Legislation to reduce the number of required hours for cosmetology students to graduate passes in the House. Slidell Rep Mary DuBuisson says the bill will help hair salons that are struggling to find employees due to lack of hours, but students are still required to pass their exams.

Cut 3 (10) “…seven and a half months.”

Opponents say the bill would hurt smaller cosmetology schools and compromise worker safety will less hours. The bill passed 78 to 15 and advances to a Senate committee.

It’s National Infant Immunization Week and Willis-Knighten pediatrician Dr. Nikki Humphries says it’s crucial to baby’s health to get them protected against common infections…:

Cut 9 (09) “…illness and injury.”

She says to always ask your healthcare provider about immunizations and not the internet.

A New Orleans teen has set a U.S. record by receiving more than $9 million in scholarships and 180 college acceptances. 16-year-old Dennis Maliq Barnes holds the Guinness Book of World Records for his accomplishments and the International High School senior says he just wants to get into college.

Cut 6 (12)  “…really fast” 

Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and where he’ll attend college has yet to be decided but he plans to pursue a dual degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice. He graduates from high school on May 24.

Senate Education Committee advances a heavily amended bill to keep adult reading material out of school libraries. Turkey Creek Republican Senator Heather Cloud says it’s a matter of importance to a great many parents and grandparents.

Cut AM 10 (11) “…sexually explicit material.” 

Cloud’s bill would set up a tiered library card system, wherein parents could select a lending level appropriate for their child. Amendments added to the measure seek to clear up the definition of what constitutes “sexually explicit.” Cloud says libraries would not have to go over every book, looking for objectionable content…:

Cut AM 11 (07)  “…by a patron.”

After an hour of discussion and before the opposition could speak, Senator Bodi White called for an immediate vote, and with no opposition from committee members, it moves to the Senate floor.

Legislation providing $8.5 million in funding for bulletproof vests for peace officers in the state passed in the House with a 98-0 vote. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says it’s about safety and protection.

Cut 13 (13) “…covers them.” 

The funding would be monitored by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.

Legislation requiring air monitoring systems in certain permitted facilities advanced from Senate Environmental. Bill author – Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says companies would have to maintain monitoring data records.

Cut 12 (12) “…be warned.” 

The bill requires all facilities in the state that produce toxic chemicals to alert communities nearby when air quality reaches dangerous levels. The measure was passed in a 4-1 vote.

43-year-old Hannah Landon of Harahan has been arrested and charged in the death of her boyfriend’s six-year-old daughter who was found Wednesday morning in a 10-gallon bucket on her mother’s lawn. Jefferson Parish Coroner Dr. Jerry Cvitanovich says the manner of death is homicide.

Cut 5 (07) “…fluid investigation.”

Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the suspect lives with the victim’s father and the child’s mother lives in the same neighborhood one street over, video footage of Landon pulling the bucket in a wagon Tuesday night led to her arrest.

Legislation requiring air monitoring systems in certain permitted facilities advances from Senate Environmental. Retired Army Lieutenant General Russell Honore says a recent chlorine leak near Iberville Parish sent residents to the hospital.

Cut 13 (11) “…the people.” 

The Tigerland bar where 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks visited before she was allegedly raped and hit by a car which led to her death has had their liquor license revoked. The owner of Reggie’s Bar, Darin Adams, has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and agree to never manage an alcohol establishment again.

Lady Tigers basketball coach Kim Mulkey says it’s time for an improved basketball arena on LSU’s campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Edit

A bill that would forbid schoolteachers and staff from classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual preference topics clears its first legislative hurdle. Bossier Parish Republican Representative Dodie Horton sponsors the legislation. In the House Education Committee, Baton Rouge Rep. Barbara Frieberg tells Horton her bill is not necessary…:

Cut 4 (09)  “…shouldn’t control this.”

Horton says local school districts tell her the policy would be more defensible from a legal standpoint if it is set into state statutes…:

Cut 5 (11)   “…a policy around.”

By a vote of 7 “yeas” and 5 “nays”, the bill moves to the House floor for debate. Horton filed the same bill last year but withdrew it due to lack of support.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt’s legislation to increase the penalties for manufacturing fentanyl passes in the Senate on 33 to 2 vote and advances to a House committee. The Republican Senator says the bill has the support of sheriffs, district attorneys, and coroners in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (05) “…neighborhoods.”

If passed a first offense would carry a 10-to-40-year prison sentence, ten years without parole, and up to a $50,000 fine.

Legislation to prohibit insurance carriers from using gender as a factor when setting auto insurance rates advances from Senate Insurance. The only female on the committee Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says it’s a very simple gender shouldn’t be used to determine whether or not she’s an at-risk driver, especially when insurance companies have access to one’s driving record.

