill. She says merely prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter.

Cut 15 (10)  “…against them.”

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo supported the bill and says teachers should only be teaching the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Cut  16 (12)  “…the students.” 

The bill passed in the House 67 to 28 and advances to the upper chamber.

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in the House Criminal Justice Committee this morning. Katie Hunter Lowery with Louisiana Survivors for Reform testified about her own rape that she’s still processing. If she had become pregnant as a result, she said at least then she had the choice.

Cut 11 (14)  “…through violence.”

Lafayette OB/GYN Dr. Damon (cut-ah-hee) Cudihy spoke in opposition to the bill. He said it’s the rapist who should be subjected to the death penalty, not the unborn child, and that abortion doesn’t remove the trauma of rape.

Cut 12 (10) “…an abortion.” 

House Bill 346 failed to make it out of committee on a ten to five vote.

A bill requiring a person found guilty in a fatal DUI case to pay restitution to the surviving children of the victims until they reach 18 was approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Supporting the bill named in memory of her late husband, Shelby Strong says losing her husband Cody has affected her children

Cut 6 (10)  “…and drive.” 

House Bill 91 advances to the House floor for debate.

And legislation to ban the use of the social media app Tik Tok on any state-owned devices and state networks will advance to the House floor. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says experts have found governmental information can be accessed through the app.

Cut 4 (10)  “…said yes.” 

The bill also would apply to state colleges and universities if the bill is enacted.

A bill to add the exceptions of rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed in House Criminal Justice Committee. Before a crowded room, Bill author New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd told committee members her own mother was raped for years by someone almost twice her age and pregnant at 15.

Cut 9 (10) “….predator.”

There was emotional testimony for and against adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban.

Debbie Melvin spoke in opposition to the bill. She says the act of abortion is yet another trauma rape victims would endure if they choose to end the pregnancy.

Cut 10 (09) “…to her.” 

House Bill 346 bill failed to make it out of committee on a ten to five vote.

A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…

Cut 1 (34)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Legislation banning the use of the social media app Tik Tok on any state-owned devices and state-owned or leased WIFI networks has advanced to the House floor. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says the app presents real security concerns.

Cut 3 (06) “….national intelligence.”

33 other states have already banned use on government-issued devices.

House Ways and Means approves legislation to increase taxes on vape products and electronic cigarettes, and the first $22 million of the increase will fund state trooper pay raises. The tax would increase from point-zero-5 per milliliter to 15-percent. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis…

Cut 13 (07) “…them enough.” 

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has ditched her effort to pass legislation to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from entering a bar. Mizell amended her bill so the measure now reads that if an 18 to 20-year-old is served alcohol, an establishment faces fines and could be sued if something tragic happens…

Cut 9 (10) “…do it illegally.”
The measure heads to the Senate floor.

The full House has approved a bill that prohibits the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in public school classrooms. Critics refer to it as the Don’t Say Gay Bill. Chalmette Representative Ray Garolfalo says teachers should only be teaching the basics…

Cut  16 (12) “…the students.” 

The House approved the bill on a 67-28 vote and it heads to the Senate.

A bill that would bar ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. In its current form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts done to or committed by underage patrons that they serve alcohol to. Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who died after an excessive night of drinking at a Tigerland bar testified in committee.

Cut 7 (11) “…consume alcohol.”

Under Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s amended bill, 18 to 20-year-olds could still enter bars and even work at a bar.

Cut 10 (09) “…choice they make.” 

The bill passed in committee and moves to the Senate floor.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would prohibit public school teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter…

Cut 15 (10)  “…against them.”
Bill author, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton, says no one should talk to our kids about sensitive subjects without parental consent.

Former state representative and current First Assistant Secretary of State Nancy Landry of Lafayette joins the list of candidates running for Secretary of State. Landry says with a Presidential election next year, you need someone with the proper experience and knowledge to oversee the election….

Cut 6 (05)  “…and the experience.”
Mike Francis, Clay Schexnayder and Brandon Trosclair are also running for Secretary of State.

A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes…:

Cut 1 (35)  “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In the House legislation to require parental consent before corporal punishment is used on their child in public school passes. A report indicates that only 19 school systems allow paddling in school last year. The bill passed on a 74 to 21 vote and heads to the Senate.

A bill to require the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every public-school classroom advances from the House. Gretna Representative Joe Marino opposes the bill. He says it could be seen as promoting a particular religious belief.

Cut 7 (09)  “…every book.” 

In 2018 a bill requiring every school to display “In God We Trust” passed. The bill advances to the Senate after a 98-4 vote in the House.

A bill already passed by the House that would make burglary of an inhabited dwelling a crime of violence and subject to those penalties passed a Senate committee. Some argued it cannot be a crime of violence if no one was physically attacked, but bill sponsor, and Metairie Rep. Debbie Villio disagrees.:

Cut 14 (12)  “…of violence.”

The bill heads to the Senate floor.

A parent would have to sign a consent form to allow school officials to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the House. New Iberia Representative Blake Miguez believes the legislation should allow parents to opt out of corporal punishment instead of opt-in…

Cut 4 (08)  “…consequence” 

The bill heads to the Senate after a 74-21 vote in the House.

A bill to require the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every public school classroom advances from the House. Gretna Representative Joe Marino opposes the bill. He says it could be seen as promoting a particular religious belief.

Cut 7 (09)  “…every book.” 

In 2018 a bill requiring every school to display “In God We Trust” passed. The bill advances to the Senate after a 98-4 vote in the House.

Researchers at LSU have developed a patent-pending bait to help control the state’s wild hog population. Researcher Glenn Gentry says the bait makes them fall asleep and impedes the flow of oxygen, and there’s no risk to humans or other animals that might eat their remains. Some worry it would eradicate them completely, but Gentry says hunters have nothing to worry about.

Cut 13 (09) “…manage their numbers.” 

Wild pigs cause an estimated $ 75 million in annual crop losses and crop damage in Louisiana.

A bill to allow teachers to call a student by the name and pronoun on their birth certificate passed in the House 61-33. Bill author Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says it’s a parent’s rights bill, but New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard says it appears to be more for teachers, not parents.

Cut 24 convictions. :16

Legislation to require the motto “In God We Trust” to be displayed in every public school classroom in Louisiana was approved by the House in a 98-4 vote. Bill author, Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says it’s not pushing religion on anyone.

Cut 6 (08)  “…my goal.” 

Both bills head to the Senate.

Parents would have to sign a consent form in order for a school official to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the House. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Bossier Parish High School teacher has been charged with Indecent Behavior and Prohibited Conduct. The Bossier Parish Sheriffs Office says 36-year-old Lacey Oakes of Haughton allegedly shared sexual images and played a sexually explicit game with students. Oakes was terminated from her employment.