Legislation to terminate the parental rights of the violator if a child is conceived as a result of sexual assault is before the legislature. Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) President Morgan Lamandre recounted a case in which a judge believed it was in the best interest of the child to have two parents, despite how they were conceived.

AM Cut 4 (11)  “…be allowed.”

Legislation to require fathers to pay for half of the out-of-pocket pregnancy-related medical expenses of the mothers of their kids advances to the House floor. Bill author, Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says dads get off scot-free too often…:

PM Cut 4 (10)  “…more rights.” 

The bill moves now to the House floor.

The Senate Education Committee approves a bill requiring every school in Louisiana to have an automated external defibrillator on campus in case a person goes into cardiac arrest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

On Thursday legislation to provide testing for dyslexia for K through third grade will be heard in House Education. Gretna Representative Joe Marino’s bill would require every child in those grades to be screened at least once for dyslexia. The goal of the bill is to catch and intervene earlier in a child’s education versus later.

The House Civil Law approves legislation to allow mothers to recoup half of their out-pocket costs from the father of their child for pregnancy related-medical expenses. Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman says Examples of reimbursable expenses would be insurance co-pays and over-the-counter prenatal vitamins.

Cut 5 (06) “…that back.”
The bill heads to the House floor for more consideration.

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation to require schools to have an automated external defibrillator at every school and athletic event. Dannie Garrett with the Louisiana School Board Association urged legislators to allocate funds…

Cut 14 (13)  “..looking at”

It may require a hearing in Senate Finance.

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s first television campaign ad for governor hit the airwaves today. The 30-second spot focuses on Landry’s plan to be tough on crime. ULM Political Science Pearson Cross says the next governor will be focused on criminal justice reform…

Cut 10 (09) “…a bit.” 
The ad began airing in Baton Rouge today but is expected to reach every market in the state in the future.

Pineville’s Camp Beauregard will be renamed the Louisiana National Guard Training Center in Pineville at an official ceremony set for the fall. Lt. Col Noel Collins says they accepted more than 200 name submissions last year from the public and the list was narrowed down.

Cut 7 (08)  “…redesignation.” 

The name choice indicates the installation’s location in Rapides Parish.

Legislation to require fathers to pay for half of the out-of-pocket pregnancy-related medical expenses advances from House Civil Law. Bill author, Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman (Freeman) says it’s crucial to have such a law with the state’s abortion ban in place.

Cut 3 (11) “…right direction.”

The Republican’s bill requires proof of paternity and passed in committee without opposition.

Attorney General Jeff Landry launched his first television ad of his gubernatorial campaign addressing the state’s top issue – crime. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says crime is a major concern for Louisianans and with experience in law enforcement, Landry knows what it takes.

Cut 9 (12) “….will do it.”

The Owners of the Belle of Baton Rouge casino plan to conduct 100-million dollars’ worth of renovations on the downtown property. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says the Belle’s sister property Hollywood Baton Rouge casino is also undergoing major renovations and changing its name to The Queen Baton Rouge…

Cut 13 (08) “…gaming market.” 

Republican Tim Temple from Baton Rouge is the only announced candidate for Insurance Commissioner. Temple has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry….

Cut 15 (11)  “…rates down.”
Temple also has about two-million dollars in his campaign warchest. Current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced last month he would not seek re-election to the office he’s held since 2006.

Legislation to require social media companies to verify a user’s age advances from a Senate committee. Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s bill would restrict a minor’s use unless there’s parental consent. McMath says former social media employees have testified about the danger of algorithms they once developed have on juveniles.

Cut 4 (10)  “…media yet.”

McMath says the increase in cyberbullying and teen suicides is related to the use of social media.

Kouri Marshall with the Chamber of Progress, a trade group that represents technology companies, spoke in opposition because the bill undercuts the privacy of every social media user in an effort to protect children.

Cut 6 (08)  “…user online.”

Senate Bill 162 with amendments passed in committee without opposition and advances to the Senate floor.

A resolution to create a Task Force to review protocols and safety for officers involved in high-speed police pursuits was approved today by a Senate Committee. Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter says many law enforcement officers agree guidelines are needed to set policies for chases.

Cut 6 (08)  “…of hand.” 

The resolution is in response to teen teenage girls who were killed during a high speed chase New Year’s Eve.

A Senate committee advances a bill to increase penalties for producing drugs with fentanyl in them. Bill sponsor and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says harsher punishment will decrease dealership. She says the same thing worked when heroin was a problem decades ago…:

Cut 10 (08) “…someplace else.” 

The bill gives a minimum 10 years for a first conviction. Unopposed in committee, it moves to the Senate floor.

The Senate Judiciary C Committee approves legislation to increase penalties for individuals convicted of producing drugs containing fentanyl. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the current penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison is not enough.

Cut 9 (11) “….your first conviction”

A second conviction calls for a minimum sentence of 30 years and a third conviction will result in at least a 99-year prison sentence.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested a second woman in the Nathan Millard case, the Georgia businessman who went missing, and his body was found 12 days later in what the coroner has ruled an overdose death from a combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol. 33-year-old Tabbetha Barner faces prostitution charges and failure to seek assistance in Millard’s death. 27-year-old Tiffany Guidry and 45-year-old Derrick Perkins were previously arrested in the case.

The latest campaign finance report for the governor’s race has Jeff Landry with $6.3 million followed by John Schroder with $2.4 million. And with the next finance report, due mid-July, Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will be an indicator of who’s Landry’s main Republican competitor.

Cut 5 (06) “…Jeff Landry.”

After a high-speed police chase killed two teens on New Year’s Eve when a responding officer ran a red light, a resolution to review such protocols is being discussed by a Senate Committee. The chase across multiple parishes involved a suspect who stole his father’s vehicle. Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter says the task force would produce guidelines on when a high-speed chase is appropriate.