Cut 11 (10)  “…down to.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon argued the legislation would increase rates for females.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that killed a teenager and injured another after crashing into a tree near Slidell. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Suzanne Carboni says when deputies arrived they found two minors at the scene.

Cut 6 (10)  “…a tree” 

Both girls were ejected from the ATV and neither was wearing a helmet.

More than 150 new jobs are coming to Shreveport as Prolec GE will invest 28-million dollars to expand its Caddo Parish facility to manufacture electrical transformers used in wind farms, solar parks and renewable energy applications. Prolec GE Business Unit Director Sergio Fernandez…

Cut 3 (06) “….very excited”

Construction on the new line begins in June.

Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was snuffed out in House Criminal Justice before it could even be voted on Tuesday. Bill author, New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says fear-mongering is how cannabis was criminalized to begin with.

Cut 4 (13)  “…marijuana illegal.”

The committee voted to defer the bill, which basically removed the bill from consideration this session.

The 37^th Annual Festival International De Louisiane begins today through Sunday in downtown Lafayette. Marketing Director Carly Viator (vee-ah-tore) Courville says this year’s opening ceremony will celebrate Lafayette’s bicentennial year.

Cut 13 (12) “…event off.” 

Visit festival-international-dot-org for more info.

A bill to legalize recreational marijuana is nipped in the bud. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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At the Capitol, a bill to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana is scheduled for committee review today. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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A proposal to clip required training hours for a cosmetology license in Louisiana was advanced by the House of Commerce Committee but opponents were vocal during the session. More from Teiko Foxx.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was snuffed out in House Criminal Justice before it could even be voted on. Bill author, New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says fear-mongering is how cannabis was criminalized to begin with.

Cut 4 (13)  “…marijuana illegal.”

Newell says Louisiana shouldn’t continue to criminalize individuals for a substance that in other states the economy has flourished. The Democrat says the legalization in DC has been profitable for the nation’s capital.

Cut 5 (11)   “…tax funding.”

State sheriffs, district attorneys, and chiefs of police in Louisiana oppose the legislation as a public safety issue and its potential to harm children. Will Hall of the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy spoke in opposition to the bill.

Cut 6 (09)  “…financially.”

A call to vote on the measure was pre-empted by a motion to involuntarily defer the bill by Chalmette Rep. Ray Garofalo. Newell voiced her displeasure over the 9 to 4 vote to in essence remove the bill from consideration this session.

Cut 7 (10) “…very much.”

Newell filed two other marijuana bills this session as well, one to allow for the cultivation and sale of cannabis products and another on the taxation of cannabis.

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A bill to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana goes before the Senate Labor Committee today. Democrat New Orleans Senator Gary Carter’s measure would raise the minimum hourly wage to $10 for January 1^st of next year. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says similar bills have been filed for every session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office, but none have passed…:

Cut 8 (07) “…something different.”

Carter’s bill would also provide for periodic raises in the minimum wage; eventually taking it up to $14 an hour by 2028. The fiscal cost to the state of Louisiana would be slight at first; less than $ 200 thousand…but by 2028 that would grow to nearly $3-million. Alford says it’s interesting to note lawmakers are discussing pay raises for teachers, first responders and especially themselves…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…in Louisiana.”

Alford says bills to set a higher minimum wage within the state have failed repeatedly in the past…:

Cut 10 (06) “…at the Capitol.” 

Alford says, even if the committee approves the bill, he doubts it has enough legislative support to reach the governor’s desk.

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The 37^th Annual Festival International De Louisiane begins today through Sunday in downtown Lafayette. Marketing Director Carly Viator Courville says there will be great art, food, and a cultural melting pot of diverse music

Cut 11 (10)  “…in Louisiana.”

Festival International – the largest international cultural celebration in the country – draws over 300,000 people over the five-day period and organizers are expecting higher numbers this year. Courville says the lineup is a cultural exchange of music with over 20 musical acts from France, Africa, Belgium, Louisiana, and beyond.

Cut 12 (12)    “…the Wailers.” 

Courville says this year’s opening ceremony will celebrate Lafayette’s bicentennial year and the city is excited.

Cut 13 (12) “…event off.” 

The festival is free to the public. Visit festivalinternational.org.

________________________________________

Legislation that would chop off the hours required to obtain a cosmetology license in Louisiana from 1,500 hours to 1,200 hours was advanced by the House of Commerce Committee Monday. Slidell Representative Mary Dubbison –the bill’s author- says less time would mean less financial obligation.

Cut 14 (04)  “…must repay.”

The measure would not require all cosmetology schools statewide to reduce course hour requirements over seven months. All students would still be required to pass a national exam to become licensed in Louisiana. A very vocal opponent to the bill – Salon Owner Vivian Green says less time means fewer qualified students.

Cut 15 (14)  “…wrong, period.”

The reduction in required hours also raised concerns with schools about financial assistance for grant recipients. Dubbison says New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Florida decreased hours to 1200 and other states like Oregon, Vermont, Texas, California, New York, and Massachusetts require less than 1,200 hours.

Cut  16 (06)  “…employment sooner.” 

House Bill 470 would also require the Board of Cosmetology to create a website through which students could apply, pay fees and see their progress toward a license.

______________________________________________

After getting swept by a red-hot Dallas Baptist team, Louisiana Tech baseball returns to action tonight as they face Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. The Bulldogs are 20-21 overall, nine and nine in Conference USA action. Tech Coach Lane Burroughs is hoping for a strong finish and a deep run in the league tournament…

Cut 17 (20) “…get in that tournament” 

Tech was picked to win Conference USA in the preseason, but they find themselves in fifth place in the league with 12 more conference games left. Burroughs says a lack of effort is not why this team has not performed to expectations…

Cut 18 (18) “…the case.”

Burroughs getting a win tonight would be great, but making sure they are among the eight teams that make the Conference USA Tournament is more important…

Cut 19 (14) “…conference tournament.”

______________________________________

Cut 20 (21)  “…speed”  

A person convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl would receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole with the passage of a bill by Crowley Representative John Stefanski. Opponents say some people who sell or distribute drugs are unaware of fentanyl if is inside the drug. But Stefanski says that’s not a valid defense…

Cut 8 (06)  “…face the consequences.” 

The bill heads to the House.

Legislation that provides an incentive payment of $5,000 to newly employed law enforcement officers was approved by a House Committee Monday. Houma State Representative Jerome Zeringue says the bill mirrors legislation implemented in Florida.

Cut 9 (09) “….this program.”

The bill now heads to the House Floor.

Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was snuffed out in House Criminal Justice before it could even be voted on. Bill author, New Orleans Representative Candace Newell says fearmongering is how cannabis was criminalized to begin with.

Cut 4 (13)  “…marijuana illegal.”

The bill was involuntarily deferred on a vote of 9 to vote, thus killing the bill for consideration this session.

Legislation to lower the number of signatures needed to prompt a recall election advances from House Governmental Affairs. Instead of a calculation from the number of registered voters, the threshold of 30 percent is based on voter turnout from the election in which the official in question won.  Eileen Carter spearheaded the No-Latoya recall in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (07) “…not exist.”  The bill heads to the House.

Legislation to lower the number of signatures needed to prompt a recall election advances from House Governmental Affairs. Instead of a calculation from the number of registered voters, the threshold of 30 percent is based on voter turnout from the election in which the official in question won.  Eileen Carter spearheaded the No-Latoya recall in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (07) “…not exist.” 

The bill passed on a nine to three vote with the opposing votes cast by Democrats.

President Biden says he plans to seek a second term because he wants to quote, “finish the job.”  ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley expects the Republican party will bring a strong challenge for Biden.

Cut 5 (09) “…for sure.”

Biden is the oldest person to serve as president.

A person convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl would receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole with passage of a bill by Crowley Representative John Stefanksi. Opponents say some people who sell or distribute drugs are unaware fentanyl if is inside the drug. But Stefanski says that’s not a valid defense…

Cut 8 (06)  “…face the consequences.” 

The bill heads to the House.

Legislation to give a $5,000 incentive payment to newly employed law enforcement officers receives committee approval. Houma State Representative Jerome Zeringue says new recruits must meet eligibility requirements including…

Cut 10 (11) “…criminal warrants.” 

If passed the legislation would take effect July 1^st the bill heads to the House floor.

A person convicted of distributing 28 grams or more of fentanyl would receive the same sentence as a person convicted of murder, life in prison without the possibility of parole under a bill approved by the House Criminal Justice Committee today. Bill author Crowley Representative John Stefanksi…

Cut 6 (07)  “…how I feel” 

Individuals convicted of possessing or distributing less than 28 grams of fentanyl would be sentenced to five to 40 years in prison with a 50-thousand dollar fine.

President Joe Biden says he’s running for a second term in 2024, asking voters to allow him to “finish this job” in a video released today. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it is unlikely Biden will face any serious Democratic party contenders.

Cut 3 (11) “…party challenger.”

A Danish-based energy investments group is looking to build a $4-billion reduced-carbon ammonia plant in St. Charles Parish. Project director Ramesh Raman (rah-MESH ROM-un) for the St. Charles Clean Fuels company says tax incentives were a factor in their decision but they also were drawn to the existing ports and infrastructure St. Charles Parish offers…:

Cut 9 (09)  “…for the incentives.”

The facility will create over 200 new direct jobs.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $3.24. Usually, at this time of the year, the price at the pump is rising, but it’s actually fallen a nickel in the last week. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…

Cut 13 (09) “…last week.” 

The price is forecasted to drop to $3.15 a gallon.