Cut 8 (12)  “…turned on.” 

The resolution heads to the Senate floor.

The latest campaign finance report shows Attorney General Jeff Landry at the top with $6.3 million on hand in his bid for governor. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s finances and endorsements make him the frontrunner.

Cut 3 (10) “…so far.”

And Landry will launch a statewide TV ad campaign tomorrow, six months before the primary.

This week it’s actually appropriate to talk trash in Louisiana because it’s Love the Boot Week. It’s a week dedicated to cleaning up trash along roadways and public spaces. Keep Louisiana Beautiful spokesperson, Melissa Kenyon, says when you look at the numbers from a recent study, the amount of litter is staggering…

Cut 15 (10) “…to address.”

For more information go to Keep Louisiana Beautiful-dot-org.

It’s finally that dreaded day on the calendar, federal tax day, and if you’re one of the estimated 31 percent of taxpayers who wait until the last minute to file, Teiko Foxx has some advice…

Cut 1 (33)  “I’m Teiko Foxx”

And if you need to call the IRS today about your taxes, you’ll be relieved to know the average wait time is four minutes versus the average 27 minutes last year. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has improved customer service.

A Senate Committee will discuss a bill to establish certain controls to protect minors on social media Tuesday. Covington Republican Senator Patrick McMath calls his legislation the “SOCIAL Act.” SOCIAL being an acronym for Secure Online Child Interaction and Age Limitation. McMath says his bill would affect any platform with 5 million or more users…:

AM Cut 7 (10) “…16 and under.”

McMath’s bill would require social media platforms to restrict certain content from the view of minors and impose an “online curfew” for youths on such apps and websites. He says his bill would impose fines of $2,500 per occurrence for violations…:

AM Cut 8 (12) “…does become law.”

Legislation to keep film tax incentives in place permanently in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means Tuesday and a recent poll indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of those incentives. Acting President of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says they commissioned the JMC Analytics Poll of 600 residents.

PM Cut 9 (07) “…the numbers.”

And a bill to do away with state income tax appears to have been defeated. The House Ways & Means Committee voted to table Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s bill. Among his proposal to offset lost revenues, the bill would have lowered homestead exemptions and removed dozens of sales tax exemptions.  Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says those exemptions are good for his district…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…in your area”

In Winn Parish they are investigating the murder of Calvin High School’s softball coach 51-year-old Kevin Camp. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says Camp and the 17-year-old got into an argument about returning home late and that’s when the teen allegedly shot his father. He says the juvenile has been charged with manslaughter in the death of his father.

Cut 8 (08)  “…man with.” 

The teenager is being held at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old men in the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child early Sunday morning. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says one of the shooters was injured by gunfire, transported to a local hospital and then booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Cut 5 (09) “…year old.”

19-year-old Marques Porch, 19-year-old Gregory Parker, and 19-year-old Derrick Curry were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree feticide.

It appears Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax is dead for the session. Nelson’s major tax reform idea is to do away with the income tax and replace the revenue lost by eliminating dozens of sales tax exemptions and lowering the homestead exemption. But Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her constituents like the 75-thousand dollar homestead exemption

Cut 12 (10) “…oppose.” 

The bill was tabled.

In Winn Parish they are investigating the murder of 51-year-old Kevin Camp, Calvin High School’s softball coach, after he was fatally shot allegedly by his son Saturday. Sheriff Cranford Jordan (Jur-dan) says Camp and the 17-year-old got into an argument about returning home late. He says Camp was well thought of.

Cut 7 (08)  “…last year.” 

The teenager is being held at the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Legislation to make film tax incentives permanent in Louisiana will be heard in House Ways and Means and a poll indicates 66 percent of residents are in favor of them. Acting president of the Louisiana Film Entertainment Association Trey Burvant says the JMC Analytics Poll of 600 residents found 78 percent are more likely to watch a movie if it was here.

Cut 10 (12) “…years later.” 

It appears Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson’s proposal to eliminate the state’s income tax is dead for the session. Nelson’s major tax reform idea is to do away with the income tax and replace the revenue lost by eliminating dozens of sales tax exemptions and lowering the homestead exemption. But Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says her constituents like the 75-thousand dollar homestead exemption

Cut 12 (10) “…oppose.” 

Nelson’s main argument for getting rid of the state’s income tax is that it will make Louisiana a more attractive state to businesses and people. He believes it would stop the brain drain…

Cut 13 (12) “…fix it”

Nelson who is running for governor believes he would have a better chance at getting this tax reform effort passed if he was in the governor’s mansion.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested three 19-year-old males in the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child on Sunday, April 16. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says minutes before the shooting – the victim dropped off teens at a party in the area.

Cut 3 (11) “…them up.”

36-year-old Kerisha Johnson, who was 9 months pregnant was killed while sitting in her car after returning to pick up the teens. Marques Porch, Gregory Parker, and Derrick Curry have been charged with the shooting.

Last year Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan legislation’s created a commission to assist schools and nonprofits with security and now he wants to make it a permanent office. He says it’s important to have a central point of reference to provide resources and guidance on how to apply for grants.

Cut 15 (08)  “…with this.”

The Center for Safe Schools would operate within GOHSEP.

Of the seven statewide elected positions in Louisiana, only two are seeking reelection this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says while the big focus is on the governor’s race, getting elected as Secretary of State, Treasurer or AG sets you up for a bigger job in the future…

Cut 8 (12) “…Louisiana politics.”

Independent candidate for Governor Hunter Lundy is keeping an eye on what the legislature will do to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. Lundy is concerned they will approve legislation to restrict the ability to sue insurance companies….

Cut 10 (12) “…unfair.” 

Lundy is for legislation that gives consumers more rights, not less.